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Please drop Chris a line. If you know of any other F/A who has been called to military duty and would like to have his or her address shared with their fellow PHL F/A's, let me know and I will put it out on the News Line.
Hey Mollie,
Just thought I'd drop a line to ask if we have any union support program for our military troops within our company that are being deployed. I am currently deployed as of last Monday, so I'll be away for who knows how long fighting the possible upcoming war with Iraq. I was given 36 hrs notice to report to my military base, and I'm currently waiting for further movement orders out of the country in an undisclosed destination. I'm a Philadelphia-based F/A, San Juan LODO.
When I have further information (i.e. address to which correspondence can be mailed to) I will forward it to you. I would like for my address to be posted in the Crew Room, since I had hardly any time to say goodbye to my long list of flight attendant and pilot friends. Thank you for your assistance with this
matter
Sincerely, Chris
God Bless America
Attention Reserves:
Not Getting Your Time In? You May Be Eligible for Partial Unemployment Benefits!
Thanks to Barry T. for sharing the information below:
Dear Mollie,
I am a reserve flight attendant in PHL and I was wondering if you could help get the word out to other reserves who are not getting their time in? I recently found out that we are eligible to receive partial unemployment benefits. Filing is really simple and can be done by phone or online. The number is 1-888-313-7284. Or local in PHL at 215-856-6990. I filed on Feb. 28th and my benefits are expected the week of March 9th, so it doesn't take long at all. This information applies to the state of Pennsylvania only. From what I understand, each state is different. Another friend of mine who is based in CLT was told she wasn't eligible. It's worth looking into even for those who are not based in PHL.
This sounded almost to good to be true so I checked it out for myself and YES, there is such a thing as 'Partial Unemployment Benefits' and YES some US Airways FA's do qualify. I just recently spoke with the FA who sent us this information and I am pleased to say he has already received his first check.
Please share this information with fellow reserves unable to get their time in. Thanks! MMc
Pegasus Board Meeting in PIT April 4th:
The Pegasus Project will be holding their next Board and Committee meeting on April 4th in Pittsburgh. The Pegasus Board is extending an invitation for US Airways flight attendants, who have the desire to make a difference in the lives of our members who are in need, to attend this meeting. Pegasus assists members of AFA with financial grants when they are facing life threatening critical illness or injury. It is a very worthy organization and is in need of volunteers to help further the organizations' objectives. This meeting will focus on staffing and training Committee members and would be a perfect starting place for those interested in participating. We are very proud of the work that this organization has accomplished and especially proud of the dedication of The Executive Director, Bonnie Vezie, who is a 23-year flight attendant with US Airways.
If you are interested in attending this meeting please contact The Pegasus Treasurer, Nicki Kirkeby at
nmkirkeby@cox.net. Members will be meeting the night before for a "Meet and Greet" get together. The Project will take care of hotel and food expenses incurred if travel is involved for those interested in attending.
Did you make a donation to Pegasus in memory of AFA member John Gary Koch?
The Pegasus Project would like to hear from anyone that may have made a donation to The Pegasus Project in remembrance of AFA member John Gary Koch. John was a member of Council 70 and died unexpectedly on Feb 15, 2002. His mother would like to forward thank you cards to those who made donations in her sons' name. Please contact Nicki Kirkeby, The Pegasus Treasurer at the above listed email address if you made a donation in John's name.
New Catcrew Screen
Last September I brought forth an agenda item to the MEC requesting a new Catcrew Screen along with several enhancements to existing screens. The agenda item passed. I have just recently heard that the new screen and one of the enhancements are finally in the works. The new screen will list every FA's (not just reserves) monthly flying by base. In addition, Option #2 will be enhanced to show a constant tally for 'Underfly' for domestic flight attendants each month.
As a reminder, 'Underfly' is the total amount of time you BEAT SCHEDULE for each leg flown in the month. Once the option 2 enhancement arrives, you will have an automatic compute of all the times you beat schedule during the monthly bid period. You will then be able to add that time to your option maximum without receiving a hassle from crew scheduling. Note: You should never exceed your option maximum plus whatever 'Underfly' you have acquired during the month, to do so would be akin to stealing time from a fellow flight attendant. More than ever we must look out for each other.
Heads Up: FOM, FAR's and Military Command Prohibit Smoking and Drinking on CRAF flights.
As per the pilots' Flight Operations Manual (F.O.M.) and FAR's Smoking is prohibited on ALL flights including CRAF and ferry flights. In addition, Military Command not only prohibits smoking but also alcoholic beverages for their troops while on CRAF flights. Of course it goes without saying that crew-members cannot have any type of alcohol 12-hours before or while on duty.
Fleet Reduction in the Event of a War?
Force Majeure literally
means "greater force". READ More HERE
FYI: US Airways fleet reduction in case of war.
Reuters newswire reporter John Crawley reported (3/18/03) that US Airways is considering further reduction of fleet size (below the 279 fleet size management committed to in the restructuring agreements).
5% Pay Reduction
For those of you who may have misplaced your RA 2 Summary, here is what the majority of the flight attendant membership agreed to in the January Restructuring Agreement (RA-2):
WAR CONTINGENCY
"In the event that (a) the U.S. invades Iraq (meaning that the U.S. initiates a sustained aerial bombardment of those parts of Iraq that are not within the current 'no fly' zone or introduces substantial numbers of ground troops into the territory of Iraq), or (b) there is an act of terrorism which in either event has a material adverse impact on commercial aviation, there will be an immediate 5% pay deferral for up to 18 months. The deferral will begin to be repaid starting in the first month following the end of the deferral and will continue to be repaid in as many monthly installments as were covered by the deferral. In the event that US Airways Group reports a pretax profit with respect to any quarter during which the pay deferral is in effect, the deferral will immediately stop and repayment will begin in the next month to continue for the same number of months as were included in the deferral."
I have received several e-mails from Council 70 members asking if or when we can expect to see the 5% reduction. Some of you have also asked, 'what if the war only lasts a few days, will we still have our paychecks reduced?'
The Company contacted the MEC President, Perry Hayes stating that 'Communications on the 5% deferral are being readied.'
We will need to wait and see 'if' this new management team will, in the event this war is over 'quickly', do the right thing or take advantage of the situation. Click to read:
Definition of Sustain:
1.to keep in existence; maintain or prolong; continue; keep going
New Non- Rev Travel Designator for Furloughed F/A's
For those furloughed F/A's who have called stating you were unable to book flights through the employee travel line, please note your travel designation has been changed to MI. That goes for immediate family and parents too. You can still make your travel plans through the "employee travel line", but must know the new designation. Again, that designation is MI.
Recent News Articles You Might Find Interesting-
One last thing before I go.
I have heard from many of you on how disappointed/disgusted you were at the way the ballot for the January Restructuring Agreement (2) was worded. I agree. When I read how the AFA International Office had worded the ballot and again when I heard how the choices were stated on the telephone voice prompt, I was appalled. I immediately contacted Ms. Friend, AFA International President, by phone. I will not go into that conversation but suffice it to say, I did let her know that AFA had 'Crossed the Line'. Her only response was to say 'We only put down what the company said they will do.' She did not correct the problem nor did she offer you, the membership, an apology as requested.
You have the right to know that I supported Ms. Friend at the October AFA BOD elections. At the time I felt she was the better of two choices I had to work with. I am still not sure the other choice would have been any different. Although I did try to enlist other AFA FA's to run for the office of International President, I was not successful. At this point, I can only do what Ms. Friend would not, apologize to you for the wording of the ballot and try to make sure it will not happen again.
This issue was addressed at the February MEC meeting when LECP PIT, Teddy Xidas, 'beat me to the punch' by bringing forward an agenda item stating future ballots will be limited to saying 'Vote FOR the proposal - or - Vote AGAINST the proposal' in an attempt to keep what happened in January from ever happening again. Unfortunately, the agenda item did not pass on the senatorial vote. As your representative, I then called for a 'roll call' vote and the agenda item passed with only Council 40-PIT and Council 70-PHL/PHW voting in favor. Regardless if you voted 'For' or 'Against', I hope you will agree that we do not need to have the wording of our democratic voting process slanted or tainted in any way.
Council 40-PIT also brought forward an agenda item addressing the fact that some FA's going out on Voluntary and Involuntary Furlough in January, and who were still eligible to vote were denied that right. The agenda item called for those members to have the opportunity to vote even if it would not change the final outcome. At this time we still have not received an answer from an AFA International Officer in regards to our members who were denied their right to vote and who were eligible to do so at the time.
Well, that's all for now. Please take care of yourself and each other.
Take Care, Fly Safe and God Bless America,
Mollie McCarthy
LEC President
Council 70 - PHL/PHW
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