Issue 9 - September 12, 2006

...the US Airways MEC Uniform Newsletter

The Uniform Committee met in Tempe, AZ from September 05-07. The agenda consisted of meeting with uniform vendors and seeing the initial sketches, by Stan Herman, of the uniform design for in-flight and customer service. Three vendors were selected, out of seven interested companies, to make their final pitch for why US Airways should select them to produce and handle our new uniform. Some of the vendors that were not selected are Cintas, Brookhurst and M&H. 

The uniform committee, which is made up of members of in-flight, customer service, and select management members, made our vendor selection based on the information provided to us from the presentations and have passed it onto management for final selection. The next step in the vendors' selection process is for senior management and the marketing department to review our recommendation, the vendors cost along with the pluses and minuses of the three remaining vendors (IE: distribution, warehousing, web site access, product development and quality control). The announcement of the vendor is expected in approximately two weeks. 

Once the vendors' selection is complete Stan Herman, our uniform designer, will then be able to finalize his vision for the NEW US Airways Uniform. I can tell you that what was presented to the committee in the initial drawings looks nothing short of fantastic. Now, you may be saying to yourself "well self, that sounds great, but what do they look like?" My answer is I would love to give you all sorts of specifics, but as I said the drawings were only initial designs and they are not complete. Some of the items we looked at may not be in the final drawings do to fabric options, dye lots, or a number of other potential issues. However, Candi, Robin, Bob and I, as well as the rest of the team, feel that Stan has captured the essence of the style and functionality that all of you so eloquently expressed through emails and in person during the three city road show tours. Tentatively, the date is subject to change. We are planning an eight-city road show tour scheduled for January of 2007 to unveil the final uniform design.

Now for the Myth Buster portion of our e-line. 

Myth 1: The company is changing our uniform replacements to the America West bank system. Fact or Fiction? Fiction. The uniform distribution is based on contractual language agreed to by AFA and the company. The company must negotiate any change to that process with AFA and if the current negotiations are any indication of how the company negotiates it could be quite awhile before that section is finalized.

Myth 2: The company is using the new uniform as leverage for cost savings in the new combined contract. Fact or Fiction? Fiction. The company had preplanned and did a cost approximation for the new uniform well before negotiations began.

Myth 3: October first Flight Attendants have to wear their blazers and ties/tabs again. Fact or Fiction? Fiction. Sadly this rule currently only applies to our brothers and sister on the West. The company ended the required seasonal wearing of the blazer in May 2005 (pre-merger). Also, the current management notified customer service in March 2006 that they no longer are required to wear their ties/tabs. By doing this it also changed the policy for the East flight attendants which are both covered by guidelines in the Impressions of Excellence Booklet - General Section, which governs all uniformed East employees.


And now Questions from the Audience:

First Question: I enjoy reading your e-line. However, I think sometimes you can be a little sassy. My question is, do you and Candi support in-flight in doling out uniform infractions/warnings to bring people back into compliance as a "heads up" for the new uniform?

Answer: Ok, first of all I love the fact that you called me "SASSY." Secondly, A friend of mine (DT) has stated, more times than I can count, "that in every family there is only room for one show girl." Well, although there are many at US Airways there is only one on this committee and it isn't Candi! Let me start by saying that personal opinions that Candi or I hold do not apply in our decision making regarding this subject. Candi and I are in our positions to support and defend the members of AFA and the decision made by the MEC governing body. The decisions that management/in-flight make have no bearing on whether Candi or I support them or not in any way. Thanks for your question.

Second Question: Why is it taking over a year to get a new uniform?

Answer: Because I said so. Sorry I was being SASSY. The reason it will take over a year is because there is a crazy process to putting a uniform together. Let me run you through it via a time lapse process. 1) Bids are put out to uniform vendors (couple months). 2) Designs are drawn up and could go through several redraws before the final sketches are accepted and approved (few months). 3) A vendor must be selected from all interested parities. This is accomplished by meeting, in some cases several times, to bargain several key issues (few months). 4) Fabrics and colors are selected and then put through testing to insure quality and durability (couple months). 5) Then mock ups are made for wear testing to ensure the uniform can survive in the real world (couple months). 6) Then it takes 6 to 9 months to produce all of the fabric that will be needed to dress all uniformed employees (6 to 9 months). 7) Then a few months of sewing and having all of the employees fitted and refitted (few months). 8) Distribution begins and voila you have a new uniform. Thanks for your question.

Well, that brings us to the end of another From the Hanger. Keep those questions coming in along with all of your rumors/myths. We will be happy to answer them all. On a personal note Candi and I would like to recognize three heroes among the many heroes that work for US Airways. Charlotte Flight Attendants Julie Marton, John Sullivan, Jr, and Laura Craddock who successfully evacuated flight 431 in Miami, FL on August 31, 2006. We salute and raise our wings to you. Until next time Fly Fast and Fly Safe.

AFA MEC US Airways Uniform Chairs

Candi Covelli CCovelli@afausairways.org
Brian Morgan BMorgan@afausairways.org


LEC Chairs:

Heather Santello BOS council 69
Marianne Totin CLT council 89
Greg Knouse CLT council 89
Candi Covelli PIT council 40
Brian Morgan PHL council70
To Be Announced LGA council 82
To Be Announced DCA council 41

(To reach your local council representative please contact your local LEC office)