Last Hotline		Last Hotline
AFA Hotline # 01-01	Hotlines 01-01 thru 01-05 | Hotlines 00-39 thru 00-45	AFA Hotline # 01-03
AFA Hotline # 01-02	Hotlines 00-33 thru 00-38 | Hotlines 00-28 thru 00-32	AFA Hotline # 01-04
	Hotlines 00-27 thru 00-20 | Hotlines 00-16 thru 00-19
	Hotlines 00-11 thru 00-15 | Hotlines 00-06 thru 00-10
	Hotlines 00-01 thru 00-05  | Archived Hotlines

This change to the contract, for example, would equate to United unilaterally lowering wages or pay rates without first getting approval from the flight attendants. This type of change would be considered a “major dispute”.

AFA-UAL is promising CHAOSTM strike actions if United creates a “major dispute” under the contract by going ahead with the plans to own and operate US Airways. Legally AFA can respond in kind by taking action under the Railway Labor Act to fight back.

Wholly Owned Subsidiaries
Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings Inc., a commuter operation with a presence in the eastern and midwestern United States announced today that it has entered into an agreement with UAL Corporation to acquire the three wholly owned US Airways regional carriers, Piedmont, Allegheny and PSA.  This agreement is contingent upon and will occur at the same time as the closing of the proposed United/US Airways merger and is also subject to regulatory approval.

At issue, once again, is the AFA-UAL “scope” clause that in effect would place the flight attendants from the wholly owned US Airways regional carriers under the richer terms of the United flight attendants' labor contract should United buy the subsidiaries. 

According to management, the regional carriers would then be extremely uneconomical to operate. In order to avoid this, UAL management sought a waiver from its flight attendants to permit the purchase without placing the express carrier flight attendants under the AFA UAL working agreement. 

It is unfortunate that UAL management has chosen to sell off a valuable asset rather than seriously negotiate with their flight attendants. 

Contract Spotlight – Training 
Flight attendants are entitled to choose training dates from a list of available dates designated by the company. Keep in mind that failure to do so could result in training dates being assigned. 

Flight attendants required to attend training will be paid 3+00 pay/NO credit for each of the first two days of required training in the same bid month. Any additional training days in the same bid month will be 3+00 pay/CREDIT. You may elect pay/NO credit for the additional training days if you wish. 

For those flight attendants attending “out of base” training, a travel day to and from training on a day other than an actual training day will be considered as a day in training for pay purposes.

Finally, when traveling to “out of base” training flight attendants are entitled to Crew Movement Authorization to and from the city were the training is being conducted from the city in which the flight attendant resides. Please refer to Section 21 – Trainings and Meetings for more detailed information on training.

Uniform News
The Company has changed uniform vendors, transitioning from Lion Apparel to Cintas/UTY. 

Uniform orders/returns through Lion were only available through until March 2. 

Cintas/UTY is now responsible for accepting orders/returns effective April 2.
 

LOCAL MEETINGS

Local Elections

Elections for LEC Officers

  PIT Council 40 
      Nomination Ballots counted -                March 5 

      Election Ballots mailed -                  March 30
      Election Ballots must be postmarked -      April 20 
      Election Ballots counted -                 April 30 

  CLT Council 89 
      Election Ballots mailed -                  March 12 
      Election Ballots must be postmarked -      April 2 
      Election Ballots counted -                 April 12

If you do not receive your ballot, contact your local AFA office for a duplicate. 
Your Union works best when you participate.

AFA’s Delta Campaign Blitz
AFA is asking for your active participation in two campaigns. 

First, please contact your Congressman and ask him/her to sign onto a “Dear Colleague” letter circulated by Congressman Weiner of New York. The letter, intended to put Congressional pressure on Delta Airlines and CEO Leo Mullin, asks Delta to stop interfering with AFA’s organizing effort and allow Delta flight attendants the freedom to have a “Voice at Work” through union representation.

AFA is also planning an organizing blitz in Atlanta this month. Plans include leafleting at the airport and calls/visits to Delta flight attendants. We need your help with this organizing effort scheduled for March 11 to March 24.

Come for a day or stay for the whole two weeks. We appreciate and need volunteers. Some flight loss pay may be available. If interested in joining us in Atlanta or for more information, call Carol Edelson at 888-997-8866 or email: cmeafa@compuserve.com or the website: http://www.deltaafa.org.

Legislative Affairs
YOUR ACTION URGENTLY NEEDED CONTACT CONGRESS IMMEDIATELY
Ergonomics injuries are caused by repetitive motion and are often injuries to the muscular and skeletal system. An example would be an injury resulting from pushing and pulling beverage and meal carts. Ergonomic injuries and illnesses disproportionately affect women. 

OSHA's new ergonomics standard became effective January 16, 2001. Opponents in the business community and Congress are now trying to REPEAL this important protection using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). If the CRA passes, the new ergonomics standard will be dead, and flight attendants would never receive the ergonomics protections from serious injury we so greatly need.

Contact your US Senators and Representative IMMEDIATELY and ask them to oppose any efforts to overturn new protections from crippling workplace injuries. Be sure to include your mailing address in any correspondence.

If you need help determining who your Senators or Representative are, call Shane Larson at AFA Legislative Affairs, 1-800-424-2401 ext. 801.

The complete text of the MEC President’s TESTIMONY can be found on the website, www.afausairways.org

The US Department of Justice expects to announce their decision on the merger on April 2, 2001.

Rumor Control: Telephone Survey
AFA has heard a rumor that a telephone survey on merger related issues is underway.

Your union is not conducting a survey at this time.

Once the merger appears certain of approval, an AFA-sponsored survey of our members will be held to help our Merger Negotiations Committee prepare for merger negotiations. For now, however, your union is not conducting a telephone survey.

The US Department of Justice expects to announce their decision on the merger on April 2, 2001.

Contract Spotlight – Training Pay
Effective this year, our pay for training has changed to 3+00 pay/NO credit for each of the first two days of required training in the same bid month.

Any additional training days in the same bid month will be 3+00 pay/CREDIT. At your option, you may elect to have the additional training days pay NO credit.

A travel day to and from training on a day other than an actual training day will be considered as a day in training for pay purposes.

(See Section 3-H, page 3-5 of the Contract.)

Contract Spotlight: Sick Leave Rapid Re-accrual
When returning from a sick leave of at least 90 consecutive days, you will accrue 8+00 hours sick leave per month, rather than the standard 5+00 hours. This "rapid re-accrual" will continue until you reach the level of sick time accumulation you had before the illness or to the maximum of 740:00 hours, or reserve account, whichever occurs first.

Make sure you accrue the proper sick leave amount. Make it a point to monitor your sick leave balance at regular intervals and notify your In-flight Supervisor of any discrepancies.
(See Section 8-J, page 8-4 of the Contract).

SAP and Secondary Lines
The Company has announced that the new Scheduling Adjustment Period (SAP) and Secondary Lines for Flight Attendants will not be ready for implementation until July due to technical difficulties. SAP and Secondary Lines are now planned to be effective for the September bid month. 

Pilot Bid 2001-03
May & June 2001

Summary of Effect of Pilot Bid 2001-03 on Flight Attendant positions:

BOS +15
DCA +9
LGA +6
CLT +33
PHL +45
PIT +42
BWI - No Change

This report represents an estimate only and does not include extra positions.
 

LOCAL MEETINGS

Local Elections

Elections for LEC Officers

PIT Council 40
    Nomination process ends with ballots postmarked TOMORROW, February 21. 
    Nomination Ballots counted -            March 5

    Election Ballots mailed -               March 30
    Election Ballots must be postmarked -   April 20 
    Election Ballots counted -     April 30
 

CLT Council 89
      Election Ballots mailed -                   March 12 
      Election Ballots must be postmarked -        April 2 
      Election Ballots counted -                  April 12

If you do not receive your ballot, contact your local AFA officer for a duplicate. Your Union works only when you participate.

AFA’s Delta Campaign Blitz
Join the Atlanta blitz in March. We'll leaflet at the airport and call/visit Delta flight attendants. We need as many AFA members as possible to help with the effort scheduled for March 11 to March 24.

You can come for a day or stay for the whole two weeks. We appreciate volunteers, but some flight loss pay is available.  For more information, call Carol Edelson at 888-997-8866 or email cmeafa@compuserve.com

Piedmont
Flight attendants at US Airways Express carriers, Piedmont and Allegheny Airlines are at the bargaining table for new contracts. 

Piedmont flight attendants have been negotiating for almost two years, with little progress and have asked the National Mediation Board to release the parties from federally mediated talks.  If the NMB releases the parties, by law, a 30-day "cooling-off" period would begin.  If the 30-day period ends and no agreement has been reached, flight attendants are free to begin CHAOS strike actions.

Flight attendants at Allegheny Airlines are also in negotiations for a new contract. Their ‘Bridging the Gap’ campaign is designed to bring the regional airlines in line with what the rest of the industry pays flight attendants.

Further complicating matters for UAL management is the UAL flight attendants’ contract which requires that any airline, including these Express carriers, owned and operated by United must use flight attendants on the United seniority list and operate under the terms of the United Flight Attendant contract. United management has complained that such an arrangement would be far too costly. 

United has announced that it is evaluating its plans to acquire and operate the three US Airways' wholly owned subsidiaries.

Following information was provided:

• The proposed deal between UAL-AA provides for American to pay United $1.2 billion for approximately 20% of US Airways assets, including 21 gates, 258 slots, and 86 aircraft, the DC Air partnership, and portions of the northeast “Shuttle” as a joint venture. AFA is currently investigating whether or not this constitutes a “triggering event” under the language in Section 1.3. (Partial Transactions) of our current working agreement. 
• The transfer of aircraft could begin approximately 3-4 months after the transaction is approved.  At a rate of approximately 1 aircraft per every 6 weeks, the integration could take several years. 
• The number of aircraft currently owned by USA that UAL will transfer and/or lease to AA is dependant upon number of USA pilots willing to work for AA.
• Subject to relevant pilot union agreement, AA would offer jobs to between 500 to 1,100 US Airways pilots.
• No other US Airways employees, including flight attendants, have been offered positions.
• DC Air, formerly known as Potomac Air, could begin operations within 90 days of Department of Justice (DOJ) approval with AA as part owner.
• Once approved, the entire process of merging UAL-USA could take from 2-5 years.
• A third internal deadline of April 2, 2001 was set by the Department of Justice for a decision on these proposed deals.

• Contract remains in force until a merged agreement is reached.
• Our Contract has strong language that guarantees no furloughs for all US Airways flight attendants who are currently on or who are added to our system seniority list over the life of our contract.
• The seniority integration process for flight attendants in the UAL-USA merger will be in accordance with AFA Merger Policy contained in the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. 
• Our Contract contains Labor Protective Provisions (LPP’s), which have been established from previous airline mergers. These protect our earnings levels and seniority for a period of three years after operations have been merged.
• The merger of the airlines' operations can only happen after the flight attendants have voted to accept a merged contract.

AFA will continue to utilize every legal and strategic tool at our disposal to push United and US Airways management into resolving flight attendant concerns.

Senate Hearings
Members of the Master Executive Council plan to attend a Senate hearing on the merger. The US Senate Judiciary Sub-Committee on Anti-trust, Business Rights and Competition will hold a Hearing on the merger on Wednesday, February 7, 2001. MEC President Lynn Lenosky will submit testimony on behalf of all US Airways flight attendants.

Jump Seat Procedure Changes
The procedure for cabin jump seat sign-up will change slightly in the near future. For now, however, follow the established procedure (refer to Section 30 page 30-3 and Side letter 22 of the Contract for a detailed description):

1)    Obtain jump seat authorization from gate agent.

2)    If 30 minutes or more prior to departure, flight attendant seniority dictates the jump seat holder.

3)    If less than 30 minutes prior to departure, jump seat is “first-come-first served”.

Dental Premium Overpayments
The Company made a system-wide error in calculating employee-paid premiums for dental insurance. This error resulted in an overpayment for dental insurance. We have been assured that credit adjustments will appear on February paychecks.

MEC Action
At their last meeting in Philadelphia, the Master Executive Council elected 3 members to the System Board of Adjustment and approved the 2001 budget.

Elected to 2-year terms of the System Board:
• Pam Murray (PHW) Permanent Member
• Aida Soler (PIW) Alternate Member
• Glenda Talley (CLT) Alternate Member

The minutes from the Philadelphia meeting, once approved by the MEC will be posted on the website, http//:www.afausairways.org 

The next MEC meeting is scheduled for May 2001 in Baltimore.

TWU Stops Organizing Drive At Delta
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has given up its effort to organize flight attendants at Delta Air Lines, the last major airline with non-union flight attendants.

The TWU told Delta flight attendants the decision was made "in order to give employees more hope for success." and it supports AFA's drive to organize Delta’s 22,000 flight attendants.

The TWU and AFA have both tried to gather support for a representation election before the National Mediation Board for the last few years.

With mergers running rampant in the airline industry, it is clear that Delta flight attendants need union representation to protect their jobs if Delta merges with or acquires another airline.

And, with heated contract talks between Delta and its pilots some flight attendants are worried about their jobs. AFA organizer Nancy Lenk observed, "Now flight attendants are concerned about what will happen if the Delta pilots strike".

If you know a Delta Flight Attendant or can visit Atlanta on a day off to help the organizing effort, call the Delta Organizing Campaign at 1-800-843-2666 ext 542 and ask for Carol Edelson; she would love to hear from you.

Merger News
American Airlines
The merger news this week features airline competitor, American Airlines. If approved by the Department of Justice, a proposed deal between UAL-AA provides for American to pay United $1.2 billion in cash for assets of US Airways’ operations:

• 86 aircraft: 40 F-100's, 34 757's, 12 MD-82's 
• 36 slots at LGA
• 14 gates in major East Coast airports
• American would also assume $300 million in aircraft operating leases.

• AA & UA will enter a 20-year joint venture to provide service on DCA-LGA, LGA-BOS, and BOS-DCA Shuttle routes coordinating schedules, pricing, flight operations, lounge access, and gate facilities.
• AA will purchase 49% of DC Air and provide 11 F-100 aircraft through a "wet lease".

What Can We Count On?
With the latest developments involving American Airlines, it seems that the merger landscape keeps shifting with nothing to count on. However, these things we know for sure: 

• Our contract remains in force and AFA will continue to ensure that US Airways' flight attendants' rights are protected. 
• United is bound by law to abide by our contract.
• Our contract has strong language that guarantees no furloughs for all US Airways flight attendants who are on or who are added to our system seniority list over the life of our contract.
• We can count on strong Labor Protective Provisions (LPP's) that have been established from previous mergers and serve as precedents for our merger.
• The merger of the airlines' operations can happen only after the flight attendants have voted to accept a merged contract.
• AFA’s goal is to ensure the long-term security of each and every US Airways flight attendant.

Since the UAL-USA merger was announced, AFA has had concerns with a number of issues affecting flight attendants in this potential transaction. American Airlines' entrance into the merger picture only adds to the number of unanswered questions - for example, how will the formerly-owned US Airways assets purchased by American be handled in respect to US Airways' flight attendants?

AFA will continue to press for answers and utilize every legal and strategic tool at our disposal to push United’s management into answering our concerns.

More Merger News
European Union OKs United-US Airways Deal
Meanwhile, in Europe, a step in the UAL-USA merger approval process was completed today. The European Union gave their approval for United Airlines' bid to acquire US Airways and said that its concerns that the deal would reduce competition between Europe and the United States had been addressed by United's commitment to sell some airport landing and takeoff rights in Germany.

The proposed merger is still under US Department of Justice review. A decision is expected by April 2, 2001.

Contract Spotlight:

A grievance on this is forthcoming. In the meantime, if you are on a Shuttle Standby pairing and are rescheduled to cover Mainline and MetroJet flights, please contact your LEC Officers with all details.

Contract Spotlight

Contract Spotlight

In the event it is not feasible for the Company to provide the medical exam in your area, the Company will furnish round-trip, "Company Business - Space Positive" travel from the closest US Airways station nearest your residence to the location of the physician. 

If you find that these provisions are not being honored, please contact your local union officers immediately. AFA is tracking the Company's compliance in this area.

Pilot Bid 2001-02
April, May and June 2001
Highlights:

• Adjustment of A-330 flying from CLT to PHL & PIT
• Continued of growth Airbus A-319, 320,321
• Retirement of 1 MD-80 aircraft
• DCA DC-9 base closed April 1, 2001

BWI  +18   DCA   -3
LGA   +6   CLT  -17
PHL +264   PIT  +25
BOS No Change

All members in good standing are invited to attend. If you are planning PHL overnights this month, you have a unique opportunity to observe your AFA leaders in action as they conduct your Union business at a very accessible layover location. 

Discussion to include: proposed merger issues; changes to our contract that became effective Jan.1, 2001; MEC meetings and open business.

Merger News
Deadline Extended for Department of Justice Decision
US Airways and United Airlines have agreed to extend the deadline to April 2nd, 2001 for the Department of Justice decision on the proposed merger. A US Airways news release said that, "the extended period will allow for continued discussion with the Department of Justice during its review of the proposed transaction."

With this news, speculation persists that more time was needed to restructure a more palatable proposal for the new Presidential administration to consider.

This delay in Department of Justice negotiations means, of course, that the incoming administration will decide if the merger will be approved. It should be noted that, President-elect Bush has named former Senator John Ashcroft, R-Mo., as his attorney general and that Ashcroft is a supporter of the deal.

Be sure to check this Hotline and website, www.afausairways.org for the latest news on the continuing merger saga.

Contract Spotlight: Section 8 - Sick Leave
Notification for Reserves
If you are a Reserve flight attendant and you must call in sick, it is not necessary to call Scheduling everyday while ill as in the past.

If you are unable to work due to illness for more than one day, Section 8 now enables you to advise Scheduling in the initial sick call how long you will be out. If it takes longer to get well than you thought, then call Scheduling again to advise them of how much more time you will need.

See Section 8 - A (page 8-1) for more details.

Claiming Sick Leave
Section 8 still provides all flight attendants sick leave credit of 3+30 per day or for trips missed whichever is greater. For lineholders, this means trips missed from your line or through the AIL. For reserves, sick leave credit can be based on trips awarded you from future or daily scheduling. 

To claim trips missed for a trip other than what is in your line, or if you are a reserve flight attendant desiring to claim more than 3+30 per day, you must notify Crew Scheduling of your intent.

To do this, advise Scheduling that you are bidding a trip which meets your pay parameters and that you would like to be removed sick. This gives you flexibility to claim sick leave for the value of the entire trip or to claim as little as necessary to meet your obligation for the month. 

For example, if you must call off sick for four days, but you want to claim more than 14 hours (4 X 3+30), then you could advise Crew Scheduling that you would like to bid for a high time 4-day trip and then be removed sick. This will enable you to claim the trip value (at least 20 hours) or as little as you need should you make up the time later in the month.

If you call out of time using a sick claim, and then you make yourself available and fly more time at the end of the month you cannot reduce your sick claim.

Read Section 8 - E, pages 8-2 and 8-3 for more information or call your local LEC Officer with questions.

Contract Spotlight: Section 23 Medical Exams
If you are required by the company to receive a medical examination, Section 23 of the Contract, requires the Company to make "every effort" to conduct required medical exams in the area in which you reside (see Section 23-E, page 23-2). 

In the event it is not feasible for the Company to provide the medical exam in your area, the Company will furnish round-trip, "Company Business - Space Positive" travel from the closest US Airways station nearest your residence to the location of the medical examiner.

If you find that these provisions are not being honored, please contact your local union officers immediately. AFA is tracking the Company's compliance in this area.

Reserve Reminder
Calling "Out-of-Time"
We have heard that some Reserve flight attendants have called Scheduling to report that they are "done" but are not being marked out-of-time (O/T). This miscommunication could lead to unwarranted no-contacts. 

Please remember to say you are "out-of-time for the month" when calling for that purpose and make sure that you are removed from further calls.

Call your LEC Officers or local Reserve Committee Chairs if you have questions.

January MEC Meeting
The next meeting of the Master Executive Council is scheduled for January 16-19, 2001 in Philadelphia at the Holiday Inn at 4th and Arch Streets. All members in good standing are invited to attend. 

If you are planning PHL overnights this month, you have a unique opportunity to observe your AFA leaders in action as they conduct your Union business at a very accessible layover location.

System Board Elections
During its January meeting the MEC will elect three members to the System Board of Adjustment. 

One permanent and two alternate position will be filled. The 2-year term starts in January 2001 and finishes December 2002. If you are interested in working with the System Board of Adjustment, submit an application or resume to the MEC Office.

For further information call the MEC Office: 412-262-3110

Directions: Next to Hoss' restaurant and the Moon Township Police Station. Cross between Thorn Run and Beaver Grade Roads

It has been more than 500 days since the Piedmont flight attendants' contract became amendable and negotiations have apparently stalled. The Piedmont flight attendants are trying to bridge the wage gap Ñ up to a 40 percent difference in pay Ñ between flight attendants at the major airlines and those at the express carrier.

A formal letter of request has been sent to the National Mediation Board seeking a release from negotiations. If granted, a release would trigger a "30-day cooling-off period after which both sides could resort to self-help. For AFA flight attendants that means, "CHAOS (TM)".

In conjunction with the strike vote results, AFA - Piedmont has announced various markets that could be affected by future CHAOS(TM) activities. Piedmont operations in BWI, CLT, ORF, DCA, TPA, and PBI could be disrupted by CHAOS(TM) if an agreement is not reached.

As for the immediate future, pre-CHAOS(TM) events are planned in Charlottesville and Salisbury by Piedmont NSC reps. If you can lend a hand, please contact Betsy Tettelbach LEC President btbach@worldnet.att.net

Delta Organizing Campaign Needs You
Do you want to ensure better contracts, more pay, and more victories like OSHA protection for cabin crews? Join AFA members from Alaska Air, America West, United Air Lines and US Airways as they help Delta Flight Attendants to organize with AFA. Help build the strength and power of AFA for all members at all our carriers.

If you know a Delta Flight Attendant, see Delta Flight Attendants while on trips, or can to come to Atlanta on a day off, and would like to help the effort, call the Delta Organizing Campaign. Carol Edelson would love to hear from you; call 1-800-843-2666 ext 542.