Special Disaster HotLine
Updates HERE
AFA
HOTLINE 01-23
(800) 654-3143
September
17, 2001
Announced
Reduction in Flying – 16:26pm
In
a press release today by US Airways, AFA learned that 11,000 employees
will be furloughed. It is not known the exact number of flight attendants
affected. While other employee groups have “no furlough” clauses that only
protect members on the property at the date of signing their contracts,
our contract protects ALL f/as on our system seniority list through the
duration of our contract. The language explicitly lays out certain
exceptions and it is our position that the circumstances we are experiencing
do not fall under these exceptions.
Your
AFA leaders will be working together with management to address flight
attendant staffing needs.
Labor
Leaders & Rakesh Gangwal Conference Call of Sunday, Sept 16th
Lynn
Lenosky, AFA’s MEC president was in attendance representing AFA members.
Also, all leaders from all other labor groups at US Airways were present.
This conference call revealed no specifics for flight attendants at this
time. This was a discussion on general issues affecting the airline
in the aftermath of last week’s events. General issues relevant to
AFA
members are as follows:
Issue:
Northwest and Continental are reducing their schedule by 20%
AFA
response: Most airlines, if not all are reducing their schedule. The
company is in the process of reviewing its flying schedule to determine
how it will return to 70 - 75% of its previous operating schedule. As of
this morning, they do not have the actual numbers or know its affects of
the revised schedule on flight attendant staffing. Until they have a chance
to thoroughly review the number of aircraft, the affects of pilot training,
the level of service they anticipate, it would only be mere speculation
on anyone's part to predict its affect. However, AFA should have this information
in the very future and we will make it available to as soon as possible.
Issue:
The DCA airport
AFA
response: The DCA airport has closed until further notice.
See the “Operational Update” for more information.
Issue:
Congressional Bill fails
AFA
response: The Aviation Bill ($2.5B in direct grants and $12.5B
which included loan guarantees, forgiveness of taxes and other payments
owed the government) failed in Congress. A new effort will be launched
to include the Labor community. It will take an effort on everyone’s
part to be part of this campaign. This bill could provide financial stability
to the industry. Labor will look to Congress to ensure that our concerns
are addressed and jobs are preserved as a result of this relief.
Issue:
Expect
embargos on off-line employee travel
AFA
response: All commuter flight attendants who use off-line travel
to and from work should make necessary changes in their itinerary to provide
for this change in employee travel.
Issue:
Use of CRAF flying
AFA
response: Although these issues were raised, no CRAF flying has
been invoked thus far. Please refer to Side Letter L27-1 Civil Reserve
Air Fleet (CRAF) Operation. Or click on: http://www.afausairways.org/contract/sideletters.htm
Issue:
Stuck and can’t get back to work
AFA
response: If you are stuck and cannot get back to work, please
be sure to stay in touch with your supervisor and Crew Scheduling.
The company has authorized “must ride transportation” to those flight attendants
traveling from home to their domicile for the purpose of reporting to work.
Operational
Update As of Noon Sept 17th
All
International flights that were diverted last week have returned to their
respective stations. All ITD operations resumed operations
yesterday and today.
The
Company is operating at 75% today domestic. The regional carriers
that operate as US Airways Express plan to fly about 80% percent of their
departures.
The
Company predicts operating at 75% until further notice.
DCA
is still closed until further notice. Flights have been officially
canceled for today and tomorrow.
The
DCA aircraft will be redeployed to Dulles and Baltimore airports.
F/A
positions will be cut on various trips. Understaff provisions in the contract
are in full force.
See
Section 3.F pp. 3-4 of the contract. If you are online, click here:
www.afausairways.org/contract/sec3.htm
and scroll to paragraph F.
See
Section 9.J pp. 9-23 of the contract. If you are online, click here:
www.afausairways.org/contract/sec9.htm
and scroll to paragraph J.
Please
expect minimum crew compliments and adjust service accordingly. Authorization
is governed by the flight attendant contract. (See Section 3.F or
click onto: www.afausairways.org/contract/sec3.htm
and scroll to paragraph F). Please direct questions on service
to your Inflight supervisor or Policy and Procedures Dept.
DCA
crews will be dispatched to BWI. Ground deadheads will occur.
Refer to ground deadhead provisions in Section
14 of the Flight Attendant Agreement. DCA based flight attendants
will be repositioned in BWI and split back on to trip pairings. DCA
and BWI crews will be kept separate. All pay provisions are in effect
and in full force.
New
Security Bulletin From
An
updated memo from Inflight Senior Director, Rob Fuhr, is published and
is dated September 17th. Subject: Federal Air Marshals, Crew
Member Verification, Security Screening Check Points and Corkscrews.
Please check all CBS messages and mail files for your copy.
Additional
Information
Jumpseat
riders will be restricted to US Airways employees only and employees of
wholly owned subsidiaries.
Procedures
for deadheading crew bags (down jetway stairs to the foot print of the
aircraft) have not changed.
As
security issues arise (i.e., corkscrews, scissors, getting through security
checkpoints) these incidents should be documented and passed on to your
local Safety Representatives. We need the name of the person reporting
this, the location, time, and, date of the security concern. In turn,
Safety Representatives will be communicating these concerns to Inflight
and Ground Security Coordinators, and if necessary to the FAA Local Security
Field Office. They will then pass this on to Nancy Gilmer, AFA MEC
Safety, who will then communicate with the Director of Corporate Security
and the FAA Principle Security Inspector, if necessary.
Pat
Friend, AFA International President, will represent AFA on DOT Secretary
Mineta’s Security Task Force. AFA International Air Safety will be
working closely with ALPA International Security to address inadequacies
of the FAA Security Directives with the FAA this week.
NOTE:
Current Security Directives do not force ramp personnel and caterers to
use metal detectors. Local FAA agreements in each city address/govern
this practice. AFA Int’l along with ALPA will raise this important
issue with the FAA.
Let
The Press Guess!
We
are receiving press inquiries on erroneous statements that were made by
flight attendants in the press. The most recent statement was on
flight attendant resignations. This statement is misleading and ill
advised. The result of the recent air tragedies and subsequent changes
to our airline creates a very fluid situation. All statements to
the press must be from officials at AFA who are trained, or US Airways
representatives. What is said will have a direct impact on consumer
confidence, employee confidence and financial circles. Please refrain
from making comments in the press. Remember our training? LET THE
PRESS GUESS!
Refer
all press inquiries to AFA International at 202-712-9799 or your Local
president/designee.
AFA
HOTLINE 01-22
(800) 654-3143
September
15, 2001
Late
Breaking News
A
conference call is scheduled for today, Sunday morning, with Rakesh Gangwal
and the leaders of the all labor unions at US Airways. No further details
are available at this time but we will let you know the outcome of the
call via this hotline and the website.
US
Airways Labor Coalition
On
Friday, September 14th MEC President Lynn Lenosky, along with members of
the US Airways Labor Coalition met via conference call with Rakesh Gangwal
and other senior management personnel. The purpose of the call was
for the labor leaders to be briefed on the economic impact and operational
status of the airline as a result of this week’s tragedies.
The
briefing included senior management’s anticipation of resuming service
over the next few days up to 50% and prediction of a reduced operation
through the end of the year. Gangwal also stated that the leaders
of the other major airlines would seek help from the federal government;
something seen as crucial to the financial stability of the airline industry
The
Company stated that in light of the adverse impact the recent events had
and will most likely continue to have on US Airways, they need major concessions
affecting only the MetroJet operation.
Metrojet
Concessions
The
specific concessions in the MetroJet operation include a 25% reduction
to the current rates of pay. Your AFA leaders, that is, the seven LEC presidents
and MEC officers, met via conference call on Friday afternoon, September
14th, and again later that evening to discuss this latest development and
coordinate an appropriate response.
While
AFA recognizes the current state of affairs of Company and the airline
industry as a whole, AFA also recognizes that knee-jerk reactions and quick
fixes are not in the best interests of flight attendants. We
all are enduring tough times and everyone feels the impact of the recent
tragedies one way or another. However, the LEC presidents have
declined to enter into any concessionary discussions. Nevertheless,
your leaders are eager to work together with the Company to find solutions
that are mutually beneficial for the immediate and long-term survival of
the airline.
The
request for concessions in MetroJet should come as no surprise since the
Company indicated several weeks ago in their Phase One plan that they were
targeting MetroJet for concessions. Given the state of our airline,
we must ready ourselves and prepare for additional concessionary requests.
Our response, however, should be well thought out, methodical, and ultimately
address both the company’s issues and serve to protect our livelihood.
MetroJet
Facts
Domicile
operated: BWI
City
Pairs: 19 cities (North-South flying – East coast)
Approximately
186 flights per day (.09% of US Airways flying)
Jets:
41 jets (during normal activity)
Fleet
Type: 737-200
Lines
of Flying: 36 lines
Approx.
percentage for type of trips:
1
and 2 day trips: 35%
3
and 4 day trips: 65%
Operational
Update
Currently
the operation is targeted for 35%-50%. US Airways indicated that
the airline should be at 65% tomorrow (Sept 16th) and 75% on Monday Sept.
17th.
The
tropical storm in the Florida area continues to hamper operations in that
area.
The
International Division continues to ramp up. However, crews are still
stranded in outlying stations and priority attempts are being made to integrate
them back into the system and bring them home.
Continue
to work with Crew Scheduling for the scheduling of your trips. Be
patient and recognize the overwhelming burden on the Crew Scheduling department.
BOS
is open and a reduced schedule is in place for the Shuttle operation between
BOS – LGA – BOS. Mainline flying has not yet begun (as of noon today).
DCA
remains closed for the next couple of days…….so far. Stay in touch
with your Local representatives, Crew Scheduling and Base management as
to the flying that will be scheduled.
EAP
News
EAP
representatives have been deployed system-wide. This effort by the
AFA and Company’s Magellan group is to assist flight attendants.
Debriefing
sessions are being held and you are encouraged to attend:
Debriefing
Schedule:
BOS:
Sunday - 1600, Monday – 0500, 1200, 1600 near the crew room
CLT:
11:00, 14:00, 18:00 located at the B-11 conference room
PIT:
12:00, 15:00, 18:00 located at crew room
PHL:
times and location not available. Mental Health Professionals are
in the area
BWI:
0930 and 1330 in the crew room
DCA:
information pending (airport is currently closed)
LGA:
information pending
After-hours
and weekend coverage is available should any flight attendant need to talk
to a mental health professional. Please call 1-214-697-9431
Have
You Volunteered To Work Any Flights?
Please
respond if you were at an outlying station (other than your domicile) and
volunteered to fly other than your trip (or portions thereof).
Send a response including your name, employee number, domicile, contact
number, flight(s) flown and date.
Respond
to: GetTheFacts@afausairways.org
AFA
HOTLINE 01-18
(800) 654-3143
September
07, 2001
A
Critical Situation Faces All US Airways Flight Attendants
The
250 Flight Attendants at Piedmont Airlines, represented by the Association
of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, have been in negotiations for a new contract
for over two years. Piedmont is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways,
and it operates as one of the largest US Airways Express carriers on the
East Coast.
If
the Piedmont flight attendants don't reach agreement with management on
a new contract by 12:01 a.m., September 16, they may begin CHAOS™strikes.
It
is vitally important as union members and flying partners to support each
other in the fight for fair and equitable agreements.
To
ensure that you get all the information available, please look for a letter
from me, Lynn Lenosky, MEC President, in your mail file explaining this
important situation. I will continue to provide you with up-to-date information
on the Piedmont situation via the Hotline and E-line.
Additionally,
all Locals will conduct system-wide crew room sits on Friday, September
14, 2001. Individual Locals may conduct additional meetings prior
to the September 16 deadline. Be sure to visit your crew room on
September 14 and attend meetings held at your Local for all pertinent information.
Green
Ribbons Are Back
 Your
MEC recently passed a motion changing the official AFA insignia to include
a CHAOStm green ribbon with our AFA pin as a show of solidarity with the
Piedmont flight attendants. Green ribbons and AFA pins are available through
your Local union office.
MEC
Resolution In Support of the Piedmont Flight Attendants
In
addition to the change to our insignia, the US Airways MEC unanimously
passed a resolution of support for the Piedmont Flight Attendants. The
resolution pledges the full support of the Flight Attendants at US Airways
for AFA brothers and sisters at Piedmont Airlines by any and all means
necessary.
You
may read the Resolution in full on the website: http://www.afausairways,org
or on AFA crew room bulletin boards throughout the system.
If
wish to volunteer your assistance to the Piedmont flight attendants, either
by donating to their strike fund or by participating in their pre-CHAOStm
activities, please contact your Local Council office as soon as possible,
or visit www.afausairways.org and follow the links to Piedmont.
In
Solidarity,
Lynn
Lenosky, MEC President USAirways
Association
of Flight Attendants AFL - CIO
Visit
our website at afausairways.org
AFA
HOTLINE 01-17
(800) 654-3143
September
01, 2001
Company
Creates Chaos in SAP Land
SAP
processing is now complete and awards are available in CATCREW as of 1900
on August 31.
There
were problems with processing SAP. The company has informed AFA that most
of the identifiable errors are related to legalities, such as 35/7, doubling
up, etc. but there could be other types as well ie., SAP has awarded some
trips even though Flight Attendants are not legal to fly them.
The
Company has agreed to contact all Flight Attendants affected by illegal
SAP awards.
We
recommend that ALL flight attendants who participated in SAP review their
SAP awards for potential errors.
If
you discover an error and the company fails to contact you, please call
Crew Scheduling. When discussing the repair with Crew Scheduling
note the details of the conversation, the time and the person you are speaking
with so you have accurate information should pulling a phone tape become
necessary. If you have a question about legalities, please contact
your Local AFA office.
We
must point out that AFA urged the Company to test the program prior to
full implementation with live data; the Company declined. Maybe they
will listen next time. We just cannot seem to save them from themselves.
Proxy
Statements for the Upcoming US Airways BOD/Stockholder Meeting in DCA
All
Flight Attendants should have received proxy statements for the next US
Airways Stockholders meeting.
There
are four items for your consideration:
#1
Election of Board of Directors. You may vote for the whole group, not vote
for whole group or write exceptions - if there are individuals among the
group who you think do not deserve to be a member of the Board or have
not acted in the best interest of the company then write their name/s on
the line provided.
#2
Outside Auditors. AFA has no opinion on the outside Auditors.
#3
Board of Directors Non-Employee Stock Incentive Plan. This provides for
awarding of stock to individuals, who for the most part are wealthy and
already get $22K per year for sitting on the Board of Directors and $1-2K
per BOD meeting - AFA recommends a "no" vote #3.
#4
Cumulative Vote - AFA recommends a "yes" vote.
Actions
from Special MEC Meeting
The
Master Executive Council met in DCA last week for a Special Meeting.
In addition to hearing from Betsy Tettelbach, the US Airways Express MEC
President on the state of
their
negotiations, the MEC, by majority vote, removed the previous Secretary-Treasurer
from the position and elected PHL Flight Attendant Carol Austin as the
new MEC Secretary Treasurer. Carol will fill out the term for the
remainder of this year.
The
MEC also met with US Airways President and CEO, Rakesh Gangwal to discuss
the company's restructuring plan which includes such items as concessions
from non-pilot employee groups in the Metrojet operation and seeking further
concessions from all employee groups during the next round of Section Six
negotiations.
In
light of current situation, the MEC reconsidered and ultimately rescinded
a previous motion to approach the company for a one-time payout for computers
and monthly Internet access.
The
MEC is not interested in entering into any talks at this time in which
we will be asked for givebacks. By the company's own admission at the conclusion
of all labor groups' current agreements, the Company has the necessary
tools to compete in the market.
Timeline
for Secondary Line & Reserve Bidding for October
SECONDARY
LINE Bidding for October:
Open
September 7
Close
September 12
SECONDARY
LINE OVERPROJECTION DROPS:
Open
September 14
Close
September 30
RSV
LINES for October:
Open
September 18
Close
September 24
ALL
BIDS OPEN AND CLOSE AT 1800 EDT
VACATION
BIDDING Timeline for 2002
First
Round of Vacation Bidding
Now
Open
Closes
Tuesday, September 25th at 2359 EDT
Results
posted Monday, October 15th in CATCREW
Second
Round
Opens
Monday, October 15th
Closes
Wednesday, October 31st
Final
Results posted Thursday, November 15th in CATCREW
Timeline
for November Bidding
November
Primary Line Bids
Open
Monday, September 17
Close
Sunday, September 23
SAP
for November
Opens
Monday, September 24
Closes
Sunday, September 30 for BOS/PHL/PHW/PIT/PIW
Closes
Monday, October 1 for BWI/CLT/CLW/DCA/LGA
November
Secondary Lines
Open
Monday, October 8
Close
Sunday, October 14
November
Secondary Line Overprojection Drops
Open
Tuesday, October 16
Close
Wednesday, October 31
November
Reserve Line Bids
Open
Thursday, October 18
Close
Wednesday, October 24
ALL
BIDS OPEN AND CLOSE AT 1800 EDT
Vacation
Rebids for November close September 10 at 0900
US
Airways Faces Possible Strike at Piedmont
US
Airways Express flight attendants at Piedmont Airlines, who have been negotiating
for a new contract for more than two years, are well into a "30-day cooling-off"
period.
If
no contract agreement is reached by 12:01 a.m., September 16, 2001, the
AFA-represented Flight Attendants will be free to begin CHAOS(TM) strike
actions.
CHAOS(TM)
- Create Havoc Around Our System(TM) - includes a series of random, unannounced
strikes. Management and passengers won't know ahead of time when
or where a strike will take place. They will only know that the strikes
could strand them anytime after 12:01 a.m., September 16.
"Our
goal is to reach an agreement without a strike," said Betsy Tettelbach,
AFA US Airways Express Master Executive Council President and Piedmont
flight attendant. "CHAOS is designed to put pressure on management,
not inconvenience passengers. We will work hard to let each and every
potential US Airways Express/Piedmont passenger know ahead of time that
a strike is possible beginning September 16."
Piedmont
flight attendant pay ranges from $15,147 per year for a new flight attendant,
to $24,813 for the most senior. These pay figures are based upon a 75-credit
hour month.
In
December, 99 percent of Piedmont flight attendants voted "FOR" a strike
if no agreement is reached.
US
Airways Express carrier Piedmont Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of US Airways. Negotiations for a new contract have continued for more
than 2 years, the last 15 months in mediation, without an agreement.
The
Piedmont flight attendants are trying to bridge the wage gap - up to a
40 percent difference in pay - between flight attendants at the major airlines
and those at the Express carrier.
Bridging
this gap would come at a minimal expense to the airline -- approximately
$2-$5 per flight -- especially considering the almost $1 billion in revenues
that the Express carriers add to the mainline operation.
The
Piedmont flight attendants ask your support as they band together with
various activities to build their strike fund.
Direct
donations for the AFA Piedmont Strike Fund are welcome, appreciated and
can be mailed to:
PED
Strike Fund
c/o
Paul Mac Kinnon
Association
of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO
1275
K Street, Suite 500
Washington
DC 20005
Checks
payable to: AFA PED Strike Fund
Come
show your support and solidarity
at
these Pre-CHAOS and Strike Fundraising Events:
Sunday,
September 2nd
Picketing
and Leafleting
EWN
– afternoon
Monday,
September 3rd
EWN
– Hot Dog Sale, 11am-5pm
SBY
– Donut Sales, 5am-8am, Picketing 2-4pm
Picketing:
JAX
- 6am - 8 am
ORF
- 12-2pm
PHF
– 10am – noon
CHO
– 2pm -5pm
Tuesday,
September 4th
Picketing
CHO
– 1030am - 2pm
SBY
– Donuts 5am-8am, picketing 10am-noon
Any
and all help is appreciated and wanted! Donations WELCOME!
There
is something for everyone.
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