The mechanics of changing the policy are straightforward. The AFA Board of Directors consists of the LEC Presidents of all AFA represented airlines. The Board will hold its annual meeting on October 18-21 in Palm Springs, California. An agenda item is brought through committee to the Board of Directors for a vote. The AFA International Officers, President Pat Friend, Vice-President George Donahue and Acting Secretary Treasurer Kevin Creighan are charged with carrying out the policies of the Board of Directors. Similar to our national government the Board of Directors functions as the legislative branch and makes the rules while the International Officers function as the Executive Branch and implements them. The International Officers do not vote and although they have influence they do not have the authority to change or amend a policy or constitution article. 

The America West "agenda item" seeks to suspend the date of hire policy and replace it as needed with an "alternative formula". The agenda item does not specify what the "alternative formula" would be. While it is clear the America West flight attendants do not want date of hire, rumors of "stapling us to the bottom" or "10 for 1 slotting" are unfounded. The Agenda item claims the current date of hire policy would "grossly disadvantage" one group and is outdated and therefore not applicable to this merger. In order for the Agenda item to have any effect on this merger it seeks to make the policy change retroactive to January 1, 2005. 

In order for the policy to change the agenda item must be approved by a simple majority (50% plus 1) of the Board of Directors who vote by roll call (one vote for each member in good standing they represent). A decision by the Board of Directors to make the policy change retroactive to January 1, 2005 would require a 2/3 role call vote.

We have included on our website the America West Agenda Item, AFA structure and represented airlines, a list of all the LEC Presidents from all the represented airlines along with their email addresses. There is also a sample letter that can be copied and pasted into your email and sent to the LEC Presidents on the BOD. I urge everyone to take the time to contact the voting members of the Board of Directors and express your feelings. Although this is an emotionally charged issue I ask that everyone be polite and professional in their communications, and please don't forget to sign your name. 

However, it is clear to all of us at US Airways that we have always supported the date of hire policy and are not willing to see it amended or changed in any way either permanently or as an exception. Our membership has stood by the date of hire policy in previous mergers and expects to do so in the future.


Thank you,

THE US AIRWAYS MASTER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL