December Furlough Recall Update
On October 21, 2003, due to an increase in passenger demand and aircraft hours, United announced an inverse system seniority order recall of 350 Flight Attendants from voluntary furlough, consistent with Section 21.A.4.c. of our Contract. This section of the Contract also allows for a mutually agreed upon alternative process of recall. On October 24, 2003 the MEC presented an alternate process of recall from furlough which would offer recall by phone message to all Flight Attendants on voluntary furlough in seniority order. The Company responded to this proposed alternative and determined that time constraints will not allow for an alternative process at this time. We will continue to explore other options for future recall procedures.
Section 21.A.3.f. of our Contract provides that any voluntarily furloughed Flight Attendant may request a return prior to the expiration of her/his furlough period for personal reasons due to hardship, with the approval of United labor relations. The Company has committed to broadening the parameters for a hardship return, to include issues such as financial hardship to allow Flight Attendants senior to the recall number to apply to return during the process of this recall. Flight Attendants who feel that their situation warrants hardship consideration and who would like to return to active status effective December 10, should fax their request to WHQLR Glenn Scoggins at 847 700 7325. If your request satisfies the hardship criteria you will be advised. If you have any questions about this process, contact your local AFA Council office for assistance.
As a reminder, the Company is conducting the recall of 350 of the most junior Flight Attendants on voluntary furlough, in two phases. The first phase will recall 250 of the most junior Flight Attendants on voluntary furlough, regardless of their furlough period, and be effective December 1, 2003. The second phase will recall 100 of the most junior Flight Attendants on voluntary furlough, regardless of their furlough period, and be effective December 10, 2003. All Flight Attendants will be recalled to the domicile from which they were furloughed, in accordance with Section 21.A.3.e. of the Agreement. United sent recall letters by Federal Express to Flight Attendants affected by the December 1, 2003 and December 10, 2003 effective recall dates. The recall letter includes an information packet that provides explanations of training, TSA badge requirements, medical clearance and uniform ordering.
The Company is conducting the recall in two phases because of the large number of Flight Attendants in both groups needing Requalification and Recurrent Emergency Training. Three days will be required, if both of these trainings need to be completed for qualification.
We encourage all Flight Attendants on voluntary furlough to review the voluntary furlough information package available on our website at www.unitedafa.org and United’s SkyNet.
