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Council 10 Seattle

Council Information

Diane Tucker

President

April Moss

Vice President/Secretary

Dan Rietema

Council Representative

contact

Telephone

(206) 433-4060

Fax

(206) 242-6758

Unitel

433-4060

E-Mail

afasea@unitedafa.org

Address

AFA Council 10
#282 27013 Pacific Hwy S
Des Moines, WA 98198

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Local Council News (updated by your Council)

Information courtesy of your Local Council
Last Updated: November 1, 2008


Inside this issue:	Election Day November 4th-- 6 days to go! Membership Engagement Committee Flight Attendant Negotiations Network Occupational/Benefits Committee Reserve Call-In Assignments CLLR

Election Day November 4th-- 6 days to go!

Many of you have already sent in your "absentee ballots" and good for you. For those of you who have not decided who to vote for we would like to share a little insight with you. Senators Obama and McCain are very different in their approaches to what "change" entails. Our colleague and Boston LEC Vice President Andrew Fahy published the following article in their "Beantown News":

"If you are a one issue voter, then your mind is most likely made up as to which party you will be voting for. I can only hope that this year, no one is a one issue voter. Senator John McCain has many strong opinions about the Flight Attendant, and pilot professions, and some of them are quite misguided. He is against FMLA for crew members, as he considers us part time workers that are never truly fatigued. He is in favor of changing the National Railway Labor Act, and taking away any individual groups right to strike, and subjecting our contracts to “baseball style” arbitration. That means both sides make a proposal, and the National Mediation Board, of which two of three members are chosen by the sitting party leadership, choose which contract to impose, not the best or a mix of both contracts, but one or the other, and then the contract is put in place for many years.

He is for taxation of health care benefits, and has the belief that health insurance is more a responsibility rather than a right. Millions of workers in this country have an opinion that differs from his.

Senator Barack Obama wants more American families to be afforded healthcare, and was one of the original sponsors, along with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, to sign onto the FMLA bill, and is trying to help us get it passed through the Senate. He wants to bring home our troops from the Middle East, letting them get on with their lives, thus saving this country from more losses, both human and financial, and allowing families to be back together where they belong. He is for taxing big oil companies, not giving them a free ride on the back of lower paid American workers. He is also for spending large amounts of money to introduce, and develop alternative energy to get us away from the oil we now are forced to buy from non American-Friendly countries, such as Venezuela."

Thank you, Andrew, we could not have said it better!

The new President will appoint Secretaries of Labor and Transportation, FAA Administrator, National Transportation Safety Board, National Mediation Board, replace any retiring Supreme Court Judges and Federal Judges (remember bankruptcy, Wedoff was a Federal Judge), all of these positions affect us in the aviation community. We need worker friendly appointees and Senator Obama is our best chance to see that happen.

On the state level Governor Christine Gregoire has been endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council of which AFA-CWA is a member. Please consider her candidacy when voting for governor.

In Solidarity,
Diane, April and Dan

Chuck Harshey Fellow SEASW Flying Partners,
My name is Chuck Harshey and I was hired by United while attending the University of Washington. I received a Liberal Arts BA with an emphasis in Communication. I started training March 26, 1979 and on March 30th, the mechanics went on strike. Thus began my career with United - I should have known then it was going to be an adventure! After completing initial training I was furloughed, then assigned to the CLE base. I lived through DC-10 groundings, line partnerships, and this is when I had my first dealings with our Union because once again I was furloughed. From 1980 until 1983, I collected unemployment, took graduate courses, worked as a waiter, bartender and other odd jobs - in short, I learned to survive without United, just not as well! I was recalled to DEN but I stayed out in support of the ALPA strike in 1985. (I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see two consecutive years of working as a FA!) In DEN I volunteered for the AFA Safety Committee until I transfered to MIA in 1992. In MIA, I participated as a CHAOS representative. I remained in MIA until the base closed and, after 25 years, I finally returned to SEA in 2004! This year I attended training for the AFA Membership Engagement Committee.

As you can see, I'm a natural for this assignment! I have the "gift of gab" (some would disagree that it's a gift). Like you, I have been through "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!" I have seen our career deteriorate as a result of the mishandled bankruptcy. I am tired of our upper management giving us excuses instead of leadership. I feel we need to ensure the Company knows we are serious and united in rebuilding our contract. This starts with something as simple as wearing our AFA pin. If there is something that bothers you about our Union, don't keep it to yourself, let us know! But be willing to be a part of resolving the problem, not just complaining. Know your contract and carry it with you! Keep yourself informed, not only on issues at United, but statewide and nationally. Don't forget to exercise your right and privileged to vote in ALL elections - AFA, local and national. Don't be afraid to LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! I hope to communicate your concerns to our Union Leadership during the upcoming challenging negotiations.
Thank you, Chuck

F.A.N.N. Fact - Negotiations and You
What is the F.A.N.N.? It stands for the Flight Attendant Negotiations Network. The network:

Spreads the facts to combat the rumors management tries to use to divide us.

Promotes two-way communication between AFA Members and our Negotiating Committee.

Builds our unity and the power we need to negotiate an Industry-Leading, On-Time-Agreement.

Most of you know me, but for those who don't my name is Tracy Coniglio. I have been based in Seattle for 17 years and I am Purser qualified. I have been part of the United family for many years as my Dad, Chuck, retired after 40 years with UAL. My husband Lee works on the ramp in Seattle. I am really looking forward to working as your new Occupational Committee Chairperson. For those of you who have been injured on the job, you know how frustrating the whole process can be. I will keep copies of the "Occupational Injuries - Immediate Actions" in my mailbox. Should you be injured on the job, please take one. I will be available to assist you during this process, but please be remember you must be your own advocate. Write down all calls (who, what and when) and keep copies of everything. Do not allow calls with Gallagher Bassett to be recorded and above all, don't be afraid to ask questions. If you do get injured please let me know as soon possible. Feel free to call me at 253-826-4212, (no calls after 9:00pm please) or email me at jetlaagd@aol.com.

Reserve Call-In Assignments CLLR
CLLR assignments are only confirmed after 1900. Any assignments made prior are subject to change up to 1900. Several members have missed the "changed" assignment and were given a DNF/3 points

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