LAX / MIA / PHL Update
Since United first announced the closure of Las Vegas and Philadelphia Flight Attendant domiciles, we have been working to find creative solutions for Flight Attendants to remain in these locations. We told you about the suggested domicile modifications that included administrative assistance routed through the Flight Attendant Service Center; combining Onboard Service with the resources of the station operations; and electronic alternatives for dissemination of information. Despite our efforts to alleviate United’s financial concerns about the viability of Las Vegas and Philadelphia, on June 15th, United announced what we all thought was a final decision to close these domiciles. We began our work to help Flight Attendants more easily transition to a new domicile location, but our objections to these closures remained clear to the Company. As Philadelphia Local Council President, Terry Knoy wrote to United’s CFO Jake Brace, on June 5, 2003, “United management should be willing to leave no stone unturned in their quest for financial stability and to improve employee moral and commitment to service and our customers. This closing would prove to be financially and emotionally destructive to United as a corporation and its dedicated employees.”
In recent days, the Company has expressed a willingness to revisit the issue and explore our advocacy for the viability of these domiciles. The United Master Executive Council met on an urgent conference call this afternoon to fully discuss a Letter of Understanding that will allow Las Vegas and Philadelphia to remain open as modified co-terminals of Los Angeles and Newark, respectively. The MEC today agreed to the Letter of Understanding that is specific to Las Vegas and Philadelphia locations only and will be subject to review after a six month trial period. The agreement references the existing Contract language on co-terminals, with the exception that the flying assigned to Flight Attendants in Las Vegas and Philadelphia will be separate and distinct to those locations. The agreement also introduces several cost-effective methods mainly through electronic communication. The Company believes that this agreement enables numerous opportunities to improve the overall efficiency of these operations through the expanded use of automation. The Letter of Understanding fully outlining our agreement will be made available as soon as it is finalized.
We are fully aware that this agreement has been made at the eleventh hour, and it’s possible that some of our flying partners may have already initiated moves to a new city. The Company has committed to honor the relocation benefits for all Flight Attendants who have begun and wish to follow through on a move to a new domicile location.
As we have said before on Dear AFA, the fight for the viability of Las Vegas and Philadelphia has been connected to the fact that the flying still exists in these locations. In Miami, however, we have lost a great deal of flying which has ultimately caused the painful announcement from United that Flight Attendants would be surplussed from Miami. We know that Flight Attendants affected by the surplus in Miami have been anxiously waiting for the results of the surplus transfer bid that was due at 1700 Chicago Time today. The Letter of Understanding regarding Las Vegas and Philadelphia also has a positive affect on the Miami Surplus transfer bid. We have been advocating for more transfer choices since the surplus in Miami was first announced. Since the base closure transfer awards will no longer take place, there are now additional vacancies available at DCASW and ORDSW for award to the Miami surplus Flight Attendants. The Company is now reviewing the previously submitted MIA surplus bids, to better match Flight Attendant preferences to these additional vacancies. United will announce the MIA surplus bid awards by 1400 Chicago Time on Wednesday, June 25.
