Dear AFA: May 18, 2012
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Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Dear
AFA. A democratic, Member driven Union
of Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants.
Today is Friday, May 18, 2012 and
this is Denver, Council 9 Volunteer, Allen
Ward, reporting and together we will
do better.
Company Announces Aircraft Redeployment and the Opening of New
Domiciles/Bases
Earlier this week United announced aircraft schedule changes
and the redeployment of aircraft in the domestic operation throughout this year
and 2013. Aircraft schedule changes are
inherent in the normal management of any airline, ours included. Over the years, we’ve seen flying change at
each of our domiciles. These changes may
be temporary or, in long-term planning, more sustained.
We’ve seen United manage aircraft and Flight Attendant
populations in many different ways over the past decade in the aftermath of
2001, during their bankruptcy and again through their merger. If there is one constant in the airline
business it is change. This may be
routes, aircraft type and frequency or schedule assignment; all of which are
constantly being tweaked and balanced by the company to generate revenue. We are familiar with this and accept it as a
part of the industry we work within.
The opening of domiciles/bases, is a normal
result of the alignment of schedules as United’s merger progresses. New domiciles offer additional options and
flying for United Flight Attendants should they choose to transfer. Transfers change
the seniority dynamics at the locations from which Flight Attendants transfer. All of these changes create opportunities.
United’s recent announcement may, for some create feelings
of concern about the upcoming changes associated with this phase of United’s
merger. It is important to remember that
we have a Transition Agreement in place that protects Flight Attendant jobs and
maintains the balance of flying between the subsidiaries during the merger
until we are a combined workforce working under a single Contract.
As United Flight Attendants are aware and have experienced
over the years, there is no ownership of any flying. In the normal day-to-day operation flying is
constantly shifted throughout the system for a variety of reasons. We know well that staffing and assignments
change continually. This redeployment of
aircraft is really no different with one exception; the balance of flying
between United and Continental will be maintained by the Transition Agreement.
United management would like nothing more than to have
United and Continental Flight Attendants at odds with each other. We vehemently reject this concept, especially
as we begin preparations for Joint Contract Negotiations. Let’s be crystal clear on this concept – United
and Continental Flight Attendants are not in competition for any flying – our
Transition Agreements protect jobs on both sides. Furthermore as we enter Negotiations, it is
imperative that we focus on our common goals of higher pay, schedule flexibility
and incorporating improvements from both Contracts in to a new combined
Agreement. How we arrive at these goals
remains to be worked through collaboratively by all parties. The outcome however, must be an industry
leading Flight Attendant Agreement that can be ratified by both United and
Continental Flight Attendants. We remain
committed to standing solidly together to achieve this outcome and will not be
divided.
While none of us chose to have United merge with
Continental, we will work to leverage every opportunity the merger offers. Change can be scary, due to the uncertainty
of what the future may hold; but our industry is one of constant change, and we
are ready. We have been preparing for
all aspects of United’s merger from the day it was announced. We have our own experience to draw from, as
well as that from our sisters and brothers at other AFA carriers and the
history of an industry full of past merger successes and failures. We have industry experts and professionals to
advise us and we will protect United Flight Attendant jobs and maximize
opportunities for our Flight Attendant community. What is happening in this phase of United’s
merger is expected and is not a surprise.
The best way to combat fear of the unknown is with accurate
information from your Union. Don’t rely
on rumor, social media or renegade propaganda that only serves to disseminate
apprehension and create division. Remain
engaged and informed and, together, we will be successful.
Crew Visa Application Streamlined
The company announced in their Inflight Services Weekly on Wednesday
that they have streamlined the crew visa application process for all Flight
Attendants. For several years, AFA has
been advocating for an alternate solution to this often cumbersome and time
consuming process.
For those Domiciles that fly to destinations that require a
Russian (RUS) and Chinese (PRC) visa please note that the process for obtaining
a visa request letter has changed.
Flight Attendants will now be able to print out a visa request letter
via the company’s Flying Together website.
Once logged in you will need to click “My department” and scroll down and click on “Flight Attendant Visa Process” link.
If you have any questions about this change please contact
your local domicile supervisor.
Honoring September 11th Heroes
On May 17th, the Labor International Hall of Fame, in Washington
DC inducted the over 600 Union Members lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
These heroes being honored represent the shining light that is American
organized labor and includes the Flight Attendants and Pilots from the United
and American Airlines flights. AFA International Officers, Veda, Sara and
Kevin, Greg Davidowitch United MEC President and former JFK Local Council
President, Linda Farrow, Jeff Heisey, JFK Local Council President Ken Diaz, BOS
Local Council President Andrew Fahy and former BOS Local Council President Ralph
Bagarella and Continental AFA MEC President, Marcus Valentino along with
representatives from ALPA and APFA were in attendance.
NATO Summit in Chicago
Leaders from around the world are gathering in Chicago this weekend
for an important diplomatic summit hosted by President Barack Obama. The
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will be holding their meetings Downtown
Chicago from May 20-21, 2012. This will be the first time an
American city other than Washington D.C. has hosted a NATO summit.
For those Flight Attendants who live in Chicago or who are
on a downtown layover we ask that you exercise caution and enhanced awareness
of your surroundings. The United Corporate Security team continues to meet with
government and law enforcement officials to assess the impact of the NATO
Summit. They do not anticipate any significant impact on the business at ORD
but will monitor the situation daily and AFA has been told the company will
take any necessary steps to ensure Flight Attendant safety. It is predicted
that the NATO summit will cause traffic delays and may bring city
transportation to a virtual standstill.
As a reminder:
- You may not bring food, drink, backpacks,
briefcases or luggage on Metra trains May 19-21.
- CTA is rerouting some buses and adding capacity
on CTA trains.
- It's a good idea to plan alternate routes to get
around street closures or other obstacles.
Industry Editorial
Be sure to listen
to the latest edition of the AFA Industry Editorial recorded yesterday in
Chicago by retired Flight Attendant volunteer Jerry Butz. Dial 1-800-Dear-AFA, after entering your file
number, choose option #5.
That’s all for this evening!
Thank you for calling. As we move
forward together, management must recognize the value that Flight Attendants
bring to the world’s largest airline. We will stand strong together to do Whatever
It Takes! to achieve an industry leading Single Contract.