Dear AFA: July 03, 2009

Choose a different Dear AFA: Jul 03, 2009 Jun 30, 2009 Jun 26, 2009 Jun 23, 2009 Jun 19, 2009 Jun 16, 2009 Jun 12, 2009 Jun 09, 2009 Jun 05, 2009 Jun 02, 2009 May 29, 2009 May 26, 2009 May 22, 2009 May 19, 2009 May 15, 2009 May 12, 2009 May 08, 2009 May 05, 2009 May 01, 2009 Apr 28, 2009 (search archives)

Reported by Allen Ward

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Dear AFA.  Today is Friday, July 3^rd, and this is AFA Denver Council 9 volunteer, Allen Ward reporting – and, Glenn’s gotta go.

Week 9 Negotiations Update

As the clock moves towards August 7, 2009, the date of the joint filing for services by the National Mediation Board (NMB), direct negotiations resumed in Chicago this week.  As expected, Section 11 – Deadheading and Section 18 – Vacations were introduced to the negotiating table.  Talks also continued on Section 15 – Trainings and Meetings, Section 23 – Leaves of Absence, and Section 31 – Safety, Health and Security.

 There were no agreements this week and we expect that next week, Section 8 – Minimum Pay and Credit will be brought to the negotiating table.  It is also expected that discussions on current Letters of Agreement as contained with Section 35 will begin next week.

New FAA Qualification for RET

Beginning July 6, 2009 for all E-learning related to RET changes are coming beginning for training that is started after 12:01AM Central Daylight Time on Monday, July 6, 2009 based on a recent FAA directive.

The FAA has notified United that changes affecting E-learning and RET are required in order to ensure Flight Attendants are completing E-learning within a 90-day window based on her/his annual RET training period which includes the  ‘may go’, ‘must go’ and ‘grace’ months. Based on what the company has told us, no E-learning can be completed outside of this 90-day training window for all E-learning started after the July 6th, 2009 implementation date.

Look for additional information from management when you sign on to E-learning.

H1N1 Crewmember Quarantine Procedures

There has been discussion and rumors surrounding Flight Attendants being quarantined for H1N1 Influenza exposure.  The decision to quarantine for possible exposure to H1N1 is made by local health authorities and not determined by United Airlines.  As such, procedures can vary from location to location and as situations evolve, things may change quickly as local health authorities determine what action they feel should be taken for their location.

Local health authority’s decision to enforce a quarantine is based on the rationale that passengers or crewmembers may be susceptible to contagion of the H1N1 by being in close contact with an ill passenger.  The definitions of “close contact” may be defined as serving food and drink, being within the immediate area (1-3 rows) of the passenger or caring for an ill passenger.  Those determined to be in close contact with a passenger suspected of having H1N1 may be subject to quarantine by local health authorities.

In all cases, it is neither the Purser’s nor the Captains responsibility to determine who will be quarantined and selection should not be based on seniority, qualification or other unrelated factors.  If you are subject to quarantine you should comply with local health authority direction and follow the procedures they provide and you should contact OBPSK for further direction.  If you have questions regarding what current procedures are for any given location or what is involved in a quarantine please contact your Local Council or United Supervisor for the most updated information.

Protect American Jobs, Call the White House

In June the Department of Transportation (DOT) granted tentative approval to Continental Airlines to join the Star Alliance.  The approval included immunity from U.S. antitrust laws for Continental, United, Lufthansa and Air Canada to establish a trans – Atlantic venture.

The U.S. government should be very concerned about the lack of oversight of alliances such as these. Despite the fact that this past week the Department of Justice (DOJ) voiced strong objection to the approval it is expected the DOT will issue a final ruling on this anti-trust filing in the coming days.  Justice, in its objections to the United-Continental arrangement, argued that approval of the proposed accord would likely result in higher fares and diminished competition, adding that it amounted to "sanctioning collusion by United and Continental on all international service."

The fact of the matter is, this alliance will put more of our passengers on other airlines.  Less United planes in the air equate to less flying for United Flight Attendants and the loss of our jobs.  Every AFA Member needs to take a few minutes to call to the Obama administration and encourage their support in the protection of American jobs.  We need you to encourage your family, friends and flying partners to call the White House and call on the Administration to support American workers and ensure immunity from antitrust provisions will not lead to greater job losses for American workers.

Background and information where to call and the message we need to deliver is on our website.  We have a strong voice and we need to use it to protect our jobs and ensure Congress and the White House remains vigilant on this issue.

United Balances Fee’s with Revenue

The media is reporting that consumer advocates and trade group representatives are alarmed by United Airlines' decision to make some travel agents pay the credit card fees on flights that they book.  The speculation and fear is that the travel agency industry and then consumers will have to shoulder additional costs.  The media is also propagating doom scenarios about airline industry bankruptcies being imminent, however these fail to consider successful domestic fare increases enacted in June, a stabilization of balance and demand in economy travel and late booking strength for July.

The step taken by United to reduce their cost, through a non-labor initiative is a solid approach to remain competitive.  The change is new for travel agents and their industry but it’s a move that provides stability for United Airlines and one that arguably should have been made years ago.

JD Power 2009 Airline Satisfaction Study

Tuesday, JD Power and Associates released their 2009 North American Airline Satisfaction Study, and ranked United Airlines among the worst in almost every category.  The results are similar to findings from the recent seatguru.com passenger survey, as well as the American Customer Satisfaction Index by the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business both published in recent months.

The JD Power study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in seven measures (in order of importance): cost and fees; flight crew; in-flight services; aircraft; boarding/deplaning/baggage; check-in; and reservation.  United Airlines ranked in or near the bottom in every category.  The findings of this study serve to further illustrate what previous studies have already indicated: decisions made by United management do not support Flight Attendants or our passengers.  When United fails to provide the necessary staffing and resources, we are not able to effectively do our jobs.  Details from the study are available on our website.

Whether you are flying this Independence Day and taking advantage of our Contractual Holiday Pay, or enjoying the day off, remember every Fourth of July is an opportunity to celebrate the freedom we have and those we continue to fight for.

Also remember if you’re currently out on Voluntary Furlough you must respond to the recall notice sent by United Airlines within 14 days of receipt per Section 21.F. of our Contract.  Information is available and updated on our website.

That’s all for this evening!  Thank you for calling and remain informed as we stand strong together to do Whatever it takes! to achieve an industry leading Contract!