SEA Roadshow Q&A 12/10/14
Section 3 – Scope
Q: Does management require each supervisor to fly a certain amount each quarter?
A: They have not thought the program out that far. There is no contractual requirement for a minimum or maximum. A few months back they were discussing supervisors taking passenger seats for once a quarter, anticipate a similar application. May be more often but starting out we believe once a quarter.
Q: Why are there not further limitations on management flying?
A: We didn’t achieve further provisions with limitations. We were able to agree on the language available in the TA.
Q: You did ask for limitations caps and preferences?
A: Yes.
Q: How does allowing supervisors/managers as extras work with the Constitution and Bylaws?
A: This provision is in place at other carriers with AFA. Management is not provided the protections of your agreement. AFA does not represent them in disciplinary cases. The language as written is NOT in conflict the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.
Q: Why is management so adamant?
A: They used the employee survey. Brad truly believes this is the remedy to limiting the gap between front line employees and management.
Q: If we are in self help is our contract in effect?
A: No, if you are in self help your contract is void.
Q: How long have the other departments had programs with manager/supervisors? What is feedback from those departments?
A: We are unsure of program implementation and feedback from other groups.
Q: Is one provision of management flying “flying as extra” or “cancellation” more important than the other?
A: Management believes both are critical.
Section 8 – Hours of Service
Q: What do you see as long range ramifications?
A: Unknown what the future routes hold, but you can project based on new markets being grown by Horizon and SkyWest. Such as Omaha, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, PDX to STL.
Q: Would buying the Boeing Max affect the 4k?
A: No the language is very clear on what defines a 4k, sit time, legs and return to domicile.
Q: Does the cost savings for the 4k and 15 min debrief out weigh the overall cost of the agreement in TA2, a “wash” or “cost neutral”
A: No. The agreement in TA1 was costed with around an increase of $17 million a year, TA2 adds another $13 million, for a total of $30 million over current cost per year. There is significant money in the agreement and over the life of the agreement is averaged with a 20% increase.
Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium OT
Q: If awarded a schedule and trade with OT for same days, could I have LAX turn, trade with OT a ANC turn and someone picks up my ANC turn am I protected?
A: Yes. You no longer are on duty and originally had flying on that day that is no longer replaced.
Q: If I receive an ACARS within my debrief am I required to call?
A: Yes.
Section 10 – Scheduling
No questions
Section 11 – Reserve
Q: How long for implementation to self assign?
A: Second Quarter of 2016.
Q: Can lineholders still bid down to reserve?
A: Yes.
Q: Can reserves jet bridge trade?
A: Yes, with each other.
Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences
Q: Does the trial period have to happen for the full 12 months before either party cancels?
A: No, but both parties are obligated to try different thresholds before cancelling.
Q: What is implementation of OT trial?
A: August 1, 2015
Q: Will they have Crew Schedulers monitoring the system?
A: No, they will not be limiting the day, it is automated system. Today scheduling controls the opening and closing of days.
Section 14 – Vacation
Q: We have vacation donation program?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there ability to accrue vacation on vacation donation if TA2 is passed.
A: No, under our contract you are not able to accrue vacation on vacation. Under the vacation donation program you would still receive the pay. If on a leave and coordinating there is a 480 look back for the calendar year to determine benefits, so technically a Flight Attendant receiving vacation donation could receive vacation accrual based on the look back if meet the 480 requirement.
Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury
Q: There used to be a sick leave program that allowed for direct pick up from OT? Why did the company want us to be reserves?
A: This was an AFA provision. Didn’t want premiums to go away, didn’t want sick leave reserve used to supplement hiring and didn’t want OT combed for making up flying. Sitting reserve protects many provisions while allowing sick leave restoration.
Section 21 – Compensation
Q: What is withholding rate on a signing bonus?
A: Around 35%. It is withheld at a higher rate, but taxed at your personal rate when filing your IRS taxes.
Q: Could they start building our lines high to make us not achieve the QPP?
A: There is an established base line average under TA2 between 75 and 85. That can not go up or down in excess of 10 TFP.
Q: If I had a line awarded and wanted to trade a trip, I traded my EWR for FLL would I qualify for QPP?
A: Possibly, as that trade would increase your flying and TFP worked from 12.8 to 14.4. But you would still need to meet the quarterly requirement. Jan plus Feb plus March, plus 0.10 tfp excluding vacation and sick leave.
Q: Will there be real time calculators to show us where we are?
A: Yes.
Section 22 – Expenses
No questions
Section 23 – Insurance
No questions
Section 27 – General Association
No questions
Section 32 – Attendance Policy
Q: Are leaves run concurrent?
A: Yes, Alaska Airlines chooses to run FMLA and Medical Leaves concurrent under the law. If you are taking medical leaves it will reduce your allowable FMLA, if applicable. If you run out of FMLA or don’t qualify for FMLA you can still take medical leaves for yourself.
Random:
Q: Is there a time limit in mediation?
A: No
Q: Could a Presidential Emergency Board mandate a contract if either party declined the recommendations?
A: Yes. Would take a 50% plus 1 vote of the house/senate.
Q: Is there a 12 ½ hour duty day?
A: No, there is a 4k sequence with specific requirements regarding opting in to flying in excess of 10 ½ hours up to 12 ½ hours. There is a definition in Section 5 that specifies how they are built within the restraints allowed.
Q: Question regarding the NMB, processing, the industry and the political climate?
A: Sara Nelson, AFA International President provided insight for this question and will provide a statement for your consideration.
Q: What happens if we vote down TA2?
A: We are under Section 6, mediation, another negotiations survey would be required, this negotiating commitee will not continue, have to hire and train new committee in WA DC, schedule more dates with NMB, could meet with management without NMB if parties agreed. We could be put on the shelf by the NMB, we would ask for a proffer and go into a cooling off period. A Presidential Emergency Board could be established, legislation could require us to accept a contract that was determined based on industry comparisons by individuals who do not know your job, work rules and other aspects of your career, we could be negotiating for years, Spirit Airlines is at 8 years, still asking for a release. There is a political environment where airlines are not being released, there is no time limit on length in mediation, could be months or years.
Q: Would management flying take away from commuters?
A: A supervisor/manager will occupy the jumpseat as an extra and potentially could limit on a small percentage of flights.
