Here is our third weekly update highlighting posts on the Negotiations blog from November 23^rd through November 30^th. We apologize for its delay in release.

This past week was quiet as we are sure you were all reviewing the full TA2 text. We are currently mid-week of our first week of Roadshows. You can find a daily Q&A of each morning and afternoon session on the blog as well. At the end of the week we will send out another update including all of this week’s happenings.

As you review TA2, if you’ve missed any of this week’s daily posts, you will find them titled below. We continue to use the format of “Q&A”, “Get the Facts”, “Did you know?” and “Hot Topics” for the various blog posts. You can also search the blog via key words you have an interest in and it will bring up all applicable posts (e.g. 4K).

 

Nov 23^rd –

Get the Facts: Sick Leave Cash Out 25% Upon Retirement

Weekly Negotiations Blog Update November 15^th – 22^nd

 

Nov 24^th –

No posts

 

Nov 25^th –

Q&A: Is there a loop hole for 4k reassignments?

Q&A: Do I have to vote if I am voting yes?

Q&A: Is there any protection for new aircraft orders in our current agreement or TA2

A Message From Your SAN LEC President

 

Nov 26^th –

Q&A: Did We Lose VJA in TA2 and Are We Only Subject to JA under TA2?

TA2 Informational Videos

Q&A: What happens if deplaning exceeds the 15 minute debrief at domicile?

 

Nov 27^th –

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Nov 28^th –

It’s getting a little crazy out there!

Q&A: Why is management “guest starring” in some of the TA2 videos?

Q&A: Why did the Negotiating Committee start at Step 3 in the “Progressing Through the Pay Steps” video?

 

Nov 29^th –

No Posts

 

Nov 30^th –

Q&A: Are we waiting for a letter for SC/SF from management?

 

In solidarity,

 

Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

PDX Roadshow Q&A 12/3/14

Section 3 – Scope

Q: How many supervisors would that allow?

 

A: There are currently 42 on the list. The TA allows for 2% of the FA population so this would be a total of 66 maximum with 3300 FAs.

 

Q: If they come on as an extra are they working just a leg?

 

A: They are working a trip, the entire sequence.

 

Q: What percentage of trips will supervisors be flying as an extra?

 

A: Unknown, there is no contractual limitation.

 

Q: What do you think Company reason is behind this?

 

A: Ben and Brad believe this will help relationships and environment. This is partly due to the results of the Employee survey.

 

Q: Will supervisors appear randomly?

 

A: We expect advanced notice. Will confirm.

 

Section 8 – Hours of Service

 

Q: Is the debrief adjustment all or nothing

 

A: Yes

 

Section 9 – Junior Availability

 

Q: Will it still not cover trips into the next month? Say I had a 3 day trip on the 30^th that went into the 1^st and 2^nd.

 

A: For JA you are protected.

 

Q: Am I protected for the 1^st and 2^nd if my subsequent bid award adds flying onto my line on the day I gave away from the month end overlap?

 

A: No, the flying was replaced on the days you are now working in the subsequent month. In order to be protected you would additionally need to drop the 1^st and 2^nd.

 

Q: If I pick up days outside of my original line and subsequently give those days away am I protected from JA?

 

A: No, the days protected must be off of your original line.

 

Section 10 – Scheduling

 

Q: What is our maximum scheduled duty day if I don’t opt into 4k flying?

 

A: Scheduled duty is 10 hours 30 minutes.

 

Q: Does the debrief take into consideration Customs and Immigration?

 

A: No, this is the current practice.

 

Q: Can you opt 4k for a turn and not for multiday?

 

A: You would opt into 4k, bid by pairing number or how you would bid for turn. If worried about unstacking create new bid group.

 

Q: Could I put 4k in my default bid?

 

A: Yes.

 

Q: Projection of changes in layover for 4k?

 

A: The 4k affects only a few routes. Look at the 4k and 15 debrief maps specific to your base. This could affect future destinations and schedules.

 

Q: All 2 carts, except DTW, was service addressed with 4k turns?

 

A: No, service is managerial right.

 

Section 11 – Reserve

 

Q: If lineholder picks up reserve day do they have to opt into LTFA?

 

A: Yes. They must actively opt in if they choose. Default opts out.

 

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

 

Q:   After contract is ratified when will OT trial start?

 

A: August 2015, based on the implementation.

 

Q: If a day is limited (closed) and I pick up a TO/CP trip what happens?

 

A: If you pick up the day without replacing flying then the day will reopen to allow for another trip drop.

 

Q: What happens if OT system is not ready by August 2015?

 

A: We would file a grievance.

 

Q: Did the Company come to AFA and say we have this great system for OT trial?

 

A: No. It was a joint effort in creating a functioning OT system.

 

Section 14 – Vacation

 

Q: Does vacation accrual count for the 960 flown to achieve the Longevity PTO?

 

A: Yes

 

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury

 

Q: Why only age 62 – 65 for utilizing my sick leave for insurance?

 

A: The provision is current book, with sunset provision.

 

Q: If I call in sick and receive points does sick leave make up allow for point reduction?

 

A: No. Sick Leave Make Up is available to restore your sick leave bank, not mitigate points.

 

Q: If I call in sick for 10 TFP, I would have to work 100 TFP to restore, so this offers a 1 for 1 accrual?

 

A: Yes.

 

Q: If I call in sick using Sick Family or FMLA can I participate in Sick Leave Make Up.

 

A: Yes. If you are receiving pay from your sick leave bank you are eligible to restore using Sick Leave Make Up. As a side note if you call in FMLA, you may contact your payroll analyst and ask not to receive compensation, however, the federal law requires they give you the time off.

 

Section 21 – Compensation

 

Q: If I SIP or Jet Bridge trade what Minimum Pay Rules will apply?

 

A: Duty period minimum and sit pay in non-affected duty periods (at the SIP/Jet Bridge Trade split).

 

Q:   Is the Quarterly Productivity Premium based on the base line average or your personal award?

 

A: Personal Award

 

Q: Do pre-planned absences count?

 

A: No. You must exceed your PBS line award.

 

Q: Does recurrent count towards my PBS award for QPP?

 

A: Recurrent does not count towards the PBS award, but will count towards the QPP threshold.

 

Section 22 – Expenses

 

No questions

 

Section 23 – Insurance

Q: What is management’s posturing or position on insurance?

 

A: 20% cost sharing and no cap. But we didn’t agree to those terms and conditions. They wanted us to share in higher cost of premiums with other employees.

 

Section 27 – General Association

 

No Questions

 

Section 32 – Attendance

 

Q: Is there a limitation on the number of medical leaves I can take?

 

A: No.

 

Q: Will we get bank points retro active for the maximum credit of 6?

 

A: No. It will start in Jan 2015 if TA is ratified.

 

Random Q & A:

 

Q: Where can I find the AFA Videos?

 

A: http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta/ta2-videos

Q: Could you be off on Worker’s Comp for a year a get a 12 month look back?

 

A: Yes. If you were out for 12 months, you would have to have a look back equal to 12 months.

 

Q: If I take a staffing leave do I get a credit, same as in the current agreement?

 

A: 1.333 TFP credit, just like today.

 

Q: If contract is ratified will we have availability to view our 480 TFP calculations?

 

A: Yes. You will have calculators for each category.

 

Q: Is there retro on minimum pay rules?

 

A: No. We attempted to have minimum pay rules paid but were not successful in agreeing on a provision.

 

Q: If there a professional negotiator on the team?

 

A: Yes, Paula Mastrangelo, Staff negotiator since 1988. She has long standing list of negotiating many contracts for legacy and regional carriers. There is an entire legal and bargaining unit at AFA International. We also used Dan Akins, an airline economist and advocate for AFA, he graduated from London School of Economics and assisted us at the bargaining table.

 

Q: Could management in the future ask for a longer duty day?

 

A: Yes management could ask, but the membership would have to ratify an agreement with the provision in order for a extended duty day to take affect.

 

Q: If this does get voted down will all the members of the committee stay on?

 

A:

 

Jeff Peterson – In my discussions with our committee the next committee will look very different.

 

Jake Jones – Will not continue to serve on NC

Lisa Pinkston – Will not continue to serve on NC

Kristy Stratton – Will not continue to serve on NC

Christina Frees – Will not continue to serve on NC

Paula Mastrangelo – Recommend a different staff negotiator take over Alaska Property

 

Jeff Peterson – I have other responsibilities to consider and no intent of leaving AFA in difficult position. I’m not comfortable making a statement at this time. After two failed agreements I agree with Paula, our staff negotiator, it may be time to let someone else look at the overall context of our negotiations.

 

Q: If assigned a like sequence can I be assigned more than one sequence?

 

A: No, it is one sequence.

 

Q: Why was duty day adjustments included in TA2?

 

A: This was brought forward and negotiated as a package. 4k, 15 debrief and management flying contingent on length of scale, step rates and overall compensation package.

 

Q: Did we achieve many of the things we wanted on the survey?

 

A: Yes, the committee was successful in recapturing many provisions, not all.

 

Q: Do you think we would get retro pay in a subsequent agreement?

 

A: In our professional opinion, no.

 

 

ALA_MgmtFlying_1214

MIA_managementflying

USA_MgmtCoFly

We had AFA International Research Management Flying at other carriers.  We have included links to information and documentation for comparison and consideration. Please click on the links above to access this information.

As a side note:  At SWA a manager can fly to prevent a cancellation if there is absolutely no FA available.

PDX Roadshow Q&A 12/3/14

 

Section 3 – Scope

 

Q: Does there have to be no reserve available within the 2 hour call out?

 

A: The flight would have to cancel if they couldn’t get a flight attendant to airport. Any time a manager flies the Company must notify AFA and there will be follow up.

 

Q: Why don’t they have to wear a uniform?

 

A: Not all of them have uniforms and they are not required. No contractual requirement that they wear uniform.

 

Q: How are the supervisors paid for flying, TFP? Why don’t they pay union dues?

 

A: They are paid their salary. AFA doesn’t represent them. They don’t receive the perks of the collective bargaining. They don’t get per diem, no minimum pay rules.

 

Q: Do they have to be trained FAA certified as a flight attendant?

 

A: Yes. There are currently 42 approved.

 

Q: Must the flying managers have a Flight Attendant manual?

 

A: Yes.

 

Q: Is there a percentage or a limit? Cap in writing?

 

A: There is no cap.

 

Q: When will we know if they are on our aircraft?

 

A: We will clarify, but there is no contractual notification requirement.

 

Q: What is single source discipline?

 

A: Just originates with one person. Refers to one information source, the person who sees it.

 

Q: Is it one of the functions of the Scheduling Chair to oversee this?

 

A: Yes, a full time scheduling chair position. S/he is an AFA Alaska Flight Attendant.

 

Q: May trips be held from bidding or Open Time for management?

 

A: No.

 

Q: Supervisors on board, we may have to train them, do we receive extra pay?

 

A: No extra pay.

 

Q: Was this a priority for the company in TA1 and TA2?

 

A: Yes.

 

Q: As most junior FA on a crew as an extra can managers be tagged?

 

A: They could only be reassigned if to avoid a cancellation. If not to prevent a cancellation they would not be eligible as they can only fly as an extra.

 

Q: Is there restriction for IOE or check rides today?

 

A: No. They have the ability to come onboard during special circumstances.

 

Section 8 – Hours of Service

 

Q: For getting through customs can we call and adjust our debrief?

 

A: No, it is not counted, just as application today.

 

Q: If Pilots give you ACARs during flight do I have to call?

 

A: Yes.

 

Q: Do we get paid for updating manual, bulletins? In future updating new devices off the a/c?

 

A: No. This will be on your own time.

 

Q: Could the company arbitrarily adjust my debrief?

 

A: No. Debrief is coordinated by the crew.

 

Q: If on separate pairings do we have to call separately?

 

A: Yes, until we settle into the new procedure.

 

Q: Is Scheduling going to staff appropriately for our ability to adjust our debrief?

 

A: I do think they have underestimated how much this is happening. Think they will be overwhelmed at first with the adjustments.

Q: Does the night rule supersede irregular operations?

 

A: Yes. See Section 8.I..

 

Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium Opentime

 

Q: Could I receive ACARs and be JA’d

 

A: Yes.

 

Q: Could they be standing there at your plane to JA you?

 

A: Yes, within your 15 minute debrief?

 

Q: Could the company adjust my debrief to JA me?

 

A: No, the flight attendant(s) may adjust their debrief by calling CS.

 

Q: Can Crew Scheduling still call me at home to JA?

 

A: No.

 

Q: If you do have 2.5X JA trip and drops into OT does that remove the JA premium?

 

A: If you trade into OT the premium goes away. If traded to FAs premium will stay.

 

Q: How will you know if JA’d out of order?

 

A: Strictly by who is on duty and who is legal. You can look at the list to see who was JA’d. The Scheduling Chair must be consulted prior to JA. If the Company JAs out of order there premium pay penalty.

 

Section 10 – Scheduling

 

Q: What are the three 4k destinations that would be affected with todays route structure?

 

A: SEA-DTW, SEA-IAH, PDX – PVR

 

Q: Can I preference 4k day and 4k night, either or both?

 

A: Yes. It is instruction command required to opt in to these pairings.

 

Q: Do you have a list of the new turns, cities affected by 15 minute debrief?

 

A: We have a list of the 4k, will get a list of the city pairings affected.

Q: Are we opening the door?

 

A: It doesn’t stop management from requesting a longer duty day in the future. We are governed by the majority. It is a fair assessment.

 

Q: How I am guaranteed I am not going to fly them?

 

A: From PBS perspective, if you do not select one or both of the 4k instructions you will NOT be awarded 4k sequence via coverage award, unstacking and secondary line generation. It you do not select instruction you can NOT get the trip.

 

Q: What do they do with pairings if no one bids the 4k?

 

A: They will go into OT and will NOT count towards the threshold sequence number for closure of OT unless subsequently traded.

 

Q: How will LA and ANC be impacted?

 

A: There will be impact on the flying. There are not many pairings that will fit in turns in LAX, ANC, SAN. With new flying would change flying. Line averages and Minimum Pay Rules will provide protections for unproductive flying.

 

Q: So a 4K is in the box, they are desperate and out of reserves. Can line holders refuse?

 

A: Yes you can refuse. Company would have ability to offer with premium OT, break up the sequence to make legal with the 10 hours and 30 minutes or in lieu of cancellation assign to a manager.

 

Section 11 – Reserve

 

Q: If line holder picks up single day, does it convert to ER?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: Is there a change to crew quarters or sitting area when sitting APSB?

 

A: No change.

 

Q: Any protections for turning a turn into a 5 day trip?

 

A: No

 

 

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

 

Q: When will Jet Bridge trades be available?

 

A: Immediately. It is a manual process.

 

Q: So if we love new OT system, but Company hates it, they cancel trial period?

 

A: Go back to todays practice and start negotiating a new system.

 

Q: Are personal drops and coupon drops going away or being replaced?

 

A: No.

 

Q: Can FAs Jet Bridge trade with another FA who is not in their domicile?

 

A: No. FAs must be in the same domicile to Jet Bridge trade. There may be ability in future to expand program.

 

Section 14 – Vacation

 

Q: Today I only fly 260TFP annually what is difference between CBA and TA2?

 

A: Under current agreement if you do not meet 480 TFP (including vacation and sick leave) you are entitled to full vacation accrual unpaid. In TA2 if you fly the 260 TFP (excluding vacation and sick leave) you are entitled to half vacation accrual unpaid.

 

Q: I have questions about the 480 TFP and going on maternity, is that covered?

 

A: If you are coordinating your leave there is a lookback to help you meet your 480. We have a presentation later in the roadshow to walk you through this.

 

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury

 

Q: Can you still call in well?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: You can still make up the first day of your sick call after calling in well?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: Where I will find the Reserve Sick Leave Make Up days?

 

A: They will be posted. Not sure where they will be posted but FAs will have notification.

 

Q: Is there point mitigation for sick leave make up?

 

A: No.

 

Q: How long do I have to make up sick leave and restore my bank?

 

A: The current bid month and the two subsequent bid months.

 

Q: Are lineholders required to opt in to LFTA for sick leave make up?

 

A: No.

 

Q: If I only fly turns is it possible to have my options limited for sick leave make up?

 

A: Yes. Crew Scheduling builds the blocks. At their discretion they could offer one day or more blocks.

 

Q: If I don’t fly on the reserve make up day how much credit do I receive?

 

A: 5 TFP per day not used. With a minimum guarantee of 5 TFP per day averaged over the number of days in the reserve make up block.

 

Section 21 – Compensation

 

Q: If I am top of scale when do I receive my increases?

 

A: Every Dec 17^th for the duration of the agreement you will receive 1.5% pay increases.

 

Q: Are CB and UB included in the QPP?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: What is the Company benefit of the QPP?

 

A: On average the hard time flown per flight attendant is 68 TFP. If you can move the average hard time 1 TFP to 69 TFP hard time averaged for all Flight Attendants then the Company would receive the cost savings of 50 full time employees (FTE) in the future for each 1 TFP. This benefit is only received if flying behaviors change.

 

Q: Is there a blog post to assist with QPP questions?

 

A: Yes. http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/get-the-facts-productivity-premium

 

Section 22 – Expenses

 

No Questions

 

Section 23 – Insurance

 

Q: Is there a slide show on the insurance? What is difference between the cost sharing and the year over year cap?

 

A: Yes. Watch the insurance video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BivL964KYak&feature=youtu.be .

 

One is sharing of cost that moves each year contractual up to a maximum of 20/80. The year over year cap ensures the employee paid portion does not exceed 15% increase year over year. We receive the more favorable of the two applications.

 

Q: Is Kaiser still an option and will there be 15% year over year cap?

 

A: Yes.

 

Section 27 – General Association

 

No questions

 

Section 32 – Attendance Policy

Q: Would the points be removed for the additional ½ point for sick online at check in be removed with a quarterly point reduction form?

 

A: Yes. That is our position. All points when using a quarterly point reduction form will be removed associated with that occurrence. The language does not specifically say that it will but it is the practice.

 

Random Q&A:

 

Q: Is the 480 look back a huge improvement?

 

A: Yes. We don’t know of any other carrier that has this provision.

 

Q: Why is implementation taking so long?

 

A: There are programming and vendor delays. Nothing we can do to get it to happen faster. There is a limitation of programming. Management was even will to pay more to had expedited but money is not the issue.

 

Q: Why was there a rush to get TA2 done with these implementation issues?

 

A: They want to have agreement in place. We don’t believe implementation factors into the timeline of coming to agreement.

Q: Is there a minimum bid option?

 

A: That is removed from TA2. It wasn’t delivering what was promised. Minimum bid was not doing what we expected. Now use bid groups. Contact PBS Scheduling Committee for assistance.

 

Q: Do we know how FAs will interact with our Scheduling Chair?

 

A: The position will report to AFA MEC. Will be available to assist if TA2 is ratified.

 

Q: PBS parameters are 78 – 85 for line construction, plus or minus 10 TFP. Did that change?

 

A: Yes. In TA2 it is 75 – 85, plus or minus 10 TFP for individual award.

 

Q: Is Longevity PTO bid with my vacation?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: For years of service I came from QX does that count towards longevity PTO and premium?

 

A: No. It is service as AS Flight Attendant.

 

Q: Is our PBP bonus going away?

 

A: No.

 

Q: The Quarterly Productivity Premium is earned income?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: Why are you not confident we will gain more ground?

 

A: Company says they are over extended. The NMB board is not rushed to give us additional dates. After voting 2 TAs down they are not inclined to spend limited resources on our property. This is based on conversations and signing remorse of specific provisions. They want you to be paid well, not the best. Company feels they over spent in the agreement. Just passing along the information we have. Concerned we roll the dice and get stuck in negotiations for a long time. There is risk involved and this is part of your consideration.

 

Q: Do you have to present an entire TA versus pieces?

 

A: Correct. An entire TA is presented for your consideration.

 

Q: Like trips definition changed, does that include pre-cancellation?

 

A: Like trip is for reassignment at check in. Pre-cancellation there is no change in application.

LAX Roadshow Q&A Afternoon Session 12/2/14

 

Scope 3 – Scope

 

Q: Was there any research since management addressed this provision versus other airlines?

 

A: Alaska has had that program in place but required AFA waiver. This allows but has a waiver. Took the existing language of the 1% up to 2%. Management wanted to work as minimum crew, we negotiated as extra except in lien of cancellation. There was no research to model our program after another airlines. They are on the a/c to understand the difficulties of your job.

 

Q: How was it determined for them to be extra?

 

A: They wanted to replace FAs initially. The NC negotiated they compliment the crew. This was part of the bundle package that is up for your overall consideration.

 

Section 8 – Hours of Service

 

Q: When I first started it was 15 minutes debrief, why did it change to 30?

 

A: There is no mandate for a certain time. It was moved to 30 minutes years ago because FAA said it took that long to deplane.

 

Q: Did we ask the company to maintain 30 minutes for international arrivals.

 

A: No it was not suggested.

 

Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium Open Time

 

Q: If I have 3 day trip, need middle day off. I get rid of my original trip. What happens if I replace day 1 and day 3, will I be protected from JA on day 2?

 

A: Yes. You are protected for day 2 as the trip was originally on your line. You would be available for JA into days off on day 3 because you replaced the flying on that day and the subsequent days were days off.

 

Q: With premium being at 2.5x of JA, could they reassign a FA at 1.5x instead of someone else being JA’d?

 

A: Yes, that is a possibility but would be subject to duty das

 

Section 10 – Scheduling

 

Q: If I bid pairing specific could I mistakenly bid a pairing that was 4K and be assigned?

 

A: No you have to put the instruction command to be assigned 4k sequences even when bidding pairing specific.

 

Q: With the 4k pairings and 15 minute debrief does it affect our base?

 

A: It may and probably will affect the pairings and that is part of your overall consideration.

 

Q: Did you attempt to negotiate a furlough protection base specific?

 

A: That is a very difficult provision to achieve and we did not address it with that position.

 

Q: If I have a medical will I have ability to adjust my debrief if extending past 15 minutes?

 

A: Yes

 

Section 11 – Reserve

 

No questions

 

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

 

No questions

 

Section 14 – Vacation

 

Q: Is the look back when coordinating initiated by the FA or automated?

 

A: The look back will be automated.

 

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the job Injury

 

Q: If I work sick leave make up do I get the reserve premium paid?

 

A: Yes

 

Section 21 – Compensation

 

Q: How many FAs fly over their base line award?

 

A: The  number of FAs who flew over 79.9 in LAX were 106 in Oct and 107 in Nov.  That is about 25% of the base.  The number of FAs system wide who flew over 79.9 were 753 in Oct and 770 in Nov.  That is about 23% system wide.

 

Section 22 – Expenses

 

Q: Why not give us the money for the crew snack?

 

A: The NC reviewed the cost of the crew snacks and the time away from base for the overall year. We divided the TAFB by cost of crew snack and it came to $0.22 per hour, the per diem increase was rounded up to $0.25 for a total of $2.50 per diem per hour.

 

Section 23 – Insurance

 

Q: Who chooses the insurance they give us?

 

A: We have a me too benefit clause with our pilots but negotiate our rates separately. The pilots have signed a 5 year agreement and there are 4 years left until their amendable date.

 

Q: Will the deductibles change with our plans?

 

A: If you are enrolled in PPO plan no, if you are with Kaiser those are contracted and possibly could change.

 

Section 27 – General Association

 

Q: Where does the AFA Scheduling Chairperson come from?

 

A: This position is an AFA member who serves at the pleasure of the MEC. Advocating on behalf of our Flight Attendants.

 

Section 32 – Attendance Policy

 

Q: Why is there language regarding contactable on ground time?

 

A: This is the current application, however, there were not time requirements in place.

 

Random Q and A:

 

Q: Is the LAX base closing?

 

A: Sandra/Jeff, LAX is needed and will remain open. There is no intent to close. Both were on a conference call and told minimum growth over the next ten years but LAX is integral in the operation of the airline.

Q:   If this TA passes will there be a “how to” sheet?

 

A: Yes, absolutely.

 

Q: What were some of our adamant demands?

 

A: We met in WA DC, Paula took mediator aside, NC set pre conditions for meeting with the Company. Sat down with the Company and said to them, we needed assurance or commitment to see provisions come into play or it didn’t make sense to talk if there was not going to be movement. We would request a proffer if needed. We said Cap of 15%, reserve premium, 480 provisions, don’t want sick leave tied to 480 accrual and attendance policy and significantly more money in rates. If they couldn’t make the commitment we were going to walk away. Company came back with a commitment to discuss our concerns. They gave us a full compensation package proposal, it wasn’t acceptable. We caucused and went to give them a wake up call. Told them they were hiring third party vendor with $12/hr but our FAs were making around $8/hr when calculating starting pay. We brought up the fact that there were a tremendous amount of people who were receiving some type of assistance. Management did not dictate the negotiations, both parties negotiated their priorities.

 

Q: Why hasn’t AFA via government affairs taken on the NMB?

 

A: For years the process worked well, in 1936 airlines were added. When labor could strike they were allowed. Now the NMB has stopped, given the power to management. Cut the act off at the proffer. It doesn’t work because it is coming from the Presidential Administration. Between a rock and a hard spot.

 

Q: Realistically speaking if this is voted down how long till TA3?

 

A: The NMB is not focused at this time on our TA. The NMB says they will react to our vote.

 

Q: Is Company able to pressure NMB for dates?

 

A: They could request. We could also meet with Company without NMB.

 

Q: Does QPP count as regular income?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: In regards to the one hour scan in prior to departure, are there other airlines with a grace period?

 

A: There are airlines that offer a grace period. The NC did ask for a grace period but we were not successful in agreeing on a provision with management.

 

Q: Why don’t we get paid night flying premium for redeyes?

 

A: The NC asked but we were unsuccessful in agreeing on a provision with management.

 

Q: Military personnel provisions?

 

A: They recognize military personal for boarding, remains and a/c. At the end of the day there are more military pilots than flight attendants and they are not willing to enhance the provisions of our Flight Attendants who serve in the military. This is not for lack of trying. Management wants to comply only with what is required by law, nothing more favorable. There is NOT a less favorable application than current book.

 

Q: Is anyone on the NC a veteran?

 

A: Yes, Lisa Pinkston.

 

Q: Is there any work on limiting the low productive trips?

 

A: The minimum pay rules.

 

Q: Is there anything in the contract regarding the new POS?
A: We cannot violate any other work groups Scope protections. There is no language that says we will not sell vacation packages. Seat assignments is a scope violation of the CSAs.

 

Q: What was the process behind to Jet Bridge trading with two FAs required to be at same domicile?

 

A: The pairing has to start and end in the same domicile. Crew Scheduling must build a limo. That was the minimum requirement management was willing to agree. We would be addressing future improvements to this trading.

 

Q: Is there a limit on how many times you can go on a medical leave?

 

A: No. The limit is only on FMLA. Your FMLA is run concurrent with any other leave up to 12 weeks. You may or may not have that available.

 

Q: Can I work less to make up my sick leave?

 

A: Yes. You can work less, but not more than to replace your sick leave bank.