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.

AFA has received the LOA 5 regarding Sick Family/Sick Child from Vice President of Inflight, Andy Schneider.  Below is a link to view the LOA:

Sick Child/Sick Family Side Letter

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

Scope 3 – Scope

Q: Do managers pay union dues?

A: No, not an AFA member, don’t receive the benefits of your contract. If they are disciplined we don’t represent them. There is no additional pay associated with them flying as an extra.

Q: Curious why management flying brought up?

A: These provisions were in TA1 with a manager replacing a Flight Attendant. Heard the provision was divisive. Insisted in manager was on plane they would be an extra to help. They are there to help, not observe. They will need to work the flight. It was brought up because this is one of their top positions. Brad gave the directive to management negotiating team to get this in the TA as other labor groups on the property have the provision.

Q: Say long term this passes, say in future we plan to strike can they take over those flights?

A: If we are in a period of self-help, they can absolutely take over your jobs, scope provisions and contract is not in force when FAs are on strike. They did that in 94’ and could do it again. The provisions in Scope don’t have impact once in self-help, as there is no contract.

Q: So did we have 1% before of managers trained before?

A: Yes, now 2%. Reason the 1% was in place was to limit the number of supervisors they could train. Makes it more difficult.

Q: What was negotiated in return for management flying?

A: Not always a tit for tat, wasn’t an even trade. Was a package deal.

Q: What was in the bundle?

A: 4k, 15 min debrief, management flying, step rates, length of scale, longevity, single sick leave bank, insurance, all remaining open items. At the end of the negotiating process you are not dealing with individual items it is being negotiated as a package.

Q: Out of the 66 managers who can fly, how many are even trained FAA certified?

A: There is around 42 FAA certified supervisors.

Q: Do the managers have to wear a uniform?

A: No.

Q: What happens if the AAG purchases Airbus, could they crew it with who they want?

A: If it wasn’t operated by Alaska Airlines, yes.

Q: Is there any way to have a protection for SkyWest?

A: Huge concern. Addressed a seat protection at the bargaining table. Our pilots did not achieve this scope. Alaska management’s business model is to use CPA flying to grow their markets and overall market share. The revenue driver with AS is with mainline.

Q: Is there a merger protection?

A: Yes, there are good merger protections in the agreement.

Section 8 – Hours of Service

 

Q: So really it doesn’t benefit us to give it up?

A: Contact for pre-boarding, JA and reassignments. New pairings you would be legal to fly due to 15 minute debrief. Some of the trips over midnight, that are spanning over 3 days now are 2 day trips. In ANC our 2 day KOA we are illegal to bid those back to back by 5 minutes, will change bidding.

Q: Is there a window to call CS for adjusting debrief?

A: Contractually there is no time requirement.

Q: Why wasn’t the 15 minutes on the front end?

A: There wouldn’t be the productivity gain.

Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium Open Time

Q: Am I protected from JA if someone picks up my trip and I don’t replace the flying on those days?

A: Yes.

Q: If I post a trip in one ways can they just pick it up?

A: Yes, but they will read the comments.

Q: If I am JA’d and post the trip, how will others know the trip is a JA at 2.5x?

A: Yes, it will be coded.

Q: What is the timeline to be implement the new JA process administered by CS?

A: February 2015.

Q: Does the pay of 2.5X take effect immediately and following of the trip?

A: Yes

Section 10 – Scheduling

 

Q: What are the current 4K destinations?

A: Detroit (DTW), Houston (IAD) and PDX to PVR.

Q: Do you have copies of the 4k maps and sequences?

A: Yes, we have laminated copies or copies online on the negotiations blog.

Q: What has been the longest duty day on a 4k?

A: Longest 4k is PDX to PVR, 11 hours and 40 minutes.

Q: If you are erroneously assigned will bid protest protect you?

A: Yes

Q: Does this apply to Charters?

A: Charters are a separate provision. They have their own over duty protections.

Q: Does the 14-hour rule apply to 4k sequences?

A: Yes. You would be able to opt out. All of those over duty protections in Section 8 apply to 4k sequences.

Q: If another base opens how would that affect the flying?

A: The 4k flying provisions would be allowed pursuant to the contract.

Q: How was the 4k brought up at the table?

A: Company proposed as part of package deal to address their productivity concerns.

Q: When would double out rest for a 4k sequence apply?

A: End of sequence at return to domicile, same application as today.

Section 11 – Reserve

 

No questions

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

 

Q: How can I access this OT video online?

A: Visit us online at www.afaalaska.org. Click on negotiations, click on TA2 videos. They range from 2 – 7 minutes each. PowerPoint slides and provisions on the entire TA.

Q: Who’s idea was the limitation of the 40 TFP?

A: When we gained ability to drop trips into OT and Company wanted to cap at 20 TFP, we came to agreement on a 40 TFP limitation. This limitation was proposed by the Company.

Q: Is there a minimum flying requirement to hold onto 40 TFP?

A: No. There is no minimum flying requirements. You can give away a net 40 TFP to OT. If you had vacation in a month and only 30 TFP on your line of flying you could dump all 30 TFP into OT without taking any TFP out of OT.

Section 14 – Vacation

 

No Questions

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the job Injury

 

Q: If you pick up make up days and don’t fly do you still get the credit?

A: Yes, 5 TFP a day for each reserve make up day not flown.

Q: When am I eligible to make up sick leave?

A: Any time you call out sick and have received paid sick leave. You are restoring your sick leave bank.

Section 21 – Compensation

 

Q: Any possibility to offer signing bonus as earned income?

A: No. It is illegal.

Q: Is the QPP paid as earned income?

A: Yes

Q: Were there many FAs who are receiving assistance and what are their seniorities?

A: There were hundreds of FAs receiving assistance or who maintain another job and a majority of them were under 12 years and under in seniority.

Q: Is the QPP based on the line average?

A: No, the QPP is based on your personal line award from PBS.

Q: Jan – Mar if I meet my QPP when do I receive the payout?

A: April 20^th, it is paid as earned income and qualifies for matching your 401k.

Q: Why is vacation not included in QPP?

A: Management wants to reward those who fly their schedules and didn’t want soft time included. Better to take something we don’t have today and offer an incentive. When management offered, they didn’t intend for all FAs to achieve this provision.   Initially management did not want to include Reserves in this program, however the NC negotiated provisions for all Flight Attendants to have ability to qualify.

Q: Why wasn’t QPP put into the wages?

A: Only want to give it to people who fly. Want that money to be incentive to those working. Don’t want to pay it on scale. NC asked to have put into wages and management declined.

Section 22 – Expenses

Q: Why are we not being paid at check in?

A: You are paid a credit during boarding as TFP is front loaded. You are given a credit when plane is not flying for each leg. First 243 miles is 1 TFP, each additional TFP is 400 miles. See Section 21.E. TFP Calculation in TA2.

Section 23 – Insurance

 

Q: Do different groups have a separate overall cost benefit?

A: No, the overall cost of the benefit is the same for each employee because Alaska Airlines is self-insured. The cost sharing and actual employee rates are negotiated and set separately by their group.

Q: Do we have contractual benefit to insurance?

A: Yes.

Section 27 – General Association

No questions

Section 32 – Attendance Policy

 

Q: Why did the 14 days to 10 days switch for a continuous occurrence?

A: There is no requirement to wait 14 days for a medical leave. If you have a qualifying medical condition see a physician and obtain proper documentation to take your medical leave.

Random Q and A:

 

Q: Is it true all contracts have implementation schedules?

A: Yes.

Q: Does the 1.333 TFP credit towards your 480 requirements still exist for unpaid leaves?

A: Yes, Section 15.N..

Q: Who called off the picketing in November?

A: The negotiating committee. Honestly did not anticipate Flight Attendants would be upset. It was with the best on intent. I, JTP, take responsibility for cancelling the picketing without consulting the MEC. It was mostly around getting the information out to allow Flight Attendants to change their bids.

Q: I am interested in your take on why the LEC Ps had a difference of opinion?

A: Always challenging when different opinions. We have very tense conversations and debate and that is ok. It is challenging as a negotiating committee to present when there are different opinions. The LEC Presidents are in charge of making decisions on behalf of their bases. There were many considerations.

Q: Have there been split votes in the past?

A: I have been here since 1999, I am not aware.

Q: Why are side letters signed outside of the TA?

A: As MEC President I am empowered to sign a side letter with agreement of the MEC. Only time we have put out side letters without ratification is when for example is live LTFA. This MEC is very reluctant to side letter without having membership ratification unless it made sense.

Q: Can the Company just change the language if they choose?

A: No. There must be agreement to change language. There is no open door or loop hole.

Q: Did the survey have our top priority as duty day?

A: It was near the top of the list. We understand there are concerns regarding the 4k flying and wanted to put that out for your consideration.

Q: Why do you think the mediator is turning on us?

A: It is not the mediator, it is the system.

Q: Why no buyout?

A: Cost of Flight Attendant and Company not interested in buy outs.

Q: Why didn’t we get more vacation?

A: We have highest vacation credit for a carrier with PBS. We were number 1.

Q: Why didn’t we get higher day value?

A: We were not successful in coming to agreement because management was not willing to agree to an increase in the provision.

Q: In your opinion what is better, block hours or TFP?

A: In my opinion TFP, paid point A to point B. However, makes things difficult to compare.

SAN Roadshow Q&A Afternoon Session

 

Section 3 – Scope

 

Q: Why did we not hold onto the provision of requiring management to ask AFA for approval?

 

A: This was an objective of management’s bargaining unit. Additionally, the NC had objectives as well and overall we had address the top priorities of both parties in reaching an agreement for your consideration. This specific proposal was a requirement bundled with the pay rates.

 

Q: Other airlines have seat protection flying for mainline, were we able to achieve a scope protection with seat limitations on aircraft?

 

A: No, there is no scope protection based on seat limitations.

 

Section 8 – Hours of Service

 

No questions

 

Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium Open Time

 

Q: When will you have ability to place JA trip into OT, is that part of implementation?

 

A: This is right away.

 

Q: Does premium OT go into effect immediately?

 

A: Yes, the ability to pick up Premium OT will happen immediately.

 

Q: Can you trade a JA as a Jet Bridge trade?

 

A: Yes.

 

Section 10 – Scheduling

 

Q: What is the requirement for the rotation? Build one DTW turn? Put all 10% in one base?

 

A: There has to be quality of rotation. This was discussed at the table. The distribution flows more naturally to rotate amongst the domiciles.

 

Section 11 – Reserve

 

Q: If I have a 4k preference in LTFA will they skip to meet my preference in a trip becomes available?

 

A: Yes, Crew Scheduling may skip to meet a 4k preference.

 

Q: If I am a lineholder and pick up two reserve days may I be converted to ER?

 

A: Yes

 

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

 

Q: If I pick up a trip from another FA and dump that trip into OT, does that count towards my 40 TFP net?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: If I am dumping a trip into OT, do all the days have to be open?

 

A: No, only the day of departure must be open to drop the trip.

 

Q: Can Crew Scheduling pull trips from the Bulletin Board?

 

A: Yes, they may pull trips. See Section 12.D.

 

Section 14 – Vacation

 

No questions

 

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury

 

Q: Does it have to be a continuous block for sick leave makeup?

 

A: No. If you called in sick 4 days and sat 2, 2 day blocks that would be accepted.

 

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

 

A: No. This program is strictly for restoration of sick leave. Points will not be adjusted for sick leave make up.

 

Section 21 – Compensation

 

Q: If I was awarded 78 TFP, 28 TFP of which is vacation, do I need to work an additional 28 TFP over the quarter to meet the requirement of the QPP?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: Why does the QPP not look at the base line average?

 

A: The NC went back and forth on the applications, but ultimately you are setting the bar by your personal bid award. FAs who receive a bid award less than the average would have been harmed. If you need assistance with bidding, there is the option of bid groups and members of the PBS Committee are able to assist you in adjusting your bidding habits.

 

Q: If I was out for 3 years and didn’t move up the pay scale will I be made whole?

 

A: Yes, your pay scale will be reflective of your years of service as an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant.

 

Section 22 – Expenses

 

Q: The 50% off of purchasing food during a duty period, why didn’t we negotiate those items at cost?

 

A: The discount is roughly equal to the cost of the items.   The NC reviewed the cost and revenue of these items.

 

Section 23 – Insurance

 

No questions

 

Section 27 – General Association

 

No questions

 

Section 32 – Attendance Policy

 

Q: If you take a medical leave how long am I covered?

 

A: Up to 4 years I am covered for a personal medical leave.

 

Q: Is medical leave or workers’ compensation run concurrent with my 12 weeks of FMLA?

 

A: Yes, leaves are run concurrent. However, taking a personal medical leave is a protection provided to our Flight Attendants.

 

Q: Is FMLA calendar year or rolling 12 months?

 

A: Rolling 12 months.

 

Q: Do bank points once accrued fall off?

 

A: No, bank points remain available to you and don’t have an expiration date.

 

Random Q & A:

 

Q: Is reserve self-assignment something they can do manually until implementation?

 

A: No.

 

Q: Are there penalties for not meeting the implementation schedule.

 

A: No, however AFA will file a grievance if the implementation schedule is not met.

 

Q: Why did you sign off on this agreement?

 

A: When we were negotiating in Chicago, mediator threatened to pull dates. Controversial provisions were introduced or discussed in last two days of negotiations. Our challenge at the time and today is that negotiations under the RLA is different then in the past. They are not releasing carriers at this time. All carriers are in load factors of 80% or better. There is no other carrier that can replace Alaska Airlines in our markets. We would not be released by NMB because of our route structure and effect on commerce per their guidelines.

 

Q: How close would we be to the American Airlines FAs in voting down a TA and going to binding arbitration?

 

A: Not close at all, they had a provision to go to Binding Arbitration. We won’t be going to arbitration.

 

Q: Could we go back to the table without the mediator?

 

A: Yes, if both AFA and Company agreed. But AFA does not believe management will agree to meeting without NMB.

 

Q: Is there growth in other domiciles?

 

A: Main focus is Seattle. They are not afraid to enter into other markets if profitable. Conservative.

 

 

In TA2 please read over Section 14.A.4. and Section 15.M. and 15.N.  These provisions discuss what occurs with leaves with or without coordination and the sections affected by those provisions.