Here is your second weekly update highlighting posts on the Negotiations blog from November 15^th through November 22^nd.

This past week culminated with the full text release of TA2. The Negotiating Committee knows many are spending time reviewing the TA. Remember you can search in the blog using keywords to find answers to specific questions about the provisions being discussed. We are increasing the content on a daily basis as we turn your questions into posts for all Flight Attendants to access.

As you review TA2 questions will follow. If you’ve missed any of the daily posts, you will find them titled below. Once again, the Negotiating Committee is using the format of “Q&A,” “Get the facts” and “Did you know?” for the various blog posts. We’ve added a new one called “Hot Topics.”

Nov 15^th –

TA2 Provision Comparison Chart

Q&A: Why is the Longevity Premium not paid on vacation or sick leave?

Nov 16^th –

Q&A: Are Management’s NC and our AFA’s NC in separate rooms or the same room for Negotiations?

Q&A: Do I have to work 620TFP to get my vacation?

Q&A: Can You Explain how the Cost Sharing and 15% Cap Affects my Health Insurance Premium?

Q&A: What is the percentage of 4k pairings created by the optimizer?

Q&A: Did the Negotiating Committee recommend the TA?

Nov 17^th –

Q&A: What is the total # of JA’s among the domiciles combined for 2014?

Long Duty Rule Map Examples

Long Duty 3 POS Pairing examples July 2015

July 2015 example pairings including 4k and 15 min debrief

Q&A: Does the Productivity Premium replace our PBP or OPR bonus?

Nov 18^th –

Attention: Roadshow Dates and Times

Hot Topic: Open Time Update

Q&A: What is our implementation schedule for the changes in TA2?

Q&A: What are the AFA Scheduling Chair responsibilities and access?

Q&A: If TA2 ratifies when is the signing bonus paid?

Q&A: Is New Year’s Day 2015 paid at 2x if TA2 ratifies?

Q&A: If I have 35 days of vacation how much do I have to fly to accrue vacation in the following year?

Q&A: How much more money would I make in TA2?

Nov 19^th –

Q&A: When will TA2 be released?

Q&A: Longevity Premium vs COLA?

Q&A: Does the NC get a special bonus if the contract passes? If so, how much?

Full Text TA2 Now Posted!

Q&A: Mock Roadshow

Nov 20^th –

Power Point presentation with industry comparisons

Get the Facts – 4K Reassignment

Minimum Pay Rule examples

Did you know? – Negotiated Payscale

Nov 21^st –

Q&A: Why was the Productivity Premium not put into our wages?

Q&A: How does my leave impact my 480 Requirement?

Roadshow Agenda

The TA2 Calculator is now up and running

Nov 22^nd –

Negotiating Committee Will Be Posting on AFA Sites Only.

Q&A: Will the JA rules go into effect immediately if TA2 is ratified?

Q&A: Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my ballot or past dues?

Do you have questions about the TA? Would you like to see a blog post or have suggestions regarding our blog?

Q&A: Why is there two Section 12s in TA2?

Happy reading and keep the questions coming by commenting on the related topics in the Negotiations blog posts or by emailing the Negotiating Committee at negotiations@afaalaska.org.

In solidarity,

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

TA2 allows for FAs to cash out 25% of their available sick leave upon retirement.  However, there is no requirement to leave any certain amount in your sick leave bank until you retire.  If you need to use your sick leave while you are working, you may use 100% of all the sick leave you have available.

Example: A FA has has 500 TFP of sick leave in their sick leave bank.  We will look at two situations:

1.  The FA gets ill and goes out on a medical leave and chooses to coordinate their sick leave.  In this example, they would have 500 TFP of sick leave available to coordinate, and they can use it all for the illness.

2.  The FA does not get ill and is retiring and has the 500TFP in their sick leave bank at retirement.  In this example, they would be entitled to cash of 25% of the 500 TFP in their sick leave bank (500 x 25% = 125 TFP available to cash out at their rate of pay).

Current Book does not allow for a FA to cash out any of their available sick leave upon retirement.

If TA2 is ratified there will be a trial period of 12 months.  Section 12 “Exchange of Sequences” discusses many provisions but most importantly the Open Time Trial.  The 12-month trial period with AFA and management will evaluate whether the new system works and becomes permanent.  If either party determines the new OT system is not working, we will go back to current book as amended by the OT arbitration award and will immediately begin renegotiating a new OT system.

If the OT trial is canceled, Section 12, “Back to Book” will take effect while a new OT system is negotiated.  For your convenience we have included the OT Arbitration Award in the back of TA2 titled AFA Grievance No 36-99-02-18-11, “Withholding Open Time”.

We hope this information is helpful.  In the back of TA2 you will find the implementation side letter of agreement that discusses when the OT system will be available.

Do you have questions about the T/A?  Would you like us to post a specific blog post? Is there language you would like clarified or need more information about?  Email the Negotiating Committee at negotiations@afaalaska.org to get your answers from the source and give us suggestions!

In solidarity,

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

Flight Attendants who do not receive their voting instructions with the 16 digit activation code must call the AFA Ballot Helpline at (800) 424-2401, option 1 then extension 706.

Flight Attendants who have dues or membership issues must call AFA Membership Services at (800) 424-2401,  option 7.

The office is staffed Monday through Friday 930AM EST to 5PM EST.

Voting Instructions: Flight Attendants will receive a ballot packet containing the voting instructions including a 16-digit activation code and the voting guide. These will be mailed from the mail house in Maryland on 11-18-14. The activation code is specific to each Member therefore new instruction or voting guides will not and cannot be mailed. If a Flight Attendant did not receive their ballot packet they must contact the AFA Ballot Helpline. A new activation code with instructions will be emailed from the voting system directly to the member.