SEA Roadshow Q&A Afternoon Session 12/5/14
Section 3 – Scope
Q: Any department or just inflight?
A: Just inflight FAA certified supervisors.
Q: Can inflight managers/supervisors buddy bid?
A: No, they are on as extra to compliment the crew.
Q: How are supervisors/managers paid?
A: Their salary.
Q: Do you think there will be requirements by management to require a minimum amount of supervisors flying?
A: Yes. Not aware though.
Q: How many pairings roughly do we have in a month?
A: 14,000
Q: Did you discuss how this provision could affect commuters?
A: Yes.
Q: Since supervisor is most junior to preboard?
A: Supervisors are able to pre-board flights. Yes we would affirm that position. Language doe not specifically say that.
Q: The supervisor 2% is based on what?
A: The overall Flight Attendant numbers.
Q: Under the first TA it said 1%, TA2 is now 2%, why?
A: They have exceeded the current situation. There is a grievance filed. We either have to go forward with the grievance or make adjustment. Looking at combination of supervisors they need to hire.
Q: Why do you think this is important to Brad?
A: What he says is what he believes. Wants to improve relationships and job performance.
Q: How are they going to determine what flights they work as an extra?
A: Management discretion.
Q: Could a supervisor DHD over to OGG to cover a cancellation?
A: No, the supervisor must fly as an extra.
Section 8 – Hours of Service
Q: Does irregular operations make the contract void?
A: No, however our contract is very operationally friendly.
Q: Has notification while on JA changed?
A: No. But the times of 15 minutes is less.
Q: What has changed with pre-boarding end of sequence?
A: Must start boarding within your 15 minute debrief.
Q: Who determines when last person walks off aircraft? Clear in the rear.
A: When the last Flight Attendant has confirmed no passengers are on the plane.
Q: What is the savings to the Company?
A: 4k and 15 min debrief about 1.5 to 2.0 million. (40% in 4K and 60% in 15 min debrief) mostly hotel cost savings.
Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium OT
Q: When does the premium for JA go into effect?
A: Immediately if ratified.
Q: There is no more calling at home?
A: Correct.
Q: We have a policy of fly now, grieve later, what happens if I am JA’d out of order?
A: If you are given a directive you need to comply. Contact the LEC representatives of your domicile or the AFA Scheduling Chair.
Q: Shouldn’t the Company use Reserves to cover flying?
A: The Company does use Reserves 13-15% coverage. We use to operate at 20% or more. The Company believes Flight Attendants use sick leave to adjust their schedules.
Q: Is there proof of sick leave abuse?
A: Company believes they have data that shows we use sick leave increasingly more than other carriers. In addition sick leave prior to holidays increases but on the actual day when FAs receive the premium pay sick leave is reduced. AFA does not agree that there is abuse of sick leave, however this is management’s position.
Section 10 – Scheduling
Q: So if you bid by 4k pairing, does not open up to JA or Reassignment?
A: No. You are only waiving during the bidding process. You would have to actively pick up the trip or say you were willing to fly it.
Q: What if you bid for it, get it then subsequently want to trade or give away are you restricted?
A: No restriction to trade or give-away.
Q: Do we know how 4k provision will affect flying? Anyway to understand impact?
A: Complex question.
Q: Is there a cap on the number of pairings built 4k?
A: No, but there is practicality
Q: What about Chicago 4k flying?
A: Chicago is not a core market for AS. Contractually possible though. There is limited gate availability in ORD. Have to go head to head with American Airlines and United.
Q: How did the 15 min and 4k come up?
A: I can tell you that a comfortable majority doe not want to fly over 10:30. There is a minority that is willing to fly in excess. Not divulging the numbers. It was a package deal. The rates along with other provisions for the 4k and 15 min for both parties to come to agreement for a TA.
Section 11- Reserve
Q: Clarification on picking up a reserve day as lineholder at LTFA?
A: Lineholder will opt out of LFTA, you must opt in to be part of list. If not flown you get the 5 tfp guarantee per day.
Q: The Reserve implementation is 2016, why?
A: We are moving to a new tracking system. Unfortunately Jeppeson has announced system is delayed to memory issues. This is beyond AS Management control. Been in meetings and conference calls with vendors. System is not ready.
Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences
Q: If we negotiate a subsequent OT if the trial fails will we vote on that new system?
A: Yes. The current MEC would have our FAs vote on a subsequent OT system.
Q: Is it a one year OT trial?
A: Yes and if it is not discontinued within that time period will remain as the system in place.
Q: When is OT implemented?
A: August 1, 2015
Section 14 – Vacation
No questions
Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury
Q: Can sick leave make up be on the same days I called in sick?
A: No. However you still may call in well on days you’ve called in sick.
Q: Will they post sick leave make up days?
A: Yes. You can pick up days that are available.
Q: How much notice will we receive regarding sick leave make up?
A: 24 hours.
Q: Would it behoove them to offer Sick Leave make up before Premium OT and JA?
A: Yes.
Q: Is sick leave make up first come first serve?
A: Yes.
Section 21 – Compensation
Q: If TA passes on the 17th, implementation for pay?
A: Signing bonus paid on Dec 22nd. Pay rates would be effective right away. Sit pay would have ability to file activity claim. QPP starts tracking Jan 1st, 2015.
Q: Company wouldn’t entertain going higher on Top of Scale?
A: Management was unwilling to go there. TOS is 30% of overall. They don’t want to compare in industry above number 2, even though there is a lot of room.
Q: On longevity pay your vacation does not get paid the premium?
A: Correct. It is a flying premium. It compares to the Reserve premium.
Q: If I cash out my vacation am I able to adjust my QPP?
A: No. Cashed out vacation still counts toward your bid award.
Q: Minimum pay rules do count for QPP?
A: Yes
Section 22 – Expenses
No questions
Section 23 – Insurance
No questions
Section 27 – General Association
No questions
Section 32 – Attendance Policy
No questions
Random Q&A:
Q: Implementation of minimum pay rules in May do we not receive?
A: You will have to submit manually for sit pay. The others you will not receive until May 1st, 2015.
Q: Implementation of extra week will I bid it with regular vacation?
A: Longevity PTO is vacation. Bid for just like vacation in your bid. You would accrue Jan – Dec 2015 for benefit in 2016.
Q: What happens if TA2 turned down?
A: Another negotiations survey. Make up of the committee. Still in mediation and ask NMB for additional dates. Up to NMB to schedule dates. Doesn’t stop us from talking to management without NMB. We are not looking at going into arbitration.
Q: Does the money from buy on board cover our wages?
A: No.
Q: What were top concerns in survey after TA1?
A: Money, Sick Leave and JA provisions.
Q: Can we approach the company to change provisions before we vote?
A: We have but were not successful in changing any provisions.
Q: Are there guidelines in the Constitution and Bylaws surrounding side letters and membership ratification?
A: Yes.
Q: Jet Bridge trades must be same domicile no earlier than 3 hours, what happens if I am flying a long haul?
A: The person you are trading with would be the one to initiate the call.
Q: Are there duties that have to be discussed outside of negotiations?
A: Yes, such as the new devices and iphones.
Q: If I have 30 years and have a longevity premium of $3.00 am I receiving a premium on the longevity pay?
A: No, the $3 is paid on the straight time.
Q: If we have to start doing duties that are CSA related what will happen?
A: IAM and AFA will jointly file grievances and we are confident we will win and our positions will be upheld.
