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

Q:  I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about no more VJA in TA2, just JA.  Is the Premium Open Time that is seen in TA2 actually the same as our current VJA?  Or what’s the difference?
A:  The concept is essentially the same with both VJA and Premium OT.  There will still be trips offered with a premium under TA2.  It is structured a bit differently than VJA under current book.  There will be a premium paid on a trip a FA volunteers to fly on a day off when the Company is needing to cover flights.  Under current book, if you submit your form before 9AM the day prior, the forms are processed in seniority order in accordance with your preferences.  If your notice is submitted after 9AM the day prior, they are processed on a first come first served basis.  You do not see the trips available today, but rather you submit a form for something you would be willing to fly if it comes up.  You also can’t indicate a positions preference other than “A” or not “A”.  There are other preferences on the form as well such as no all nighter, no Canada or Mexico.  Under TA2, CS will place the trips into OT with the premium indicated and they will be picked up from OT on a first come first served basis.  The Company will publish notification on the FA Web Page to indicate they are offering trips in OT with premiums.  All trips will be seen and you can decide to pick it up or not based on the trip and the premium placed on it.  Premium OT will have a minimum of 1.5x, but they can increase that premium.  Here is the actual language on Premium OT.  Section 9.E.  

E. PREMIUM OPEN TIME (OT)

Crew Scheduling may declare periods of premium pay for OT and designate individual sequences as premium pay sequences. Once posted, it may not be revoked. However, if the sequence is assigned to a Reserve, the premium will not apply.

  1. The Company will publish notification of Premium OT on the Flight Attendant webpage.

  2. A Flight Attendant who picks up Premium OT will receive a minimum premium of one and one-half times (1.5x) the applicable rate of pay.

  3. Premium OT trips may be traded; however, the premium pay will not follow the sequence. The Premium OT sequence will be converted to a regular sequence upon being traded and will be paid at straight time if flown. The same sequence may be converted back to Premium OT only if Crew Scheduling once again designates the sequence as Premium OT while the sequence is in Open Time.

  4. A Flight Attendant who is on a Premium OT trip which changes when s/he arrives at the airport will be guaranteed no less than the number of TFP originally scheduled. S/he will be paid the premium attached to the originally-scheduled Premium OT sequence and paid that rate on all flights flown including surface deadhead in the revised sequence. If the revised sequence is worth less TFP than the originally-scheduled Premium OT sequence, the Flight Attendant will also be compensated the TFP value of the difference between the two paid at straight time. 

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

The current agreement does NOT have a provision protecting new aircraft orders and options.  In TA2 there is Letter of Agreement #1, titled “Boeing Purchase Order”.  This letter of agreement adds protections for 2012 order and options ensuring all Flight Attendant work performed on current aircraft and aircraft acquired under the 2012 Order shall be performed by the Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, so long as those aircraft are operated by an entity under the Control of AAG. None of the current aircraft or aircraft acquired under the 2012 Order shall be flown by airlines not controlled by AAG under a capacity purchase agreement with AAG or an entity under the Control of AAG. This is an important protection especially with today’s announcement of additional CPA flying by SkyWest into new markets including Milwaukee, Oklahoma City and PDX to St. Louis.

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

Q: I was told by another flight attendant that if I am a yes vote that I don’t need to vote because “not voting is an implied yes”. She said anyone who doesn’t vote gets counted as a yes. Is this true?

A: That information is incorrect.  The TA failing or passing is based on the number of Flight Attendants who cast their votes.

50% plus 1 of those voting yes or no.  You need to actively vote for your vote to count.

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

Absolutely NOT.  There is specific language for 4k pairings in Section 10.DD.  A line holding Flight Attendant will not be forced to accept 4k flying.  However, Crew Scheduling may offer and a Flight Attendant may accept a 4k sequence consistent with the process of reassignments which requires that the trip be offered in seniority order.  There are many rumors and unreliable sources distributing information, but when in doubt please contact the committee.  We appreciate those who are emailing the committee and asking for clarification. If you think your question or concern should be posted in our blog, let us know.

Weekly Negotiations Blog Update November 15th – 22nd

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

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 15th –

TA2 Provision Comparison Chart

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

Nov 16th –

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 17th –

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 18th –

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 19th –

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 20th –

Power Point presentation with industry comparisons

Get the Facts – 4K Reassignment

Minimum Pay Rule examples

Did you know? – Negotiated Payscale

Nov 21st –

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 22nd –

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

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