PDX Roadshow Q&A 12/8/14

Afternoon Session

Section 3 – Scope

Q: Do Managers have to be in our uniform?

A: No, it isn’t specifically stated that they are required to wear a uniform.

Q: Will it be announced that a supervisor is on board the flight?

A: It is an option available to the crew.

Q: Why don’t they hire only our Flight Attendants to be inflight supervisors?

A: Flight Attendants can apply when a position becomes open as an inflight supervisor.

Q: Do they have to go through the reserve list and attempt to JA before using a manager to avoid a cancelation?

A: Yes, they have to utilize all other options before using a manager to avoid a cancelation.

Q: Do supervisors who fly get paid per diem?

A: No, they don’t receive per diem, however they can submit receipt for meals. Flight Attendants don’t submit receipts because we receive per diem.

Section 8 – Hours of Service

None Asked

Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium OT

Q: If scheduling called and left a message on your hotel room phone, but you didn’t check it, are you still on the hook to call when you return to duty?

A: No, you were not aware and never knew they were trying to contact you.

Q: Can scheduling still call me at home to junior assign me?

A: No, you can’t be junior assigned if contacted once you’re off duty.

Section 10 – Scheduling

Q: Can a base not have any 4k pairings for a given month?

A: Yes, but contractually it most be rotated to all bases. Practically speaking, based on conversations with Crew Planning, they intend to lock a percentage of that flying into the each of those domiciles every month. Example, they may take the SEA-DTW sequence and lock the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday departures to LAX, Thursday, Friday to ANC, and Saturday, Sunday to SAN. This will fulfill the rotation requirement and not push flying out of each domicile.

Section 11 – Reserve

Q: Can I pick up out of domicile reserve days?

A: No. Same as current book.

Q: If I am a PM reserve, can I self assign to an AM trip?

A: No. You must self-assign within your call type and availability.

Q: Will this have an impact on the number of Crew Scheduling jobs with FAs being able to self assign?

A: There is not an impact anticipated, but staffing in all departments is decided by management.

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

Q: If trips are coded TO, can I trade based on day of departure only?

A: Yes, even if the day is limited, you may trade based on date of departure only.

Q: If the day is limited, can I drop my trip into OT?

A: No. You can only drop a trip if the day is open.

Q: Can I continue to trade my trips with OT all month long?

A: Yes subject to the net 40 TFP.

Q: Is there another company using this OT trading program today?

A: No.

Section 14 – Vacation

Q: If you fly an average of 40 tfp a month for the year, not including sick and vacation, will you get your full vacation for the next year?

A: Yes, 480 tfp not including sick leave and vacation are required for full vacation the following year.

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury

Q: What happens if you pick up a sick leave makeup day and you don’t get called out.

A: Your sick leave bank will be credited 5tfp.

Q: Can I be given “A” position on a sick leave makeup day?

A: Yes, you may be given any position sitting reserve for your sick leave makeup day.

Section 21 – Compensation

Q: Does sick leave count towards the Quarterly Productivity Premium (QPP)?

A: No, only worked TFP counts (excludes sick leave and vacation)

Q: Am I precluded from the QPP if I call out sick in the quarter?

A: Calling out sick does not preclude you from achieving the QPP.

Section 22 – Expenses

None Asked

Section 23 – Insurance

Q: What is the worst case scenario for the amount we pay for insurance?

A: A 15% increase per year.

Q: Is there a calculation you can use to determine the increases for Kaiser, I only see PPO?

A: Starting with 2016 you can add 15%, then in 2017 add 15%, in 2018 add 15%, and in 2019 add 15%. After 2019 the amount is frozen. This is the worst case scenario.

Q: What are our insurance provisions based on?

A: The actual provisions of our insurance coverage are based on what the pilots negotiate in their contract.

Section 27 – General Association

None Asked

Section 32 – Attendance Policy

None Asked

Random:

Q: Does the National Mediation Board (NMB) have control over canceling mediation dates?

A: Yes, they are given full authority to dictate when a mediation date is schedule, and full authority to cancel or move dates.

Q: Is there a monthly minimum?

A: There isn’t a monthly minimum, however if you don’t have any paid time in the month your vacation accrual for the following year will be reduced by 1/12 (same application as current contract).

Q: Did our Negotiating Committee ask for full retro pay at the table?

A: Yes full retro pay was asked for prior to the first TA, and during mediation before the second TA. We did not achieve this.

PDX Roadshow Q&A 12/8/14

Section 3 – Scope

Q: If I am “A” could I switch positions with the “E” (manager/supervisor)?

A: You may change service positions once in the air, however all FAs must sit their safety position.

Q: What is industry standard on this?

A: The provisions from other carriers are on the blog.

Section 8 – Hours of Service

Q: If contacted during debrief how will they contact us?

A: Supervisor at door, pilots giving you ACARS or CSA telling you to call scheduling. They could leave you a message.

Q: What happens if pilots forget to give you ACARS?

A: The same practice today. You do not get in trouble. We believe however the Chief Pilot will contact the pilots to remind them to pass on ACARS to FAs.

Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium OT

Q: Is there an amount of days you are allowed to have off no matter what and they won’t JA you?

A: Yes. If you have no more than the minimum 12 days off or if you are scheduled to fly more than 118.2 tfp you can’t be JA’d, same limits as current book.

Q: How much do you get paid for VJA?

A: VJA has been replaced with Premium Open Time and sequences will be placed into OT with a minimum of 1.5x premium up to whatever increased premium they choose to offer.

Section 10 – Scheduling

Q: What is the current max of a 4k pairing?

A: Practical application of 4k would be PDX-PVR, 11 hours 45 minutes is max. If you exceed 12 hours 30 minutes the over duty protections apply. The 14 hour rule also applies.

Q: Was there any thought given to a 4k duty period and how that will affect the FAs and our service scores?

A: A conversation with executive management did take place and many considerations were discussed. The 4k allows FAs to opt in, it is not forced on a lineholder.

Q: If I opt in for 4k flying during bidding, does that mean I can be reassigned or JA’d to a 4k?

A: No. The 4k opt in is for bidding.   No lineholder will be reassigned or JA’d to a 4k.

Section 11 – Reserve

Q: If I am a lineholder who picked up a reserve day where will my name appear?

A: Bottom of list within your classification on the LTFA. Based on seniority.

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

Q: In PDX if there are 3 daily departures limiting OT and someone picks up a day what happens?

A: The day reopens.

Section 14 – Vacation

Q: Does vacation count towards the 960 PTO?

A: Yes.

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury

Q: When making up the time is it based on the PBS award?

A: Yes. When you call in sick your sick leave bank will be reduced by the amount of sick leave based on your PBS award. If participating in reserve sick leave make up you will be restoring your sick leave bank.

Q: If I am coordinating a leave with my sick leave am I able to make that up using sick leave make up?

A: No. You would only be able to make up sick leave when related to a sick call.

Section 21 – Compensation

Q: Is the signing bonus paid as income or a bonus separate check?

A: It is paid as a bonus on a separate check on December 22^nd.

Q: When is the QPP paid?

A:   If calendar quarter Jan/Feb/Mar, will be paid on May 5^th. We confirmed this with management. Even if you do not receive a 5^th advance check you will receive this payout on the 5^th.

Section 22 – Expenses

Q: Is there a $0.05 increase year over year?

A: No. $2.50 is the new rate, no down line increases on per diem.

Section 23 – Insurance

No Questions

Section 27 – General Association

NO Questions

Section 32 – Attendance Policy

Q: If I take a leave today does that preclude me from receiving record improvement?

A: In the current practice it does preclude you, however under TA2 you are no longer precluded.

Random:

Q: Why is LAX saying 4k is bad for my base?

A: The LAX base flying in the future is part of their concern, no guarantee this will help or hurt their pairings. The flying in LAX is currently not attractive to many based on duty time and route structure. SAN opened and beginning to grow. They are not closing or downsizing LAX at this time, which was confirmed by executive management. Flying can always change and there are no guarantees for any base of what the flying will look like in the future. The fear of the unknown and change is always hard.

Q: For the months until the minimum pay rules are automated are we able to submit activity claim forms?

A: Only for the sit time, until May 2015.

Q: Are you limited to only one 2 hour sit per duty period for the sit time minimum pay rule?

A: No. Each sit is independent.

Q: Will there be a pamphlet of what will be implemented and when?

A: There is the implementation LOA. We will provide supplementary information if TA2 passes.

Q: I understand we have minimum requirements to receive specific benefits, however is there maximum limitations such as line building and flying?

A: Under TA2 PBS line awards average 75-85 TFP, plus or minus 10 TFP, so it could range anywhere from 65 – 95 TFP based on base line average. There is still the 118.2 TFP maximum that Crew Scheduling cannot force you to fly above. There is no monthly minimum or maximum. There is no requirement to work to maintain your job, however there is a requirement to work to receive specific provisions and benefits.

1290 votes cast or 41.8% of eligible voters

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.

Here is our fourth weekly update highlighting posts on the Negotiations blog from December 1^st through December 7^th.

Roadshows Week 1 Recap

This past week was a whirlwind of Roadshows—the first round of two tours around the system. The Negotiating Committee made our way to each main domicile, conducting a morning and afternoon session at each one. At the end of each day we posted a recap of all the Q&A’s on the Negotiations blog for all Members to review. We felt it was important for you to be able to review the questions being asked at each session. We hope many of you will find this helpful.

The Negotiating Committee thanks each of you who found the time to join us at a Roadshow. Based on your feedback, these session were helpful to understand some of the key components of TA2. Many of you also found value in discussing some of the provisions that are getting less “airtime” out there in conversation but work in combination with the TA as a whole. We would love to see many new faces this week and welcome you back if you have more questions to be answered. Please check the Roadshow schedule to see when and where we will be at your base in this final week of Roadshows.

Negotiations blog info

If you’ve missed any of this week’s daily posts, you will find them titled below. The Negotiating Committee continues 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). In addition to the regular blog posts, in this past week you will find the links for each base-specific Roadshow Q&A session.

Negotiations blog post links

Dec 1^st –

Base Specific maps, 4k and 15 min debrief

SAN Roadshow Q&A – Morning Session 12/1/14

Q&A: If TA2 is ratified and I am taking a staffing leave in January 2015, how will it influence my 480 requirements?

SAN Roadshow Q&A – Afternoon Session 12/1/14

Dec 2^nd –

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

Letter of Agreement #5 – Sick Family/Sick Child completion

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

Dec 3^rd –

PDX Roadshow Q&A – Morning Session 12/3/14

Q&A: I want to know what other carriers have provisions specifically related to Management Flying, where is that information available?

PDX Roadshow Q&A – Afternoon Session 12/3/14

Dec 4^th –

Weekly Negotiations Blog Update Nov 23^rd – 30^th

Participation Votes Effective 12/4/14

Q&A: How does the Insurance Premium increase compare to my rate increase?

ANC Roadshow Q&A – Morning Session 12/4/14

ANC Roadshow Q&A – Afternoon Session 12/4/14

Q&A: Why was the definition of Reassignment added to the TA and what implications does it have to our work rules?

Q&A: Why has Military Leave language been added to the contract?

Dec 5^th –

SEA Roadshow Q&A – Afternoon Session 12/5/14

SEA Roadshow Q&A – Morning Session 12/5/14

Q&A: We hear that provisions are contingent on 4k and 15 min debrief, why does management want this?

Dec 6^th –

Q&A: Do Section 8 over duty provisions apply to 4k sequences?

Dec 7^th –

No Posts

In solidarity,

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

A:  Yes.  All provisions of Section 8 apply to 4k sequences.  If the 4k is sequence is a turn then Section 8.F. (Over-Duty Pay), Section 8.G. (Fourteen Hour Rule), Section 8.H. Double Out Rest, etc apply.  If there is a multi-say sequence that contains a 4k then all duty periods other than the 4k, Section 8.E. would apply.  However, Section 8.F.,  8.G. and 8.H. would apply to the entire sequence including the duty period(s) containing the 4k.

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 17^th, implementation for pay?

A: Signing bonus paid on Dec 22^nd. Pay rates would be effective right away. Sit pay would have ability to file activity claim. QPP starts tracking Jan 1^st, 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 1^st, 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.

Here is management’s response:

Jeff,

I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your question and to clarify the reasons both provisions remain important to us.

It has been our goal throughout these negotiations to improve productivity.  Our belief is that we should have rates of pay that rank high within the industry along with the industry’s highest productivity.  That is a long-term sustainable formula for AS and has been a principle we’ve advocated for in all recent CBAs we’ve negotiated.

A second part of this philosophy is that any savings achieved through productivity are returned to the contract through our economic proposals and that was certainly the case in TA2.  We have always strived to have win-win solutions and understand that personal productivity of your flying needs to be important as well.  As much as we want to achieve productivity to position us well over the long-term, we are acutely aware of the need to balance quality of life.  We believe these provisions increase average TFP value per duty for FA’s which is consistent with increasing FA personal productivity.

Both provisions provide value independent of the other.  The long turn language helps us today and in the future to maintain on a year-round basis markets that alternate between turns and 2-day trips and open up additional possibilities for mid-continent two leg single duty pairings from all bases in the future.  This is important as scheduled block times can fluctuate materially due to weather, air traffic control, hub airport congestion and other reasons.  The fifteen minute debrief would not resolve all of those issues in these markets.  With this provision we can build high-time, efficient turns for both the company and FA and because we understand they will not be for everyone they are optional (a point AFA was emphatic about at the table).

The fifteen minute debrief helps produce more efficient pairings of all types, not just those that are long stage length in nature.  This should produce higher average value pairings during line building as well as provide better tools for close-in and day of scheduling issues.

Shane Tackett

It was added to reflect current policy which is that USERRA governs military leaves  for Flight Attendants. The language brings no material change the language is not detrimental to the FAs.

We did try to secure a waiver for military personnel for the 1/12 reduction towards vacation, however we were not successful in getting this waiver.

As you will notice, we added quite a few new definitions to Section 5.  We also added a headers throughout the body of the TA.  This was all in an effort to make the contract more readable and a much better reference tool.