A: NO. Management expressed a strong interest in having FA managers experience our jobs first hand so they could understand the difficulties of our work environment and hopefully drive improvements.

While management wanted them on as minimum crew, we pushed to have them be an extra. Having them on as a minimum crew would potentially put more stress and work on the other two or three FA crewmembers. If the manager is an extra, you will get the additional help. The manager will have the lowest “seniority” on the crew and if mutually agreeable, you may trade positions.

Remember, the manager flier will be on the aircraft as working crew to fully experience our job and assist – NOT to observe and discipline us. It will be important to point out difficulties, suggest improvements and have them really get to know our job duties and the “extra position.” The following provisions will govern Management Flying:

• The manager must work a scheduled sequence, out of a FA domicile, as the D on a 3-person crew and an E on a 4-person crew.
• The scheduled sequence may only be broken at a SIP.
• Will be considered a working crewmember and must follow all requirements in the FAM and all limitations in the applicable sections of our CBA (e.g. duty and rest provisions).
• No single-source discipline may result from the manager’s presence on the sequence

As promised here is the full TA language for 4K pairings. It is contained in Section 10 [Scheduling] 

Section 10.DD. LONG STAGE LENGTH (“4K”) DUTY PERIOD

1. At the Flight Attendant’s option, s/he may preference and may be awarded a sequence with one (1) or more Long Stage Length Duty Period(s), as defined in Section 5 [Definitions]. 

2. Crew Planning may construct Long Stage Length Duty Periods under the following parameters:

a. Two leg maximum in the duty period.

b. The scheduled sit time will not exceed seventy (:70) minutes.

c. Must depart from and return to the same domicile.

d. The Long Stage Length Duty Period will exceed ten hours and thirty minutes (10:30) but cannot exceed four-thousand (4,000) statute miles (i.e. two-thousand (2,000) statute miles per leg or four-thousand (4,000) statute miles roundtrip).

e. Crew Planning must consult with the Association Scheduling Chair on a monthly basis and during pairing construction for specific sequence selection.

f. The Long Stage Length Duty Period provided for in this Section may be built into a multi-day sequence; however, the exceptions to Section 8.E. [Duty Period] will only apply to the duty period that contains the Long Stage Length Duty Period.

g. Sequences containing Long Stage Length Duty Period(s) will be identified and placed into PBS for bid.  In no circumstances will a Flight Attendant be awarded a sequence containing a Long Stage Length Duty Period(s) via PBS unless s/he has indicated a preference for or has specifically bid for those sequences.

3. A maximum of ninety percent (90%) of the total domicile departures of Long Stage Length Duty Period(s) will be built out of any single domicile for each bid month.

4. A minimum of ten percent (10%) of the total domicile departures of Long Stage Length Duty Period(s) will be built and rotated on a month-by-month basis throughout the remaining domiciles for each bid month.

5. Sequences containing a Long Stage Length Duty Period(s) may be offered as Premium OT with a minimum one and one-half times (1.5x) premium.

6. Automated trading of a Long Stage Length Duty Period(s) will be processed through E-maestro or a successor system.

7. Reserve Flight Attendants who self assign into a Long Stage Length Duty Period will be considered to have opted into the sequence.

8. A Flight Attendant who is awarded or accepts a sequence containing a Long Stage Length Duty Period(s) of twelve hours and thirty minutes (12:30) or less will not be deemed to have waived the crew rest provision in Section 8.M. [Domicile Rest]

9. Crew Scheduling may create or adjust sequence(s) that contain a “4k” duty period only if the “4k” duty period was in published pairing originally built by Crew Planning and due to irregular operations (including crew shortage) needs to be staffed.

10. If there is an open position(s) on “4k” sequence(s) and it is more than three (3) hours prior to departure the following will apply:

a. The “4k” sequence must be placed into OT per Section 12.E.1. [Open Time…].

b. Crew Scheduling may reconfigure a “4k” sequence consistent with Section 8.E. [Duty Period] to make all duty periods equal to or less than ten hours and thirty minutes (10:30) prior to assignment.  If such reconfiguration occurs, the surviving legal sequence is no longer considered a “4k” sequence.

c. Crew Scheduling may offer a “4k” sequence to a Reserve and must inform the Reserve that the sequence contains a “4k” duty period(s). S/he is not required to accept the sequence. If the Reserve declines the offer, the next Reserve in LTFA order may be offered the “4k” sequence under the same conditions of this provision. The process may be repeated until all available Reserves are exhausted. 

11. If there is an open position(s) on “4k” sequence(s) and it is three (3) hours or less prior to departure the following apply:

a. Crew Scheduling may offer the “4k” sequence to a Lineholder as a reassignment at check-in consistent with 10.R. [Reassignment(s)]. Crew Scheduling must inform the Lineholder that the sequence contains a “4k” duty period.  S/he is not required to accept the assignment.  If a Flight Attendant accepts the “4k” sequence as a reassignment all provisions of 10.R. [Reassignments] will apply. If the Lineholder declines the offer, the next eligible Lineholder in seniority order may be offered the “4k” sequence under the same conditions of this provision. The process may be repeated until all available Lineholders are exhausted consistent with 10.R. [Reassignments].

b. A Reserve may opt into a “4k” sequence by preferencing it on the LTFA.  Crew Scheduling may bypass the order of assignment to assign a “4k” sequence to a Reserve who has preferenced “4k”.  A Reserve who preferences “4k”, then subsequently receives a “4k” assignment, must accept the sequence. If a Reserve preferences a “4k’ sequence the premium in 11.c., below, will not apply for involuntary “4k” assignment will apply.

c. Crew Scheduling may involuntarily assign a “4k” sequence to a Reserve.  The Reserve will be paid one and one-half times (1.5x) the trip rate for the entire sequence of which one times (1.0x) the trip rate will be credited toward the Reserve’s guarantee and one-half times (0.5x) the trip rate will be paid above the guarantee.

12. Lineholders will not be required to accept or be reassigned to a “4k” sequence.

13. A sequence containing a Long Stage Length Duty Period may not be assigned as a JA.

Section 5 Definition:

Long Stage Length (“4k”) Duty Period:  A duty period containing a two (2) leg maximum; a scheduled sit time not exceeding seventy (:70) minutes; departs from and returns to the same domicile; and the duty day exceeding ten hours and thirty minutes (10:30) cannot exceed four-thousand (4,000) statute miles.

A 4K pairing operates similar to a charter with the exception that it includes cities that are regularly scheduled routes. NO LINE HOLDER IS EVER FORCED TO FLY ONE THROUGH BIDDING, SECONDARY LINE GENERATION (UNSTACKING), REASSIGNMENT OR JA!

The sequence can contain ONLY 2 legs that combined CAN NOT exceed 4,000 statute miles (2,000 out and 2,000 back – max – and not ground miles). Additionally there is a maximum ground time of seventy minutes (:70). The East Coast, Florida, New Orleans, Atlanta, Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta and many other destinations are not included using SEA as the start point.

How can you figure out the 2,000 mile range from your home domicile? You can go to www.gpsvisualizer.com/calcuators to input your home domicile. Go to Draw Range Rings around a point (It’s about 5 spots down). Input your 3 letter domicile code (e.g. SEA), enter 3218.7km, choose google maps. Once the map comes, use the drop down to choose the top google map option, not the hybrid. This will show you city names on the map. You can then zoom in.

If the vacancy exists before 3 hours from departure, Crew Scheduling must place the sequence in OT for pickup. Reserves will be able to preference 4k’s on the LTFA list. If they have made a preference to fly them they will not be able to pass on the assignment and if the assignment is within 3 hours they will not get the premium. In the event a vacancy exists within 3 hours of departure a reserve who has chosen not to preference 4k pairings may be forced to fly one BUT will be paid 1.5times TFP for the entire trip and will be given the same duty rest as a line holder upon return to base (11:30 compared to 9 today).

In runs done by Crew Planning today, these sequences only represent roughly 5% of all of our total pairings system wide for an example month of January. 10% of those 5% will be spread to other bases within multi-day trips. The same no forcing rules apply. The 10% is a minimum and Crew Planning anticipates more based on aircraft movement through the system. Based on the 4,ooo statute mile limit, a duty day can not be scheduled for more then 11:40 min but most averaged between 10:40-11:00. These pairings will be very high time.

Crew Scheduling will have a huge liability if they put more out for bids then what bidding can sustain because they will be dropped into OT and DO NOT count towards the closing day threshold. They can offer them in Premium OT for line holders or they will be forced to burn their reserve coverage with a premium. AGAIN no line holder will ever be forced to fly one if they don’t choose to. Crew planning is not required to build these pairings and will only build what can be sustained in the bidding process based on how our work group chooses to or not to bid for them.

Section 8 contains our work rules including the 10:30 duty day. Nothing was changed in our work rules. This is a scheduling option just as charters are today. It is in the scheduling section for that very reason. You waive no work rules by flying a 4k pairing. You are accepting a duty day over 10:30 but if it exceeds 12:30 due to delay or some other issue you will be due all of the work rule provisions in regards to pay and rest. If during the bidding process, you preference or bid for a 4k pairing, you WILL NOT be waiving your 10:30 duty day for anything else.

We will be posting all Contract Language for 4k pairings by the end of today! This way you can read the language in its entirety.

Your LEC presidents would like to explain their perspectives and voting record regarding TA2. Rather than attempting to include one statement from each of the five LECPs (which would make for an even longer communication), the four presidents who voted to release the TA for ratification with a “neutral” recommendation have crafted a general statement on their behalf. Council 18 LAX President Sandra Morrow has written a personalized statement explaining why she voted to not release the TA for ratification and why she is on the record with an “against” recommendation.

Letter from the LEC Presidents of Council 30 ANC, 19 SEA, 39 PDX and 15 SAN Regarding TA2

 

“In reviewing the tentative agreement (TA) over the past few weeks the ANC, PDX, SAN and SEA LEC presidents came to the decision that we support sending the TA out to the Membership for consideration. Based on your feedback after the first TA we are taking a “neutral” stance because we believe that each of you must make your own decision and we support your right to vote in your own way. However, if the four of us believed this TA had not addressed and corrected the main concerns from TA 1 we would not have voted “yes” to send it out for your consideration.

 

The Negotiating Committee went back to the table with a daunting task to achieve several changes in JA, Open Time, Attendance, Sick Leave, Insurance and Compensation. We believe that the Negotiating Committee was able to achieve positive changes in each of these sections, and more! It is our desire that you take time to review the information and make an educated decision. Attend a road show, watch the videos, and email your local officers if you need clarification or have any questions. This is your future and we want to ensure that you have the ability to cast a vote based on fact.

 

We fully support and appreciate the hard work that the Negotiating Committee put into this TA and thank them for their efforts. They held firm to achieve our desires and negotiated pay scales that are #2 or #3 in the industry on every pay scale!

 

We hope that you take the time to thank them for their hard work and dedication.”

 

–- Council 30 ANC President Becky Strachan, Council 19 SEA President Laura Masserant, Council 39 PDX President Cathy Gwynn and Council 15 SAN President Stephen Couckuyt

 

Letter from the LEC President of Council 18 LAX Regarding TA2

 

“I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you my decision and the rationale that went into making this decision with regard to the proposed TA.

After reading the TA, speaking with my fellow LAX officers, and with much consideration, I voted “Against” taking the TA out for a ratification vote, requesting the Negotiating Committee return to the table while we resume our mobilization events immediately.

Although this TA has resolved many of the issues that were of concern to you in the last TA, this TA has new concerns for me. As your LEC President, I represent all flight attendants in LA, and it is my opinion that this TA falls short in what I, and your local officers, consider to be a fair and equitable agreement for all seniorities, which could potentially lead to divisiveness within our work group.

Another cause for concern are the proposed changes to the work rules. As a group you have been extremely vocal and clear in your message not to change the current work rules. I find these changes to have no great benefit for all flight attendants at every base and believe this can be corrected by going back to the table.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Negotiating Committee for all of their hard work and presenting us with a clean and concise document. They have worked countless hours to incorporate the language from our current book, TA1 and TA2 to make it reader friendly. I appreciate their dedication and professionalism to this process and hope all of you take a moment to thank them for the job they have done. I have complete confidence in this team to return to the table.

Ultimately, it is your decision to make. Please know that I respect and trust each and every one of you to make your own decision by staying informed, going to the roadshows and utilizing all the tools that AFA will provide you with.”

 

–Council 18 LAX President Sandra Morrow

~ ~ ~

 

The Master Executive Council (MEC) hopes you will find this important background information helpful as you begin the process of evaluating the TA for ratification. If you have lingering questions about your LEC president’s position regarding TA2, the MEC encourages you to contact your LEC president directly for further discussion.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

A summary of TA2 is now posted online <http://afaalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Print-FINAL-ALA-TA2-Summary-v3-11.10.14.pdf>. You will find the TA2 Summary housed on the new “Tentative Agreement” page < http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta> of the AFA Alaska website under ‘Negotiations.’ You will find additional information posted on the TA page such as Roadshow schedules, etc., that we will add to as time goes on. A paper version of the TA2 Summary will also be mailed with your ballot on November 18^th.

 

If you have any questions, you may reach the Negotiating Committee by email at negotiations@afaalaska.org or you are welcome to check out or post on the Negotiations blog <http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/blog>.

In solidarity,

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

Negotiating Committee and Master Executive Council met to review TA2

 

The Negotiating Committee and the Master Executive Council (MEC) met today in Seattle, WA, to review the full text language TA2 document.

 

MEC votes to release TA2 for ratification 4 “yes” / 1 “no”

 

After thorough review and consideration, the MEC has voted to release TA2 to the Membership for ratification. The LEC presidents’ votes to release TA2 (“yes” / ”no”) are as follows:

 

“Yes”- Council 30 Anchorage, Council 19 Seattle, Council 39 Portland, Council 15 San Diego;

 

“No” – Council 18 Los Angeles.

 

MEC recommendation for TA2 is 4 “neutral” / 1 “against”

 

The LEC presidents’ recommendations (“for” / ”neutral” / ”against”) regarding TA2 are as follows:

 

“Neutral” – Council 30 Anchorage, Council 19 Seattle, Council 39 Portland, Council 15 San Diego;

 

“Against” – Council 18 Los Angeles.

 

TA2 Summary to be released no later than Saturday

 

We know everybody is eager to see the elements of TA2. The MEC will be releasing a summary of TA2 to active Mobilization Committee volunteers as soon as possible and to the general Membership no later than Saturday. We anticipate an electronic copy of the full text language to be released no later than the end of next week.

 

Roadshow schedule and other important dates…

 

Roadshows are expected to take place the first two weeks of December, with a morning and afternoon session in each location. Printed full text TAs will be available starting at the commencement of Roadshows. Additionally, the NC is planning on filming informational videos.

 

The Roadshow schedule is as follows:

 

M Dec 1^st – SAN

Tu Dec 2^nd– LAX

W Dec 3^rd – PDX

Th Dec 4^th – ANC

F Dec 5^th – SEA

M Dec 8^th – PDX

Tu Dec 9^th – ANC

W Dec 10^th – SEA

Th Dec 11^th – SAN

F Dec 12^th – SNA

 

Ballots will be mailed November 18^th and the count date will be December 17^th.

 

More information soon!

 

You will start seeing a lot more information released in the coming days, but In the meantime we thank you for your patience!

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and

 

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

 

Your Negotiating Committee (NC) has nearly finished formatting and proofing the final TA2 document.  It has been sent to management’s team for review and we understand that review will occur early next week.

 

NC to Present the TA to the Master Executive Council (MEC) on Thursday, November 6^th

 

The NC is planning to formally present the full Tentative Agreement (TA) document to the MEC next Thursday, November 6^th.  If the MEC votes to put out TA2 for a ratification vote, details will then be released to the membership, as will the roadshow schedule. The full text language document will be available for all Flight Attendants.

 

TA2 Rumors

 

We know that rumors have been spreading about provisions of TA2, but no details have been published or confirmed by the NC. Under the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws (C&B), details cannot be issued prior to the MEC vote.

 

Address Updates Must Be Submitted No Later Than November 12^th

 

Remember to ensure that your address is current with AFA. In order to receive a paper ballot, you must have the correct address on file by no later than November 12^th. If you are unsure, please submit an address update to AFA International at the following link: www.afacwa.org/coa.   This will ensure that you receive a mailed TA ballot if the MEC decides to send the TA out for a ratification vote.

 

Voting Eligibility

 

A member on a leave for more than ninety (90) days is ineligible to vote unless s/he remains active in accordance with Article II.C.1.b of the C&B. A Flight Attendant must be a member in “Good Standing” (dues current) in order to cast a vote.  Non-members or agency fee payers are not eligible to vote. However, they will receive the voting instructions with a 16-digit activation code.

 

Flight Attendants who have dues or membership issues should call AFA Membership Services 1-800-424-2401 Press 7. 

 

The office is staffed Monday through Friday 9:30AM to 5PM ET.

 

We Thank You for Your Patience

 

We commend you for your patience, discipline and understanding as we work through the challenging but critical task of preparing the document for MEC review.

 

 

In solidarity,

 

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