When reading a contract you need to take the WHOLE citation as the provisional language. You can not separate out one sentence from the subsequent sentences that apply to that specific citation.

Example:

Section 10.DD.11.a

Crew Scheduling may offer the “4K” sequence to a Lineholder as a reassignment at check-in consistent with 10.R. [Reassignments(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 the Flight Attendant accepts the “4K” sequence as a reassignment all provision of 10.R. [Reassignment(s)] will apply. If the Lineholder declines the offer, the next eligible Lineholder is seniority order may be offered the “4K” sequence under the same conditions of this provision. The process my be repeated until all available Lineholders are exhausted consistent with 10.R. [Reassignment(s)].

When reading a specific citation the entire citation is what dictates the provision not just one sentence contained within the citation.

Why do we connect back to 10.R. then? Because if you do accept the reassignment you will receive all of the reassignment protections and benefits such as pay protection for any portion of your original trip affected by the acceptance of the reassignment. Today, if you are reassigned you do not get to reject the assignment. Under TA2 you will ONLY get to reject the assignment if it contains a 4K sequence. The ability to pass on a reassignment of a 4K trip is contained within the language for 4K pairings and carves out the specific rules which only apply to a 4K sequence. No Lineholder is required to accept a 4K reassignment offer!

Please click on the link to view industry comparisons:

Industry Comparison PowerPoint

 

Section 3 – Scope

 

How many times have we allowed management to fly in the last 4 years?

 

Approximately 3 instances, during holiday periods, coupled with inclement weather.

 

What is a single source of discipline?

 

When the supervisor or manager is the only witness to observing an action that may result in discipline. Safety concerns would be potentially covered under the ASAP program if accepted. The intent is not to use management flying as a check ride. However, it doesn’t stop a supervisor from scheduling a subsequent check ride.

 

Will someone be checking to see if management fliers are following FARs?

 

Yes, the AFA Scheduling Chair. In addition the Association will be provided with a list of management fliers.

 

Why would we give up the waiver for management flying?

 

Under our current agreement management is required to ask for the Association’s permission in specific circumstances to have management fliers typically to reduce the number of cancellations or JAs. This provision would allow management the ability to prevent a cancellation without consulting with the MEC.

 

Section 8 – Hours of Service

When do over duty provisions begin for pairings including the new 4k? Is there a difference between the 4k and 10:30 sequences when exceeding 12 hours and 30 minutes?

 

The over-duty provisions take effect for all pairings at 12 hours and 30 minutes. There is no difference between a 10 hours and 30 minutes sequence versus a 4k pairing specifically in relation to over duty.

Section 10 Scheduling

Is ACARs a form of contact?

Yes, if contacted by ACARs and that message is delivered by an employee, you must contact scheduling at the end of your sequence or pursuant to other contractual provisions.

 

Will Crew Scheduling change our debrief time without our consent to make us legal for JA?

No

Who will adjust debrief if the 15 minutes is exceeded?

If you exceed your 15 minute debrief while passengers are on-board the aircraft, contact Crew Scheduling for adjustment.

How does 4k effect a new domicile?

The domicile would have the ability to participate in the minimum 10% rotation of 4k pairings.

How does the night rule impact a 4k redeye?

If it is a 4k turn the night rule does not apply, it excludes single duty pairings. If a multi-day sequence contains an on duty period at 4:29 AM you may not exceed flying past 8:30 AM based on the departure station time.

What happens if no one in the domicile opts in to the 4k?

The 4k sequences will default into OT and do not count towards the threshold sequence number for purposes of closing a day. If subsequently a 4k pairing dropped into OT is traded or picked up from OT the pairing would then count towards the OT threshold.

Does the 4k opt in for line holders only occur during the bidding process?

Yes. For line holders it is only controlled in the bidding process. If you opt in during bidding you are not opting in for subsequent 4k sequences outside of your bid award.

Section 11 – Reserve

If after 3hrs 55 minutes of APSB could I be assigned a 4k duty period?

No, an APSB may only be rescheduled up to 12hrs 30 minutes.

 

Section 14 – Vacation

When will we have the ability to start accruing our Longevity PTO?

Flight Attendants will receive their Longevity PTO benefit in 2016 if 2015 flying requirements are met.

Section 29 – Retirement

Why were we not able to get more on 401k match?

Management was unwilling to increase the match above the 7%. The committee was very adamant that a match was important, however, unsuccessful in enhancing the provision.

The much-anticipated full text TA2 is now posted at http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta!

 

The Negotiating Committee realizes there have been concerns over the timing of its release. We thank you for your patience and understanding as the NC worked through a complete overhaul of TA2. We believe all the effort has paid off and will make it much easier for you to review and understand the proposed changes.

 

If you have any questions, you may search the Negotiations blog by topic where you will find answers to many of your questions. You may posts questions on the blog under the related topic. This way all Flight Attendants can see the question and the answer provided. If you have additional questions that are not addressed via the blog, email 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

The NC absolutely does NOT receive any special bonus if the TA passes. We are eligible for the same signing bonus appropriate to our longevity as any other flight attendant but that’s it. In our specific cases, that would be the $2000.

Q: Because the “COLA” is going away and being replaced with the Longevity Premium will I lose money?

A:  NO. The COLA (real name: Profitability Bonus) for those with over 17 years of service does not compensate as well as the Longevity Premium. Also, the COLA only pays out when the company is profitable. The Longevity Bonus is paid on all Worked TFP regardless of the company’s performance.

But what does the reality look like? Below is a table with 5 actual comparisons – names withheld. COLA paid out in 2014 and what the FA would have received if Longevity Premium was in place. Because the more senior you are, the greater your Longevity Premium, the greater the difference.

FA	DOH	Years of Service	TFP (minus SL and Vac)	COLA	What Longevity Premium would have paid out
A	05//1979	35	1001.2	$ 676.81	$ 4.004.80
B	06//1984	30	1026.2	694.39	3,078.60
C	05//1989	25	1389.1	939.03	2,778.20
D	06//1992	22	558.3	377.41	837.45
E	06//1995	19	943	637.47	943.00

 

A:  TA2 will be posted for viewing by end of the day, Wednesday, November 19th.

Current process:

If I have 35 days of vacation today I fly 340 TFP to receive my full accrual.

TA 2:

If I have 35 days of vacation today I would need to fly or be credited worked tfp including  minimum pay rules, training, reserve guarantee, premium pay, over duty pay and any pay in TFP that is not sick leave or vacation equal to 480 TFP to receive my full accrual.

(In the above example the vacation amount may vary based on your years of service.  Everyone must fly or be credited 480 Worked TFP in order to receive the full paid vacation benefit for the following year)

THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO FLY 620TFP!!!!