Premium Open Time is scheduled to go into effect along with the other changes to Junior Available (JA) on January 31, 2015. In the interim, AFA has agreed to implement “Premium Voluntary Junior Available” (“Premium VJA”). Flight Attendants will be compensated a minimum of twice the trip rate (2x) on all eligible TFP (e.g. flights flown, etc.) in a VJA sequence departing on a Premium VJA day. This is a win-win for all parties in that Flight Attendants who volunteer to assist with critical staffing will receive additional compensation and the operation benefits from the improved coverage.
AFA anticipates that management will likely utilize Premium VJA on at least some of the coming days. Premium VJA may be offered on one day, not the next and then once again on the following day. VJA will be processed and awarded using normal procedures, so there is nothing for you to do differently. Management or Crew Scheduling will notify Flight Attendants of Premium VJA via Inflight bulletins, messages on the Inflight splash page, et cetera.
The increased premium should be paid automatically but just in case AFA recommends you also submit an Activity Claim Form once you fly the sequence. This is really just a backup to ensure proper payment. A Flight Attendant who works a regular VJA sequence on a premium holiday such as Christmas will receive two and a half times (2.5x) the trip rate on eligible TFP that day. A Flight Attendant who works a Premium VJA sequence on a premium holiday such as Christmas will receive a minimum of three times (3x) the trip rate on eligible TFP that day.
Further details are in the Premium VJA Memorandum of Understanding.
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt
