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

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

 

Scope 3 – Scope

 

Q: Was there any research since management addressed this provision versus other airlines?

 

A: Alaska has had that program in place but required AFA waiver. This allows but has a waiver. Took the existing language of the 1% up to 2%. Management wanted to work as minimum crew, we negotiated as extra except in lien of cancellation. There was no research to model our program after another airlines. They are on the a/c to understand the difficulties of your job.

 

Q: How was it determined for them to be extra?

 

A: They wanted to replace FAs initially. The NC negotiated they compliment the crew. This was part of the bundle package that is up for your overall consideration.

 

Section 8 – Hours of Service

 

Q: When I first started it was 15 minutes debrief, why did it change to 30?

 

A: There is no mandate for a certain time. It was moved to 30 minutes years ago because FAA said it took that long to deplane.

 

Q: Did we ask the company to maintain 30 minutes for international arrivals.

 

A: No it was not suggested.

 

Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium Open Time

 

Q: If I have 3 day trip, need middle day off. I get rid of my original trip. What happens if I replace day 1 and day 3, will I be protected from JA on day 2?

 

A: Yes. You are protected for day 2 as the trip was originally on your line. You would be available for JA into days off on day 3 because you replaced the flying on that day and the subsequent days were days off.

 

Q: With premium being at 2.5x of JA, could they reassign a FA at 1.5x instead of someone else being JA’d?

 

A: Yes, that is a possibility but would be subject to duty das

 

Section 10 – Scheduling

 

Q: If I bid pairing specific could I mistakenly bid a pairing that was 4K and be assigned?

 

A: No you have to put the instruction command to be assigned 4k sequences even when bidding pairing specific.

 

Q: With the 4k pairings and 15 minute debrief does it affect our base?

 

A: It may and probably will affect the pairings and that is part of your overall consideration.

 

Q: Did you attempt to negotiate a furlough protection base specific?

 

A: That is a very difficult provision to achieve and we did not address it with that position.

 

Q: If I have a medical will I have ability to adjust my debrief if extending past 15 minutes?

 

A: Yes

 

Section 11 – Reserve

 

No questions

 

Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences

 

No questions

 

Section 14 – Vacation

 

Q: Is the look back when coordinating initiated by the FA or automated?

 

A: The look back will be automated.

 

Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the job Injury

 

Q: If I work sick leave make up do I get the reserve premium paid?

 

A: Yes

 

Section 21 – Compensation

 

Q: How many FAs fly over their base line award?

 

A: The  number of FAs who flew over 79.9 in LAX were 106 in Oct and 107 in Nov.  That is about 25% of the base.  The number of FAs system wide who flew over 79.9 were 753 in Oct and 770 in Nov.  That is about 23% system wide.

 

Section 22 – Expenses

 

Q: Why not give us the money for the crew snack?

 

A: The NC reviewed the cost of the crew snacks and the time away from base for the overall year. We divided the TAFB by cost of crew snack and it came to $0.22 per hour, the per diem increase was rounded up to $0.25 for a total of $2.50 per diem per hour.

 

Section 23 – Insurance

 

Q: Who chooses the insurance they give us?

 

A: We have a me too benefit clause with our pilots but negotiate our rates separately. The pilots have signed a 5 year agreement and there are 4 years left until their amendable date.

 

Q: Will the deductibles change with our plans?

 

A: If you are enrolled in PPO plan no, if you are with Kaiser those are contracted and possibly could change.

 

Section 27 – General Association

 

Q: Where does the AFA Scheduling Chairperson come from?

 

A: This position is an AFA member who serves at the pleasure of the MEC. Advocating on behalf of our Flight Attendants.

 

Section 32 – Attendance Policy

 

Q: Why is there language regarding contactable on ground time?

 

A: This is the current application, however, there were not time requirements in place.

 

Random Q and A:

 

Q: Is the LAX base closing?

 

A: Sandra/Jeff, LAX is needed and will remain open. There is no intent to close. Both were on a conference call and told minimum growth over the next ten years but LAX is integral in the operation of the airline.

Q:   If this TA passes will there be a “how to” sheet?

 

A: Yes, absolutely.

 

Q: What were some of our adamant demands?

 

A: We met in WA DC, Paula took mediator aside, NC set pre conditions for meeting with the Company. Sat down with the Company and said to them, we needed assurance or commitment to see provisions come into play or it didn’t make sense to talk if there was not going to be movement. We would request a proffer if needed. We said Cap of 15%, reserve premium, 480 provisions, don’t want sick leave tied to 480 accrual and attendance policy and significantly more money in rates. If they couldn’t make the commitment we were going to walk away. Company came back with a commitment to discuss our concerns. They gave us a full compensation package proposal, it wasn’t acceptable. We caucused and went to give them a wake up call. Told them they were hiring third party vendor with $12/hr but our FAs were making around $8/hr when calculating starting pay. We brought up the fact that there were a tremendous amount of people who were receiving some type of assistance. Management did not dictate the negotiations, both parties negotiated their priorities.

 

Q: Why hasn’t AFA via government affairs taken on the NMB?

 

A: For years the process worked well, in 1936 airlines were added. When labor could strike they were allowed. Now the NMB has stopped, given the power to management. Cut the act off at the proffer. It doesn’t work because it is coming from the Presidential Administration. Between a rock and a hard spot.

 

Q: Realistically speaking if this is voted down how long till TA3?

 

A: The NMB is not focused at this time on our TA. The NMB says they will react to our vote.

 

Q: Is Company able to pressure NMB for dates?

 

A: They could request. We could also meet with Company without NMB.

 

Q: Does QPP count as regular income?

 

A: Yes

 

Q: In regards to the one hour scan in prior to departure, are there other airlines with a grace period?

 

A: There are airlines that offer a grace period. The NC did ask for a grace period but we were not successful in agreeing on a provision with management.

 

Q: Why don’t we get paid night flying premium for redeyes?

 

A: The NC asked but we were unsuccessful in agreeing on a provision with management.

 

Q: Military personnel provisions?

 

A: They recognize military personal for boarding, remains and a/c. At the end of the day there are more military pilots than flight attendants and they are not willing to enhance the provisions of our Flight Attendants who serve in the military. This is not for lack of trying. Management wants to comply only with what is required by law, nothing more favorable. There is NOT a less favorable application than current book.

 

Q: Is anyone on the NC a veteran?

 

A: Yes, Lisa Pinkston.

 

Q: Is there any work on limiting the low productive trips?

 

A: The minimum pay rules.

 

Q: Is there anything in the contract regarding the new POS?
A: We cannot violate any other work groups Scope protections. There is no language that says we will not sell vacation packages. Seat assignments is a scope violation of the CSAs.

 

Q: What was the process behind to Jet Bridge trading with two FAs required to be at same domicile?

 

A: The pairing has to start and end in the same domicile. Crew Scheduling must build a limo. That was the minimum requirement management was willing to agree. We would be addressing future improvements to this trading.

 

Q: Is there a limit on how many times you can go on a medical leave?

 

A: No. The limit is only on FMLA. Your FMLA is run concurrent with any other leave up to 12 weeks. You may or may not have that available.

 

Q: Can I work less to make up my sick leave?

 

A: Yes. You can work less, but not more than to replace your sick leave bank.