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
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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