VOICE Comment Card Report October 2013
Your Negotiating Committee reviews all comment cards submitted by members and posts those each month for transparency. Please know that we appreciate all comments, concerns and feedback. Some of the comments submitted maybe in Sections that have not yet been discussed, they may be included in our opening proposal (posted on AFA website http://www.alaskamec.org), our previous survey or may have already been addressed. Your opinions do count and we will continue to respond to concerns and comments not previously addressed or as sections become available.
Please note we will continue to post comments and questions with contact information, however, questions/comments without contact information will no longer be posted due to ensuring member involvement. Your information is always kept confidential and we appreciate open communication.
Questions:
S, SEA
Thanks to the NC for being at the AFA meeting. I am concerned about the part of the side-letter that was added to the OT section. I understand it protects the process if it fails and we go back to the table, but we’ve been at the table so long, What if mgmt tells us that the OT isn’t working and they go back to all the days needing to be closed, that kind of defeats the purpose of voting for this version of OT, Right?
Management agreed to the new OT system as we move into a new design of trading and thresholds. We want to protect Flight Attendants from being JA’d, reassignments and tagging; and management wants to protect the operation. The side letter allows us to go another form of trading while protecting our Flight Attendants and the operation if the new system fails. Meanwhile, the side letter would require both parties to find a new solution and negotiate new OT processes. Even under the “temporary” OT process in place while a new one is negotiated, all days cannot be unilaterally closed. We also added a Scheduling Chairperson to oversee the new Open Time (OT) process.
S, LAX
How about putting out a list of the wonderful “positive” gains we have TA’d so far? We know there are a lot of great improvements, but it seems that the focus is on the perceived concessions. It’s difficult for some to stay objective when there is so many stories that are quite subjective, emotionally draining.
We are still in the process of keeping track of a gains summary for our Flight Attendants and management. We plan to show those in the near future. We are working on very difficult and sensitive section of the contract and hope all Flight Attendants would take a moment to review the completed TA of all sections in its entirety before making any decisions. One idea is to purchase three highlighters: red, yellow and green. Take the full text TA and highlight in red what you dislike in the TA, highlight in yellow what you don’t understand or are neutral, and highlight in green what you find positive or likeable. After the highlighting is complete check for road show dates and be prepared to have an in-depth discussion about the entire agreement. Know what you are voting yes or no on.
Comments:
K, LAX,
Calendar day instead of duty day. If it trades like a 3day it needs to pay like a 3day. Push hard for pay, PBP is NOT my pay. Stick to the NC proposal for pay. Too many concessions over the year.
C, LAX
- Retro pay.
- Buy-out
- Sign-in bonus
A, LAX,
I would like retro pay negotiated into new contract.
K, LAX
- Retro pay.
- Buy out
- Signing bonus
- And a raise
H, LAXFA
I have to say that I am very concerned with the fact that full retro pay would not be likely. I can say I know many people, as I’m sure you do, that will vote no due to this fact. I was at SW 2 contracts ago and I can tell you that it passed, not only because the steps were brought down to 13, but also because full retro was included.
I guess I’m just concerned that when the time comes to vote, that something like this could be a deal breaker.
Thanks for listening and all you do
L, SEAFA
I am wondering if some people will vote for anything (contract) if there is a signing bonus connected. Some people will vote for anything for $1000. Maybe forgo signing bonus this time.
J, SEAFA
Retro Pay!!!
SWA Pay!!!
No min or max flying!!!
Pension like the pilots after 5,10 years of service!
1. Pension like the pilots after so many years of service, 5, 10
2. Retro Pay
3. Pay for 1st hour of checkin
4. no max or min flying
5. 1-2 might be lates, no points per quarter
S, SEAFA
I seriously object to having 30 years of seniority just walked over with any new hire with a “commuter” pass! When I was hired on in 1984 I lived in Fairbanks and used my seniority passes to get myself to work in Seattle, my BASE! This is wrong!
