6.14.02 – (LAA) – TWA-LLC FA Initiation Fee, Officer-on-Duty Line, Cabin Jumpseat Authorization

Hello. This is George Price, APFA National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA HotLine for Friday, June 14, 2002.

A Teleconference Meeting of the APFA Board of Directors was held today for the purpose of discussing the initiation fee for the TWA-LLC flight attendants. The resolution that was put forth for consideration failed by a vote of 13-6. More information will be available on the TWA-LLC page of the APFA web site.

Carty addressed the Merrill Lynch 2002 Global Transportation Leaders Conference this week in New York. He once again took aim at the current collective bargaining process in which airline management and labor negotiate contracts. He said, “I-and others-have proposed some form of mandatory arbitration, which would include what’s known as the ‘last best offer’ approach.” Mr. Carty went on to say, “the beauty of that approach is it forces both sides to the center, and avoids a scenario in which all the bargaining leverage belongs to the party that can impose a strike.” The APFA remains adamantly opposed to any changes in the current collective bargaining process, especially one that would allow a third party to choose one party’s proposal over the other in a “winner take all” binding decision. Contracts are to be bargained between two parties Mr. Carty, not decided by a third party.

Effective June 10, the after hours APFA Officer-on-Duty line was modified. Only those Flight Attendants who have been involved in an emergency situation will be contacted by the Officer-on-Duty. All other calls of a non-emergency nature will be routed to the appropriate representative or department for response the next business day.

The APFA Safety Department would like your input on the new self-defense classes being offered by American throughout the system. If you have attended one of the classes, please take the time to complete the short survey located under the “Safety First” icon on the APFA Web site. Your participation would be greatly appreciated.

The recently appointed STL and ISL Representatives began their APFA Base Representative Training this week at APFA Headquarters. The training will continue next week. Until our new Reps are fully trained, Flight Attendants from STL and ISL who need assistance should call APFA Headquarters.

American Airlines recently distributed a special briefing to all Flight Attendants regarding Cabin Jumpseat Authorization. This briefing outlines the changes to the cabin jumpseat policy, which took effect on June 8, 2002. All Flight Attendants at American and TWA LLC should read this briefing carefully as it contains safety information we all must be familiar with when riding each other’s jumpseats.

In a little-noticed executive order, President Bush this week has taken the first step in possibly privatizing the air traffic control services. This order essentially strips the air traffic control system of its “inherently governmental” designation and opens the door to privatization. APFA President John Ward along with labor leaders throughout the industry oppose such a move. The APFA feels that such a move by the President could jeopardize the air traffic control system by removing the governmental function designation of the system. This latest move by the Bush White House flies in the face of every professional Air Traffic Controller, the very ones who played such a vital role in guiding Air Force One to safety along with landing 700 other airplanes in less than five minutes and an additional 5,000 in two hours on September 11, 2001.

The Company has begun the process of distributing the new contract. In some bases they are being distributed by the MOD, while at others they are placing them in Flight Attendant mailboxes. If contract books are being placed in mailboxes at your base, and you do not find one in your particular mailbox, please contact the MOD.

There are some new additions to the information on the APFA Web site. We have updated much of the information on the various pages. In addition, we have put the Skyword advertising information on the opening page, which has generated quite a bit of interest from new advertisers. This actually helps to offset a portion of the cost of production of Skyword. Finally, we have added links to important resources such as epays, Merck, UnitedHealthcare, Jetnet, APA, and others. This should be up and running shortly. If you have suggestions for additional information for our web site, please contact me via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at APFA Headquarters, extension 8308.

Finally, much has been said in the media about the Flight 63 debrief tape that was produced by the Allied Pilots Association. The APFA felt the tape should have been incorporated into our recurrent training program. The Company, however, has refused to include the tape or make it available for Flight Attendants to view on their own.

That’s it for this week. Please visit the APFA Web site for the latest information. Web site for the latest news.