8.09.02 – (LAA) – STL WTS, 9/11 Events Page, USAirways Pilots Vote to Accept Concessions

Hello. Today is Friday, August 09, 2002. This is George Price, APFA National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA HotLine.

It has been several weeks now since AMR CEO Don Carty made reference to his new business plan and the fact it would require fewer employees than are currently on payroll, so it is no wonder the rumor mill is so out of control. It has led employees to speculate on the future of the Company and the status of their employment. This has also led to a great deal of speculation in the press.

APFA is aware that Flight Attendants are very anxious about American’s future plans and the effects those plans may have on our particular work group. When specific information is made available to the APFA, we will update the hotlines and the web site. These are the best sources for factual information.

On Wednesday, August 7, 2002, APFA filed with the Court its response to the lawsuit filed against the union by the I.A.M. and several TWA-LLC Flight Attendants regarding seniority. The full text of APFA’s response can be found on the APFA Web site under the TWA-LLC icon.

The deadline for completion of the CISM Survey that was in the June issue of Skyword is October 1, 2002. If you have not already filled out your survey, please take a few moments to do so. The code requested on the answer sheet is something the person completing the survey will create. It can be any combination of numbers or letters. This code is strictly for reference in the event a follow up survey is conducted.

Willingness-to-Serve Notifications were sent to all STL and ISL Flight Attendants for the positions of Base Chair, Vice Chair, and Operational Council Representatives and to LGA Flight Attendants for the position of Base Vice Chair. Completed Willingness-to-Serves must be received in the designated post office box by 1000 Central Time on August 21, 2002.

The APFA has set up a September 11th Events Page on the APFA Web site. If you are interested in seeing what events are being planned around the country, please visit the site. If you know of an event that you feel our Flight Attendants would like to take part in, please e-mail the information to [email protected].

The Company has placed a small brochure in Flight Attendant mailboxes encouraging them to turn people in to the Company for a wide range of perceived offenses. Although the APFA does not condone any form of criminal behavior, we also do not endorse turning fellow crewmembers in to management. Instead, the APFA encourages Flight Attendants to use Professional Standards. This is an internal avenue Flight Attendants can use if they have concerns about an other crewmember. It is totally confidential. You can reach each base’s Professional Standards Representative by calling APFA Headquarters at 800-395-2732.

In industry news this week:

USAirways Pilots voted earlier in the week to accept concessions totaling $465 million per year through 2008. The concession package included a 26% per year pay cut. USAirways Flight Attendants are currently voting on contract concessions as well.

It was reported that Delta Air Line officials are looking at making changes to employee health care benefits in an effort to cut costs.

Contract talks between Midwest Express Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants have stalled. Flight Attendants at the airline have warned that they may begin their CHOAS campaign on August 30th if a tentative agreement is not reached by that date.

That’s it for this edition of the APFA HotLine. Please visit the APFA Web site frequently for the latest APFA news.

Remember, there are 1,566 Flight Attendants at American and TWA-LLC that remain on furlough.