11.09.06 – (LAA) – Flight 587, Family Medical Leave Presidential Arbitration Awards, Manual Checks, Liquid Carry-on Restrictions, Northwest Mechanics Strike

This is Leslie Mayo, National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA Hotline for Tuesday, November 9, 2006.

APFA would like to pay tribute to the seven flight attendants who died five years ago in the crash of flight 587 on November 12, 2001. Deborah Fontakis, Barbara Giannasca, Wilmer Gonzalez, Joe Lopes, Michele Mills, Carol Palm and Wilmer Valdespino, you are missed.

APFA News: As announced Friday the Family Medical Leave (FML) Presidential 1 & 11 arbitration awards have been finalized. The arbitrator awards and information regarding the results of the arbitration are posted on the APFA Web site.

As of today under latest news, all individual Flight Attendantís impacted by the FML II award have received a personalized HI6 message with their remedy and who to contact for additional information.

If you did not receive a personalized HI6 message and have any questions please contact your APFA Headquarters at 817-540-0108, ext. 8489.

From the APFA Safety and Security Department, all FAs system wide, particularly those flying into and out of Miami and Chicago during November and December, should double check that your manuals are up-to-date and that you are carrying all required safety equipment.

The Safety/Security Dept. would like to remind FAs that as of Nov. 1^st, the online Electronic Event Reports are the only acceptable means of documenting a safety, security or medical event. AA will no longer accept paper reports. One of the reasons for this change is that the FAA Attorneys require “legible” reports in prosecuting passengers for Civil Penalties/FAR Violations.

On November 6^th, the European Union (EU) Countries, including the U.K., have adopted and are enforcing a consistent liquid carry-on restriction ban (similar to the one in place in the US~ a quart size plastic bag that may have containers of 3 oz or less). This restriction applies to all crew members and allows for no exemptions. Please remember with the holidays approaching, if crew members leaving any EU country have items exceeding the limits, they will be required to check those items their luggage similar to past practice out of LHR/LGW/MAN. APFA and the Joint Security Committee will continue to encourage the EU that exemptions should apply to crew members.

Don’t forget that Reserve Flight Attendants will be able to trade with both Regularly Scheduled and fellow Reserves for the contractual month of December (December 2-31).

Bankruptcy Watch: The Northwest Mechanics, who have been on Strike against the airline for 15 months, ratified their new contract with a 72% yes vote. The contract, that will not restore the majority of the striking mechanics’ jobs, contains provisions for those still out of work to receive severance pay or be classified as ìlaid offî workers as well as retain seniority in the event of a recall. Those workers opting for laid-off status will remain on the seniority list for two years.

Delta requested and received an extension to file its reorganization plan to emerge from bankruptcy. Their new deadline for filing is February 15, 2007.

Deltaís connection carrier, Comair, will return to the bargaining table with its pilots, represented by ALPA. Negotiations will take place in Washington, D.C., Wednesday and Thursday. Comair management claims theyíve gone as far as they can to negotiate a fair deal that will keep the commuter airline from crumbling. They have asked the court to abrogate the contract if no Agreement is reached.

Fuel Watch: As of Monday, November 6^th, a barrel of crude oil cost $60.02, up $1.68 from last Wednesday’s price. The crack spread price was $12.05, up $2.03 from last week’s price. This brings the cost of one barrel of jet fuel to $72.07 ñ up $3.71 from the price of jet fuel a week ago.

The total for one barrel of jet fuel a year ago November was $71.02 about $1 less than the price of a barrel of jet fuel today.

Please remember that we still have 2,654 APFA members still on furlough.

In closing, after witnessing the events of November 7^th, never underestimate the power of the vote. Tuesday’s nationwide election has shifted the tide in favor of labor. APFA is hopeful that we will make progress in such areas as healthcare, FA fatigue, on-board security, pensions and fuel prices.

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Thatís it for this week. Thank you for calling the APFA Hotline.