2.17.18 – (LAA/LUS) – Clarification on Pay Alignment

Clarification on Pay Alignment – LAA

There has been much discussion recently on social media concerning the upcoming pay alignment the Company plans to implement this Summer when LAA Flight Attendants will transition to JCBA language as it pertains to pay periods.

Per the JCBA, the Company must give Flight Attendants a minimum of ninety days notice prior to the bid month of the transition. Additionally, the JCBA states that “the Company and the Union will meet and discuss an orderly process for the payroll transition.” This process is still currently taking place; however we would like to clear up some misperceptions that are already circulating about the transition.

In order to better understand how the transition will take place, it is important to understand how LAA Flight Attendants are currently being paid today and how LUS Flight Attendants are currently being paid in accordance with the JCBA.

Today, at LAA, Flight Attendants are paid 35 base hours on the 15th of the month. Those 35 hours are paid under the assumption the Flight Attendant will work 35 hours between the 1st and 15th of that current month. On the 30th/31st of the month, the Flight Attendant is paid another 35 base hours because the Company assumes s/he will have worked 35 hours between the 16th and 30th/31st. Also paid on the 30th/31st is the “true up” from the previous month (all premiums, TAFB, international overrides, and any hours over 70 that were flown the previous month—one month in arrears).

At LUS, the pay is not assumed. On the 30th/31st, the Flight Attendant is paid 37.5 hours for work that occurred between the 1st and 15th of the current month—two weeks in arrears. On the 15th, the Flight Attendant is paid all hours over 37.5 that were flown the previous month as well as premiums, TAFB and international overrides.

When LAA Flight Attendants transition to JCBA pay language, they will align with LUS’ current method of pay.

The Company is telling us this transition will happen with the July 15th pay check. On July 15th, the LUS Flight Attendants are being paid for their hours over 37.5 plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from June. The LAA Flight Attendants were already paid 70 hours for June on their June 15th and 30th pay checks. This means that the July 15th check, for LAA Flight Attendants, would represent any hours over 70 that were flown in June plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from June. The July 31st check will represent 37.5 hours from July 1st – July 15th.

For some, that might create a shortfall in one’s personal budget. The Company has stated they will front or advance the Flight Attendant 35 hours on July 15th.

Below you will find examples of how the transition would work depending on whether or not a Flight Attendant chooses to accept the advance:

 

EXAMPLE A:

Flight Attendant James flies 113 hours in June and 140 hours in July. He opts out of the Company advance of 35 hours. On July 15th, James is paid 43 hours plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from June. On July 31st, James is paid 37.5 hours. On August 15th, James is paid 102.5 hours plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from July.

James was paid 35 hours on July 15th from his hours in June. He flew 113 hours in June and had already been paid for 70 of those hours (35 hours on June 15th and 35 hours on June 30th).

113 hours flown in June minus(-) 70 hours already paid in June = 43 hours paid on July 15th.

140 hours flown in July minus(-) 37.5 hours paid on July 31st = 102.5 hours paid on August 15th.

Note: Even though James opted out of the Company advance, his mid month check on July 15th will not be zero.

 

EXAMPLE B:

Flight Attendant Rachel flies 80 hours in June and 90 hours in July. She decides to take the 35 hour advance on July 15th. On July 15th, Rachel is paid 45 hours plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from June. On July 31st, Rachel is paid 37.5 hours. On August 15th, Rachel is paid 52.5 hours plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from July.

Rachel was paid 45 hours on July 15th from her hours in June plus the 35 hour advance. She flew 80 hours in June and had already been paid for 70 of those hours (35 hours on June 15th and 35 hours on June 30th).

80 hours flown in June minus(-) 70 hours already paid in June = 10 hours + 35 hour advance = 45 hours paid on July 15th.

90 hours flown in July minus(-) 37.5 hours paid on July 31st = 52.5 hours paid on August 15th.

 

EXAMPLE C:

Just like Rachel, Flight Attendant Brad flies 80 hours in June and 90 hours in July. He decides not to take the 35-hour advance on July 15th. On July 15th, Brad is paid 10 hours plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from June. On July 31st, Brad is paid 37.5 hours. On August 15th, Brad is paid 52.5 hours plus premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from July.

Brad was paid 10 hours on July 15th from his hours in June.

He flew 80 hours in June and had already been paid for 70 of those hours (35 hours on June 15th and 35 hours on June 30th).

80 hours flown in June minus(-) 70 hours already paid in June = 10 hours paid on July 15th.

90 hours flown in July minus(-) 37.5 hours paid on July 31st = 52.5 hours paid on August 15th.

 

EXAMPLE D:

Kelly is on reserve in June. Her reserve guarantee is 75 hours. In July, it’s her line month and she flies 80 hours. She does not want to take the 35-hour advance.

On July 15th, Kelly is paid 5 hours plus any premiums, TAFB, and international overrides from June. On July 31st, Kelly is paid 37.5 hours. On August 15th, Kelly is paid 42.5 hours plus premiums, TAFB, and international override from July.

Kelly was paid 5 hours on July 15th from her hours in June.

Her reserve guarantee was 75 hours and she had been paid 70 hours in June (35 hours on June 15th and 35 hours on June 30th).

75 hour guarantee in June minus(–) 70 hours already paid in June = 5 hours paid on July 15th.

80 hours flown in July minus(–) 37.5 hours paid on July 31st = 42.5 hours paid on August 15th.

Discussions are still ongoing regarding the 35 hour advance and the proposed options for repayment. Updates will follow as more information becomes available in the coming days.