4.21.18 – (LAA) – Company Announces Strict Adherence to Current FMLA Policy

Company Announces Strict Adherence to Current FMLA Policy – LAA

Late yesterday, the Company sent out a communication outlining AA’s Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy which mirrors the federal statute entitling eligible flight crew members to take up to 72 days of FMLA leave during any 12-month period for one, or more of the FMLA qualifying reasons. This flight crew entitlement is based on a uniform six-day workweek for all airline flight crew, regardless of time actually worked or paid, multiplied by the statutory 12-work week entitlement for FMLA leave. (6 X 12 = 72)

Despite this policy, the Company had been allowing eligible Flight Attendants to take up to 84 days (12 weeks) of FML in a rolling 12-month period, of which 72 days could be used for intermittent FML. This practice was more generous than what is required by the Family Medical Leave Act for flight crew members.

Last week, the Company decided to discontinue this practice and to instead adhere to the 72-day entitlement provided for under the Family & Medical Leave Act. APFA did not receive advance notice of this decision.

APFA objects to the Company’s decision to discontinue what has already been established as past practice, and to the Company’s failure to notify Flight Attendants and APFA prior to the change. Please email [email protected] if you have been or expect to be affected by this change.

Kim Coats Tuck
APFA National Health Chair
[email protected]