11.05.20 – APFA ORD Base Brief – Thursday, November 5, 2020

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Hello ORD Flight Attendants,

The APFA Fall Board of Directors Meeting was held in DFW from October 26-28. This was the first meeting with our new National Officers, Julie Hedrick, Larry Salas, Erik Harris and Josh Black. We support their shared vision to create a better work life for our Flight Attendants by placing value on teamwork, and working in a professional, ethical and fiscally responsible manner. To this end, a large portion of the agenda was adding or cleaning up language in the APFA Policy Manual. The Meeting Minutes and Documents will be available on the website soon.

Two resolutions were passed with unanimous support to set in policy our commitment to the Movement for Black Lives and to support equality and diversity in the workplace and communities where our members reside.

The Treasurers Department brought forward a number of resolutions addressing the budget, expenses and department policy. With no dues increase since 2001 and a 40% reduction of our membership income as a result of furlough and VEOP, the Board started the hard conversation about restructuring our dues. The National Officers and Board are committed to finding all possible savings in every base and department budget and reducing fixed costs. Unfortunately this will become a revenue problem, not a spending problem. The Flight Attendants will be part of the process. Article IV of the APFA Constitution provides no increase of dues without a membership vote. The conversation is just beginning and will continue.All Department Chairs and Specialists presented reports. Here are some highlights:

• A Presidential Grievance was filed over the reduction of staffing levels.
• The Scheduling/Contract Chairs are working to have virtual training sessions for PBS, JCBA and understanding the paycheck.
• Turnaround time for FMLA approval is down to approximately 2 weeks, Pandemic leave is about 1 week
• There is a need for additional education regarding the ASAP program. This program is a voluntary, cooperative, non-punitive environment for the open reporting of cabin safety concerns.
• The unemployment specialists have helped FAs systemwide recover 1.6M in benefits! There have been few reported fraud cases, not our FAs but by people assuming a FA identity. Please report any issues to [email protected].

Flight Attendant Tablet: The current FA tablet is close to the end of its shelf life. We are getting reports about charging problems and battery life depleting quickly. Please submit an ASAP for all tablet power issues! The ASAP form can be found on the Flight Service website under Safety and Security.

Face Covering Policy: APFA supports the Company’s face covering policy. Wearing a face mask is the responsible thing to do to keep our fellow team members and passengers safe. Continue to file CERS reports for passenger non compliance. If you are questioned by Flight Service regarding your own compliance, please reach out to your local APFA Reps. There is a process to follow before any discipline can be issued and you always have the right to union representation for any company meetings.

Address Update: It is important to keep your email and mailing addresses updated with APFA when on leave or furlough. The Company does not share Jetnet address corrections with the Union. Click Here to update your info with APFA.

Rumor Control: The Company is NOT bringing back a coach beverage service this month. The APFA made it clear to the Company that returning a coach service at this point is just not safe for our Flight Attendants.

Thank you for your hard work and commitment to safety during this turbulent time. We are so proud of how ORD Flight Attendants are handling life/work balance in the pandemic. We wish everyone a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. Please continue to stay up-to-date by reading the APFA Hotlines and mobileCCI. We remain available for questions and feedback.

Be kind to one another. Stay safe.

In Solidarity, 

Susan Wroble
APFA ORD Base President
(630) 802-2268
[email protected]

Dray Howard
APFA ORD Base Vice President
(630) 215-8410
[email protected]