7.17.22 – APFA ORD Base Brief – Sunday, July 17, 2022

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Happy July, Chicago!

We hope you have had a chance to enjoy some of the beautiful summer weather while it has been here. The summer months are busy for everyone. We wanted to take the opportunity to send out a few hot topics, most importantly, communication with the APFA. Too many times, we hear about issues through random social media posts. APFA local and national are here to help you and protect your contractual rights. We can only do that if you let us know what’s occurring. Contact the union. Do not let your issue get lost or missed by only posting on social media.

Please remember Contract/Scheduling Reps are available after hours and on the weekends via Live Messaging. Keep this schedule handy.

APFA Contract & Scheduling Desk
Call 817-540-0108
Monday – Friday, 0700 – 1900 (CT)

APFA Live Messaging
Monday – Friday: 1500 – 2300 (CT)
Weekends and Holidays: 0900 – 1700 (CT)
(Link may be found on homepage of APFA.org)

Last week, we met with Rich Ashlin, VP ORD Operations, and Claire Madden, ORD Base Manager. We specifically wanted both to hear our concerns about two issues we hear about daily: the safety and reliability of the CTA Blue Line and the disaster in the T5 customs hall. They share our concern and have contacted the city and airport authority regarding both. We’ve asked for a communication to Flight Attendants explaining where things stand.

Flight Service Official (FSO) on Facebook

The July 8th Contract and Scheduling Hotline contained a variety of helpful information. In case you missed it, the section regarding the Flight Service Official page on Facebook is important enough to repeat:

Many Flight Attendants use Flight Service’s official Facebook page to ask questions and gather information. Recent posts and comments from admins and management have caused concern and generated considerable feedback. The responses on FSO are often out of touch and make clear your concerns are falling on deaf ears. Management should receive feedback from Flight Attendants in a way that demonstrates a willingness to address our frustrations.

It’s imperative to remember FSO is a tool of management. The information shared represents the company’s position on contractual provisions and policy and is not always accurate. As your bargaining representative, APFA should be your source for answers if you have contractual questions.

While we disagree with the company threatening to forward posts and comments to the FSM of the person posting, know that may be the outcome of any interaction you have on this or any other social media platform.

Incentive Period 

If you worked all operational assignments during the July critical period from July 1 through July 7 (sequences, airport standby assignments, Reserve Availability Periods (“RAPs”), and special assignments) and have no absences or removals (e.g., Sick, FMLA, Jury Duty, Military, Personal, Bereavement, etc.), including pre-planned absences and removals during the critical period, you should have received your incentive point by now.

The Flight Attendant Attendance & Performance Program will provide you with answers to any further questions you may have. For questions regarding your incentive point, please reach out to your Attendance Flight Service Manager (AFSM).

LHR Liquid Aerosole and Gel (LAG) Compliance 

Anyone who has flown LHR knows their security procedures are extremely strict. LHR and management are ensuring that we comply with the LAG restrictions to avoid being added to “the book.” If you are flying London and have questions about liquid restrictions, please contact your FSM before the trip.

If you are added to “the book” by an agent, please send an email to [email protected]. This is the best method for the APFA Safety and Security department to monitor these incidents and effect change. If Flight Service is trying to attach any discipline to an alleged infraction, please contact your base reps.

Hotel and Transportation Issues 

The Hotel and Transportation Feedback Form is on the homepage of the APFA website. Collecting data is crucial in our fight to address problems with contracted properties or vendors. The more Flight Attendants who utilize the Feedback Form, the better.

These reports help identify current issues and give the APFA Vice Presidents department additional data for the Presidential Grievance filed on July 27, 2021.

Michael Malool is the Hotel Department Chair, and Lisa Jennison is our ORD Rep. You can also email them directly at [email protected]. The Hotel and Transportation Feedback form may be found here.

Union Dues

Many of you may have seen a recent hotline from the APFA National Treasurer indicating that around 30% of our members are in dues arrears. Over 700 people in Chicago owe more than $220,000 combined. Most of the time, people don’t realize this, as they could be in arrears from a leave, medical absence, flying low time, etc.

Thanks to the recent refresh of the APFA website, it has never been easier to check your account and see if you are up to date on your dues. Log into APFA.org and click “My Account” in the top right. Here you will be able to view any outstanding balance you may have.

If you have any questions regarding your balance or have issues logging in to review your account, reach out to the Dues Department at [email protected] or at 817-540-0108, ext. 3.

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]

Justin Patterson
APFA ORD Base Council Representative
(509) 720-0067
[email protected]