5.04.23 – Negotiations Update #24

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Negotiations Update #24

Negotiations continue this week. We are scheduled to meet with the company two weeks every month through September and will be joined by the mediator for fifteen of those sessions. In April, we continued bargaining with the company to work on the outstanding issues in Section 10-Scheduling and Section 12-Reserve. APFA passed our comprehensive economic proposal to the Company on March 7th, and, as of this writing, we are still awaiting a company counterproposal.

Your APFA Base and National Leadership have been involved and contribute to the Negotiations process. We will continue to work with the Base Presidents and brief them on their regular weekly call when we are not in sessions with the company.  We thank the National Officers and Base Leaders for their support.

We spent a fast-paced day last week on Capitol Hill, along with the APFA Government Affairs Department, talking to our elected representatives about the status of our contract negotiations. We worked in teams of two and met with all twenty Senate offices where we have crew bases and the Congressional districts where 200 or more APFA members reside. It was a whirlwind day with 39 appointments in total. Most offices visited expressed serious interest in our issues and are eager to be updated regularly on our negotiation status, especially as we enter mediated talks in June.

The Negotiating Team and APFA leadership were proud to join the APA picketing event in DFW on May 1st. We stand in support of our Pilots in their fight for a contract. As reported in the May 1st APA hotline, the APA membership voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. This sends a clear message that the Pilots are ready to strike if necessary to secure an industry-leading contract. Stay informed and engaged- our time will come soon.

Section 10-Scheduling

Last Minute Callout (LMCO)/ Out-of-Base UBL Pickup

We have an agreement in principle on language for last-minute callouts (LMCO) for lineholders and reserves on days off and out-of-base UBL pick-up. We remain apart due to AA’s continued lack of commitment to programming and implementation.

Last Sequence/Last Series Pay Protection for Reserve Flight Attendants

We continue to work through new language providing Reserve Flight Attendants last sequence/last series of the month pay protection for flying picked up on their days off.

Trading for More Negative Days

We had additional discussions for new language based on the currently agreed language that the company did not implement for trading for more negative days, which would be an exception to the daily limits for trading purposes. The talks were productive and helped answer several questions on both sides of the table. We are close to finalizing this language.

Duty Rigs/ Staffing/ Rescheduling

APFA and the company are holding firm in their respective positions concerning duty rigs, staffing, and rescheduling.

Electronic Notification

Discussions on the company proposal to increase the use of electronic notification continue, although with trepidation from APFA.

Section 12- Reserve Duty

Trading Days Off With the Company

We have reached agreement on an automated process for a Reserve Flight Attendant to trade days off with the company.

Assignment of Sequences in ROTD

We had lengthy discussions on 12.K.2, the order in which sequences are assigned in ROTD, in order to reduce the number of Flight Attendants being involuntarily assigned into their flex days. Further discussion is needed.

Reserve Availability Periods (RAPs)

Discussions continue on three versus four RAPs. The Company is holding firm on their position of needing four RAPS.  We have proposed some additional language which would limit the extent to which a person on RAP D could be used for an early morning assignment.  The company is reviewing our proposal.

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We are committed to transparency throughout this negotiation process. When reviewing the negotiations status updates to the individual sections, please keep in mind these are updates to ongoing negotiations. It is common to have numerous proposals passed between the parties on the same section over several months. Because of this, you may see much back and forth between the parties, and either or both parties holding firm in their respective positions.

Although the company may have rejected a proposed item from APFA, it does not mean the item is no longer in discussion, as it may be reworded or presented again with reviewed changes. When reading these highlights from ongoing negotiations, remember that Section 6 Negotiations affords both parties (APFA and company) the opportunity to seek changes to the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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What Can I Do to Help Secure Contractual Improvements Right Now?

• Wear your Union pin and red lanyard every trip.
• Place your luggage tags on your luggage before your next trip.
• Visit the negotiations webpage to stay up-to-date by reading the negotiations hotlines and reviewing the status of each contract section.
• Join the Contract ACTION team by clicking here.
• Stay tuned for more days of ACTION.

In Solidarity,

Your APFA Negotiating Committee

Reese Cole
Kelly J. Hagan
Julie Hedrick
Timothy Legeros
Brian Morgan
Wendy Oswald
Susan Wroble
Joe Burns, Lead Negotiating Attorney

[email protected]