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You have reached the APFA weekly HotLine update for January 2, 2009. This is Frank Bastien, National Communications Coordinator.

APFA BEGINS 2009 IN MEDIATION

The end of 2008 was a busy time for your APFA Negotiating Team. Though the number of contractual articles either under active discussion with the company, or for which tentative agreements were reached, is lengthy, the two sides jointly filed for federal mediation on December 19 in an effort to speed the process going forward. In the announcement of the filing, APFA President Laura Glading emphasized that “Flight Attendants have made difficult sacrifices to keep this airline flying and deserve a fair and just contract. … We recognize the impact the economic downturn has had on the airline industry, just as we recognize the positive effect of falling jet fuel prices. … If mediation does not work, Flight Attendants are ready and willing to take all necessary steps to win a fair agreement. With an Administration friendly to workers coming into office [on January 20,] it just might be a reality.”

Though talks will continue now under the guidance of the National Mediation Board, your APFA Negotiating Team continues working internally. To that end, the test of the Volunteer to Fly (VTF) program at the bases of DFW, IDF, DCA and DCA-I will begin January 15. The sixty-day trial at these bases will allow your APFA Team to gather real data on the program, and its impact on both reserve numbers and the ability to earn extra pay for Line Holders and Reserves alike.

Visit the Negotiations page at: www.apfa.org/negotiations to view, download or print documents detailing the various aspects of the VTF program, along with Questions and Answers. While there, view the most recent progress reports from your Negotiating Team. Click on the link “Tell Your Team What You Want” to communicate your comments and concerns to the Team members. Or email them directly at: negotiate08@apfa.org. Website login is required to access the Negotiations page.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE PROFFER

Only a few more days remain to submit a ballot for those interested in proffering a Personal Leave of Absence (PLOA). Wednesday, January 7 at 8:30 a.m. Central time is the deadline. The ballot is available through the Flight Service website (www.aaflightservice.com/html/ploa09.html) where you will also find a Question and Answer section. Be sure you understand all of the ramifications of proffering one of these leaves. The emailed and online versions of this HotLine contain additional Personal Leave information, including the possible impact on seniority. Website login is not required to access the HotLine through the website. Click on the APFA HotLine link on the main page.

MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE

Does APFA have your most recent contact information? Have you moved recently? Changed phone numbers or email address? The Company does not pass along changes to your personal information to the Union. You may email the APFA Membership Department at: member@apfa.org or call 817.540.0108 ext. 8153, to let us know your new contact info. Go the APFA website and click on Member Services at the very top to change your information directly. You can sign up to receive the APFA HotLine in your email at the same time.

Please keep in mind the 1,180 of your fellow APFA members still on furlough and waiting to rejoin their colleagues on the line.

The Wings Foundation works year round to help your fellow Flight Attendants in need. Resolve this year to assist the Wings Foundation at your base. Go to www.wingsfoundation.com for more information on how you can help.

Thank you for calling the APFA HotLine.

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BASE REPRESENTATION ELECTIONS

Notices of Willingness-to-Serve for members interested in serving in the positions of APFA Base Chair, Vice Chair and Operation Council Representatives (OCRs) at all bases are due date Wednesday, January 7 at 10:00 a.m. Central time. The current two-year terms of service expire on March 31, 2009. Only the form provided by APFA, or a photocopy, may be submitted and must be received in the post office box indicated on the election notice by the stated deadline. The election notice and the Willingness-to-Serve form are available from the APFA website. They are also included in the Fall/Winter 2008 SKYWORD. Click on the link “Base Election notice and Willingness-to-Serve” on the APFA website main page to view, print or download a copy. Login to the APFA site is not required to access the forms. For answers to your specific questions on the election and balloting procedures, you may also contact the APFA National Ballot Committee via email to: ballot@apfa.org or by calling headquarters extension 8311.

Each APFA member must be a member in good standing (dues current or on an official APFA payment plan) no later than five (5) days prior to the election in order to be deemed eligible to vote. Ballots will be mailed January 27, 2009 and must be received in the designated P.O. Box by 9 a.m. Central time on February 26, 2009. Payment plans must be executed at least thirty (30) days prior to the balloting date for the member to be deemed eligible to vote for their Base Representatives. If you have questions about your dues status, or need to arrange a payment plan, please contact the APFA Dues Department at 817.540.0108 extension 8154, or email: dues@apfa.org.

A300 QUALIFICATION DROP

January 16, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Central time is the deadline for submitting a request to drop your A300 qualification if you are a non-reserve Flight Attendant at one of the permitted bases. A list of the bases and additional information is included on the proffer ballot found on the Flight Service website. Go to the “Crew Resources” menu and look under “Featured Links” (or go to: www.aaflightservice.com/html/qualdropa300.html). Awarded A300 qualification drops will become effective with the February 2009 contractual month.

MISSING HOTEL AMENITIES

APFA’s Hotel Coordinator asks all members to please notify the Hotel Department whenever you encounter a hotel or transportation company that does not provide what has been advertised, either in SKYWORD or in the Hotel Amenities section of the APFA website. As an example, the BWI short layover hotel featured in the latest SKYWORD is currently failing to honor the agreement to provide the amenities listed in the review. Please report discrepancies by completing a Hotel and Transportation Debrief Form online through the website by selecting “Hotel” from the “Departments” menu on the main page. Website login is required.

PERSONAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE INFORMATION

The company is proffering 10-month leaves for the contractual months of February through November 2009 and 3-month leaves for the contractual months of February, March, and April. Keep in mind that PLOAs differ from Overage Leaves (OLOA) in that Occupational (or Bidding) Seniority will only accrue for the first 180 days of a PLOA. Similarly, travel privileges are only available for the first 180 days of the PLOA.

If you are on another leave (other than an OLOA) in conjunction with the PLOA, then the 180 days are measured from the start date of the first leave. For example, if you have a Bid Leave (BL) 09JAN-30JAN and then take a PLOA beginning 31JAN, the 180 days would be measured from the start of the BL on 09JAN. If you are concerned about a possible adjustment to your OCC SEN you should review the system Occupational Seniority List on the APFA website. Use the link for “Seniority List” on the left hand side of the homepage.

The deadline to submit a web ballot for the proffer is 8:30 a.m. Central time on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. Flight Attendants who are currently on OLOA, or are waiting to start an OLOA awarded for a future date, can bid for the PLOAs. Your OLOA would continue as originally awarded and then any subsequent leave time would be added as a PLOA to the end of your OLOA. The number of leaves to be awarded at each base has not yet been determined.

APFA REMEMBER NOVEMBER VIDEO AND PHOTO GALLERIES

Our Remember November – 15th Strike Anniversary – streaming video and base-by-base 1993 picketing photo galleries remain available for viewing on the Remember November page of the APFA website. Click on the Remember November link on the main page. (Or go to: www.apfa.org/images/remember_november)
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