10.16.09

October 16, 2009

InfoReps-

IT’S OUR TURN…

"OUR TURN" Around begins November 18th. Mark this date on your calendar. We will be informational picketing and leafleting at all base cities. Be on the lookout for a Negotiations Update, Membership mailing. This booklet will also include details about the next steps in "OUR TURN" Around campaign. Showing management that we are unified will be key to our efforts in securing a ratifiable contract.

As negotiations heat up, management will attempt to communicate directly with you. Should you receive anything from management regarding negotiations in any of your mailboxes (at work or at home) mark it "RETURN TO SENDER! MY NEGOTIATING TEAM SPEAKS FOR ME!" and return it to AA.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE:

Your APFA Negotiating Team spent this week in mediated talks. The week was dedicated to costing out proposals from both APFA and AA. The purpose of these meetings is to agree upon a method and value for each side’s proposals.

Other members of your Negotiating Team have been traveling around the system visiting with your local base representatives and council members. Discussions were centered on the aforementioned events that will take place November 18th. If you are interested in helping organize our picketing activities, contact your local Base Chair, or Vice-Chairperson.

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN…BENEFITS ENROLLMENT

Annual benefits enrollment is well under way. The deadline for enrollment is 31OCT09. Processing and confirmation of enrollment could take several minutes and because of this, we highly recommend that you DO NOT wait until the last minute to enroll. Also, it is very important that you print a copy of both your 2009 elections and 2010 enrollment confirmation. That way, you’ll have proof should there be any discrepancies with your elections.

If you participate in the Supplemental Medical Benefit Plan, the cost is increasing. Contrary to AA recommendations, APFA believes you should NOT drop this coverage. Once you drop it, you cannot get back into the plan unless you experience a "life event". The Supplemental Plan is a "pay-as-you-go" plan. This means that if you drop the coverage there will be no refund of past premiums.

SAFETY & SECURITY UPDATE:

The APFA Safety & Security Department, APA Security Department and AA Corporate Security have worked together on two documents regarding crew security screening in LHR, and the UK Crew Member Alcohol testing regulations and procedures. These documents are available through the Safety & Security page. The documents are very thorough, detailed and accurate regarding the rules and regulations concerning proper LHR crew security clearance and crew member alcohol testing in the UK.

We have worked very hard preparing these documents in an effort to have guidelines available to crew members who travel to LHR. The information provided will assist crew members so they can pass through the LHR crew security screening without issue and also be properly prepared to handle a potential crew alcohol testing incident in the UK.

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY…

From the "Stewardess Handbook of 1933"…

"In general, it is the duty and responsibility of the Stewardess to personally take care of the wants and comforts of our patrons, anticipating their wishes as much as possible and to do this in such a way as to have our patrons remember this service, long after the trip is completed. Courtesy costs nothing and pays big dividends. We want our patrons to talk about this service. We want first time riders to become our regular patrons."

Show Our Unity!

Wear only your APFA Pin and Wings.