01.14.11

InfoRep Hotline January 14, 2011

This is Interim InfoRep Steering Committee Member Dane Townsend-Pepper with the InfoRep hotline for January 14, 2011.

Earlier this week we sent out a Special Negotiations Update InfoRep Hotline regarding the companyís latest proposal. As usual, in their AArrogance the company has presented what is little more than crumbs to a membership that needs the full enchilada. Click here to see a document prepared by APFA with facts about the companyís latest belittling proposal. Please make sure to print a copy and share with your fellow flight attendants on your trips.

Scheduling

Old Man Winter seems to have a lot of vim and vigor this season and appears to continually want to share it with us! All of this giving on his part is creating havoc with flight attendant schedules so we thought itíd be nice to remind everyone about MIC language as it applies to the first 25 days of the month (or 26 days in a 31 day month).† This language may also be found on page 20 of the On-Duty Contract Guide.

When talking with crew schedule or crew tracking during a MIC, remember to be very specific about what option is being exercised.

Safety and Security
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As the New Year begins and the proposal of a CrewPass Program is addressed and discussed between the TSA and the airline companies regarding crew member exemptions, APFA continues to be very proactive regarding the inclusion of Flight Attendants in any proposed CrewPass†Program that will allow uniformed Crew Member exemptions from the regular airport security screening process. We are communicating with the TSA and working with the company on a proposal that would include all crew members, pilots and flight attendants, and would allow uniformed†crew members to use expedited procedures at airport security screening checkpoints.
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We will continue to update the Membership as progress is made and once any timeline is agreed upon by both the airlines and the TSA for implementation of the TSA approved CrewPass Program.
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Currently, there are only three stations that have a†CrewPass system†in place for pilots use – BWI, PIT and CAE. These three stations were used in a testing program known as CrewPass and continue to be available for uniformed pilots. The data base system used for this testing program utilizes a Cockpit Authorization Security System (CASS), and since flight attendants are not listed in this data base, only pilots are able to participate in the CrewPass at BWI, PIT and CAE. To date,†there†are no other stations in the system using any CrewPass system.
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If you have any questions or concerns†about airport security screening please contact the APFA Safety & Security Department at 817-540-0108 extension #8302 or email at [email protected].

Industry News

Unitedís Continental flight attendants reached a tentative interim agreementon a 20-month labor contract.† Represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) the 9500 flight attendants had rejected a previous offer last October.† Full details are not yet available but the deal contains a 2.5% increase in base pay with a retroactive clause to January 1, 2010.†If approved, the contract becomes amendable September 2, 2012.† United and Continental merged October 1, 2010 but continue to fly as two separate carriers.† †The two have yet to determine who will represent the combined unions, AFA-CWA or IAM.† If flight attendants elect a union before the amendable date then a transition agreement covering the two airlines would be negotiated.