02.04.11

InfoRep Hotline ñ February 4, 2011

This is Interim InfoRep Steering Committee member Dane Townsend-Pepper with the InfoRep hotline for Friday, February 4, 2011.

It’s time to put on your game face!

The true Texas showdown won’t be in Arlington at the stadium but rather as unionized AA workers demand livable wages, benefits that don’t break the bank and fair treatment against corporate bully American Airline.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has set up a series of events over SuperBowl weekend in D/FW which will culminate in informational picketing on Monday, February 7 as football fans depart Texas.

TWU has asked for APFA’s support and has invited Flight Attendants to join their picket line on Monday. Picketing will take place from 0800 to 1900 Central Time at D/FW terminals A, C and D. Please join them before or after your trip or on a few hours of your own time. Let’s give a show of amazing solidarity with our union brothers and sisters!

D/FW Flight Attendant Michael Truan is assisting in coordinating Mondayís event. If you have any questions† please contact Michael via e-mail at [email protected].

Additional events will take place on Friday and Saturday before the Super Bowl on the Baggage Claim levels of Terminals A, C and D.

TWU welcomes participation during any and all of their events this weekend, but has specifically requested our assistance on Monday.

Here a MIC, there a MIC everywhere a MIC, MIC

Iím sure that you all are as tired of MIC as I am. Unfortunately it seems to be a constant in our lives this winter season.

Please click here to review MIC language as it applies to the first 25 days of the month (26 days in a 31 day month).

Remember when talking with crew schedule or crew tracking during a MIC, to be very specific about what option is being exercised and to always get the name of the scheduler or tracker with whom you speak.

ICE, ICE BABY

Snow and ice continued to wreak havoc across the system this week.†APFA Headquarters did not go unaffected. The office was closed Tuesday-Friday of this week due to the inclement weather. Although the Headquarters building was closed, the majority of voice and e-mails are being monitored during normal business hours.

Here is a list of the most commonly used e-mails and (817) 540-0108 voicemail extensions:

Communications ñ [email protected] – ext. 8308
Contract Representatives ñ [email protected] – ext. 8161
Health Representative ñ [email protected] – ext. 8301
Hotel Representative ñ [email protected] – ext. 8306
IOD Representative ñ [email protected] – ext. 8303
Safety and Security ñ [email protected] – ext 8302
Scheduling Representatives ñ [email protected] – ext.8161

A complete list including your local Base Representatives is available on APFA.org.

You never call, you never write

There is still no word from the National Mediation Board (NMB) regarding our request for release. APFA continues to press for a meeting with Board members and will update you as soon as there is news to share.

FAA Reauth Revisit

It’s a new Congress and a new FAA Reauthorization Bill.†† Incredibly, for some, the aircraft is not considered a workplace! The 112th Congress has reintroduced this important legislation, but Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and others would like to strip OSHA protections out of the Bill. Without proper standards that address sanitation, clean air, and cabin temperatures standards, there is a health risk to anyone who travels on an airplane.†The FAA Reauthorization Bill with OSHA language will finally provide these protections.

We need your help! Call or write your Senator today!† Tell them we need a safe workplace that will provide basic health and safety protections for our passengers and Flight Attendants.

APFA President Laura Glading said, "I find it incredible, to say the least, that some of our elected officials do not seem to have a concern about the health and safety of the traveling public and crew members on airplanes every day for work, for pleasure and to see loved ones.î

Glading continued, ìThousands of our members e-mailed and called their Senators when the FAA Bill was presented this past September.† Itís time to take action again.† We need every member ñ including those that were activists in September ñ to send a message.î

Please visit our Capwiz page or you may also Take Action via our Facebook page.

No hanging chads here

As a reminder voting for Base Representatives for the bases of BOS, IOR, LGA and MIA closes on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10:00 am central time.

If you did not receive your ballot of have questions please contact the National Ballot Committee at [email protected].

As a reminder, you must be dues current by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 in order to vote in this election. If you have any questions concerning your eligibility, please contact the dues department at 817-540-0108 ext. 8151, or email [email protected].

And the Nominees areÖ

Willingness to Serves are due in the designated P.O. Box for Place #1 and Place #2 on the Executive Committee by 10:00 am central time on Thursday, February 17, 2011.

Tru-Mour

This section of the hotline is quickly becoming my favorite section! Please keep those rumors coming in to [email protected]. Weíll address as many as space allows for each week. Please bear in mind some may take longer to research than others so please donít get disheartened if yours isnít immediately addressed.

Rumor

APFA just won a secret grievance that would award flight attendants $20,000 to $25,000 dollars each!

Truth

Donít go make that big-ticket item purchase. This is just a rumor. There is no secret grievance and there certainly is no secret grievance that will net each of us $20k to $25k.