03.11.11

InfoRep Hotline March 11, 2011

This is InfoRep Steering Committee member Dane Townsend-Pepper with the InfoRep Hotline for March 11, 2011.

It Ainít Over ëTil the Fat Lady Sings

On Wednesday evening Wisconsin Republican lawmakers ran an end game around legislative process and passed a law stripping most public sector workers of their collective bargaining rights. The bill was then passed by the Assembly on Thursday and promptly sent to the hands of Governor Walker to be signed.

Although things are looking quite dire for unionism in Wisconsin, the ìfat ladyî hasnít quite reached the states borders yet. Democrat lawmakers have already filed formal complaint on the way in which the bill was passed and are looking at several other methods, including lawsuits, which may reach the State Supreme Court, to have the law retracted. Currently the Wisconsin Supreme Court is Conservative leaning, however, one of the Conservative justices is up for re-election in a couple of weeks and is being heartily challenged by a more liberal leaning candidate.

We, like much of the nation, will keep our eyes and ears glued to Wisconsin in hopes that the final song sung is not a funeral dirge for unionism in that state.
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Hoosier Union Busting

There must be something in the Mid-Western waters as Indiana lawmakers attempt to strip collective bargaining rights from public workers.

Thousands gathered on the steps of the Statehouse to protest these attempts.

The bill has not yet reached the Legislative floor but we will monitor the situation and keep you updated.

Iím on my knees begging here!

This week AA announced that $1,000,000,000, that right $1 billion, worth of Senior Secured Notes are being offered in private sale to raise equity to pay down debt.

Meanwhile April and Executive Bonus time are just around the corner. Hmmm, hereís an idea forgo those Bonuses that letís face it, you havenít really earned, and put that money back into the airline and itís most valuable commodityÖitís people!
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Accelerated Recalls

American Airlines is accelerating the recall of the next 55 most senior Flight Attendants on the furlough recall list.† Notices to these Flight Attendants were sent on Monday, March 7, 2011.† These Flight Attendants will now be included in the group that will return to the line on June 1, 2011.† Flight Attendants in this group should have received their notice via FedEx on Wednesday, March 9.† The deadline to respond to the offer of recall is Friday, March 18, 2011.
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Calling all members, Calling all members

APFA receives feedback daily about the performance of AAís Top Executives.† Itís time American hears directly from you. A survey has been posted on APFA.org ñ a survey to gauge the breadth and depth of the entire membershipís level of confidence in our management. We are asking every member to participate. It will be difficult, even for these executives, to ignore the opinions of 18,000 Flight Attendants. Log-on to APFA.org today and voice your opinion. Log-in required.

The survey will be available until March 31, 2011.

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So, Collective Bargaining Agreements arenít a myth like unicorns?

Continental Airlines Flight Attendants ratified a Tentative Agreement late last week.† Seventy percent of the 9,300 Flight Attendants voted, with 68% in favor of the TA.
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Highlights included in the eighteen-month agreement, 2.5 Retro to January 1, 2010, an additional 2.5 on September 1, 2011 and domestic per diem restored to $1.95.†
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Representational Election
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After an arduous fight to change law and policy the Transportation Security Officers (TSOís) have finally won the right to have union representation should they choose.
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On March 9, 2011 election packets were mailed to TSOís. Polls will be open from March 9 to April 19, 2011.
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As you see TSOís in the airport please remind them to vote.
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Spring Forward
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Please remember that clocks will change on Sunday, March 13th at 2am.

Clocks should be set ahead one hour.

If you have a trip on Sunday, please remember to set your clocks ahead Saturday night before you go to sleep.
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Hear any good rumors lately?
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If so, please forward them to me at [email protected] so that I may research and address them.