12.11.11 – (LAA) – APFA Ramping Up Presence in Washington DC to Advance the Legislative and Regulatory Issues that Affect Flight Attendants

Hotline – December 11, 2011

You may recall meeting our Legislative Affairs Rep. Julie Frederick during this summer’s base visits. Julie and I, along with our team from O’Neill and Associates have been the voice of the APFA in Washington, DC. When we began to ramp up our presence in Congress, our goal was to advance the legislative and regulatory issues that affect the daily lives of Flight Attendants. Although we continue to pursue those issues, AMR’s reorganization has shifted our priorities. We have now turned our attention to the Congressional Committees with jurisdiction over pension policy.

Julie has already met with the staff of Rep. George Miller (D-CA) who serves as ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions (HELP). Congressman Miller and his staff are well-versed in the Chapter 11 process, particularly with regard to the role of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Julie briefed them on the state of our pension fund and our retirement specialist Patrick Hancock furnished them with all of the facts and figures they requested. Julie has also scheduled a meeting with the staff of Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who serves as the Chairman of the Senate HELP Committee. Senator Harkin’s office has also expressed interest in our case.

We are pleased that both offices have committed to assisting us and we should also thank Julie Frederick for her relentless hard work.

In unity,
Laura Glading