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7.13.15 – (LAA/LUS) – Presidential Grievance Update, Communications Update, EAP Update, WINGS and Human Trafficking


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APFA Special Hotline

July 13, 2015

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LUS / LAA
Presidential Grievances
Out-Of-Network Presidential Grievance

 
APFA filed a Presidential Grievance over the company’s unilateral changes to Out-of-Network Insurance practices. The percentage of allowed charges for medical services the employee pays depends on whether the treatment is provided in-network or out-of-network. For in-network the percentage is 20% and out-of-network it is 40%.

The company has announced it will abandon the “usual and prevailing” standard to determine the allowed charge for out-of-network services. Instead, they are going to change the “allowed charge” for these services to 140% of the Medicare rate. For most out-of-network services, the allowed charge that is based on 140% of the Medicare rate will be substantially lower than one that applies to the current standard of “usual and prevailing.” 

APFA views this as a JCBA contractual violation. APFA has demanded a cease and desist and retroactive reimbursement for any additional costs incurred by Flight Attendants or their family members as a result of the company’s unilateral change. 

If you have experienced an increase in out-of-network costs as a result of the company’s change in practice, send all documents to APFA Health Regional Representative Paul Frishkorn – [email protected].

Upcoming Presidential Grievances
We are in the process of filing two additional Presidential Grievances. The National Vice President’s Department is preparing a Presidential Grievance for the company’s newly-announced procedures for hot aircraft, as well as for the litany of problems experienced by LUS Flight Attendants as a result of issues with ETB, ISAP and Catcrew.

Prefunding Arbitration
APFA and the company concluded the Prefunding Arbitration on June 18th in Washington D.C. APFA’s attorney Carmen Parcelli presented a very strong case before Arbitrator Richard Bloch and was assisted by Regional Representatives Liz Geiss and Debbie Dent. The parties are in the process of submitting final legal briefs to the arbitrator and we expect a decision in the fall. APFA would like to thank the many past and present APFA representatives who testified on behalf of the membership in the arbitration.

New Regional Representatives
We are happy to announce the confirmation of Regional Representatives Glenda Talley and Paul Frishkorn. Glenda is the former MEC Secretary-Treasurer and Grievance Chair for AFA LUS East and will represent CLT and PHL. Paul is the former Health Committee Chair with AFA and will concentrate on Health, FML Denials and IOD issues that escalate to a Notice of Dispute. We all look forward to working with Glenda and Paul and welcome their collective wealth of knowledge and experience.

Deborah Dent              [email protected]     (ORD, SFO, STL)
Liz Geiss                      [email protected]     (DFW)
Beth Flannery              [email protected]      (PHX, LAX)
Catt Napper                 [email protected]      (MIA, RDU, DCA-US)
Jennifer McCauley        [email protected]      (JFK, BOS, DCA-AA)
Glenda Talley               [email protected]      (CLT, PHL)
Paul Frishkorn              [email protected]      (Health, IOD and Family Medical Leave (FML) Grievances)

LAA / LUS
Letters of Agreement

 
All of the standing Letters of Agreement for both LAA and LUS are now easily accessible and posted on APFA’s web site. You must be logged in to review the letters. Visit Member Resources – Letters of Agreement. https://www.www.apfa.org/letters-of-agreement

LAA / LUS
APFA Hotlines

 
Going forward, the Communications Department will add topics to each Hotline entry to make searching through the Hotline archives more efficient for Reps and the membership. We have also spent a good deal of time going through former hotlines and adding topics to previous entries as well. For those of you who may have spent far too much time clicking through each date in search of a single topic, hopefully this will prove helpful.

To browse hotlines from 2015, click here. 2014 archives are being updated now and the work will continue until all of the archived hotlines include topics. 

LAA / LUS
CISM – [email protected]

 
The Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program is a Flight Attendant peer support program. Our purpose is confidential outreach to our fellow Flight Attendants following a traumatic workplace event to:

  • Connect With Flight Attendants
  • Help FAs Understand Their Stress Response
  • Educate on Resilience
  • Identify Strengths  
  • Triage Immediate Needs

We have over 250 Flight Attendant volunteers who man our 800 number twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The next time you are involved in a traumatic workplace event, we will be there for you. For confidential help, we can be reached at 800-998-8194.
Your well being is our first concern.
 
LAA / LUS
Depression – [email protected]

 
Depression left untreated causes a loss of pleasure in life and can adversely impact your work life.  Individuals with depression can fully recover with effective treatment but less than half seek treatment because they think it isn’t serious or don’t recognize the symptoms.

Learn to Recognize the Common Symptoms of Depression:

  • Persistent sad or anxious mood
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Change in appetite which cause weight loss or weight gain
  • Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment
  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
  • Thoughts of suicide or death

If you or someone you know has five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or more, it could be caused by depression. Confidential help is available by calling your APFA EAP department at 1-817-540-0108 ext. 8701 or email us at [email protected].  
 
Patty French, LCPC, CADC, CEAP
 
LAA / LUS
WINGS Foundation in Charlotte

 
WINGS will be visiting the Charlotte Crew Rooms on July 14-15 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. WINGS is a 100% volunteer organization and is always looking for Flight Attendants to help continue the 26-year legacy of Flight Attendants helping Flight Attendants. Please stop by and learn more about how you can get involved. 
 
For more information, visit wingsfoundation.com. If you would like to volunteer, email: [email protected].

LAA / LUS
Human Trafficking Awareness Training – DFW

 
Airline Ambassadors will be conducting their 30th training class on how to recognize and report a suspected human trafficking situation. This training coordinates with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign and will be held at DFW airport.  Former NBC journalist and current AAI board member Chris Hansen will also be in attendance.  

Where: DFW International Airport, Yandry Center (across from Gate C2)
When: July 20, 2015
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The training is free – if you plan to attend, please register by emailing Tammy Meade at [email protected]. If you’d like to learn more about the program, email [email protected] or call 650.489.5322.

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Chair

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
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After-Hours Live Chat
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APFA Events

2024 APFA Board of Directors Fall Meeting

October 16 @ 8:00 am - October 17 @ 5:00 pm

Safety/Security Virtual Town Hall

November 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

2024 APFA Board of Directors Fall Meeting

October 16 @ 8:00 am - October 17 @ 5:00 pm

Safety/Security Virtual Town Hall

November 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

2024 APFA Board of Directors Fall Meeting

October 16 @ 8:00 am - October 17 @ 5:00 pm

Safety/Security Virtual Town Hall

November 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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