12.05.16 – Reserve Day Off Trading System/Dependability Discipline/Executive Committee Meeting

Monday, December 5, 2016

 

• Reserve Day Off Trading System
• Dependability Discipline
• Executive Committee Meeting

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Reserve Day Off Trading System

The ISAP like program called the ‘Reserve Day Off Trading’ system (RDOT) is used for Reserves to trade ‘off’ days. This system runs and works very similar to ISAP: you put in the days you wish to give up and the days you want in their place. This process replaced ETB reserve day off trading with the implementation of the Redbook scheduling language in March of 2015.
 
The system was never programmed correctly. It allowed a Reserve to trade days off that actually violated the contract language.  
 
I had NO discussions at anytime with the Company about this IT issue prior to the preview email of the communication the Company was sending out on Wednesday. Do we want our programs to be contractually compliant? Absolutely. However, in this instance, the Company totally dropped the ball. APFA should have been notified of the estimated date of repair and implementation well in advance of the start date. The Company should have also provided this information in a timely manner to our Flight Attendants prior to bidding in PBS. This program has been running incorrectly like this for a long time; another month would not have mattered.
 
Just to be clear, we were sent the preview of the communication shortly before it was sent out to the Flight Attendants. As soon as I saw the e-mail from the Company, I immediately replied back and asked why this is happening now. I also asked if anyone within the Company and/ or APFA had any prior knowledge of this start date. Finally, I asked why we were not notified of this repair and subsequent implementation.
 
How completely and totally disrespectful to both the membership and the leadership to drop a bombshell like this hours before the first run of the new bid month. I understand the frustration – I am right there with you.  

Dependability Discipline

Your local base office was notified by PHL- Flight Service that beginning November 15th, the Company will align their issuance of First Reminders of Dependability under the Dependability Program/Attendance Policy with the LAA bases.
 
Again, where is the notification to our Flight Attendants that they are making an administrative change to the current policy? I was told that they have been applying this method in the other LUS bases for quite some time, and they did not advise other bases of the change so they were not going to put anything out to the PHL Flight Attendants.  
 
Since the Company is unwilling to advise the Flight Attendants of how their attendance record will be reviewed and discipline issued should it be warranted, it is up to me to carry the Company’s water and provide the information to our membership.  
 
I am beyond furious with the lack of respect this Company has for our Flight Attendants. I have not sent this out sooner as I was giving this Company an opportunity to provide notification to the Flight Attendants, that hasn’t happened.
 
If you have been Coached and Counseled on your dependability/attendance record and you incur a subsequent dependability infraction, you will be “auto-issued” a First Reminder of Dependability under the current Dependability Control Program. You will have five days to call your FSM if you feel this is unwarranted and would like to discuss. This letter will be sent to your home as well as to your Company email account. I will also receive a copy of this discipline letter. I have been told Flight Service will place a call to the Flight Attendant in advance so they know this letter is being issued.
 
We cannot encourage you enough to call the PHL local base office for representation if you are called for a Coach and Counseling on your dependability. If you are “auto-issued” a First Reminder, please reach out to us and set up a meeting to have this reviewed.  
 
Under the current Dependability Control Program, once you are issued a First Reminder any subsequent infraction within 365 days will progress you to the Second Reminder for an additional 365 days, and another infraction within that 365 days will progress you to a Final Warning which also remains in effect for an additional 365 days. It is very hard to unring the bell once you accept discipline without union representation. We cannot care about your work record more than you do, so please make sure to reach out to us immediately.
 
PHL Base Office: 215-492-0840
Kim Kaswinkel: 215-939-6276
Brian Morgan: 215-939-2692
Rick Cangey: 714-307-8220
Sara Corrigan: 856-236-9233

Executive Committee Meeting

The APFA Executive Committee 3rd Quarter Meeting will be held in Dallas-Ft. Worth at APFA Headquarters in the Unity Pays conference room. Any member in good standings is encouraged and welcome to attend.

Tuesday & Wednesday
December 6th & 7th
0900-1700 CST
 
In Unity and Solidarity,

Kim Kaswinkel
APFA PHL Base President
[email protected]