5.28.25 – APFA ORD Base Brief – Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Happy May, Chicago!

Summer flying has arrived, and with that brings a lot of reminders and topics that are good to remember.

APFA ORD Base Town Hall

On June 13th, APFA ORD will host a virtual Base Town hall. The changes coming June 9th to Flight Service will impact everyone. This meeting will be an opportunity for APFA to share everything we know about the new structure of flight service.

The company is there to support us. At this Town Hall, we will have a clearer picture of how they plan to provide this support, and how you can help hold them accountable for this promised support.

Service Changes  

By now, you are aware of the Company’s reinstatement of additional beverage and meal services on many flights. This came with a one-day notification and no added staffing.

I have filed a Base Grievance to challenge the additional workload. As you know, APFA did not prevail in our last staffing arbitration award of December 2024, whereby testimony of the Company stated, “There are no plans to expand the service footprint.”

If you experience an issue on the AC and believe it is related to staffing with the increased workload, please ensure you file a CERS and an ASAP if it is also a safety concern.

Jumpseat Priority

CBA 37.G.8 clearly states that jumpseat access must be assigned in order of the priority list; we should not be treated differently than the pilots.

Earlier this year, the company clarified that if taxi fuel burn can lift a weight restriction, the standby list for assigning the JS should be followed in order, regardless of whether the jumpseat is i the cabin for Flight Attendant use, or in the flight deck.

At this time both APFA and APA have filed Presidential grievances on this issue.

If you are denied the jumpseat on a weight restricted flight despite being above a Flight Deck jumpseater who is subsequently assigned their jumpseat below you, please send us the following to [email protected] with the subject “JS Violation”:

• Your name and employee number.
• A screenshot of the standby list showing the assignments.
• The flight number, date and city pair.

With this information, we can pursue a remedy for the violation, including filing a grievance on your behalf if needed. We can also ensure it is attached to the presidential grievance.

Company Meeting

Last week at APFA Headquarters, Base Presidents from every base except LGA, and the National Officers met with Bobbi Wells and other inflight leaders. The meeting was scheduled for 2 hours and lasted over 3 hours. These conversations were productive and enabled your leaders to bring the issues that impact us all directly to the leaders who dictate the direction of our career.

These in-person meetings are valuable and ensure the message from Flight Attendants is delivered directly to the leaders of flight service. Bobbi has not visited Chicago and met with your ORD Leadership, so to meet her in person and pass along the issues important to Chicago was a priority.

Special BOD Meeting

As the Base Presidents were in Dallas for the meeting with the company, the decision was made to hold a special board meeting to maximize the work that could be done for the members during this short trip.

The meeting included updates to the policy manual, discussions and planning regarding the recent service changes implemented by the company, future surveys to the members, CBA 10.V.1 updates from the Contract Implementation Committee, and more.

Hotel Delay Incentive

If you experience a delay in receiving your assignment for a hotel that aligns with CBA 6.5.B, please make sure each person on the crew files a Direct Connect in order to receive this compensation.

The company is claiming these need to be individually done because sometimes hotel rooms are partially assigned and not to an entire crew. Until their process reflects that we travel as a crew, please ensure everyone on the crew files for this incentive.

787-9P

Next month, June 5th Chicago will be the first base to begin operating the new 787-9P on an LAX turn and one LHR sequence. The company will have rampers at these gates to provide support and assistance.

Your EFB includes a document full of information related to this aircraft: Comply365 -> My Documents -> Document Library -> Aircraft information -> 787 -> 787-9P Aircraft Familiarization Guide

If you have questions, concerns or comments, please keep ORD flight service in the loop, they need to hear directly from you to help ensure the service procedures, catering and support are adjusted as needed to provide you the tools you deserve to ensure the flight goes as smoothly as possible.

Second Quarter WBT

June 2nd is the deadline to complete the second quarter Web Based Training. This mandated training from the company must be completed by the due date to avoid the issuance of a Missed Assignment, which can lead to a performance event.
In Solidarity,

Justin Patterson
APFA ORD Base President
ORD Base Number: (773) 645-0809
Cell: (509) 720-0067
[email protected]

Dray Howard
APFA ORD Base Vice President
ORD Base Number: (773) 645-0809
Cell: (630) 215-8410
[email protected]