1. APFA is certified by NMB: Earlier this week the National Mediation Board (NMB) certified the Association Of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) as the bargaining agent for the combined group of flight attendants from AA and USAir. The APFA signed a negotiations protocol letter of agreement after the merger closed that allowed them to start negotiatiing a joint contract before they were certified by the NMB. Their negotiations started already and will last 150 days ending Sep. 19th. One of the links has a flow chart with what will happen if a T/A is reached, voted on and rejected or no T/A is reached. One of the links has the letter of agreement and the other link is an article that outlines their recognition as the sole bargaining agent for the Flight Attendants. Please click on the links for more details.
2. Pilots reach seniority deal: The pilots from USAir have agreed with their counterparts at AA to have the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) as their representational body. The USAPA will slowly shrink and only handle seniority issues as ALPA will start to take over all other business. The NMB is expected to decide as soon as next week whether to declare APA the bargaining agent for the combined pilot group. Please click on the link below for more information.
3. Envoy shrinking continues: It was announced this week the 47 CRJ's will be transferred from Envoy (AE) to PSA (USAir commuter). The ongoing dispute between the Envoy Pilots and the company over reaching a new deal is being used as the catalyst for this change. When the transfer happens, Envoy will only have the smallest RJ's left in it's fleet as the E 175 aircraft have already been given to other regional commuters. The Pilots Union has called this decision by AE punishment by the company for the Pilots not agreeing to a new contract. please click on the link for more information.
4. Minimum wage fight continues: This week, many fast food workers walked off their jobs in protest of not getting paid a working wage.They are seeking an increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour and have resorted to acts of peaceful civil disobedience (blocking traffic) and arrests. If you see a strike or protest by these workers, please honor their protests and picket lines in support of their efforts. Please clcik on the link below for more details.
5. Norwegian Air attempts grounded: This week, the Department Of Transportation (DOT) rejected an attempt from Norwegian Airlines to receive expedited approval of its bid to gain access to airports in the U.S.. Norwegian Air is the company that wanted to set up business in a foreign country with lax labor laws and then use low paid flight crews and flight attendants from around the globe to staff their planes. Basically outsourcing all their labor needs to the lowest bidders. This new business model is a threat to U.S. carriers and the D.O.T. acted appropriately. Please click on the link below for more information.
6. Seat belts and stop signs: Originally, when the seat belts were installed in company vehicles the company was aggressively trying to increase compliance with this issue. Through communication and verbal reinforcement the compliance numbers rose. Recently they have dropped and the company has said they are going to start having documented discussions and if necessary formal hearings within the guidelines of PPC for those who aren't wearing their seat belts. In addition to seat belts, stop signs here have generally been treated with a casual compliance. The company has taken notice of this issue by all work groups and is going to address this concern similar to the seat belt issue. It's a busy, hectic environment on the ramp and only takes one miscue to cause and accident or an injury to you or another co-worker. Please take the time to wear your seat belt and stop at stop signs.
7. Support: We met with the company to address the staffing on 737's and trips after 20:50. Needless to say, they believe that things are staffed correctly and the trips after 20:50 can be worked with the current staffing. They also said that on average only one 737 trip a day goes uncovered without support help. I received a commitment from Director of Ramp Administration Deb Havens to walk the ramp one night after 20:50 to see first hand what it's like. When I know the date I will let you know. For now, I am asking again for documentation of trips that come in and need help and don't get it. This may be a frustrating task but without that information our ability to argue the facts is diminished. I do not want to let go of this issue but I need your help. Texts and emails are easier to log so please send me that information.