3 MORE DAYS LEFT TO VOTE!

BEWARE THE FINE PRINT and LOOPHOLES!

• EARLY OUT
• RESERVE
• CROSSOVER
• SINGLE CONTRACT

Early Out Agreement - (TA - pg. 61, paragraph 1)
“The Company in its sole discretion shall determine the number of Early Out Packages to award.” 

However, the Afa FANN Newsletter published in their Q & A on January 20, 2012:
Q: How many eligible Flight Attendants will be awarded the Early Out?
A: There will be a minimum award of 1,000 eligible Flight Attendants awarded the Early Out. Early Out packages shall be awarded to the senior eligible bidders, based on system seniority.
Nowhere in the TA is there a specific number given. The Company has the sole discretion so where does the 1,000 come from? And if it doesn't meet 1,000, what happens? Is it Null and Void?  

Reserve Preferencing Letter of Agreement (TA -pg. 67) Development and Implementation: “In the event that programming cannot be accomplished to meet the above requirements...If an alternate solution is not agreed upon, this Letter of Agreement shall be NULL and VOID”.

One year from "Date of Signing" to develop the software to implement reserve preferenceing but if for whatever reason they are not successful, we are out of luck until 2016! Again, the Company is in the driver’s seat.

Crossover Side Letter of Agreement (TA - pg. 73)
“…the total number of cross over transfers pursuant to this Agreement shall not be greater than, in the Companies’ sole judgment, they deem advisable to adjust the Flight Attendants staffing at the Companies.”

Again, Afa failed to nail down a number. So how many will it be? 100? 1000? Or ZERO?? Afa left it strictly up to the Company.

Section 35 Duration, Single Contract Negotiations (TA - pg. 57) “…..shall provide written notice of intended change no earlier than thirty days and no later than 60 days…..” “Negotiations for a Single Collective Bargaining Agreement shall commence no later than one hundred twenty days from written notice.”

So, six months (60 days plus 120) from date of signing, they will START combined negotiations. That is IF all FOUR parties (UAL, CAL, GUAM and s-UA flight attendants) agree to it. 
Ask yourself, why is it a 4 year contract? (6 years from the amendable date). CONTINENTAL  FLIGHT ATTENDANTS NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW CONTRACT WILL START MARCH 5th. 
Will they get another new contract this year? And once single contract negotiations start for CAL, what will happen to combined talks?
It looks like "B Scale" wages for s-UA flight attendants for a long time to come!

SMOKE AND MIRRORS

Afa Hires Consultant to Help Sell Tentative? WILL We Believe Dan Atkins?

"This deal is not only good for UNITED flight attendants but also sets the standards for other labor groups in the airline industry" - Dan Atkins, Afa hired consultant and President of Atkins & Associates, who obviously knows little about flight attendants but is well paid by Afa.

Can someone please inform Dan Atkins that the Continental Flight Attendants earn $52.53 an hour at top of pay scale with incentive pay of $5.00 an hour after 75 hours. This brings CO's pay after 75 hours to $57.53. There is also an override of $1.00 per hour for International. The International pay after 75 hours is $58.53.Atkins and Davidowitch must be taking the same pills. Davidowitch also states -
"it is also commonly recognized that our Flight Attendant benefits and work rules are superior to those of other similarly situated workers".

In fact, American, Delta, Southwest, and Continental all come to mind as "similarly situated workers", none of whom are clamoring for the same restrictions, impediments, and wage rates that we have at United!

HAVING TROUBLE VOTING??

“Who is Eligible to Vote on the Tentative Agreement?” (TA Q & A No. 4,5,6 pg 95, 96)

You must “…..meet Afa dues obligation of not only the first 90 days following the leave of absence or voluntary furlough, but all dues through and including the month in which the ballot is counted-February 2012.”

Been on voluntary furlough for awhile? Where will you get the money to pay all your back dues to the Afa so you can vote? Oh, that’s right; we’re getting a signing bonus!
Not "Straight Up and to the Point" is the fact that if you are a flight attendant on inactive status (and in good standing), you may have to pay up hundreds or thousands of dollars in union dues to Afa before being allowed to VOTE!

Many flight attendants report not being allowed to vote EVEN AFTER paying up all their back dues! Are you having this problem?? Don't wait until the last minute to vote and find out the AFA is disallowing your ballot!
VOTE NOW,

AFA INT'L GETS AN IAM PAY RAISE?!?

Will Afa Int'l Officers Get 30% Salary Increase on June 1, 2012?!

"Our Pay is Going Up -- Continental Rates Set Minimum" - Sara Nelson (Speaking for the Afa Officers)?

Afa Constitution & Bylaw - Section IV.I - "International Officers compensation will be based on the "HIGHEST" flight attendants hourly pay".

*The "Highest" Afa hourly pay is CAL's IAM negotiated rate of pay ($53.53 an hour)!

CALCULATE:

1. Total compensation for the INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT WILL BE 2.25 times 68 hours annualized at the "HIGHEST" AFA-CWA Flight Attendant’s hourly pay (to include negotiated overrides, i.e., purser/lead, international rates, COLA, et al). Plus an additional 11% (eleven percent) override of this figure. Total compensation for the International President in 2010 was $110,824.26 .

Veda Shook was paid $112,885 in her new position as international President for the 2010 - 2011 fiscal year which does not include the "higher" CAL pay rates. Included in that pay was the $17,832 for non-itemized reimbursed expenses (18.76%) she had in 2010-2011.

Veda Shook's new pay increase under CAL's higher pay rate will be ($53.53 Base+$7.50 "Purser" Pay +$5.00 "Quarterly" Incentive x 2.25 x 68 x 11% override on total) = approximately $126,707.70. Adding the approximate 18.76% in non-itemized reimbursed expenses of $23,707.36 for 2012 - 2013, makes Veda Shook's total compensation at least $150,478.08.
The amount does not include COLA, et al. (whatever that might be). It also does not explain whether Afa International Officers can pick from several airlines to take the highest pay from each - an "Ala Carte Pay" menu from the airlines it represents, which could further increase the amount.

Will Veda Shook Earn Over $150,000?

2. Total compensation for the International Vice President and the International Secretary-Treasurer will be 80% of the International President’s compensation. Each received $88,659.41 in total compensation for 2010 (without CAL's pay rate). For 2012- 2013, based on the "Higher" CAL pay rate, 80% of the International President's compensation will be $101,368.136. The additional non-itemized reimbursed expenses has not been added to this pay yet.

In Addition

*Insurance, vacation, and other fringe benefits including pension to the International Officers will be provided by the AFA. Also currently receiving $48.00/day per diem (+) additional 20% for tipping (while at home); .55 cents/mile for driving expenses, etc.

http://afanet.org/cb/default.asp?id=73

WE SUGGEST AMENDING THE AFA CONSTITUTIONS & BYLAWS AS FOLLOWS:

• THE AFA INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS PAY RATES AND RAISES SHOULD BE BASED ON THEIR PERFORMANCES AND NOT ON "PIGGY BACKING" OFF THE PAY SCALE NEGOTIATED BY OTHER UNIONS FOR AT LEAST 48 MONTHS FOLLOWING BECOMING THE NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT OF SAID UNION.

• The AFA INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS PAY RAISES SHOULD NEVER EXCEED MORE THAN 10% IN ANY ONE YEAR!

• The AFA INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS SHALL PAY A PENALTY TO THE MEMBERSHIP UNLESS A TA IS NEGOTIATED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF ANY YEAR THE CONTRACT IS AMENDABLE.

Afa OWES $14 Million Dollars!

The Afa Budget "Squabble"

According to CWA, Afa owes them $14 million dollars. $10 Million for the 3rd failed Delta campaign and $4 Million for the IAM/Afa representation election. Afa is now under investigation by the NMB for election improprieties.

CWA would not only like their money back but wants 6% interest on the $14 Million owed them. That would be $840,000 a year (At $43 a member, they would need dues from 19,535 flight attendants)! That's almost half of Afa's entire membership!

In 2003, Afa promised that the CWA merger would:

"enhance the job security, bargaining power and economic prosperity of members while building upon the proud history of the accomplishments of both unions"

CWA Afa leadership is proving that they are not capable of enhancing job security or bargaining power for their members. They have succeeded, however, in becoming an embarrassment to the membership!

Afa Votes Against Democracy

The February 6th - 8th BOD Meeting Fiasco

Board of Directors Agenda Items #16-19 proposed Direct Membership Election of International Officers (Article VIII.A.) The proposals were made by the CAL Afa LEC 62, 63, 64 "to achieve a more inclusive and democratic union to serve the interests of all the membership of the CWA-Afa".

The proposals would have introduced direct membership election of Master Executive Council leaders by direct vote of the membership. The proposals would allow the flight attendants to be directly involved and engaged in the selection of their leaders.

The Proposals by CAL LEC 62, 63, 64 were Rejected by Afa MEC!
We Are Not Allowed to Vote for our Afa MEC or Afa International Officers!

Remember UA Voted "NO" for the CWA Merger?!

The CWA-Afa Merger in 2003 was orchestrated by the "Appointed" Afa International Officers. It was Voted Down by UA Flight Attendants. The Merger Agreement between CWA and Afa stated "the goals of both unions is to enhance the job security, bargaining power and economic prosperity of members while building upon the proud history of the accomplishments of both unions".

How Did that Work Out for US?

There was also a tiny "Opt-Out" Clause. "Afa or CWA may terminate the Merger Agreement upon 6 months written notice given to the other within 4 years from date of Merger". On October 3, 2006, Larry Cohen, the President of CWA, sent Pat Friend (our then International President) a reminder that the intent to "Opt-Out" clause will run out on December 31, 2007. Pat Friend made sure it lapsed quietly without the memberships knowledge! Pat was rewarded with a salary increase, a new leased car, a very nice condo in Washington D.C. and a pension.She was also paid an additional $90,203 for half a year's work in the 2010-2011 fiscal year!

http://afanet.org/cb/aefiles/Merger_Agreement.PDF

Apparently, It "Pays" for Afa Officers to Keep Us In the Dark and Deny the Membership Any Significant Voting Rights!

Forward this message to a friend

Afa's Voting Instructions!

Remember

"You may vote as many times as you like, using either the telephone or Internet - only your last vote will be counted in the tally."

AND

Afa Raises Dues from $43 to $48 a Month!

It was $38 in 2004 after the CWA Merger! That is over a 25% Dues Increase While Flight Attendants Lost Wages, Pension, & Benefits!

And

Afa International Officers Gets a Huge Pay Increase!

Do You Really Trust Afa's Promise to Get us a Combined Contract??? They "Broke" Every Promise Since 1996! In Fact, UA Flight Attendants Overwhelmingly VOTED DOWN the CWA Merger in 2003!!!

REMEMBER - The TA you are now voting on contains nothing that Afa promised you in terms of money, job security, or really anything else of substance. But Afa really wants to pass this TA, so you have to believe this is the best we could do, and please be rest assured, as Afa says:

• The money will come
• It's not all about money
• Together we can do better
• Whatever it takes
• We're member driven
• Wear your yellow ribbon
• Send Jeff a post card
• We have leverage
• This is just a "stepping stone"

Afa also has a bridge for "Sale" to raise money because raising our dues will not pay for all of their high wages and expenses!
The Bridge is in Brooklyn!

JOIN THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT COALITION FOR CHANGE AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD IN 2012!

Subscribe Today!

Ask Yourself How Much AFA Failure Will Cost You This Year

Afa Raises Dues from $43 to $48 a Month!

REMEMBER - It was $38 in 2004 after the CWA Merger! That is over a 25% Dues Increase While Flight Attendants Lost Wages, Pension, & Benefits!
And
Afa MEC Officers Get a Huge Pay Increase this year!
Do You Really Trust Afa's Promise to Get us a Combined Contract???  They "Broke" Every Promise Since 1996!  In Fact, UA Flight Attendants Overwhelmingly VOTED DOWN the CWA Merger in 2003!!!

REMEMBER - The TA you are now voting on contains nothing that Afa promised you in terms of money, job security, or really anything else of substance. And it is full of loopholes the Company can exploit. But Afa really wants to pass this TA, so you have to believe this is the best we could do, and please rest assured,
as Afa says:
The money will come
It's not all about money
Together we can do better
Whatever it takes
We're member driven
Wear your yellow ribbon
Send Jeff a post card
We have leverage
This is just a "stepping stone"

Maybe Afa also has ocean front property for "Sale" to raise money because raising our dues will not pay for all of their high salaries and the 14 million owed the CWA!                                                     

USAirways TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

On the US Airways MEC website is a comparison chart, touting their contract as the better one using OUR  UA tentative and various other airline contracts, including CAL IAM's, as examples.  

Following a couple of threads in chat rooms on the US Airways side, it's stunning that, after nearly seven years there are people out there arguing for a NO vote, because you "never accept the first offer." After six and a half years, how long do you think it would take to get a second offer?

The absolute idiocy that characterizes the CWA/afa flight attendant "leadership" is on full display here, since now US Airways is trying to sell their membership on their tentative because it is "better" than United's (but STILL not as good as Continental's!). As a "union" representing a particular craft or class at various airlines, shouldn't it have been a priority to negotiate similar contracts for similarly sized carriers, much as the United Auto Workers have done at the Big Three Automakers? Then each successive contract becomes a template to improve upon for the next amendable contract (i.e. a newly ratified Ford contract would be the starting point for a new contract at GM).

Instead, the CWA/afa flight attendants pit airline against airline, even within the context of a merger. Given the events at this week's Board of Directors meeting, what we are in for is going to make America West/US Airways look like a picnic.

Fly Safe!                                                    

DID YOU READ THE TA YET?

THE WAGE GRAPH THEY FORGOT TO INCLUDE IN THE TA.

Afa Puts "Lipstick on a Pig"? Davidowitch's "special thank you to those who were able to avail themselves of the benefits afforded while on a Voluntary Furlough and the Partnership Program while saving a job of a flying partner." Afa neglects to consider the economic harm caused by their failed policies to those f/a's who remain.  These self-supporting flight attendants will face fewer flying opportunities, A/B rotation reaching deeper into the seniority ranks, coming base closures, and another furlough later in the year. For afa, after ninety days, the supposed economically advantaged UA flight attendants on "voluntary" furlough no longer pay dues.  The loss in UA dues is more than offset by the steady stream of new hires and their money filtering through the CAL Houston training center.  Afa after all, has always been adept at "buttering both sides of the bread".  Of course, that would be afa's bread, not the membership.   The Truth About "Involuntary"? The hard line of demarcation for the 495 flight attendants that were slated for "involuntary furlough" was the knowledge that if they "volunteered," they would at least retain their paid health insurance benefits.  Hardly "a great collective success," as Davidowitch claimed. Nothing is stated about the ongoing "reallocation" of CAL  flying routes previously flown by UAL.  The Letter of Agreement in the Tentative regarding future furlough protection does nothing to protect flying ratios that continues to tilt in Continental's favor because of their flexible, and efficient work force.  According to Davidowitch's January 20th FANN newsletter, "Our Negotiating Committee pushed management well beyond what they were prepared to do and reached a Tentative Agreement without trading off our benefits and working conditions to achieve higher pay rates and other economic improvements". Wow! Bragging about an industry lagging contract suggests that afa is "delusional".  Modifying 8 in 24 to 8.5 in 24 and 30 in 7 to 35 in 7 are changes in work rules.  The ones they were NEVER going to give up.  And Afa gave it up for 15% over 4 remaining years of this tentative.  Soon they will be selling igloos to the Eskimo's!  Voting "No" or "Yes" The tentative has options for flight attendants hoping to "crossover" for an immense pay raise, avoid involuntary furlough, or are planning for retirement with the "early out". It should have been incumbent on union leaders to put the May 2010 offer from UA management to a vote of the membership and let them decide for themselves.  They have finally put the same "crossover" offer in the January 2012 Tentative, but not before CAL hired over 400 new flight attendants, that under current language will be senior to any crossover flight attendant.  A "No" vote assumes the AFA negotiating staff, who took three years to bring this horrible tentative to us, has the talent and competency to bring us back something better.  The last "No" vote on a tentative agreement was in 1996. Afa brought us back another tentative with 40% of flying on International routes done by international domiciles.  That left the other 60% to be flown by U.S. domiciles.  How did that work for you? A "Yes" vote (as ugly as that sounds) might take us into a combined contract negotiations, if you believe Afa. Perhaps the experienced and successful CAL MEC can take on the burden of assisting our incompetent UA negotiators.  CAL will become stakeholders in the future combined agreement.  CAL MEC is now accepting proposals from the CAL flight attendants to exchange opening letters on March 2nd for their contract which is amendable in September 2012.  But can UA MEC work with CAL MEC and make nice after making wild and false accusations about CAL not having any work rules?  The "Crossover" Road Ahead The CAL IAM Contract stipulates "the Company shall not furlough any flight attendant prior to the amendable date of this Agreement who was on the Continental System Seniority List as of the date of ratification of this Agreement." The amendable date of the CAL contract is September 2012. What happens to the flight attendants who cross over after the amendable date of the Agreement if CAL needs to furlough? And if Continental does have to furlough, who will be furloughed first? The Crossover flight attendants or the new hires? And what happens if there are no positions on the United side available when and if Continental furloughs? The Crossover Letter of Agreement, recently re-posted on the Afa website, does not specifically state how many crossovers will actually be offered. Are you willing to gamble? It is "advisable" for any United flight attendant considering a crossover to be very clear on the language in the new Letter of Agreement for the Crossover that is posted. JOIN THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT COALITION FOR CHANGE AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD IN 2012! Subscribe Today! http://flightattendantcoalition.blogspot.com/