Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Challenging UA MEC to Survey Membership for the Combined Contract!

Afa takes contract survey

TWO SIMPLE QUESTIONS
 
  • What sections of the UA contract would you like to see changed in a combined contract?                          
  • Specifically how would you change them?

The CAL MEC received over 30,000 responses from its 9,000 plus membership with survey questions prioritizing what their members wanted in the current single contract negotiations with the company - THESE NEGOTIATIONS STARTED TODAY !

UA MEC, Don't waste our time and dues money on another skewed survey designed to benefit the union and not the membership!!! 

LET US DECIDE OUR OWN FUTURE!




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Sunday, April 22, 2012

AFA REPRESENTATION ELECTION VIOLATIONS


AFA feeding frenzy"The RLA states that elections shall be free from interference, influence, or coercion."
                         Afa's alleged violations include:
  • Use of Another voter's identification numbers
  • Refusing to maintain confidentiality
  • Refusing to maintain integrity of voting process
  • Creating "hot" hyperlinks to interfere with voting process
  • Coercion
  • Intimidation & Harassment
  • Bullying on Social Networking Sites
The NMB CONTINUES , (Maria-Kate Dowling or Angela Heverling), to find representation election violations and is requesting ALL flight attendants affected by Afa violations to contact them as soon as possible. Intimidation & Harassment included LEC's having IAM supporters arrested in ORD and attempted arrests orchestrated by LEC's in SFO. It included multiple phone calls to the homes of flight attendants, blacklists, and verbal insults and threats including physical intimidation.

The violations by the Afa were often blatant with malice intended toward their dues paying members. Flight attendants in many UA domiciles were afraid to openly support or appear in support of the IAM. Many UA f/a's were threatened not to wear their IAM pins if they knew what was in their best interest.

The same Afa LEC and MEC officers subsequently failed to deliver any of the false promises they made, including a better contract than CAL's IAM negotiated contract, retroactive pay, and/or preventing UA furloughs.


Then Afa Raised the Dues of UA Flight Attendants and Rewarded Themselves, the Afa Officers, with 30% Plus Raises!!!


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FACC.

Friday, April 6, 2012

AFA LEC PRESIDENT TELLS FACC TO "MAN UP.....WHO ARE YOU?"


IAD LEC President demands to know who we are............Really??

Anonymity is not a lack of courage, nor an inability to “man-up,” but rather a conscious decision driven by the organizational philosophy of the FACC which puts community and the collective good above the ego of any one individual.

With only lip service paid to the notion of the collective good of ALL flight attendants beyond their own cult-of-personality circle, it is difficult for the CWA-afa flight attendant sector to grasp the concept that no one individual at the FACC seeks to take personal credit, thereby elevating their own sense of self-worth and “importance” as we see all too often in the so-called “leaders” of the CWA-afa. 

The very fact that one LEC President, in particular, has taken it upon himself to consistently attack and deride the FACC speaks volumes of his own personal ambition beyond the LEC level, rather than any attempt to genuinely promote the collective good.  In other words, the time he spends doing this is meant to impress his “peers” at the MEC and international levels, when his time would be better spent tending to the affairs of his council for which he more than amply compensates himself with flight attendants’ dues money.

True courage, or “manning-up,” would be to see an LEC President actually support changes to the CWA-afa Constitution and Bylaws requiring “leadership” at ALL LEVELS be elected by the members, and not subject to the back room politicking and popularity contests that currently drive MEC and international officers elections.
“Manning-up” would be for CWA local “leaders” to demand that ALL employees of the CWA flight attendant sector publicly and fully disclose every penny they have been paid in monthly allowances for officers, and detailed, ITEMIZED accounting on the thousands of dollars of reimbursed expenses, now listed on federally required LM-2 reports only as “representational activities.”  “Man-up” and demand
THOSE changes of your current MEC and international leadership on behalf of the membership, and see how long your union career lasts after that.

The FACC serves as a repository of information taken from publicly available sources, and merely verifies edits and distributes the information it receives from the thousands of readers who care to submit material.  We are a counterweight to the one-sided myopia of an organization that long ago chose to put its own business interests above those of the very people paying their salaries.

It is not surprising that the CWA flight attendant sector, bereft of a driving philosophy beyond self-promotion and the economic benefit of its “leaders,” now finds itself imploding – removing an MEC President less than a week before a vote tally on a joint contract tentative agreement that was six and a half years in the making at one airline, and mired in a three-way contract contest at another, that promises to make the America West/US Airways debacle look tame in comparison.

When self-aggrandizement and ego-driven manipulation are the prime motivators of the “leadership” level in any organization, it is doomed to fail and must resort to fear-driven tactics of intimidation and grotesque distortion of the truth in order to survive.  On the other hand, an organization that simply serves the interests of its membership can lead by example alone, and has little need to explain itself.

Anonymity is not a lack of courage, but rather the absence of ego – it is only the collective good of a combined work force working until a combined contract with an integrated seniority list NOW – not six years down the line - that is the aim of the FACC. 

No one person dictates the terms or direction of the group.  That is the very definition of “member-driven” and the purest form of democracy.  

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Sunday, April 1, 2012

CROSSOVER BIDS AWARDED......

                                                       

One hundred fifty-seven of our flying partners at s-United have elected to avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in the cross over flying program.  That number may change slightly once the ten day grace period has ended, though it won’t be by much.

The seniority range extends from 1/19/1976 through 3/18/2008, the majority falling between 1997 – 2008.  Those at the top of the pay scale at s-United, in addition to the ten percent bump thanks to the recently ratified 2010-2016 agreement; will receive another $9.10 an hour for domestic fliers and $6.08 internationally.  They will receive a $2,500 cash payment for incidental expenses related to the move to their new base, and higher per diem rates than those currently paid to s-United attendants.

As reserves, they are guaranteed eighty-three hours per month, and will spend far less time sitting idly at home as the Continental subsidiary continues to take delivery of new aircraft and aggressively expands flying opportunities.

s-United cross over attendants are now at the bottom of the Continental seniority list for bidding purposes behind several classes of new hires that have filtered through the Continental training center since October 2011.  Not only would they have been senior to these same new hires had they been permitted to exercise their freedom of choice last year when the company first offered the crossover, but the rate of hiring that has gone on since last October may very well have lifted them off reserve status by now – an eventuality that may still happen later this year depending on the base and the shifting allocations of flying, but that was unnecessarily delayed and sacrificed for the CWA’s own political ends.
The point that cannot be stressed enough – this CHOICE was denied to s-United flight attendants nearly a year ago in the midst of the representation campaign as a political tool for “union” management at the expense of the welfare of a small number of flight attendants who may have opted to participate.
It is with our best wishes for the future and good luck that we bid goodbye, for now, to the s-United cross over participants.  Given the ongoing meltdown at US Airways and the fact that the THREE different MECs at United have agreed to continue to work on SEPARATE contracts for the foreseeable future, (with the international officers’ blessing), it will be a long while before we see them again.  In the meantime, we will all learn firsthand from our crossover friends of the benefits of the IAM negotiated contract, to which improvements are already being planned by the Continental MEC.


Sunday, March 25, 2012

USAirways AFA MEC Pres. Recalled Amid Contract Vote

Mike Flores, a 30 year flight attendant and president of the Master Executive Council of the USAir AFA has been recalled. The Street.Com 
This is one of the most arrogant, over compensated "officers" that the CWA-afa has in a position of "authority." The fact that two of their MECs grew enough of a spine to remove him is remarkable given the CWA-afa's typical prospensity to close ranks and protect their own. Apparently the Philadelphia and Charlotte LEC presidents either have put their respective memberships' interests first, which is unlikely, or have political agendas of their own.

It will be interesting to see if one of those LEC Presidents tries to assume the role of MEC President at USAir.

What is still mystifying to us is why, nearly SEVEN YEARS after the merger, the CWA-afa flight attendants still haven't followed their own Constitution and MERGED the MECs. A huge part of the problem in arriving at a joint contract at USAir  was the inability of either MEC to relinquish power and control and merge into one cohesive unit for the benefit of the membership. (UA MEC Are You Listening?!?) Flores was a big part of that problem.

We wonder if he'll actually go back to flying for a real living or try to find a job as executive assistant coffee boy to the executive assistant coffee boy to the international coffee boy.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

HOW THE PILOTS TPA AFFECTS US

The pilots Transition and Process Extension Agreement (TPA) of February 2012 runs through March 31, 2013. You can read the full text of the agreement here. What implications does this have for flight attendants?
Pay particular attention to the 320/757 pilot base in IAH for s-United, and the 737/757 bases in SFO, DEN, and ORD for s-CO. These bases, along with the one already operating in LAX may be done so WITHOUT RESTRICTION.
The point to be made is that without a similar agreement in place for us, or, better still, a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA), we have NO PROTECTIONS against the shift in flying that is coming. Sam Risoli alluded to these shifts in a recent letter to all flight attendants. He also made it clear the timeline for a JCBA in the Company's plans coincides with the Sept. 2012 amendable date of the IAM Continental Contract. Without a JCBA in place by then, we think s-CO flight attendant sub domicile bases are not far off.
EVERYTHING the UAL MEC is doing is playacting and posturing while they fervently hope as many people as the Company allows will take the crossover or early out options, so there will be as few of us left as possible to witness first hand their utter selling out of the s-United membership.

Thirty day ANP and 90 day special leaves of absence will continue to be offered, while CO continues to hire, and ultimately another furlough will be offered by summer's end. And yet, United attendants still stare this stark reality in the face (one subsidiary is growing while the other is shrinking) and ignore it, then are shocked to learn the CAL MEC is negotiating improvements to the IAM contract for Continental flight attendants. And while all this is happening, we are told the Guam (CMI) Contract must now be improved upon as yet another "stepping stone" or "cornerstone" or whatever the heck stone they're using, before anything else can be done. And without the protections of a JCBA, we at s-United, are the victims once again of CWA "protection" and "representation."

We are nearly nine months past the representation vote - nine months that should have been spent exclusively on a JCBA and integrated seniority list for ALL flight attendants' benefit and protection. Where is the NMB when you need them?
                  READ MY LIPSTICK: WHEN PIGS FLY........SO WILL THE AFA LIES. 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Biggest Union on the Property.......Equals Leverage at the Table!

Congratulations! IAMAW Union Wins Election for another 17,000 at United Airlines!!!
Union yesOn March 7th, 2012, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) won exclusive representation rights for nearly 17,000 Passenger Service and Reservation Employees at the new United Airlines.

The IAM received 8,305 votes during the seven-week election, while 5,865 votes were cast for NO representation! 
The election increases IAM membership in all classifications at the new United to 31,500 and marks the third consecutive airline organizing victory for the IAM Transportation Department. In addition to this week’s victory, previous wins among United Ramp & Stores (14,785) and ExpressJet Flight Attendants (2,200) brings the number of IAM members organized during the past eight months to nearly 34,000. IAM is the largest union on United's property.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is the largest airline union in the world.

Monday, March 5, 2012

New Contract passes for s-UA, Will CO Get Another One Too?

CAL FA's Will Enter Separate Contract Negotiations


 THIS WEEK! 

The Company and CAL MEC will enter into Section 6 negotiations as early as March 5, 2012. The ex-IAM CAL flight attendants have another shot at a raise and contract improvements to their already industry leading IAM contract that becomes amendable in September of this year.

But wait, the Afa is telling us all that combined contract negotiations will start within 180 days of signing the new UA tentative!
NEWSFLASH!!!

All three parties to a combined contract (Continental Afa, Continental Micronesia Afa and United Afa) must agree to negotiate before this can happen. After taking a look at the concessionary United TA negotiated by the UA Afa, do you think that Continental f/a's will be in a hurry to negotiate with UA afa at the table or will they drop anchor and hang on to what they've got for as long as they can??? Especially if they are able to negotiate ANOTHER raise and contract improvements for themselves THIS SEPTEMBER!


CAL FA's Submit over 30,000 Proposals!!!
Over 30,000 proposals for a new contract were submitted by CAL flight attendants in EWR, CLE, and IAH. The proposals were submitted by the CAL flight attendants in preparation for CAL's upcoming Section 6 negotiations. Not only is CAL jump starting the negotiations for the contract that is amendable in September, 2012, but is making sure that every flight attendant has the opportunity to present what they would like in their new contract.
Not surprisingly, what the CAL FA's do not want have been found overwhelmingly in the proposals submitted:
  • 1. No 8 in 24
  • 2. No 30 in 7
  • 3. No PBS (Preferential Bidding System - which is not in CAL's contract but it is in UA's contract)
One thing is clear from the results of the proposals - the almost 10,000 strong CAL FA's do not want to lose their work flexibility!
There is no incentive for CAL MEC to "rush" into a combined agreement if the UA MEC does not "play ball". The so-called UA work rules have already been "compromised" in the proposed TA that is being voted on by the UA flight attendants. The UA work rules may also prevent a combined agreement to take place for years to come since most of CAL fa's will "fight" to keep their work flexibility in their new contract.
The Company also has stated that they want a productive, combined workforce and are willing to pay for it. Well, they have the productive part - its Continental. The Afa seems to be walking right into the Company's master plan and assist the Company to grow the productive CAL side of the workforce and just considerably shrink the UA work force.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

3 MORE DAYS LEFT TO VOTE!

BEWARE THE FINE PRINT and LOOPHOLES!

AFA Poison Apple
  • 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!


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

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,