You know we really do get it, You don't like Mike Flores, sitting there at the table.
The last few days may have been tough but give it a rest.
Do thoughts of him constantly run through your head like a chorus from a Justin Bieber song? Sooooo annoying it just makes you want to throw a teenage girl gauntlet at the new East LEC officers.
Perhaps this will help you. It all might be a moot point anyway with the future of the AFA depending on the outcome of the United/Continental vote.
I think it is way more than one person that "gets" the fact that something is wrong at US Airways that Mr. Flores and Miss Austin are still leading the negotiations. Of even bigger concern is the fact that your new leadership appears to already be backing down and retreating from the will of the flight attendants. Besides it is more old school than Justin Bieber. Think Madona "Like a virgin". While very carefully crafted, the recent communique to constituents frorm your new Philadelphia leadership is a little confusing. While trying to address the direct question of what to do about change at the negotiating table, the letter seems to fall into a trap. Rather than just say we are working this issue on several fronts and we will announce our game plan soon, it starts to set you up with an eventual reason/excuse as to why their plan may fail. Telling the story of the national mediator and his aggressive schedule and how he only wants to move the process forward.
That is all fine and dandy but does not change the fact that the negotiating team needs to go. Several points to make about this. It may be true that the national mediator might be irritated with a change in the negotiating committee, but the fact remains that an overwhelming majority of flight attendants believe that the negotiators are not speaking for them. The mediator is suppose to be a NEUTRAL party and should not be directly involved with or influence the internal affairs of the union. Remember all those words and little terms they like to throw out like negotiating in good faith. While that is usually a term used for the party you are negotiating with it seems to fit here as well. It is difficult to negotiate in good faith knowing that the party negotiating for you is not following the will of the people they are representing. The other fact that has been thrown out here is that your constitution states you can recall the people in question with or without cause. The people that were elected in Philly should be well aware of the fact of the issues considering that if I am not mistaken that several people running for office were directly involved with the recall several weeks before. Was this recall not all about replacing the MEC President? I would have thought that this new aggressive, go getter, no- holds- barred fighter would come out swinging like everyone said she would. Now, just a week into it she says: "We absolutely need to reach a point where we have a tentative agreement sent to the LEC Presidents for their review. Changing negotiating members at this time would lead to further delays, and in the end, all options are on the table to get us an agreement." While this does have a positive tone to it, it sure gives the appearance that you are being set up for failure. Sounds like what she is saying is that big bad mediator is kind of scary and we would not want to delay the schedule. Are you serious? Would you rather delay more or end up with contract that is no better than the one you have? I know there is more at play here. I just think that what was written while upbeat trying to say we are on this and will keep you informed of our strategy. I just think if you read between the lines it is saying don't blame us if we don't get anything done here because our hands are tied. Sounds like the angle might be to get a contract and pray that the flight attendants will vote it down. If that is the strategy I hope all 33% of you vote no. Kind of frightening to think about. I suppose you could have a sudden unity session and the MEC could vote not to send any tentative agreement to the members. I really hope there is more hope than that though. I would think in a long negotiations process it would not be too unheard of for there to be changes in your negotiations team for a nuber of valid reasons. One of them being they are not representing your needs in the process.
On a related note, I find it puzzling why quite a few people that were on the front line of the battle to oust your Supreme Leader are now in the we better not rock the boat camp. That is a pretty big departure from the battle cries of the last many, many months.
As far as AFA disappearing, I don't think that will happen. While the United vote will be interesting to watch, I think in the end they will be the winners. AFA started at United and United has far more flight attendants than Continental. It does seem that the Continental contract is far superior but that is not why people will vote one way or the other. Even if AFA looses they will not disappear. They still represent quite a few airlines including US Airways. Guess you may see a dues increase soon though if AFA is defeated at United!
I still think you should give a little time for the new entourage to follow through. The new leader in Philly said 30 days. I guess in 30 days you will have your answer of what kind of leadership you got. After that is anyone's guess.
Why Madona instead of Bieber? Cause I can't just stop thinking you all might be getting screwed!
I'm ready to take it to the mat and will do so if it meant skipping a car payment and eating oodles of noodles. ENOUGH! ! ! ! Hell I'll even go grom Grey Goose to Nickoli for a short time. 
