Afa News

[chele5]

According to the 6pm news in Pit - looks like there maybe a possibility of a national strike by not only our AFA members - but all AFA MEMBERS!

The news was stating that they do not know how legal this is. I don't care at this point if it is legal! At some point we (as in the working class!) need to stand up to the corporate greed that has become so standard in this COUNTRY. I understand that companies need to make profit - and I can understand concessions FROM ALL members of the organization to help the company survive.
However, what is not acceptable, is that which has occured at USAirways. IF the judge throws out our contracts and IF the judge rules that we are not permitted to strike - then you can kiss every union goodbye and we have just given up everything that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers worked and sacrificed so hard for.

I WILL SUPPORT THE STRIKE - I WILL NOT CROSS A PICKET LINE - ANY PICKET LINE.

 

[Whatnow?]

The news was stating that they do not know how legal this is. I don't care at this point if it is legal! At some point we (as in the working class!) need to stand up to the corporate greed that has become so standard in this COUNTRY. I understand that companies need to make profit - and I can understand concessions FROM ALL members of the organization to help the company survive.
However, what is not acceptable, is that which has occured at USAirways. IF the judge throws out our contracts and IF the judge rules that we are not permitted to strike - then you can kiss every union goodbye and we have just given up everything that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers worked and sacrificed so hard for.

I WILL SUPPORT THE STRIKE - I WILL NOT CROSS A PICKET LINE - ANY PICKET LINE.

[post="201467"][/post]​

AFA Hotline 27-04
November 16, 2004

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

The Committee met with the Company yesterday. We discussed our
counter proposal with the Company and will meet again today.

Yesterday's meeting was far more productive than any we have had
to date. The Company seems to be more interested in some of our
ideas.

As you may know, the Company filed motions in Bankruptcy Court
last week to terminate our pension plan, make changes to retiree
medical, and reject our Agreement as well as the agreements of
the IAM and CWA.

I personally apologize for not having updated this hotline in
the past month. I'll make every effort not to let that happen
again.

Perry Hayes
MEC President

Sounds like they are making a lot more progress now. So, let's hope once again that AFA doesn't get side tracked while negotiating with the company!

 

[bookmdano]

Flight Attendant Strike Story

abcnews.com

 

[usfliboi]

Thats silly !!!! You think other people are going to put their jobs on the line?????????/ Please. We will have an agreement soon !

 

[Fly]

Fliboi....ummmmmm YES!!!! I think we ALL will honor the picket lines. Weenies won't (so you can find people just like yourself soon)

 

[Whatnow?]

I really think ALL of these people are getting worked up for nothing. There WILL be an agreement soon, the company will not let it go that far! All these people will then have to "put up" or "shut up". 😛

 

[Kev3188]

Thats silly !!!! You think other people are going to put their jobs on the line?????????/ Please. We will have an agreement soon !

[post="201516"][/post]​

This coming from someone who freely (and happily, I might add) stated that they'd cross any picket line.

 

[Jennyann]

If we dont stick together now, there will never be another opportunity.

 

[stewbear]

Thats silly !!!! You think other people are going to put their jobs on the line?????????/ Please. We will have an agreement soon !

[post="201516"][/post]​

You BOI..as you call yourself...are a disgrace to every hard working MAN and WOMAN on our soil. Also that "BOI" moniker is a disgrace to every gay man who is trying his best to work, provide and contribute to society. All that "BOI" B.S. proves is that you buy into that Peter Pan philosophy of "I'm never going to grow up" For your sake read some history and realize how many and how much people gave up so someone like yourself could be so "cavalier". It might make you a better person and actually bring some real pride into your life. I write this in no way to hurt you, I am trying to wake up the man I know you can be.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Attendant Union Approves Strike Over Contracts - United, US Airways Want Court to Nullify Union Deals

Airline consultant Michael J. Boyd of Colorado-based Boyd Group, said calling for a strike would only "make the airlines weaker. "It's illegal and irresponsible and won't fix a damn thing."

Complete Story

Flight attendants union vows nationwide strike if US Airways breaks contract

US Airways is the first airline to file for a contract abrogation since the laws were changed. Steve Olson, a labor lawyer with Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, Downtown, said there was nothing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or in prior court cases that "applies to what happens next," he said.

Normally, he said, airline-labor negotiations are governed by the Railway Labor Act, which bars strikes unless both sides reach an impasse and can not resolve their differences through the National Mediation Board.

Only after a period of time can a union strike and even then, the president can intervene if the dispute threatens to deprive the United States of essential transportation service.

Olson, an expert in the Railway Labor Act, believes the bankruptcy court has jurisdiction until the judge throws out the contract. At that point, he said, the Railway Labor Act should take over, meaning an immediate strike is not an option. But he acknowledges that his opinion is "untested."

Complete Story

Flight attendants threaten to strike

Complete Story

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[BoeingBoy]

The PIT Trib-Review story on AFA's actions....

Flight attendants threaten to strike

"This is an act of war,'' said Marick Masters, a University of Pittsburgh business professor, who is studying US Airways labor relations. "A strike is a weapon of last resort, and US Airways and United have forced flight attendants to exercise their last option.''

Masters added, "What we are seeing now are the harmful effects of using bankruptcy court to replace labor-management negotiations.''

Jim

 

[LGA / 037]

If we dont stick together now, there will never be another opportunity.

[post="201539"][/post]​

If we stick together now, we will all be stuck together on the UNEMPLOYMENT LINE!

 

[Jennyann]

If we stick together now, we will all be stuck together on the UNEMPLOYMENT LINE!

[post="201562"][/post]​

Better get your resume together

 

[USA320Pilot]

DCA LEC president Bob Kenia wrote a Council newsletter on November 14. Kenia said:

On Friday, November 12th, US Airways filed the 1113© motion, which asks the court to reject our collective bargaining agreement. The judge will rule in accordance with the Bankruptcy Code timeline I have outlined below. The judge DOES NOT negotiate a new agreement.

What does that mean? Now that the motion is filed the Company has 14 days (extendable by 7 days) to submit a proposal to the court. After the 14 days (possibly 21) a hearing will commence between the judge, AFA's legal counsel and the Company's counsel. During this hearing the judge would hear arguments from both sides on why the agreements should be rejected and should not be rejected.

If the judge rules in favor of the Company and agrees that the Collective Bargaining AGreement should be rejected the Company has the right to impose an agreement. Management has stated that they will impose the offer they presented to the judge. IF the judge rules in our favor and states (for example) the amount of money being asked for is too high we win, so to speak. If we prevail the Company has the ability to file another motion and propose an agreement with a lesser amount as stated by the judge. This is a very simplistic example but you can see in the end we will be taking large concessions. Remember, the role of the judge is to keep the Company solvent.

Now where have we been with negotiations? If you have not kept up with the MEC E-Line or website (all e-lines are on the website) each proposal and counter proposal is posted on the website. Initially the Company "asked" AFA for $116 million that amount has increased to $150 million. The Company is also asking to terminate our pension plan and will NOT give us any credit towards our "ask" amount. So you can see negotiations are not going well to say the least and the Company will most likely propose the $150 million contract to the judge.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[LGA / 037]

Better get your resume together

[post="201564"][/post]​

Resume is in and new job in law enforcement in progress. Only problem until appointed need financing to pay bills even if it is at 21% less !