Another sh**ty contract proposal from our illustrious leaders

[Photo mike]

 
Joint Negotiations Committee Update – One Voice
 
On January 25, the Company gave AFA yet another substandard comprehensive proposal. Management’s proposal is completely unacceptable in many areas as it:
Continues to propose gutting our scope protections. 
Eliminates the 100% and 90% health plans, forcing all flight attendants into the 80% East plan.   (This plan only pays 80 percent of certain health care costs with an incredible $6000 out of pocket for health care costs.)
Management wage proposal was an insult, offering a wage package funded by gains elsewhere in the agreement.  Beyond the 3% increase already provided for in the East agreement, management only proposed a total of 6% increases over a five year period. 
Proposed to not co-pair flight attendant with pilots, despite the JNCs clear message this was necessary to reach a ratified agreement. 
Continues other concessionary proposals. 

As an alternative, management proposed a two year agreement which had no increases beyond what were already provided for in the East agreement and left many issues regarding integration up in the air.

Your JNC informed management we are not here to negotiate a concessionary agreement and that both alternatives were completely unacceptable.  The JNC gave the Company a counterproposal which would provide the substantial increases flight attendants deserve, raising the top of the flight attendant pay scale to reach $50.00.   We are next scheduled to meet February 8-11, when the Company needs to give a real proposal. 

During the January 3 negotiations session, the Joint Negotiations Committee (JNC) informed the Company that the position of the JNC was to have flight attendants co-paired with pilots. In developing the proposal, the JNC took care to resolve issues of concern, including limiting the number of four day pairings and ensuring flight attendants receive the new duty and rest proposed in the pilot FARS.  The JNC also took into account that the proposed pilot regulations will allow the ability to work high value one day turns.

The fundamental issue here is management’s unwillingness to put up the money necessary to reach a flight attendant agreement.  Looking at the Company’s latest SEC filing, one reason for their refusal is clear.  The US Airway’s Executive Incentive Plan allows payments of up to double Doug Parker’s annual salary if certain conditions are met, notably keeping down costs per ASM, including labor costs.  Other top US Airways executives would profit as well by keeping our wages down.  But, of course, corporate executives profiting off the labor of front line workers is nothing new.

The JNC is committed to bringing these negotiations to a conclusion. To do so will require pressure from all flight attendants, East and West. We have a system-wide day of action scheduled February 17.  It is important for flight attendants to attend and send a clear message to management that we are united in reaching a fair contract. Please put this on your schedule and more information will follow.

 

[crazystnic]

if these guys lips are moving regarding labor, they are lying... they treat us like cr** and then have the gall to go on crew news and say we try.. we are communicating... blah blah balh.. what a bunch of midgets.

 

[PHXramper]

you know what.. all the airlines are in negotiations right now!!! Co/UA, AA, US, shut the MoFos down!!!!! sack it up!!!!! Im tired of hearing about the crying and shitty proposals the company sends across the board we have a labor friendly president in office, Shut the MoFos DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS. this is only happening bcuz of Delta............... Shut the MoFos down, and stop this S****

 

[whatkindoffreshhell]

80% coverage with the first $6K out of pocket is common health care coverage for many folks. Quit crying and adjust to reality.

You guys bet on the wrong industry/company/profession. Deal with it.

Question: are elections for union leaders a clear and simple process? Or are there roadblocks? That shoud've been your first indication that something is wrong.

And get the lube out too because US is the only 'major' airline with no fuel hedges. Lousy credit hurts, eh Scott Kirby?

 

[jimntx]

80% coverage with the first $6K out of pocket is common health care coverage for many folks. Quit crying and adjust to reality.

?????? I've worked in major industry most of my life, and I am 65 years old. I have NEVER heard of a first $6000 out of pocket expense!!!!! (Which means there is a $6000 deductible.) Are you sure it's not a $6000 out of pocket limit before 100% coverage (stop-loss) kicks in?

If it's that. It's still pretty low. I think at AA we have $100,000 out of pocket expense before 100% coverage kicks in.

 

[dash8roa]

I retired from pdt last year and we had a 90/10 plan with a low yearly deductible,I think it was $500.00.A $6000.00 deductible is not that common.I was offered a similar health plan a few years ago with a $6000.00 deductible but this was with a small company.Large companies as a rule do not have such a large deductible.

Us can do better and since the 2 times in chapter 11,and the 2 pay cuts,its time to be fair.

 

[USFlyer]

I retired from pdt last year and we had a 90/10 plan with a low yearly deductible,I think it was $500.00.A $6000.00 deductible is not that common.I was offered a similar health plan a few years ago with a $6000.00 deductible but this was with a small company.Large companies as a rule do not have such a large deductible.

Us can do better and since the 2 times in chapter 11,and the 2 pay cuts,its time to be fair.

$6,000 deductible or $6,000 out of pocket max? These are very different balances. A $6,000 out of pocket max, especially for out of network services, is actually quite common these days.

 

[CallawayGolf]

I retired from pdt last year and we had a 90/10 plan with a low yearly deductible,I think it was $500.00.A $6000.00 deductible is not that common.I was offered a similar health plan a few years ago with a $6000.00 deductible but this was with a small company.Large companies as a rule do not have such a large deductible.

Us can do better and since the 2 times in chapter 11,and the 2 pay cuts,its time to be fair.

I don't think the OP was referencing $6000 deductible (that would be considered a high deductible plan). I would assume he/she is referring to the annual employee-paid premiums which would work out to $500/month. The question would be is this for the employee only or is that the rate to cover other family members? Many companies have premium rates double this (or more) to cover children and/or spouses under a 80/20, 10/90, or 100% plan - it's just what it costs to cover people in these days of massive medical costs and even higher medical malpractice covereage for providers. I would check the details before flying off the handle by confusing premiums and deductibles or maximum out-of-pocket values.

 

[ebwgs]

80% coverage with the first $6K out of pocket is common health care coverage for many folks. Quit crying and adjust to reality.

I have worked in insurance and have seen insurance plans from all around the country in practically all industries. You my friend, haven't the slightest clue of what you're talking about. I don't know what type of coverage you have, and I really don't care to know. But if you're stuck with one of these inferior plans it doesn't mean that the rest of the working world is sucking it up on their health care at 80% coverage with $6000 out of pocket maximums. If you do have a better plan, than shame on you for advocating mediocre health care on others who are seeking to take care of their homes and families and, in so doing aim to maintain a modicum of affordable health care.

 

[Onestep2flt]

80% coverage with the first $6K out of pocket is common health care coverage for many folks. Quit crying and adjust to reality.

You guys bet on the wrong industry/company/profession. Deal with it.

Question: are elections for union leaders a clear and simple process? Or are there roadblocks? That shoud've been your first indication that something is wrong.

And get the lube out too because US is the only 'major' airline with no fuel hedges. Lousy credit hurts, eh Scott Kirby?

Your post is very confusing. Which side of the fence are you on? If you are indicating the wrongdoings on both sides of the fence everyone is well aware already. From what I have been told by many this was once a great place to work. Just because the current management does not hedge fuel or what ever other missteps your management causes doesn't mean the employee should roll over and play dead. Those issues are a management responsibility. It is a proven concept that sometimes to make money you have to spend money. In this case it is on your employees. An example that is brought up here is always Southwest. They make no qualms saying that there employees come first. I'm sure someone will say that US is no Southwest. That is quite evident in every way with the current morale I have seen from US employees. Yes, management must try to cut costs. It is a balancing act. Just cutting from your employee is not the answer to profits.

The insurance debate has become a very political hot potato. Just because you feel everyone else has this "common health care coverage" does not make it right. I certainly don't advocate socialized medicine. However, if the US health care system is going to remain a for profit institution then there should most certainly be standards of care that don't set people up for financial ruins. Everything costs more (including insurance). Now try you saddle basically 20% of health care on your employee. This comes after a pay proposal that does not even take into consideration of the cost of living. Your company is publicly saying they are actually giving you a pay raise. With the current system of insurance it is considered part of compensation. When this is factored in it is a huge pay cut.

Speaking of the pay proposal, I am a little curious what your union position is at the moment. It came to my attention that the AFA proposal would top out at like $65 after 17 years. However, the update posted here says: " raising the top of the flight attendant pay scale to reach $50.00." There seems to be quite a discrepancy in those two numbers. Was I misinformed on the $65 number? Or has the JNC already backed off their proposal by such a huge number? Seems a little early to cut and run given all the other concessions that have already been agreed to. Hope I am mistaken on this point.

I just reread the post and think I was wrong. It is just a matter of grammar. I believe the intent is to state your company proposed up to $50 based on the 6% over six years. Anyway, still not a great scenario coupled with the insurance proposal.

 

[redheadtempe33]

$6,000 deductible or $6,000 out of pocket max? These are very different balances. A $6,000 out of pocket max, especially for out of network services, is actually quite common these days.

A bunch of drama queens around here. It is a $450 deductible and $3000 individual maximum out of pocket and $6,000 for family. The medical insurance is quite good at US Airways compared to most other jobs.

 

[SparrowHawk]

A bunch of drama queens around here. It is a $450 deductible and $3000 individual maximum out of pocket and $6,000 for family. The medical insurance is quite good at US Airways compared to most other jobs.

That is all great, grand and wonderful. However, regardless max out of pocket is pretty freaking high with some folks making something like $9.59/hr!

I think it time for US management to face the truth & be realistic when it comes to the wage portion of the contract as some are eligible for Public Assistance like food stamps. This is a disgrace IMO and I think it time for Labor to strongly consider going on strike.

 

[galley princess]

Who cares what is standard?

US f/as have gone backward in compensation, benefits and working conditions for nigh on ten years.

No MORE!

If it is inferior to what we have now, it's a NO!

The idea is to get better, not worse people.

What the hell is with the union anyway?

$50/hour?

We should have had that years ago.

I want industry standard and THAT is higher.

Serious Stockholm syndrome going on.

Can we just vote it down NOW????????????

For heaven's sake, stop wasting our time.

 

[ebwgs]

A bunch of drama queens around here. It is a $450 deductible and $3000 individual maximum out of pocket and $6,000 for family. The medical insurance is quite good at US Airways compared to most other jobs.

No drama at all. And you're right as it right now our plan is pretty good. That's at 100%, or even 90%. When you start down that 80% slippery slope then it's a different story altogether. I've seen plans that cover only 80% of the contracted amount for PCP or specialist visits with OOP maximums of $10,000. You want to pay 80% every time you or your child visits a doctor? It's not drama it's real.

 

[redheadtempe33]

No drama at all. And you're right as it right now our plan is pretty good. That's at 100%, or even 90%. When you start down that 80% slippery slope then it's a different story altogether. I've seen plans that cover only 80% of the contracted amount for PCP or specialist visits with OOP maximums of $10,000. You want to pay 80% every time you or your child visits a doctor? It's not drama it's real.

No of course not, but the deductible doesn't apply to office visits with our plan. We have co-pays.