AFA JNC Update: March 30, 2012
US Airways Tentative Agreement Not Ratified
Flight Attendants at the combined US Airways have voted to reject ratification of the Tentative Agreement. The vote was 1457 in favor and 4375 against, with 90% of Flight Attendants participating. After reviewing the Tentative Agreement, numerous informational e-lines, and attending Roadshows a majority of Flight Attendants determined to fight for a better offer. Now that the decision has been made, we call on all US Airways Flight Attendants to join together to push for an improved offer from the company.
The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and the Master Executives Councils (MECs) both East and West will meet shortly to map out a strategy moving forward. A survey will be prepared and disseminated to Flight Attendants to guide the MEC in formulating future proposals. Based on the results of the survey, we will determine what changes to the Tentative Agreement to propose to the company.
AFA will push to get back to the table as soon as possible and demand the company present an improved financial offer which respects the contributions of all US Airways Flight Attendants to the success of this company.
Contract negotiations will remain in mediation and under the control of the National Mediation Board. Any future meeting schedules will be controlled by the NMB mediator. Existing collecting bargaining agreements (East and West) remain in place until a new tentative agreement is negotiated by the JNC and ratified by the membership. Under the Railway Labor Act, Flight Attendants are not legally free to strike until released to strike by the National Mediation Board following a thirty day cooling off period.
We encourage all Flight Attendants, whether you voted for or against the Tentative Agreement, to pull together and focus on pressuring the Company to agree to a revised agreement. We may retain two separate contracts, but we must speak as one.
The Joint Negotiating Committee