Recalls

[EMBFA]

Wow just wanted to update the numbers. According to an e-line there are 4,700 active US East flight attendants.

4,700.

On September 10, 2001 there were 10,400.

Wow.

 

[FlightChic]

I am still trying to make my decision, but I think in the end I will probably give it a try. It is either quit now or come back and quit then. At least I can say I honestly gave it a try. I have never been a quitter. I don't want to be a quitter. I live 2 hours from PHL and 1 1/2 hours from DCA. My luck is that I will be living in NYC with about 12 F/A's.

Has anyone heard when we might get a new contract? If I come back in June and we get a new contract in October, that would not be so bad. Where is that crystal ball of mine? Stay tuned for my decision, I may be flying with you soon!

lildutchgrl, I hope you do give it a try. I believe things are getting better for us too. We're no longer in bankruptcy, we're recalling people, America West is hiring people, and the company listened to us when we were facing displacements. That's a HUGE step. Things are improving. If I didn't think that, I would quit because there is no way I could continue to survive on the horrendous working conditions for much longer. It is tough. Negotiations are taking a long time, but hopefully it will be worth the wait. Management can no longer pull the bankruptcy card, and they know it too. We're also getting much nicer uniforms next year. IMHO, all the adversity we have faced is bringing the employee groups together as a whole. We're taking better care of each other now for the most part.

We just got an E-line from Mike Flores last night about contract negotiations. Here is the link: http://www.afausairways.org/Eline/apr10_07.htm

We also received one from the PHL LEC. I copied and pasted it below.

Contract Negotiations - April 2007

Hello all PHL Based Flight Attendants! I am Janet Linton and I would like to introduce myself as the Info Rep Chair for you - the PHL Based Flight Attendants. I will communicate information to you regarding contract negotiations as quickly as I receive it from the MEC. I wanted to give you a brief update on what is going on with negotiations. Here is a recap.

January 2005, contract negotiations started, and by March 2007, only 6 sections have been settled - 35 Sections still open. The company settles non-economic issues first. Items settled include; uniforms, moving expenses/voluntary furlough/reduction in personnel, training, grievance/system board of adjustment, and safety and health, Lodo. Items settled do not mean they are written in stone. All active flight attendants will have the opportunity to vote on the Tentative Agreement once a Tentative Agreement is negotiated. The MEC does not make the complete content of these sections available in the event they have to go back to open a section for further negotiating leverage. So, the contents of all the sections won't be fully available until an entire T/A is reached and the MEC votes to either send the T/A to the membership or back to the committee for further negotiation. The info rep team will be meeting with the MEC and Local councils to get the specific information to give to you.

Who is the Negotiating Team? According to the AFA By-Laws, both the West and the East negotiating team consist of the MEC President, one additional member, and a staff negotiator. The East team is MEC President, Mike Flores, Carol Austin and the staff negotiator, Clair Burt. Ms. Burt is the Manager of Collective Bargaining for the Association of Flight Attendants.

When can we expect a T/A? The company is dragging their feet. The negotiating committee has only settled 6 out of 35 sections since January 2005. You can see how long it has taken to settle these 6 items - over a year, and we still have over 35 sections open. Yet, once we operate under one certificate, it will cost the company money everyday to operate under two contracts.

AFA wants the 'Best of Both' Contracts. Our negotiating team has our best interest at hand. Remember, Mike and Carol are Flight Attendants too! Our team wants the best for us and then some! Prior to a ratification vote, the negotiating team will print a guide to contract negotiations for the members review and conduct roadshows. That, plus speaking to the info reps will guide you into an informed decision, and an informed vote.

Until then, sign up for e-line if you have not already. Print out current e-lines for your reference. There are 4700 active East Flight Attendants; only 3000 are signed up for e-line. Spread the word; get info first on the e-line! You can sign up using the following link:

http://www.unionvoice.org/e_line_afa_usairways/join.tcl

'See the latest MEC E-line regarding negotiations' at:
http://www.afausairways.org/Eline/apr10_07.htm

 

[flyguy121]

January 2005, contract negotiations started, and by March 2007, only 6 sections have been settled - 35 Sections still open.

You've GOT to be kidding! Entering the 28TH MONTH of negotiations and only 6 sections settled??!! I can't understand why the company doesn't want to move quicker on contract negotiations since they have much to gain in terms of $$$ and that's all they seem to care about.

From what I've heard - Sherri Shamblin is running around the system saying don't expect a contract for at least another year and a half!!

Someone tell me why I want to come back again??

 

[FlightChic]

You've GOT to be kidding! Entering the 28TH MONTH of negotiations and only 6 sections settled??!! I can't understand why the company doesn't want to move quicker on contract negotiations since they have much to gain in terms of $$$ and that's all they seem to care about.

I'll tell you why. Because they want us to continue to make poverty wages. Even though I have been here for over seven years, my pay froze when I was involuntarily furloughed so I am only making 21.68 and flying 50 hours a month. Our minimum guarantee is 73 hours. You do the math! We have one of the lowest pay scales in the industry. The company knows we are going to demand more pay and a better contract since we are no longer in bankruptcy. They just can't stand the thought of us being happy. The new company motto is "We're not happy till you're not happy". IMHO it's also a control thing. They want us to know they are the ones in charge, and you know what? They are! They do whatever they want. When they changed the new non-rev policy, that was against our contract but they don't care. It was against the pilots' contract. They don't care. They still got away with changing it and no one did anything about it. I think the AFA attorney is/was investigating it and we filed a grievance, but it's a lost cause. Our union just rolls over and lets them do whatever the hell they want. The more we let this happen, the more they will do it. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. AFA should be the one taking charge but they aren't!

Take a look at our pay scale:
Years of service is the number on the left with pay on the right. Included is East pay and West pay!

EAST WEST

1 18.75 0-1 16.18
2 19.89 1-2 17.40
3 21.09 2-3 18.08
4 21.68 3-4 19.18
5 24.57 4-5 20.27
6 30.21 5-6 21.38
7 31.84 6-7 22.96
8 32.62 7-8 24.47
9 33.68 8-9 26.31
10 34.75 9-10 28.23
11 35.52 10-11 30.24
12 36.36 11-12 34.74
13 37.16 12-13 35.72
14 37.97 13-14 36.67
14+ 37.59

 

[flyguy121]

I've seen the payscales and they are dreadful indeed. The East side of the operation is horrendous enough, it's no wonder turnover on the West is as high as it is and constant hiring in Tempe is necessary.

But what I'm speaking to is why doesn't the company move to speed these negotiations along since a single contract would provide much in cost savings for the company when crews and aircraft can be cross utilized in a far more efficient manner? Why doesn't the company progress the negotiations along when they really have so much to gain $$$$$ which is all they've been shown to care about?

It just doesn't make $EN$E for the company...

 

[lildutchgrl]

I think the only FAs after invols are the VFLR ones and if they come back it is as a new hire. I could be worng though, it happens.

I am not taking into account the monthly leaves.

Here is the reply from the union on VFs and VFLRs getting recalled

"They only need 90 people so they are not even close to going through
the
list. There are a lot of names on the invol list, so I don't think you
have
anything to worry about.

As far as a time line for a single agreement, I don't think it's going
to be
any time soon on that, either. There's only been 6 sections agreed to
--
out of more than 35. We haven't even gotten into the heart of it --
money,
reserves, etc. Don't look for anything on that until this Fall. Just
my
best guess mind you." 🙄

 

[EMBFA]

Here is the reply from the union on VFs and VFLRs getting recalled

"They only need 90 people so they are not even close to going through
the
list. There are a lot of names on the invol list, so I don't think you
have
anything to worry about.

As far as a time line for a single agreement, I don't think it's going
to be
any time soon on that, either. There's only been 6 sections agreed to
--
out of more than 35. We haven't even gotten into the heart of it --
money,
reserves, etc. Don't look for anything on that until this Fall. Just
my
best guess mind you." 🙄

Dont believe a word of it. They will reach your seniority, even if you are 04-01. Trust me.

 

[flyguy121]

Dont believe a word of it. They will reach your seniority, even if you are 04-01. Trust me.

I am a representative of Class 01-04, I've doubted all along they will reach us this time around...but if they do I'll be the first to let you know.

 

[Travelpro72]

It is to my understanding that a flight attendant out on VF retains ALL of their seniority while a flight attendant on VFLR certainly do come back at the bottom. The VFLR folks got the cash portion of the deal along with other things agreed to that are different than a VF. I highly doubt they'd get a bunch back from the VFLR. Although that could bring Teddy Xidus back if she wanted to.

 

[nick]

Can anyone who's received his letter tell me when the letters must be returned to inflight as I am vacationing and not at my mailing address. Is there anywhere on the web I can print a copy of the letter? I don't want issues with not responding to the recall. Thanx for any help anyone can give.

 

[algflyr]

The letter must be returned by Noon (ET) April 24, 2007.

Nick, check your PM.

 

[flightattend21]

Great breakdown of reality from my angle too, EMBFA.

I'd like to think that any new contract will deliver post bankruptcy pay raises (to help us live in these expensive bases since commuting is so difficult) and a new reserve system for all. At some point we will be the larger voting block and will be able to negotiate items that will pay us a living wage and benefits that mean something.

I also agree this job is what you make of it. Personally, I've always loved the weird schedules and ever changing co-workers. I don't want to be exposed to constant negativity but appreciate having this outlet to get rid of it. I had a mentor that told me "You earn the right to complain if you are willing to get involved and offer a solution". Good advice.

Sadly, I'd be taking a big paycut to come back but the sacifice could pay off in a few years.

I thought so too. thought i could make some money ETB but as soon as I came back they changed the rules for ETB its really hard to pick up a trip (and really why should you give up all your days off) and then sit for 6 days on 3 days off? think really hard really really hard I know I have to make some seriuous decisions now because things have not and will not change any time soon

 

[2clippedwings]

If you know any f/a that might be recalled soon, I'd recommend you refer them here and that they read THIS thread first.
Positive, negative, it's all here.
I took the recall in June and am enjoying what little flying I am doing now but took a big pay cut to come back. Was it worth it? For now yes but then again I'm making post USAirways plans a little sooner than I thought.
In the meantime rather than be a defeatist I'm interested in bettering my lot as a reserve and making my voice heard. I wish that all reserves felt that way. NOW is the time for unity.

 

[FlightChic]

I thought so too. thought i could make some money ETB but as soon as I came back they changed the rules for ETB its really hard to pick up a trip (and really why should you give up all your days off) and then sit for 6 days on 3 days off? think really hard really really hard I know I have to make some seriuous decisions now because things have not and will not change any time soon

So do you think you will make some serious decisions and leave sooner than later? I know you are a great flight attendant and you will excel in whatever else you want to do. You deserve a better job and you deserve to be paid what you are worth. We all know what US Airways thinks flight attendants are worth, and it is total BS. The only reason I stay with it is because of all the free time so I can take advantage of the time off from work so I can pursue other things. If it weren't for that, I would say ciao, adios, goodbye. Of course, I am beginning to get really frustrated and I may be leaving out of mere frustration.

 

[Itestwell]

Positive, negative, it's all here.

Really? Where is the positive? Can you direct me to a thread? :blink: