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View From The Jumpseat
January 2010 - ATL/NYC Member ConcernsDecember 2009 - DTW FA Janette Rook's Views
November 2009 - BOS FA Jacob Easter's Views
October 2009 - MEM/ATL FA Kathy Swarts' Views
February 05, 2010 eNews
THIS WEEK’S LABOR QUOTE
No carrier, its officers, or agents shall deny or in any way question the right of its employees to join, organize, or assist in organizing the labor organization of their choice, and it shall be unlawful for any carrier to interfere in any way with the organization of its employees… or to influence or coerce employees in an effort to induce them to join or remain or not to join or remain members of any labor organization.” ~ The Railway Labor Act, federal law governing airline representational elections
GROUNDHOG DAY 2010:
WELL-TIMED RAISES FOR NON-CONTRACT LABOR… AGAIN
Delta may have waited until after Groundhog Day to announce raises for non-contract labor, but given its proximity to our upcoming representational election, it feels like deja vu all over again. In uncannily similar timing, PMDL Flight Attendants were given a small pay raise last January, too-just one month before AFA called for their 2009 representational election, which was lost by a very small margin.
Delta explained the raise to be part of a pre-merger commitment to bring top-scale PMDL non-union workers up to industry standard. For a better understanding of what that really means, click HERE. Strategically waiting until “the right time,” Delta is careful to spread this goodwill broadly, lest anyone claim election interference over isolated Flight Attendant raises.
A common method of the familiar “divide and conquer” technique, the selective raises are surprising only in their predictability. PMDL Flight Attendants who have been around since at least 9/11 know first-hand such pleasant surprises can turn to compulsory concessions on a dime. Surprise take-backs and work rule changes are imposed with equal speed, via memo, absent the protection of a legally binding contract.
Joanne Smith’s letter to PMNW FAs not receiving raises serves up a dose of harmonization philosophy with this pretense of consolation: “We will continue to honor the pay, benefits and work rules provided for in your contract” and “Until then [the representational election], we will honor the commitments under your contract.”
That is, indeed, good news, given Delta has appeared to honor only those parts of our contract that best suit their goal to undermine it. This, while defiantly side-stepping our Scope provisions, Seniority rights, Grievance process, information disclosure, Training travel requirements, Uniform replacement, and countless other efforts to assert policy over contractual language.
THIS WEEK’S MANAGEMENT QUOTE
We must be the employer of choice, by being responsible to our employees and treating them with respect and dignity… That means the best ethical management… We will provide fair and appropriate compensation and benefits… Employees must feel free to make suggestions and tell us when we are mistaken.”
~ Delta Air Lines’ ‘Rules of the Road’,
governing principles for successful business
QUESTION OF THE WEEK-FMLA
Q. I think Sedgwick denied my FMLA request because of my Reserve status. Can they do that? I’m confused about which hours actually count towards the FMLA requirement of 568 hours. Do vacation time, sick time and OPR stand by count toward the hours? I thought there was a new law that would help us.
A. Your FMLA request cannot be denied due to Reserve status alone, but there may be other (dis)qualifying factors. After years of AFA Government Affairs activists and concerned AFA members lobbying for guaranteed access for Flight Attendants to the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act was signed into law by President Obama on December 21, 2009. The law greatly improves upon previous FMLA provisions-which inadvertently excluded flight crews in its previous form-especially for Reserves.
The new annual threshold for FMLA flight time/flight pay accrual is 504, down from 568. Vacation and Sick time do not count toward FMLA hours, but time spent sitting Reserve generally does under the new law. The new guidelines for eligibility (exclusive of qualifying or disqualifying medical factors) are as follows:
For Line Holders:
1) The FA has worked or been paid at least 504 hours in the previous 12 months; and
2) On average, the FA has worked or been paid at least 60 percent of his/her scheduled hours in the previous 12 months.
For Reserves:
1) The FA has worked or been paid for at least 504 hours of his/her monthly guarantee in the previous 12 months; and
2) On average, the FA has worked or been paid at least 60 percent of his/her monthly guarantee in the previous 12 months.
Please let us know if your FMLA request is denied because Sedgwick has incorrectly calculated your qualifying FMLA time.
VACATION ACCRUAL ADJUSTMENTS
Over the past several weeks, many of Flight Attendants received company emails regarding vacation adjustments for incorrect prior year vacation accrual. Most often, 2010 vacations days were over-projected, leaving members with the choice to either forego a planned and scheduled vacation, or keep the days off as credit without pay. While the company does make calculation errors that require correction, other times, a more thorough understanding of the accrual and projection process matched with your individual CMAS information leads to-voila!-the answer. Hint: it doesn’t hurt to have a calculator on hand to get to the bottom of it.
Company emails directed Flight Attendants to write to with questions, or to indicate which vacation option they would choose. Company representatives have been returning email inquiries and/or walking members through their calculation via phone, as necessary. Many of the email answers were unclear, however, leading to more confusion. If you received a Vacation Adjustment email and don’t understand where the discrepancy lies, want detailed instructions on how to resolve your vacation issue, or just want to learn more about the vacation accrual process, click HERE.
“THOSE DARNED TELE-MARKETERS! OH WAIT, IT’S SCHEDULING!”
Be aware that unfamiliar phone numbers may appear in Caller ID when you receive a call from Crew Scheduling. We have been advised that the company phone system’s out-dialer is tied to reservations. Apparently, a recent switch from the NWA 800 call center to the DL call center routes calls through an ATL server, effectively changing the number that shows up on your phone. The company is in the process of reprogramming this so most future Scheduling calls should appear from the regular 866-612-0001 number. Bottom line—and especially important for Reserves to note—that strange number on your phone could actually be a call from Crew Scheduling.
CAMI CABIN SAFETY WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE
The 2010 schedule for the Cabin Safety Workshops has been announced by the FAA’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, OK. These workshops are open to all flight attendants and provide an excellent opportunity to become updated on important research activitiesbeing conducted in the area of aircraft cabin safety.
The dates of the workshops include: April 13-15, June 15-17, August 3-5 and September 14-16. There are no fees for attending the workshops; however, participants are responsible for their own lodging, meals and transportation. We are currently working with Delta IFS to determine the possibility of positive space travel being made available to any FA interested in taking advantage of one of the sessions.
Click HERE for additional information on the current research topics to be presented and, importantly, the registration form required. Assignments to the workshops are awarded in the order that registration forms are received, so we encourage you to submit your interest now. You will find the workshops to be an invaluable experience!
~ submitted by ASHS Chair Jeanne Elliott
A VESTED INTEREST IN UNIFORM STANDARDS
On January 19th, your MEC Grievance Department and the Company arbitrated what has become known as, simply, The Vest Grievance. Shortly after last year’s introduction of the Richard Tyler collection, the company finalized an updated version of uniform standards. Delta now requires that the vest, a dress, or your jacket be worn at all time while working in BE class.
Previously, if the company required a specific garment be worn, they paid for it. The elimination of a required garment i.e., the old International Serving Jacket, in Business/First Class during past negotiations was seen as a win for the flight attendants and was tied to the elimination of International dry cleaning during concessionary bargaining.
Required attire in BE has returned with the new standards, but the only comfortable alternative is the vest. Not only do we have to pay for vest as an optional item, but we now have to clean it on our own dime, as well.
The “Vest Grievance” arbitrator was Sylvia Stratek. Witnessing for the union were New York Flight Attendant and Negotiator James Yung and Local 92 LECP and Purser Bob Cannatelli, who wore his jacket during an AMS trip, providing evidence of how filthy the jacket can get when worn during meal service. The company called Julie Showers out of retirement to testify on their behalf.
Oral briefs will be given on February 17. Customarily, a draft award is issued approximately six weeks after the submission of the briefs.
~ submitted by Grievance Vice Chair Patricia Reller
THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS
Delta May Shut Cincinnati Crew Base, Shift Flying ~ ABC News (02/02)
PILOTS’ VIEW
The Delta tradition includes a commitment to bargaining legally binding contracts-for the pilots. In our latest campaign video, two Delta pilots talk about the importance of representation to them and their profession, and why Delta flight attendants not only need, but deserve representation.
Click the TV or click HERE to watch the video. Please be sure to view, then register on the site, give it the highest rating possible, subscribe to future videos and share/forward it to your friends, family and others.
January 30, 2010 eNews
62 YEARS AND COUNTING . . .
Your MEC is pleased to announce the arrival of our newsletter, all call. Beginning today,all NWA-AFA members will receive a printed copy of the newsletter at their homes.
This edition of all call commemorates our 62-year history of collective bargaining. We’ve featured several union leaders and activists through the years, MEC President Janette Rook’s speech to the National Mediation Board, and pictures of our Agreements since September, 1947.
As a way to share some of our history, the MEC and Delta AFA Campaign have printed a limited number of copies of the newsletter to make available to our Delta colleagues. all call will be available-while supplies last-to DL flight attendants at our AFA tables in NYC, ATL, SLC, DTW, MSP, and other locations. Can’t wait to see your copy? Go to http://www.nwaafa.org/docs/printres/all_call_2010.pdf for the electronic version.
We hope you enjoy this final newsletter from NWA-AFA. Along with our Delta friends and colleagues, we look forward to creating the new Delta AFA newsletter in the near future.
NEW SYSTEM SENIORITY LIST POSTED
As contractually required in CBA Section 20, the company posted an updated copy of our Flight Attendant System Seniority List on CENTRY and under What’s New on the ATLAS homepage. Flight Attendants are contractually allowed up to 60 days following the list’s release to file a written protest, should they believe an error, omission or incorrect posting has occurred. According to the updated list, PMNW now has a total of 7276 Flight Attendants, as of January 29, 2010.
Please submit written inquiries to:
Dustin Ray
Analyst - Operations & Planning
Mailstop F 5800
7200 34th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55450
We recommend mailing seniority challenges with a USPS return receipt to verify your submission. The deadline for submitting a protest will be March 29, 2010.
MIGRATION MANIA, INSURANCE ISSUES, PAYROLL PROBLEMS AND YOU
“Already flooded with millions of pieces of medical and insurance-related paperwork, Americans are assuming more control over their own health care.
Currently 82 percent of American households are spending significant time organizing, filing and reconciling their health care information. We will break through that clutter of information and consolidate it, so consumers can be empowered to make the right decisions and save time and money.” ~ Richard Anderson, Executive Vice President, UnitedHealth Group, April, 2006
Your NWA-AFA MEC has compiled volumes of complaints about our new UHC insurance and the confusing, disorganized and misleading Open Enrollment process we
experienced several months ago. We will continue to address these issues head-on with the company as they occur, including the myriad of ongoing Payroll and Benefit
problems affecting both active and retired employees. Please see http://www.nwaafa.org/docs/benefits/2010_Health_Benefits/01.25.10_Collins_Benefit_Is sues.pdf to read MEC President Janette Rook’s emphatic letter to Delta management, reasserting our contractual rights and many of your most vocal concerns, as follow up to a recent meeting.
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miscalculated COBRA billing ~ payroll deduction errors ~ computer glitches ~ medical providers balking at UHC ~ post-tax insurance charges ~ mountains of Open Enrollment paperwork ~ switched primary residence ~ endless 800-MY-DELTA voicemail maze ~ undesired COBRA payments extracted from bank accounts
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Remember to call 1-800 MY DELTA or email for pension, retirement, payroll, travel, and benefit questions or problems. You can also contact
for payroll issues. Because Delta has a different system, it might also be appropriate to copy in or call your local inflight manager for assistance. If you are assigned a case number and/or follow up is required, be sure to record the name of the customer service representative with your case number. Document. Document. Document. Dates, times, names, and case numbers are important, especially if you need your AFA representative to pursue resolution later.
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incorrect wage verification ~ ESC phone tag without resolution ~ missing Defined Benefit retirement updates ~ “unavailable” company business seats for training travel ~ inaccurate MyHealthCareView information ~ distorted payroll marital status ~ outsourced third-party “solutions” companies
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Your MEC and Local Council Officers will continue to communicate ongoing glitches and administrative errors as they come to our attention. While many of these get
corrected as we go, others may take time, patience, and persistence to resolve. Thank you for your diligence in bringing hot topics to the forefront, as we strive to effectively and successfully survive the big move, together.
No Way AFA BRINGS ANTI-UNION CAMPAIGN ‘UP NORTH’
On the heels of a fairly regular AFA campaign presence in crew lounges system-wide, occasional teams of No Way AFA supporters have begun visibility efforts of their own, setting up camp around the PMNW system. On Thursday, DTW"s Flight Attendant lounge hosted a small group of anti-union activists. So far, reports indicate their ranks to be well armed with error-riddled, sensationalist anti-union material, including free copies of “Should You Hire a Union - What you and your co-workers ought to know before deciding,” by Cal Atwood and Bernie Koehne.
The 57-page booklet is from the Right to Work Foundation and was written by industry outsiders with no relevant airline perspective. Its claims of physical violence, beatings, entrapment and threats by union members bear no resemblance to the representation NWA Flight Attendants have enjoyed for over 60 years. In fact, the No Way AFA book so misrepresents your AFA brothers and sisters, campaign activists and the Local Council Officers with whom you share a jumpseat, we will gladly share where you can get your own copy of their inaccurate booklet, at your request.
Should you encounter anti-union activists campaigning in the lounge or elsewhere, please welcome our new colleagues professionally, as you would wish to be greeted. Feel free to engage in respectful dialogue, bearing in mind we are all colleagues at the end of the day. Remain alert to underlying agendas within casual discussions. Most importantly, however, arm yourself with education upfront. Become familiar with the headlines, newsletters and educational fliers found on the Delta AFA website and/or call your Local Council to fact-check conflicting information. Finally, always keep your Local Council apprised of such encounters.
FLIGHT #253 DEBRIEFING: A CALL FOR STRONGER SECURITY MEASURES
On January 25th, a formal security debriefing was held in ATL with the crew of NWA’s Flight #253, whose training and quick response thwarted a well-publicized Christmas Day terrorist attack. The debriefing allowed our crew an opportunity to reflect on their
experience and offer recommendations for improvements to procedures and crew security training, with a focus on “lessons learned.”
In that the circumstances of Flight 253 are part of an ongoing FBI investigation, a confidentiality restriction has been placed on the proceedings of Monday’s debriefing
session. Our Flight 253 crew has been and will continue to be recognized for their exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and courage in the face of a very real threat to
everyone onboard. We should be extremely proud of our peers! An immediate response to this attack was voiced by our Union, and most recently released as comprehensive, counter-terrorism position papers including the call for stronger counterterrorism training, and tougher legislation to protect passengers and, importantly, cabin crew, who remain the ‘last line of defense’. See AFA’s press release at http://www.afanet.org/default.asp?id=1241 .
AFA-CWA’s proposed counter-terrorism strategy includes:
Wireless Communications For Flight Attendants
http://www.deltaafa.org/fourpoint/AFA_CabinCrewWirelessDevice.pdf
Stronger Carry-On Bag Limitations
http://www.deltaafa.org/fourpoint/AFA_Carry-on_summary.pdf
Passenger Communications Systems Restrictions
http://www.deltaafa.org/fourpoint/AFACommunicationsRestrictions.pdf
Basic and Recurrent Flight Attendant Counter terrorism Training
http://www.deltaafa.org/fourpoint/AFA_Basic_and_Recurrent_Flight%20Attendant_Counter_Terrorism_Training_Course.pdf
Actively employed U.S. airline crew members interested in pursuing voluntary advanced self defense training classes developed by the Transportation Security Administration can find more information, including links for class schedules and online registration at http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/self_defense_cmsd_programs.shtm.
~ Submitted by MEC ASHS Chair Jeanne Elliott
SO IT’S NOT QUITE JEOPARDY,
BUT TRY THIS QUICK QUIZ CHALLENGE
Q. In 1968, how long did the average Flight Attendant career last?
A. 18 months.
Q. Under pressure from AFA, what year did courts find United’s “no marriage” rule illegal?
A. 1971
Q. What year did the court rules that Northwest Airlines must pay female flight attendants the same scale as males? (Hint: The following year, AFA challenged the requirement that females had to stop working during pregnancy.)
A. 1974 and 1975
Q. In 1988, AFA lobbying before Congress resulted in what ban on domestic flight of two hours or less?
A. The smoking ban on shorter flights became effective in 1988. In 1990, it was expanded to all domestic flights.
For more fun-and educational-flight attendant milestones, check out Milestones at http://www.deltaafa.org/images/fliers/Milestones.pdf and review an impressive chronology of AFA’s accomplishments on our behalf over the last 65 years. More recent milestone victories include the passage of legally-binding seniority protection for airline workers, successful pressuring of Congress to fund flight attendant fatigue studies, and mandated FMLA coverage for flight attendants.
This Week in the News . . .
Delta Announces Three-year, $1 Billion Product Upgrade ~ ATW Daily News, January
26, 2010, which can be found at http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=19164
BILLION DOLLAR BABY
* Delta Air Lines has announced it will invest $1 billion-about $300 million per year, through mid-2013 to upgrade the customer experience.
* Northwest Airlines Flight Attendants invested $1.1 billion via court-ordered bankruptcy concessions-$195 million per year, starting in 2006, to preserve our employment experience.
* President Ed Bastian stated, “…Delta will be spending its capital to improve the quality and consistency of the onboard product…”
* This statement begs a double-take. Whose capital is being spent here?
* Last year, Richard Anderson claimed, “We cannot have a business that runs on debt and borrows from our employees” in the January 2009 edition of the CEO Forum.
* This month, CEO Richard Anderson calls the $1B upgrade “the most significant investment we have made in our customers in more than a decade.”
AFA MEMBERS, OTHER AVIATION PROFESSIONS ASSIST IN HAITIAN RELIEF
Amidst the chaos and turmoil of Haiti’s ongoing tragedy, heartening stories of generosity and courage are unfolding, as well-both in survivors’ experiences, and in the relief efforts of volunteers from around the globe. Retired NWA Purser Raymond Rolak recently published an article highlighting the volunteer efforts of five United Airlines AFA members, who carried supplies and aid workers into the country, returning with survivors.
Rolak’s two-part story also features a unique trip made possible, in part, by retired NWA-Delta Captain Bill DaSilva’s donation of time and personal aircraft. DaSilva made his Albatross available for a special assistance flight to carry several tons of donated supplies, along with twelve volunteer doctors and nurses from Michigan. The Albatross is the only potential aircraft for a trip of this nature and flight length, and the mission would not have gotten off the ground without DaSilva’s generosity. For the rest of the story, go to http://www.nwaafa.org/docs/press/01.28.10_Rolak_Haiti_Rescue.pdf
Visit the Delta-AFA campaign:
Facebook | YouTube | Delta-AFA | iTunes Video | iTunes Audio
January 22, 2010 eNews . . .
HAITIAN TRAGEDY INVOKES OUTPOURING OF GENEROSITY
The devastation in Haiti remains pervasive and overwhelming, but assistance agencies coordinating with government systems are working non-stop meet this human tragedy head on. Yesterday, Delta operated its first military-contracted disaster relief charter flight to Port-au-Prince
staffed by Inflight Service Managers and facilitators (as permitted by PMDL work rules). Opportunities may soon exist for rank-and-file Flight Attendants to participate in this type of flying, although regular scheduled service may not resume for some time.
Involvement in aid and evacuation flights can be extremely rewarding, serving as a hands-on way to be part of disaster relief efforts. If an opportunity for this important work becomes available, your AFA Employee Assistance Program offers some noteworthy tips for stress prevention and management HERE.
Requests continue to pour in from generous employees seeking information about other ways they can help. The AFL-CIO is mobilizing members and calling for the global union movement to “do our utmost to aid our Haitian sisters and brothers in their moment of extraordinary need.” In addition to the list of relief agencies published in last week’s hotline, the AFL-CIO recommends donations to the following disaster assistance organizations:
Doctors Without Borders|Partners in Health| Red Cross International
SOLIDARITY IN THE SPIRIT OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
AFA-CWA members and activists at Northwest-Delta Air Lines attended ceremonies in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this week in Atlanta. The parade went through downtown and made its way to Ebenezer Church where a grandstand was set up for speeches and tributes to Dr. King. DL flight attendant Pat Lockhart represented our group and gave an inspiring speech about our organizing efforts and her personal reflection of the civil rights struggle.
It was a very successful and moving time in Atlanta. The parade drew thousands of people and I was so proud that we had such a strong showing at the event. MEC Member Engagement Vice Chair Jarrod Anderson lent his unique vocal styling to our parade and led our group’s rally all the way to Ebenezer Church! Sincere appreciation to all the ATL coordinators and activists that turned out last Monday. Our solidarity is a fitting tribute to the work of MLK.
~ Submitted by MEC Vice President Daniel Grey
TSA UNION CALLS ON FLIGHT ATTENDANTS FOR SUPPORT
Every hour of the day, U.S. Flight Attendants cooperate with TSA employees at security checkpoints throughout the country, upholding our first line of defense. Few are aware these hard-working employees are struggling to achieve fair work rules and raises through collective bargaining rights in a union campaign nearly twice the size of the our Delta AFA campaign.
As the largest federal employee union in the country , the Federation of Government Employees has been fighting unfair work practices and policies on behalf of Transportation Security Officers for eight years. The AFGE has asked us to support their organizing effort during a 45 day membership drive, with the hope they can secure an election date for a collective bargaining agent. Please take a minute to read about the AFGE history and offer an encouraging word to TSA workers you meet in your travels.
THE MIGRATION FROM RADAR TO DELTANET:
What’s Missing, What’s Broken, What’s Moved and Where
Poof, it’s gone! ... or is it? The transition from RADAR to DeltaNet has left many Flight Attendants wondering ‘Did it Fall Off the Moving Truck or Get Left Behind?’ Many of our familiar information resources seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Sometimes, it is simply the learning curve, as we figure out where Delta puts things. Sometimes, web pages are temporarily “closed for construction.” Other times, however, alert members call to our attention issues that require further investigation-such as the real time, personalized Defined Benefit retirement page that appears to no longer exist. Historically, many items have been disclosed to PMNW Flight Attendants as a long-standing practice of transparency that recognizes an employee’s right to know the payroll, benefit, and retirement information that affects them.
This week we further examine the transition to DeltaNet, paycheck changes, 401(k), and the use of third party vendors. Click HERE to read the complete story. As the big move from RADAR to DeltaNet and from in-house to third party solutions providers continues, your AFA officers will do our best to track important changes when they occur.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PESTICIDES RESEARCH STUDY
AFA is currently supporting a research project on the spraying of pesticides on aircraft, known as “disinsection.” The study will determine whether disinsection increases pesticide levels in Flight Attendant bodies, as compared to the general adult U.S. population and compared to Flight Attendants who do not work on aircraft where pesticides are used.
This study is being funded by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration through their Center of Excellence Program/Airline Cabin Environment Research. For comparison reasons, Flight Attendants who fly routes where spraying occurs, such as BOM, are needed, as well as those who do NOT. NWA-AFA supports this study, recognizing the need to learn the impact of disinsection on our work group. Participants will be asked to collect urine samples on three days and return them to the research team for analysis in a pre-paid FedEx package.
If you are interested and/or have further questions, you may contact , Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute at: 732-445-0154 . AFA’s Occupational Health Re
searcher may be contacted as well. Reference to the research team’s request for flight attendant participants can be found HERE. Further information on the significance of this research can also be found on the FAA’s Center of Excellence webpage on pesticides.
We appreciate your consideration in participating in this worthwhile research project affecting Flight Attendant health and the workplace.
~ Submitted by MEC ASHS Chair Jeanne Elliott
THE (TEMPORARY) SCOOP ON JUMPSEAT BOOKING
Amidst a whirlwind of procedural changes, the company has advised that our contractual provisions for jumpseat booking will remain intact for flights operated by PMNW crews. They assert that Delta policies will apply to PMDL operated flights, however. At this time, “cross-listing” for jumpseats is not in place, but the XFA walk up policy is still in place for jumpseats on oppposite metal. Other company assertions regarding which XFA policy applies and “who” staffs “what” remain in question, due to apparent intentions to violations of our Scope.
As most commuters are aware, we are in the midst of a one-time inventory cutover period through January 31, during part of which jumpseat listing is not available. Please remember the transition to DL flight number designations effectively closes out former NWA numbers. Any prior listings made under the old numbers will no longer exist. Previous communications indicated jumpseat booking via IVR and ATLAS would return with a new look on January 24 for travel January 31 and beyond. More recently, company officials have advised that technical difficulties will likely postpone the return of jumpseat listing, probably until the morning of January 25. Our old travel training program will still work, but the new one will not take effect until that time, as well. Stay tuned for additional updates, if necessary.
VIEW FROM THE JUMPSEAT
This week’s View From the Jumpseat comes from a concerned S-ATL member, with concerns about our Scope protection, closing of the Satellite base and the direction of future flying. The letter asks directly what we can expect to see AFA do, with an emphasis on the need for information. Click on the ‘View’ icon at the right or HERE to read our member’s poignant inquiry and a timely response from MEC President Janette Rook.
IAM-FIRST POST-MERGER UNION ELECTION SET FOR SIM TECHS
The first wave of post-merger NMB elections is slated to run February 3 - 25, as nearly 100 Flight Simulator Technicians will decide whether to retain union representation. Despite assertions of neutrality, Delta attempted to co-opt the election process and dilute their vote. Delta pushed to fold this small, unique workgroup into a larger unrepresented group. The National Mediation Board disagreed, however, recognizing Sim Techs as a separate and distinct class or craft that merits its own election. “If Delta had been successful in combining Sim Techs with mechanics, Northwest Sim Techs would have lost their union contract without a vote and Delta Sim Techs would have been denied an opportunity to make up their own minds about union representation,” explained IAM General Vice President, Robert Roach, Jr."Delta’s aggressive stance to prevent an election shows they are afraid of what their employees can achieve when acting collectively."More information about the Delta Sim Tech election is available at http://www.iam143.org and HERE
WHEN ARE WE VOTING?
While the National Mediation Board considers all comments regarding its proposed rule change for representation elections, the number one question on the line continues to be, “When are we going to vote?” Please click HERE for an informative flier that answers questions about our upcoming vote. Since much of our voting timeline rests in the hands of the NMB, we cannot establish definite dates for the election right now; but we hope the flier will help answer the question with all the facts we have available today. We urge you to print and share with your flying partners.
PILOTS’ VIEW
The Delta tradition includes a commitment to bargaining legally binding contracts-for the pilots. In our latest campaign video, two Delta pilots talk about the importance of representation to them and their profession, and why Delta flight attendants not only need, but deserve representation.
Click the TV or click HERE to watch the video. Please be sure to view, then register on the site, give it the highest rating possible, subscribe to future videos and share/forward it to your friends, family and others.
Visit the Delta-AFA campaign:Facebook | YouTube | Delta-AFA | iTunes Video | iTunes Audio
January 15, 2010 eNews . . .
THE SCOPE OF OUR FLYING...CLICK HERE TO READ A Q&A ABOUT SECTION 1 AND OUR CONTRACTUAL SCOPE PROVISIONS.
http://nwaafa.org/docs/legal/NWA_AFA_SCOPE_QA.pdf
LABOR QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“History is a great teacher. Now everyone knows that the labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production. Those who attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
“KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE-CONTINUING THE JOURNEY”
Delta Air Lines will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with a variety of special initiatives in his honor. Company sponsored events include community service and renovation projects throughout the system. In recognition of King’s values and core principles, we encourage involvement in these worthy endeavors.
Additionally, you are invited to join fellow Delta flight attendants, labor leaders and AFA- CWA supporters in Atlanta on Monday, January 18, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., for a march and rally to honor King’s work. For complete details, click the link. http:// http://www.unionvoice.org/delta_nw/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=28797134 Our goal of obtaining a legal and recognized voice in the workplace closely parallels Dr. King’s ideals. On January 18th in Atlanta, we pay tribute to a man who inspired a nation, and dedicated his life for workers and minorities so that equality, fairness, and dignity become not just a dream, but a reality for all.
PAYROLL CONCERNS SOAR TO TOP OF FAQs
Payroll inquiries continue to top the FAQ charts, due to this week’s transition from NWA’s in-house department to Delta’s third party payroll system. On January 13th, your MEC sent a special edition eNews http://www.unionvoice.org/nwa_afa/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=28840710 to address member concerns, including payroll calculation errors and the contractual requirement for timely corrections. Please refer to Wednesday’s special edition eNews link for the contact information you need to correct specific payroll issues with Delta. Delta provided a different e-mail address than previously published for payroll inquiries in yesterday’s, ‘Pay Transition Updates’ memo, requesting you contact the Employee Service Center at .
Even if you rarely check your check online, now is the time to start. Cross-check your CMAS (currently still available on the ATLAS homepage under Hot Links on the left- hand side or the Employee Self Service page on DeltaNet) with your online pay “stub” to verify accuracy. Take special note as to whether your W2 deductions and address are correct. Pay for duty rigs, ground time, and Reserve Increase Adjustment have reportedly incurred a higher volume of calculation errors. Your MEC is tracking the types of problems encountered and your resolution success rate with Delta’s Employee Service Center (ESC) at 800-MY-DELTA. Please continue to share your experiences with .
AFA-CWA SUPPORTS DELTA’S HAITIAN RELIEF EFFORTS
Massive devastation following Haiti’s 7.0 earthquake earlier this week has spurred international relief efforts. As always, generous members are already looking for ways they can help. The momentum and direction of aid initiatives will evolve in the coming days, as government and relief agency plans determine specific needs. For now, we encourage those who want to assist to look into Delta recommended relief resources, which emphasize the American Red Cross, UNICEF and CARE. Primarily, financial donations are needed most at this time. While recognizing the value of kind intentions, employees are discouraged from personal travel to Haiti to volunteer until safer, more coordinated efforts are determined by the appropriate agencies.
A few of our members still await news about family members and loved ones missing in Haiti. Please remember your NWA-AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) http://nwaafa.org/committees/eap/ is always available for Flight Attendants and their families impacted by this horrific event.
ATL SATELLITE BASE AND AFP CLOSINGS
By now, most of our members have heard about Delta’s plans to close our ATL Satellite base, where over 200 of our members are based. All S-ATL Flight Attendants will be returned to their home base, effective May 1. PMDL DWN and MIS AFPs (Detroit and Minneapolis) will also close, according to company policy. Your MEC coordinated with Local 90 Officers to share our own announcement [link] to all affected members, with assurance their contractual rights will be enforced. Local Officers http://nwaafa.org/contacts/Local_bases/ at affected bases are available to assist and answer questions as more details become available. http://nwaafa.org/docs/s-ATL.pdf
MEC PURSER AND LOD COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Christmas Day terrorist attack on flight 253 highlights a continued need for strong communication and cooperation between Pursers and LOD Flight Attendants. With constantly changing TSA regulations, purser and LOD collaboration is more important than ever. Effectively relaying cabin policy changes to our passengers is paramount.
LOD flight attendants’ language skills are tools to achieve a better quality of service. In today’s environment of heightened security awareness, they’re now vital for informing and updating our passengers of necessary security measures. The relationship between Purser and LOD addresses more than just customer service-It can also be a means by which we ensure the integrity and safety of every flight.
~ Submitted by MEC Purser Committee Chair Kim Evasic and LOD Committtee Chair Jeffrey Ferrer
SURVIVING CQ TRAINING: AN UPDATE
In response to the many questions/concerns we’ve received on Continuing Qualification (CQ) training which commenced in all three training centers last week, you MEC Air Safety, Health and Security Committee has created an update with some key points related to 2010 CQ. The exact sequence of aircraft to be tested is not the same for each Training Center due to their configuration and layout; however, remember that each day’s proficiency drills include both NW and DL aircraft. Click here to review 2010 CQ update. http://nwaafa.org/docs/safety/2010CQ.pdf
We continue to work with IFS Learning to ensure all feedback and questions regarding CQ training are addressed and changes made, as required. Please let us continue to hear from you!
~ Submitted by MEC Safety Chair, Jeanne Elliott
WINGS AND THINGS: A VESTED INTEREST IN (E)QUALITY
On Thursday, Delta announced a uniform vest wear testing program is currently underway. The same memo included a reminder for Flight Attendants to pick up their second set of uniform wings. Special thanks to NWA-AFA members for your collective insistence that the company act on these issues.
As always, we continue to channel related complaints and concerns, both through the grievance process and other means, at our members’ direction. Your MEC Grievance Committee filed several uniform-specific grievances shortly after the Richard Tyler ensemble was introduced on March 30. Delta provided additional wings following our assertion that NWA Flight Attendants have always enjoyed two sets. You may recall, however, their initial response http://www.nwaafa.org/docs/grievance/ LION_VEST_FORM_LETTER.pdf to other more costly uniform complaints, such as low-quality, defective vest fabric that pills, frays, unravels and otherwise prematurely disintegrates, was somewhat dismissive in its tone.
Company wear-testing results will finally be produced more than a year after PMNW employee-purchased vests first evidenced fabric problems.
On a related note, the “Vest Grievance” addressing the disparity in designated outer garments in Business Class, is scheduled for arbitration next week. Click the link for the rest of the story. http://nwaafa.org/docs/legal/BEvestgrievance.pdf
WE DID IT! IMPROVEMENTS NEGOTIATED TO THE EXCISE TAX
Throughout the week, NWA-AFA locals across the system shared CWA President Larry Cohen’s urgent, time-sensitive message encouraging our members to contact their Representative and Senators to defeat a proposed tax on health care. CWA leadership, locals and our members have led the opposition to the excise tax. From the start, CWA leaders made it clear that a tax on workers’ health care was the wrong way to finance health care reform… Click http://www.cwa-union.org/news/cwa-newsletter-special-edition-we-did-it.html for the rest of the story.