MEC Hotline Message
Recording: 1-888-3-NWA-AFA
03 October 2008 Hotline Message
3 OCTOBER 2008
Your Vote is Important! Register To Vote!
As the deadline to register to vote approaches in many states, we would like to remind you just how important this election is for working families in our country. From health care to the economy to issues that affect aviation workers in particular, there has never been an election as important as this one. If you have not already done so, please register to vote and make your voice heard. Your future and the future of your families are at stake. Do not take for granted the power of your vote. Click Here for information on how you can register to vote in your state.
-Submitted by MEC Government Affairs Chair
Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Benefits Update
The State of Minnesota, unlike many other states, has a state law that prevents employees on a voluntary leave from collecting unemployment benefits. Your Northwest AFA-CWA Government Affairs Committee has been meeting continually with Minnesota state legislators in St. Paul and Washington D.C. as well as meeting with Commissioner McElroy from the Governor’s office since last July to make changes and exceptions for any future Special Leave Incentive Program (SLIP) leaves. The Government Affairs Committee is also researching the possibility of retroactive actions for those people currently being affected by the state law while on a SLIP leave.
Our next step is arranging a follow up meeting with Minnesota State Senator Metzen and other key officials. Congresswoman Betty McCollum has offered to chair a roundtable with a small group of lawmakers and AFA-CWA representatives to examine all the options. The Republican convention, the Presidential election ,and the availability of certain lawmakers, has slowed the process down. Nonetheless, we will continue our efforts and keep you apprised of our progress.
-Submitted by MEC Gov. Affairs Members and Camilla Wolkerstorfer
Transportation Worker and the Election
The Transportation Worker spent the last few months compiling ideas, plans, and records of both Presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, to help us decide how to cast our vote that will shape the transportation industry, our family, and our livelihood. The Transportation Worker is a monthly newsletter from the Transportation Trades Department who represent the interests of several million aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway and longshore workers before Congress, the Executive Branch and independant government agencies.
McCain:
1. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) promoted an amendment to allow foreign control of U.S. airlines and believes the U.S. policy on allowing foreign carriers to serve our domestic market should be relaxed.
2. In a statement on lobbying and ethics reform on January 4, 2007, Senator McCain called research on the effects of flight attendant fatigue “ridiculous” and has refused to co-sponsor legislation extending federal family and leave benefits to Flight Attendants.
3. Senator McCain introduced legislation to amend the Railway Labor Act and impose “baseball style” arbitration on contract negotiations, which could eliminate our right to vote for a contract. He also stongly opposed the Employee Free Choice Act.
Obama:
1. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) opposes efforts to allow foreign airlines, using foreign crews, to begin competing in the U.S. aviation market and believes Americans have legitimate concerns with foreign takeovers of U.S. airlines.
2. Senator Obama will require health and safety protections for Flight Attendants and cleaner air standards onboard the aircraft. He also was one of the first U.S. Senators to co-sponsor legislation extending family and medical leave benefits to Flight Attendants.
3. Senator Obama supports our collective bargaining rights and has pledged to protect workers from harassment when they try to form unions. He also co-sponsored and voted for the Employee Free Choice Act.
Overall, TTD found that Transportation Workers can find a stark contrast between the two candidates and expect a vast difference in their administration. For specific votes and statements that support TTD’s findings please go to the following websites http://www.workingfamiliestoolkit.com or at http://www.ttd.org
Congressional Calls For Action Fall On Deaf Ears
Last week, a hearing was held by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to scrutinize the conduct of the National Mediation Board (NMB) and allegations of anti-worker policies. The Committee heard various allegations of interference by management into union elections and other collective bargaining rights issues. Thirty five Members of the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus (CLWFC) wrote a letter to all three members of the NMB to express their concerns about NMB’s lack of action regarding allegations that Delta Airlines management interfered with flight attendants’ right to unionize during the recent representational election. The letter states that “On June 6, 2008, 119 charges were filed against Delta Airlines by AFA-CWA on Delta’s massive anti-union campaign, harassed AFA supporters, and instructed its employees to destroy their government-issued balloting information”. The entire letter and signatures can be viewed HERE.
Despite the Congressional efforts, the National Mediation Board (NMB) made up of Presidential appointees ruled in a 2-1 decision this week that it would ignore the numerous charges against Delta. The one dissenting member issued a strong statement saying that an investigation is warranted. “In yet another failure of a government regulatory agency to hold a corporation accountable, the NMB refused to investigate any of the numerous allegations of misconduct by Delta management”, said AFA-CWA International President Pat Friend. Click HERE to see the entire Media Release.
It’s worth noting that in the Congressional hearing, Representative James Oberstar, D-MN, stated that “it won’t be the last” hearing to examine NMB’s inability to be fair and impartial. Rep. Oberstar is a strong supporter for our fight against NMB’s inaction. We urge our members to contact Rep. Oberstar at his office: Washington D.C. (202)225-6211 or Duluth (218)727-7474 to thank him for his efforts on our behalf. For archived video of the illuminating hearing testimony please click HERE.
Representative Conyers Questions Unlawful Practices
A recent letter was sent out to the CEO’s of Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines by John Conyers D-MI, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives to question the unlawful practice of Competition Policies and unfair treatment of union workers between the two soon to be merged airlines.
As we, the flight attendants, fight for our collective bargaining rights and job security, we would like to shine a light on other anti-union campaigns that are also taking place within our company. As our fellow AMFA union brothers and sisters battle to preserve their jobs, it is good to know that we have legislators that care about workers’ plight and are willing to hold management accountable for their actions. View Chairman Conyers letter to Richard Anderson Here and to Doug Steenland Here.
“Purge Your Files” Campaign Round Two
Earlier this summer, after Delta Airlines changed their Discipline Policy, the union started a “Purge Your File” campaign to encourage members to see their managers to review Inflight employment files as well as H.R. files. Your permanent file may be accessed by contacting Cindy Burr at or writing to Ms. Burr at Northwest Airlines Employee Records, A1410 2700 Lone Oak Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121. You may also attain your files via Building A. As the merger vote was approved by the shareholders on 9/25/08, it is more applicable than ever to make sure that your file is clean in the event of union absence and lack of contractual protection since Delta’s new policy states that issues such as complaint letters, coaches, or excessive sick calls will remain in an employee’s file for the remainder of his/her career with the airline.
Annual Vacation Bidding Now Open
2009 Annual Vacation Bidding will commence on October 1, 2008 and close on October 30, 2008 at 12:00pm central time. Prior to your vacation bid, we remind you to please check CENTRY for your current total vacation accrual. After reviewing the information in company communications, you may request a vacation accrual review if you still believe your posted 2009 accrual is incorrect. To request a review, send an email with “Vacation Accrual Review” in the subject line to IFVACHLP from your NW Outlook email. If using a personal email address, send your request for a review to . The Vacation Help Desk will process accrual reviews in the order received. If you choose to designate a birthday holiday, please note that your total accrual will be reduced by one day and the deadline is October 10, 2008
Annual Vacation Bidding While On SLIP Leave
For those members who took a SLIP leave and are now attempting to bid for 2009 vacation, your accruals may have been reduced for the months that you are on SLIP leave. While you are still accruing vacation during the SLIP leave, your accruals will not be added to your vacation bank until you return from your leave. For example, if you are on 3.5 month leave, you will have approximately 7 days withheld from your bidding until December 15th when your SLIP leave ends. Once you return from leave, your accrued vacation and sick hours will be added to your bank. You can then, at that point, pick up vacation days from open vacation time. This was outlined in the SLIP memorandum sent out by the company on June 30, 2008 under item four of the benefits section.
Online Inflight Incident Reporting Debuts
On October 1st, the new online Inflight Incident Reporting System was launched. Your MEC ASHS Committee participated in the design and development of this convenient way to submit required reports from any computer - home or NWA. The new system combines the Inflight Incident & Narrative Reports into one, with intuitive drop-down menus to assist with submittal. An ‘AirNotes’ info sheet will be provisioned in the PSK in mid-October to assist with gathering the information necessary for completion of the online report. Until that time, please ensure that all required data is correct in order to help make the transfer of information to the online report easier and accurate. “Paper” reports will continue to be accepted through 2008, with all paper forms being phased out in early 2009. Questions? A User’s Guide is available via Atlas as well as a ‘Help’ reference button within the online report.
-Submitted by MEC Air Safety, Health and Security Chair
OPEN MERGER REPRESENTATIVE POSITION - APPLY NOW!
The AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws contains our merger policy and describes the duties of Merger Representatives. Our Merger Representatives will work with your elected MEC (9 Local Presidents and MEC Officers) to preserve Northwest Airlines flight attendants’ full bidding seniority. If you are interested in serving our members as a Merger Representative, click HERE for more information on the position. To apply, please send a letter of interest and résumé by 1400 CDT October 15th to or:
Karen Chapdelaine, Office Manager
Northwest Airlines Master Executive Council
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
8011 34th Avenue South, Suite 220
Bloomington, MN 55425
UNION PINS = SOLIDARITY
Northwest flight attendants fought for the right to wear a union pin on our uniforms, and for the benefits that come with it. All members are encouraged to wear their union pins while in uniform, as well as to all company events and training. If you need a replacement pin, please contact your Local for a new one.
SAVE THE DATES!
YOUR MEC GOES ON THE ROAD
NRT - The MEC will conduct a meeting in Narita on October 11-12th. Location TBA.
SEA - The MEC will conduct a meeting in Seattle on October 14-15th at the Comfort Inn. We invite all members in good standing to attend. The MEC meeting schedule is posted on the website, under the “Events” tab.
LOCAL MEETINGS
DTW Informal Town Hall Meeting
Attention Detroiters, Commuters, and DTW layover crews:
Get the ‘Big Picture’ - THE UNION MEETING YOU NEED TO ATTEND!
How will the Delta merger affect you? Is it true things are so good they don’t need a union? What’s it really like to work for Delta Airlines? Don’t miss this very special opportunity to get a glimpse of ‘The Big Picture’ as presented by AFA-CWA Council 94, Detroit. Special Guest speakers include: Pat Friend, AFA-CWA International President; Larry Cohen, CWA President; Angela Winningham and Marianne Bicksler, Delta flight attendants and Union activists.
Monday, October 6th, 18:00-20:00
Tuesday, October 7th, 09:00 - 11:30 and 13:00 - 16:00
Westin Detroit Airport - Sky Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Bring your questions. Bring a colleague. Get motivated. Get involved.
Additional LEC Meetings
click HERE or on the “Events” tab on our MEC website. Delta Flight Attendants will be invited to local union meetings throughout the country in the coming year.
WHAT IN THE WORLD DO “LEC” & “MEC” MEAN?
Click HERE for information about AFA-CWA union structure and the history of our union.
GOT MERGER QUESTIONS? GET ANSWERS!
You are always welcome to contact your AFA-CWA Local officers, whose contact information is found at nwaafa.org. Another way to get accurate answers to merger questions is to email: . Answers to your questions will be researched by AFA-CWA attorneys. As additional information is gathered, it will be reported in hotline messages, on Union bulletin boards, and on the websites. Archived Merger Q & As, all editions of the merger mailer the source and the Contract vs. Policy Manual postcards are posted in the MEC Merger section of our website. Publications from the DL/NW Joint Campaign can be found at http://www.deltaafa.org.
FLY SAFE, FLY THE CONTRACT, AND WEAR YOUR UNION PIN!