MEC Hotline Message
Recording: 1-888-3-NWA-AFA
17 October 2008 Hotline Message
PURSER COMMITTEE LETTER TO NWA MANAGEMENT
On October 6, Julie Showers conducted her first-ever Town Hall Conference Call with the NWA Purser group. There were approximately 62 people on the call which lasted approximately 45 minutes. One of the many topics of discussion was the CBT course content found in the mandatory Purser Leadership Series course which is required of all active Pursers by November 30, 2008 in order to maintain your Purser qualification. (Those on company leave will have 60 days to complete this once they return from leave.) A number of Pursers expressed their concern that there was an example of a Purser discussing a non-compliance hair issue with a fellow Flight Attendant. Based on their feedback, and because the MEC Purser Committee completely agrees with the inappropriateness of this example, a letter was sent to Ms. Showers requesting that the video be pulled from the course and that a retraction be made to all Pursers. Please go to the Purser Committee page on the website to view this letter. Your MEC Purser Committee vehemently believes that the Purser role is not to discipline, but to give direction to the crew. Grooming and uniform standards are clearly the job of a Flight Attendant Manager. Pursers are NOT to discipline colleagues for non-compliance.
MERGER REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENT
Detroit Flight Attendant Raymond Cox has been selected this week, to work with previously appointed MSP Flight Attendant Barbara Schlosser, as our AFA-CWA constitutional Merger Representatives. We thank them for their willingness to serve. Merger Representatives will be responsible for Date of Hire (aka Seniority Date) seniority integration, under the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws. In the meantime, they will continue to work on the regular contractual seniority list scrubbing process, while coordinating with your democratically elected 9 Local Presidents and 3 MEC Officers. For a Merger Timeline, click HERE.
The AFA Constitution and Bylaws outlines our Merger Policy in Section X. Following merger approval and a representation election where AFA is certified as the collective bargaining agent of the joint group, our 2 Merger Representatives will work in tandem with the 2 Merger Representatives from Delta to merge the seniority lists. In the event AFA loses the representation election of the combined group and we lose our union, we are entitled to a “fair and equitable” arbitration under the law. In that case, Delta management has said they will provide NWA flight attendants with the identical resources that they have already provided to DAL flight attendants for a Seniority Integration Committee.
TIME AVAILABLE OPTION FOR NO SHOW & UNABLE TO COMMUTE
The Time Available Option following a No Show or Unable to Commute has been implemented by the company (Contract Section 6.H.10.) Previously, there was no option in either case and it was necessary to sit time available following an unable to commute or no show. With the new provision, you may choose a time available obligation, or to be paid for hours flown and credited (pay for fly.) If you accept TA for a no show or unable to commute, you retain your guarantee for all but the NS/UTC pattern. Declining TA and selecting “pay for fly,” causes the loss of your guarantee. If you choose the time available option, you must do so from your base (e.g. after your UTC is approved from PHX, you need to phone crew scheduling upon your arrival at MSP to tell them you would like to be time available for your UTC pattern.)
RESERVE BLOCK CARRY IN
With PBS, Reserves can now bid for blocks of days on call and/or for days off. Estimated Reserve Blocks are now available in ATLAS with the bidding information for each base. Some Reserve Blocks now carry-out into the next month (e.g. a 6 day Reserve Block starts on October 30 and continues until November 4.) The carry-in Reserve Days will be removed in PBS, if you are able to hold a regular line. Please consult local PBS Instructors and the PBS Manual if you have questions regarding bidding.
SEA MEC & LEC MEETING RECAP
On October 14th and 15th, SEA Local 96 hosted the monthly MEC meeting and LEC 96 base meeting. The two-day event brought together your Master Executive Council Officers, Local Executive Council Presidents, and merger experts. LEC 96 membership, Delta flight attendant union activists, and guest presenter AFA - CWA Senior Benefits Attorney Mary Lou Savage, were all integral parts of the productive two day event. Your MEC and LEC leadership would like to extend a sincere thank you to flight attendants Barbara Schlosser (MSP) and Joan Prince-Crandall (DTW) for their time and expertise in presenting merger perspectives related to merger seniority integration, and the job security provisions (Scope and Labor Protective Provisions) in Section 1 of our contract. Local 96 had a tremendous turnout for their local meeting and we thank them for their hospitality, and extend our thanks to the volunteers who signed up for our campaign to save our Union.
BETTER LTD INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT PUTS MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET
The NWA Long Term Disability insurance program has had many problems since its inception and has been a source of frustration for flight attendants who need this type of insurance. Your AFA Leadership realized that complaints about claim denial rates were frequent and also noted that too many flight attendants have faced significant challenges when trying to file a claim and recover under the LTD Plan. Your Master Executive Council, initiated a complete audit and review of the present LTD plan in 2007. The MEC, working with AFA International office and National Group Protection Inc. (NGP,) have competed this plan audit and the results are dramatic.
Starting in January 2009 we will see a 27% reduction in our current LTD premiums; $450,000 of which will be put back in flight attendants pockets. We know that premium savings are not all that flight attendants are concerned about. The ability to receive LTD plan benefits, to be paid when we legitimately cannot work, is the essence of LTD coverage. To improve the claims process and to turn the too low recovery rates under the LTD Plan around, MEC President Kevin Griffin, LEC 92 President Robert Cannatelli, and NGP representatives traveled to the Cigna claim center in Pittsburgh for a meeting with NWA Compensation and Benefits Vice President Tim Meginnes, Director of Benefits Ann Carlson and a variety of Cigna representatives. AFA leaders vigorously presented our members concerns, identified and discussed a litany of plan problems, and proposed solutions to CIGNA and NWA management. This meeting was the first of a number of face-to-face meetings that your MEC and NGP plan to have with CIGNA to ensure that the LTD Plan better meets your needs.
To this end, Council 92 President Robert Cannatelli has agreed to be the new AFA NWA LTD Plan chair. Bob is looking forward to working with members, the MEC, AFA, and NGP to transform the claims process and recovery under the Plan as soon as possible. Bob’s first recommendation for our members is to go to the Benefits drop down in NWA RADAR website and review the AFA/LTD document and find out about the program. At CIGNA there is a claim team assigned solely to Northwest flight attendants. There are several ways for you to file a LTD claim. You can call the claim center at 1-800 36-CIGNA (1-800-36-4462), or fax your paperwork directly to Cigna, or apply online http://www.CIGNA.com . We recommend that you apply by fax or online so that you will create a paper trail of your claim. Cigna has agreed to provide our members with an insurance card as well.
NOTE: Your claim should be strictly between you and Cigna. No one from NWA - including any in-flight personnel - should be involved. Questions? Comments? Claim issues? Contact Bob Cannatelli at (617) 957-4877 or fax(617) 848-8021. A future link for LTD Committee can be found on our MEC website.
If you are interested in signing up for additional voluntary insurance plans (e.g. Life, Accident, or Critical Illness Insurance,) NGP will have representatives in HNL from October 27th to November 1st and Amsterdam from October 29th to November 4th to enroll interested members. NGP will also address questions or concerns from existing policyholders. To contact NGP, please call (800) 344-9016 or http://www.ngp-ins.com/
BENEFIT PRESENTATION BY MARY LOU SAVAGE
During the recent MEC and LEC meeting in Seattle, AFA - CWA Sr. Benefits Attorney Mary Lou Savage presented our NWA-AFA leaders and LEC 96 membership with an informative slide show that compared medical plans between NWA and DAL. She also talked about the status of our NWA Pension Plan during a merger. From the slide show, the benefit difference between a unionized organization versus a non-unionized organization is obvious. Delta’s medical plan shifts most of the burden to its employees with much higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. One major area of concern is the retiree health care benefits for our retired flight attendants. Not only is Delta’s rate much higher - $582 or more per month versus $181 (age 55 with 23 years of service) and $360 (age 55 with 10 years of service) but all negotiated health benefits will become null and void if we don’t merge under union representation.
As for the NWA Pension Plan, Mary Lou wanted to stress that The Delta non-union Social Security Offset has nothing to do with Northwest flight attendants. Furthermore, due to the fact that our pension is frozen and severely under funded, the threat of pension termination is not likely. For the entire slide show, please go to MEC website click the Merger icon under MEC Links or http://nwaafa.org/resources/merger
AIR SAFETY, HEALTH AND SECURITY COMMITTEE - B787 UPDATE
During quarterly Joint Safety, Security & Health meeting on Thursday, the company provided our MEC ASHS Committee with an update on the B787. Delivery of the ‘Dreamliner’ is now scheduled for February 2010, with revenue service planned for April 2010. Flight attendant training on the new transport will also be delayed until 3rd quarter 2009. With the IAM strike at Boeing continuing, specific dates and timeframes associated with the B787 remain uncertain. We will continue to keep you updated on these changes.
AIR SAFETY, HEALTH AND SECURITY COMMITTEE - SECURITY ALERT!
Guard your valuables! Recently, one of our Members had a wallet taken from a bag stowed in a closet while onboard. We’d like to remind everyone to guard their personal belongings and particularly valuables such as wallets, passports, etc. Where locked stowage compartments are provided (such as on the A330), please use them. Exercise vigilance with respect to where valuables are stowed while onboard and ensure they are not directly accessible to passengers.
2008 RETIREMENT PARTY A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
On October 11th, nearly 640 people attended the retirement party in Seattle. The party planners believe this to be the largest retirement party to have ever occurred for Flight Attendants at NWA.
The party was emceed by retired FA Abby Lanman and SEA AFA Vice President, Scott Woll. The full program included: a video with photos of retirees and past retirement parties and a toast to retirees by a former retiree, Monte Leffel. A congratulatory video from AFA International President Pat Friend was shown and a congratulatory email message from NWA Sr. VP of Inflight Julie Showers was read to the crowd. A “lampoon” skit was performed by SEA FA’s Randy Steffan and “A.J” Jones. A raffle to raise funds was conducted for some 35 gift baskets, made up from contributions from many sources and put together by SEA FA Dizzy Heutmaker. The program ended by honoring retirees, when the entire crowd lit up their “glow sticks” and waved them in the air while the song, A Moment Like This, played.
The Northwest MEC would like to extend warm congratulations and best wishes to our retirees. Please visit the Retired Northwest Flight Attendant website “Bits and Pieces”, the Association of Flight Attendants, and CWA Retired Members Council site for more retiree information. - Submitted by SEA AFA VP Scott Woll
JUST HOW DOES YOUR VOTE COUNT?
Every vote counts, but the election process is a little more complex than just tallying our individual votes. As Election Day nears, we should review just how the next President of the United Sates will be elected. Our founding fathers created the Electoral College, which determines who will be our next President. Just because a candidate wins the popular vote, that does not mean he or she will win the election. To read more about how the Electoral College works, visit the MEC Government Affairs page of our website and click on How the Electoral College Works link on the side bar.
CWA DEPLOYS MEMBERS TO BATTLEGROUND STATES
Beginning Monday, October 20th through Election Day, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) will be deploying members - some from AFA - to battleground states like Nevada and New Hampshire. Members will be working night and day every day to help deliver these states to our endorsed candidate, Barack Obama. From NWA, Rene Foss from NYC Local 91 and Rebecca Collier from MSP Local 95 will be going to New Hampshire and joining other AFA members. Kate Day, Albert Garcia and Rosemary Miller from SFO Local 97 will be going to Nevada and working alongside other CWA and AFA volunteers. The importance of this election cannot be underestimated, especially by aviation workers, due to the anti-aviation and ant-labor stance of the Republican candidate John McCain. The fact that our candidate Barack Obama is currently enjoying a lead in national polls should not make us complacent in our hopes of a victory. These volunteers understand the importance of this election, which is why they are giving their time to work on this historic election. Please join us and stay informed. Do what you can to pass the word to your flying partners about how important this election is. Please vote! For information on the candidates and what you can do - Visit http://www.cwavotes.org/cwavotes/index/
The latest NWA-AFA Government Affairs report that outlines our current initiatives is now available on the MEC website.
- Submitted by MEC Government Affairs Chair & SFO FA Albert Garcia
THE GREAT FILE PURGE OF 2008 UPDATE
The correct address to request a copy of your Corporate Employment file is now . If, after reviewing your file, there is anything derogatory that you would like to purged, send a request to that email specifically requesting the items that you would like removed per Contract Section 21.C.5 and 21.C.9.
What is the only sure way to supplement Reserve pay? Please research the Reserve Increase Adjustment (RIA) option if you would like to supplement your income on Reserve. Will Fly and Contingency Fly do not provide any increased pay above the 80 hour Reserve Guarantee. One Way Trades may be paid over your guarantee, but only if have flown 80 hours while on Reserve. Otherwise OWTs may offset a portion of your guarantee. For more tips like this, please check out the revised Reserve Tips on the MEC Reserve Committee page of the website.
Crew Scheduling does not always know our contract, especially due to the recent turnover rate in that department. If in doubt of the legality of an assignment, contact your Local officers and always ask for a “Review of Crew Orders” from Scheduling.
We would like to include a piece in next printed quarterly newsletter, from the perspective of our new hires. If you are interested in writing it, please contact MEC Communications Chair Rhonda Taylor at .
UNION PINS = SOLIDARITY
Northwest flight attendants fought over the years 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 union representatives for a new one.
WHAT IN THE WORLD DO “LEC” & “MEC” MEAN?
Click HERE for information about AFA-CWA union structure and the history of the Association of Flight Attendants - CWA.
BRING QUESTIONS. BRING A COLLEAGUE. GET MOTIVATED. GET INVOLVED.
MASTER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS
We invite all members in good standing to attend. The MEC meeting schedule is posted on the website, under the “Events” tab.
The next meeting will be held in LAX on November 12-13.
LOCAL COUNCIL MEETINGS
Click HERE or on the “Events” tab on our MEC website for the latest local meeting details. Delta Flight Attendants will be invited to local union meetings throughout the country in the coming year.
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 . 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 Organizing Campaign can be found at http://www.deltaafa.org.
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