SECTION 19
UNIFORMS
A. General
Flight Attendants shall wear standard uniforms as prescribed by Company regulations at all times while on duty and at such other times as may be prescribed.
B. Basic Uniform Items
Flight Attendants shall be required to purchase the initial basic items of the standard uniform. The Company shall pay for all basic items of the uniform requiring replacement due to normal wear after the waiting periods described in paragraph F. of this Section, and/or due to a partial or complete uniform change.
1. Basic pieces of the uniform shall consist of the following for female Flight Attendants:
| Item | Quantity | ||
| a. | Coat | (1) |
|
| b. | Choice of Ensembles | (2) |
|
| Ensemble A: | |||
| Jacket | (1) |
||
| Skirts and/or pants (any combination) | (2) |
||
| Blouses (any combination of long or short sleeves) | (3) |
||
| -or- | |||
| Ensemble B: | |||
| Dresses | (2) |
||
| c. | Serving Garment | (2) |
|
| d. | Belt | (1) |
1. Basic pieces of the uniform shall consist of the following for male Flight Attendants:
| Item | Quantity | ||
| a. | Coat | (1) |
|
| b. | Ensemble: | (2) |
|
| Jacket | (1) |
||
| Pants | (2) |
||
| Shirts (any combination of long sleeve, short sleeve or summer style) |
(3) |
||
| Tie | (1) |
||
| c. | Serving Garment | (2) |
|
| d. | Belt | (1) |
|
2. A Flight Attendant who was not required to purchase the initial basic pieces of the standard uniform in the quantities listed in subparagraphs B.1. and B.2., above, may elect to purchase the additional quantities at his/her expense. Such uniform pieces shall then be replaced at Company expense in accordance with paragraph F.1. of this Section.
3. Items listed in subparagraphs B.1. and B.2., above, in excess of the quantity listed shall not be subject to replacement in accordance with paragraph F.1. of this Section.
C. Optional Uniform Items
The Company shall make available, at the Flight Attendant's expense, the following optional items of the current female and male Flight Attendant uniform:
1. Sweater - long sleeve/vest
2. Muffler
3. Gloves
4. Short Sleeve Summer blouse (Female)
5. Epaulette Slides (Male)
6. Scarf (Female)
D. Maternity Uniforms
Within thirty (30) days of request, the Company shall make available, at the Flight Attendant's expense, a maternity uniform for those Flight Attendants who are pregnant and wish to continue flying. The current items available include:
1. Smock top
2. Skirt
3. Slacks
4. Sweater
E. New Uniform - Fittings and Alterations
1. Sizing Charts and Samples
The Company shall provide sizing charts for all uniform items at all Flight Attendant base stations. The Joint Uniform Committee shall work to develop a cost effective and administratively simple way to provide Flight Attendants with access to specified sample uniform items at each Flight Attendant base. Sample uniform items shall not be used as replacement items for Flight Attendants.
2. Fit Lines and Fit Centers
When a style change requires a uniform fitting, the Company shall make provisions to have a fit line available at each Flight Attendant base for a specified period of time to be determined by the Company. In addition to financial considerations, the Company shall take Flight Attendant convenience into account when selecting specific facilities. The Company shall provide transportation or reimbursement of reasonable transportation expenses from the airport to the fit center, if the center is off airport property.
3. Alterations
The Company shall bear the cost of all alterations required to properly fit a Flight Attendant in a new uniform. Such alterations must be requested by the Flight Attendant within one (1) month of the uniform's first (1st) use by the Flight Attendant, and shall take place at a vendor approved by the Company. If a uniform is not available for pick-up at the completion of a third (3rd) visit (initial fitting, delivery of pieces and completed alterations), the uniform item(s) shall be shipped to the Flight Attendant’s residence at Company expense. In the event additional alterations are required, a Flight Attendant may select a tailor of his/her choice and shall be reimbursed by the Company for such alterations up to a maximum allowable amount for each alteration, to be determined by the Company.
1. Shipping
The Company may choose to have uniform items shipped directly to the Flight Attendant's residence, at Company expense, or stored at designated locations for pick-up by the Flight Attendant. Items that are shipped but returned due to an incorrect address on file or the Flight Attendant's failure to accept delivery shall be shipped a second (2nd) time only at the Flight Attendant’s expense.
F. Replacement Uniforms
1. The Company shall have the right to determine when replacement uniforms are required or necessary but shall not pay the cost of all weather topcoats which have not been used by the Flight Attendant for thirty-six (36) months or the cost of any other portion of a uniform which has not been used by the Flight Attendant for twenty-four (24) months. These limitations shall not apply to items needing replacement as the result of manufacturer defects evident at the time of delivery or shortly thereafter, inflight accidents, major style changes or when necessary due to normal wear.
2. The Company shall bear the cost of all alterations required to properly fit a Flight Attendant in a replacement piece of the basic uniform.
3. The Company shall give consideration, on a case-by-case basis, to pay the cost of replacing any uniform items, including luggage, which is stolen while onboard the aircraft or while the Flight Attendant was on-duty, provided the Flight Attendant was not causally negligent with respect to such loss.
4. The Company and the Union Negotiations Committee shall meet and confer to explore the possibility of establishing an alternate program (e.g., a "points" program) for the issuance of replacement uniform items.
G. Luggage
Flight Attendants shall purchase their own luggage. Such luggage shall meet Company designated specifications. The Company shall not be responsible for any expenses associated with the initial purchase, replacement or repair of such luggage except as provided in paragraph F.3. of this Section.
H. Wings and Name Bars
1. The Company shall furnish Company insignia wings and name bars required to be worn by the Flight Attendant at no cost to the Flight Attendant, including replacement when defective or necessary due to normal wear.
2. Replacement of lost or misplaced Company insignia wings and name bars shall be at the Flight Attendant's expense. Wings and name bars which are stolen shall be subject to replacement as provided in paragraph F.3. of this Section.
I. Methods of Payment
1. Payroll Deductions
Payroll deductions for uniform items shall commence after receipt of such items by the Flight Attendant. Except in termination of employment situations (last check), payroll deductions shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per check.
2. Reimbursement to Company
Upon termination of employment from a position covered by this Agreement within one (1) year after the Company has furnished a replacement uniform, the Flight Attendant shall reimburse the Company in an amount equal to the Company's cost of the uniform, discounted at the rate of eight percent (8%) for each full calendar month from the date of purchase to the date of termination of employment.
J. Joint Uniform Committee
Within six (6) months of the date of signing of this Agreement, the Vice President Inflight Services and the MEC President, or their designees, shall meet to establish a Joint Uniform Committee.
1. The Joint Uniform Committee shall consist of three (3) Flight Attendants appointed by the Union and up to three (3) Company representatives.
2. The Committee shall meet twice a year to review uniform related issues which shall include, but not be limited to the following:
a. Vendors’ timeliness in filling uniform orders;
b. Recurring uniform item problems or defects;
c. Planned changes in any uniform items, color, material or style including the addition of uniform items;
d. Redesign of any existing uniform item(s) for safety, function and comfort;
e. Review and analyze Flight Attendant uniform complaints for future recommendations and/or changes;
f. The recommendation of the Union shall be considered by the Company before making any change in the style, color or material of uniforms; and
g. Changes or cancellations in uniform vendors in order to ensure timely availability of uniform pieces.
3. At least four (4) months prior to any proposed uniform changes in style, color, material, accessories or the uniform vendor, the Company shall notify the Joint Uniform Committee.
1. The Joint Uniform Committee shall meet and confer to determine whether the language in paragraph K.4.a., below, can be expanded to international flights and to additional months in the year.
K. Uniform Exceptions
1. Union Insignia
The Union insignia may be worn on the uniform.
2. Medical Exceptions
If a Flight Attendant has a medical condition which interferes with or prohibits the wearing of a standard uniform item, he/she shall furnish a report from a medical doctor which describes the medical condition and explains how it interferes with or prohibits the wearing of the standard uniform item, and which recommends a medically appropriate alternative. The Flight Attendant shall be responsible for the cost of any substitute for or alteration of the standard uniform item. The Company shall retain the discretion to approve or disapprove suggested substitutes for or alterations of standard uniform items.
NOTE: This paragraph applies to "orthopedic shoes". Any approved orthopedic shoes must be of the same color as standard uniform shoes.
NOTE: This paragraph shall not restrict the wearing of a uniform by tour escorts which is similar, but not identical, to the Flight Attendant uniform.3. Name Bar
A Flight Attendant may remove his/her name bar when off the aircraft.
4. Possession of Jacket and Summer Uniform
A Flight Attendant must be in possession of his/her jacket on all patterns and shall wear the jacket to and from the aircraft when in the presence of customers except as noted in subparagraphs 4.a., 4.b. and 4.c., below. However, during hot months or in hot climates, when circumstances make it unreasonable, a Flight Attendant shall not be required to wear his/her jacket.
a. A male Flight Attendant shall not be required to wear or carry his uniform jacket on domestic flights from May 1 through September 30, provided a summer uniform shirt is worn by the Flight Attendant at all times when a jacket is not worn.
b. For the purposes of this Section and this Section only, the following flights shall be considered domestic:
(1) All domestic city pairs within the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States ("Mainland");
(2) Mainland - Honolulu - Mainland;
(3) Mainland - Alaska - Mainland;
(4) United States - Canada - United States;
(5) United States - Caribbean - United States;
(6) United States - Mexico - United States;
(7) Any other city pairs identified by the Company.
c. A female Flight Attendant shall not be required to wear or carry her uniform jacket when wearing the uniform dress or short sleeve summer blouse, or its alternative.
5. Issuance of Uniforms to Persons Other Than Flight Attendants
Persons who are not Flight Attendants shall not be issued Flight Attendant uniforms and shall not be asked to wear Flight Attendant uniforms, subject to the following exceptions:
a. Models or other persons doing advertising work;
b. Employees of Inflight Services on Company business;
c. Employees of uniform vendors and trainees.