The Update Message from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
representing Flight Attendants in the 2339 Local Lodges

Friday, July 29, 2011
 

REPRESENTATIONAL ELECTION:  On July 12, 2011, CWA-AFA petitioned the National Mediation Board (NMB) to rule that Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet are now a single carrier for Flight Attendant representation purposes.  This is the first step in holding representation elections. 

The National Mediation Board is now responsible for deciding whether the criteria are met to rule single carrier status.  If so, the NMB will decide when an election will be held, and how long flight attendants will be given to vote.  The NMB prepares and mails out all voting information to eligible voters using the company’s mailing list, so please check that your mailing address with the company is correct.  You can do this by logging into ourasa.com, and selecting  “My Items”, then “My Records”.

We will update you as the process moves forward.

MEDIATION:  Our assigned mediator, Walter Darr, advised that, due to a scheduling conflict, he is unable to meet with us as originally planned.  Our rescheduled meetings will be held in Houston, Texas on August 26 and 27.  The entire Negotiations Team will be present.  We will update the membership at the close of this mediation session.

GRIEVANCES:  We are pleased to advise the membership of the following et al grievance settlements.

Displaced Flight Attendants – Recall Rights

Displaced flight attendants , including flight attendants displaced due to a Base Closure, will have priority recall rights to the base from which they have been furloughed or displaced for two (2) years, regardless of subsequent transfer(s).  Unless such flight attendants notify the Company of their desire to waive recall to their prior base by the deadline set forth in Section 11.B.3, they will be required to return to their former base when recalled.

All other terms in the Collective Bargaining Agreement apply.

This means that a displaced flight attendant who wishes to exercise her/his priority recall right to return to her/his former base must have a transfer on file.

Passport Requirements - Renewals& Replacements

All flight attendants are required to maintain a valid passport.   It is the flight attendant’s responsibility to monitor the expiration date of her/his passport and to obtain a replacement prior to the expiration date, or when an updated passport is required due to a name change, etc.

Flight attendants may renew their passports in person, by appointment, at a Regional Passport Agency, or by mail.  Flight attendants who renew their passports by mail must:

1)      Apply for renewal no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date.

2)      Notify her/his supervisor that her/his passport has been submitted for renewal and, if requested, provide a copy of the mailing receipt to document that the passport has been sent for replacement or renewal.

3)      Notify Crew Scheduling that their passport is being renewed and that they cannot be assigned to international trips.   Crew scheduling will document the flight attendant’s record accordingly.

4)      Not bid for a line with international trips while she/he is not in possession of a valid passport.

Upon receipt of the new passport, the flight attendant must:

1)      Notify her/his supervisor and provide a photocopy of the new passport.

2)      Notify Crew Scheduling that the new passport has been received.

3)      Submit the new passport information to Training Records by completing the “Passport Form”.   From the XJT Inflight website, click on “Online Forms” and then click on “Passport Form” for passport updates.  Compete all required fields and click “Submit”.

Active flight attendants will be reimbursed for passport renewal and the government levied expedited processing fees for passport renewals only.

Lost/Stolen or Missing Passports:   may also be replaced in person or by mail.  Flight attendants are required to notify the company, the Department of State, and the TSA as outlined in the Inflight Manual, Ch. 9, “Lost/Stolen or Missing Passports”.

Important up to date information on passport renewal and replacement may be found on the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport.

Failure to comply with the above policy may result in progressive discipline as outlined in the Inflight Manual, Ch. 9.

UAX JUMPSEAT:  While United Airlines has agreed to allow flight attendants to use the rear jumpseat on aircraft in the United Express system, they have been very slow in implementing the programming to list for the jumpseat.  United will not allow flight attendants to use paper passes, as they do in the Continental Express system and we are, unfortunately, forced to wait until the programming is completed.  Be assured your union is still pushing for resolution to this issue.

PAYROLL:  Once again, we are reminding you that mistakes are being made with your pay.  Please check your pay registers and pay claim any discrepancies immediately.   See your grievance reps if you need assistance with payroll or filing a grievance on pay.

FMLA:   We continue to receive complaints regarding F&H Solutions handling of FMLA applications and processing.  If you encounter problems while filing FMLA, please do not give up – see a rep. for assistance.

We would like to encourage all members to attend your Local Lodge business meeting. Each Local Lodge must have a quorum to conduct business. The following is a schedule for upcoming meetings: