Greetings,

After brief discussion management has agreed to waive the 2009 minimum flying requirement both for those Flight Attendants awarded elective leaves and those Flight Attendants that are involuntarily furloughed (IF). Consequently if you are awarded a leave (ELOA/VF) or are involuntarily furloughed in September you will have company paid (less your monthly co-pay) insurance for the remainder of the year in which you return, at the end of the posted duration or upon recall as applicable. 

There seems to be some confusion on Voluntary Furlough (VF) and base assignment. If you are awarded a VF you will be returned to your base at the end of the VF. If and ONLY IF there is a recall during your VF there is a possibility you could be recalled to a different base. But before that could happen all of the involuntary furloughs would have to be recalled in seniority order and then the VF in reverse order of seniority. Practically speaking by the time they were recalling the VF any forced base assignments, if necessary at all, would have taken place. 

Junior folks, bidding for VF will not save you from IF. Do not bid for VF if what you really want to do is work.

Kelle Wells and your MEC Officers