THE FALL OUT ..............

Many flight attendants are asking about an incentive package, voluntary furlough numbers and duration etc.  The company has not offered any incentive packages.  AFA has been advised that Marketing/Crew Planning is working on the information so that the company can make the determination on the time lines /duration of any voluntary furlough.  As with the PIT closure, AFA has contacted a consultant to review the company's analysis that determined this recent decision.  After review, AFA will be completing a proposal for an incentive package we believe should be offered to the flight attendant group.  Any incentive package or voluntary furlough will be posted and will be a system wide bid pursuant to our Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

This* waiting*  for information is extremely frustrating to AFA and to the flight attendants who have to make these life altering decisions as well as those that may be affected by these displacements. 

AFA has been advised currently that 40 lines of time will remain in BOS thru April 2010.  This was a change from the information first received.  AFA has been advised that the E190 will operate the BOS-LGA shuttle out of the PHL base.  A joke to many crewmembers and a disappointment expressed by customers to the flight attendants that work the daily shuttle flights.  Customers prefer a larger aircraft, a more reliable aircraft and shuttle service that runs on time.  Flight attendants have reported that customers are not happy with this company decision.

AFA has requested that the company meet with us to discuss and review the Commuter Policy ( SEC 30) as we believe there should be a system wide change to the existing policy.  How can this company expect two additional bases on the East to have to commute to the three existing bases just to maintain employment all while living under the existing policy.  The company has stated 'we know these decisions are painful', well let's see if they really understand by agreeing to an incentive package and by changing the commuter policy to start.  The flight attendants need more and deserve more than words, we need the actions that back up the words.

Pairing and line packages for DCA / PHL / CLT will be available for the January bid month.  Discussion of placing these packages in your AFA mail file is ongoing - the concern is they may be too big and have to be placed elsewhere - please know they are coming and will continue to come up to the May bid.  Notification will be provided on their location.

As soon as any additional information becomes available it will be provided.  Any questions or concerns, please call the local office/mobile line to discuss.  For now, please review your contract language - SEC 1 / SEC 5 / SEC 18 / SEC 19 / SEC 30 to start.  The first visit by AFA EAP was last week and other visits will be scheduled.  A local AFA officer/ representative will be in the crew room at least once a week.  Please check your mail files, read WINGS, CBS messages and sign up for the AFA MEC and LEC e-lines for information. 

In solidarity,

Lynne Caramello, LECP BOS
Sherri Baker, LECVP BOS/MEC /LEC RSV
Jill Atwood, LEC SEC TREAS BOS/Safety