Greetings,

Local Council Meeting Highlights

We would like to say 'thank you' to all those attended our recent Local Council meeting.  Below are the notes and highlights from the meeting. 

July 30, 2009

11:30 AM - Welcome and Introductions:  LECP Shawn Fivecoat

Election Timeline:  LECP Shawn Fivecoat

LECP Shawn Fivecoat explains the steps and timeline of the upcoming election.  AFA filed for Single Carrier Status (SCS) on July 27.  The filing for SCS triggers the election process.  The National Mediation Board (NMB) is now in control of the timeline, and we can expect there to be 70 to 90 days before we are actually voting.    Please note, this will be the largest election ever conducted by the NMB.

SCS is the determination that a ‘class and craft’ or work group, (flight attendants) have been combined enough to determine a common working environment.   The NMB has already determined SCS for the pilots, so there is no doubt the NMB will grant this determination.  This process could take 3-4 weeks. 

When SCS is granted the NMB will contact Delta and request a list of all eligible voters, to determine if we reach the 35% threshold to qualify for an election.  All pre-merger NW flight attendants are automatically counted as part of the 35%, as we are in a union, and thousands of our DL counterparts have submitted cards asking for representation.  We are confident we exceed the 35% prerequisite.  In a recent memo Joanne Smith has admitted that there will be an election.  Expect this process to take another 3-4 weeks. 

When it is determined by the NMB that a ‘dispute exists’ the NMB will call for an election.  At that point, the NMB will set the exact dates the poles will be open for voting.  We expect the polls to be open for 4-5 weeks.

When the NMB determines that there must be an election, they will request the mailing addresses of all eligible voters.  This information, along with the voting instructions, will be sent to a mailing house to be determined by the NMB for printing and distribution.  Undoubtedly DL will pad the list with hundreds on ineligible names.  AFA maintains meticulous records in an internal Database and will challenge anyone on the list that should not be able to participate.

Q & A:

Question:  Will anyone who does not vote still be counted as a NO vote?  Answer:  The current rules of the NMB state that to be the case.  However, it is the position of AFA that the 50% plus one rule is both undemocratic and archaic.   We believe this NMB will provide a much fairer oversight of the voting process.  We have, and will continue to document every infraction of the ‘laboratory conditions’ requirement of the Railway Labor Act, and will bring these infractions to the attention of the Board. 

In order to be successful, we must prepare for the worst possible scenario.  We are prepared for the current rules to be in place.  In order to win we must take control of our own destiny!  It will be the responsibility of every single flight attendant to continuously remind others to vote.  When you receive your voting instructions, VOTE IMMEDIATELY!  Then, take your voting instructions and envelope along with you when you fly to show your flying partners what they are looking for.  Take the initiative to follow up with them to ensure they vote.  We must not let ambivalence take away our voice.

Question:  If you are on a leave of any kind, or behind on your dues can you vote?   Answer:   YES!  Everyone on the seniority list can vote.   The NMB is NOT concerned about your dues, leave, or furlough status.  If you have a reasonable expectation to return to active status YOU ARE ELIGABLE TO VOTE!

Question:  Do you have to vote for AFA for your vote to count for representation?  Answer:  NO!  You can vote for any recognized union.  (IBT, ALPA, IAM, TWU, etc) It counts towards the 50% plus one.  The union with the most votes wins the right to represent the group.  This vote is NOT about AFA, it is about our LEGALY BINDING CONTRACT!  

Question:  What happens to our current NW contract when we win?  Answer:  Our current agreement stays in place until the combined group ratifies a new contract.  Immediately, a comprehensive survey will be conducted of both sides, to determine the desires of the members.  The Delta flight attendants will have their own MEC, and will pick two negotiators from their ranks.  Our NW MEC will choose two negotiators as well.  The two MEC Presidents will join these four individuals to create a combined Negotiations Committee.  The AFA International Office will appoint a Staff Negotiator for both sides, and this group will be tasked with taking the survey results, our current agreement, the Delta current work rules, and work towards a 'BEST of BOTH' type agreement. 

Question:  What will be the status of our seniority when we win?  Answer:  At that point, both sides will be subjected to the AFA Constitution and Bylaws, which is a strict 'date of current seniority' policy.   The Delta group will scrub their list, and remove managers and anyone else not allowed.  When that is completed, it will be combined with the NW list using a uniform methodology (ie: date of birth) to integrate both lists.  As a unionized group we will have control of our list, not Delta management.

Question:  When we win, how long will it take to negotiate a new contract?  Answer:  Immediately after the survey results are tabulated, AFA will be ready to meet and negotiate.  Delta has proven with the pilot group, they can negotiate in a timely manner.   While we negotiate, Delta will be required to maintain two separate flight attendant work groups, and that is costly.  For the first time in over 15 years, we believe management is going to need an agreement quickly, in order to realize the synergy's of the merger.  Recent history has shown they reached a deal with the pilots in about 30 days, and less than a week with the Dispatchers and Meteorologists Union.   If Delta truly intends to "look out for our best interest" then we expect shorter negotiations timeline.

Question:  What can I do to help?  Answer:  Wear your union pin, and take some extra ones with you to hand out.  Pre-merger DL Flight Attendants are responding favorably, to seeing our Union pins.  There seems to be a feeling of safety in numbers on the DL side, so the more pins they see, the more comfortable they feel wearing them.  Please take every opportunity to have a conversation with pre-merger Delta flight attendants about our desire for an industry leading contract.  It is very important that we always remain respectful and professional at all times.

Campaign Status:

Lucy Green gave an update on the ATL base visibility campaign:  We have begun to see a noticeable difference in the ATL crew lounges.  We have set up a table in the both the domestic and international lounges.  By all accounts our efforts have started to pay off.  They are starting to ask questions and take information as well as bag tags, and AFA pins. It seems that we have momentum and things are looking positive.

Shawn Fivecoat gave a report of other base visibility efforts:  We have ramped up visibility in the NY, CVG, and STL crew lounges.  All reports are similar to what Lucy just explained.  It seems that all of the sudden they are willing to talk and ask questions.  We are going to continue our visibility efforts throughout the system.  Our goal is an industry leading contract for the world's premier airline.

Advocacy Policy:

Your contract allows you to wear your union pin!  It also permits you to participate in conversations about the union, in specifically designated areas.  We now have the ability to set up in non-working areas of our crew lounges.  Expect to start seeing tables in all the crew lounges.  Please stop by and show your support, pick up some bag tags and AFA pins for distribution.  You can also pick up the latest printed fliers and information. 

Adjourn:  1:30 PM