“FLYING AND BUYING”- - PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM INDIA AND CHINA AFA EAP is very concerned about continuing reports of Flight Attendants not only buying prescription drugs overseas, but also sharing them with other crew members.  It’s a habit many of us have gotten into, but one that’s not only dangerous, but actually illegal.  EAP urges all Flight Attendants to take the time to consider the following warnings:

Inadequate quality control:  There is no guarantee that the drugs you purchase overseas are of the same quality, or even contain the same ingredients, as those in the U.S.  The comprehensive regulatory protections that are required by law in the U.S simply do not exist overseas. The FDA has ample reason to suspect that drugs bought in less regulated countries are contaminated, counterfeit or simply under-strength and ineffective.  These types of inadequacies increase your risk of serious side effects, and even death!

Improper use:  Many of the recent reports involve Flight Attendants using Valium or Ambien for on-board crew breaks.  Not only is the crew rest timeframe usually not long enough for proper use of these “meds”, but NWA’s drug policy clearly states that any FA using them must be currently under the care of a physician who has issued a current, valid prescription for that drug.  If you have more of a drug in your possession than has been prescribed, or one that is different from your prescription, or if you have either given or taken such medication to/from another crew member, you are subject to NWA discipline, up to and including termination, as well as to possible legal penalties.

Illegal:  Bringing in unauthorized drugs from other countries is illegal!!  We realize the main motivation is that the high cost of health-care and medications make it seem worth the risk but, is it really?  Is it really worth the possibility of losing your job, your health, or maybe even your life?  Please: the next time you think about it, think twice about “flying and buying”!! – Submitted by MEC EAP Chair Rosemary Miller

SUMMER UNIFORM CHANGES   Meetings between the MEC Uniform Committee and Delta focused on the major issue of Possession of Jacket and Summer Shirt (19.6 A, 19.6 B and 19.6 C) for both men and women from May 1 through September 30.  Delta is allowing the current Richard Tyler short sleeve shirt for men to be used for a replacement for the contractual Male Summer Shirt.  The MEC Uniform Committee regards the Richard Tyler short sleeve shirt for men as a “stand in” temporary shirt until the contractual summer style shirt issue can be addressed.  Delta has not provided the female flight attendants a “stand in” option for the contractual short sleeve summer blouse.  The female dress is considered a summer option for female Flight Attendants.  The MEC Uniform Committee has asked that the current Richard Tyler female short sleeve blouse be allowed as a “stand in” for the contractual (19.7 #C) female short sleeve summer blouse.  The MEC Uniform Committee has attempted to resolve this issue but Delta has chosen to remain silent. Your MEC Uniform and Grievance Committees are working together to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. –Submitted by MEC Uniform Committee Chair Timothy Slope

NORDSTROM ALTERATION SERVICES  As reported in an earlier update, Delta has been in negations with a major retailer which would provide superior alteration services.  Although it was known to the MEC that the major retailer was Nordstrom, the MEC Uniform Committee was under the impression that the vendor contract had not yet been finalized.  It was also understood that once finalized all Flight Attendants were to be notified by Delta. That announcement was never made system wide.                                                                                                    

The Lion Uniform Group now lists Nordstrom as an alterations vendor. They will provide the location of the nearest Nordstrom and the alteration certificate. Flight Attendants can then call Nordstrom, book a fitting time, and redeem the Lion Uniform Group alteration certificate without incurring any additional cost. The MEC Uniform Committee has received confirmation for flight attendants as well as In-flight management teams that many flight attendants have already used the Nordstrom alteration services.  The MEC Uniform Committee looks forward to improved communications with Delta so that all Flight Attends receive the same opportunities and benefits at the same. -- Submitted by MEC Uniform Committee Chair Timothy Slope