MEC HOTLINE:  (888) 3-NWA-AFA & www.nwaafa.org 

Pro-Delta, Pro-AFA www.deltaafa.org

22 MAY 2009 

WORLD CLASS AIRLINE

Delta customers will benefit from the airline treating its key frontline employees as World Class Flight Attendants.  Watch the new campaign video by clicking on the TV image, or HERE.  Help us build a strong new presence on the Internet. You can help us maximize the exposure of the World Class Delta Flight Attendants message and spread the word far and wide.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

The Northwest Airlines AFA MEC wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday week-end.

SENATE CONFIRMS FORMER AFA-CWA PRESIDENT TO NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed the appointment of Linda Puchala, the former AFA president, to the National Mediation Board, replacing Read Van de Water, the former Northwest Airlines lobbyist.  This is the first step in reforming the NMB - its crucial that the agency charged with overseeing collective bargaining and representation under the Railway Labor Act protect workers from employer interference and influence that unfortunately has become routine under the previous NMB. For Northwest and Delta flight attendants specifically this is a first step to a fair representation election, as well as a free and fair collective bargaining process for us, should we vote for union representation this summer. Full press release click HERE.    

FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL PASSES THE HOUSE!

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Act yesterday, Thursday, May 21, with a vote of 277 to 136. Also known as the FAA Reauthorization Bill (HR915) authorizes appropriations for the FAA for fiscal years 2010 through 2012, to improve aviation safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national aviation system, and for other purposes. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) Government Affairs Department worked closely with members of Congress to include provisions that directly improve the flight attendant profession.

One provision included in H.R. 915 continues the current Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ban on inflight cell phone use. Other measures included in the FAA Reauthorization include funding for a flight attendant fatigue study; the inclusion of OSHA workplace safety and health protections; notification of pesticide application on flights; cabin air quality provisions that would initiate development of air quality sensors and filtration; a "Return to the Cabin" program that will allow flight attendants an opportunity for rehabilitation after testing positive for drug or alcohol abuse; temperature standards for aircraft; further definition of provisions restricting foreign control of U.S. airlines; and a ban on smoking on-board charter flights.

The bill will now move to the Senate for their vote. We are confident that the bill will pass the Senate and ensure that all of our provisions in the signed bill will begin to take effect. This is a perfect example of how vital the work of your union is in improving our profession and specifically how legislating our issues will ensure the future of the flight attendant career. -- Submitted by Albert Garcia, MEC Government Affairs Chair.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN UPDATE AND REVIEW

With recent changes in representation at the MEC and Local Council 95 (MSP), in addition to new officers at Local Council 90 (ATL), an Emergency Response Plan and Call Down Protocol review and training session was held on Thursday. Emergency Response Coordinator/MEC Air Safety Vice Chair, Gary Helton, and MEC Air Safety Chair, Jeanne Elliott focused on NWA-AFA’s “preparedness” in the event of a serious incident/accident – and individual roles and responsibilities made a part of the formalized plan. Such “preparedness” ensures our Members’ interests are represented and protected if a critical event were to occur, including  the mobilization of our trained “Go Team” and support services provided by EAP representation. -- Submitted by MEC Air Safety Chair Jeanne Elliot

MEMBERSHIP CARDS COMING SOON

New AFA-CWA membership cards should begin arriving in member’s mailboxes in an envelope with the latest issue of Flightlog magazine in the next couple of weeks. The AFA-CWA membership card represents the pride we take in shaping our profession today and for future flight attendants. Printed on the card is each member’s name, airline, and member number, along with AFA-CWA contact, emergency and membership information. Please carry your AFA-CWA membership cards with pride. -- Submitted by Vice President  Council 96 Scott D. Woll

CURRENT STATUS OF THE LOA 35 ARBITRATION

There have been some questions regarding the current status of LOA 35, often referred to as the “me too” clause. On May 5th, there was an additional day of testimony and cross-examination in MSP.  At the end of the testimony, the record in the case was closed, and no further evidence can now be introduced.

It will now take approximately two weeks for the court reporter to produce a transcript of the entire proceeding, complete with all the exhibits, of which there were several.

Once the attorneys from both sides are in possession of the entire transcripts, they will be allowed to submit their closing briefs. Typically, the arbitrator will allow 30 days to elapse as sufficient time for briefs to be submitted by both parties.

Once the closing briefs have been received by the Arbitrator it will typically take 6-12 weeks to draft his decision in the matter. Looking at the timelines present in our case, it is probably safe to assume that we can look for a decision sometime in mid-August to mid September. -- Submitted by MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Gregory S Riffle

LOD WEBPAGE UP AND RUNNING!                                                                                                        The LOD webpage is finally up and running!  Log on to  www.nwaafa.org and look us up under the drop down menu for committees.  Our webpage offers links to information regarding the tuition reimbursement program for all flight attendants who wish to study a foreign language in order to qualify as an LOD flight attendant.  We've also included links to free online language courses to give you an idea of what the different languages are like.  Hopefully, that will help you decide which language you would like to study full-time.  In addition to these links, we've also included our LOD email address.  Let us hear from you regarding the LOD Program. 

The LOD Committee is always interested in finding ways to expand and improve the LOD Program.  Lastly, we've sent out a search for volunteers interested in becoming LEC LOD Chairs for their respective bases.  LEC LOD Chairs act as liaison between the LOD Committee and all the LOD flight attendants at your base.  Your role is to assist the LOD Committee organize our LOD flight attendants, disseminate information deemed important to LOD flight attendants, help address issues and concerns regarding the current application of the LOD Program, and gather feedback on how to improve the LOD Program in preparation for future contract talks.  Currently, we have LOD flight attendants Keiichi C. Leon and Elham Saleh of DTW and Naomi Menda of SFO who have volunteered to assist in this capacity.  Letters of interest for LEC LOD Chairs may be sent to lod@nwaafa.org.  We hope to hear from you. -- Submitted by LOD Committee Chair Jeffrey Ferrer

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA TESTIFIES ON EMERGENCY PLANNING

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) testified May 20th on Capitol Hill regarding concerns that arose after a recent public health emergency and the summer travel outlook for this year.  The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation conducted the hearing which focused on aviation consumer issues and emergency contingency planning during public health emergencies. The complete AFA Press Release: http://afanet.org/default.asp?id=1189

2009 SHAPING UP TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR UNION NEGOTIATIONS

Over 35,000 AFA represented flight attendants are engaged in bargaining or preparing for negotiations this year. AFA members at Hawaiian and Alaska have reached collective bargaining agreements that provide increased pay and benefits, but also offer security and stability in these difficult economic times. We congratulate our AFA flight attendants at Hawaiian and Alaska as well as our TWU represented brothers and sisters at Southwest for their recent successful negotiations with their respective management teams.  We have the right and privilege as union members to negotiate, and following a vote for AFA representation, Northwest  and Delta flight attendants could also begin negotiations this year  to rebuild our hard-hit profession and achieve a new World Class Contract for all Delta flight attendants. – Submitted by  NWA MEC President Janette Rook

NBA CHARTER PLAYOFF UPDATE

In spite of a meeting which occurred on Friday April 24th with representatives of the Inflight Scheduling Department and members of the Union’s Negotiations, Grievance, and Charter Committees, where solutions to the problems which arose with the implementation of this program were agreed to, regrettably, the Company has failed to live up to the commitments it made to the Union and our members at that meeting.  Specifically, as you may recall from an earlier hotline, the Company committed to identifying to the Union all of those flight attendants who were made to sit time available unnecessarily, and compensate them properly at 4:15 per day. The Company also committed to publishing a clarification of how the “KC” pre-blocking charter code is to work in regards to time availability and pay.

Unfortunately, as was promised at the meeting, the Company has not published this information, and has not provided the Union with a list of affected flight attendants. Also, although the Company has apparently paid some of these flight attendants some small amounts of Bid Trip Guarantee, the amounts paid are not remotely reflective of the number of days these flight attendants sat on Time Available unnecessarily, and were not utilized. Therefore The MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Greg Riffle filed MEC grievance number #88-77-02-060-09 (click HERE to read the actual grievance or visit the contract section of the website HERE ) on behalf of all affected NBA Charter Playoff flight attendants who to date, have not been either properly informed about or compensated for their time available days in April of 2009. -- Submitted by MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Gregory S Riffle

HOTEL SECURITY AND SAFETY REMINDER 

While most hotels are safe there has been an increase in hotel crimes associated with the economic downturn in our country. We would like to remind our members to be vigilant about hotel safety and security precautions. While some of these reminders may seem obvious it is worth repeating especially after reading the USA Today article http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2009-05-17-hotel-crime-recession_N.htm

For Your Safety Remember:

1. Don’t announce your room number a loud in a public space.

2 Check rooms with the door open while another crew member waits for you to acknowledge room is clear.

3. Never open your door for anyone you do not know. If someone claims to be a hotel employee call the front desk to confirm.

4. Keep close eye on your personal belongings, research strongly suggests that hotel employees are often responsible for hotel thefts.

5. Always lock all your locks.

6. Whenever possible, go out with a buddy rather venturing out on your own.

Submitted by Flight Attendant Desiree Lowry and Rene Foss

RELATED NEWS ARTICLES

AIR FRANCE-KLM, DELTA TIE-UP TO REAP $12B ANNUALLY

http://www.mercurynews.com/natbreakingnews/ci_12410174

AROUND THE SYSTEM - BRING A COLLEAGUE. GET MOTIVATED. GET INVOLVED. The MEC meeting schedule and the Local Meeting schedule are found under the "Events" tab at www.nwaafa.org.  Delta Flight Attendants will be invited to local union meetings throughout the country in the coming year, and there will be mixers and trainings planned and posted at www.deltaafa.org as well. 

GOT MERGER QUESTIONS?  GET ANSWERS!  You are always welcome to contact your AFA-CWA Local officers, whose contact information is found atnwaafa.org.  Another way to get accurate answers to merger questions is to email Questions@nwaafa.org.  A variety of information sources are available to our members, including the MEC newsletter all call,  local union bulletin boards, the recorded weekly Hotline message, and of course our websites.  Visit www.nwaafa.org and www.deltaafa.org for information, as well as to sign up for e-news and to view archived MEC Hotlines and campaign information. 

STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK  Join World Class Delta Flight Attendants at Facebook to learn and discuss all the latest issues with your peers.  Sign up to view YouTube videos to educate and inspire flight attendants about the endless possibilities at the world's premier airline. 

DON'T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR UNION PIN! 

Click HERE or visit www.afanet.org for information about AFA-CWA union structure and the history of the AFA-CWA.  Dues & Member Q&A can be viewed here: http://nwaafa.org/resources/dues/.