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11 September 2009
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In This Weeks Hotline . . .
9-11 | 2010 Benefits | SAFA | Turbulence | Japanese Federation | Scheduling & Purser Committee | Video
AFA-CWA REFLECTS ON 9-11 ANNIVERSARY
"As we have for the past eight years, September 11 marks a day where we honor the brave sacrifices of our flying partners and colleagues who gave their lives in the line of duty. It is in their memory, and the memory of all flight attendants before them, that we rededicate our work to advancing the health, safety and security of our beloved profession." ~ AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend
MEC MEETING REGARDING 2010 BENEFIT CHANGES
MEC representatives and our arbitration attorney met with NW & DL representatives this week to further discuss member concerns about proposed provider changes, eligibility differences, and service and coverage issues that have arisen due to a vendor change to United Health Care. The company provided specific data for their proposed cost increase for our PPO plan, as well as detailed information about new benefit options and strategies employed by Delta to improve service by UHC.
In many ways our 2010 benefit options will synch us up with Delta's unionized pilot and flight dispatcher medical benefits, but of course the foundation of their benefits are contractu al and cannot be taken away or dramatically changed from year to year. This equity in benefits for both union and non union groups hasn't happened in quite some time at Delta, but we're pleased to see it for 2010.
Unfortunately, Delta is unwilling to extend our contractual retiree medical benefit subsidy to Delta retirees, so the reduced retiree rates will only be available to NW retirees under our contract. We're proud to continue to keep promises made to our retirees in our contract, not only because they are our union brothers and sisters, but also because we hope to one day be in their shoes as well.
The 2010 benefit enhancements are a good step in the right direction and we look forward to sitting down with management after our vote, to negotiate together and to ensure these changes will remain for a long time to come in a new legally binding joint contract. Section 29 – Insurance Benefits, outlines who can be covered, what must be covered, and limits cost increases year to year. ~ MEC President Janette Rook
SAFA CONCERNS BROUGHT TO MANAGEMENT THIS WEEK
AFA met with the company this week, in another effort to address Training Special Assignment Flight Attendant (SAFA) concerns about a recent pay disparity created with their Delta counterparts. The company asserted that each group has entirely different packages and there are distinct benefits on both sides. They are unwilling to change the credit per day for our training SAFAs and informed us they have no interest in negotiating any change to the agreement to change the SAFA pay or credit in any way. The pay raise that was given only to DL SAFAs, just before we filed to trigger our election with the NMB, will be reported as management interference in our election. Additionally, the different rules for union advocacy for NW and DL SAFAs will be reported as interference. At this point I would like to thank all SAFAs for their reports to us on these issues. It may take a bit longer, but together with Delta flight attendants in new joint contract negotiations, we will have the leverage and we will negotiate better contractual provisions for all flight attendants.
TURBULENCE AWARENESS . . . A MUST
As reported in a New York Times article this week (click HERE to read) flight attendants are placed 'at risk' during turbulence - whether predicted or clear air - in that we are out of our seats for much of the flight.
This year has been an especially bad one for turbulence-related injuries to flight attendants in particular. AFA reports that in the first eight months of 2009, 143 flight attendants were injured on two major air carriers.
We - at Northwest - have also had our share of flight attendant injuries over the past couple years - some of which required extended hospitalization and recovery. Your MEC Air Safety, Health & Security Committee has taken an active role in working with both Northwest and now Delta to place a high degree of focus on any/all turbulence-related injuries to our workgroup, developing effective guidelines to encourage greater communication/coordination with flight deck, codifying levels of turbulence and recommended procedures to prevent injury.
MEC ASHS efforts resulted in our practice of being 'empowered' to use good judgment, discontinue service and take the jumpseat to prevent injury anytime conditions warrant. The Committee has also been a part of formalized Flight Safety debriefings involving turbulence-related incidents and accidents, recommending changes to help mitigate such injuries. A greater awareness of turbulence is absolutely necessary. Brief on it, communicate on it once in flight - and continue to take care of one another if turbulent conditions are encountered!
MEETING WITH THE JAPANESE FEDERATION OF AVIATION WORKERS UNION (KOKUREN)
In Japan, vicious attacks are being directed toward Japanese aviation workers by employers, airline operators and the government with the intent to cut wages and working conditions. Sound familiar? Many of the same problems we are experiencing in the United States with our employer are now taking place in Japan. We met with the Federation on December 5 in Washington, DC, at AFA-CWA headquarters. Along with AFA International President Pat Friend, we received an update from the Federation and to give input on the situation here at Northwest. Issues discussed included types of employment, benefits, health care insurance, health and safety, the FAA Flight Attendant fatigue study and OSHA-like protections. We also discussed scope of work, crew complement, the performance assessment system, certification of cabin crew, average length of service, wages and impacts from deregulation.
The Federation met with other union leaders as well on their visit to the US for similar talks. Of growing concern is the vastly increased number and use of non-union Interpreters/Flight Attendants. The ranks of unionized Northwest Japanese Flight Attendants have decreased significantly. This was a reminder of our "B-scale" days and that labor—no matter where on the planet—is under attack. We will continue to support our brother and sister Flight Attendants in Japan in solidarity for good jobs and decent working conditions.
UPCOMING SCHEDULING AND PURSER COMMITTEE MEETINGS 
The MEC and LEC Scheduling/Reserve Committee will hold its fall meeting with the Company on Tuesday, September 22nd in Minneapolis. The Central Scheduling Committee – which comprises both Scheduling and Reserve – is responsible for addressing scheduling issues and concerns including “known flying,” and provide input to the Company regarding changes or distribution of current or future flying. We are pleased that the Company has invited the MEC and LEC Purser Committee to take part in this month’s meeting.
Your input is important! Please click HERE to go to the NWA AFA Committee page. You will find Scheduling / Reserve and Purser tabs that provide Committee contact information. An automated scheduling problem worksheet is also available at http://www.nwaafa.org/onlineforms/scheduling/.
"I AM THE UNION"
Delta flight attendants reflect on the value of our professional service, and what makes a union ... It's members, of course. WE are Delta AFA. View by clicking the screen, or HERE.
Visit the Delta-AFA campaign:
BRING A COLLEAGUE. GET MOTIVATED. GET INVOLVED. 
The NWA AFA MEC Calendar of Events is 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 months, and there will be information sessions and gatherings planned and posted at www.deltaafa.org as well.
DON'T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR UNION PIN - AT WORK & TO TRAINING!
Show your support for collective bargaining by wearing your union pin to work and all company events. Together, we are AFA. Click HERE or visit www.afanet.org for information about AFA-CWA union structure and the history of the AFA-CWA. Dues & Member Information can be viewed HERE.
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