In This Weeks Hotline . . .

LETTER 35 | PBS SUPPORT TEAM RESULTS| | TTD PETITION TO NMB | A WHOLE NEW AIRLINE| PAYROLL AND CREW ACTIVITY STATEMENTS| SAFE WITHOUT A UNION ? | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE l AFA OPPOSES TAXES ON HEALTH CARElVIDEO REWIND

LETTER OF AGREEMENT 35 – “ME TOO” ARBITRATION UPDATE 

In early September, Arbitrator Dana Eischen informed AFA that he expected to issue a decision in this matter sometime after the middle of October. Given that we are coming up on that time frame rather quickly, we will update you with any information just as soon as it becomes available Please check on the NWA-AFA home page at www.nwaafa.org and click on the MEC Grievance Committee link to check up on the latest information on this topic.  - MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Greg Riffle  

SEPTEMBER PBS SUPPORT TEAM MEETING RESULTS

The contractual joint PBS Support Team met on September 23rd, to continue our work to improve the PBS bidding satisfaction for all flight attendants.  The work is unusually tough going for all involved, due to economic constraints and complications due to our merger, however our joint efforts will continue unabated.  Please visit the PBS Committee page on the MEC website to review the results of ongoing test runs and read about efforts to lessen the affects of feasibility on our schedules and to improve both Reserve and Regular Lineholder satisfaction with PBS.  To submit a PBS Problem Worksheet that will be forwarded to all flight attendant and AFA members of the team, and will assist us in our efforts and research, please click here:http://www.nwaafa.org/onlineforms/pbs  ALWAYS SUBMIT A DETAILED RESOLUTION WITH SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS - AFA PROBLEM WORKSHEETS DO NOT REPLACE THAT IMPORTANT STEP. Remember - our PBS bidding system is contractual and if given the chance, we can improve upon it in subsequent post-bankruptcy negotiations.  Thank you to all members of this joint team, for your continued dedication.  - MEC President Janette Rook

PERSPECTIVES ON TTD PETITION TO NMB REGARDING VOTING RULE CHANGE 

Delta executives have cried “no fair” at the AFL-CIO’s request to the National Mediation Board (NMB) that it changes its election rules to conduct elections in the same way as under the National Labor Relations Board (and every other election forum in America) based on a majority of voters?that is 50% plus one of people who actually vote not just eligible voters:http://bapwild.com/blog/?p=559“Nowhere in American democracy, other than during a union election in the airline and railroad industry, does an eligible voter wishing to sit out an election have his or her silence tabulated as a no vote,” said Edward Wytkind, head of the AFL- CIO’s Transportation Trades Department of 32 member unions, in a Sept. 2 letter to the board requesting the change. To read the complete interview: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601209&sid=azqtkIrrvf1g  MEC President Janette Rook discusses the TTD petition and Delta’s reaction in her October 2^nd letter to the membership.  Click HERE to read Janette’s letter. 

A WHOLE NEW AIRLINE

Aviation consultant Mike Boyd was recently interviewed for The Street.com about the Delta Northwest merger strategy.  Boyd said Delta has transformed itself, first in a 2005 bankruptcy and then through the Northwest merger, a deal that put a former Northwest CEO and several key Northwest executives in command of Delta. In fact, he said, in the merger, Northwest took over Delta.   "The people at the top come from Northwest but genetically they come from pit bulls," Boyd said. "This is not the gentle, wonderful, magnolia-sipping Delta of the past. This is a whole new airline." The article: http://www.thestreet.com/story/10605558/1/delta-king-of-the-world.html  
 

CHANGES TO PAYROLL AND CREW ACTIVITY STATEMENTS?

AFA Q: When do they plan to migrate us over to the Delta payroll system?  NWA A: PMNW Flight Attendants will remain on their contractual pay frequencies (i.e. 13th and 27th of each month) but will be paid via the DL payroll system, on DL check stock, effective 1/1/10.  Despite this change, FLAPPS will remain in place and will be used to calculate PMNW FA pay.  

AFA Q: What does that mean to NW Payroll jobs?  NWA A: As long as FLAPPS remains in place, DL will retain employees who are familiar with the system.  Therefore, PMNW FA's may (and should) continue to contact these individuals with questions regarding their pay. 

AFA Q: Are there any plans to get rid of the Crew Activity Statements or change our paycheck format in any way? Of course, some of the content of the checks/statements is contractual.  NWA A: There are plans to change the FA paycheck format.  Specifically, we are modifying the DL pay stub to ensure all required pre-merger NW components are included.  In addition, following the conversion to the DL payroll system, PMNW FAs will continue to have access to their Crew Activity Statements in FLAPPS.  Once FLAPPS is replaced, FAs will be able to access this same information via the DBMS system.  
 

SAFE WITHOU A UNION?

Last week American Airlines annnounced it would discontinue health care coverage for retired employees who are not members of a union. This is just another example of what happens when you depend on the benevolence of management rather that a legal binding agreement. to read the full story visit http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_13396235?nclick_check=1 

 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE  

Congress was in recess, but not your Government Affairs committee! They have been working on a number of issues including FMLA, The FAA Reauthorization Bill, Minnesota unemployment law changes, the ban on cell phone use during flight, carry on baggage size limitations and many other important issues that impact flight attendants on a daily basis. To learn more and read the entire third quarter report please visit: http://www.nwaafa.org/committees/govaffairs/  
 

AFA-CWA OPPOSES TAXATION ON HEALTH CARE BENEFITS 

The Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform bill will tax our health care plans. This could mean thousands of dollars a year added to the cost of health insurance coverage for those employers that provide it. To avoid this tax, employers will try to cut our benefits. To keep what we have, we must stop this tax. Instead, Congress should require all employers to provide coverage as many do now. And it's time the wealthy — families whose income is more than $350,000 and individuals whose income is more than $280,000 — pay their fair share too! 

DELTA-AFA CAMPAIGN VIDEO REWIND

If you've missed any of the previous campaign videos, here's your chance to catch up.  Click the screen of the video you wish to view to be redirected to the clip on our YouTube channel.  After you're done, spread the message by sharing the clip.  Click "share" and select your preferred networking site -- such as Facebook or Twitter. 

To email a clip, copy and paste the URL into the body of an email and send it to your colleagues, friends and family.  Encourage them to do the same.  Be sure to rate and comment on all the clips.

Visit the Delta-AFA campaign:  Facebook  |  YouTube  |  Delta-AFA

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.