AFA-CWA DTW eNEWS

February 2, 2008 

One Way Trade Update

One way trade processing changed on Thursday, January 24th.  The company tested the programming for the trades for several months, but the first runs of the new automation yielded disappointing results.  The AFA MEC Scheduling Committee has been in contact with the company over the issue and have been told that the programming is now running properly.  One way trades submitted before the new processing on January 24th have been thrown out and must be re-submitted.  Please contact lec94@nwaafa.org if you did not receive a trade and it was entered correctly by both the "giver" and the "taker."

**REMEMBER: trades offered by the "giver" must be entered into the new one way trade screen in CENTRY. Submitting trips for trade in the mutual trade bulletin board will not mark them as available patterns for OWT processing.  The mutual trade bulletin board may still be used to "advertise" your trips as available, but it is not tied to any award automation.  One way trades are processed as "open trades," but they are NOT part of the open board flying which is processed under categories of assignment 1-15.  Open trade processing means that CENTRY will find matches for flight attendants wishing to give or pick up patterns.  Complete contract language can be found in the Green Book in Section 6 G. 4. f. (page 6.25.)

DTW Merger Strategic Planning Sessions Update - February 7th & 27th

AFA Union leaders and legal advisors focused on merger partner possibilities and refining plans for the various scenarios we may (or may not) face this week in strategic planning sessions.  At this writing, there has been no news from Northwest management regarding a merger.  However, we are keenly aware of the likelihood of consolidation in the industry, and are determined to keep you informed of your rights and risks should NWA merge with another carrier.  Information from these meetings will be discussed and member questions will be answered in DTW on February 6th from 7 - 11 am by AFA Attorney Scott Goodman and President Diana Mitcham.  A Town Hall Meeting is also planned for February 26th at the DTW Westin Hotel.

Union 101

Northwest Flight Attendants are still fairly new to the AFA-CWA union structure.  Please take a moment to read the attached document, entitled "Union 101," to understand how our union works.  A union's success depends heavily upon member involvement and activism.  There is a lot of speculation flying around the system, but much of it is not based in fact.  It is important to inform yourself and others about union events and initiatives as we move forward together to strengthen our union and contract for the future.  Consider volunteering in an AFA committee today to be part of the force for change.

Dates to Remember

•  Interviews for Local AFA Committees: February 7th - 8th **change**
• DTW Contract training: February 25th
• CWA Legislative Conference in Washington DC: April 6th - 9th    
• Local Council meeting: April 16th
• Board of Directors Special Local Council Meeting: May 7th **change**
• Board of Directors Meeting held in MKE : July 8th -10th