AFA-CWA DTW eNEWS

February 28, 2008 

Stay informed...add 888-3-NWAAFA (888-369-2232) to your contact list to hear the most recent NWA AFA National hotline on Option #1 and the AFA Connected "Dear IMA" editorial message, a new line featuring the adventures of IMA, your Informed Member Advocate and her co-worker, DD (Doubting Donna) on Option #2.  You can also find a list of commonly used AFA Contacts and be connected to your NWA MEC Office in MSP through this number.

Collective Bargaining Agreement vs. Policy Manual

With the current concessionary contract it can be hard to remember what we DO have, due to being an AFA union member and to our contract.  Contractual provisions such as: the ability to grieve violations of the CBA, SCOPE protections, Jury Duty Pay, contractual FMLA coverage, and much more can be cited.  However, the single most important tool our union provides us with is A CONTRACT, also known as a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA.)  Absent a union and our CBA, we would be presented a "Policy Manual." A Policy Manual is a list of provisions outlined by management that can be changed by them at any time, with no recourse for workers if there are constant changes or violations of it.  No union is perfect, but it is important to remember that collective bargaining power and the ability to uphold our work rules stems directly from our status as unionized workers.  

Q & A Open Forum - March 4th

AFA-CWA Attorney David Borer, Local 94 President Diana Mitcham, and Local 94 IMPACT/Mobilization Chair Greg Frattini will be available March 4th from 7-9 am in the flight attendant check-in area for questions from members.  From 9:30-12:00 pm, they will be in the AMFA office next door to Local 94, under Gate 8, for an Open Forum for all members. Then, from 1:30 - 4:30 they will be available in the FA lounge for more one-on-one questions from members.  Please join them and bring your concerns and questions. 

DTW Contract Training - March 12th

On March 12th we will hold more contract training sessions in the AMFA office next to Local 94.  Near gate A8, take the elevator to the apron level and follow the signs to the Local office. Two sessions will be offerred: 10-12:30 and 2-5pm.  Please stop in anytime during the sessions and bring your contract and questions. We will focus on Sections 5, 6, & 7. Helpful schedule handouts for Regular and Reserve lineholders will be available. 

Reference Materials Available

Abbreviated Contract Reference Notes, a Reserve Tip booklet, and a NWA AFA Resource Guide with a list of AFA Contacts are available at the Local 94 union office and at the union bulletin board in the Flight Attendant Lounge.  Please help yourself and pass them around on the line. 

Union Pins

The power in the message provided by our union pin shouldn't be underestimated. Wear your AFA pin with pride and broadcast the message of unity and collective strength that it signifies.  If you do not have a union pin, please stop by Local 94, or contact us and we will provide you with one. 

A Message from Greg Frattini, Local 94 IMPACT/Mobilization Chair

Greetings Detroit Flight Attendants.  I am your new Local 94 Member Engagement Committee Chairperson.  In the coming days and weeks, you're going to be seeing some of our IMPACT Leaders around our base and flying the line. 

IMPACT = Informed Membership Participation & Activism Communications Team

IMPACT Leaders will serve as informed member advocates while flying the line.  IMPACT Leaders will provide current and factual information to the membership and deliver feedback from the members to officer & committee volunteers.  Each IMPACT Leader will be assigned 10 fellow flight attendants to call and keep informed, as part of a system-wide phone tree.  As an IMPACT Leader, you are a conduit through which a dialogue between members and officers is maintained.  Nothing can replace one-on-one, member-to-member communications.

If you are interested in stepping up to face the challenges in these ever-changing times, please let me know.  Currently we have about 500 IMPACT Leaders at NWA, but we need about 300 more.  You can email me at flybear1@yahoo.com with your contact information, or stop by and visit LEC 94 under Gate A8 during your next lengthy airport sit.  Remember, We Are Better Together.

Travel to Training Reminder

When traveling to MSP for Annual Recurrent Training, please be aware that a late arrival to the airport and late verification could result a loss of positive space seating, especially if the flight is overbooked.  If possible, always verify for the flight as soon as possible on the day of departure.

DTW Book Exchange

Flight attendants have been utilizing the DTW FA Lounge Book Exchange and it has been a success.  However, the books are dwindling fast.  Please bring in books that you would like to donate and remember when you take a book, leave a book, in order to keep the book exchange viable.

Upcoming Local and National Union Events

• Q & A and Open Forum: March 4th
• Contract Training: March 12th
• CWA Legislative Conference in Washington DC: April 6th - 9th    
• Next Local 94 Council Meeting: April 16th
• Contract Training : April 23rd
• Special Local 94 Council Meeting for AFA BOD: May 14th
• CWA Convention: June 23-25th
• AFA Board of Directors Meeting held in MKE: July 8th -10th