The thirty day cooling-off period for the US Airways mechanics, represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM), has begun. The cooling-off period will expire at midnight on September 25.
 If an agreement on a new contract has not been reached by that date, the parties are free to engage in self-help. That means the IAM is free to strike and management can impose its last offer on the mechanics.
 The mechanics' contract became amendable in October 1995, and the tentative agreement was reached in June. But in July, that tentative agreement was rejected by 75% of the mechanics who voted on the contract. 81% of the mechanics have already voted to strike, if necessary, to reach a fair contract.
 Following the failed vote, the National Mediation Board (NMB) declared negotiations between US Airways and the IAM to be at an impasse. The NMB then started the clock on the thirty day countdown to a strike. In hopes of reaching a new agreement prior to the September 25 deadline, the parties have begun super mediation sessions, negotiating under the auspices of a federal mediator.
 After the tentative agreement failed and negotiations resumed, US Airways management decided to pull many of the gains that were offered in the tentative agreement from the table. Needless to say, the parties remain miles apart.
 Many of the mechanics' issues and concerns are similar to those of flight attendants. They're the same reasons that your AFA Negotiating Committee is fighting so hard: fair pay, pension improvements and stronger job security. These issues are important to all of us and we won't stop fighting until we get them.
 

What does the possibility of an IAM strike mean for you?
 

 The IAM strike could mean a lot to you. If the IAM and the airline fail to reach an agreement in negotiations, the mechanics are threatening to strike. As that time approaches, we will provide you with information to keep you informed and to let you know what's expected of you. As a union, we must follow the AFA Constitution and Bylaws with regard to a non-AFA strike at an AFA-represented carrier.
 The AFA Constitution says that Local Council meetings must be held within seventy-two (72) hours of the commencement of such a strike. These meetings are held to inform the members of the situation and to solicit their input.
 Based on members' input, the MEC will then confer with the International President to decide whether to honor the IAM strike. In the event of an all-out strike, we must be prepared for the possibility that AFA will honor the mechanics' picket line. Remember, the AFA Constitution says the announcement of our decision to honor an IAM strike cannot be made until after the IAM has actually begun its strike.
 As you keep your eye out for information about AFA flight attendant negotiations, please be sure to read any Special Alerts that come your way. These bulletins will provide you with the information you need to make the right decision, should the IAM be forced to strike.

What is AFA doing to help flight attendants during the IAM's thirty day cooling-off period?
 

 Your AFA Master Executive Council at US Airways has established a committee to address the issues facing flight attendants during this crucial period. In addition to releasing informational bulletins and conducting local meetings 72 hours prior to the strike deadline, AFA will provide frequent updates on the hotline (800) 654-3143 and on our website: www.afausairways.org. Check your Local newsletter, utilize your telephone tree, and contact representatives from your Local Council to answer any questions you may have.

What happened during the 1992 IAM strike?
 

 In 1992, the US Airways AFA MEC voted to support the IAM strike. Our support included honoring the IAM's picket lines. When flight attendants struck in sympathy, the company went to court and argued that the AFA US Airways contract prohibited flight attendants from engaging in a sympathy strike. According to the company, the sympathy strike raised a contractual dispute that had to be decided in arbitration before the system board.
 The court agreed, the parties were ordered to resolve the dispute in arbitration, and the flight attendants were ordered back to work pending arbitration. The IAM strike ended before the issue was arbitrated, but AFA decided to continue the arbitration, since the union would likely face a similar situation in the future.
 The arbitrator ruled that the AFA US Airways contract does not prohibit the flight attendants from honoring the picket lines of other employee groups at US Airways. Therefore, flight attendants can legally honor the IAM picket lines without the threat of an injunction.
 Again, the MEC will discuss the possibility of supporting the IAM's strike, and vote on that possibility once the strike's begun. If the MEC does vote to support the IAM's strike this time US Airways cannot stop us.

 Absolutely. Over the next month, management will use threats and scare tactics in an attempt to make you think that striking in sympathy with the IAM is illegal, and that the mechanics are being unreasonable in their demands.
 You may receive a letter from management telling you that the IAM is being unreasonable. You may be questioned by your supervisor about your support for the strikers. The company will no doubt leak false information to the press similar to what they've already done by blaming the IAM for cancellations that were really due to poor management of maintenance and mismanagement of crew scheduling. The company could even make a number of quick policy changes in an attempt to thwart the IAM's strike.
 Don't believe what the company says. We have a very strong legal case that says we are within our legal rights to strike in sympathy with our IAM co-workers. If you are told of a sudden policy change, demand that your supervisor provide the change to you in writing. You have that right; our contract stipulates that all changes must be provided to flight attendants in writing.

What can I do to fight back if I'm harassed by management about the IAM's possible strike?
 

 If you are questioned by your supervisor about your support for the IAM, contact your Local office immediately. Tell your supervisor,  "I have been advised by my union not to address these issues.  Please contact my Local officers."  Be careful not to say anything else; what you say can be used against you in a disciplinary hearing.

Why would we strike in sympathy with the IAM?
 

 The IAM is seeking a fair contract, just like we are. We don't allow mechanics to determine what's fair for flight attendants. Therefore, it would be equally unfair for us to try and determine what's best for mechanics. But from AFA's discussions with IAM representatives, we know that they are seeking a contract that addresses many of the very concerns we are discussing in our own contract talks with the company.
 The mechanics want pay raises to make up for the fact that they haven't had a raise in four years. They want decent pensions for retirement. And they're attempting to win stronger job security, because mergers and acquisitions threaten their jobs in today's ever-changing airline industry.
 We ask IAM to support us when we have a dispute with the company, and we should extend the same courtesy to them. If we do not give respect and support to our allies, we won't receive it when we need it. After five years of negotiations and a failed tentative agreement, an effective strike may be the only way that the IAM can win a fair contract. For IAM's strike to be effective, the company needs to see that the workforce stands united in our fight for a better working life. If we all stick together, the strike is more likely to be resolved quickly.

Can the company discipline or discharge me for participating in a sympathy strike?
 

 It is illegal to discipline or discharge any flight attendant, including probationary flight attendants, for participating in a sympathy strike. Remember, we won an arbitration that declared our sympathy strike legal. That decision did not differentiate regular employees from probationary employees. For all intents and purposes under the law, probationary flight attendants have the same rights as senior flight attendants when it comes to sympathy and regular strikes.
 AFA will fight for any flight attendant who is illegally disciplined or discharged for participating in a sympathy strike, or, if and when the time comes, a strike to win our own contract.

What do we risk if we fail to honor IAM's picket line?
 

 Quite frankly, we risk a lot. We lose respect from our co-workers. We look weak in the eyes of the company and that perception will carry over into our negotiations.
 The decision to strike in sympathy with the IAM would apply to all US Airways flight attendants.  We would expect all AFA members to abide by this decision. To do less would be a violation of your AFA Constitution and you will lose the respect of your flying partners. Our best advice to you is: whenever your elected AFA leaders sanction a sympathy strike, or hold a strike to win a fair flight attendant contract, honor the picket line.

How will I be informed of the decision to strike?
 

 There are a number of ways that you will be able to learn of the decision to strike. Depending on where you are, you may be informed by phone, mail, or by an AFA representative meeting you at the airport as you report for your trip. Information will be available on the hotline, on our website and plastered all over the news.
 Make no mistake. If the IAM strikes, and we strike in sympathy, you will be notified. There will be absolutely no way for you to get on a plane after a sympathy strike has commenced and not know it. This applies to any possible future AFA strike, as well.
 AFA will continue to mail important information to your homes as the IAM's strike deadline approaches. Keep your eyes on your mail and be sure to read it! If you haven't been receiving mail from the union, please be sure that we have your most current address.