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Dear Member,
Joint Negotiations Committee Update – One Voice
This update marks the inaugural issue of the Joint
Negotiations Committee Update, the negotiations report of the Joint
Negotiations Committee (JNC). As we continue our push for a merged agreement,
the JNC believes it is important to approach the Company with one voice as we
fight for common concerns, including fair pay, affordable health care, and other
important contractual protections.
On Tuesday, January 4 and Wednesday, January 5, AFA
International President Veda Shook and Vice President Sara Nelson met with the
JNC to discuss negotiations strategy. These discussions were productive in
mapping out a unified strategy for moving forward.
The US Airways comprehensive proposal in December 2010 was
a slap in the face to all flight attendants at the merged US Airways.
Management proposed to freeze the wage rates already provided for in the East
agreement for five more years. Their proposal slashed health care, gutted
scope protections, and was full of other objectionable, concessionary
proposals. Your JNC made it clear to the Company that this type of proposal was
insulting and would never ratify with flight attendants.
During this week’s negotiations session, AFA informed
management that they need to come to our next negotiations session with a
serious proposal to resolve outstanding issues. After five years of
negotiations, the time for delay has long since passed.
The JNC is focused on reaching a merged agreement to
benefit all flight attendants. We understand it can be a bit confusing with
three sets of flight attendant negotiations at US Airways. In addition to
merged contract talks, West Section 6 negotiations have been recessed for years
and East Section 6 negotiations are just opening. While the JNC will continue
to focus on reaching a merged agreement, having all flight attendants in a
Section 6 status means that if the company refuses to move off their offensive
bargaining positions, we have multiple points of attack to get flight attendants
the improvements we deserve.
Merged Contract Negotiations have been scheduled for the
following dates in Phoenix:
January 24-27
February 7-11 (Tentative)
February 21-24
March 7-11
In the coming weeks, the JNC will be calling on all flight
attendants to join the fight for a fair contract. Be prepared to clearly voice
your message to the company:
System-Wide Day of Action
Thursday, February 17
0900 PHX/1100 EST
The JNC is calling for simultaneous protests at all
domiciles to show management US Airways flight attendants are united in seeking
a fair contract. Please put this on your schedule and more information will
follow.
The Joint Negotiations Committee
MEC PRESIDENT – Lisa LeCarre
MEC PRESIDENT – Mike Flores
JNC MEMBER – Carol Austin
JNC MEMBER -
Deborah Volpe |
