On The Negotiations Front Mediated talks between AFA and US Airways begin the week of April 26, 1999 in Washington, DC.  In attendance for AFA will be Negotiating Committee members Mark Littleton and Terry Graf, MEC President Lynn Lenosky, and AFA professional negotiator Clare Burt.  The company members will be Bruce Ashby, Rob Fuhr,  Luis McSween, Tony Bralich and Susan Wall.  Federal mediator, Tom Ingles, has been assigned to our case.

Items that were discussed during our last sessions included Section 5-Moving Expenses, Section 29- General (Jumpseat), Section 24-Grievances, Investigation, and Discipline, and Section 6-Uniforms. While we made limited progress in some of these sections, each of these still remains open. Additionally, rumors have been circulating that AFA has agreed to a one-year bid cycle for the International Transoceanic Domiciles.  Please be aware thatwe have not agreed to this. Furthermore, this section along with many others, still remains open for negotiations.

AFA Conducts Membership Telephone Survey

The US Airways Negotiating Committee has authorized the Wilson Center to conduct a telephone survey of our members for the purposes of collecting membership information relative to our current negotiations. The polling will be conducted the first week of May.  Members will be chosen via random computer selection in order to get the optimum cross section of our membership.  This vital information is anonymous and will be of great help to the Negotiating Committee.  We encourage all those contacted members to fully participate.
 

Local NSC Chairs Scheduled to met in PIT

The Local Negotiating Committee Support Chairpersons are scheduled to meet in April with MEC Chairpersons Mark Littleton and Bob Kenia, and MEC President Lynn Lenosky. The purpose of this meeting is to evaluate our negotiating support structure and plan for future activities.  On behalf of your Master Executive Council, we encourage you to volunteer your time for this valuable committee. In the words of US Airways Chairman, Stephen Wolf, "It's not what you deserve, it's what you negotiate".  Your union is only as strong as its' members. Don't be the weak link.  Contact your Local union office and find out how YOU can contribute to getting the "contract of choice".

Speaking of What You Can Negotiate

Recent press reports cite that compensation for US Airways two top executives "more than quadruple" for 1998. Last year Wolf, for example, received $16,480,000.00 in stock grants, salary, bonuses, living expenses, and tax expenses.   Gangwal's compensation was equally obscene. Both men were given nearly $11,000,000.00 in stock awards.  Additionally, the executives signed new employment contracts with terms of at least five years. Unfortunately, US Airways Flight Attendants salaries have been frozen since 1996.  Overall, our members wages have hardly risen in tha last in the last 10 years. If we factor in the cost of living and inflation we are actually losing money.  If this information outrages you, and judging by the amount of faxes, voice messages, and e-mail the MEC office received, it does, then contact your Local union office and find out what you can do to support AFA during negotiations.

Local News

Council 89 CLT will be conducting Local union meetings on

Two sessions are scheduled for the day, 0900 - 1100 and 1400 - 1600.  All members in good standing are welcomed to attend.

International News

It appears that the company's efforts to either wet or dry lease an aircraft have been futile.  As a result of their inability to secure an aircraft, the decision has been made to suspend service temporarily between Philadelphia and Amsterdam.  However, the company intends to proceed with their plans to fly a second Philadelphia/Paris route.  AFA is investigating the ramifications of this action on our members in the Philadelphia International Transoceanic Domicile.

AFA International To Hold Workers' Memorial Day Rally

AFA will hold a demonstration at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters, 800 Independence Avenue NW in Washington, DC on Wednesday, April 28, 1999 at 1230 to highlight the injuries our members suffer from carry-on bags.  We will be asking that the FAA take action to prevent more injuries. Additionally, AFA is conducting a post card campaign.  We are asking members to send postcards to FAA Administrator, Jane Garvey, urging her to enact new carry-on baggage  standards.
Please contact your Local Union
office if you would like a
postcard.

Master Executive Council Vacancies

Your MEC has two vacant positions to fill; International Chairperson and Negotiating Committee Member. The election for these positions will be conducted at the June MEC meeting.
Please check your local AFA bulletin board for more
information or contact the MEC
office at 412-262-3110.

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NEGOTIATIONS
Direct negotiations have continued for the last two weeks. We did see limited progress in some areas. However, we are still far apart on many issues. Our next scheduled meetings the week of April 26, 1999 will mark the beginning of mediated talks.

VIRTUAL CHAOS AT AMERICA WEST RESULTS IN TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
Shortly after the midnight deadline on March 20, 1999 AFA and management at America West reached a tentative agreement, after four long and difficult years of contentious negotiations for their first agreement. AFA leaders at America West attribute the success at the bargaining table to the strength and solidarity of the flight attendant members and was accomplished without risk to a single flight attendant job in a CHAOS strike action.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Recently there have been many rumors concerning the company's efforts to lease 767 aircraft to support the additional international flying they are seeking. While the company has pursued both wet and dry lease options no decisions or deals have been made to date. Rakesh Gangwal has assured AFA that any/all international flying will be flown by US Airways flight attendants and we will be kept informed of their progress.

NTSB RESULTS OF US AIR FLIGHT 427
The NTSB conducted hearings in Springfield, VA on March 23rd and 24th to give their final report and recommendations of USAir Flight 427. While the Board stopped short of citing the cause of this tragic accident, they did make 17 recommendations; one of which being that all 737 aircraft operators provide initial and recurrent training techniques in uncommanded roll and jammed rudder procedures. US Airways has already replaced and tested rudder components and enhanced their pilot training program, both of which have significantly reduced the likelihood of such a repeated event. You can find more detailed information on AFA's website or in the summer issue of AFA Connections.

YOU HAVE A VOICE MAKE IT HEARD
DCA and PHL members are currently in the final stages of balloting for local elections. DCA ballots must be postmarked by April 9 and PHL ballots must be postmarked by April 15. Selection of local representatives is extremely important, as they are your voice to management. Additionally, local presidents represent their members on the Master Executive Council and AFA Board of Directors.

WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTION FOR AVIATION EMPLOYEES
Congressmen Sherwood Boehlert and Jim Clyburn have introduced Whistle Blower Protection into the 106th Congress. AFA encourages all Flight Attendants to contact their member of Congress to support this very important bill. If you need assistance in finding information about your Congressman please contact Candace Kolander at the AFA International Office 1-800-424-2401 ext. 811 or your local PAC representative.

AFA SCHOLARSHIP FUND OFFERS TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
AFA offers a scholarship fund that can help offset some associated costs of attending college. If you want more information about this fund, please contact AFA's International Office at 1-800-424-2401. Applications can be obtained from your Local union office, the International Office or by writing to the AFA Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 212, Warrenton, VA 20188. Applications must be received by April 10, 1999.

IMPACT AFA COMING TO WASHINGTON, CHARLOTTE, & PITTSBURGH
IMPACT AFA is an interactive workshop designed by flight attendants for flight attendants and stands for Involving More People and Creating Transformation. This free three-hour workshop will begin to explore AFA's future. How can we succeed in the future while facing new threats, challenges, and opportunities?
FIND OUT AT IMPACT AFA! THE DATES AND LOCATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(*)NEW

LOCAL NEWS
Council 89 Charlotte will be conducting a local meeting on Thursday, April 22, 1999 at the Sterling Inn Woodlawn. There are two meetings scheduled for that day, the times are: 0900-1100 and 1400-1600. The Sterling Inn will provide transportation from the airport. From 1100-1400 a retirement counselor will be available to talk to our members about their futures.

In solidarity Lynn Lenosky MEC President Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO

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NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE CONCLUDES COMMUNICATION TOURS
During the month of February your Negotiating Committee traveled around the US Airways system spending many long hours in the crew rooms meeting with the members to discuss the current state of negotiations. Your input was invaluable to the MEC and Negotiating Committee in making the decision to apply for mediation. Committee members Lynn Lenosky, Terry Graf, and Mark Littleton thank the many members who took the time to stop by and let the committee know their thoughts.

AFA'S EXECUTIVE BOARD ANNUAL MEETING
The MEC Presidents from around the AFA system will gather in Washington, DC from March 23 - 25 for the annual meeting of AFA's Executive Board. Topics for discussions include the Delta organizing campaign, strategic planning, use of on board defibrillators and IMPACT AFA. The meeting will be held at the Capitol Hilton and all AFA members in good standing are welcomed to attend.

AFA CONDUCTS MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
The Wilson Center for Public Research is currently conducting a telephone poll of members for AFA's 1999 national membership survey. AFA member participation is extremely important to the survey's success in identifying flight attendant concerns.

IMPACT AFA WORKSHOPS IMPACT AFA
is an acronym for "Involving More People and Creating Transformation". This program was developed by flight attendants for flight attendants and is a FREE 3-hour interactive workshop. The following cities are scheduled for IMPACT AFA workshops for the month of March: Pittsburgh March 16 and 17 Boston March 18 Denver March 24 and 25 If you are interested in attending on of these workshops please contact AFA's International Office at 1-800-424-2401 X826 for further details.
 

CHAOS IS COMING TO AMERICA WEST
The clock ticks down for America West flight attendants as they get closer to March 20th and the end of the 30-day cooling off period. America West flight attendants, who have been negotiating their first contract for the past fours years, have voted overwhelmingly to support either a strike or CHAOS activities. Failure to reach an agreement between the management of America West and AFA could result in many America West flight attendants being stranded. AFA is asking members to donate buddy passes so these stranded flight attendants can get home. If you are interested in helping out in this way, please contact America West LEC #66 at 602-966-1231.
 

ALOHA FLIGHT ATTENDANTS APPLY FOR MEDIATION
Last week AFA applied for the help of a federal mediator in it's talks with Aloha Airlines. Bargaining between the union and the company began over one year ago and there has been little progress.
 

IAM REACHES A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
The fleet service workers, represented by the IAM, have reached a tentative agreement with US Airways on their first contract. Last year, after applying for mediation, a tentative agreement was reached that was eventually voted down by the members. Likewise, this tentative agreement is subject to membership ratification.

US AIRWAYS GRANTED COMPETITIVE SLOTS FOR CHARLOTTE - LONDON
For more than a year US Airways has been seeking more favorable take off and landing slots for the route between London and Charlotte after being granted the right to fly there by the US government. The date for starting service between Charlotte and London's Gatwick Airport has yet to be announced but the good news for Charlotte flight attendants is that international flying will soon return to their base. In solidarity, Lynn Lenosky

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Following more than two years at the bargaining table with very little progress, your Negotiating Committee and MEC unanimously agreed to apply for mediation with the National Mediation Board.  The application was filed on Tuesday, February 23, 1999 in Washington, DC.  Under the Railway Labor Act, which governs the negotiations process for unions within the airline industry, our application for mediation brings us one step closer to seeking self help.  After the National Mediation Board assigns a mediator to our case, negotiations will resume with the mediator.

NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE COMPLETES COMMUNICATION TOURS

Your Negotiating Committee concluded the communication tours in CLT. These tours, held throughout the system, provided the membership with the opportunity to meet and talk with the Negotiating Committee. Lynn Lenosky, Mark Littleton and Terry Graf wish to thank the hundreds of Flight Attendants who took the time to stop by and stay informed.

AFFECTS OF PILOT BID 99-3 ON FLIGHT ATTENDANT BLOCKHOLDER POSITIONS

The following figures reflect the changes to Flight Attendant positions effective May 1, 1999. These changes are the result of movement of block hours from one base to another as well as the addition of the Airbus aircraft.  Because the Company cannot give us precise information on whether or not the new pilot scheduling system will be implemented May 1, we are therefore unable to provide you with the actual impact on Flight Attendant positions.
(See Below)

INTERNATIONAL TRANSOCEANIC TRIP DROPS

As a reminder Section 22.b of the International Transoceanic Domicile Side Letter of Agreement, flight attendants are permitted to come in below their applicable option amount (four trips, five trips, or six trips) by the value of one lead-in trip, if such trip is awarded in his/her line of flying.  In other words, the flight attendant’s flying obligation may be reduced by one trip.  Keep in mind that by utilizing such underprojection makes the flight attendant ineligible for the additional trip drop provided in paragraph 16 of this side letter of agreement, excluding vacation trip drops.
 
 

ALLEGED SHORTAGE OF FLIGHT ATTENDANT WORKING AGREEMENTS

Please be advised that some Inflight supervisors and base managers are telling Flight Attendants that the company depleted their supply of our current agreement.  This is not true.  According to Tony Bralich, Director of Labor Relations, Flight Attendants should be able to receive a copy from his/her supervisors.

IMPACT AFA COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU

IMPACT AFA is an acronym  for Involving More People and Creating Transformation.
The program was designed by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants.

IMPACT AFA will offer members a new connection to their union and a new understanding of the need to grow internally and externally. The interactive workshop will offer members insight into our value and will become a vision for members into the 21st Century.  IMPACT AFA will examine the differences between myths and truths of our profession and explore our role as safety and service professionals.

The three hour workshop will be held in:

ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN DCA AND PHL

Election ballots for local officers in PHL and DCA will be mailed to all members in good standing during the month of March.  Each candidate that signed a willingness to serve statement and received at least two (2) nominations ballots will appear on the election ballot. DCA ballots will be mailed on March 19 and must be postmarked by April 9.  PHL ballots will be mailed March 25 and must be postmarked by April 15.
 

LOCAL NEWS

Pittsburgh Council 40 will be conducting a membership meeting on Tuesday, March 9th from 1-4pm at the Plaza Hotel. Transportation from the airport will be provided by the Plaza Hotel.

On Wednesday March 17, 1999 Pittsburgh Council 40 will be hosting a semi-formal St.
Patrick’s Day party.
The Shamrock’n Bash
benefiting the US Airways Strike Fund.  Tickets are $10.00 per person and can be
purchased by calling the PIT local office 412-262-3375. The bash will be held at the Royce Hotel from 8pm- midnight.  All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Thank you, this message will be updated on March 15.  Please encourage your friends and flying partners to access the Hotline here or by phone.