No Knives/Day of Action/MOU Update

No Knives on Planes:

Our country is battling terrorism as we send this, yet Administrator Pistole is still planning to weaken our aviation security by allowing knives in our aircraft cabins.

Read this release from our Union and the Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions

Coalition Of Flight Attendant Unions Calls On Homeland Security Napolitano To Halt Weakening Of Aviation Security As The Country Battles Terrorist Activity

You can make a difference by calling Congress every day for the next six days and planning to attend a rally at DCA on Wednesday,  April 24^th from 12 Noon – 2pm. (more…)

Next Steps…

Dear Flying Partners:

We are focused on our future together and all of the improvements this new Contract will provide. (more…)

We are ONE – Contract Ratified

Voting Results:

Last Chance to Vote – Ratification Key to Strong Position in Merger

Vote Closes February 28^th at Noon Eastern

With less than 24 hours to vote, we believe the following three points are the most important reasons to cast your vote FOR the 2013 Tentative Agreement.

The TA Provides Immediate Economic Improvements.

Ratification means over $45 million per year in immediate improvements (an average of $7000 per Flight Attendant).  The economic benefits of the agreement, including higher pay rates and 100% sick and deadhead, go into effect on March 2.  That means while we negotiate at the New American Airlines we will be earning more rather than letting management pocket our money.  It also means our bargaining position is improved. (more…)

Reserves Voting on the TA

Don’t Delay, Vote Today!

With just 1 day remaining, be sure to cast your vote for the 2013 Tentative Agreement.

If you have not received your voting information or Activation Code please call, AFA International Membership Services at: 1(800)424-2401, press 1 then ext. 706. They are available from 9:30am – 5:30pm EST. If you reach the recording, leave a message and they will return your call.

Click Here to Vote:

Don’t Delay, Vote Today!!

US AIRWAYS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS SHOW SUPPORT AT MERGER HEARING

Washington, DC – US Airways Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), attended a hearing today before the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee on the merger between US Airways and American Airlines. Flight Attendants in uniform made their position known to lawmakers that front line workers support the merger as full partners. AFA US Airways Presidents Roger Holmin and Deborah Volpe issued the following statement: (more…)

The Truth about MOU Discussions & NEW Videos

February 21, 2013

The Truth about MOU Discussions:

I have heard that, regardless of this TA being ratified, the Company is legally obligated to have US Airways Flight Attendants at the bargaining table to develop a MOU. Is that true?

No. The Company is legally obligated to honor our existing collective bargaining agreements until there is a single agreement negotiated at the merged carrier. As long as they continue to honor our contracts, they have no specific obligation to negotiate a MOU or transition agreement. (more…)

Vote for MORE

Dear Flying Partners:

Included here are common questions or misconceptions we encounter.  We have eight days left to register a strong vote for our future.  Voting for this agreement is more than the $45 million in annual improvements for US Airways Flight Attendants as a standalone agreement.  Voting FOR this agreement means that you want and expect more.  It gives us the seat at the table for merger discussions and a means to further improve our contract.  The alternative does not include our voice or our vote. (more…)

Resolution to Support Flight Attendants at New American Airlines

Whereas, the combination of US Airways and AMR (American Airlines) will create the world’s largest airline, and

Whereas, Flight Attendants at the five airlines included in this merger have contributed to the opportunities that have led to this merger through their hard work and sacrifices, and

Whereas, AFA members from US Airways and wholly owned subsidiaries of American Eagle, Piedmont, PSA — and APFA members from American Airlines must be recognized by management as full partners in this merger,

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the 60,000 Flight Attendants at the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA stand in unity and solidarity with our sisters and brothers at the new American Airlines to protect jobs, improve contracts, and advance the collective interests of all Flight Attendants.

Q&A’s and Webcast Tomorrow!

Dear Flying Partners:

We will be holding a live online Webcast this Thursday, February 14th at 12pm EST on www.ourafa.org.

You are welcome to submit Questions on the OurAFA site either prior to or live during the Webcast. Below are some questions that we have received recently. We appreciate all the questions everyone has been sending in, please continue to submit your questions. (more…)

Pilots Ratify MOU – Onward

February 9, 2013

Dear Flying Partners:

US Airways Pilots yesterday overwhelmingly ratified their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). We congratulate them on this path forward for a US Airways/American Merger as it becomes reality. The Pilot MOU is not a stand-alone US Airways deal but an agreement for terms at a new merged American/US Airways airline. It only goes into effect when the merger is closed. The pilots’ MOU sets in motion a great divide from what we have traditionally experienced at US Airways – and it also makes clear there is more money to be gained through discussions related to the merger. (more…)

Vote Opens/Webcast/Q&A’s

Dear Flying Partners:

Voting begins today, February 7, 2013 at Noon ET. Voting instructions were mailed on February 5^th. If you have not received your voting instructions by February 12, you may need to contact the AFA Ballot Helpline (1-800-424-2401, press 1, then extension 706, Monday – Friday between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm ET) for a replacement Activation Code. Mobilizers will have extra “Bridge to Our Future” voting booklets with details about this the 2013 Tentative Agreement in the crew rooms. We encourage all members to cast an informed vote by Thursday, February 28 at Noon ET. (more…)

Tentative Agreement Full Text

Dear Flying Partners

Full text of the 2013 Flight Attendant Tentative Agreement has been posted on OurAFA.org. Printed copies will be made available in the bases as soon as possible.

We now have the right to vote for immediate improvements and secure our seat at the table for the next merger negotiations. The National Mediation Board used the January 22/23 Status Conference to bring AFA and the Company together in one final attempt to achieve a single agreement for US Airways Flight Attendants. The framework for that discussion was narrow. The result was improved economics for US as well as clear details on our involvement in Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) discussions related to the merger. Here is the framework of the agreement: (more…)

Agreement Reached: Our Bridge to the Future

Dear Flying Partners:

We have secured your right to vote for immediate improvements, as well as negotiations for additional gains as a result of the pending merger.  The National Mediation Board used the Status Conference to bring AFA and the company together in one final attempt to achieve a single agreement for US Airways Flight Attendants.  The framework for that discussion was narrow.  The result was improved economics for US Airways Flight Attendants as well as clear details on our involvement in MOU discussions related to the merger.  Here is the framework of the agreement: (more…)

JNC/MEC Special Meeting

Dear Members,

A special meeting of the JNC and joint MEC’s has been called for this morning in Philadelphia to review the details of the Status Conference.  Please stay tuned to ourafa.org and your email – we will report to the full Membership as soon as possible.

In Solidarity,

Status Conference

January 22, 2013

Dear Flying Partners,

This afternoon in Philadelphia, we will meet with the National Mediation Board and management for the two-day Status Conference called by the NMB. (more…)

USAPA MOU – We Have Options

January 15, 2013

Today USAPA released the details of their conditional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  This agreement was reached as part of Parker’s merger bankruptcy exit plan for American Airlines.  This could be a good development for US Airways pilots who have not otherwise been able to reach an agreement together.  We congratulate our pilot counterparts.

The conditions surrounding the pilots’ interest in taking part in the American Airlines bankruptcy process do not directly relate to the options we have. We will have the same opportunity to address merger issues that are important to us. Instead of entering merger discussions from a negative position, we can improve our leverage by securing our single contract first. (more…)

NMB Calls Parties Together for Status Conference

We have received a National Mediation Board official notice that Board Member Linda Puchala and Mediator Jim Mackenzie will hold a status conference on January 22nd and 23rd in Philadelphia.  This means that the NMB is bringing US Airways management and AFA together for these two days.  The NMB facilitates this process and their invitation has strictly limited AFA’s participants to MEC Presidents Roger Holmin and Deborah Volpe in addition to AFA’s Collective Bargaining Director Clare Burt, attorney and professional negotiator Joe Burns and AFA International Officers.

This is a positive step for us.  We have been reporting on our continued work with the NMB to utilize the Section 6 process to achieve a single agreement for US.  This is the only process that provides this option. (more…)

Merger Update – Our Leverage

This week it is widely reported that a merger announcement will not occur until the end of January. This merger is being pitched to American’s creditors; the context for Parker’s merger plan is to secure it as the bankruptcy exit plan for American Airlines. Therefore, it must be approved by American’s creditors.

American Flight Attendants have supported the plan throughout this past year because they are concerned about their future without it and strongly believe Parker’s plan is the strongest option. That’s why the limited description of their MOU, which is subject to their non-disclosure agreement (NDA) states, the “MOU further illuminates the financial benefits of a merger to AMR’s creditors.” American’s creditors are looking for the highest return on their bankruptcy loss – and they want to know that the plan Parker is putting forward will provide that for them. As we know all too well, a large part of bankruptcy is cutting and containing labor costs. (more…)

Merger Update – How It Affects US

January 4, 2013…

Dear Flying Partners,

American pilots have a Memorandum of Understanding related to the merger and we expect an official announcement from USAPA shortly.  APFA sent a communication to American Flight Attendant members last night advising they had agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The communication states the “MOU further illuminates the financial benefits of a merger to AMR’s creditors” and clarifies points in the Bridge Agreement for American Flight Attendants signed with US Airways management in April.  APFA also explained to its members that it “is currently operating under a judicially-enforceable non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with regards to merger discussions,” which means they are not able to divulge specific details of the MOU.

Realities of Merger and Negotiations

December 21, 2012

Talks in Bankruptcy Are Never Good for Labor

Our future is on the line while management is attempting to pit us against each other.  It is critical that we understand what their plan is.  US Airways management is using the American bankruptcy to attempt to get labor to work harder for less.  We have the power to stop it and we can improve our position twice.

We do not envy the position American Flight Attendants find themselves in due to the bankruptcy.  They are attempting to create the best possible conditions within a process that affords them no leverage other than to accept a deal that is less than could be demanded for Flight Attendants at the world’s largest airline.  We need to remember that US Airways Flight Attendants are not in bankruptcy and it is our hard work and sacrifice that has given US Airways the ability to shape a merger with American.  By securing improvements through a single agreement for US Airways Flight Attendants and defending our bargaining rights in a merger, we are in a better position to advance our interests and our profession on the whole – putting all Flight Attendants at the new American in a better position to get the greatest return from the benefits created by forming the world’s largest airline. (more…)

The NMB Calls MEC Presidents to Washington DC

December 12, 2012 – The National Mediation Board (NMB) summoned the East and West MEC Presidents to Washington DC to meet regarding our negotiations. Roger Holmin and Deborah Volpe were joined by AFA International President Veda Shook, AFA International Vice President Sara Nelson and AFA Director of Collective Bargaining Clare Burt.

We were advised that the Board believes our negotiations for reaching a single agreement at US Airways are at a critical juncture.

The Board advised us we cannot divulge the substance of our discussions during the meeting. (more…)

OurAFA Update – 12/11/2012

December 11, 2012

US Airways/AA Merger

Reuters reported Friday that US Airways Group Inc. has made a formal proposal to purchase American Airlines. As reported in the press, the proposed deal, valued at about $8.5 billion, would give AMR creditors 70 percent of the combined company, would be run by US Airways CEO Doug Parker, and a merger agreement could be reached as soon as January. While there may yet be haggling over the details of the deal, this is a significant step in the expected merger process and gives credence to ongoing speculation that a merger will happen in the near term.

Doug Parker has been plain in his words and actions regarding the outcome of a merger with American.  He has said that the merger would provide a larger and stronger route structure that can compete with mega carriers United and Delta.  Parker learned from his previous failed merger attempts with United and Delta – and went about this merger attempt quite differently. He launched his efforts by first securing support of American employees – less worried about the cares of his own employees, smaller in number. This was Parker’s three step process:

1. Waited until American was in bankruptcy, which made it more financially viable to make an offer and forced American management to consider an offer from the smaller airline as part of the bankruptcy process.
2. Lined up support from American’s three largest unions, including the Flight Attendants, by offering them better terms than American’s management was trying to impose through the bankruptcy process. This means there will be no opposition from the employees, as there was in the Delta bid.
3. Finally, he believes that due to the previous mergers of Delta/Northwest and United/Continental, the Department of Justice will not fight a US Airways/AA merger on the grounds of anti-trust violations. (more…)