Welcome to the AFA Council 99 Website For Northwest Airlines Flight Attendants Based in HNL

 

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  01/10/10

                  Association of Flight Attendants - CWA    

                                                               HNL Council 99

                                 Martin Luther King Jr:    "In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, as 'right-to-work.' It provides no 'rights' and no 'works.' Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining... We demand this fraud be stopped."

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HOUSE PASSES BILL TO HELP AIRLINE CREWS CARE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS

 

Washington, DC - Today the House of Representatives passed legislation originally authored by Congressman Tim Bishop (NY-1) to ensure that flight crews are treated fairly and are able to qualify for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits. Airline pilots and flight attendants currently face unexpected hurdles to qualify for FMLA. These hurdles are unique to airline employees since their non-flying hours are not counted toward their total hours of service. To remedy this situation, Bishop introduced the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act to clarify the original FMLA 1993 law. Senator Patty Murray introduced a companion bill, which was passed by the Senate last month and came before the House for a final vote today. The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.

 

“Because of the unique way that airline personnel’s hours of work are counted, many workers have been unable to take advantage of the leave under the Family Medical Leave Act,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Chairwoman of the Committee on Education and Labor’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee.  “This legislation which the House has passed today, changes that, and airline workers will now be able to take much needed time to care for a sick child, parent or spouse.”

 

“When airline crewmembers need to take time away from serving passengers in order to care for themselves or family members, they face unexpected hurdles. This bill would prevent crewmembers from being losing out on their FMLA benefits, which have helped so many working families in this country,” said Bishop, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee.

 

"We are very pleased at the passage of Congressman Bishop's FMLA bill, which finally addresses loopholes in the current language that have denied many flight attendants from qualifying for coverage," said Patricia Friend, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. "Every flight attendant in this country is so grateful to Tim Bishop for passing this legislation on such a strong bipartisan basis."

 

The FMLA requires most employers to provide job-protected unpaid leave to employees who have worked 60 percent of a full-time schedule over the course of a year. However for flight crews, non-flight hours on the job, between flights or on mandatory stand-by do not count toward their FMLA credit. The Airline Flight Crew FMLA would correct this unintended oversight of the original legislation. 

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.  More than 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world’s largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.

 

 

COMPASS AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANTS JOIN AFA-CWA

 

Washington, DC – A strong majority of flight attendants at Compass Airlines today voted to join the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). The election vote, conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), showed that 194 flight attendants voted for AFA-CWA representation.  Compass Airlines was formed in 2007 as a Northwest Airlink partner and now is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.

 

“Compass flight attendants look forward to negotiating a contract that will provide security, as well as advance our careers. As AFA-CWA members, we will have a voice at the bargaining table and work alongside management in creating a leading regional airline contract that recognizes our role as safety professionals,” said Catriona Bagley, appointed transitional AFA-CWA Compass President.

 

This is the fourth flight attendant group to elect AFA-CWA as their bargaining representative this year. AFA-CWA filed a petition for election in September after a strong majority of the over 300 Compass flight attendants signed cards authorizing an election.

 

“Compass flight attendants recognize the benefits of a legally binding contract and the opportunity to advance their career through AFA-CWA representation,” said AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend. “Compass flight attendants joined together to achieve their goal. They spoke in favor of having a voice in their workplace and today management heard their message loud and clear.”

 

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.  More than 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world’s largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.

 

USA3000 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS JOIN AFA-CWA

 

Washington, DC – Flight attendants at USA3000 Airlines today became members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) after an overwhelming majority voted for union representation. The election vote, conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), showed that 96 of the 114 eligible USA3000 flight attendants voted for AFA-CWA representation.

 

“We welcome USA3000 flight attendants to the world’s largest flight attendant union and look forward to working side-by-side in negotiating a legally binding contract that will provide the security they need to advance their profession,” said AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend. “USA3000 flight attendants are committed to shaping the future of their careers and on behalf of our over 50,000 members, we proudly welcome them to AFA-CWA.”

 

This is the third election victory, as well as the second charter carrier, to elect AFA-CWA as their bargaining representative this year. AFA-CWA filed a petition for election in August after a strong majority of the over 100 USA3000 flight attendants signed representational cards.

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.  More than 50,000 flight attendants at 21 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world’s largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org

AFA-CWA LOOKS FORWARD TO PASSAGE OF FAA REAUTHORIZATION
Bill Includes Key Provisions for Flight Attendants Including Cell Phone Ban
 
Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) commended the U.S. House of Representatives today on bringing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 915) to the floor for a vote and anticipates its passage later this evening. The bill, which appropriates funding to the FAA for vast improvements, includes important enhancements directly related to the flight attendant profession.
 
“Flight attendants across the country support this FAA Reauthorization bill in order to advance our profession,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. “Within this bill are workplace safety and health protections for flight attendants that have been ignored for far too long.”
 
One provision included in H.R. 915 continues the current Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ban on inflight cell phone use.
 
“We applaud Representative Peter DeFazio for including this important provision in the bill and are grateful for his continued dedication to protecting and preserving the interests of flight attendants and airline passengers. Cell phone use on aircraft is not a necessity. In far too many operational scenarios, cell phone use could be far worse than a mere nuisance: It could have catastrophic effects on aviation safety and security,” added Friend.
 
Other measures included in the FAA Reauthorization include funding for a flight attendant fatigue study; the inclusion of OSHA workplace safety and health protections; notification of pesticide application on flights; cabin air quality provisions that would initiate development of air quality sensors and filtration; a "Return to the Cabin" program that will allow flight attendants an opportunity for rehabilitation after testing positive for drug or alcohol abuse; temperature standards for aircraft; further definition of provisions restricting foreign control of U.S. airlines; and a ban on smoking onboard charter flights.
 

DAL ALPA MEC SUPPORTS DAL FLIGHT ATTENDANTS' UNION ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN

WHEREAS ALPA pilots have demonstrated a longstanding support of unionized airline employees, and      

 

WHEREAS the strong professional relationship between all members of a flight crew is based upon mutual respect and a history of cooperation, and     

 

WHEREAS all flight crewmembers have many common issues and needs in the performance of their duties and representation of their interests, and     

 

WHEREAS the Railway Labor Act, Section 152, delineates that:

“Employees shall have the right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing.  The majority of any craft or class of employees shall have the right to determine who shall be the representative of the craft or class for the purposes of this chapter.  No carrier, its officers, or agents shall deny or in any way question the right of its employees to join, organize, or assist in organizing the labor organization of their choice, and it shall be unlawful for any carrier to interfere in any way with the organization of its employees, ... or to influence or coerce employees in an effort to induce them to join or remain or not to join or remain members of any labor organization.”

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the DAL MEC fully supports the DAL Flight Attendants in their right to organize and select representation of their own choosing.    

 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the DAL MEC is committed to the ideals that Delta Air Lines employees can be both pro-union and pro-Delta.

 


 

 

    Check the Traffic Cams on your route.

 

 

Stay informed with the latest campaign information. Go to www. deltaafa.org

NMB Proposed Rule Change.

Let's Vote Now!  Action Alert . . .

The members of the Delta-AFA Campaign Coordinating Committee (C3) have not yet received a response to the letter they sent to Richard Anderson last week.  The C3 suggested to Mr. Anderson that our representation election process could begin immediately if Delta Air Lines would agree to accept a Yes/No ballot, with the majority of valid ballots cast, to determine the outcome of our election.  This is the same manner in which all other democratic elections are conducted in our country today.

Now you have the opportunity to lend your support to the C3 letter and be part of this historic process.  Click HERE * to add your name and share the link with your friends and flying partners.

We also encourage you to print a copy of the C3 letter and THIS sign up sheet to gather additional signatures while flying or participating in visibility efforts systemwide.  Next time you are on a computer, visit the petition site and enter the names and email addresses of the signees.

Flight attendants are eager to vote on representation, as we stated in our July 27 filing for a single-carrier determination, but we want a fair election. We urge Delta Air Lines to agree to an immediate vote under the proposed new rules in which a majority of voters can decide on representation.

* Note:  The iPetition site used for this effort is not affiliated with AFA.  Submitting your name will generate a donation request screen.  Your name has been recorded and added to the letter and you are not obligated to donate

Under current (and outdated) rules....

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN OUR REPRESENTATIONAL ELECTION?

EVERYONE on the system seniority list is eligible to vote even if you are on a leave such as SLIP, CCL Medical, FMLA, OJI, disability, and/or any other kind of leave.  In a representational election it is important to know that ALL flight attendants on the system seniority list are eligible to vote in the election. By virtue of being on the seniority list, even if you are on a leave of any kind, you are entitled to vote in the upcoming election.

Even furloughed flight attendants, if they have a "reasonable expectation" of returning to work, are eligible to vote.

This information is very important, because according to current NMB rules if you do not cast a vote it will count as a NO vote. This is unlike most elections in which we participate. So, if you want representation, collective bargaining, a contract and a voice in your future, then you must participate by voting. We need everyone on the seniority list to vote. We will provide more information and voting instructions during the coming weeks. Keep informed and be sure so share this information with fellow crew members.  

Don’t let misinformation stand in the way of your right, privilege and responsibility to participate in our upcoming representational election.  Please share this factual information with all flight attendants, especially if you know someone on a leave of any type.

 

In a anti-union video distributed by Delta Air Lines last year, Mr. Bastian stated, "If someone came in and was able to convince me that AFA actually allowed us to serve our customers better, I'd say vote for a union, but I don't believe that to be the case." Well, the 2009 Airline Quality Ratings for 2009/2008 performance were announced in April and the highly unionized Northwest ranked 4th in overall quality, with Delta coming in at 12th with the worst performance of any major carrier, and just above the regional carriers. For the record, 4 AFA represented carriers were in the top 5 positions in the survey, demonstrating that representation is a benefit to customer service in the airline industry and not a hindrance.

Click Here to see Video

Airline Quality Rating Scores

 
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
 
NWA
4th
4th
5th
7th
7th
6th
Union
DELTA
12th
10th
12th
12th
11th
12th
Non Union

 

WEAR YOUR UNION PIN AND NEW UNIFORM WITH PRIDE

Our uniforms and our executive leadership may change, but our legally binding contract is in place.  Wear your new uniforms and your union pin together with pride. 

On March 30, 2009, pre-merger Northwest flight attendants donned their new Delta Airlines uniforms and their union pins.  This not only marked an historic moment in our professional careers, we also set a milestone as the first group of flight attendants in Delta uniforms with union representation and a legally binding contract.  When flight attendants adorn their new uniform lapel with an AFA union pin, it sends a clear message that we are proud to be an integral part of a premier global airline and we are committed to the success of the New Delta.


The union insignia may be worn on the uniform as stated in Section 19.K.1. of our Flight Attendant Agreement.  So please wear your union pin with pride, together with your new uniform, as we work together to achieve job security and industry-leading wages and benefits.

 

Wilson Center Poll Results:  AFA-CWA conducted a scientific polling of the Northwest and Delta flight attendant group to determine our priorities as we move toward continued representation.   The results of the polling were very positive.  The group overwhelmingly believes that the ‘new’ Delta is the premier global airline and should provide the employees with the premier global contract.  The majority of our flight attendants polled believe that Delta management is receiving premium pay, bonuses, and stock options and believe we as employees are entitled to the same. We all know that the only way to achieve this is through negotiating with a UNIFIED voice and put in place a legally binding contract.

 

Holiday Pay Comparison

Delta management recently sent out a system-side Memo on Holiday Pay for all U.S. flight attendants.  Please click HERE to view our latest campaign flyer.  With the holiday season fast approaching, this flyer is very relevant.  We urge you to use this during campaign visibility and make copies to share with your coworkers.

Download, print and carry it with you.

 

Satellite Base Info

Satellite Base Informational Meeting Reports:

NYC January 5th

LAX January 6th

ATL January 9th

HNL January 24th

NRT January 27th *10AM Meeting

 

 

Stay In Touch

Sign up to receive regular email updates from the MEC. You can also sign up to receive email updates from your Local Council.

                                      

If you are on a LOA (Leave of Absence) or taking time off for any length of time be sure to keep in touch. While the NMB has not yet determined when a vote for representation will take place, it could happen while you are away. Current NMB rules considers all eligible voters as NO votes until you actually vote for Union representation. If you do not vote it will be counted as a NO vote.

 

 

 

Good To Know

NWA Pension Plan - What Happens in a Merger?

LTD and Hawaii TDI are not tied to work related injuries or illness. Know your entitlements. When filing a LTD claim you do not need to go through NWA. File your claim directly with CIGNA. Click on the LTD and HI TDI sidebar links for more information.

You have a contractual right to Union Representation anytime you are required to meet with a manager. If you get a "see me note" contact your Union Rep as soon as possible. Let your manager know you have received your notice and inform them you will be contacting your rep.

After a critical airline incident or accident, crew members may go though a wide range of responses. Such reactions can be experienced not only by the crew members who were involved the event, but also by those who witnessed or heard about it, or were involved with those immediately affected.

If you or someone you know would like to confidentially share your feelings or reactions to the news of US Airways Flight 1549, please give your AFA EAP committee representatives a call.

You can locate contact information at:

www.nwaafa.org

www.afanet.org

or call 1-800-424-2406.

 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

MOVE YOUR CURSOR OVER IMAGES AND LINKS THEN CLICK TO ACCESS

 

 

 

    

       Scheduling Reminders

 

LOD Pattern Watch. Per Letter 16 of our contract a LOD pattern that has not been awarded or assigned under subparagraph 4.h of Letter 16, shall be awarded or assigned during SLAP immediately preceding the date of pattern departure. If the pattern cannot be filled by a LOD flight attendant, the pattern shall be converted to a regular flight attendant pattern and such pattern shall be awarded or assigned to a regular flight attendant. They have been deleting the LOD pattern and assigning the new pattern after SLAP to on-call reserves, taking away any chance to use the pattern to adjust one’s schedule and/or pick up the pattern as an increase or an RIA. Crew Scheduling has been “reminded” on more than one occasion of their failure to follow the CBA. Please continue to document any infraction and report it to your LEC. See page A.36 of the contract for more details on open LOD pattern assignments.

Pattern Guarantee. Once your Pattern Guarantee for a given month has been reduced, subsequent increases in your credit hours shall NOT result in an increase of your pattern guarantee. If possible, make your upward adjustments prior to dropping or trading for less time.

Time Available. All patterns that are assigned by Crew Scheduling and which are not a result of a CENTRY request by you shall be scheduled to operate wholly within the day(s) of your Time Available obligation, unless otherwise approved by you. Such approval may be submitted in advance through CENTRY or at the time of contact by Crew Scheduling.

Know the trip you are being assigned before accepting the trip. Scheduling considers your acceptance of the trip as approval to fly outside your time available obligation.

Time Available and Pattern Guarantee. If you put in a CENTRY request to increase your credit value while you are on Time Available this increase will offset your guarantee. Your request will be worked at a higher category. Once you have satisfied your Time Available obligation and you see the code BT on your line, any increase thereafter will not offset your guarantee.

 

 

 
 
 

Pau Hana

Photo Album

 

                          Miscellaneous

HNL off duty. Send Photos to LEC99@nwaafa.org

 

 

   HONOLULU WEB CAMS

See LIVE Video of:

 

 

   The Tale of the Tail

Ship 6622 used to make the commemorative "Tail" piece sent to all Pre-merger NWA employees. Click the image to enlarge.

            

 

                    

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This site was last updated 01/10/10