March 4, 2016

B787 Update

From AFA E-LINES

March, 3 2016

Dear Flying Partners:

I would like to take a few minutes to talk with all United Flight Attendants about an issue that has been at the forefront of discussions at all pre- merger subsidiaries. As we communicated to you in January, AFA has been trying to fully understand how United Airlines management is taking delivery of their 787s and assigning them to the line, and whether or not they are in compliance with the Expedited Mediation Protocol and Related Agreements dated September 2, 2011.  Beginning in August of last year, AFA has been asking for information from United regarding how it designates aircraft as being assigned to one pre-merger carrier or another.  We have stated on more than one occasion that we believe the public statements being made by the Company regarding the newly received 787s do not comply with the Letter of Agreement.

United finally met with AFA in December and despite not providing any concrete evidence, continued to assert that all 787s being delivered were correctly being assigned to the line as pre-merger Continental aircraft.  Shortly after that meeting AFA provided United management with documentation from Boeing’s website which clearly contradicted their explanation. However, they did not address the discrepancy.  Then to further confuse the matter, on January 11^th, Sam Risoli spoke to Flight Attendants in the IAD co-terminal, telling them that 787s # 26-30 would be designated as Continental aircraft.

On January 19, 2016, in response to United’s unwillingness to provide the requested data and documentation, to which we are entitled, AFA filed MEC Grievance 1-16, protesting the Company’s failure to identify and designate aircraft in accordance with the Letter of Agreement. The arbitration was scheduled for March 2^nd and 3^rd, with a decision due by March 19^th.

Last week, United management asked that this week’s hearing be postponed.  The Company stated that, while attempting to collect the documentation for AFA, it discovered the following: (A) one of the 787s currently in service is in fact from the original pre-merger United order of 25 787s; (B) two 787s that will be delivered by this Spring belong to pre-merger United; and (C) pre-merger United may be entitled to one other 787. 

These admissions, after so many months, confirm AFA’s concerns.  However, this does not resolve the dispute, or satisfy the MEC grievance.  AFA believes there are still more unanswered questions regarding the allocation of the 787 fleet. In order to give United management more time to provide the data and documentation, which we have been asking for since last August, we agreed to a postponement of the hearing.

The time frame for this postponement is not unlimited. The resolution of this grievance based on the previously agreed upon manner in which aircraft are to be identified and assigned to the line, is an issue of critical importance to all United Flight Attendants and, in particular to all pre- merger United Flight Attendants. We have agreed to the Company’s request for a few more days to provide the documentation we have requested. The Company and AFA have scheduled meetings to continue discussions on resolution of this dispute. Our priority is to ensure aircraft are properly assigned to the line and that this is accomplished expeditiously. If this does not occur, we will continue with the arbitration. In either case – whether by agreement or arbitration - we are confident aircraft deliveries will conform to the requirements of our contract. This is about holding management accountable for the commitments that have been made to all of us. 

In Solidarity,

Ken Diaz

It's coming back! Buddies can soon travel outside of the 48 contiguous United States unaccompanied

Beginning this summer, your registered buddies will again be able to travel worldwide without being accompanied by you or your eligible pass riders. This is yet another example of ways we're listening to our employees and making changes that are meaningful to them.

"We know that part of gaining the trust of our employees is to demonstrate trust in them," said Total Rewards VP Anthony Scattone. "The privilege of pass travel is part of what makes working for an airline so special and unique, and we're excited to bring back this privilege for our employees."

Last year, we implemented a policy restricting this type of travel due to fraudulent activity and strain on our operation during IRROPs. However, our HR and Airport Operations teams have developed ways to manage those challenges so that we can restore an aspect of pass travel that our employees and their registered buddies appreciate.

When the new policy allowing unaccompanied buddy pass travel outside of the contiguous 48 United States is implemented, we will require the buddy's driver's license or passport to be submitted when registering them in your travel profile. As in the past, we will also embargo unaccompanied buddy pass travel to certain locations during certain time periods to help our operations continue to run smoothly.

"As a global airline, we provide opportunities for people across the world to travel," said Operations Leadership and Engagement VP Jill Eshbaugh. "It's important that our global and diverse workforce has that same opportunity and can share it with their family and friends."

This change will take effect this summer, after our IT team completes adjustments in the employeeRES and buddy registration systems. In the meantime, our current policy requiring regular buddies to be accompanied outside the 48 contiguous United States remains in place. We will provide detailed instructions for buddy travel outside of the contiguous 48 United States as soon as the systems are ready. We appreciate your patience -- stay tuned to Flying Together for further details.

Check Your Unimatic FDWH and RECORD Screens Regularly

Just as you check your DSPLOF screens often, we encourage you to review your work history (FDWH/file number) and your points record (RECORD/file number) regularly.  If you find a discrepancy in your FDWH and/or RECORD screens, please contact your domicile supervisor and AFA Local Council.

Call the Senate for 10 Hours Rest Now

Good job calling our Senators last week. We have to keep up calls until our rest and fatigue management is included in the Senate Reauthorization bill, introduction of the bill is expected any day.

The entire affiliated labor community supports our call for more rest. Let’s keep this momentum going. Call your Senator TODAY.

Sample Script:

"Hello, my name is _________ and I live in _________. I'm a Flight Attendant calling to urge Senator _____________ to support 10 hours minimum rest and a Fatigue Risk Management Plan for Flight Attendants in the FAA Reauthorization Bill. This was already included with bi-partisan support in the House version of the bill. This is about safety, my health and equality. And it is essential to maintaining the world’s safest aviation system."

Check the list at the end of this update - if your Senator is listed your call is especially important. If your Senator is not listed, your call is still important for building momentum to get adequate rest and a Fatigue Risk Management Plan.

Retweet AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka here.

Where Are We in Achieving More Rest

Read this update on the FAA Reauthorization Process from AFA Government Affairs Director Steve Schembs.

RSVP for the Rally for Rest

Senate committee action could take place on the very day of our March 16th Rally for Rest. RSVP for the Rally to make sure you’re at the U.S. Capitol to tell Senators that Flight Attendant rest is vital to our role as aviation’s first responders. Register now!

Senators to Call:

If your Senator is not listed, call the switchboard to connect with yours:  (202) 224-3121.

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