| | | Inside this issue: | We are One United
One United - JCBA implementation framework
Final Reminder: United’s Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption CBT Required by August 31
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One United
Now that we have a ratified and signed contract, operating as one union to implement/enforce our contract will ensure the issues that matter to all of us at work are addressed. The Master Executive Council (MEC) structure is central to our union because it ensures that your directly-elected leaders of our union can coordinate through one body to address our issues with management and provide support for each other at work. This structure is fundamental to any union because it allows us to use the power and influence of our collective voices to protect our jobs and advance our goals.
On September 6, 2016 the three pre-merger MECs have been called together for a Special Meeting to merge the MECs and address the necessary transition issues associated with doing so. The meeting is open to active members in good standing.
September 6, 2016 Special Meeting
10:30 am – 6:00 pm
First Floor CWA Conference Room at
501 Third Street, NW / Washington, DC
In our union only your directly-elected Local Council Presidents can make decisions that affect us, serving as the voting members of the MEC. Local Council Presidents also elect MEC Officers who serve to coordinate our collective voice and interface with management on the issues that affect us across the system.
The first step in merging the MEC is the election of MEC Officers: President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. All active members in good standing are eligible to run for office, although these positions are not entry level and AFA-CWA experience is essential. Our Constitution and Bylaws Article VII covers the duties and responsibilities of the MEC President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer.
The September 6th Special Meeting will begin with elections of MEC Officers to fill the remaining (partial) term of office until June 30, 2017. The process begins at the meeting with Local Council presidents nominating candidates for each position, followed by a review of candidates and a vote. Those interested in running for an MEC Officer position must submit a Willingness to Serve to the AFA-CWA Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Creighan at kcreighan@afanet.org. Willingness to Serve letters and resumes of interested candidates will be posted on a dedicated page on OurContract.org within 24 hours of receipt or the next business day. After carefully reviewing the Willingness to Serves for the prospective candidates, please contact your Local Council President to ensure your voice is heard.
Once elections are completed, the newly merged MEC will discuss other issues of importance such as merging of budgets, committee roles to address scheduling, grievance or other provisions unique to each pre-merger group up to the point of full integration. The merged MEC will ensure committee experts remain in place to enforce all contractual provisions in effect.
Combined Local Council Election Schedule
Section X.E.1.e. requires that “Local Councils at those bases where a duplication of Councils exists” will have elections to combine the Councils within 90 days of the “signing of a merged working agreement.” In order to combine the Councils, elections must take place including all members in the location. The following locations have duplicate Councils and will conduct elections according to the schedule listed below.
The new term of office will begin on 1/1/2017. More information will be posted after the September 6, 2016 meeting.
We will build Our United future together - taking care of each other and working together to address any issues we face or making the most out of any opportunities before us. We are one airline. We are one union. We are one.
One United - JCBA implementation framework
Now that Flight Attendants have voted to ratify a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) we are beginning the work needed to implement the new contract and finally bring all United Flight Attendants together into a single team. AFA and United will work closely on the JCBA implementation, and we will keep you informed as we do so.
The implementation will be overseen by a Joint Implementation Team (JIT) composed of three AFA members and three company members, who will be supported by subject matter experts from AFA and United.
Until a provision of the JCBA is implemented, flight attendants will continue operating under the provisions of their previous collective bargaining agreements.
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To make sure everyone is as prepared as possible, we will send you advance notification before implementing specific provisions of the JCBA. This is the first in a series of communications about the implementation of the new JCBA.
Implementation framework
We will implement the new contract in phases:
1. Date of Signing (DOS)
Contract provisions being implemented as of the “Date of Signing” will include adopting new pay rates and most pay factors and overrides. We will also implement provisions from the new contract for those policies and business processes that are simpler to execute and don’t require technology enhancements. These “Date of Signing” changes, which are listed below, will go into effect with the first day of the September bid month.
2. Date of Signing Plus (DOS+)
Some provisions in the JCBA are a bit more complex, requiring moderate technology enhancements and more involved business processes. The Joint Implementation Team will prioritize these DOS+ items after taking into account United’s business needs, Flight Attendant priorities and the degree of complexity involved in implementing the various provisions.
3. Common Crew Management System (CMS)
Finally, the third phase of implementation will consist of the JCBA provisions that involve the most complex technology enhancements. All of these provisions are tied to migrating to a common Crew Management System, which will allow for all Flight Attendants to be scheduled as a single workforce.
Date of Signing changes going into effect
Listed below are the Date of Signing changes that will be effective with the start of the September bid month (August 29 for S-CO and CMI Flight Attendants, August 30 for S-UA Flight Attendants).
| Contract Section |
Item |
Description of change |
| 1 |
Recognition, Scope, Successorship and Mergers |
Entire section in effect |
| 3.C.2 |
Seniority accrual and company business assignment |
See provision in JCBA |
| 3.T. |
Parking |
Rate change from $30 to $35 for S-CO, CMI
Rate change from $25 to $35 for S-UA |
| 3.V.5. |
Passports/Global Entry |
a. The Company shall bear the cost of any necessary passports, passport renewals, additional passport pages, visas, work permits required to be based/domiciled at that location, residency and the government’s expedited renewal fee. The Company shall also bear the costs for all necessary photos associated with obtaining the aforementioned documents; b. The Company shall reimburse Flight Attendants for the governmental fees associated with the Global Entry (U.S. Customs Border Protection) program or successor program |
| 4.A |
Base pay rates |
See table in JCBA |
| 4.B.1. |
Incentive pay rates |
No change for S-CO. S-UA and CMI Flight Attendants will have incentive calculated and paid for September for hours above 66:40 to 110:00. JCBA rules effective beginning in October for all Flight Attendants. |
| 4.B.2. |
White Flag |
See table in JCBA |
| 4.G.4 |
Galley Pay |
Harmonizing rates; paid based on existing definitions |
| 4.I |
Holiday Pay |
Effective with DOS, but paid once programming is complete in 2nd quarter 2017 |
| 4.E. and 7.S.7.d. |
Drafting pay |
Rate change from 2.5 hours pay to 3 hours pay for S-UA |
| 4.F. |
Drug/Alcohol Testing pay |
Rate change from $20 to $25 for S-CO, CMI
Change from 15 minutes pay to $25 for S-UA |
| 4.J. |
International Override |
Harmonizing rates; paid based on existing definitions of international |
| 4.K. |
Language (LQ) pay |
Rate change from $3.00/$5.00 to $2.50 per hour for CMI. Rate change from $1.54 to $2.50 per hour for S-UA. No change for S-CO. |
| 4.M. |
Night pay |
Rate change from $0.35 to $0.50 per hour for S-UA. No change for S-CO and CMI. |
| 5.A. |
Per Diem |
Rate change from $1.95-D/$2.50-I to $2.20-D/$2.70-I for s-CO, CMI and s-UA |
| 5.B.1. |
Lodging - day rooms |
The Company shall furnish comfortable and adequate single occupancy hotel rooms in a suitable location for Flight Attendants as selected in accordance with the provisions of paragraph B.2, below, when: a. They are scheduled at a layover station in excess of four (4) hours; b. They are delayed at a layover station for four (4) hours or more from the time delay is known; or after reporting for duty at the home domicile there is a delay for four (4) or more hours from the time the delay is known; c. In accordance with Section 28.E.5. |
| 5.B.5. |
Lodging - self help |
If a Flight Attendant arrives at a layover hotel and her/his room is not ready within thirty (30) minutes after arrival, she/he may obtain other accommodations and claim reasonable actual lodging expenses on a Company expense form supported by the hotel receipt |
| 5.D.2. |
Transportation - $10 cab allowance |
A Flight Attendant will be allowed Ten Dollars ($10.00) for cab or limousine between airport or co-terminal and place of lodging at Domicile points whenever departure time of her/his flight assignment is between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. or when arrival time of the flight is between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. |
| 5.D.4.a |
Co-terminal transportation within pairing |
In the event a Flight Attendant’s pairing originates at one airport and terminates at another airport at her/his regular home Domicile, the Company shall furnish such Flight Attendant with transportation one-way between one airport and the other, at her/his option. A Flight Attendant assigned to a schedule involving this type of operation shall advise the Company prior to the start of the schedule, the one direction she/he desires such transportation during the period she/he is assigned to that schedule. When such transportation is requested at origination, limousine departure times will be in accordance with crosstown travel times as provided in Section 6.S.4. |
| 6.Q.3. |
Whereabouts on days off |
A Flight Attendant shall not be required to keep the Company advised of her/his whereabouts on days off unless an emergency is declared by the Company. |
| 7.V. |
Signing in for next flight |
1. At the home domicile, a Flight Attendant shall not be required to sign in or call in for her/his next pairing. 2. Away from the home domicile, a Flight Attendant need not call in for her/his next scheduled flight unless she/he has not been assigned an outbound flight. |
| 8.O.10. |
Passport qualification |
Reserve Flight Attendants are required to carry their passports during any pairing/Standby Reserve assignment. |
| 9.G.2.a |
Language Training |
The Company shall make language training available through a program approved by the Company. Flight Attendants must obtain pre-approval from the Company in order to attend the language training program. |
| 10.B.1 |
AMC Pay Rate |
AMC override increases to $4.00. Rate change only |
| 11.B, 11.C |
Training |
Harmonizing rate of pay, subject to be paid retroactively in 4th quarter if programming is not complete sooner, and per diem effective DOS; |
| 12.A.2 |
Vacation accrual seniority |
See provision in JCBA; increased accrual rates are in effect for sCO and CMI Flight Attendants for remaining 2017 vacation accrual periods (September through December 2016) and for all Flight Attendant’s 2018 Vacation accrual period (September 2016 – August 2017) |
| 12.B.1 |
Vacation Pay |
Harmonizing daily rate effective DOS; subject to be paid retroactively in 4th quarter if programming is not complete sooner |
| 12.L. |
Vacation pay upon termination |
See provision in JCBA |
| 13.D.7. |
Kin care policy |
If a Flight Attendant’s spouse or minor child is injured or becomes ill so that the Flight Attendant is unable to report for work, she/he will be allowed to use sick time for up to three consecutive days, or the duration of the pairing, whichever is greater. The absence will be treated the same as the Flight Attendant’s sick time, and will count for attendance/disciplinary purposes. This is available for use once per calendar year. |
| 13.F |
Workman’s Comp - governance rules |
See provision in JCBA |
| 14 |
Seniority |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
| 15.E.1, 15.E.2, 15.E.3 |
Medical Leave Duration |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS; for existing leaves company will communicate transition information within 30 days of DOS |
| 15.F.1 |
Maternity Leave Duration |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS; for existing leaves company will communicate transition information within 30 days of DOS |
| 15.G.1 |
Parental Leave Duration |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS; for existing leaves company will communicate transition information within 30 days of DOS |
| 15.H.1 |
Adoption Leave Duration |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS; for existing leaves company will communicate transition information within 30 days of DOS |
| 15.I.5.b |
FML |
Unless a Flight Attendant has applied for FML for an absence, the Company shall not designate that absence as FML. |
| 15.J.1., 15.J.2. |
Military Leave |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS; for existing leaves company will communicate transition information within 30 days of DOS |
| 15.K |
Bereavement Duration |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS |
| 15.L |
Union Leave |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS |
| 15.M |
Jury Duty/Court Witness |
Effective for new leaves on or after DOS |
| 15.N |
Leaves of Absence |
Harmonizing Leave Durations |
| 17.G |
Moving provisions |
See provision in JCBA |
| 17.H |
Settling time and monthly guarantee |
See provision in JCBA |
| 18 |
Reduction in personnel |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
| 19 |
Safety, Health and Security |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
| 20 |
Medical Examinations |
Entire section in effect in JCBA for all new Medical Examinations |
| 21 |
Alcohol and drug testing |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
| 26 |
Moving expenses |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
| 27 |
Missing, Interned, Hostage or POW |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
| 29.F |
Retiree Medical |
See provision in JCBA |
| 29.I.1. |
401K Contributions |
See provision in JCBA |
| 30.G |
Release for Union business |
The Company shall honor all requests of the Union for release of Flight Attendants for Union business consistent with the needs of the service. If a Union release will cause a Reserve to be unable to be assigned on her/his other days during that block of days of availability, the Reserve will be placed on Union release for the day(s) requested and for all other days in her/his reserve block.If the Reserve (i) is available for assignment on the availability days preceding/following the requested Union release and (ii) there is a trip operating on those days to which she/he could be assigned, (whether actually assigned or not), the Union may request to have the non-requested released days converted back to reserve availability days. Union releases may be made up in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.S. at any time in the two (2) subsequent schedule months. |
| 31 |
UNION SECURITY AND CHECK-OFF |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
| 32 |
DURATION |
Entire section in effect in JCBA |
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The following Letters of Agreement are in effect in their entirety: |
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LOA 1, 20 Year Passes |
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LOA 2, 767 Crew Rest |
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LOA 4, AFA PAC Letter |
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LOA 5, AFA Staff Travel |
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LOA 6, CARP |
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LOA 8, CRAF |
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LOA 11, Expedited Arbitration |
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LOA 13, First Right of Hire |
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LOA 14, Foreign Currency |
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LOA 15, Foreign National |
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LOA 17, Hotel Selection Process and Guidelines |
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LOA 18, Implementation Agreement |
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LOA19, Implementation of New Technology |
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LOA 20, Jetway Trade Expansion |
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LOA 21, Medical Rate Setting |
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LOA 22, Recognition of International Issues |
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LOA 24, Satellite Bases |
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You will be able to find the Complete Joint Agreement here: Complete Joint Agreement 2016-2021
Final Reminder: United’s Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption CBT Required by August 31
As a final reminder, Completion of United’s Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption policy Computer Based Training (CBT) is required by August 31, 2016, and is estimated to take approximately thirty (30) minutes to complete. The CBT can be found in United’s TakeOff Learning Network. Once you have completed the CBT training please check the Unimatic DFAP for the training pay indicator.
If you need troubleshooting help for the training program please contact the Takeoff Learning Help Desk at TOL-Help@united.com or by telephone at (877) 825-3729, option 7. |
