AFA Debrief: May 12, 2023

Date: May 12, 2023

AFA Debrief – May 11, 2023

• United Management Unilaterally Terminates AFA COVID-19 Letter of Agreement
• Celebrating Mother’s Day
• Safety Reminder – Preflight Checks are Critical for All
• Corporate Compliance CBTs Now Available
• AFA Welcomes Class 2311!

United Management Unilaterally Terminates AFA COVID-19 Letter of Agreement

The company informed the United Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers of their belief that the AFA COVID-19 Letter of Agreement is no longer in effect, citing the White House's planned ending of the Public Health Emergency (COVID-19) on May 11, 2023, and the recent World Health Organization announcement lifting the Public Health Emergency of International Concern for COVID-19.

AFA disagrees with the company and has filed an MEC Grievance, as the clear language of the COVID-19 Letter of Agreement provides that it “shall remain in effect until such time as the United States Center for Disease Control declares that COVID-19 is no longer an epidemic in the United States" which has not yet occurred.

Over our objections, the company now will treat COVID-19 related illnesses and absences the same as any other illnesses or absences. Contact your AFA Local Council for further guidance.

Celebrating Mother’s Day

On May 14th we will be celebrating Mother’s Day and the individuals who have made a significant impact on our lives and in our communities. Mother’s Day is a special time that we recognize Mother’s and influential powerful women who are supportive, a guiding light, and a vessel to provide comfort.

In our careers and at our Union we are surrounded by strong women. We can all take pride in knowing that we are side by side working with Flight Attendants who have many skills but also those that embody nurturing, protective, and maternal qualities. With all of our attributes, together, we are a powerful force in making an impact for a better future.

This Mother’s Day, AFA embraces every woman, maternal figure, and loved ones we may have lost on their day of recognition and celebration. We extend our appreciation for all the hard work and sacrifices that many have made and continue to make every day. Happy Mother’s Day.

Safety Reminder – Preflight Checks Are Critical For All

Safety is always our top priority! When stepping onto any aircraft our Preflight Checks should be a prime focus in order to accomplish our duties and adhere to the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).

We must keep in mind that even when we are sent to preboard a flight we must also complete preflight checks with the expectation that we will be taking the flight, regardless of any verbal expectation that may have been set by the scheduler.

In order to mitigate any issues, delays, or non-compliance concerns, following our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will ensure we are compliant and prepared for each flight! Every Flight Attendant when boarding the aircraft should confirm that they have completed assigned preflight safety checks and utilize up-to-date eFAOM.

We cannot always predict the flight, but we can be prepared for it!

Corporate Compliance CBTs Now Available

The 2023 Flight Attendant Corporate Compliance CBTs are now available.

This computer-based training is to be completed by June 20, 2023, at 2359 Central Time.

Access the CBTs from CCS > Training > TakeOff: Learning.

Flight Attendants are compensated for completing the requirement based on the contractual provisions in Section 11.B.2. of our Contract.

Once the CBT is completed, credited compensation will be posted as Add Pay prior to the close of pay for the month in which the CBT is completed. Typically, the posting is programmatically applied to pay registers during the first couple of days in the new month. It is important that we are clear as to when this pay is posted to our Pay Register to identify is there if a true discrepancy. Discrepancies or missing compensation can then be reported by filing a pay claim via Help Hub.

As a reminder, it is a good practice to keep a record of any completed CBT segments. In the event that your completion is not accurately recorded, proof of completion can prevent you from needing to re-take a segment. We suggest keeping a screenshot of completed segments or a copy of the CBT completion email for your records.

AFA Welcomes Class 2311!

On behalf of your Union, we extend a warm welcome to the newest Members of our Flight Attendant family. We are thrilled to have the new flying partners on board, and we look forward to working together to ensure that our airline remains one of the best in the industry.

Our newest flying partners will begin their careers at Domiciles in DEN, EWR and SFO.

Their professionalism, in-depth understanding of our experiences, and eagerness to be part of our community were all sources of encouragement for us. We firmly believe that these new members will enhance our profession with their unique talents and abilities, thereby strengthening our collective expertise. Please join us in welcoming them to our ranks as they join us on the line next week.

Please remember that our newest Members are on probation. To ensure that they receive the most accurate information to support them, direct them to their AFA Local Council for assistance on Contractual issues.

We encourage you to welcome each of them, help them learn from your experience, and get them started on a path to success and adventure in their new career.

Reminders:

MAY – Mental Health Awareness Month
MAY – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
MAY – Jewish American Heritage Month
MAY 08 – 26 – AFA Annual Supplemental Benefits Open Enrollment
MAY 14 – Mothers’ Day
MAY 29 – U.S. Memorial Day

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