International Base Closure Letter of Agreement (FRA, HKG & NRT)

On Friday John Slater sent a communication to Flight Attendants reviewing the agreement the Union and the company had reached addressing ongoing concerns of the AFA Members at these closed international bases brought about because the CARES Act Payroll Support Program had not been enacted.  

In addition to the Zoom™ calls conducted by each Local Council and on which the MEC Officers participated, details of the Letter of Agreement have been sent to the affected Flight Attendants from those bases.  For everyone’s benefit, the following is a brief explanation of the terms of the agreement reached.

It is important to understand that this LOA applies only to those Flight Attendants who are not eligible to be based in the US because they do not possess or have not yet obtained the necessary documentation to be able to do so.  This agreement provides those Members additional time to secure the required documentation as well as an opportunity for re-employment under limited circumstances. The LOA provides:

• Those individuals who obtain the necessary documentation to work in the US will be re-employed at a base in the US provided they meet all criteria for employment.
• For those individuals who cannot work in the US, should United open an international base or posts vacancies to LHR by March 31, 2023, Flight Attendants who do not have the ability to work in the US would be eligible for re-employment, provided they meet all criteria to be based at the location.  
• In the event the CARES Act is enacted at some point, and United participates, the affected Flight Attendants would be returned to pay status, subject to the terms of the legislation.
•  The Union has agreed to withdraw and/or not file any additional grievances on the base closure while protecting the ability of individual Flight Attendants to pursue their own course of legal action based on the laws of the country in which they were based.

The Letter of Agreement is specific to this situation involving the closure of these three international bases and this specific group of Flight Attendants.

In addition, the company has agreed to extend the period of time for Flight Attendants to convert their October 1, 2020 separation to resignation or retirement (based on age and years of service) by one additional week. Flight Attendants have until 4:00 p.m. Central time on November 6, 2020 to notify FAST of their desire to convert the separation. Read the text of the Letter of Agreement. 

If you have additional questions, contact your Local Council office.