Section 30.L. of the JCBA requires the establishment of Union Schedule Committees.
The Central Schedule Committee meets with the company at least twice every month to review the flying assigned and the lines constructed at each location – both domestic and international flying. The Members of the Local Schedule Committee are elected by the Master Executive Council.
Local Schedule Committees are established at each domicile. The purpose of the Local Schedule Committee is to consult with and make recommendations consistent with the provisions of the Agreement as to the manner in which monthly schedules are made up for preferencing (bidding) by Flight Attendants. If the manner in which the monthly flying schedules are made up does not require an increase in the number of Flight Attendants, lower the utilization or unreasonably worsen the working conditions for more junior Flight Attendants, the schedules will be constructed to allow a choice of working conditions for Flight Attendant preferencing.
Utilization directly impacts the number of Flight Attendants management requires on the payroll. During periods of high utilization, for example June, July and August, the company covers more flying with fewer Flight Attendants by setting an increased utilization target for each Flight Attendant with the result being each Flight Attendant flies more. Conversely, during periods when flying is reduced, management will spread out the flying by reducing the overall utilization, decreasing line values.
It is based on these varying utilization patterns that Local Schedule Committees are tasked with making recommendations that meet the number of Flight Attendants the company requires be assigned lines at a specific location. It is for this reason that the values of the lines of flying in the summer months are high and considerably lower during the shoulder months when flying is reduced.
Local Schedule Committees are committed to creating utilization based schedules that meet the preferences of the Membership at the location. Using anonymous patterns, Local Schedule Committees provide a variety of schedules for selection by the Flight Attendants at the base. At some locations, the preferences are for trips to be flown back to back, at others, back to back sequences may not be desired. Local Schedule Committee volunteers who fly from the location learn about the preferences of the Members and are committed to developing these schedules whenever possible.
We’ll be spending additional time in upcoming e-lines articles explaining the line recommendation process to improve understanding of the challenges and ensure the work of the dedicated volunteers who create these schedules for us are recognized for their commitment.