LECP Letter to NRT Domicile Manager

November 29, 2006

Ms. Sherry Poetsche, Domicile Manager – ORDSW
United Airlines
P.O.B. 666100
Chicago, Illinois  60637

Dear Sherry:

I am asking you to support the reciprocal cabin seat agreements for Flight Attendants.  As you are aware the Flight Attendants have been particularly injured by base closures and discontinued service to small communities previously serviced by United Airlines.  In addition I believe the breech of faith United Airlines Flight Attendants have in the current management is directly related to the breech of promises they have suffered.  More specifically Sherry, as I recall United Airlines in the past actually recruited Flight Attendants using the ability to commute as an appealing aspect of the job.  In ads which appeared in our own onboard magazine United advertised that Flight Attendants could live in Atlanta, fly out of Chicago and have lunch in Paris or other international locations.

You will not remember that because you were not here.  But, Charlie was and Dianne Sawyer was and I was as well.  In other words the appeal of this job was heightened by the ability to live in remote areas and still maintain a career at United Airlines as a Flight Attendant.  Currently our domicile has more than 60% of the population commuting.  Yet Management has made no attempt to make good on their promise.  While I am fully aware of the impact the bankruptcy has had on the airlines, I am even more aware of the increased hardship of commuting. Flight Attendants can not afford to up and move themselves and their families to areas where they have no support systems for their children nor jobs for their spouses.  But United can for once try to make good on the promises they made to Flight Attendants.

Major Airlines, including American and Southwest have been willing and able to negotiate agreements with other airlines on behalf of their employees.  This is an opportunity for United to regain the trust of their employees and improve employee relations.  Flight Attendants are the face of United.  They work hard everyday in bringing our customers back.  They have more public contact and for longer periods of time than any other work group.  It is time for quid pro quo.  It is time for you to work for them.  It is time for this management to engage in meaningful dialog with carriers such as Spirit Airlines and others to benefit the Flight Attendants in getting to work. Flight Attendants have collectively asked for this.  On their behalf I join them and implore you to respond positively and show them support in this matter.

Regards,

Hettie L. Collins, President LEC 8

Cc: Council 8 membership

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