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Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution was implemented in 2008 to provide:

1. An expedited process to resolve everyday contract and company Policy disputes, such as payroll issues or crew desk assignments.
2. A two-track performance management system that includes a more objective attendance policy for Flight Attendants at United Airlines.

The program does not change management policies, but rather provides a more transparent application of these policies and clear parameters for Flight Attendants to better control circumstances on the job.  Included here is only a summary of the program. A complete guide may be accessed in the Contract section of our website: www.unitedafa.org/contract/dispute.

Individual Contract and Company Policy Disputes

Individual disputes over the Flight Attendant Agreement and company policy, identified by the Flight Attendant through a report to their Local AFA Council, use a process that focuses on an interest-based problem solving model, encouraging faster resolution. Examples of Disputes: pay issues, understaffing; scheduling issues – mis-award of trip trade; bypass of an open flying request; adjustment of guarantee; complaint letters; etc.

Fundamental disputes regarding interpretation and application of the Agreement will remain under the purview of the System Board of Adjustment with a neutral arbitrator to review the case.

What do you do to address a Contract or Company Policy Dispute?

A group of Flight Attendants or a single Flight Attendant must file a Dispute Resolution Local Council worksheet on www.unitedafa.org within 60 calendar days of the dispute or within 60 days after the Flight Attendant(s) reasonably would have knowledge of the dispute. The Worksheet is submitted to the Flight Attendant's Local AFA Council office and includes the names and all pertinent information concerning the dispute.

The Local Council will verify the dispute and determine if it is meritorious and file a Notice of Dispute with the company within 30 days of receipt of the Worksheet. The company will meet with AFA within 30 days to work to resolve the issue.

The process also provides for a review procedure for individual Contract disputes that are not resolved at the local level.

Performance and Attendance Management Tracks

1.   Attendance

The Attendance Program removes subjectivity and creates clear cut rules for attendance. The program is applied uniformly and is easily understood, compared with the previous subjective method. The program more objectively defines attendance expectations through a point-based system similar to systems implemented at other airlines and other companies outside the airline industry.

Attendance Occurrence Points Assessment
Illness/Injury:

• A "Physician's note" is a written notation from the Flight Attendant's treating physician, or a physician affiliated with United Medical. The note should ONLY contain:
              1.   Date of illness/injury
              2.   Date of examination
              3.   Date of return to work
              4.   A signature of the physician or physician's designee, on the document that includes at a minimum, the doctor's printed name, address and telephone number.

NOTE:  No additional information relating to the nature of the illness or injury should be included. This note is entirely at a Flight Attendant's option.  Physicians' note must be submitted to Flight Attendant's supervisor, not to United Medical for point reduction, on or before your next scheduled ID following the illness or injury.  Under the old system there was no procedure for any credit applied when obtaining a physician's note.

• An Occupational injury or illness absence will generate points, but will not trigger new or elevated discipline. Point assessment will be applied according to length of absence. This is no different from management's treatment of Occupational Illness absences under the old system - AFA has long disagreed with the inclusion of occupational injuries in any way under the disciplinary system.
• Time off pursuant to Contractual and/or company policy is exempt from point assessment.  EXAMPLE:  Jury Duty; Death in Family; Personal Emergency; etc.
• Special Circumstances are handled on an individual basis at discretion of the company.  Notify AFA if you believe certain special circumstances were not adequately considered.
• When a Flight Attendant is not in discipline, points only remain on file for a rolling 12-month period.

Discipline - Attendance

• The effective date of the Attendance LOW is the date of the triggering point occurrence.
  Example: A 12-month period commencing on January 15, 2009 includes the period of January 15, 2009 through the end of the day of January 14, 2010.
• The LOW Level 1 will remain in effect for 12 months of active service at which time it will be cleared from the record unless the Flight Attendant progresses to Attendance LOW Level 2.

• The Attendance LOW Level 2 will remain in effect for twelve months of active service at which time Attendance LOW Level 1 and 2 will be cleared from the record unless the Flight Attendant progresses to Attendance LOW Level 3.
• The Attendance LOW Level 3 will remain in effect for 18 months of active service at which time the Attendance LOW Levels 1 – 3 will be cleared from the record unless the Flight Attendant progresses to an Attendance LOW Level 4.
• The Attendance LOW Level 4 will remain in effect for 24 months of active service at which time the Attendance LOW Levels 1 – 4 will be cleared from the record unless the Flight Attendant progresses to an Attendance LOC/Termination.
• A Flight Attendant whose attendance discipline expires shall exit the Attendance Disciplinary Track with zero points.  In other words, when a Flight Attendant clears any LOW Level all points accrued since the issuance of the LOW will also be cleared from the Flight Attendant's record.

2.   Performance

Performance issues such as complaint letters, appearance standards and other issues associated with the Working Together Guidelines are tracked separately from attendance issues to eliminate the confusion and confrontation associated with United's discipline process.

Discipline – Performance

Disputing Discipline
A Flight Attendant may request a review of the Attendance/Performance LOW within 30 days of issuance. Contact your Local Council.

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