AFA E-Lines: Apr 15, 2022

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AFA DEBRIEF – APRIL 15, 2022

• Spring - The Season on Renewal
• Variable Staffing Position(s) & Overstaffing
• May Bid Month Reserve Review
• Flight Attendants Secure AFA-CWA Union Representation at Avelo Airlines
• Spring Weather and our Contractual Commuter Program
• June 2022 Transfer Awards – Accept or Decline

Spring- The Season of Renewal

Spring officially started last month on March 20, and we see the signs of renewal around us today. This weekend millions of people around the world will celebrate the observance of Easter and the start of Passover, a 7-day festival that starts on the evening of Friday, April 15th, and ends Saturday, April 23, 2022.

We too are looking forward to a renewal within our airline family best signified with the introduction of so many new-hire Flight Attendants joining us on the line.  As United resumes our much anticipated international flying we expect to renew the inflight experience with new aircraft that are coming into service at an exciting pace. Our Union is moving forward on our Contract 2021 negotiations as we seek a more secure and improved future for our AFA Family.

As with any renewal, there must always be a starting point or something that came “before” that which is renewed. As we look back to 2019, a time of prosperity we all enjoyed, and then through the difficult period of COVID-19, we have a vision of what renewal looks like. While we are not yet completely through the pandemic, we have reason to look towards a better future together with a sense of renewal similar to the rebirth of spring after the season of winter.

Whether you observe Lent, which ended yesterday, Passover which begins today, Easter this Sunday, or on a walk on a beautiful spring day, we encourage you to take the spirit of renewal into your thoughts and recognize how far we have come as we plot the plans for our future.

On behalf of the United Master Executive Council and our many Union volunteers, we wish you and your families an enjoyable start to a season of renewal.

Variable Staffing Position(s) & Overstaffing

Recently, a number of Flight Attendants have asked questions about how to assign jumpseat and work positions when the number of Flight Attendants assigned to work a flight exceeds the number of Flight Attendants required by the Established Staffing Guidelines (ESGs).  This is often referred to as overstaffing.

As the International Purser / Purser, refer to the staffing sheet and assign the next jump seat in numerical numbers to identify where any Flight Attendants above the required ESG (overstaffed) will be assigned a jumpseat and where they will work.  If you have more than one (1) Flight Attendant above the ESG, the overstaffed Flight Attendants will decide, in seniority order, which next numerical jumpseat they will occupy which will determine their work position.

As an Example: On the B787-8 (78H) configuration: 28 (UPB) / 21 (UPP) / 194 (UE) for a total of 215 economy passengers.

• FAA minimum: 7
• Domestic Established Staffing Guideline (ESG): 7
• International ESG: 7
• International Variable ESG when the combined passenger loads in United Economy and (EU) United Premium Plus (UPP) is 172 or greater: 8

In a circumstance where a flight to a certain international city is full leaving the U.S. but not full returning from the international point, you could be overstaffed at 8 when the passenger loads in economy (including UPP) is less than 172 passengers.  This constitutes overstaffing.  The Flight Attendant either assigned during the monthly bid with a pairing of 63XX or, if built in the operation with a variable position of 9XIX, would work the next numerical position on the staffing sheet which would be FA08. This is their work position and jumpseat, even if the passenger loads in economy are less the 172.

If the passenger count in economy or the premium cabin are light, as an International Purser / Purser, you can always ask for volunteers to assist in another cabin when the service is completed in their assigned cabin as no one is finished until we are all finished, and all passengers have been served.

However, what cannot be done is the assignment of the variable staffing position into an alternate cabin to “enhancement staff,” for example, the premium cabin.

Please note, the identifier on the staffing sheet stating “variable staffing position if UE loads are XX or higher” is there to indicate when you should receive the International Variable ESG position or when you would receive short crew pay if the variable Flight Attendant is not on board.  This should not be misunderstood to be an indicator that the position can be assigned to work somewhere else on the aircraft or to supplement staffing in another cabin.

If you have additional questions, contact your Local Council or a supervisor at the domicile.

May Bid Month Reserve Timeline Review

If awarded or assigned a Reserve line for the May bid month, there are various scheduling request deadlines and processes that occur during the period between bid awards and through the first week of the new month. While some of these events occur on the same calendar days each month, there are a few that are based on when the new Flight Attendant bid month begins, which may vary from month to month. For your convenience, we have compiled a Reserve bid month timeline detailing these items in both calendar and list formats.

If you have additional questions on these or any other Reserve-related topics, contact your Local Council Reserve Committee.

Flight Attendants Secure AFA-CWA Union Representation at Avelo Airlines

Washington, DC (April 13, 2022) —Today, six months after Avelo Flight Attendants filed for an election with super majority support, the National Mediation Board (NMB) announced that they have voted to form a union with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA). 

“Avelo Flight Attendants sent a message to their management and anyone thinking of starting an airline: we want respect and fairness from the start,” said International President Sara Nelson. “The Flight Attendants will elect representatives from among their ranks and dig into the work of preparing for contract negotiations based on the priorities set by all Avelo Flight Attendants. As part of AFA, they have experts to work with them through the collective bargaining process and the full strength of our Flight Attendant union behind them every step of the way.”

 Avelo Flight Attendants have faced an aggressive anti-union campaign run by management with consultants from Jones Day, even as working conditions at the startup airline have led to some of the highest turnover rates in the industry. Flight Attendants first filed for recognition with the NMB in October 2021. However, due to Senate Republicans blocking President Biden’s NMB nominees and frivolous delay-tactic filings by Avelo, the election was not scheduled for months. 

Avelo Flight Attendants immediately delivered the official letter from AFA requesting that management enter negotiations and express their desire to work collaboratively with management to address retention issues.

“Avelo Flight Attendants showed incredible courage and solidarity in the face of an aggressive anti-union campaign,” Nelson said. “Now, it is time for Avelo management to stop wasting time and money fighting its workers and collaborate with them to lock in a contract that respects workers and strengthens the airline. Our entire Flight Attendant family stands with Avelo AFA crew to help them secure the rights, protections and benefits they deserve.”

Spring Weather and our Contractual Commuter Program

Spring has sprung and the storms have begun! Spring thunderstorms uniquely impact flight operations around the system. As a result, these weather events have the potential to disrupt our best laid out travel plans when traveling to work for our specific assignments. When commuting to work becomes difficult or impossible, the Commuter Program in our Contract provides certain protections.

Commuting - In advance of commuting during potential inclement weather, we encourage Flight Attendants to review the Commuter Program in Section 28 of the Contract.

When can I utilize the provisions of the Commuter Program?

1. Un-forecast severe weather conditions or other natural disasters (i.e., blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes of similar events), or
2. Hazardous or impassable roads resulting from severe weather, accidents, natural disasters, or
3. Mechanical problems while on the way to work
4. Unexpected airport disruption(s) or closures

Which type of transportation can I use?

The Commuter Program covers all forms of transportation. You can review the specifics on our website at Unitedafa.org.

Remember, when commuting, be proactive. You should keep records of calls to crew scheduling, flight listings, traffic reports, or images to ensure you have all the necessary information to be covered by the policy.

If you have any specific questions about how the provisions in Section 28 of our Contract apply, contact your Local Council office.

June 2022 Transfer Awards – Accept or Decline

Recently, the company has awarded 509 Flight Attendant transfers.  Attached below is a breakdown of transfer awards by base.

Flight Attendants are reminded, under the provisions of Section 17 of our Contract, that once awarded a transfer you must accept such transfer within seven (7) days of the award date in order to secure your transfer.  Keep in mind, that a non-response (failure to respond) will be considered to be the same as declining the transfer.

Note: When a Flight Attendant declines an awarded transfer, she/he will be inhibited from any further transfers for a period of three (3) months. There are incidents where Flight Attendants not intending to transfer, are placing a transfer request on file out of curiosity to see where they fall on the list for award purposes and subsequently forget to withdraw the transfer request. A consequence of this is being awarded a transfer, it being declined, and being restricted from transfer for a period of three months.

If a Flight Attendant accepts a transfer award, she/he will be restricted from transfer for a period of six (6) months.

Reminders:

APR 15 – Voluntary Supplemental Insurance Benefits Open Enrollment Ends Today
APR 18 – Easter Monday – United Kingdom Contractual Holiday
APR 18 – U.S. Federal Income Tax Filing Deadline
APR 29 - CQ 2022 Second Trimester CBT Completion Deadline
APR 30 – Joe Beirne Scholarship Closes

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