AFA E-Lines: Apr 29, 2022

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AFA DEBRIEF – April 29, 2022

• Boarding Pay Introduced by Delta Management
• B757 Aircraft Weight and Balance Requirements Revised,
• International Mask Mandate Confusion
• United’s Supply Chain Challenges in Europe
• B767 Crew Rest Location Exception Discontinued

Boarding Pay Introduced by Delta Management

Earlier this week, Delta management announced they would begin paying their Flight Attendants boarding pay at half the rate of flight time pay. This is a good thing, and, in our view, all Flight Attendants should receive boarding pay.  After all, this has been a priority for Flight Attendants for at least the last twenty years.  However, since 9/11 we’ve been consumed with battling management at the bargaining table to keep that which we’ve previously accomplished during negotiations.  We are now finally back at the bargaining table for the first time in many years to collectively advance our priorities, working hand in hand with APFA, the Union representing American Airlines Flight Attendants, to advance our demands.

So, one asks, “What the rest of the story?” Shrouded by this announcement is the fact that Delta management has increased passenger boarding time from 35 to 40 minutes and this announcement is their attempt to tamper back the angry reaction it deserves from Flight Attendants. Further, this decision is unquestionably tied to AFA’s ongoing effort in organizing Delta Flight Attendants.  In fact, it can be argued this is Delta’s effort to beat back the Amazon and Starbucks trend at the airline.

As Delta continues to add additional services, they have failed to restore staffing to pre-pandemic levels on the aircraft.  And, this initiative seemingly is designed to divert attention from the fact that Delta will require all Flight Attendants to wear a uniform that has made them sick, an initiative AFA is fighting against as our collective work to establish standards continues.

What also cannot be overlooked is this; in the absence of a contract, there is no commitment to lock in this pay factor for Delta Flight Attendants.  It’s a stark reminder that Delta management, in the same manner in which it was implemented, has the ability to unilaterally end the boarding pay, at their sole discretion, in the same way a bi-weekly pay methodology was implemented forcing Delta Flight Attendants to fly within every two-week period in order to maintain benefits and to get a paycheck.  This will continue to be the case until that time when Delta Flight Attendants vote for Union representation.

Our organizing efforts matter.  While we push at the top, our efforts are designed to ensure the bottom doesn’t fall out as management works to undercut good jobs and circumvent the law as is the case at recently organized Avelo Airlines where airline management refused to negotiate. 

All of these developments illustrate the importance of us collectively pressing forward together in order for us to keep building power through strike votes and solidarity actions.   For workers, this is our moment, and we must make the most out of it.  Collective power makes a difference in our workplace.  But, if we don’t lock in the worker’s rights that come with having a Union, we run the risk of losing this moment with the end result being a continued battle to hang on to what we’ve still got rather than fighting for what we deserve and taking back our share of the money we work so hard to capture for our airline.

Refer to our Opening Proposal Summary on our Negotiations website at contract2021.org.


B757 Aircraft Weight and Balance Requirements Revised

Safety guidelines in the operation of 757 aircraft were implemented at the end of last year to address maximum gross take-off weight of the aircraft at various times throughout the year. As was announced in today’s InTheKnow communication, effective May 3, 2022 the weight and balance requirements on our B757 fleet will be updated returning the seats currently blocked to inventory.

The Safety and Tech Ops teams will begin removing the visual indicators of these blocked seats beginning May 1; however, these seats will not be available for selection or assignment, that is returned to the automated seat maps, until May 3, 2022.

For additional information, please contact your domicile supervisor. 


International Mask Mandate Confusion

Although masks are no longer required for U.S. domestic flights, there is still less clarity, uncertainty, and confusion for travel to/from many international cities.  This is especially the case with several new and seasonal destinations that have been added to our summer schedule.

While United asserts monitoring continues in search of additional changes to mask mandates, at this point, we know the following:

• You are no longer required to wear a mask nor are you required to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public in the U.S.  Having said this, United has also established a clear expectation consistent with the Working Together Guidelines.  That is, we are expected to respect the individual decisions of those employees and customers who choose to continue wearing masks
• Passengers and fellow crewmembers may choose to continue to wear masks onboard U.S. flights. If a passenger or crewmember asks you for a mask, to the extent a supply remains available in the customer kit, please continue to provide it.
• Unless on an international flight where masking is required, please discontinue all announcements and refrain from informing passengers about a requirement to wear a mask.
• Effective immediately, mask compliance cards are not to be distributed on any flights.

As pre-departure and/or arrival testing requirements continue for some locations, please ensure before your trip to verify you have the most up-to-date information.  These changes roll out daily, it is important that you read through all the information applicable to your destination/departure location and direct any questions to your domicile supervisor.

Currently, to find the most up-to-date information on Flying Together > Coronavirus: Latest Updates > International Restrictions.


United’s Supply Chain Challenges in Europe

Recently management advised Flight Attendants to be aware that supply chain challenges involving their food and beverage deliveries in Europe may result in meal modifications on certain flights.  They noted that if you’re “servicing flights out of Europe, there is potential to experience a meal modification.”

They further state these meal modifications may impact the planned service in one cabin or multiple cabins, depending on the availability of inventory at the respective location.

Management informed Flight Attendants that their Culinary Operations team will continue to work toward mitigating the impact of issue with the supply chain on the operation.  Management stresses the importance of referring to Catering’s Dear Flight Attendant letter for additional details and updates.

On flights that will be meal modified, United has committed that messages will be sent to customers ahead of time with advising of the changes while, at the same time, encouraging them to plan ahead for their unique dietary needs. 

We encourage Flight Attendants experiencing any problems with catering issues to continue submitting reports to your domicile supervisor.  When submitting a report, be sure to make a copy of the report for submission to your AFA Local Council.  If the catering issue contributed to an FAR violation, please submit an ISAP report to protect yourself and detail the incident.


B767 Crew Rest Location Exception Discontinued

Last year, after our COVID-19 Crew Rest Letter of Agreement ended, we successfully advocated with Inflight management to create an exception on the Boeing 767 fleet for the continued use of an open, available Polaris Business/First Class seat during crew rest when certain conditions were met.  It was understood that this exception would run concurrently with the mask mandate given the unique configuration of the Crew Rest seating on this aircraft fleet for social distancing purposes.

Now that the mask mandate has come to an end, effective May 1, 2022, the exception which allowed for the routine use of an open, available Polaris Business/First Class seat for social distancing purposes will be extinguished.  We will return to our pre-pandemic Crew Rest policy on the B767-300/400 (76A/C/L/S) and will utilize the designated crew rest seats identified in the Inflight Policies and Procedures Manual.  Crew Rest worksheets will be updated.

REMINDERS:

APR 29 - CQ 2022 Second Trimester CBT Completion Deadline – tonight at 2359 CT
APR 30 – Joe Beirne Scholarship Application Deadline
MAY 05 – Cinco De Mayo
MAY 08 – Mother’s Day

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