AFA E-Lines: May 03, 2022
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- Relying on Each Other & Bad Day/Worse Day Trades
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Upcoming AFA Board of Directors Meeting
- Spring 2022 Regular Meeting of the United MEC and Elections
- Welcome Class 2209!
AFA DEBRIEF – May 3, 2022
- Relying on Each Other & Bad Day/Worse Day Trades
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Upcoming AFA Board of Directors Meeting
- Spring 2022 Regular Meeting of the United MEC and Elections
- Welcome Class 2209!
Relying on Each Other & Bad Day/Worse Day Trades
We’re all familiar with the challenges we face in adjusting our flight schedules brought about by decisions management is currently making. Several of these impacts the tools on which we normally rely upon for flexibility. While it’s natural to focus on the negative pool numbers and their adverse impact on trading, as well as the challenges they present, we need to focus on the fact that we do have other options available to us.
One of our negotiated flexibilities, perhaps less relied upon, is our ability to trade with one another. The trade board exists to let others know we are interested in trading and to find others with whom to trade. By helping each other, we not only accomplish schedule flexibility for all of those involved in the trading, we also reduce our reliance on United’s restrictions on the pool levels.
It is true that by utilizing the contractual provisions for Bad Day/Worse Day trades, Members have yet another ability to adjust their schedules even in a negative pool situation. While we all rely on the Reserve pool numbers for trading, it is important to emphasize there are also timing issues that affect our ability to trip trade with open time especially if the trip being dropped occurs earlier in the schedule month. We can minimize the impact of these rules by trading with each other.
Under the Contract, utilizing Bad Day/Worse Day trading, when the trip being dropped occurs earlier in the month than the trip being traded for, the trade must be completed at least seven (7) days prior to the first day of the trip being dropped. This parameter frequently results in trip trades being declined and this will occur regardless of the negative Reserve coverage pool. This is not the case when trading with another Flight Attendant.
As a reminder all instant trading is determined by Reserve coverage, on the particular days involved in the trade. However, trades may still be accomplished using the Bad Day/Worse Day calculations set forth in Section 7.N. of our Contract. This language addresses trip trades involving trips on days which are blocked due to minimum staffing requirements. This is not the case when trading with another Flight Attendant.
The guide below outlines the contractual parameters that must be met to successfully complete a Bad Day/Worse Day trade and provides additional clarity when trading trips starting earlier in the month for trips which start later in the month.
Refer to our: Bad Day – Worse Day Guide
Questions about trading and Contractual legalities should be directed to your Local Council Representatives.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States.
This celebration originated when Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1978 to honor the first ten days of May in 1979 as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week”. It was expanded to an entire month by Congress in 1990 and was finally designated to take place during the month of May in 1992.
The month of May was selected to recognize both the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States (May 10, 1869), which was accomplished primarily through work done by Chinese immigrants.
You can learn more about the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.
Last year, Stan Kiino, AFA-CWA, APALA Board Member and Local San Francisco Chapter Member brought to our attention information about the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. His words of gratitude and hope continue to ring true today.
Also last year, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of May.
For more information about the pin and its availability, please contact your Local Council.
Upcoming AFA Board of Directors Meeting
Your Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 49th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting next week in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 13-15, 2022. This annual meeting is where AFA conducts the business of our Union at the International level of our organization.
Your LEC President represents you and the other members of your Local Council on the Board of Directors and will be casting votes on your behalf at the BOD meeting. Your MEC Officers serve in an ex-officio capacity on the BOD but do not have voting privileges.
A total of nine (9) Advance Agenda Items have been submitted for consideration by the Board at this meeting. Each Local Council has or will hold a Local Council meeting in advance of the BOD Meeting to discuss these agenda items and gain your feedback. You can find a list of these agenda items and complete language at AFA Board of Director’s Meeting.
In addition to the consideration of agenda items, AFA International Officer elections will also take place at this year’s BOD meeting. As your directly elected representative, your LEC President will be voting on your behalf for the offices of International President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer.
If you have any questions or thoughts about the BOD meeting or the proposed AFA-CWA budget, please contact your Local Council President.
Spring 2022 Regular Meeting of the United MEC and Elections
The Spring 2022 Regular Meeting of the United Master Executive Council will take place in person, May 11-12, 2022 in conjunction with the AFA Board of Directors Meeting.
Elections for cyclical vacancies will be held as the first order of business on the second day of the meeting for the following positions: Central Schedule Committee (2 Member positions), Hotel and Transportation Committee (2 Member positions) and for one System Board Member position. The two-year terms for the MEC Committee positions begin July 1, 2022, while the term for the System Board Member begins 8/1/2022.
The MEC meeting Agenda is posted in the Meetings section of the MEC Website.
The meeting is open to Members in good standing. If you happen to be in Las Vegas on the dates the meeting is scheduled, we encourage your attendance and participation in our Democratic process.
The meeting will be held at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, 3645 South Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas NV 89109.
Welcome Class 2209!
We are excited to welcome our newest flying partners from class 2209 as part of our Flight Attendant community. Our newest flying partners will begin their careers in DEN, EWR, IAD, IAH, LAX and ORD.
We encourage you to welcome each of them amiably, help them learn from your experience to get them started on a path to success and adventure in their new career.
Please remember, our newest Members are on probation and to ensure that they are receiving the most accurate information to support them, be sure to direct them to their Local Council for assistance on Contractual issues.
And if you would like to become an AFA Buddy, reach out to your Local Council to learn how you can become part of this vital link to their success.
Reminders:
MAY 05 – Cinco De Mayo
MAY 08 – Mothers’ Day
MAY 11 – 12 Spring MEC Meeting
MAY 13 – 15 AFA BOD
MAY 30 – Memorial Day
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