Dear AFA Recording: Jan 23, 2015

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Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Dear AFA. We are a democratic, Member driven Union of Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants. Today is Friday, January 23, 2015.

ACTION: No Fast Track for Trans-Pacific Partnership Call Your Representatives
The Transpacific Pacific Partnership (TPP) is poised to become the most dangerous trade agreement ever. This far reaching trade agreement would set rules governing approximately 40% of the world’s economy; yet, it is being negotiated behind closed doors. Though this agreement could become the largest trade deal in history, the sweeping changes envisioned in TPP could become law without most Americans ever knowing what’s in it. 

Under the proposed deal, multinational corporations just have to demonstrate a threat to their “expected future profits’ from laws and regulations in order to bypass our court systems and directly sue governments in private international tribunals.  It will enable corporations to challenge everything from consumer safety laws to environmental protections to fair labor standards.

TPP would also make “Buy America” laws illegal.  Right now the federal government gives preferential treatment to U.S. business when buying goods and services.  TPP would make that practice illegal.  Historically, corporations have taken advantage of any opportunity to pay foreign workers less and take advantage of local laws to cut costs.

Why Is This Important To Flight Attendants?
Fast Track Authority, if granted by the Congresses, wouldn’t simply apply to only one trade deal – it would apply to as many trade agreements as can be negotiated by this White House or the next one. The next “big’” trade deal in the pipeline is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The European Union will be pushing for access to the U.S. domestic market and an increase to the allowable foreign ownership and control of U.S. airlines. This would be devastating to U.S. aviation, our job security and aviation security.

What can Flight Attendants Do?
You may contact your Representative by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 or by using the CWA’s toll free "Call Congress" line at Call 888-966-9836

Enter your zip code, to be you will be connected with your U.S. Representative.

Be polite but firm when delivering your message.

Sample script.

“Hello my name is __________ and I am a constituent calling from _____ (city where you are registered to vote). As a constituent I am concerned that large scale trade agreements are being negotiated in secret. I wouldn’t vote for my employment contract without seeing the details and Congress shouldn’t either. I urge you to oppose Fast Track for the TPP.”

Please encourage your family, friends and flying partners to make their calls.  We must make it clear to our elected Representatives that we expect them to oppose Fast Track for the TPP. For more information about this topic visit the United MEC Website. 

United 2014 Pre Tax Earning Triggers Contractual Profit Sharing Plan
United announced on Wednesday, January 22, 2015, a $1.97 billion profit for the full year of 2014, which has triggered our Contractual Profit Sharing Program. Section 5.J. of our Contract provides a payout when adjusted pretax earnings at United Airlines exceeds $10 million dollars. Fifteen percent of United's adjusted pretax earnings form the basis for a pool that is distributed pro rata to all eligible Flight Attendants.  This year's Profit Sharing pool for all eligible employees is $235 million, which is higher than 2013 Profit Sharing pool of $190 million.

United has stated they will make the Profit Sharing payments on Friday, February 13, 2015.  Flight Attendants who do not make a special election for their Profit Sharing, before the January 25, 2015 at 11:59 pm CST deadline will receive the entirety of their Profit Sharing payment as taxable cash compensation.  Profit sharing cash compensation will be subject to applicable taxation and withholding which for U.S. taxpayers is at the federal supplemental (higher) rate.

Profit Sharing Election Window Closes January 25
This year’s Profit Sharing elections can be made now through January 25, 2015 at 11:59 pm CST during which time you can decide to defer all, or a percentage of your Contractual profit sharing payment to your 401(k) retirement savings account, Roth 401(k) Plan account (if applicable) or UK Stakeholder Plan Account

Please keep in mind that if NO election is made, you will receive your profit sharing as a cash payment subject to all applicable state, federal and local income tax withholdings. 

For more information about our Contractual Profit Sharing plan visit our website. 

2014 Electronic W-2 Available
Flight Attendants who elected to receive their W-2s electronically may now access their W-2 forms by logging into United's Flying Together website and then go to Employee Services > My Info > Payroll > W-2 or by visiting www.paperlessemployee.com/united. 

If you are having difficulties accessing the electronic W-2 service please contact United Payroll Care Center at 1-877-UAL-ESC9 (825-3729).  

Those Flight Attendants who have not opted to receive an electronic W-2, will receive their printed W-2 forms via U.S. mail in the weeks ahead but prior to the required postmark deadline of January 31, 2015.

Local Meetings and Winter Regular MEC Meeting: January 27-29
The Winter Regular Meeting of the United Master Executive Council will take place during the week of January 27, 2015 at the Hyatt Rosemont. Your Local Council President, joined by the 14 other Local Council Presidents from around our system, will address the business of our Union and the issues that are important to you.

Elections will take place on the second day of the upcoming meeting as the first order of business for positions on the following MEC Committees: MEC Hotel and Transportation Committee, MEC Central Schedule Committee and on the MEC Seniority Merge Integration Committee.

Candidates must be active Members in good standing, and should submit a signed “Willingness to Serve” statement and/or a resume to the MEC Secretary-Treasurer. Interested candidates are encouraged, but not required, to be available for an in-person interview at the 2015 Winter MEC meeting. Any candidate who wishes to appear for an interview must do so at their personal expense. For more information or to submit your Willingness to Serve statement and resume, please visit the MEC Committee Election section of our website.

We encourage Members to witness our democratic process by attending their Local Council meetings and the MEC meeting, if you are in the Chicago area.  Scheduled times for your Local Council's meeting and the MEC Meeting Agenda are posted on our website.

Joint Negotiations This Week
Joint Negotiation finished their second week in Houston this week and have provided an update on the OurUnited website and through the OurUnited newsletter.

As a reminder, all JNC updates can be found on the JNC website at ourunited.org.  If you are not signed-up to receive the OurUnited Newsletter please do so also on ourunited.org. 

E-Lines Newsletter Update
As a reminder, the United AFA Communication Committee is in the process of upgrading the newsletter system to a more reliable, faster and more economical server. In preparation for this database upgrade we require all current subscribers to E-Lines to verify and update their information in order to receive the E-Lines Newsletter after the relocation has occurred.

In addition to the E-Lines Newsletter relocation we have added a Text Message feature.  This feature will ensure that the United MEC is able to convey very important information to our Members as quickly as we receive it.  The system will be utilized on an occasional basis and only to communicate time sensitive information.  Some situations where a text message might be sent would be to alert and direct you to important safety and/or security information.  Additionally, we will use the system to communicate breaking Union news items such as reaching a Tentative Agreement (TA) on a Joint Contract. 

Verifying your information is quick and simple. Please visit our website for instructions. Once you have provided the information you will be all set for the transition.

That’s all for tonight and thank you for calling.

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