Dear AFA Recording: Feb 13, 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, February 13, 2015.

2014 Contractual Profit Sharing Payments
2014 Profit Sharing payments were made to all eligible employees today.  Flight Attendants, who did not make a special election for their Profit Sharing or did not qualify for a special election, should have received their Profit Sharing paid in the manner in which you receive your monthly paycheck – either direct deposit or as a paper check.

Keep in mind, IRS regulations dictate that these types of special payments require Federal Income tax withholding at a minimum rate of 25% plus Social Security (FICA), Medicare and any applicable state and local income tax withholdings.  Profit Sharing payouts were approximately 5.6658% of your 2014 annual earnings, an increase from last year’s payout.

Seniority Merge Integration Committee Begin Process
This week our elected Seniority Merge Integration Committee began the process of preparing to integrate the pre-merger Flight Attendant seniority lists for United, Continental and Continental Micronesia in accordance with the AFA Seniority Integration Policy and U.S. law at the AFA-CWA International Office in Washington D.C..  More information is expected to be sent out from the AFA-CWA International Office by the end of February.

Protect Your Health
As Flight Attendants and Safety Professionals, we come in contact with an exceptional amount of passengers daily traveling all over the world. Recently reports of outbreaks of viruses and other infectious diseases have been highlighted in the media, such as the measles, ebola, chikungunya and dengue fever.  This is a perfect time to ensure we are all aware of the procedures and best practices that have been put in place to protect our safety and health.

If you observe a passenger during boarding that appears too ill to fly, your immediate actions should be; to advise the cockpit, Purser and CSR.  You may also contact MedLink at:  (877) 307-7249 or  (602) 281-3325, where an on-call physician can be consulted to review the situation and symptoms to advise you if the passenger should continue on the flight.  Besides the general appearance of an ill passenger, other warning signs may include profuse sweating, difficulty breathing, visible rash and persistent coughing. Flight Attendants who are on a flight with a passenger or a flying partner who is ill, or becomes ill, should follow the procedures outlined in our FAOM under the First Aid chapter.

When handling materials contaminated with bodily fluid or blood, you should use Universal Precautions. Treat all blood and bodily fluid as if it is known to be contagious. This can be accomplished by following United's procedures outlined in your FAOM, including the use of the Infection Control Kit and the CPR mask.  If you believe you have been exposed to a virus or infectious disease, you should follow instructions provided by MedLink and upon landing, notify a supervisor who will provide you information regarding a medical exam.

Following any incident, plus after trash pickup, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Flight Attendants follow standard hygiene practices; frequent hand washing including the wrists, avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth and if you have cuts or sores on your skin, they should be covered with a bandage to control the spread of infection (even when gloves are used during an emergency.)

Our AFA MEC Health, Safety and Security Committee along with United Medical, the CDC and other World Health Organizations, will continue to monitor health situations in our workplace and we will report news as necessary.  For more information please visit our MEC Safety, Health and Security page on our website or you can visit the CDC's Infection Control Guidelines for Cabin Crew Members on Commercial Aircraft for more information on practical measures you can take to protect yourself, passengers and your flying partners. 

No Fast Track for Trans-Pacific Partnership Day of Action
The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is being considered the most dangerous trade agreement ever and could jeopardize U.S. Aviation, our job security, and demolish the democratic process. Currently AFA-CWA’s focus is on gathering handwritten letters to our elected Representative to continue to drive home our displeasure. 

AFA-CWA will also be participating in a day of action on March 4, 2015.  To join AFA-CWA in DC on March 4th please RSVP by calling 844-AFA2ACTION (844-232-2228) to get on the distribution list for Day of Action details.

For more information or questions please visit our United MEC Government Affairs page of our website or contact your Local Council Government Affairs Committee. 

Joint Negotiations Continue in Houston Next Week
Joint Negotiations with United and the National Mediation Board (NMB) will continue in Houston for the next two weeks. As a reminder to receive the most up-to-date information regarding Joint Negotiations sign up for the OurUnited Newsletter at OurUnited.org.

Don’t Forget to Verify and Update Your E-Lines Email Address
Don’t forget all current subscribers to the United AFA E-Lines need to verify and update their information before we relocate our newsletter system. If you have not verified your information by the March 3, 2015 deadline you will no longer receive the E-lines newsletter. 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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