Citing management of an overstaffing situation since 2008, which has been further exacerbated by aircraft redeployment and fleet modernization plans, the company today issued an advance notification to all Flight Attendants intended to provide a “heads up” on a plan to offer an additional Voluntary Furlough.    These factors, combined with the March 31, 2014 scheduled return from Voluntary Furlough, are driving the need for another Voluntary Furlough.  This new Voluntary Furlough will be effective April 1, 2014 and will run through March 31, 2015.  Similar to other Voluntary Furloughs that have been offered in the past, this new Voluntary Furlough period will be twelve (12) months in duration.  In addition, another Partnership Program thought to begin April 1, 2014 is anticipated.  However, any Partnership Program will be based on the level of participation in the Voluntary Furlough Program. 

Over the past several weeks, as the end of the current Voluntary Furlough Program approaches, there has been a good deal of speculation on Voluntary Furlough numbers.  While this speculation indicates the announcement is not unexpected, much of this speculation does not have a basis in fact.  Management continues to evaluate the aircraft schedule for 2014.   Any Voluntary Furlough decision will be made based on a final aircraft schedule which will ultimately drive the corporation’s need for Flight Attendants.  Inflight Scheduling has made a commitment to publish this information as soon as figures are finalized and only after a full evaluation of manpower needs for 2014 has been concluded.  Until then, while for some the anxiety associated with this announcement is understandable, we encourage you to avoid rumor and speculation.  We ask each of you to consider how unfounded rumors affect those who may be impacted. This action to alert Flight Attendants of this impending action is intended to widely advertise this upcoming opportunity and ensure that all Flight Attendants, especially those who may be leaving for extended vacation periods over the upcoming holidays, have been made aware time away from the job will be available. 

The company will release the more traditional and “formal” notification of the Voluntary Furlough and Partnership Programs on Monday, November 18, 2013.    It is anticipated that this notification will be distributed along with the 2014 Voluntary Furlough Package containing detailed information about the number of Voluntary Furloughs to be awarded, the bidding/awarding timeline, information about the Partnership Program and the Involuntary Furlough process via corporate e-mail.  Postings in the domiciles will alert our Flying Partners of the availability of this industry leading time away from work program. 

Despite the adversity presented by this announcement, it is not unexpected.   We have heard from Flight Attendants currently on Voluntary Furlough as well as from active Flight Attendants many of whom are interested in continuing or beginning a Voluntary Furlough.   We must remained focused on the value & opportunity our industry leading Voluntary Furlough protections offer as well as on the success achieved with previous Voluntary Furlough program offerings.   Bids are expected to be open for some time.  We encourage those who are able to take advantage of this offering to begin that consideration and planning now.   As always, we recommend you stay informed and watch for additional information which will be posted on the MEC website as it becomes available.