AFA Labor Discussion (Work Conditions) 7-7 -

[beachboy]

So, in other words PIT- AFA needs a hot coffee enema! Again, I know the game of AFA and honestly it's BS. You support Lynne and Rob. I want to know why PHL should give them another shot at anything since they had years to make a mark but I see nada. Please point to something they stood firm and won for us. Your opinion means a lot.
Why does Lynne defend the actions of Ann? Ann who can't show up to a crash site with her F/A in the base. Ann who walks out during MEC of votes. Ann who tells 11 year RSVs- "you will understand when you hold a block". Ann who votes in defiance of her majority wishes of the membership in support of Veda Shook for AFA President.
Then again I've never been that political but all seems like total #### to me! Give me the broom. All I see is clutter everywhere.

SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP

 

[PSA1979]

Beachboy, you always get a huge chuckle out of me! I love it!

 

[Furloughd4now]

Ok, will someone esplain this to me? We have 3 E90 trips in in Open time in CLT. These are PHL trips .... Need I say more???

 

[Travelpro72]

There is no hope for this place. We go from PHL being over and CLT being short to PHL being short and trips being sent to CLT. Really?

 

[flybynite]

Yes...there are much better, more knowledgable, intelligent, passionate negotiators that know and are up to speed on every single item in the current agreement as well as what is being negotiated (given away) by your current negotiators and sitting MEC:

1. Lynne Caramello
2. Rob Wessinger
3. Michael Elas
4. Celine Deluca
5. Sara Fischer
6. Mark Gentile
7. Terry Graf
8. John Humphries
9. Buddy Brannon

These are the folks I have worked with, very passionate about the contract and prtecting language as well as negotiating and understanding the history/past work conditions over 3 decades.

Recent example of the ineptness of your Current MEC President and voting members of the MEC:

The just settled a grievance (sideletter 44) of your current contract which now changes those f/as who have more than 10 years to having no more pass privileges. A simple no cost item taken away because the company wanted it, was violating it, having disabled f/as pay for their tickets, and the MEC went along with it. Joh McCorkey (lazy president of PHL) wrote out to some f/as saying that the language was ambiguous because it states (according to "compay policy). What this LEC president doesn't know is THIS IS WHY THE LANGUAGE IS PART OF THE CONTRACT, TO ESURE THAT IT CAN'T CHANGE UNLESS THE CONTRACT IS OPEN AND IT IS RENEGOTIATED.


I am sure many of you can site many things wrong with your current reps (who need taken out of office one at a time). Ask your

1. Ask your AFA MEC Grievance Chair what her monthlly AFA pay is and why she is taking 105 International pay when she too, was Never grandfathered in or "red circled" iin 2005 to have 105 pay??? Same as John McCorkle who was never red circled and should not have that option of taking 105 hours of flight loss pay.

Your MEC Grievance chair has not gone through recurrent training as outlined in the MEC Policy and Procedure, but still takes 105 International pay. The Chairs are required to go to recurrent.
But I will surely bet, they protect one another, and they will find some excuse to circumvent the member who asks and investigates these issues. Hopefully, when someone runs against these folks, these AFA pay and expenses will be handed over to the members when they ask for it..as required by the constitution giving full disclosure. If they don't..throw them OUT!

Here I am with another rant.... guys all need to ban together and start ousting these folks as they come up for reelection. The company has the ability to walk all over these reps and no one has any protection of language if these folks let these issues go by. A monkey without any know how could do better and accomplish more than they.

I'm glad you're having a bit of a rant. Nice to hear it.

What I'd like to hear is your opinion on separation from the pilots. This is a hot button now and I for one am totally against it. I don't think any amount of carefuly crafted launguage can do better than what we have currently.

I think Mike is walking a crooked line where this is concerned. And I'm afraid we'll all pay dearly for it.

 

[beachboy]

I'm glad you're having a bit of a rant. Nice to hear it.

What I'd like to hear is your opinion on separation from the pilots. This is a hot button now and I for one am totally against it. I don't think any amount of carefuly crafted launguage can do better than what we have currently.

I think Mike is walking a crooked line where this is concerned. And I'm afraid we'll all pay dearly for it.

Hey at leat PITBull can rant - More than I could ever hope for from this mousey AFA cast of nerdowells we live with today. Pit rant away!

 

[PITbull]

CWA passenger service agents have a new attorney, David Borer he previously worked for the AFA for years. How was his track record at AFA?

His tract record in my opinion was really really bad. In stead of arguing the good fight and challenging the company, he again settle-man. He has and is very comfortable sitting as a union attorney getting all the benfits, perks, pension, medical etc.. as an International attorney and never having to write a brief. In bankruptcy, AFA International hired outside labor attorneys because their in-house attorneys were not knowledgable on BK law.

I think it better to have out-side labor attorneys to challenge contract lanaguage rather than in-house. If you get an AFA-CWA attorney who is on staff, force them to take issues to arbitartion rather than settle, unless the settlement makes really good sense and it is mostly in Labor's favor. If the in-house attorney tells you this is the best you are going to do, and in arbitration, you will lose...then get a second outside Labor lawyer opinion, because in my experience, these CWA AFA attorneys that are staffed, don't want to write briefs as they don't want to research or go through a lengthy process of hard work, when they get paid the exact same (salaried) for doing nothing but telling your leaders to settle.

You maybe perceived as a renegade, but force these issues when you feel you are right and get the talent that can argue a case. Do it for your members. They deserve it. And know what battles to pick and go to arbitartion. For big violations use the media in these instances.

 

[PITbull]

I'm glad you're having a bit of a rant. Nice to hear it.

What I'd like to hear is your opinion on separation from the pilots. This is a hot button now and I for one am totally against it. I don't think any amount of carefuly crafted launguage can do better than what we have currently.

I think Mike is walking a crooked line where this is concerned. And I'm afraid we'll all pay dearly for it.

Pilots always get first picks, most of the increases, rigs, etc. DO NOT SEPARATE!!!! The company has been wanting to separate flight attendants from the pilots for decades and in every single section 6 negotiations...DON'T DO IT!!!

The company is going to use your leadership (they know all their weaknesses), and convince them to separate. Carol A. is something like 69, collects her pension since its in the PBGC and USAirways emerged as a new company, and she sstill gets paid 105 International pay, never flies or out there to see what is going on in the real world of flying, Mike Flores, the same issue collects his 105, international pay, expenses and there is no incentive for these guys to concern themselves with what will happen to you. John McCorkey currently has the BIG vote, Alin in DCA never bucks to cause any discontent, and goes along with McCork, and Mike feeds into all this to keep his seat. Aida you grievance Chair does the same. They all start looking busy around election time to pacify the membership, and once they get reelected, go back to the same crap of lazy-nothing-accomlishers, collect and top out at their seniority taking you $$ money. Company doesn't care as long as they get what they want from your leadership.

The only leadership at the MEC that was fighting hard for you was Rob W. and Lynne C. But, their base numbers were too small, and Mike didn't care what they wanted or said, didn't even include them in on many, many issues, as he was only concerned in convincing PHL Pres as he needs his big vote. John Mc know this and sits comfortably on his %%% ass and gets these appointees and VP to go in his office and do all the work...telling his members he's busy going to CWA and International meetings.

Get rid of these sponges who take up all your $$ dues and surround themselves with the folks that have the least talents to represent...including Aida , your MEC grievance chair.
Don't believe what they say, because when they are spewing their criticisms to defend their seat, they are desparate. The elections are around the corner..First the MEC, then your PHL local in April. Get ready to clean house and really, find the best candidates who you know would not and do not bunkle under pressure and criticism, who are intelligent, and not self sersving (key to finding good folks out there).

I gave you my opinions, you guys need to do the rest.

Folks to get rid of:

Carol Aust.
Mike Fl.
John Mc and all his staff.
Alin DCA
Aida /Griev.

You will see major changes, and finally get a reasonable agreement. Don't be afraid to CHANGE YOUR LEADERSHIP. Five years and NO tentative joint agreement. In 6 months East goes into section 6 negotiations.

Haven't you guys figured this out yet????? Mike F. and Carol have no incentive to finalize. As long as this drags out, Carol A. hold her pay and position of union $$ collecting. If there is a joint agreement, ther is 30 days to have an MECP election with PHX included. He won't win..so he's going to drag his feet.

They all have their hands in this kettle...get rid of them. Roll-up your sleeves, get tough with the company, and win alot of the language you gave, get them back!!! All 3 concessionary contracts for 9 years is long enough!

 

[Onestep2flt]

I think it better to have out-side labor attorneys to challenge contract lanaguage rather than in-house. If you get an AFA-CWA attorney who is on staff, force them to take issues to arbitartion rather than settle, unless the settlement makes really good sense and it is mostly in Labor's favor. If the in-house attorney tells you this is the best you are going to do, and in arbitration, you will lose...then get a second outside Labor lawyer opinion, because in my experience, these CWA AFA attorneys that are staffed, don't want to write briefs as they don't want to research or go through a lengthy process of hard work, when they get paid the exact same (salaried) for doing nothing but telling your leaders to settle.

You maybe perceived as a renegade, but force these issues when you feel you are right and get the talent that can argue a case. Do it for your members. They deserve it. And know what battles to pick and go to arbitartion. For big violations use the media in these instances.

This is exactly what I have been trying to convey to you folks for quite some time. Outside Attorney in my opinion is the only way you are going to get a fair contract period! Having Carol, Mr. Flores and a "staff attorney" negotiating your contract is like selling your soul if you are to believe what my friends there are telling me.

The one thing I might say about the names that have been dropped for the position of your MEC Vice President is that some of these names are just more of the same deep doo you have been stepping in for a while. Different little inner circle from what you have but same inner circle agenda. Some of these names have not been talked about from my friends. As far as some of those names that have been mentioned I have explained before of a simple issue that was ignored by someone on the popular list that was in the LEC in Philly at the time. My friend ended up getting it resolved by making a call to another LEC office. I am not saying that the person is not personally a nice person. Just repeating what has been told to me. That is that there was some infighting in the philly office at the time and there was too much focus on trying to point fingers at each other when the focus should have been on ALL the members needs in their base.

This has become politics as usual. This is one of the roots of your problems. People should go to serve all flight attendants and not just have a selve serving agenda with your eye on moving up the ladder to a position in ithe international office that still has a pension which your dues are paying for by the way.

Hope you guys can make some changes that will bring real changes for all your flight attendants.

 

[BajaBabe]

So whats your point??????????????

 

[Onestep2flt]

So whats your point??????????????

I assume that was for me.

My point is I agree with Pitbull that there needs to be change all around in the AFA. From the locals to the MEC. I agree with Pitbull that the flight attendants need outside counsel that actually knows labor law to negotiate a contract. They need an attorney that is not there just to collect a pension. I agree that the people in these positions are in their own little world that does not include your entire flight attendant group. There seem to be all these rival tribes within your union. All the chieftains are so busy making a play for power they forgot why they were there. I have been told by a friend that there are some good people in union positions but that they are all but ignored.

I agree with Pitbull until they make changes in the people in the positions that nothing else will change. The one thing that I would disagree with is some of the names that have been brought up to be in these positions. I must give full disclosure that I don't know any of these people for myself. I only know what friends that are among your ranks have been telling me for the past several years. Some of the names seem to be to be the same revolving door recycled names that have been there already. Not saying they are bad people from a personal perspective but they have already had their time to shine. I think new faces are needed that are on the outside of the playground. These folks should have one agenda and one agenda only. To better the entire flight attendant group. That is the WHOLE group!!

That in a nutshell is my point. Maybe I am missing a few things but I just want to see my US Airways friends get a new contract that ALL in your group can prosper under.

 

[HP2USFA]

Bravo (or 'va', as the case may be) OneStep!

That's exactly why I plan on running in June!

 

[BajaBabe]

Listen whoever you are I too agree with Teddy her points are well taken. You can not tell me one thing that I need to know about the cast of players . Sadly Mrs Ausin was once a friend who works the System garnering 105 ,5000 dollar PBGC and her SS. Arrogant to a fault able to celebrate her 69 th Birthday never to grace the jump seat. Flores is a person who believes his own lies but who cares its difficult. Well we will see how you do in June.

 

[Travelpro72]

I want McCorkle OUT and I want Mike Flores and Carol Austin OUT. Actually I want ALL of the US AFA out and replaced. What on EARTH have these people done for you to sit back and say, "yep I'd vote for them again"? Seriously? What you got them to file a claim for you or were told when you went illegal"? I'd vote for my cat before I EVER voted for the lot that are holding court right now. No thanks. And YES I'd get new people in there midstream too. I don't give a damn. I AM cautious as to what I wish for but considering what we've been dealt I'm willing to take my chances. Maybe I'll play the lottery today too.

 

[NYGiantsFan90]

Bring Teddy back! Even as a consultant.