Another F/a Furloughs Commences January 15, 2004

[oldiebutgoody]

I'm wondering why management is opposed to voluntary furloughs. I do see a couple of real problems with it, which maybe if addressed the company might embrace. First, all that the voluntary furloughs seem to do is postpone the agony, since when the folks on voluntary furlough return the company has to furlough someone else. I don't know of a workable solution to this, except maybe putting some kind of limit on when folks can return, like maybe when attrition allows (I already said that I don't think that this idea is workable, so don't shoot me for saying it). Also, when the F/As return it takes something like two weeks of training to get them back up to speed, which causes an overlap of required personnel. I agree that this management team has no scruples and says whatever it takes to accomplish their goals, so maybe working out the reasons for their opposition would be a better way to work this problem. I don't know about you all, but now that the economy is recovering (except, of course, for this visionless company), I am taking the opportunity to look for good, well paying work (hopefully as far from the travel industry as I can get). <_<

 

[firstamendment]

PineyBob

Enough!! Find another battle cry. No!! Go take your biz to another airline. I for one have had it with you. You have no right to act like you understand anything about the f/as and again.....90% of our f/a's do not abuse the sick policy. Go pick on the AA, UA, and DAL f/a's who are worst!!

 

[Colby]

For those of you being Furloughed next month.... SO sorry to hear this....'

Guess now you all know how we felt when we were Furloughed in May and found out about it in Mid April...

I thought that there was a Grievence against that Furlough since no Voluntary was offered first. :angry: :angry:

 

[diogenes]

A question for any knowledgeable union leaders,

Back in the concession rounds, each union had to pony up a bogey number; IAM-F some $60 mil, IAM-M some 80 mil, etc.

It would seem to me when the company attempted to outsource the Airbii, along with violating the scope clause, they were also violating the contract by EXCEEDING the bogey number they had agreed to with IAM-M. Did the IAM lawyers buttress their case with this point? Is anyone, at any union, monitering this matter, or is it moot?

I have made inquiries at IAM-F, and the unofficial word is the company will blow right thru the IAM-F's and CWA's contractually agreed to bogey numbers like damp toilet paper, via station expression.

 

[Mike W]

Diogenes,
I can't speak for those who were involved in the "negotiations" of the concession packages,but from what I can remeber, certain concessions had monetary value assigned to them. I used to have those numbers but they're with my stuff at home in Ohio. Not every concessionary clause had a value assigned to it. If there are any Fleet Service reps who have that info available let us know. I don't believe that the creation of the Mainline Express classification was given a value. That was more or less a bone that was thrown to us by the company.The same applies to the Mid-Atlantic classification. At the time the concession package was put together I doubt that the company had a firm grip on how many stations would be Expressed. As I said,if anyone has those numbers or can correct what I posted,please do so. BTW, I use the word negotiate very loosely.

 

[PITbull]

DIO,

In the winter concessions for AFA, we were assigned a Bogie Number of $26 Million, initially. For our group, the first winter proposal from the company with that bogie number was WITHOUT MEDICAL/DENTAL increases. Then, the next hing you know the medical increases showed up as well. I guess the pilots had agreed to incerase their medical, as part of their numbers, so management pushed this on the rest of us. So, you can deduce that the Bogie number increased as well, but mangement didn't cost it out. They said they would, but they never did.

Then, there was the "sick pay penalties' the savings the co. took in addion is HUGE, and beyond what anyone can count. AFA asked management in a formal letter just this past November TO COST OUR SAVINGS OUT.... SO FAR, WE HAVE BEEN IGORED. In addition, the "Time balance" reserve system just cost us 200 jobs, and $35,000 per year that is an ADDITIONAL $7 Million dollar saving to the company starting in Jan. Will AFA get cost credit...NO. But, they will insist its not a further reduction.

So, AFA plans on ignoring them when they decide to come to us for work rule changes!!!

 

[usfliboi]

Ms PITBULL Im wrong as far as the union is concerned YOUR correct..... Your so negative Name one thing ONE THING that this union has done to protect your job and contribute to this companys survival?They are protecting themselves PERIOD! CYA Ill bet youa ton a money this union will fold again. What will this union be my friend if this company goes under huh/? Where will the dues come from ?? My friend the union will not allow this company to fold no matter how much they get your blood pressure up. They are out for them selves plain simple. Why isnt the afa OUTRAGED PUBLICLY about the furloughs Ms BULL? Ive read the release as well as the e line. WHERES THE Outrage if this was such a shock? PROVE IT SHOW ME IN black and white where a afa national rep has shown shock and dismay ? THEY knew this was coming . You act as if they were taken off guard.

 

[PITbull]

Ms PITBULL Im wrong as far as the union is concerned YOUR correct..... Your so negative Name one thing ONE THING that this union has done to protect your job and contribute to this companys survival?They are protecting themselves PERIOD! CYA Ill bet youa ton a money this union will fold again. What will this union be my friend if this company goes under huh/? Where will the dues come from ?? My friend the union will not allow this company to fold no matter how much they get your blood pressure up. They are out for them selves plain simple. Why isnt the afa OUTRAGED PUBLICLY about the furloughs Ms BULL? Ive read the release as well as the e line. WHERES THE Outrage if this was such a shock? PROVE IT SHOW ME IN black and white where a afa national rep has shown shock and dismay ? THEY knew this was coming . You act as if they were taken off guard.

USflyboi in CCY, AKA Dave-special -koolaide- maker,

This union has saved my job because seniority "rules the day". If you are a f/a, than obviously IT SAVED YOUR BUTT AS WELL. So, that leaves the junior furloughees THAT YOU AND I ARE INDEBTED TO. Why? Cause without a Contract YOU would be gone, looking from the outside, in. In addition, the employees of our group gave $116 million per year in cost savings and still counting along with 5,500 jobs TO SAVE THIS DAMN AIRLINE AND MAKE MULTI MILLIONAIRES OUT OF THIS MANAGEMENT BY PRESERVING SHAREHOLDER VALUE!!!!!

Is the International outraged???? You bet. They are looking into Legal to see if this is a MAJOR dispute that violates TWO sections of our Contract, that would lead to file an INJUNCTION, my friend. And when I am permitted to publisize the letter YOU WILL SEE IT FIRST ON HERE IN BLACK AND WHITE!
Don't you get tired all day long signaling to everyone...."oh, save me, save me", give, give, and save me save me".........

You need to join the "Chipster Club".

PS: AFA has plenty of cash now....we merged with CWA, 700,000 members strong.

.....can't touch this!

 

[AOG-N-IT]

Ms PITBULL Im wrong as far as the union is concerned YOUR correct..... Your so negative Name one thing ONE THING that this union has done to protect your job and contribute to this companys survival?They are protecting themselves PERIOD! CYA Ill bet youa ton a money this union will fold again. What will this union be my friend if this company goes under huh/? Where will the dues come from ?? My friend the union will not allow this company to fold no matter how much they get your blood pressure up. They are out for them selves plain simple. Why isnt the afa OUTRAGED PUBLICLY about the furloughs Ms BULL? Ive read the release as well as the e line. WHERES THE Outrage if this was such a shock? PROVE IT SHOW ME IN black and white where a afa national rep has shown shock and dismay ? THEY knew this was coming . You act as if they were taken off guard.

With all due respect to the F/A's present situation....and for what's pending for the rest of us , I do believe "PITbull" as been sending out warnings of pending doom for awhile...I will equally bet our esteemed PIT- Bovine was not in the least bit shocked over the companies actions either. The timing was probably the only surprise?...and that was to make a profound impact on those whom remain.

The F/A's have in all probability angered management over the high sick call rate during the month of December...and I see this early and angerly timed response by them as just that "Angered"

The judge ruling against U on the pilot penson will likely net another negative response soon.

Then the IAM is going to get their/my shot after U gets its butt blisterd in court on January 13th.

This is old school stuff Action nets Reaction !! Don't expect any of this to settle down anytime soon.....more smoke fire and distruction is coming our way. My guess is the next bombs to be dropped will come in unison with the companies release of the latest plan. 🙄

I for one will try to be open minded until I see what " The Plan" shakes out to be?...but I'm not going to think for a moment that whatever it is? will be excluding even more and more of us (Myself Included in that).

 

[PITbull]

Hey AOG,

Did you just call me a cow? Take that back! Or, did you forget to add some letters? I only weight 122, for real.

 

[Light Years]

usfliboi-

AFA membership dues have already dwindled down to the 5000 actives- thats a drop in the bucket as compared to larger AFA airlines like United. Our membership isnt very big in the grand scheme of things and I'm sure AFA could make it without US Airways.

Like anything the union is a business but I dont think they are willing to support weakening of the flight attendant profession and lowering the bar for the rest of the industry for the sake of this terrible mgmt team. Been there, done that.

 

[AOG-N-IT]

Hey AOG,

Did you just call me a cow? Take that back! Or, did you forget to add some letters? I only weight 122, for real.

Sorry PITbull....I did not intend to call you a "Cow"...so please don't get your delicates in a bunch (LOL) 😀

BTW...thanks for the clarification on your wieght....you can send the rest of the vital statistics via PM , if you are so inclined? (J/K) 😉


But the fact remains....I'm betting you were not in the least bit surprised over the furlough notices...but I think the notifications timing did level a bunch of people in the AFA Union leadership ranks.....not to mention what it has done to further the rift between labor and management.

Nothing says hatred better than ruining peoples holiday season...and we have hatred around here to burn !!!

 

[PITbull]

Yes, I knew it was coming, but definitely, not this soon, knowing the morale is so bad with this type of thing looming along with further concessions and a newly implemented reserve system that "sucks".

PS: So, I take it that was an apology? <_<

 

[AOG-N-IT]

Yes, I knew it was coming, but definitely, not this soon, knowing the morale is so bad with this type of thing looming along with further concessions and a newly implemented reserve system that "sucks".

PS: So, I take it that was an apology? <_<

Since when is " Sorry " not indicative of an apology ???

Well..unless it's management saying it ??? :angry:

 

[ClueByFour]

We have asked management to offer Vol Furlough ad nauseum, they say it just too much administrative work and difficult with training dates for returnees, blah, blah, blah.

This is what I should be seeing on Channel 11 tomorrow.

AFA offers vol furloughs for those who can afford to do so (and, BTW, is in the contract) and CCY tosses folks who need the job off the property, anyway.

Kick 'em where it counts, PB.