TheNewLowFare
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Uniform Committee Update
MEC Uniform Committee Chairs
Bob Spinner C6234
Robyn Walters C7222
Feedback/Questions to your Uniform Committee? E-mail Robyn and Bob at: Uniforms66@cox.net
“Freshâ€, “Competentâ€, “Simple†and “Friendly and Comfortable†were some of the terms that the US Airways Uniform Steering Committee gave to uniform companies to help them in creating our new uniform.
While still in the design and research stage, much of the design concepts on our new uniform are tied to the company’s “branding†campaign, meaning that the company wants our uniforms to compliment colors and styles used on everything from the new aircraft livery design to the colors used on our safety information cards and designs and colors used in US Airways advertisements.
AFA Uniform Committee Chairs from America West and US Airways are part of the US Airways Uniform Steering Committee. The committee has members from other work groups along with management from marketing and Inflight Services.
AFA US Airways Uniform Steering Committee Members are:
US Airways West (America West)
Bob Spinner C6234
Robyn Walters C7222
US Airways East
Brian Morgan – PHL-based
Candi Covelli – PIT-based
Bob and Robyn were working on new uniform options at America West prior to the merger and bring valuable experience into this process.
Rumors and some incomplete information from company publications have caused some concerns. Below is a Q and A on the new uniform process that may dispel some rumors and clarify where we are in this important project.
No final decisions have been made about our Flight Attendant uniforms. Vendors from across the country are being invited to create uniform designs and concepts and present them to the Uniform Steering Committee prior to any final decision.
Q. Grey uniforms?
A. No. That information stems from the wishes of ramp workers and mechanics who want uniforms that distinguish rampers from mechanics. One of those work-groups likes grey, the other work group may prefer blue, but they wanted separate uniform identities. Grey is a color that may be used as an accent color only, but not the core color for our pants, jackets, etc.
Q. What colors are being used to design Flight Attendant uniforms?
A. Navy will probably stay as the core color for our uniforms, with white,red and grey used as accents.
Q. Has a uniform vendor, or company, been selected?
A. Not yet. The steering committee met January 9 and 10 and reviewed samples and concept pieces from two vendors, but no vendor has been awarded the contract to construct and distribute our new uniforms.
Q. What about ties and neck-wear?
A. Last year, Inflight Services at America West granted a tie-optional program for last summer. It was a one-time option and no decision has been made yet for this summer. Discussion among the AFA uniform representatives and Inflight Services for the future, centers on the need for comfortable uniform options for Hawaii and Carribbean service but both parties agree that uniforms for European service should be competitive with uniforms from domestic or international carriers serving European destinations.
"I thought this was a stupid decision. It's okay for women not to wear ties, but the men look like bellhops without the ties. Sorry!"
AFA uniform representatives understand that PHX/LAS base flight attendants may want a tie-optional uniform policy during summer months.
Q. Are we radically changing our uniforms over current styles?
A. Our skirts, dresses, pants and jackets will most likely remain navy and in styles that reflect the diversity of our work force. Ties, shirts, blouses, sweaters and other elements of the uniform may contain more color over current styles (at both airlines) and contain accent strips or piping with different colors. Core principles will guide the design and selection process, such as ease of use in a restricted cabin, how the fabric and design wear and how they wear in various temperature conditions. Your AFA representatives understand that we are a diverse group of ages, body types and heights and will have this in mind as we move through the process.
Before we agree on a final uniform, the pieces will be wear tested throughout the US Airways network and in a variety of environmental conditions and on different aircraft.
Q. How much say do AFA Uniform Committee members have in the design of our new uniform. Can’t the company just impose a new uniform on us?
A. The Transition Agreement mandates that management must confer with the AFA Uniform Committee prior to making any changes to our existing uniforms and that management must consider the committee’s recommendations. This puts it in writing that we will have a say in the process.
Q. Starting March 1st, we can jumpseat on US Airways east flights. Do we have to wear our uniform on their jumpseat? If not, what kind of dress code is required?
A. Our AWA contract does not require us to wear our uniforms when jumpseating and it’s generally understood that we have to wear nice slacks, shoes, shirts/blouses, etc.-a business casual style. The US Airways contract provides the same no-uniform option and their contract specifies that you have to be in First/Business Class non-rev attire. This means business casual as well and jackets/ties are not required.
Q. Does our uniform allotment in our contract expire? Do we continue using it with M&H or should we save it for the new uniform?
A. It will take many months – if not well into 2007 – for the introduction of the new uniform. Use your 2005 uniform allotment – which expires in April, 2006 as usual. Our uniform allotment in Section 25 of our AWA contract continues until we vote on a new single contract, so it’s likely that we will have another $150.00 allotment from May 2006 through April 2007. We suggest you use your 2005 and 2006 allotment to purchase needed replacement items. Navy slacks/pants will most likely remain as a basic piece in the new uniform compliment.
If there is a change in vendor for 2006, the allotment would apply to that new vendor. No plans are in the immediate works to change from M&H prior to the new uniform.
MEC Uniform Committee Chairs
Bob Spinner C6234
Robyn Walters C7222
Feedback/Questions to your Uniform Committee? E-mail Robyn and Bob at: Uniforms66@cox.net
“Freshâ€, “Competentâ€, “Simple†and “Friendly and Comfortable†were some of the terms that the US Airways Uniform Steering Committee gave to uniform companies to help them in creating our new uniform.
While still in the design and research stage, much of the design concepts on our new uniform are tied to the company’s “branding†campaign, meaning that the company wants our uniforms to compliment colors and styles used on everything from the new aircraft livery design to the colors used on our safety information cards and designs and colors used in US Airways advertisements.
AFA Uniform Committee Chairs from America West and US Airways are part of the US Airways Uniform Steering Committee. The committee has members from other work groups along with management from marketing and Inflight Services.
AFA US Airways Uniform Steering Committee Members are:
US Airways West (America West)
Bob Spinner C6234
Robyn Walters C7222
US Airways East
Brian Morgan – PHL-based
Candi Covelli – PIT-based
Bob and Robyn were working on new uniform options at America West prior to the merger and bring valuable experience into this process.
Rumors and some incomplete information from company publications have caused some concerns. Below is a Q and A on the new uniform process that may dispel some rumors and clarify where we are in this important project.
No final decisions have been made about our Flight Attendant uniforms. Vendors from across the country are being invited to create uniform designs and concepts and present them to the Uniform Steering Committee prior to any final decision.
Q. Grey uniforms?
A. No. That information stems from the wishes of ramp workers and mechanics who want uniforms that distinguish rampers from mechanics. One of those work-groups likes grey, the other work group may prefer blue, but they wanted separate uniform identities. Grey is a color that may be used as an accent color only, but not the core color for our pants, jackets, etc.
Q. What colors are being used to design Flight Attendant uniforms?
A. Navy will probably stay as the core color for our uniforms, with white,red and grey used as accents.
Q. Has a uniform vendor, or company, been selected?
A. Not yet. The steering committee met January 9 and 10 and reviewed samples and concept pieces from two vendors, but no vendor has been awarded the contract to construct and distribute our new uniforms.
Q. What about ties and neck-wear?
A. Last year, Inflight Services at America West granted a tie-optional program for last summer. It was a one-time option and no decision has been made yet for this summer. Discussion among the AFA uniform representatives and Inflight Services for the future, centers on the need for comfortable uniform options for Hawaii and Carribbean service but both parties agree that uniforms for European service should be competitive with uniforms from domestic or international carriers serving European destinations.
"I thought this was a stupid decision. It's okay for women not to wear ties, but the men look like bellhops without the ties. Sorry!"
AFA uniform representatives understand that PHX/LAS base flight attendants may want a tie-optional uniform policy during summer months.
Q. Are we radically changing our uniforms over current styles?
A. Our skirts, dresses, pants and jackets will most likely remain navy and in styles that reflect the diversity of our work force. Ties, shirts, blouses, sweaters and other elements of the uniform may contain more color over current styles (at both airlines) and contain accent strips or piping with different colors. Core principles will guide the design and selection process, such as ease of use in a restricted cabin, how the fabric and design wear and how they wear in various temperature conditions. Your AFA representatives understand that we are a diverse group of ages, body types and heights and will have this in mind as we move through the process.
Before we agree on a final uniform, the pieces will be wear tested throughout the US Airways network and in a variety of environmental conditions and on different aircraft.
Q. How much say do AFA Uniform Committee members have in the design of our new uniform. Can’t the company just impose a new uniform on us?
A. The Transition Agreement mandates that management must confer with the AFA Uniform Committee prior to making any changes to our existing uniforms and that management must consider the committee’s recommendations. This puts it in writing that we will have a say in the process.
Q. Starting March 1st, we can jumpseat on US Airways east flights. Do we have to wear our uniform on their jumpseat? If not, what kind of dress code is required?
A. Our AWA contract does not require us to wear our uniforms when jumpseating and it’s generally understood that we have to wear nice slacks, shoes, shirts/blouses, etc.-a business casual style. The US Airways contract provides the same no-uniform option and their contract specifies that you have to be in First/Business Class non-rev attire. This means business casual as well and jackets/ties are not required.
Q. Does our uniform allotment in our contract expire? Do we continue using it with M&H or should we save it for the new uniform?
A. It will take many months – if not well into 2007 – for the introduction of the new uniform. Use your 2005 uniform allotment – which expires in April, 2006 as usual. Our uniform allotment in Section 25 of our AWA contract continues until we vote on a new single contract, so it’s likely that we will have another $150.00 allotment from May 2006 through April 2007. We suggest you use your 2005 and 2006 allotment to purchase needed replacement items. Navy slacks/pants will most likely remain as a basic piece in the new uniform compliment.
If there is a change in vendor for 2006, the allotment would apply to that new vendor. No plans are in the immediate works to change from M&H prior to the new uniform.
