From Furlough Status To Recall?

[wmjb2002]

With all the latest news on the most recent furlough, what is the status of Mid-Atlantic and recalling flight attendants? I thought the first flight was scheduled for early March? Is that still going to happen? Or are you all laughing? Tomorrow is Jan. 1, I would think someone might know by this point in time.

 

[USAirBoyA330]

In the furlough packages they are sending out is an enclosed RECALL of sorts. Those 200 people will be the first MDA F/A's. PITBull might know the exact dates.

 

[ACrazy8]

I'm confused.

The company will send out furlough packets to all 552 . I would like to know if the packet has a form of some sort, asking those furloughed to respond Yes or No on their intent to accept employment at MMA/MDA. Or if the company is sending out Midatlantic "packets" to all USAirways flight attendants. I will likely have my status changed to INvoluntary in June 2004, when over a 1,000 are due back off of VF(1,2,3,4,5,6, and 7)! When are the training dates for Midatlantic? Lord, this place is a huge mess...... <_<

 

[USAirBoyA330]

Correction.....the 500+ people will be converted to INVOL furlough on 1-15-03. So for those in that 500 on a VF already, you will get an offer as well.

 

[USAirBoyA330]

Attn: US Airways Involuntary Furloughed Flight Attendants

First Round MDA Bid Closes 1/12/04. Bid currently open to those
being furloughed 1/15/04. (As more hiring is scheduled the bid
will open in seniority order to others that are furloughed).
This letter and bid form are being mailed to your home. You will
not lose seniority for bidding purposes if you pass in the first
round.

You should also be aware the Company's position is to offset MDA
wages by your furlough pay. In other words, the Company's
intention is you won't receive both MDA wages and furlough pay.
AFA strongly disagrees with this decision and continues
discussion with the Company. Please keep this in mind when
bidding for the first several classes of MDA. You may very well
want to pass until your furlough pay is paid out.

Please also consider cashing out your mainline vacation. This is
your only opportunity to do so and if you do not return to
mainline you will never receive your vacation pay. The downside
to this would be if you do return to mainline you won't have any
vacation time until you have earned more.

The MidAtlantic Division will soon be hiring in the Pittsburgh,
PA area for Flight Attendants. Because you are being
involuntarily furloughed from US Airways mainline, you have an
opportunity for employment with MidAtlantic.

The first classes at MidAtlantic are scheduled during the week
of February 2, 2004 and will be for 48 new hires. These Flight
Attendants will be used for the certification process (mini
evacs, proving runs, etc.) prior to service flying. Future
classes (dates are not finalized) are planned for 2004 and will
be based on our anticipated aircraft delivery schedule. You have
three choices at this point and depending on whether you can
hold a choice based on your seniority will determine what you
will be awarded:

You may elect to bid for the February 2nd classes or other
potential classes in March through May (Round 1);

You may elect to be passed in Round 1 for a potential
opportunity in Round 2 (June-August time period) [Note: If you
pass Round 1 and Round 2, you will not be considered for any
additional MidAtlantic training classes. Furthermore, failure to
bid in Round 1 will result in your first pass.]

You may elect to be permanently passed for potential
opportunities at MidAtlantic and remain involuntarily furloughed
and available for recall to mainline only.

A bid form is being mailed for your use to indicate your intent.
Positions will be offered in seniority order. Failure to bid by
the deadline of NOON EST on January 12, 2004 will indicate your
intent to pass.

Individuals who bid and are awarded MidAtlantic positions will
receive an opportunity to accept a Flight Attendant opening
based on their flight attendant seniority. If however, an
individual passes on a MidAtlantic opportunity, it will not
affect his/her recall rights to mainline. Successful candidates
will be contacted by telephone. If your telephone number or
address information changes from what Inflight Services has
currently, please ensure you update this information
immediately. Successful candidates will also receive a
MidAtlantic new hire packet after notification.

Those accepting employment at MidAtlantic will:

Be held to a 6 month commitment and 4 month freeze at
MidAtlantic.*
(This issue is disputed by AFA and still in discussion).

Be pay-protected if held during the freeze period for
replacement training purposes at MidAtlantic.

Use their current US Airways travel date for travel purposes.

Have their US Airways sick bank frozen for use upon return to
mainline.

Have their US Airways vacation bank frozen, if applicable, for
use upon return to mainline.

Begin to accrue both sick and vacation on the first day of
class. This will be for use while at MidAtlantic and will not be
carried back for use at mainline.

Not be subject to new hire probation at MidAtlantic.

Be entitled to MidAtlantic medical and dental benefits through
the MidAtlantic Company Benefit Plan after completing a waiting
period of the first six months of employment at MidAtlantic. If
an employee has medical and dental benefits available to him/her
as a furloughee either through COBRA or as part of his/her
furlough benefits at mainline, he/she may elect to continue
those benefits for the waiting period. Furthermore, a 100%
buy-up (full cost to employee) for medical and dental benefits
will be available during the waiting period and US Airways will
notify employees of the availability date for the buy-up within
four weeks.*
(This issue is disputed by AFA and still in discussion).

Bring to MidAtlantic his/her mainline competitive bidding
seniority. This seniority relative to other US Airways flight
attendants will not be affected.

Receive longevity at MidAtlantic for pay purposes only. See 2004
rates below.
Step 2004
1st 6 Months 17.67
2nd 6 Months 17.67
2nd Year 17.67
3 17.67
4 17.67
5 19.12
6 20.40
7 21.28
8 23.03
9 23.90
10 24.76
11 25.63
12 26.49
13 28.23
Be covered under the American Eagle working agreement unless
negotiated differently by the Company and AFA.

*The Company and AFA continue to have discussions on MidAtlantic
issues. Agreements have not yet been reached on the commitment
period, the freeze period or benefits. In the interim, the
Company will implement the commitment, freeze period and benefit
provisions described elsewhere in this document.

We urge you to quickly return the bid form indicating your
MidAtlantic preference(s).

 

[ACrazy8]

Thanks. A330! Most helpful! 😉 Question. Will the new group of INvoluntarys' coming in June "bump" the first group on MDA's property? How does the senority integration system work with new mainline flight attendants coming on the horizon who are senior to those who started up with MDA? Does mainline senority dictate bidding schedules at MDA. For example, Ted goes to MDA in Feb. Then I show up in June. Will Ted be senior to me while we're both at MDA?

 

[USAirBoyA330]

Nope, you will be slotted in WHEN there is an opening but you can't push someone JR too you out on the street. You can insert your seniority at MDA and push them to RESERVE but you can't make them loose their position. At least that's the way I understand it.

 

[ACrazy8]

First let me apologize if I came off the wrong way. There hasn't been a lot of information out there for us...until you just posted it. I'm trying to plan ahead, if that's possible, the best I can. I do not wish to "bump" anyone anywhere. (I'm going to keep it clean)!!! 😉 You know what I mean. Thank you again for responding to my somewhat insensitive questions.

 

[USAirBoyA330]

ACrazy8:

I am right there with you and I am trying to figure out my next step as well. It just boggles the mind at all the variables. Makes it impossible to make a sound decision on whats best. From one crazy 8 too another...good luck.

 

[PITbull]

USboyA330,

Well done!.


The most vulnerable INvols will be the Jan. 15 furloughs. They are entitled to a "severance package". Management is "cherry picking" whcih part of that package they will give you. They are saying if you take this first round of slots on MAA, then you will not get the furlough pay. AFA has taken the position that they are wrong and will grieve this for you folks who accept the first round. If you have been denied furlough pay of the severance package, contact your local ASAP. There will be many of these INVOLs on Jan. 15 that will bypass first round just to have no hassle with the furlough pay that they are entitled to. If you pass, and when your severance runs out, go and apply for unemployment benefits. If management contests, please call PIT local. PIT e-line will come out on Jan. 5 with information for your appeal.

 

[Light Years]

I for one am happy to see those asterisks where AFA is fighting some of this stuff. A six month wait for medical/dental? How come its not that way at the wholly owneds or mainline? These are people who have already given years of service to the company and are committing to its future by accepting this job.

 

[pitguy]

Same crummy work place for less money.

 

[Twicebaked]

I for one am happy to see those asterisks where AFA is fighting some of this stuff. A six month wait for medical/dental? How come its not that way at the wholly owneds or mainline? These are people who have already given years of service to the company and are committing to its future by accepting this job.

Light,

I agree with you 100%!!! If you come off the street, then fine.
It is nice to see that the company will treat their "own" in such a manner.

F.Y.I for all, 500 letters will be sent out tomorrow informing of MAA.
This will be from the first person to be furloughed on Jan. 15th. on down to number 500.

 

[Twicebaked]

Same crummy work place for less money.

It will NOT be the same crummy work place. Crummy pay YES, work place NO.
If you are going to bring that attitude with you STAY HOME.

Let's try and leave the 'mainline" sh** behind us and accept MAA since we don't have a choice. No, we do have a choice...don't go there then.

 

[USAirBoyA330]

Let see how many of those 500 sign up for this gig. Don't expect all of them to show up with a huge GRIN all over thier face. This is a pretty hard thing those people are going through and I would hope the staff at MDA treat them with respect and not like children.