January News 2023
Negotiations
The next negotiation session will be February 20-22, 2023. Flight Attendants in good membership standing will be able to review and discuss contract changes before any finalization of the new contract. Please remember that all information is confidential and should not be shared with management. All negotiation updates are discussed via zoom at the end of the session wrap up. We will send the February call information soon.
Trish Huber, BWI, has joined the Negotiation Committee. Trish brings a good perspective of the BWI and IAD bases. Her first session started in December.
Official Union Page
The official AFA Omni Union page for Council 72 is https://afaomni.org/ Our website gives all the information for committees and volunteers, hearing information, and more. Users can also log in for access to our forum. The forum lets users learn about and/or add tips, tricks, suggestions, etc...
What is the Facebook page "OAI Flight Attendants/AFA" for? This page is for quick contract questions in a hurry. You can also look up the CBA on your Ipad. Please let us know if you are leaving Omni or know of others who have left, so we can remove you/them from the AFA group page.
Exciting Volunteer Opportunities For You!
Get involved, help make changes! When we come together, we can accomplish so much. Our Union committee volunteers play an integral part in promoting our career as aviation’s first responders.
*Volunteers should be off probation and in good standing.
EAP: The EAP/Professional Standards Committee’s mission is to provide confidential resources to AFA union members and their families/partners to assist with personal and work-related concerns. We are looking for at least one volunteer at each base. Please reach out to Thea Kelm, EAP Chairperson, for more information: eap@afaomni.org
Grievance Committee: The Grievance Committee’s primary responsibility is the protection of all Flight Attendants against arbitrary and unjust disciplinary action and to uphold the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Help our Flight Attendants with representation in hearings. Enforce and uphold the contract. Contact James Kaipo Passos, Grievance Chairperson, for information: grievance@afaomni.org.
To view all our Committees, go to: https://afaomni.org/committee/ Look at the Drop Down menu for a list of Committees and their functions. We can certainly use your help!
Volunteer List - If Your Name Is Missing or You Have Left A Committee, Let Us know:
Benefits: Karen Sloan, Naitro Taylor
EAP: Thea Kelm, Naitro Taylor
Grievance: James Passos, Yvonne Howard, Karen Sloan, Lindsay Thomas, Carmelo Pascal
Hotel: James Passos, Mendy Cleveland, Matt Meyer, Carolyn Kind
Jumpseat: Christian Norris
Safety: Brian Mortenson, Pam Garza, Sarah Rettig, Nicole Kirk, Michelle Robbins
Scheduling: Erin Woolford, Tricia Huber, Rob Zuchel, Renz Sarmiento, Cassie Joseph
Uniform: James Passos, Mendy Cleveland, Christian Norris, Amy Smith, Naitro Taylor
Human Rights: Wanda Bazart, Sarah Rettig, Jensine DeHitta, Lindsay Thomas
Membership: Vacant
Newsletter/Social Media/Website: New Committee
To update the listing, email secretary@afaomni.org
*each committee has an officer advisor
Base Representatives
We need Base Representatives in IAD, MCO, SEA and OKO. Basic duties would be to help get union information out, distribute pins and other swag. Be the Union point of contact for Flight Attendants at their base.
If you are interested in becoming a Base Representative, email secretary@afaomni.org now. Must be in good standing and past probation period.
Keeping Your Information On File - WHY?
Per the Bylaws, Article I.M.2. It is a member's obligation to maintain a current mailing address, name and status change information with the International Office Membership Department and with the member's Local Council President. Failure to do so relieves the Union of any responsibility concerning its inability to establish due notice in any case, and the dispatch of mail to a member's last known address will constitute adequate service.
If your current email or mailing address is not on file, you may be missing out on important information. Be sure to always update your contact information with the Membership Department: https://www.afacwa.org/change_of_address and CC the information to your local Membership Committee: membership@afaomni.org
I have a Hearing - What Do I DO?
Here is what happens and what to do:
- Company sends notice of hearing to Flight Attendant (FA)
- Grievance Committee will reach out via personal email to ask if FA wants representation.
- You are entitled and encouraged to have a Union Representative. Please respond to the Grievance Committee. They need to know you have received their email and if you want representation.
- Grievance Committee will help you and ensure fair treatment.
For more detailed information, visit: https://afaomni.org/grievance/
The most common issues we see are: Unable to Contact (UTC), Failed Trip (FT), Late. Stay vigilant, avoid an unnecessary hearing. It's hard on you and it's hard on the Committee Volunteers. Keep your phone on and loud, be early for your showtime until you get the rhythm of the job and timing. Use a co-worker as a back up alarm. Do what you have to do to succeed and avoid a hearing!
Hotel Room Check In - Check Out
Remember, check-in is by seniority order. The Purser should get every crew members room number. If a crew member chooses to not stay at the hotel, please leave a contact number with the Purser. FAM 3.29
Anytime a Flight Attendant leaves for a flight, they must pack up all belongings, remove the Do Not Disturb sign, pay all incidentals and check out of the hotel. Due to our ever changing schedules, we may not come back to a hotel we are originally scheduled to. Always keep your belongings with you. FAPPH 6.7
Know Your Contract!
Q. The FAPPH and company tell me one thing, the contract tells me another. Help!
A. CBA Section 23.I: "In the event that any provision of this Agreement conflicts with any Company policy the former shall take precedence." When in doubt, follow the contract. If you get a direct command that may go against the CBA, go ahead and do it, grieve after.
Q. Is Duty During Delay/En Route Stops/Post Arrival part of my minimum guarantee?
A. No, no, NO! CBA Section 3.E.7 states: "When passengers remain onboard the aircraft and are unable to deplane for more than one hour (01:00), Flight Attendants will receive pay at the applicable rate for the period of time spent on board with passengers."
*the above duty is IN ADDITION to Base Pay.
Q. What does aircraft cleaning consist of? It's not very specific what I have to do.
A. Yes, it is specific. CBA Section 23.B: "As a normal function of their duties, Flight Attendants will be required to collect refuse and otherwise tidy the aircraft. On occasion the Company may require the Flight Attendants to conduct cleaning of the type normally performed by ground cleaning personnel (e.g. removing trash, tidying up the cabin and seatback pockets, folding blankets, changing pillowcases, removing lavatory trash, replenishing lavatory supplies) in which case they will be paid for performing this added function pursuant to subsection E.2. of Section 3 (Compensation).
*the above duty is IN ADDITION to Base Pay.
Q. I had to clean the plane with my bare hands because we ran out of gloves!
A. Per Section 4.D.4, "For use onboard, a Flight Attendant will be provisioned with latex-free gloves at Company designated ground operations provisioning locations." It is your right to have gloves on board. Make sure you have a supply.
Blue Cross Blue Shield - an Alternative to Medlink
Our insurance offers coverage when we are traveling overseas. View our past newsletters for more information: https://afanewsletters.org/view/?id=31197
The EAP and You
If there is something confidential you need to discuss, contact eap@afaomni.org. The EAP is bound by the same confidentiality laws as medical professionals, so rest assured your concerns will be safely guarded. We are here to support and fight for every Flight Attendant.
EAP Reps: Thea Kelm (IAD) and Naitro Taylor (IAD).
Master Executive Council / Local Executive Council Nominations This Year
The MEC/LEC three year term comes to an end on June 30, 2023. It's time to consider if you want to run for President, Vice President, and/or Secretary-Treasurer. This is a three year commitment. You can read the bylaws to learn the duties and responsibilities: https://www.afacwa.org/constitution_bylaws More information on nominations and voting will be sent closer to date.
In Solidarity,
John Reise, MEC/LEC President president@afaomni.org
Debbie Parker, MEC/LEC Secretary-Treasurer secretary@afaomni.org