Inside this issue:
- HAPPY FOURTH!!!
- THE WEEK IN DENVER
- OPNTRP 'ETIQUETTE'/COURTESY/ETHICS
- VOLUNTEER THANKS :)
!!!! HAPPY 4th of JULY !!!
If you are at home with family and friends, spending the day alone [or with the animal(s) of your own choosing] ... whether you are on a trip raking in the Holiday Pay, or as far away as you can get from an airplane.....enjoy the day....and consider the many benefits we enjoy as citizens of this 232-year-old nation.
Your Council#09 Officers wish you a happy and safe July 4th!
- Be aware of world issues as they effect our Country...
- Be aware of national issues as they effect our lives and our Company...
- Be aware of Company issues as they effect each and every one of us!
This year especially, plan now to participate in the process that sets our Nation apart from many other forms of government around the world... we urge you to make VOTING a priority.
THE WEEK IN DEN:
THE WEEK PAST -
- Council VP Carl Alessi and Council Secretary Zac Peirce attended the annual CWA Convention, held this year in Las Vegas. Participating for the first time as voting delegates within the CWA political structure, our AFA Representatives took an active role in casting votes on behalf of our membership in electing local CWA District and CWA National Officers. Since AFA finalized our relationship with CWA last fall, we now assume the responsibility of representing our Flight Attendant interests within the whole of the Communication Workers of America organization.
- On June 26 we held a local Council meeting to discuss issues prior to the upcoming AFA Board of Directors meeting. Five members attended and we were able to further address the Early-Out Offer, as well as 'state of the industry' issues. It is the hope of your representatives that, whenever possible, more members attend our Council meetings since the issues facing our Company and the airline industry continue to cause dramatic and drastic challenges.
THE WEEK NEXT -
- Council President Ken Kyle and Council VP Carl Alessi will be attending the AFA/CWA Board of Directors meeting in Milwaukee, WI. The annual week-long BOD meeting is specific to the issues facing AFA (within the overall CWA organization), and is the yearly opportunity to amend our governing document, the AFA/CWA Constitution & Bylaws. Of the many Agenda Items to be presented, several have their origination from DEN Council#09.
- In our absence, the Council office WILL be open and staffed by Council Secretary Zac Peirce (along with any office volunteers who may contact Zac directly in order to schedule a day to help :)
- [Later in the month, we will also be attending the quarterly MEC meeting in Chicago July 29-Aug 2. At this very important meeting, along with other United AFA business, we will be electing a 3-person Contract Negotiating Committee in preparation for our upcoming Section VI contract negotiations. In future newsletters I will be discussing more details of the MEC meeting and all the Committee Elections to be undertaken.]
OPNTRP 'ETIQUETTE'/COURTESY/ETHICS
The Council Office has received an increasing number of phonecalls from Flight Attendants questioning OPNTRP activities being practiced amongst our fellow flying partners. The chief 'complaint' has been regarding the picking up of a 'good trip' by more senior crewmembers who then almost immediately transfer the trip to someone more junior, thus bypassing the appropriate seniority of someone who was seeking and would have held the trip request. While there is nothing 'illegal' about this type of action, it is generally believed that a basic 'fairness' should be applied to the OPNTRP process. While everyone looks for the 'good trips' to appear (and in DEN, let's be honest...there really aren't that many that show up!), we would ask that we treat each other with an 'etiquette' that recognizes one should only pick up a trip if they actually intend to fly it....and not attempt to circumvent seniority. Thank you in advance for extending this basic courtesy to your DEN flying partners.
VOLUNTEER THANKS
Many thanks to DEN F/A Jim Gonzales who volunteered to help us in the office this week. As always, it is truly appreciated when anyone gives up their day off to help us answer phones, take messages, file, etc. in the effort to help us provide you with the Union representation you deserve. Please contact Council Secretary Zac Peirce (
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) to schedule your participation in the "Would You Volunteer ONE DAY per YEAR" to help in the Union office. Thanks again Jim.
REMEMBER:
- If you are faced with a contract issue and your discussion with a crew scheduler is not productive, ask to speak with a 'controller'...they are a little higher up the food chain and have an increased accountability for providing an accurate assessment of the issue at hand. As always, it is advisable to treat all scheduling personnel with respect....and expect the same in return. ALWAYS take note of the names of any company personnel with whom you may be dealing.
- DIS*123 has recently been modified to accept feedback on interactions with the Crew-Scheduler department. Any reports will help United track problem areas and help us promote improvements in those areas. Please remember to ALSO RECOGNIZE any specific schedulers with whom you have a POSITIVE interaction as well. We all like to be complimented when we do a good job....because you KNOW we hear about it when someone thinks we aren't doing a good job. These are difficult and stressful times for ALL United employees, regardless of department.
- As of July 1, onboard alcoholic beverages are now priced at $6.00 on all domestic flights.
- We are experiencing the expected increase in carry-on bags due to passengers attempting to bypass the newly-enacted checked-bag charges. DO NOT TAG LUGGAGE during the boarding process. Not only is this contributing to a violation of F.A.R.s, but such action also violates the SCOPE language of other workgroups. Strictly enforce the carry-on rules. It is our responsibility to make sure there are no F.A.R. infractions...even if it means a delay.
- With the reduced onboard staffing of flights, please remember to WORK SAFE! Do NOT hurry to finish the service if doing so will jeopardize your safety or the safety of your flying partners. It is more important than ever to be vigilant in the cabin, especially during the boarding process in order to address any issues PRIOR to that door to the aircraft being closed. YOUR safety and the safety of your flight are PARAMOUNT and should never be compromised. File OSAP reports whenever necessary, and remember to do so within 24 hours of trip-end.
More news as it happens - thanks, stay informed, and please be safe at home and at work. Respectfully,
LECP-Ken Kyle LECVP-Carl Alessi LECS-Zac Peirce CoRep-Jarrett Beto CoRep-Kaitlin White
***Make the DEN website,http://www.afaden.org/, your web browser HOMEPAGE.
Council 9 AFA/DEN Office phone: 303-342-9005
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