From: www.unitedafa.org

Last week we reported on a number of disagreements with United regarding the implementation of certain provisions of our new Contract.

We have been direct and transparent throughout our negotiations process, both with you and with management. At the end of our Expedited Negotiations, both AFA and management walked away with a full understanding of the intent of all language we had just negotiated.

At the conclusion of negotiations both parties understood Reserves would be paid at least 78 hours, including during vacation months. Additionally, there were no questions about the application of Legal Rest as it is applied both for 8:30 in 24 and Domestic Duty Periods over 10:30 hours.

United’s failure to properly implement the provisions of our new Agreement is just the latest in a string of management failures. Since last September, United has not been able to implement a payroll system that works. Even more recently, United’s PSS transition has left employees confused, frustrated and stranded – resulting in a hardship for many who rely on commuting to get to work each day.

We have attempted to resolve these issues through discussion with United management and have not achieved an outcome that reflects what was negotiated. In light of this, we have filed three MEC grievances. MEC 5-12, MEC 6-12 and MEC 7-12 will ultimately be decided by the System Board of Adjustment in a manner consistent with the negotiated provisions:

MEC 5-12: During negotiations the parties agreed that Reserves are now guaranteed 78 hours pay and credit per month. View MEC 5-12 Grievance >

The company is reducing a Reserve Flight Attendant’s Minimum Guarantee of 78 hours if the value of the Vacation Pay is less than the value of the Reserve availability days encompassed by the vacation period. (Section 5.D., 18.K.)

MEC 6-12: Legal Rest in the Domestic operation is free from duty. Section 2.T. of the Agreement states: “Legal Rest” means that amount of time necessary before a Flight Attendant is eligible to begin another Duty Period.” This new provision is applicable to the construction of IDs as well as in the operation (scheduled and actual).
View MEC 6-12 Grievance >

The company is not providing Flight Attendants a Legal Rest equal to, or greater than, for Domestic Duty Periods which exceed ten hours and thirty minutes (10:30) (Sections 2.T., 7.J.1.e., 7.K.)

MEC 7-12: Language in Section 7.D. was changed in our new Agreement. The final Agreement changed 8 in 24 throughout 7.D., eliminated the two-for-one interim rest and added a new requirement for at least 16 hours Legal Rest at the next layover point after exceeding 8:30 in 24 in Section 7.D.1.b. View MEC 7-12 Grievance >

The company is not providing Flight Attendants with the appropriate Legal Rest at their next layover point of at least 16 hours when they exceed 8:30 in a 24 hour period (Section 7.D.1.)

As progress is made on these issues, we will keep you updated.