Date: December 3, 2008

We all recently learned via the October 31, 2008 edition of Onboard Updates and from "Onboard Communication" via an e-note, about a change of layover facilities in Chicago, from the downtown Palmer House Hilton to the suburban Westin Lombard Hotel.

The Westin Lombard Hotel is not an approved AFA property because it does not meet the downtown or downtown-like requirements of Section 6.B.5. of our Contract.  There can be no confusion on the company's part as to AFA's view of the property as we have objected to the company's suggestion of moving to a suburban location from the outset.  Before the company decided on this action, joint inspections in downtown Chicago were conducted by the company and AFA. The Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wacker Drive – a hotel previously used as our downtown layover hotel- was approved for Flight Attendant layovers.

Any speculation or suggestion that AFA was a permissive partner in the approval of the Westin Lombard in Oak Brook is not only inaccurate, but completely false.

The company has made it clear in their publications that all Chicago layovers of twenty (20) hours or more will be moved from downtown Chicago to this location. This hotel change has been unilaterally imposed on Flight Attendants in violation of the Contract.

An MEC Grievance as been filed on this action by the company.  This grievance includes other hotels where the company has failed to meet the Contractual requirements – for example, in Zurich.

Until the issue is resolved, we encourage you to use the TVLLOG system to express any concerns, difficulties or frustrations you may experience as a result of this unexpected, unilateral move to a disapproved hotel in the Chicago suburbs.

November MEC Hotel and Transportation Committee Report >