February 2, 2012
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What are my rights and responsibilities for UNA call off's?

UNA call off's, also known as 'Unavailable', are a highly controversial subject between Management and the Union. We have been in dispute for years over the Flight Attendant's rights and responsibilities when calling off for reasons other than being ill or injured.

While sick calls are specifically referenced in the contract as absences that may require medical documentation, it does not speak of situations such as car trouble, a sick pet, or any number of other reasons that could cause a Flight Attendant to call off schedule.  The reason it doesn't speak of these situations is because Management never proposed it during negotiations, and the Union wouldn't propose it because we aren't in the business of creating restrictions for Flight Attendants.

During the life of this contract, Management has inconsistently required documentation for UNA call offs, and have even gone so far as to contact the FA who has called off UNA and instructed them to report for work or be considered insubordinate.

We had a case with similar circumstances that went before an Arbitrator for a ruling and we just received his decision. While he did not rule on UNA call off's specifically, he did rule against the Flight Attendant who was considered insubordinate for calling off UNA.

For this reason, I have asked our legal counsel for advice for moving forward on this issue. He stated that while we will continue to file grievances on individual discipline received as a result of UNA call off's, to protect our Flight Attendants we recommend the following:

**Flight Attendants should not assume that a UNA call off will only result in the assessment of attendance points.   

 

**Flight Attendants should remember that all conversations with the Company regarding

 scheduling issues are recorded.   

 

**Flight Attendants should present a verifiable reason for why they are unavailable on the relevant days of the trip.   

 

**Flight Attendants should accept the Company's offer to adjust their trip length provided that it allows them to meet their obligations on the relevant day or days.   

 

**Flight Attendants should realize that disciplinary action will likely result if they ask to cancel a trip, the Company denies this request, and the Flight Attendant still calls off as unavailable.   

  

Please understand what while the Union believes the Attendance Policy to be a no-fault policy, and even the Company accepts this interpretation, we must work within not only the confines of the contract, but Arbitrator rulings as well. We believe this recent ruling is an advance warning from an Arbitrator that calling off for no reason or a reason that Management doesn't deem as appropriate, will most likely have negative consequences. If you are planning to call of UNA and your reasons are questionable, we recommend that you seek the advice of an experienced Union Rep before doing so. 

 

Next update: If scheduling takes a trip from me and it goes out with another crew, am I pay protected? 


IBT & AFA apply for Mediation in Midwest Seniority Dispute 
 
The IBT and AFA had until January 31, 2012 to propose a solution to the NMB regarding the representation issue that came about as a result of a recent NMB ruling which stated that Chautauqua Airlines, Shuttle America, Republic Airlines, Lynx Aviation and Frontier Airlines were all a single carrier under the air transportation system.

However while the parties were in talks, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an earlier ruling on the Midwest Flight Attendants, bringing them back into the equation for consideration as well. As a result, both parties have asked for an extension in order to continue talks, and have applied for mediation in order to resolve the seniority dispute with the Midwest Flight Attendants.

In a recent letter to the NMB, both the IBT and AFA stated
"the parties agree that the seniority issue needs to be resolved before a joint representation agreement can be finalized."   The letter further stated, "Despite our best efforts to resolve the seniority issue, the parties have agreed that assistance from an outside mediator is necessary to move this process forward. Accordingly, AFA and Teamsters have retained the services of Ira Jaffe, a well-known and respected mediator/arbitrator, to help the parties reach an amicable settlement of this issue. The parties are scheduled to meet with Mr. Jaffe in mediation from March 5-7 in Washington, D.C. The parties respectfully request an extension of time until March 16, 2012, to allow us the opportunity to resolve the seniority issue and finalize a joint representation agreement for the Republic and Frontier Flight Attendants."

What does this mean for us? For starters, our seniority is at stake, as well as who represents us in the future. We posted a survey on the website asking Flight Attendants for their input on this issue, and only 45 Flight Attendants out of over 1900 have responded so far. This kind of participation is very troublesome and will likely determine what happens to us moving forward. We need to start participating in our future. It simply isn't enough to just come to work, do our job and go home.

Since we have a new deadline to work with, I am going to revamp the survey and send it out as a mass update. Please take the time to participate in the survey, and encourage others to do the same. If you want a voice in your future, you have to speak up! Our Union is what we all make of it. This isn't your grandfather's Union anymore. As Republic Airways Flight Attendants, we can define what it means to be a Teamster in the 21st century. Help us do that by participating in every thing that you can. Give your Union a chance to become everything you want it to be. The next several months will really determine what happens to us going forward. If we actively participate, we give our Union Leaders the answers they need as they continue negotiations on these very important and highly controversial issues.

That's all I have for you this week. Watch the website for information regarding the survey and the new E-Learn System. Visit
Dan Stone's SCHEDULING BLOG for tips and information about bidding/scheduling issues. Remember if you need anything, call us on the Helpline or drop us an email.


At your service,

Nicole Zimmer - Chief Steward
and all the Stewards and Volunteers of
IBT Local Union 135AIRLINE LOGO

FA HELPLINE: 317-758-7538
website: IBT4RJET.ORG





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As Mentors, we are committed to a common purpose:

 
"To serve our Flight Attendants as selfless caregivers, lending support when needed, and creating a work environment that is both friendly and encouraging. We will maintain a positive attitude at all times, and become leaders to our group, as the most professional and courteous Flight Attendants in the industry. We will maintain the highest of standards, adhere to all Company policies, and strive to be positive influences on those entrusted to our care. We will proudly represent IBT Local 135 and our Flight Attendant Union."


If you would like to join the ranks of this great new sisterhood/brotherhood of Flight Attendants, please visit our website at IBT4RJET.ORG and sign up!  
 
 


If you need a mentor, there are plenty of friendly, enthusiastic Flight Attendants ready to lend their support. Visit our website at IBT4RJET.ORG to request one today!


CHQ 2012 Graduates
Chautauqua Airlines Graduating class of January 2012


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