AFA Council 66 eCommunication - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

AFA International Officer PHX Member Forum
Flight Attendant System-Wide Day of Action
Council 66 Officer Nomination Process Begins
AFA Files for United Single Transportation System/Representational Vote
___________________________________________________________________

Meet the AFA International Officers: PHX Member Forum  - February 3, 2011

AFA International Officers President Veda Shook, Vice-President Sara Nelson and Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Creighan are dedicating time in the first few months of office to speak directly with AFA members and leadership. They have scheduled a series of Member Forums across the country in areas of multi-airline councils.  In addition to AMW Council 66, Phoenix is home to Mesa Airlines Council 56.

Every AFA member plays an important part in shaping our union’s priorities and executing on our collective goals. Take part in a discussion about our union and our future. Ask the important questions of your AFA International Officers. The Regional Member Forum schedule follows.  Please make plans to join your AFA local and International leadership at:

Phoenix Member Forum
February 3rd, 1pm – 3pm
Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel Tempe
1600 S. 52nd Street, Tempe, AZ 85281
The Arizona Room

Mark the Date for System-Wide Day of Action

The Joint Negotiations Committee is focused on reaching a merged agreement to benefit all flight attendants.  To that end the JNC is calling for simultaneous protests at all domiciles to show management US Airways Flight Attendants are united in seeking a fair contract.  All US Airways Flight Attendants must join the flight for a fair contract.  Join your flying partners across the system for a:

 Flight Attendant System-Wide Day of Action
Thursday, February 17, 2011
0900 PHX/1100 EST

Association of Flight Attendant Council 66 Officer Nomination Process Begins

America West - Council 66 – PHX NOMINATION PROCESS:
 
The nomination process has begun for electing Local Executive Council Officers for Council 66 in accordance with ARTICLE VIII of the AFA –CWA Constitution & Bylaws. The term of office begins July 1, 2011 and ends June 30, 2014.
 
The nomination schedule is as follows:

- Ballots for nominating candidates were mailed on January 11, 2011
- Ballots must be postmarked by February 1, 2011
- Ballot count will take place on February 8, 2011
 
Most Council 66 members have already received their nomination ballots in the mail. If you did not receive your nomination ballot please contact the AFA Ballot Helpline at 800-424-2401 EXT 706 (press 1 first) or the AFA Council 66 Local Council Office at 480-966-1231.
 
After February 8, 2011, the names of all candidates who received at least two (2) nominating votes and who have indicated a Commitment to Serve, will be placed on the official Local Council 66 election ballot.

The election timeline is as follows:

- Voting instructions will be mailed on March 8, 2011
- Polls will open on March 8, 2011
- The count will take place on March 29, 2011
 
Current Officers
Term of Office:  July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2011

President:         Lisa LeCarre
Vice President:  Deb Volpe
Secretary:        Scott Barnes
Council Rep:      Leslie Lara & Erin McLoughlin

AFA Files Application To Unify All United Airlines Flight Attendants In One Union
NMB Ruling Would Trigger Union Election for 24,000 United and Continental Flight Attendants
 
Chicago, IL – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) to declare that the United/Continental merger has created a single transportation system, triggering a representation election for the combined Flight Attendant workforce. If the NMB agrees, then a union election would be held to determine the collective bargaining representative. Over 15,000 United Flight Attendants already are represented by AFA.
 
“This merger and the extraordinary financial turnaround underway at United are only possible because Flight Attendants at both airlines have invested hard work and sacrifices over the years,” said Greg Davidowitch, AFA United President. “Management must know that the Flight Attendant workforce is unified, and that we expect the best Flight Attendant contract at the world’s leading airline. Joined together in AFA we can ensure Flight Attendants are full partners in the merger with compensation that reflects our key role in the success of the new United Airlines.”
 
Once the NMB declares that the merged airlines are operating as a single carrier, an election date will be set to determine if AFA will be the Flight Attendants’ exclusive bargaining agent for the combined Flight Attendant workforce. With approximately 24,000 Flight Attendants eligible to vote, the election will be among the largest ever conducted by the NMB, the federal agency charged with overseeing union elections and the collective bargaining process in the airline industry.  The Flight Attendant contracts at United and Continental will remain in place after the vote.  Prior to an operational merger management would be required to negotiate a single Flight Attendant contract that would be ratified by the combined Flight Attendant workforce.
 
“As the world’s largest Flight Attendant union, run by and for Flight Attendants, this is a wonderful opportunity to welcome our flying partners at Continental to AFA,” said Veda Shook, AFA International President. “AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession since a group of United Flight Attendants joined together in 1945 to create our union. Throughout the years, AFA has fought for and won major changes in our industry; we have transformed our profession, raising wages, benefits and working conditions and improving safety and security. In welcoming our Continental colleagues, we will continue to make great strides for Flight Attendants and their families.”
 
Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants, including the 16,000 Flight Attendants at United, join together to form AFA, the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000 member-strong Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.unitedafa.org.

MEC President, Lisa LeCarre afamec66@me.com
MEC Vice President, Deborah Volpe mec66vp@aol.com
MEC Secretary-Treasurer, Scott Barnes afamail@me.com






AFA Council 66 Website www.afa66.org