Dear PSA Flight Attendants:
After having been in negotiations since May 2009, and in mediation since August 2010, we are disappointed to report to you that the Company has just given us another substandard pay proposal, as well as a very disappointing retirement proposal. Also on the table from them currently is a health insurance proposal that could drastically cut what we have today and also increase the cost of coverage. And in many other sections, we are deadlocked over either their demands for cuts, or our industry standard proposals for improvements.
At this point, we, your leadership, after consultation with AFA International President, Veda Shook, have determined that it is time to take a strike vote. This was a hard decision to make and one that was not taken lightly. We need your support and solidarity as we take this important step. We must send the Company and the National Mediation Board a strong message that the PSA flight attendants will not settle for a substandard wage increase and a severely diminished retirement and health insurance. Let’s show them our unity and our strength.
The ballots will be mailed from AFA to your homes on Monday, August 15, and counted on Wednesday, September 14. Now is the time to be sure we have your correct address so that you can exercise your right to vote. If your address is not correct, please contact an MEC officer as soon as possible so that we can get it updated at the international office before the ballots are mailed. Please remember that this is only a vote to authorize a strike if needed. It does not mean that we are automatically going to strike. In fact, being well-prepared is the best way to avoid a strike.
During the next few days you will be getting more information via eline and v-files. We know that you have a lot of questions and we are prepared to answer them all. You will receive a comprehensive question and answer sheet regarding a possible strike, and much more information as it becomes available. Also, this afternoon we will be releasing another press release to be published in select cities over the course of the next week. This will include our announcement of our strike vote. We anticipate getting coverage from this announcement. Please remember to not speak to any members of the press if approached. Please have them contact an MEC officer.
Your support is needed now more than ever. It is time to send our loudest message of all to PSA management. There is only PSA to blame for making this step a necessary reality. AFA has been dedicated from the start of this process to negotiating in good faith. We have accomplished this, but sadly the other side has not and they still continue to stall and present regressive proposals. We are deadlocked in many sections and action must be taken now.
In closing, we want to thank you all for your continued support of not only AFA, but for standing together in solidarity and letting your voices be heard. It’s now up to you, the flight attendants of PSA, to decide if we continue the fight and win and get the agreement that we deserve, that represents our hard work and loyalty to this company, or do we settle for less. We now ask all of you this question..........do you have the guts?
VOTE YES. Our future is at stake.
In Solidarity,
The Master Executive Council at PSA