MEC Archives

August 18 – 22.  Click here for schedule and locations.

On August 11, ALPA pilots at both Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines elected to ratify a tentative agreement reached in pre-merger negotiations.  Voting at each airline was conducted separately, with ratification at both chapters needed for final approval.  Union leadership at Northwest and Delta ALPA recommended ratification by the general membership.

The joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA) contains a process for expedited seniority integration arbitration should the parties fail to reach agreement using the normal ALPA merger policy.  That letter of agreement in the JCBA will allow for the resolution of open seniority issues to be arbitrated by a three-member panel, with the award to be determined no later than November 20, 2008.  The JCBA will become effective upon date of corporate closing of a merger, and will become amendable on December 31, 2012.

From the Delta ALPA website: “Out of 6231 eligible Delta pilots, 5120, or 82.17 percent cast their vote. Of those, 3161, or 61.74 percent voted “In Favor” of the agreement. Out of 4371 eligible Northwest pilots, 3535, or 80.87 percent cast their vote. Of those, 3067, or 86.76 percent voted “In Favor” of the agreement.”

For further information, please visit the DAL ALPA or NWA ALPA websites.

The deadline for PBS bidding is 0900 CDT August 13 for the September bid month.
Please remember to enter a valid SLIC bid in addition to your PBS bid.
Also, be sure to click the “Submit Bid” button before logging out of the system.
PBS instructors are available at each base until the bid deadline (check schedules at individual bases); PBS seminars are scheduled throughout the system in August (click here for schedules).

Final awards for 3.5-, 6- and 9-month SLIP leaves have been posted.

This afternoon, Julie Showers issued a memo to all flight attendants detailing preliminary interest in SLIP leaves system-wide.  957 total bids were entered and awards will be posted by 1700 CDT Wednesday, July 16.  According to Ms. Showers, due to the high level of participation, “there will be no furloughs planned for September 1 as a result of the previously announced reduction in flying for the fall.” (Emphasis MEC.)

Click here to read answers to member questions.

Click here for dues obligation while on SLIP leave.

Special Leave Incentive Program Offered
When Special Leave Incentive Program (SLIP) leaves were offered to IAM employees earlier this month, MEC President Kevin Griffin requested a similar program for flight attendants to offset the potential for voluntary or involuntary furloughs.  As a direct result of this communication from our union, the company sent an email to all U.S.-based flight attendants, offering SLIP leaves of 9, 6 and 3.5 month duration beginning August 30, 2008.

The number/duration of available leaves at each base has not yet been set.  When that information is known, we will update you.  Bidding for SLIP leaves closes at 2359 CDT Sunday, July 13.  Awards will be posted by 1700 CDT Wednesday, July 16.  If you have questions about SLIP leaves after reading this document   which lists medical, pass travel and unemployment benefit eligibility   please contact your flight attendant manager.

For information on unemployment insurance benefits by state please visit the “Employment Resources” page under the “Resources” tab above.

20 June 2008

Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,

This week, Doug Steenland and Richard Anderson have been busy working together making unilateral decisions for their employees, just like old times.  Doug has learned a few things from Richard over the years: thanks to this training from Anderson, rather than involve labor groups in any plans that could reduce headcount, (contract Sections 12 through 14) – Steenland has gone the route of deciding what’s best for us and circumventing his obligation to our collective bargaining agreement.

Communication has been the foundation of my short tenure as your MEC President.  It’s something I and other union officers constantly strive to perfect.  Each week we receive emails, letters and telephone calls from our members.  In addition to the daily tasks of fighting to improve our work lives during a concessionary contract, we try to answer all of you as quickly as possible.  It is not easy, but I believe communication is a two way street, an exchange of information.

Doug and Richard have lately touted themselves as being available to their employees and communicating personally with them.  Contrary to that self-described modus operandi, the press was used to communicate that Doug is “taking prudent action to reduce our capacity and right-size the airline.” (Read the Star Tribune article here.) It was also noted in the press that the scope of the additional reductions remains unclear.

Some of you have written to me about the MEC’s response to this news.  Our union leadership should have been consulted prior to the news being released to the media.  This decision to downsize affects thousands of men and women who have dedicated their lives to making Northwest the airline it is today.

There has been no communication from either Doug or Richard regarding reductions at Northwest or Delta.  If this is any indication of the type of “direct relationship” management at a combined carrier will have with its employees, executives have their work cut out for them convincing Northwest flight attendants that a merger is in our best interest.  Communication should be exchanged between parties, not dictated.

The last discussion with the company prior to the merger announcement in April was that there would be no frontline employee reductions as the result of the merger.  Now, the blame for a need to reduce staff is being pinned on high oil prices.  Weren’t oil prices at record levels and climbing just two months ago?  If executives didn’t have the foresight to recognize this before now, how can we trust that whatever business plan they’ve concocted for federal regulators will actually benefit employees?  I have not received any communication – other than what was released to the press and in company email – from the so-called executive management team.  Most of labor has been excluded in the merger process. The news releases we are all reading are meant to assuage the fears of those who will profit from any merger, not for employees.  As a stockholder and front line worker, I question the vision of Richard Anderson and Doug Steenland.

Just a few days ago, Doug also stated, “No domestic station closures are planned as a result of these capacity reductions.  Instead, we will pare unprofitable flying while maintaining the scope and presence of our network.” Immediately after this quote from Doug, I traveled from Florida where ground staff were notified and affected by reduction of frontline employees. The option given them was to accept part time positions – at already concessionary pay rates – or risk being furloughed.  In January, our MEC issued a position statement for supporting any merger.  We believe in protecting our jobs, our customers and our communities.

If the purpose of bypassing employees with information like headcount reduction is to raise the price of the stock, this management team is not succeeding.  It is time for Doug and Richard to answer to the employees and communities affected by any merger.  Both men will walk away far wealthier regardless of whether a merger fails or succeeds.

If the purpose of not communicating with the unions is to achieve their goal of not having a union for the majority of employees then I suggest we all start communicating with both Doug and Richard.  At the moment Doug and Richard are directing all questions from employees to a third-party web site address.  It is time for them to be accountable and answer the tough questions we have been posting from you: what will happen to our base locations, labor protective provisions in our contract, our vacation and sick time accruals, etc.  Visit the merger Q&A page of our website to see the questions Doug and Richard won’t answer.

For more information on contractual rights regarding the contract go to our contract resources page.  (Section 1 – Recognition, Scope, Job Security; Section 12 – Filling of Vacancies; Section 13 – Transfer Expenses; Section 14 – Reduction in Force and Recall.

Information and knowledge are powerful tools. Only with a union can we work to overcome obstacles and improve our lives.  With a collective voice, we will not allow management to dictate low pay, unsafe work rules, and degraded benefits while executives look out for themselves.

I have also challenged Doug to follow the lead of Continental Airlines executives, who have agreed to forgo their salary and any incentive pay for the rest of the year.  We all know that in tough times we, the employees, have made the greatest sacrifices for the survival of this company.  It is time for our executives to make sacrifices for the benefit of our airline.  As always, I welcome Doug and Richard to respond to our requests for meetings about the merger.  I encourage them to improve communication so the process becomes an exchange and not a dictatorship for our future.  Without dialogue, a merger is destined to fail.

Write to:

Doug –

Julie –

Richard –

Joanne (Julie’s counterpart at Delta) –

In Unity and For a Better Future,

Kevin M. Griffin, President
Northwest Airlines Master Executive Council
Association of Flight Attendants–CWA

Delta Air Lines Flight Attendants’ Representation Election Voided
The National Mediation Board (NMB) announced today that Delta Air Lines flight attendants have lost their vote to join the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.  With 5,306, or 40 percent, of eligible flight attendants voting, the NMB could not certify AFA-CWA as the flight attendants’ representative.  These disappointing election results underscore a larger issue facing our industry and this nation—the unceasing attempt by executives to crush labor and the middle class and to run corporations without regard to workers or consumers.

Today’s vote showed the makings of a silver lining for flight attendants in a Delta-Northwest merger.  Combining the votes for AFA-CWA in this election with our numbers here at Northwest shows that we have the support to win a second election for the combined workforce when the merger occurs.

Our Master Executive Council (MEC), AFA-CWA International and Delta activists are prepared to battle Delta executives’ arsenal of anti-union propaganda in a second representation election, one that will be initiated by the NMB once a Northwest/Delta merger is approved and the airlines operate as a “single transportation system,” as defined in the NMB’s representation manual.  Past mergers have reached this operational definition in as little as six months while others have taken as long as two years.  We will need every minute of this time and every flight attendant’s resolve to overcome the enormous, unprecedented investment Delta has made to defeat our right to have a voice in our own future.

The NMB vote results give rise to this extraordinary challenge for Northwest flight attendants:  after over sixty years as a legally recognized partner in our airline’s merger history, we are now confronted with the real possibility of losing our contract, our union and our collective bargaining rights in a merger designed solely by Delta Air Lines executives.  We cannot be complacent.

At this moment, our MEC Officers, Delta’s AFA-CWA Steering Committee and AFA-CWA International Officers are meeting to refine our focus moving forward.  As a consequence of this first NMB vote, our efforts must escalate from simply supporting Delta flight attendants’ right to union representation to defending six decades of union tradition at Northwest—a history of being legally able to hold management accountable for its decisions in mergers or related transactions as a result of our negotiated right to be included in any such discussions.  If the Department of Justice approves a Delta/Northwest merger we are prepared to exercise every available resource to retain our collective bargaining rights at a merged carrier, including necessary legal measures.

Though we have lost this first election, we admire and respect AFA-CWA activists at Delta Air Lines for their perseverance despite management interference in their legal right to seek union representation.  We stand committed to strengthening our collective influence at the bargaining table.  We know that Delta and Northwest flight attendants are better together, and in unity beyond a successful second election, we will reassert our leverage in a merger as proud members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

How important will it be that we have a voice in our future if a merger with Delta Air Lines is approved?  MEC President Kevin Griffin wrote this letter to the membership on Thursday, May 22, explaining what we have to lose without a contract or union representation.  Read Kevin’s letter, then contact your Local Executive Council Officers to offer to help our democratic union protect and strengthen our collective bargaining rights in a merger with Delta Air Lines.

Your Voices Were Heard:
Single Service Cart Summit a Success
On Friday, May 16, our MEC Air Safety, Health and Security (ASHS) Chair and ASHS Service Subcommittee Chair , along with Council 95 President and MSP flight attendant Deana Klein, met with Northwest management to resolve ongoing concerns about weight, maneuverability and injuries resulting from the “single service cart” concept launched on April 8, 2008.

As a direct result of this meeting, provisions in Section 22 of our contract (Safety, Security and Health) and your continued feedback to ASHS, we are pleased to report that, beginning immediately, the Company has accepted and implemented our recommendation that, whenever possible, two flight attendants work one single service cart.  More details on this and other planned changes and improvements will be presented in a joint NWA/AFA-CWA email communication this week.

Even with these new service guidelines in place, your feedback remains invaluable.  Follow these steps to file complaints and offer suggestions:

1. Submit your concerns and opinions to Northwest Inflight Services via the Flight Attendant Communication Center:


• 1-866-612-0001 option 2;
• In MSP, 612-726-6990;
• ;
• or on ATLAS
2. Submit your concerns and opinions to the MEC ASHS Service Subcommittee Chair Chris Smith at:


• or online via the Service Carts Feedback form, created especially for this purpose

Thanks to everyone who participated by providing input to ASHS.  You have helped us achieve these changes together.

Fly safely, stay healthy and remain vigilant!

May 9, 2008

Dear Delta Flight Attendants,

I am currently serving as the Northwest Master Executive Council Vice President and I am a flight attendant, based in Detroit.  I write to you at this critical juncture in your careers, in order to express my strong support for your efforts to join the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.  It has come to our attention that DAL executive Joanne Smith met with NWA management this week, in order to create a common strategy to pit NWA and DAL flight attendants against each other, and to weaken the Delta AFA-CWA voter turnout.  NWA flight attendants already experienced this kind of bitter and divisive merger strategy, between Northwest and Republic Airlines, and we don’t want to live through that again.  We are all flight attendants, seeking a common goal of bargaining strength and job protection, in a changing world and an uncertain economy. Because this organizing campaign is so important to the future of our careers, several Northwest Flight Attendants have volunteered to fly to Atlanta and be available in the airport for your questions.

We may have the opportunity to be the largest organized group of flight attendants in the country.  Following your choice to join the Association of Flight Attendants, together we can negotiate a legally enforceable merged contract which solidifies our work rules and protects our flying.  However, we also see the alarming possibility of becoming the largest flight attendant work group in the country with no power to influence our work rules, pay, or benefits.  As the push for globalization and “open skies” continues, the legislative and legal initiatives of AFA-CWA will continue to protect our profession.

With all of the money and resources that Delta executives are pouring into this anti-labor campaign, I hope you’ll take some time to scrutinize the claims that they are making and ask yourselves why they are so opposed to flight attendants having a combined voice.  I am proud to be a member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and a professional flight attendant with an excellent work record at Northwest Airlines.  We hope Delta Flight Attendants will seize this important opportunity to negotiate your own collective bargaining agreement, just as your executives and pilots do.  Does DAL CEO Richard Anderson or your pilots work without a legally binding contract? The answer is no, and I don’t believe professional flight attendants should have to either.

I look forward to meeting many of you at May 15th rally in Atlanta, in support of your organizing campaign.  I join members of Atlanta unions, the religious community, and allied organizations to show Delta flight attendants that we fully support your choice to vote for AFA representation in your campaign to become a key part of the labor community.

In unity,

Janette Rook
Vice President
Northwest Master Executive Council
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

28 April 2008
Flight Attendants to Testify at State Hearings on the NW/DL Merger

Tomorrow!  Tuesday, 4/29
and again Wednesday, 4/30

The Minnesota House of Representatives and State Senate will conduct more hearings on the effects a merger between Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines will have on the state.  Last week, Northwest management made veiled references to making good on its “obligations” to the state - which amount to over $200M - when Ben Hirst, Northwest’s general counsel and senior vice president of corporate affairs, spoke in front of the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

This week, labor groups will bring the facts to the State Capitol about how this merger is already having an impact on employees and taxpayers.  By refusing to discuss terms of the deal with union leaders, Northwest and Delta have set the stage at the “new global airline” for an old-fashioned merger with all of the usual disputes:  between airline executives and union members, and between the airline’s executives and its paying passengers.  AFA-CWA’s position on this merger has not changed since January:  our MEC issued specific conditions that must be met for flight attendant support.

We urge all Minnesota residents/voters and anyone on a layover in MSP to attend these historic hearings on the future of labor and air transportation in the state.  AFA-CWA’s NYC Council 91 Government Affairs Chair Rene Foss, a Minnesota native and life-long resident, is scheduled to testify in front of the House Committee on Commerce and Labor on Tuesday.  Northwest AFA-CWA MEC President Kevin Griffin will attend this hearing and take questions from lawmakers after Rene’s testimony.

On Wednesday, Rene is scheduled to testify in front of the Senate Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs; Kevin will be available for questions from the Committee.  International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 143 President/Directing General Chair Stephen Gordon, and Legislative Director Lisa Stager, will also testify Wednesday.  Details are below.  For further information, please contact Council 95 Government Affairs Chair Camilla Wolkerstorfer at or 651-226-3881.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.
Committee on Commerce and Labor
Location: Basement, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joe Atkins
Agenda:  Continued examination of proposed sale of Northwest Airlines to Delta and its impact on Minnesota commerce and jobs

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.
Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs
Location:  Room 15
Chair: Sen. James P. Metzen
Agenda: Delta-Northwest Airlines Merger

Both sessions will take place at the Minnesota State Capitol:


Capitol Building
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-1606
651-296-2146 (directions)
651-296-0504 (general information)

21 April 2008

Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,
As we face a merger with Delta Air Lines, we need to recognize many things.  First, we need to gear up and assert our rights and our ability to negotiate our own future.  Throughout the industry, the Northwest flight attendants have been known for our long and proud history of being strong union members.  That tradition is something that we must hold on to and make sure it survives this merger.
For decades, Northwest flight attendants have fought for improvements in our workplace and within our union.  We have a long and deep tradition of fighting for democracy and our independence, and along the way we have been in several unions.  But through all of these years, the one thing we have always had is a collective bargaining agreement and a legal voice at the table.  We cannot afford to lose either of them.
Over the past few years, we have fought against attempts to outsource our jobs to low-paid workers in foreign countries and we have dealt with the painful effects of bankruptcy.  While our ongoing struggle for economic advancements was dealt a setback by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, we did succeed at stopping plans to outsource our jobs.  Today, we still enjoy some of the best scope protections in the industry.  However, our past battles will mean nothing if we don’t take a stand to ensure we continue our proud tradition.  More alarming is considering what kind of future we will have as “at will” employees with no contract, no scope protections and no legal ability to negotiate our future.
Today, I write to encourage every Northwest flight attendant to mobilize in support of Delta flight attendants in the representation election beginning Wednesday, April 23, where they will choose whether to join AFA.  Their decision to join our union is our first line of defense to protect our contract rights and our ability to have a legal voice in the combined Delta/Northwest enterprise.  There is simply too much at risk for us to be silent during their vote.  While there may be a second vote if Delta flight attendants do not succeed in this first attempt, we should not allow Delta & Northwest executives (or the anti-union firms they employ) to design a campaign that will pit us against each other.  If they win that campaign, our entire contract will be extinguished immediately.  We believe the best time to win representation for both groups is NOW.
Whether you were a supporter of the Teamsters, PFAA or AFA, we need your help.  Listed below are the cities where Get Out The Vote Call Centers have been set up around the nation to help the Delta flight attendants in their decision to join AFA.  Please email for more information about a center near you, and offer to help make calls (calling scripts will be available).  Likewise, if you live in any of the areas listed under Visibility Campaigns and are willing to work with local AFA organizers there, please offer your talents.
We have a rare opportunity here to show the Delta flight attendants what we are made of!  Let’s work together NOW so we can ensure that when this merger is finalized we are immediately in the position to negotiate an industry-leading contract for the largest flight attendant group in the country.  With all we’ve been through, we deserve it!  The time is now, fellow Northwest flight attendant – let’s do this.
In Unity and for a Better Future,

Kevin M. Griffin, President
Northwest Airlines Master Executive Council
Association of Flight Attendants - CWA
Fly safe, fly the contract and wear your AFA pin!

14 April 2008

A Northwest Airlines - Delta Air Lines Merger was approved today by the Board of Directors at each airline.  The transaction must still undergo a lengthy anti-trust review and approval process by federal regulators.  Management will retain the Delta name and Atlanta headquarters; Delta’s Richard Anderson will stay in place as CEO of the combined entity.  Further details of the agreement have not, as yet, been released.  Northwest AFA-CWA Master Executive Council leaders will meet with senior management in the coming weeks to discuss the details of the acquisition and the potential impact of the merger.

Regardless of management’s inventions, our Union is prepared to defend our contract, uphold our bargaining rights, and demand an end to concessions and a stake in the merged Delta-Northwest entity equal to equity granted other labor groups.

Job security and contract improvements are critical to flight attendant support of any merger.  AFA-CWA attorneys and professional negotiators will work closely with your leaders to vigorously protect Northwest flight attendant jobs through scope and successorship language and the Labor Protective Provisions in Section I of our ratified agreement.  We will take action to create and pursue opportunities during the consolidation to begin recovering concessions sanctioned by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court during Northwest’s restructuring.

We have today reiterated our January merger position statement to Northwest and Delta management that only a transaction that embodies progressive, inclusive terms will result in financial success through flight attendant support.  We will immediately begin to seek to negotiate improvements to our collective bargaining agreement.  In addition, we will continue to help our colleagues at Delta in their election seeking AFA-CWA representation, and pressure Delta management to end its history of labor apartheid at the airline.

Your Union leaders are poised to fight to restore in consolidation what was lost in the bankruptcy era.  Flight attendants made tremendous personal sacrifices to put Northwest stockholders and executives in a position to reap enormous profit in a merger.  AFA-CWA leaders are singularly focused on claiming due reward for our members; pursuing that goal to a successful conclusion will require us to work together as a unified flight attendant workforce.  Northwest management should hear us loud and clear:  we are ready.

We urge you to remain informed by visiting our MEC website, nwaafa.org, for updates on the merger process.  Call the MEC hotline at:
1-888-3-NWA-AFA option #2 or
1-800-424-2401 extension 170
for the latest information.  As developments warrant, we will send additional emails.  Please share all information with your fellow flight attendants.  Remain engaged and focused on facts.  Visit the deltaafa.org website to participate in the Get-Out-The-Vote campaign that will bring Delta flight attendants to AFA-CWA, protect our union representation, preserve our contract, and increase our power to regain what was lost in bankruptcy.

AFA-CWA ASKS CONGRESS TO CLARIFY FMLA COVERAGE FOR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

Washington, DC -Flight Attendant Jennifer Hunt, a member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFACWA), today testified before the House Education and Labor Committee on how the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) excludes flight attendants and the devastating effect that has on working families. It is often difficult for flight attendants to qualify for FMLA coverage due to their unusual work schedules and the specific requirements of the law. Ms. Hunt was denied FMLA leave with her airline in 2007 after her husband, who had recently returned from serving 15 months in Iraq, was diagnosed with cancer.

“The denial of FMLA benefits to flight crew is frustrating because despite the fact that we work full time schedules, flight attendants are repeatedly denied a right that every American is afforded under the law,” said Hunt. “Congress has the ability to correct this oversight by passing the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act and restore the original intention of FMLA, to help employees remain with their employer while meeting the needs of their families. It is time that the over 90,000 flight attendants in this country have the peace of mind that the Family and Medical Leave Act is intended to provide.”

When the Act was signed into law in 1993, the intent was to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave if employees worked 60 percent of a full time schedule in a 12 month period. The 1,250 hour threshold for qualification was established based on the traditional 40-hour work week. Due to the unique methods in which flight attendant hours of work are calculated, it is virtually impossible to meet these minimum standards. Flight attendants’ paid hours are based on blocks of flight time that begin when the plane leaves the gate and end when it arrives at its destination, excluding time spent away from home during layovers. Therefore, it is difficult for a flight attendant to achieve the minimum number of hours required by the law, even though the original Congressional intent was to cover flight attendants and pilots.

Over the past year, AFA-CWA has been urging Congress to pass a technical corrections act that would protect the right of flight attendants to provide care for ailing family members or themselves without risking their jobs. AFACWA members have engaged in persistent lobbying efforts, phone calling and have written tens of thousands of letters to members of Congress to secure access to family and medical leave for all flight attendants. The Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act (HR 2744/ S. 2059) has key bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. This week, flight attendants from across the country have been encouraging their lawmakers to support the legislation and have been successful in getting 218 co-sponsors in the House, the majority needed to pass this important bill.

ATA FLIGHT ATTENDANTS’ UNION RESPONDS AS AIRLINE SHUTS DOWN ABRUPTLY

“This is another devastating blow to flight attendants and AFA-CWA is mobilizing support and assistance for all of our ATA colleagues during this difficult time,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President.  “First and foremost, our main goal is to ensure that all ATA flight attendants are able to return home.  We will do everything in our power to see to it that the rights of our ATA members are protected in bankruptcy court.”

AFA-CWA’s legal team, employee assistance representatives and other volunteers from across the union are available and moving into place to assist ATA flight attendants in accessing available resources.

ATA was founded in 1973 and began operations as a charter carrier, commencing scheduled service in 1986.  ATA was a leading carrier for the U.S. military, operating missions around the globe for many years.  In 1999, ATA gained major carrier status after surpassing $1 billion in annual revenues.  In 2005, ATA entered into a comprehensive code-share agreement with Southwest Airlines and emerged from Chapter 11 restructuring in 2006.  ATA flight attendants joined AFA-CWA in 1991.

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. More than 55,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world’s largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.

COURT FAILS TO KEEP ALOHA AIRLINES FLYING
Over 350 Flight Attendants Struggle with Reality of Unemployment

Washington, DC – Yesterday afternoon in a Hawaii bankruptcy court, Judge Lloyd King steadfastly refused to stand in the way of Aloha Airlines’ plan to shut down passenger operations. In the latest devastating example of the enormous protection corporations receive under our current judicial system, hundreds of employees, including the over 350 flight attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), awoke this morning without jobs and with many unanswered questions.

“There are few words right now that express our sadness and anger at this deplorable situation,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. “The utter disregard that Aloha management and the bankruptcy court have shown for Aloha’s loyal and devoted employees is unconscionable. This is yet another example of how today’s legal system fails to protect the average citizen.”

Despite petitions in opposition to the shutdown from AFA-CWA as well as Hawaii’s Governor, Judge King, with an unbelievable lack of a sense of civic responsibility and judicial authority, said this matter was a business decision and it was not his place to decide what the airline should do. AFA-CWA legal staff, as well as other volunteers from around the union have been in Hawaii since before the airline filed for bankruptcy on March 20 to assist the Aloha flight attendants and ensure the membership has access to all available resources. AFA-CWA will continue to represent the flight attendants through the bankruptcy process and
participate in the deliberations of the Creditor’s Committee, to which AFA-CWA was appointed by the U.S. Trustee.

When the airline’s last flight landed Monday night, the hundreds of affected Aloha employees had just over 24 hours to grasp the situation. Management contacted AFA-CWA via conference call on Sunday, March 30 to inform the union’s leaders of the plan to cease operations. While the financial and emotional effects of the shutdown have yet to be fully realized, the sudden loss of over 1,900 jobs will cause a destructive ripple through the state of Hawaii, as studies have shown that every airline job supports 18 additional jobs within the community.

“We remain focused on helping our members and their families navigate through this difficult time. Among AFA-CWA’s first members, Aloha flight attendants have helped to shape our union as we know it today and we will be forever grateful for their contributions over the years. Today, our entire membership of over 55,000 flight attendants grieves for our sisters and brothers at Aloha. We will continue to rally around our fellow members and provide them all the support they need, as the story of Aloha flight attendants must be told and preserved,” said Friend.

Letter of Agreement 31 of our contract (Jumpseat Reciprocity) was negotiated by AFA-CWA to explore reciprocal jumpseat/cabin seat agreements for Northwest flight attendants.  In January, 2008, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and Midwest Airlines entered into OAL XFA agreements with Northwest.  Beginning April 1, 2008, SkyWest Airlines and US Airways will also be available to NWA flight attendants commuting to work or for pleasure travel.  On April 10, 2008, Southwest Airlines will be added to the list.
NEW!  American Airlines and American Eagle agreements reached for a May 1, 2008 start date.  Details of these agreements will be posted at the end of April.
For details of each XFA agreement, please click this link.

Delta/AFA Election Schedule
The National Mediation Board (NMB) has now officially scheduled Delta’s election.

April 23, 2008 - Voting material mailed to all eligible Delta FAs

April 23, 2008 - Phone and internet voting will be open

REVISED:  May 28, 2008 - Voting results will be announced at 2:00pm ET

To read the NMB’s notice, click the link below.
http://www.deltaafa.org/

Profiteering Off Bankruptcy Process Prevented Again

Many of us have seen the draconian cuts to pay and benefits while Northwest Airlines hired their outside top gun consultants who reaped millions of dollars in fees and compensation.  Yesterday in court the little guys (who felt the brunt of the bankruptcy process) had a win. In a blow to the Company’s consultants, Judge Gropper agreed with AFA’s arguments and denied the applications of Lazard and FTI Consulting for success fees of $3.25 million and $1 million, respectively. It took the Court almost three months to issue its decision from the last hearing but it was worth the wait.  Thanks to the Association of Flight Attendants, their legal team and other parties justice has seen a good day.  Read more on the outrageous fees and excessive compensation requested by Northwest consultants anddenied in court yesterday.

AFA was the only union that fought to stop these outrageous fees (http://www.startribune.com/business/16131342.html ) and we were previously successful, late last year, in stopping similar fees for other attorneys and consultants involved in the bankruptcy.

Dear Mr. Steenland,

As we have discussed, Northwest Airlines is considering a merger or acquisition transaction with Delta Air Lines. I am writing on behalf of the Northwest Flight Attendants to remind you of some of the important obligations the Company has under the current Northwest Flight Attendant Collective Bargaining Agreement ("Agreement") in connection with any such transaction.

Section 1 of the Agreement broadly defines the Flight Attendants’ recognition, scope, LPP and successorship rights. The Agreement also broadly defines “successors” and “successorship transactions” and clearly encompasses the kind of transaction being contemplated with Delta. Section 1.C.1. states plainly that “[t]his Agreement shall be binding upon any successor.”

In addition to all other obligations in the Agreement, the Company must do the following specific things to comply with the provisions cited below:

Furthermore, Letter of Agreement 1 binds both Northwest Airlines Corp. ("NAC") and Northwest Airlines Holding Corp. ("NAHC") and their Affiliates “to all terms and conditions of Sections 1.B.2.b, 1.C.2., 1.D. and 1.E.” of the Agreement. Letter of Agreement 1 “remains in full force and effect irrespective of any Successor Transaction” and “shall be binding on any Successor.” Perhaps most important, Letter of Agreement 1 provides as follows:

“3.            NAC, NAHC, and/or Northwest Airlines shall not conclude any transaction that results in (a) a successor to NAC, NAHC or Northwest Airlines or (b) any entity that owns, manages or controls NAC, NAHC or Northwest Airlines unless, as a written and irrevocable condition of such transaction, the successor or entity agrees to execute this Letter of Agreement and to be bound by this Letter of Agreement in the same manner as NAC and NAHC.” (Empasis added).

We understand that the transaction currently under consideration involves a complete merger or acquisition of Northwest. However, if the transaction the Company ultimately negotiates with Delta or another carrier were to fall within the parameters for “Partial Transactions” in Section 1.D. of the Agreement, that Section provides certain transfer rights and stipulates that ”No transaction shall be completed unless Flight Attendants who elect to transfer are transferred pursuant to this paragraph D.” (Emphasis added).

This letter makes no attempt to describe in full detail all the terms of the Agreement that might be implicated by the transaction being contemplated, nor does the omission of other obligations,

legal or contractual, constitute a waiver of such rights. AFA-CWA expects management to comply with all its obligations under these and other provisions of the Agreement and the law, and we will vigorously defend the rights of the Flight Attendants in any merger.

            Please acknowledge receipt of this letter and commence your compliance with these and other provisions of the Agreement, if you have not done so already. If the Company disputes the applicability of, or refuses to comply with, these or any other provisions of the Agreement in connection with the contemplated transaction AFA-CWA proposes that such disputes be submitted to expedited arbitration, pursuant to the Expedited Board of Adjustment Procedures, contained in Section 1.G. of the Agreement. Absent an agreement to do so, AFA reserves the right to assert that violations of these contractual provisions constitute a major dispute subject to federal court jurisdiction.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Kevin M. Griffin

                                                            NWA MEC President

                                                            Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Cc:            Pat Friend, International President, AFA-CWA

            Julie Hagen Showers, Senior Vice President, Inflight Services

            Bob Brodin, Senior Vice President, Labor Relations

Download a scanned copy of the letter here !

The past month has been a challenge for most of us here at Northwest Airlines. I have read your emails and taken your calls and know the level of anxiety is at an all time high. The speculation about merger possibilities has been relentless. Just a few days ago it was out in the press that the expectation of an announcement would come early next week.

As I do not have a crystal ball I cannot predict what next week may bring about for certainty. I do know that your Northwest Association of Flight Attendants MEC has spent countless hours preparing for various scenarios that may come about. I also know that the likelihood of a Delta /Northwest is on everyone’s mind as the most likely combination. When an announcement is made you will be updated with a special hotline and communication.

During all of the speculation process many of you have been looking at work rules and compensation at various airlines. I have also spoken with former leaders of all three of our unions who have sat in the position I am now in as president of our union and invited them to join us as we move into a possible merger mode. Their input will be invaluable. With the wisdom of the past we can overcome obstacles and not allow the division that Northwest Airlines management has for years created. If there was one item every union leader has fought to protect during my 27 years at Northwest it has been Section 1 Scope and Labor Protections in the event of a merger. As your MEC president I will continue what my predecessors have all done to fight for our futures. I encourage everyone to read section one of our contract.

As you read the press clips and news articles over the next week and compare our work rules and the work rules of other carriers as well as compensation I ask that you recall the history of Northwest Airlines and labor. It has required a strong union at all times. Every improvement over decades that we recently lost in the bankruptcy process was fought for and never a gift. It will take a contract and not a policy manual to ensure our futures. To once again rebuild our profession to what many of us remember it will take a strong union with all of us onboard. The name on the plane may change but the management will still be the same and with solidarity we will continue to improve our futures.

Looking forward--if we keep our union representation and increase our membership with a merger (an additional 14,000 flight attendants, totaling over 20,000 members) this may be the perfect opportunity to negotiate and create a contract that contains the best of both groups’ - The best items from our contract and the best items from their Policy Manual.

If we build unity here at Northwest and with our colleagues at Delta, we can stand together for the best of both worlds going into a merger. Remember we are Better Together.

In Unity and for a Better Future,
Kevin

In Unity and for a Better Future in 2008,

Kevin M. Griffin, President
Northwest Airlines Master Executive Council
Association of Flight Attendants - CWA