Master Executive Council

The NWA-AFA Central Scheduling Committee (CSC) will hold its biannual meeting with the company in November. Our contract provides the committee the ability to provide input and recommend changes in the distribution of future flying. Your input about recent and ongoing Reserve and Lineholder issues is important! Submit an automated Crew Scheduling Report Form HERE. Contact the committee at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Most Reserves have flown more hours in recent months than they have previously experienced in their career.  For a number of years in the not-too-distant past, it was rare to fly hours exceeding Reserve guarantee.  Now, as the company adds more and more flying and PBS more accurately matches Lineholders and Reserves to projected flying by adjusting the EBLA, it is likely this trend toward more hours could continue.  Reserves not wishing to “max out” their hours should familiarize themselves with the various contractual release options, including provisions for the Month End Release found on page 7.18 of the CBE.

The Month End Release (NOT to be confused with Early Release, which is very different and carries potential loss of guarantee) allows Reserves the opportunity to be released for the remainder of the month once their monthly projection is greater than the EBLA (Established Base Line Average).  Check the analysis cover sheet in Atlas for the current month EBLA, which varies from month to month.

All Reserves properly requesting the Month End Release will receive it. There is a narrow window to request a Month End Release, however, and once that window closes, the opportunity is gone. The request must be made during the rest period following the pattern the projected the FA over the EBLA.  Go to Centry > Schedule Adjustments > (enter bid month) > Reserve Schedule Adjustments > Release Request > Monthly Release - Projection above Established Base Line Average.  Remember, this is NOT the same as Early Release (Monthly), which is also listed as a release option.

The Company is offering Premium Pay Patterns (AFA CBA 6.I.) in most bases through the the month of July.  A Flight Attendant awarded such designated pattern(s) shall be paid the value of the Premium Pay Pattern, plus an additional (25%) at the Flight Attendant’s applicable incentive rate of pay.  PPPs must be picked up a straight upward adjustment from open time. Reserves picking these PPPs up as a Reserve Increase Adjustment in SLAP will receive RIA pay (which is paid above the Reserve guarantee), as well as the 25% premium pay.  Familiarize yourself with the special provisions involved with these patterns!  Premium pay patterns have unique pattern numbers so they should not be confused with normal patterns.  More information on PPPs HERE.

June 18, 2010 - “From personal experience I am finding Crew Scheduling to be calling people out of order concerning Reserve and the SILO system and regularly Crew Scheduling is flying people into their days off with OPR and pages of reserves on the books.  It is clear to me this is a game - however is there nothing we can do to push back”? - A DTW Reserve

Either due to the learning curve of the new schedulers, due to the tighter staffing, as part of the latest union busting effort from our new “family”, or a combination of all of these factors, we are seeing a dramatic uptick in issues for both Reserve & Regular lineholders.  First, as a Reserve you should always designate 8 of your days off as Guaranteed Days Off “GDOs”. Please review that language in Section 7 and the process is covered in the CENTRY manual on ATLAS.  While the company does have the ability to reschedule us, its important to study and know the rights and protections available to you (e.g. if you are worked into a GDO Scheduling must not only release you when you return to base on a GDO, but they must also give you a replacement GDO).

If you feel that the company is not following the order of assignment that is outlined in Section 7, please ask them for a Review of Crew Orders, and then contact your Local AFA reps immediately.  It is very important that you print and provide to AFA the Reserve Available list that you are questioning, because that list is “real time” and changes constantly.  As a back up if your Local AFA rep is flying or representing another member, please contact the new SOS support line at 24 hours a day at 1-888-369-2232,Option 2 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  This team is made up of our elected NWA AFA union reps from around the system and they have the ability to verify whether assignments were handled per the contract.  NOTE - there may be legalities that prohibit assignments for those above you on the Reserve Available list/SILO.

Please look out for an updated “Reserve Tips” coming to your company mailbox soon.  Pick one up from your Local AFA reps in the coming weeks.  We have hit a bit of a rough patch in our merger this summer, but we are all smart and tough enough to stick together to get through this.  Our vote is coming soon and if/when we have the chance, we can sit down with our PMDL colleagues to negotiate a new and improved post-bankruptcy contract and work rules for all Delta flight attendants.

888.3.NWA.AFA, option 2 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Your NWA-AFA MEC is pleased to introduce the NWA Summer Reserve and Scheduling
Outreach and Support—or Reserve S.O.S., for short. You’ll hear more about this program in
the coming days, including a mailer to your home with additional info, contact resources,
contract tips and more.

For now, this is what you need to know. Your NWA-AFA MEC has been brainstorming for the
best way to meet this summer’s unique scheduling variables and unknowns head on, with
extra support for our Reserves. For the next few months, NWA-AFA officers will be teaming up
to provide special 24/7 Reserve and Scheduling support on a dedicated phone line to address
your on-the-spot Scheduling, Rescheduling and Reserve questions.

Program this number into your phone: 888.3.NWA.AFA, option 2. (That’s 888.369.2232) or try
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for less time-sensitive issues.

As always, contact your Local Council Officers first for all scheduling, discipline, contract,
grievance and rumor control issues. (Their numbers should already be in your phone!) But we
recognize scheduling emergencies come in all sizes and shapes, and never when it’s
convenient.

“Can they do that?” “Do I have to do this?” Sometimes you just can’t wait for an answer. The
NWA Summer Reserve S.O.S. is your supplemental 24/7 scheduling support to tackle this
summer’s unique challenges, together. Keep your contract close and an ally on speed-dial at
888.3.NWA.AFA, option 2.

Now, did you remember to GDO your day off tomorrow? Good. It’s after 3:00 p.m. Let’s head
on back to the lake!

The company has advised AFA that pattern drops for Regular Lineholders and Reserve releases will probably decrease significantly as we head into the summer months. Delta’s total block hours fluctuate dramatically from winter to summer. In order to cover this temporary increase in flying, Delta has planned higher EBLAs (line averages) of 85-90 hours at both PMNW and DL. In addition, the company is calling back long term leave participants, and they do not anticipate awarding Split Lines over the summer. In order to cover this unusual increase without hiring and without calling back approximately 800 Delta FAs who are still out on furlough, they plan to make the rest of us a lot more “productive.”

Knowing this, it’s very important for all Reserves to be familiar with our contractual rights and, specifically, the provisions in Section 7. Some may be pleased with this large increase in hours, as it will result in a full month Reserve assignments. Please check out the Reserve Tips we created specifically for our 2007-2008 hires. The Reserve Tips guidebook contains very helpful information and explanations, including legality charts, scheduling reminders and tips and tricks that can help Reserves better manage their commutes. Some veteran Reserve tips:

*Always designate Guaranteed Days Off (GDOs) – You will be glad you did when staffing gets tighter, as Scheduling tends to try to fly Reserves into days off.
*Another bonus with GDOs is that, per AFA’s GDO Release provision, you are automatically released at 1500 on your last on-call day prior to a GDO (unless notified otherwise prior to 1500).
*In addition to Daily Releases, Block Releases, Pattern Releases, Duty Releases, and Month End Releases (based on monthly EBLA), Early Release is also an option. Each type of Release is quite different from the other, and each can offset your guarantee differently. Review Section 7 - Reserve for specifics, and use the Centry Manual for bidding tips.
*Opt for 1400-1400 On Duty Period (and AM/PM On Duty when it is available).
*In times of tight staffing, watch out for Magnet Days & Premium Magnet Days.

Due to expected high line averages over the summer and continued bankruptcy level staffing, even with increased service demands, this summer is shaping up to be “interesting,” if not just plain exhausting. Please pass the word among Reserves to review and carry your contract -in particular, Sections 5 - Hours of Service, 6 - Scheduling, and 7 - Reserve.

Download this document Here:

Click HERE for OPR Lounge Settlement.
For a printable version of below hotline piece click HERE. 
This week, your AFA-MEC Grievance Committee reached a settlement with the Company over the issue of providing dedicated OPR (On Premise Reserve) lounges at each of our domestic bases.  In brief, the Union has secured OPR-only lounges at all NWA bases.

An MEC grievance had been filed earlier this year over the Company’s failure to provide for OPR-only lounges at all of our bases. While some bases did provide dedicated OPR-only lounges, other bases did not. The lack of OPR-only space created a hardship for OPRs at those bases.

This issue was mediated in front of an arbitrator earlier this year, and based upon the outcome of that mediation session, the AFA slated this issue for arbitration. Although the grievance did not go to arbitration, we did meet with arbitrator assigned to the case, Margie Brogan, who assisted the parties in crafting an interim settlement agreement.

The settlement agreement provides for the Company to continue the practice of providing for OPR-only lounges in those bases where the practice was already established. In addition to continuing the practice in those bases, the Company has agreed to establish an OPR-only lounge in LAX, and at both DTW and LGA, in conjunction with a refurbishment and redesign of the existing in-flight facilities at both of those bases.

The Company agreed to offer JFK based OPR flight attendants the option of using the existing JFK OPR-only lounge, or using the JFK Delta In-Flight Services lounge. Also, in MEM, the OPR-only lounge, recently created as a part of the refurbishment of that base’s Inflight Service facilities, will be more clearly marked. The Company also committed to providing adequate, comfortable furniture in each of the lounges.

If all goes according to plan, all of the new and renovated OPR-only lounges at all bases should be available to our Reserves by January, 2010. The AFA reserved the right to have arbitrator Brogan retain jurisdiction over the implementation of this agreement, and to be available to the parties should a dispute arise before the Company fully implements the terms of the agreement.

The Union is happy that it was able to urge the Company to provide OPRs with the facilities necessary for them to properly and confortably perform their duties. - Greg Riffle, MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson

SPLIT LINES - FOR RESERVES AND REGULAR LINEHOLDERS
Due to all the merger related programming, the company was unable to complete all the Split Line programming that is necessary for a November launch of the new Split Line Program.  That means the program is now scheduled to launch in January, since we don’t want to make the December bidding any more complicated or stressful than it already can be for all of us.  In the meantime, please read over Letter of Agreement 41 for details about this new program. I’ve spoken to a lot of Reserves while commuting to the MEC office in MSP and many don’t yet realize that both Regular and Reserve lineholders will be eligible to bid for this new program.  LOA 41can be found on the Negotiations Committee page or click here: http://www.nwaafa.org/docs/contract/LOA_41_Split_Line_Program03SEP09.pdf.  - MEC President Janette Rook

Last week, MEC Grievance Chairperson Greg Riffle filed an et al MEC Grievance over the Company’s announcement, in the September PBS cover letters, that the loss of a Reserve Increase Adjustment (RIA), due to sick or leave, would cause your Reserve Guarantee to be reduced as well.

Although there is contract language that says your Reserve Guarantee will be reduced for any flight time lost, that language has historic content and application. As we all know and are familiar with, a reserve line is made up of a series of duty days and off days. If you lose flight time due to unavailability on your reserve duty days, your guarantee has always been reduced.

However, an RIA is not a reserve trip assignment given to you by a crew scheduler on your duty days. By our contract, it must operate wholly on your days off, and the hours are isolated from your guarantee and most legalities. Therefore, we disagree with the Company’s decision to reduce your Reserve Guarantee for unavailability for an RIA picked up on your days off, and believe that should have no impact on your Reserve Guarantee. We will keep you posted on the progress of this grievance.

July 1, 2009

MEC President Janette Rook, Vice President Daniel Grey and MEC Grievance Committee Chair Greg Riffle met with the Scheduling Department this week to review member feedback and discuss improvements, following the June 1 start of On Premise Reserve (OPR) for pre-merger Northwest flight attendants.

OPR was implemented in conjunction with the elimination of the 2.5 to 8 hour call.  Below is a progress report of the OPR system and efforts to improve Reserve satisfaction with the program, based on our meeting on Monday:

  - A substantial reduction of OPR patterns has been realized going forward. Most bases are down to 1 OPR flight attendant per time slot.  Larger bases like DTW, MEM and MSP have between 3-8 times slots, while all other bases currently have a maximum of 3 OPR slots per day.  Please visit the Reserve Committee page for past and current OPR Planned Start Times/Patterns.  OPR start times and number of patterns can change based upon operational needs.

  - The MEM 1800-0000 OPR shift was eliminated due to your feedback regarding safety concerns.  The last OPR for MEM will now end at 2200 when airport operations and the B concourse close.
  - A future programming change is almost complete, that will allow a shift preference for flight attendants forced to serve OPR.  This will NOT be counted as a preferenced OPR and therefore counts towards the maximum of 3 forced OPR patterns allowed per month.

  - There was a commitment from the Company to address OPR lounge issues.  One ongoing member and AFA issue involves OPR lounges that are shared with an already existing flight attendant quiet room.  MSP and DTW are scheduled for crew lounge renovations beginning late summer in MSP; some bases are integrating with larger DL IFS lounges which may help provide a dedicated OPR lounge, however we are committed to addressing this issue as quickly as possible for our members. 

  - The contractually required pagers or mobile phones are not working in some areas.  Some stations issue pagers that do not receive a signal in the IFS lounge, but do work in all other airport areas.  New pagers are being shipped at time of writing. Please note: OPR flight attendants are not required to remain in the check in area if pagers do not work.

  - The company reiterated their goal to make OPR productive and more attractive for Reserves. 

AFA will continue to monitor OPR usage in all bases to ensure contractual compliance.  Please continue to report all OPR issues to your Local Executive Council Officers.  For complete contractual reference and OPR guidelines, click on the Reserve page of the NWA-AFA website at http://www.nwaafa.org/committees/reserve/. 

21 October 2008

A joint Flight Attendant Scheduling Survey was developed through Union and Company cooperation.  This joint initiative demonstrates the correct way to survey unionized flight attendants, by working with their certified bargaining agent. We would like to extend our appreciation to all AFA Scheduling and Reserve Committee volunteers, as well as the Company representatives who worked diligently on the survey. 

There have been many changes to the flight attendant profession at NWA, and AFA and the Company recognize that these changes have significantly affected your work schedules.  To get a better picture of your scheduling preferences in this new environment, we have worked together to produce a survey designed to solicit your input in the areas of pattern construction and bidding of schedules.  It is our hope that all flight attendants will participate, thus giving us the most accurate data base from which to make future pattern construction and computer bidding decisions.
Although there are contractual, federal, operational and economic requirements to be considered with the construction of patterns and PBS bidding, where and when there is flexibility, we want to be sure that your true priorities are taken into account.  You’ll see that many questions will require you to prioritize your preferences. This technique is required since in the pattern construction world it is sometimes true that ‘improving’ one pattern characteristic can negatively impact a second pattern characteristic. We also recognize that what is a priority at one base on a particular aircraft type, may not be a priority at another. We are therefore exploring whether there is a reasonable way (both technically and practically) to apply different pattern characteristics to different bases.

Only one survey will be allowed per flight attendant; your last entry will be the one that counts. Both AFA and the company will have access to the raw data produced from the survey. The MEC Scheduling Committee will work with the Company toward analyzing your input to present viable changes to pattern construction whenever possible.  The survey will remain open on ATLAS under “Hotlinks” until November 15, 2008.

Last week the Company implemented several new contract items, including the SILO language for Reserve pattern assignment (Section 7.D.2.).  It has since been reported that the implementation of SILO is creating serious problems for some RSV flight attendants.

Reserves must be watchful of contractual violations associated with SILO processing and should contact Scheduling and Union officers to record and track violations.

Your Reserve Committee and LEC officers need information about what impact SILO is having so we may act as quickly as possible to solve these problems with Scheduling and/or begin the grievance process.  Please familiarize yourself with Section 7.D.2. so you are better able to determine the effect SILO is having on your RSV line.

A new Reserve Incident Reporting form is being developed and will be available soon on the Reserve Committee page of our website, nwaafa.org.  Until the interactive form is online:

1. Please send a narrative report to your LEC officers/Local Reserve Committee Chair and the MEC Reserve Committee Chair at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address);
2. If possible at the time of pattern assignment, please print the Reserve Availablility/Credit Hours list from the Reserve menu in ACCESS and submit that as evidence – once that list is gone, we cannot recover it;
3. If in doubt about the legality of a RSV pattern assignment, ask for a “review of crew orders.”

Your participation in providing us with this information is critical to improving SILO processing for Reserves.