This is APA Communications Committee Chairman Captain Sam Mayer with the APA Information Hotline for Monday, February 9.
MEMBERSHIP PREFERENCE SURVEY: The new membership preference survey is now active and accessible via the prominently displayed button on the members’ home page of alliedpilots.org through March 7. The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
A few pilots have expressed concerns that it’s possible to submit multiple ballots—rest assured that is not the case. The system is designed so that pilots can return to the hosting Web site to amend or retake the survey, which then updates the pilots’ previous answers. Pilot identity is positively verified prior to accessing the site, thereby eliminating the possibility of multiple responses. Also, we have arranged for additional information to be added to the survey function buttons to clarify their application. These explanations should be helpful if you decide to return to the survey Web site to amend or retake the survey.
Your participation in this survey is an integral part of the negotiating process, so please remember to provide your feedback before the March 7 cutoff.
APA BOARD OF DIRECTORS WINTER MEETING: The APA Board of Directors convened at 9 a.m. today to begin their winter board of directors meeting at APA’s Fort Worth headquarters.
In his opening remarks, APA President Captain Lloyd Hill recapped the ways in which American Airlines management has been failing customers, shareholders and employees, including the decline in safety and maintenance practices and dramatic rise in the number of MEL items that have resulted in a record-setting number of flight cancellations. He noted the importance of the National Mediation Board permitting the bargaining process to “run its course” and to that end, emphasized that one of the purposes of National Announcement Day on March 3 is to begin educating all concerned on APA’s plans to use alternative self-help. In addition, Captain Hill questioned management’s claims that the antitrust immunity and related joint business agreement they seek to establish with other oneworld Alliance carriers would be “metal neutral.”
Likewise on the topic of management’s antitrust and joint business agreement plans, Government Affairs Committee Chairman Captain Bob Coffman briefed the Board on the growing opposition management has encountered in Washington, D.C. in seeking approval, noting that decision-makers are taking a close look at both proposed and existing antitrust immunizations. Captain Coffman also discussed the relationship-building that his committee has undertaken with other unions in an effort to advance labor’s agenda.
Scope Committee Chairman Captain Len Turcotte similarly noted the value of relationship-building in the Scope briefings his committee has provided recently to other pilot groups, including the Finnish Air Line Pilots Association and Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association. These briefings have focused on lessons learned by APA as our Scope clause has evolved during the past 20 years. Captain Turcotte also expressed his appreciation for recent observer reports of various Scope violations.
International Alliance Committee Chairman Captain T.K. Kawai noted that the Finnair pilots’ planned strike is now slated to begin on February 25. An APA delegation that included Captain Kawai recently traveled to Helsinki to meet with our Finnair counterparts. As part of Captain Kawai’s briefing, Captain Tsuruda Yuzo of the Japan Airlines Captain Association and First Officer Mikami Tsuyoshi from the Japan Air Lines Flight Crew Union described in detail the aggressive outsourcing campaign by Japan Air Lines management to affiliated non-union carriers. It’s worth noting that American Airlines places its code on a variety of flights operated by those non-union JAL-affiliated carriers.
In other briefings today, Membership/Furlough Committee Chairman Captain Rusty McDaniels urged all pilots to contribute $5 or $10 monthly to the APA Scholarship Fund and Military Affairs Sub-Committee member First Officer Jim Scanlan informed the Board of recent issues concerning notice and verification of military service. Also, Technical Analysis and Scheduling Committee Chairman First Officer Larry Rosselot and members of that committee updated the Board on Federal Aviation Administration OpSpec A332, which contains guidelines that would improve ultra long-range flying conditions for pilots.
The Board waived policy to re-elect ORD Vice Chairman Captain Mike McClellan to the Financial Audit Committee by acclamation versus ballot and likewise waived policy to re-elect him as FAC Chairman.
The Board spent a portion of the afternoon in an executive session caucus and will reconvene at 9 a.m. tomorrow. All members in good standing are welcome to attend any open portion of the meeting, which is scheduled to continue through Thursday.
NEW PILOT PERSPECTIVE VIDEO: A new Pilot Perspective video focusing on Family Awareness is now available for viewing via alliedpilots.org. This video features an introduction by Captain Hill and highlights the importance of family support as we enter what will no doubt be the most stressful phase of our bargaining process. It’s an excellent video and we highly recommend all members take the time to view it.
That’s all we have for today. Thanks for checking this hotline.
