This is Communications Committee member First Officer Scott Shankland with the APA Information Hotline for Thursday, August 20.
APA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING: After devoting much of Wednesday to an executive session with the Negotiating Committee discussing the current state of negotiations, the APA Board of Directors reconvened at union headquarters in Fort Worth beginning at 9 a.m. Central today for its special meeting. First on the agenda was a discussion between the Board, Secretary-Treasurer Captain Bill Haug and Director of Finance and Accounting John Lawrence concerning the union’s financial condition. Captain Haug and Mr. Lawrence noted that APA’s reserves are substantially above minimum levels, with recent market performance contributing to an uptick in the balance.
Also this morning, Director of Industry Analysis Allison Clark provided an overview of second-quarter results for American Airlines and its airline peers, including metrics such as load factors, yields, unit revenues and cash balances. Ms. Clark reported that by the end of the current fiscal year, American Airlines’ year-over-year capacity cuts are projected to include a nine percent decline domestically and a four percent drop in international flying.
The Board voted to approve the following resolutions this week:
R2009-52, “APA Emergency Relief Fund,” substitutes new language for the existing APA Policy Manual section that concerns the APA Emergency Relief Fund. Passed 18-0-0-0.
R2009-53, “Emergency Relief Fund Bylaws,” which establishes bylaws for the re-established Emergency Relief Fund. Passed 18-0-0-0.
R2009-54, “APA Emergency Relief Fund Donation,” which acknowledges the re-establishment of the APA Emergency Relief Loan Fund and directs that “for all Emergency Relief loans made prior to June 1, 2009, all repayments of funds still outstanding be donated” to the new fund until a total of $50,000 is contributed. Passed 18-0-0-0.
R2009-55, Rev. 1, “Location of Spring Board Meeting,” directs that the regularly scheduled spring meeting shall rotate locations so that each even-numbered year it is conducted in a different domicile. Passed 15-0-3-0.
R2009-56, “Staff Long Term Disability,” which directs a change in plan providers for the APA staff’s group long-term disability insurance program. This change will result in lower premium costs and plan enhancements. Passed 18-0-0-0.
In addition, the Board voted to approve the following motions:
“The APA Board of Directors directs the APA Negotiating Committee to negotiate the CPA409A issue using Option 2, as briefed during the August 2009 APA Board of Directors meeting.” Passed 15-2-1-0.
“The APA Board of Directors authorizes the APA Vice President to coordinate a response to NATCA’s revocation of their “party status” in the ongoing Hudson River accident investigation. Prior to dissemination of a message from APA, approval shall be received from the Board of Directors.” Passed 18-0-0-0.
“The Lamar billboard contracts not be renewed upon their expiration in September 2009.” Passed 18-0-0-0.
“The APA Board of Directors authorizes General Counsel to craft a response, as deemed necessary, to the company’s August 13, 2009 uniform HI-6. Additionally, General Counsel will provide support, as necessary, for any APA volunteer who is subject to potential company discipline for the wearing of the American Airlines uniform while conducting Association business.” Passed 18-0-0-0.
“The APA Board of Directors recall APA IT Steering Committee Chairman, Captain Mark Hunnibell.” Passed 9-4-5-0.
“The APA Board of Directors approves the Strategic Planning Committee tasking order, as briefed during the August 2009 Board of Directors meeting.” Passed 18-0-0-0.
The Board adjourned its meeting at 1:30 p.m. today.
That’s it for today. Thanks for checking this hotline.
