Brothers and Sisters,

Sometime in early July of 2017 I notified the company that beginning January 1, 2018 all of our NY-based Members would be eligible for PAID family leave (NYPFL) in order to care for family members as outlined in the legislation passed by Governor Cuomo. In explaining the benefits and guarantees of the law it was clear that many in HDQ’s were unhappy about the law and it was also clear that AA’s legal team was looking for a way to wiggle out of the obligations before the law became applicable. This state law also requires that every employee contribute to the fund and that contribution is to be capped at 0.126% of an employee’s weekly wage. Because the company dragged its feet on the implementation of the law’s benefits they have now run out of time on setting up the payroll deduction of the contribution. As a result, I was notified yesterday that AA will absorb all employee costs of the NYPFL for 2018.

In addition, because of their tardiness the company will also need to waive the 30 day advance notification obligation we have should anyone apply for the leave on New Years Day 2018. They have also not set up the application process but told me yesterday that this will be up and running in less than 10 days.

It is abundantly clear that AA dropped the ball on prepping for this pro-worker state legislation. With all that said, the Governor’s law is carved in stone and AA must abide by its terms and conditions. Please see our EAP Rep George Crozier for more details on eligibility and how to best prepare should you need to apply. You may also access the following link for the NYS Statement Of Rights with regards to this benefit.

https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/1711-PFL-271SFormFill.pdf

In closing, please understand that this paid benefit is for the care of eligible family members and does not impact the traditional FMLA benefit that we use in order to take needed time away for ourselves. As always, you can reach me at (347) 661-3527 at any time should you need any other additional information.

Angelo Cucuzza
Executive Vice President
Legislative Liason

Brothers and Sisters,

The Executive Negotiating Committee met face to face with American Airlines this week in Dallas. All groups concentrated on internal discussions and deliberations in concert with the Association legal team on Scope language that will protect our work and jobs in the new contract. These discussions are in preparation for a counter proposal for all Association classifications to the company’s woefully inadequate proposal on that important article in all our JCBA’s.

Discussions continued on GSE/Facilities filling of vacancies; M&R and MLS ASAP MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) including the Just Culture philosophy, MLS seniority and MLS/M&R overtime opportunity distribution procedures.

Complete Tentative Agreements were reached on:

Union Security and Dues Check Off- All Groups
Seniority- MCT
Seniority- MTS

The future negotiating calendar is as follows:

January 8- DCA
January 22- DCA
February 12- DCA
February 19- DCA

Fraternally,

Fleet Negotiating Committee:

Mark Baskett, William Fa ,Mike Fairbanks, Tim Hughes,Steve Miller, Tim Murphy, Pat Rezler, Art Risley, Andre Sutton ,Rodney Walker, Bill Wilson.

Mechanic and Related/Stores Committee:

Jason Best, Mike Bush, Ken Coley, John Coveny, Dale Danker, Mark Huffman, Bennie Martino, Gary Peterson ,Rollie Reaves ,Sean Ryan ,Jay Sleeman, Mark Strength.

Brothers and Sisters,

The Executive Negotiating Committee met face to face with American Airlines this week in Washington, D.C. This session focused on Maintenance Control Technicians (MCT) and Maintenance Training Specialists (MTS) along with other Mechanic & Related and Stores language.

Substantial progress was made in several non-economic articles. The constructive dialog and productive environment carried over from last week, enabling the parties to significantly narrow their positions on outstanding issues in numerous articles for these groups.

Complete Tentative Agreements were reached on:

Qualifications – MCT

Filling of Vacancies –MCT

Recall -MCT

 Hours of Service-MTS

 Filling of Vacancies-MTS

 Seniority-MTS

 Filling of Vacancies-MLS

 Qualifications-MLS

The future negotiating calendar is as follows:

December 11- DFW

January 8- DCA

January 22- DCA

February 12- DCA

February 19- DCA

Fraternally,

Fleet Negotiating Committee: Mark Baskett,William Fa,Mike Fairbanks,Tim Hughes,Steve Miller,Tim Murphy,Pat Rezler,Art Risley,Andre Sutton,Rodney Walker,Bill Wilson.

Mechanic and Related/Stores Committee: Jason Best,Mike Bush,Ken Coley,John Coveny,Dale Danker,Mark Huffman,Bennie Martino,Gary Peterson,Rollie Reaves,Sean Ryan,Jay Sleeman,Mark Strength.

Brothers and Sisters,

The Executive Negotiating Committee met face to face with American Airlines this week in Washington DC. This session was focused on Maintenance Training Specialists (MTS) and was very productive. Non-economic articles were discussed. Constructive dialog in a productive environment helped the parties significantly narrow their positions in numerous articles that produced an agreement on most outstanding language issues. Complete Tentative Agreements were reached on:

Purpose of Agreement

Preamble

Safety & Health

Uniforms

Qualifications

When the parties reconvene both sides will be prepared to begin discussions on the Scope Article and remaining language issues for MTS.

Additional weeks have been added to the negotiating calendar as follows:

December 4 DCA

December 11 DFW

January 8 DCA

January 22 DCA

February 12 DCA

February 19 DCA

Fraternally,

Fleet Negotiating Committee:

Mark Baskett      William Fa      Mike Fairbanks      Tim Hughes

Steve Miller       Tim Murphy       Pat Rezler               Art Risley

Andre Sutton      Rodney Walker     Bill Wilson

Mechanic and Related/Stores Committee:                                        

Jason Best    Mike Bush    Ken Coley    John Coveny    Dale Danker    Mark Huffman  

Bennie Martino   Gary Peterson    Rollie Reaves    Sean Ryan    Jay Sleeman    Mark Strength