Wednesday, February 6, 2019
We Need YOU!
Sign up to volunteer to be a Union Activist.
We need you to help distribute information and materials for important issues and events during this round of bargaining. You’ll be one ofthe firsts to get inside info and facts to share on the line.
________________________________________________________________________
FAQ’s
What’s the last day I can enroll?
If you are active, your last day to enroll is March 22, 2019. If you’re out and off payroll, you have 30 days from your return to work status to enroll.
If I already have Short Term Disability policies, can I still buy more?
AFLAC is a voluntary supplemental policy that pays in ADDITION toany other policy(ies). The payments are made directly to you.
Why can’t I see the prices?
Plans are customized to meet your specific needs. Depending upon your family size as well as other factors, your pricing will vary.
Is phone enrollment available for residents of New York?
The State of New York has a law that prohibits life insurance companies from soliciting you by phone. Use the self-enrollment link if you live in the state of New York. (https://ssprod.ieswebservices.com/Default.aspx?CId=CqtJgc1EYX/E3Us1gP294w==)
Does the Group Accident Insurance cover us on the plane?
Yes, you’re covered.
Why did they take my deductions early? I thought coverage didn’t start until April or May.
Based upon our needs, AFLAC adjusted the coverage dates. Coverage begins the 1st day after the first FULL MONTH of payments. If you signed up and started payroll deductions in Jan or Feb, your coverage begins March 1st. If you sign up in March it begins April 1st.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?
AFLAC Roadshows begin next week.
(Click the calendar for locations, dates and times )
Remember this is the only time you’ll be able to sign up with Guarantee Issue!
– Robin Charbonneau, APFA Communications Chair, communications@apfa.org
Vacation Accrual for “red circled” Flight Attendants
Legacy American Flight Attendants hired prior to the date of signing (12/13/14) of the JCBA, who is accruing more vacation days than the amount specified in the JCBA vacation chart, will be “red circled” and will retain the higher number of vacation days until she/he moves to a higher rate on the vacation chart specified in the JCBA.
– Erik Harris, APFA National Contract Chair,contract@apfa.org
MedAire
If you need medical assistance for an illness or injury while on an overnight in an international destination, you can get medical assistance by calling MedAire at +1-480-333-3801. Your call will be answered by a communication specialist at MedAire’s Global Response Center. They will ask you for your name, location, employee number and chief complaint. A nurse or medical doctor will then join your call to ask questions, provide medical guidance and, if needed, help you secure a visit to an appropriate doctor or medical facility.
– Michael Tipton, APFA National Health Chair, health@apfa.org
Talk to Me
– Julia Simpson, APFA National Hotel Chair, hotel@apfa.org
Pill Bill
Getting Workers’ Compensation Prescriptions Filled
HELIOS has been chosen to manage workers’ compensation pharmacy benefits. You will find your Tmesys First Fill Card either in the back of the IOD pamphlet or downloadable and printable from jetnet. This temporary card will allow to receive your injury-related prescriptions at your local pharmacy.
Present the Tmesys First Fill Card to the pharmacy. You should not incur any costs or co-payments at the pharmacy for your prescriptions for work-related injury. You’ll receive an actual Tmesys card in the mail once your claim has been reported to Sedgwick. Most major pharmacies are included in network. To find a network pharmacy call 866-588-5426 or visit www.tmesys.com.
– Bellia Peckson, APFA National IOD Chair, iod@apfa.org
Schedule System Issues Report
If you experience an issue with one of the Scheduling Systems, complete a Schedule System Issues Report, located on the APFA homepage.This form collects the specifics we need to research, log and resolve your issues. After we have completed our investigation, we will follow up with you regarding the next steps. If your issue requires immediate attention, the Contract and Scheduling Reps are available during normal business hours to assist you. Live Chat representatives are available after hours and weekends.
https://apfadevelop.wpenginepowered.com/scheduling-system-issues-report-form/
-Renee Mayer, JCBA Specialist
–Becky Lydecker, APFA National Scheduling Chair,scheduling@apfa.org
Do the Math
On Monday January 24th, American announced that the estimated total value of 2018 Profit Sharing will be approximately $175 million, which would result in a payout percentage for all eligible employees of approximately 1.4 percent* of an individual’s eligible earnings.
If your eligible earnings in 2018 were $35,000 — multiply $35,000 by .014 to get a payout of $490. It is currently anticipated that the payment will be on March 8, 2019, for U.S.-based employees.
*This percentage is still just an estimate.
Eligibility for the 2018 profit-sharing program is based on earnings received while working in an eligible position in 2018, so long as you either remained employed through Dec. 31, 2018, or exited the company in 2018 due to disability, death or retirement (under an official company-approved retirement program). Similar to active employees, employees currently on LOA will receive their profit-sharing payouts in the same manner they receive their regular paychecks.
The following are considered eligible earnings for profit sharing:
- Base pay
- Overtime
- Premium pay
- Vacation pay
- Sick time
The following are not considered to be eligible earnings for profit sharing:
- Incentive payments (such as Grand Slam payouts and bonuses)
- Commissions (such as AAdvantage Cash and Barclays Crew Cash)
- Expense reimbursem*nt
- Previous award payouts (such as previous profit-sharing payouts and last year’s $1,000 tax reform payout)
For more information about 2018 Profit Sharing on jetnet: https://newjetnet.aa.com/docs/DOC-33801
–Kim Coats Tuck, APFA National Retirement Specialist,retirement@apfa.org
Stand, Unite, Fight!
We are now halfway through the three-week extension that reopened and funded the federal government after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. We continue to monitor the progress of the bipartisan, bicameral conference committee who is negotiating government funding and border security in hopes of averting another government shutdown.The funding runs out February 15th. Reach each out to your member of Congress and Senators, especially if they’re serving on the Conference Committee. Let them know that the aviation industry expects them to keep the government open and fund the critical safety and security departments such as TSA, ATC, FAA and NSTB.
Conference Committee:
Call your member of Congress, call your Senators, tell the White House:
“I am a Flight Attendant and a safety professional. We cannot jeopardize aviation safety and security. Support a bipartisan solution to keep the government open.”
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
________________________________________________________________________
AFGE which represents TSA and other federal employees will rally in DC, Feb 12th. Join AFGE and members of Congress to demand that they avert another costly shutdown and keep our government open!
Supporters will march from the Hyatt (400 New Jersey Ave NW) to the Capitol.
– Allie Malis, APFA National Government Affairs Representative, legislation@apfa.org
Check Your Dashboard
Remember to check your status in PBS
The Lineholder/Reserve Designator (LRD) closes on the 7th of every month at 1200 (DFW time). The results of the LRD are available on your PBS dashboard when PBS opens on the 10th of every month. Please review your status on your PBS dashboard prior to bidding. If you believe there is an error please contact the FABRC immediately to have the issue reviewed. You can also contact the APFA JSIC as well at JSICcommittee@apfa.org.
Your status is available in the center of your dashboard when logging into PBS.
– Alin Boswell, Julie Hedrick, Linda Haertling, Vicki Balistreri, APFA Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee, jsiccommittee@apfa.org
Q: I heard that our membership dues can increase at any time. Is that true?
A: No. Per the APFA Constitution, Article IV, Section 1. E, F:
The Board of Directors may conduct an annual review of the dues structure of the Association to determine if the structure should be revised, provided that no increase in dues shall be put into effect unless ratified by an affirmative vote by a majority of those active members in good standing who return valid ballots.
Assessments may be levied on all active members and to provide for extraordinary expenses, contingencies and reserves, provided such assessments are first approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Voting Board of Directors, and subsequently ratified by an affirmative vote by a majority of those active members in good standing who return valid ballots.
As of today, there have been 4,953 Flight Attendants who have filed uniform reaction reports.
Please continue to utilize the Uniform Reaction Report Form on the APFA website if you experience a suspected reaction to your uniform.
