NWA flight attendants !!!!

Its been over a year now with the PFAA in power after the representational election. Where do you feel things stand after the derailing of the IBT, and all thats followed.

I like PFAA. I hope they don't back down and sign a crapy contract. I think the work rules are a big one!! We're tired and getting sick a lot more. We want the senior people gone!! If that means we vote out a pension program, then fine. This is the only job in which it's possible to move backwards. Work rules need changed.....I'd take a pay freeze and give a weeks vacation for that, but no way am I taking a pay-cut. I think the senior people should take a pay cut or fly more than 9 days a month and make 50,000 a year!!!!
When I say senior, I'm talking over 25 years.....

Good save on the "25 years" almost.

Safe Flying  

PFAA is doing a GREAT job. We are getting educated on our contract. They (PFAA) are communicating so much more than the crooks, IBT. We have people in office that are doing whey they should be doing, and working FOR the Flight Attendants and NOT a bigger picture (AFL-CIO and Teamsters).

PFAA is such a healthy breath of fresh air!

If the Northwest flight attendants had voted to stick with Teamsters, I can assure you we'd now be working under a concessionary contract. The IBT would have made some under-the-table deal with NWA management (that would have been profitable for both Northwest and Teamsters) and the flight attendants would have been screwed.

Choosing to go with PFAA (Professional Flight Attendants Association) is the smartest thing the Northwest flight attendants have ever done!

Cheetajet

Wow, can't wait until you get 25 years experiance and see your opinion on this.

NWACREW,

You are right on the money that if the IBT were still around we would not only be under a concessionary contract, that contract would be a 10 year contract!

Its nice to not be sold down the river!

The PFAA is just as corrupt as the IBT. We got ourselves into a much weaker position with the vote last year. The company has refused to to start the DCO.

If the Northwest flight attendants had voted to stick with Teamsters, I can assure you we'd now be working under a concessionary contract

And how can you be sure of this? Are you aware that the company decided not to pursue concessions until we are inside of 6 months until the expiration of the contract. Saying that the PFAA had something to do with this is giving credit where credit isn't due. Waiting until 6 months before contract expiration is a common practise that is taken. The company decided to focus their attention on the pilots contracts restructuring since they were the biggest componentand they needed that one to start the ball rolling. Did you vote on the LOA 96-97? If so, did you read the provision at the end, which is to negate the the quarterly overtime? Sounds like the PFAA is baiting the hook with a carrot. Just my $0.02

Jet,

Question for you, are you paying your dues?

Question for you, are you paying your dues?
Yes I am. Even though I am very skeptical of the PFAA, I am a member in good-standing.

Jetjack,

So glad to hear that your not one of the 7% Scabs!

PFAA is doing a great job and our company is not happy about that..(I am VERY involved with PFAA). At a meeting a few months back, there was a VERY Sr. member of mangment that slamed his fist on the table and said "why don't you give us what we are asking for, the teamsters usually did!"

That is a direct quote from his mouth to all that was in the meeting (and yes I was in that meeting).

I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion. I will try not to take personal offense to the statement that PFAA is just as corrupt as he IBT. I have put in many volunteer hours with both the IBT and now with PFAA. Hours that make a difference for the NWA Flight Attendants...because that is what our association should really be all about. To classify an entire group as corrupt is judgemental and is making a statement that is not educated.

LOA 96 regarding OWT's does make a statement regarding QOT. This is a restatement that is no different than the language found on page 3.6 of the Flight Attendant agreement. The company has never had the ability to program the system to do this, however. With the acceptance of this agreement the company will pay programmers to make the changes and when they do, they will program it so that any OWT that projects you over 80 hours will not contribute to your QOT. I understand that you will still be able to process the over projection as a double mutual and get paid QOT. You can choose to vote no, that is your right. To punish an entire group because of delusions or misinterpreted language is a vote that is uneducated.

A simple call requesting more information or clarification of the issue would provide the information needed to make an educated vote.

The NWA Flight Attendants are the PFAA. If you do not like the way things are handle. Run for election...volunteer your time...and make a difference. I have no patience for Flight Attendant that complain...but do not participate!

Are there things that I see that PFAA does that I do not agree with? Yes.
How do I make a difference? I ask questions...I volunteer...I participate.
Do I think that if we remained IBT we would likely have a concessionary contract? Yes.
Do I think we should take paycuts? I think we have already taken paycuts. I believe there are things that we can do that save the company money and benefit the Flight Attendant group. That do not result in further cuts in pay.
Have I shared my ideas? Yes.

I believe from my core that as PFAA the NWA Flight Attendants have the ability to achieve more through the democratic process. I believe there will be people elected that will do a great job as PFAA officers. I also believe that not everyone who is elected to a position will always be the best person for the job. But that is the true nature of the democratic process.

Cheers,
NWADTWFA

As we get ready to go into contract talks we must be one, we must be educated with facts, we must pay our dues, we must make this business and not personal. We must attend union meetings. We must succeed as one and not several, "what about" sub groups. We must stay focused. Finally, we must realize this industry is hurting, we must make smart business choices for the flight attendant group and yes I'll say it, the company with in reason.

Safe Flying  





[Edited 2004-10-28 03:33:17]

[Edited 2004-10-28 03:37:42]

Flyguyclt,

I want to thank you for your great posts on this airliners.net. I always look forward to what you have to say. I agree with you 100% about the PFAA members coming together and staying strong, united, and educated.

I want to also thank you for mentioning about peer pressure from the pilots for taking paycuts. A few points...

Our agreement is not yet amendable...When it does become amendable, I would like to get a 10% raise and then I will sit on it for two years and then think about taking a paycut.

NWA Flight Attendants have already taken paycuts in the form of cut in insurance benefits (which is a larger percentage of our income than it is of pilots income). Try a 5% cut for the average Flight Attendant and maybe a 1% cut for the Pilots.

NWA Flight Attendants have had our staffing cut. And as Flyguyclt, we work more short staffed and more productive than anyone.

Flight Attendants have become the front line security staff that has no choice but be forced to deal with any possible threat. We do get big thick doors to protect us...as a matter of fact we are out it the open and will be the pilots eyes and ears.

And once again, we are not the 2nd highest paid in the industry...even after other groups have taken concessions.

I believe and trust NWA pilots. I stand behind them and support them now and during the strike. I would appreciate a little support as well.

Cheers,
NWADTWFA

NWADTWFA,

Your so right, we have taken paycuts. Our pay-in for insurance alone was a cut. Our staffing has always been low, and now pretty much FAA minimums on all flights (pretty close too on International). I always laugh when I hear American's FA BI(*^ and moan about having to fight for the 12th FA on the 777. Could you picture them working our 747 with 12, they would die two hours into the flight.

A 10% pay cut to a Flight Attendant means not being able to pay his/her mortgage/rent. Not being able to eat dinner sometimes. A 10% to a Pilot means no new jet ski this summer. No extra summer vacation. They wont be able to play golf every weekend. It is no were close to what 10% to FA's would be.

Since 9/11 our duties have increased...between the staffing issues, doing a lot more with less...the guys and gals up front, their work load has not increased at all!

So when a Pilot starts their "we all need to take a cut", sorry remind them, we have...and any more to us would be financially disastrous.