US AIRWAYS PASSENGER SERVICE EMPLOYEES
LOCAL 3640
Local 3640 Executive Officers
Vonda Hardy- President
Betty Parker- Executive Vice President
Kathy Smith- Secretary/Treasurer
Lori Manuel- Vice President
Local 3640 Executive Board
Becky Hill- Area Representative 1st Floor
Victoria Harris- Area Representative 2nd Floor
Robin Powell- Area Representative 3rd Floor
Paul Lindner- Area Representative 4th Floor
This page was last updated: May 5, 2008
1409-C Plaza West Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27103 336-760-6608
President's Message
Vonda Hardy
April 14, 2008
DearMembers,
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I know since February lots of changes have occurred, and the emotional rollercoaster is, at times, overwhelming. Changes to some are uncomfortable and to others a challenge. We all tend to like our comfort zone and I understand, because I too, am one
Domestic Violence
On March 13, 2007, US Airways lost a dear friend and coworker, Jana Rowell. She was hired in 1986, took the Early Out in 2005, and went to work for Allen Tate Realty. Jana was a beautiful soul in her prime at 41; she had everything going for her, a successful career, two beautiful children, and a wealth of friends and support. She lost her life due to domestic violence. We will never forget that tragic day.
The estimated 5.3 million cases of domestic violence occurring among US women 18 and older each year, result in nearly 2 million injuries and over one million deaths. That equates to 8 million days of work, equivalent to more than 32,000 full time jobs. On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States everyday.
It has been proven that 50% to 70% of men who abuse women also abuse children. ACT, "A Child’s Tears," is a site on domestic violence and how it affects the children involved. When in reality, 3.3 to 10 million children witness domestic violence every year. ACT has put together an anonymous forum for people to attend and speak out about their situation and past. It offers people to come together and talk to those that understand.
Any hurtful or unwanted behavior perpetrated upon an individual, by their partner, is Domestic Violence. It also includes murder, negligent homicide, justifiable homicide, kidnapping, rape, assault or intimidation where the victim to offender relationship is based on marriage, family ties, a romantic relationship or a former marriage.
Domestic Violence also includes Battered Men - The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence. Approximately 835,000 men are battered each year. There are many reasons why we don't know more about domestic abuse and violence against men. First of all, the incidence of domestic violence reported by men appears to be so low that it is hard to get reliable estimates. In addition, it has taken years of advocacy and support to encourage women to report domestic violence. Virtually nothing has been done to encourage men to report abuse. The idea that men could be victims of domestic abuse and violence is so unthinkable that many men will not even attempt to report the situation.
Recognizing the signs of Domestic Violence comes from awareness. Locals in District 1 and District 4 have joint union-management training, awareness and education programs on domestic violence. Local 9509, being a leader, has a grassroots program started by men dedicated to teaching male youths within our CWA families and the surrounding communities that domestic violence is wrong.
Action: As a representative for CWA Women’s Committee, I am asking each and every one of you to speak out against Domestic Violence. Reach out to support someone whom you believe is a victim. We need to become more involved and strengthen the grassroots movement on Domestic Violence. It is at this time, the Women’s Committee recommends, We Stand Up, We Unite, We Educate and We Promote Awareness to all our Brothers and Sisters.
In Solidarity,
Vonda Hardy
Women’s Committee
If you are interested in becoming involved in building a strong Women’s Committee, Please call the Local and let me know. As Chair of the National Women’s Committee representing District III, I want to invite you to assist me in creating a bold statement when it comes to Women’s issues. It is my wish to start having a District III Women’s Convention and I need you to accelerate that task. Let’s come together and work together to be an Advocate for Women.
In Solidarity,
Vonda Hardy
CWA Local 3640
336-760-6608
of those people. From a time of uncertainty before the merger, to a time of growth, we are growing with members and knowledge. Sometimes a negative feeling may become a positive one. There is an old cliché “the only consistent thing we can count on in the Airline Industry is Change” and with that comes a daily challenge. When a realignment of a duty assignment happens, we are here to make sure it is implemented correctly. One thing I do want to clarify for you is that if all 92 people in Preferred had chosen International as their first choice, then the last 39 people would have been drafted into Reservations Services, Chairmans and Groups. If you were unable to get into the department of your choice, please be sure and put in a SS-414 for a transfer.
As your President, when requesting improvements in the workplace, even a small request takes us one step closer to a resolution. I am one to stand up and “Face the Music” even when it becomes unpleasant. I hear you loud and clear; I do have a vision and a purpose and will follow that purpose to better the needs of the membership.
In Unity,
Vonda
Quote: "A 'positive attitude' is definitely one of the keys to success. My definition of a positive attitude is a simple one: Looking for the good in all circumstances."
-Catherine Pulsifer
Apply Now for Bahr Distance Learning Scholarships
Empire State College of the State University of New York is now accepting applications for the Morton Bahr Distance Learning Scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year. Two new scholarships will be awarded this year.
The scholarship honors CWA President Emeritus Morton Bahr, an Empire State College alumnus, for his commitment to lifelong adult learning. Bahr scholars study online through Empire State College's Center for Distance Learning.
Since its inception in 2001, the Bahr scholarship has helped 30 students continue their education. CWA members and other union workers, family members or domestic partners interested in working toward a degree are eligible.
Scholarship students can work toward associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees through a combination of online meetings with faculty, online courses and work with small study groups. They also may earn college credits for life and work experience.
Students will be eligible for scholarship funding as long as they maintain satisfactory academic progress and enroll for four to eight credits in at least two terms per year. Once enrolled as a Bahr scholar, students also must apply for other federal, state, corporate or union financial aid for which they may be eligible.
The deadline for applications is June 1, 2008. Award decisions will be announced by the end of July for fall enrollment. Scholarship awards fully cover tuition, fees and special services.
To apply online or download an application, visit www.esc.edu/bahr. To have an application mailed, send an e-mail to special.programs@esc.edu or call (800) 867-5941.
The Bahr Scholarship program is funded in part by CWA locals and members. To contribute, send a check payable to Empire State College Foundation Bahr Scholarship to the attention of Yvette Herrera, CWA President's Office, 501 Third St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.
Attendance and Wear Red Winners
April 2008 Labor Advisory Report
April 15, 2008
CWA
The Union representative, Company leaders and members of the Board of Directors met in Phoenix on April 9th to review the current conditions and issues at US Airways. Doug Parker discussed the oil prices and how it is influencing the economy and our profits. He was very proud of the on-time performance and the hard work the employees are doing out in the field. He did not confirm or deny that US Airways is still interested in finding another airline to merge with.
Scott Kirby discussed the IAM transition agreements and how pleased they all are that the mechanics ratified their contract and the Fleet service group has signed a tentative agreement that needs to be sent our for ratification as well. He talked about the demise of Skybus, Aloha and ATA and how it would be good for the remaining carriers, although they are small carriers, there will be a positive impact on our capacity. Due to higher fuel costs, the company will see some decrease in our scheduled flights in the back half of the year.
Robert Isom spoke of the positive progress being made in our operations and that our completion factor is getting better. Baggage issues in PHL are getting better and the work they have done in International re-check will help ease the problems during the summer months. He stated that the internal complaints are falling. We have had 2 months of 100% completion factor. The company is going to move to baggage scanners and better gate readers in the near future, they have programs in place now to get this done. The FAA audit in Maintenance caused some delays. The aircraft interior improvement program has been coming along well, and many of us should notice that the interiors of our planes are in much better shape. He is now working on fuel conservation programs with operations and the pilots and all concerned are pulling in the same direction. He revealed the plan to realign the operations management team. David Seymour will now be VP of Maintenance Planning, taking his previous position as VP of Operations Control and Planning will be Brad Beakley. Kerry Hester will now oversee Reservations along with her position as VP of Customer Service Planning. Jim Olson will be the new VP of Corporate Communications.
The CWA/IBT representative presented issues of concern for the membership. One issue we discussed was the staffing shortages in many locations which in turn cause mandatory overtime. In many small and medium size cities, there are no managers in the stations after 6:00 PM and in some locations as early as 4:00 PM the station managers and shift managers have left for the day. We have asked in the past and have asked again to have operations look into this issue and the problems it creates. Al Hemenway did follow up on the CWA's last request to revisit the staffing model they used to determine the head count, which was a Sabre based computer system. The company found that the Shares system does not allow agents to complete transactions as quickly as Sabre did, which is what we have been telling them all along. We hope this will convince them to improve staffing which will in turn, improve the customer's experience. Another major problem is the enforcement of the 10 minute door close rule. Our customers are already running from gate to gate to make a 30 minute minimum connect time, only to find out they only have 20 minutes in reality. The response was that our on time performance has improved and that is one of the company's main concerns right now. The Union asked for a meeting with the company to discuss the problems with this new rule and the problems and issues we experience daily in the workplace because of this rule. Robert Isom agreed to set something up in the near future to discuss this.
The CWA/IBT also raised the problem with retention of new hires. The starting rate in many cities is lower then what local fast food chains are hiring at and the Union has asked that the company consider starting all new hires at the $9.59 hour rate, which is an option in our CBA.
We also discussed the problem with the profit sharing checks. There were a large number of employees that did not receive their money and the company has identified almost 100 passenger service employees this affected. They responded and told us they are hoping to have their checks to them the following week.
