04/12/2024
..::work post warning::..
There seems to still be just a few sticking points for some folks in this new TA. Here is some food for thought on the sunset if the 16 month roll off.
I have seen many peoples concerns over the past two weeks regarding the sunset of the 16 month roll off. “If it’s so unimportant why does the company want it so bad?” Is one of the most frequently asked questions online and in person.
Over time, our operation changes. Our contract changes. The way we fly as Flight Attendants changes.
In 2004 we were presented with a TA that had vast improvements to the way we sat reserve as well as significant wage increases through the pay scale and RIGS. However it wasn’t all gains, there were some concessions. A major sticking point during that TA rollout surrounded a significant change to the way we trade. Previously we were able to trade a trip down by 3 legs as opposed to the current procedure of a maximum 6.5 TFP value.
Many of us did not want that change as it seemed it would significantly affect our flexibility. However, the way we were flying had evolved significantly by the early 2000’s since the 3 leg rule had been implemented in the 80’s. When the language was originally negotiated, we were averaging 5 legs per day. 3 legs made sense because it was less than a full duty period. As we started flying to more and more destinations and added new types of aircraft, our trips started seeing less scheduled legs. As we entered the long haul market with the -700, you might see a 4 day with 8 legs and a turn with 5 in the same bid packet. If one of those turns dropped into OT (who wants to fly a 5 leg turn) you could trade down 3 duty periods in one transaction! The company was losing FA’s scheduled to work at an astronomical rate and led to numerous staffing problems. Obviously, this was a problem for the company so the need to alter the trading situation was paramount for them in that negotiation because they couldn’t manage the operation.
Fast forward to today with the 16 month roll off sunset. When the rolloff program was implemented you had to have a perfect quarter to record improve. Period. The only exception to this was if you physically went to the Doctor and got a note to physically turn in to your supervisor. Over the years we have added numerous other exceptions to perfect attendance in the form of non chargeable occurrence’s. The current TA not only adds Intermittent FMLA to that list, it also expands the qualified medical professionals who can fill out a Dr. Note. By adding so many different ways to record improve over the past 20 years it became a high priority for SWA to address the roll off portion of our incredibly liberal no fault attendance policy.
I hope this gives some context as to why SWA would want to see a change like this. Personally I think it’s a change they are putting way to much weight in as it’s rarely a form of points reduction that actually helps members in trouble in a timely fashion.
