Agenda Item #25
Posted on Apr 11, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: BOD Meetings – Cities in which BOD Meetings are Scheduled
SUBJECT: BOD Meetings – Cities in which BOD Meetings are Scheduled
STATEMENT OF QUESTION: Should the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws be amended to reflect a requirement for Board of Directors Meetings to be held in locations which are served by no less than two (2) commercial airlines who maintain scheduled air service into the location from more than one city?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: UAL MEC, HAL 43 – April 10, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
It goes without saying our Members have the expectation that their elected Officers are fiscally responsible and make solid financial decisions, including the scheduling of the locations at which AFA Board of Directors Meetings are scheduled. There is also an expectation that these Meetings are to be scheduled in locations where there are Flight Attendant bases to encourage as many Members-in-Good-Standing to attend these BOD Meetings.
Within the framework of fiscal responsibility is the need to balance the time commitments and other schedule obligations of the Union leadership. The scheduling of BOD Meetings in locations with limited air service can make attaining these competing priorities difficult while increasing costs for those participating. Given the participation of the leadership of our AFA airlines travel from the far corners of the world, traveling to locations with limited air service can add days to the travel time.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the elements of inclusion and fiscal responsibility expected from AFA leaders can present conflicting priorities; and,
WHEREAS, AFA Members have a desire and interest in being able to see their Union’s democratic process at work; and,
WHEREAS, Members in good standing are afforded the opportunity to attend these meetings under our Constitution & Bylaws; and,
WHEREAS, the Union Leadership and our Members rely on air service to travel to and from the locations where these meetings are scheduled, a regular schedule of service by more than one airline increases our ability not only to attend but to reliably and efficiently schedule these meetings.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article V.D.1.b. be amended as follows:
b. The regular annual Board of Directors meeting shall be held at the location designated by the Board of Directors. Reasonable and adequate hotel accommodations, in the form of single rooms, will be provided, unless otherwise specified. If price, availability, location and amenities are comparable, preferred lodging is at a union hotel. Special consideration shall be given to those hotels that provide rooms with windows that open and food availability twenty-four (24) hours a day located within the hotel, such as room service or lounge menu availability. No consideration shall be given to any potential BOD meeting locations with no less than two (2) commercial airlines who maintain scheduled air service into the location from more than one city. Such request is to be approved by the AFA-CWA Board of Directors.
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 25
Committee 7
Subject: BOD Meetings – Cities in which BOD Meetings are Scheduled
The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as amended:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article V.D.1.b. be amended as follows:
b. The regular annual Board of Directors meeting shall be held at the location designated by the Board of Directors. Reasonable, safe, secure, and adequate hotel accommodations, in the form of single rooms, will be provided, unless otherwise specified. If price, availability, location, transportation, and amenities are comparable, preferred lodging is at a union hotel. Special consideration shall be given to those hotels that provide rooms with windows that open and food availability twenty-four (24) hours a day located within the hotel, such as room service or lounge menu availability.
Signature: Tim Hopkins, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board:
Voice X Division of the House Roll Call
_______Adopted Date: 4/10/18 Time: 10:48 am
X Adopted as Amended
_______Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn
Agenda Item #24
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: Petition Clarification (Article III.D.9.a.)
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
When a recall meeting petition is requested for multiple elected officers, should a separate petition be required for each Local Officer being subjected to recall?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: SPR 78 – March 9, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Article III.D.9. contains the governing language specific to member petitions pertaining to requesting a meeting to discuss circulation of a recall ballot. A key provision is that a petition must be clearly marked with a single intended purpose.
As written, this provision is not clear whether a single or multiple petitions are required when the petitioner seeks a recall meeting to discuss the recall of more than one Local Officer. This provision should be clarified to stipulate that a separate petition is required for each and every Local Officer being subjected to recall.
This clarification will ensure that it is clear to a member being presented with a petition that the petition is for just that individual.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, Article III.D.9.a. stipulates that a member’s petition must be clearly marked with a single intended purpose; and,
WHEREAS, when multiple Local Officers are being subjected to the recall process, the single intended purpose would be more clear if separate petitions are completed for each individual subjected to the process;
THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article III.D.9.a. be amended as follows:
9. Petitions
a. Any member who wishes to circulate a petition must first contact the office of the International Secretary-Treasurer to record the statement of the petition. Any petition that is circulated among members of a Local Council must be clearly marked with a single intended purpose. If the petition is for the purpose of requesting a Special Local Council meeting to discuss circulation of a recall ballot, then the petition shall be limited to one Local Officer. The petition bearer shall have sixty (60) days from the date the petition is recorded to submit the final petition to the International Secretary-Treasurer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all remaining sections of Article III.D.9. remain unchanged.
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 24
Committee 8
Subject: Petition Recall – Single Person (Article III.D.9.)
The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.
Signature: Robert Barrow, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board:
Voice X Division of the House Roll Call
___X___Adopted Unanimously Date: 4/10/18 Time: 1:43 pm
_______Adopted as Amended
_______Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn
Agenda Item #23
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: Membership Contact Information (New Section II.K.)
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
Should the Policy Manual be amended to clarify that all membership contact information belongs to the Union and must be protected?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: Strategic Planning Committee – March 9, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
During the period of Officer transition after elections, at times it is unclear to some that contact information of members is the property of the Union.
While this has always been the case, it should be clarified, and the importance of protecting this confidential member information should be re-emphasized.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that a new Section II.K. be added as follows:
K. Email Lists and Contact Information
To protect the privacy of AFA Members, contact information such as home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, etc., must be protected. As with all physical property of the Union, contact information may not be sold, distributed, or released to individuals or organizations that are not directly supporting the mission of AFA-CWA. If contact information is distributed to outside organizations (e.g., a mail house) then an appropriate confidentiality agreement must be signed. To ensure members can be contacted, the International Office must have access to all contact information and remains the ultimate owner of this data.
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 23
Committee 6
Subject: Membership Contact Information (Section II.K.)
The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.
Signature: Erica Levy, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board:
Voice X__ Division of the House Roll Call
___X___Adopted Unanimously Date: 4/10/18 Time: 1:36 pm
_______Adopted as Amended
_______Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn
Agenda Item #22
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: Local Councils – Establishment (Section I.I.)
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
Should the minimum number of members required to establish a Local Council be increased?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: Strategic Planning Committee – March 9, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The purpose of this agenda item is to focus on the minimum size of 100 active members at the prospective Council, as well as the minimum size of 400 active members at the airline.
Constitutional research revealed that the provisions to establish Local Councils were placed in the Constitution and Bylaws at the BOD Meeting in 1985. The minimum number to establish a council was over 50 active members in good standing at the prospective council, and over 150 at the airline. In 1987, these numbers were amended to increase the respective minimums to 100 and 400.
In reviewing this topic, the SPC focus was to ensure the level of representation would be maintained or enhanced before any change could be recommended.
A key focus is whether there is a sufficient pool of member leaders with only 100 active members from which to find good union reps. This would include not only the three Local Officers, but volunteers for committee positions as well.
Experience, especially as it relates to Local Officer elections, is that we have been conducting more Special Elections at small councils. Many times, there is insufficient candidates in the nomination process, so ballots are sent without candidates for each open officer positions.
Representation depends on quality of volunteers, which makes it more difficult when the pool of members is too small to generate a sufficient number of volunteers.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, providing exceptional representation is the goal of all AFA-CWA Local Councils, and this exceptional representation is dependent upon committed volunteers from the Local Council; and,
WHEREAS, each Local Council must have a sufficient pool of members in order to fill not only the three Local Officers, but volunteers for committee positions; and,
WHEREAS, experience as it relates to Local Officer elections, is that more Special Elections are required at small councils, and many times, there insufficient candidates in the nomination process, so ballots are sent without candidates for each open officer position; and,
WHEREAS, this experience indicates that a minimum size of 100 active members in good standing may not be sufficient to provide an adequate number of union representatives for all Local Officer and Committee Volunteer positions; and,
WHEREAS, this section of the Constitution and Bylaws and the applicable change does not apply in the situation of a Single Council Airline; and,
WHEREAS, the Executive Board continues to be empowered to establish a Local Council outside of the size parameters if special circumstances exist;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Section I.I. be amended as follows:
1. For the purpose of establishing more than one (1) Local Council on an airline or establishing a new Local Council, the membership on the carrier in the Local Councils should meet both of the following criteria:
a. Total membership on the airline should exceed four hundred (400) six hundred (600) active members in good standing.
b. Each Local Council should have over one hundred (100) two hundred and fifty (250) active members in good standing.
2. In accordance with Article III.C.1.c., and Article III.C.3.d., each domicile with less than one hundred (100) two hundred and fifty (250) members in good standing, shall be encouraged to elect a Local Council Representative and/or appoint Base Representatives.
3. In the event the Master Executive Council feels it is necessary to establish Local Councils outside these criteria, the Master Executive Council may petition the International President.
Date: 4/10/2018
Time: 4:50 pm
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 22
Committee 5
Subject: Local Council – Establishment (Section I.I.)
The Committee recommends the resolution not be adopted.
Signature: Melissa Osborne, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board: Voice X Division of the House Roll Call
_______Adopted Date: 4/10/18 Time: 6:46 pm
_______Adopted as Amended
___X___Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn
Agenda Item #21
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: Local Council Dissolution (Article III.A.5)
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
Should the threshold number of members in a Local Council dissolution or termination as assessed by the Executive Board pursuant to Article III.A.5. be revised?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: Strategic Planning Committee – March 9, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The purpose of the discussion was focus on the minimum size of 10 members at the prospective Council and whether it should be changed. This provision has not changed since placed in the Constitution and Bylaws when AFA was part of ALPA.
In discussing this topic, the SPC viewed this topic with a focus on how to best represent members at a Council where the size has dwindled. The SPC recognized that there is no “magic” number, but was clear that a location with only 10 members cannot generate sufficient number of volunteers to provide representation. The “pool” of potential volunteers is just too small.
This agenda item would not affect any Single Council Airline as this is the only existing council.
This agenda item would not affect any Council at a Multi-Council at this time as all Councils are above this minimum.
Given the existing language in this section, closure of a Council would not be automatic, but would require a discussion and decision of the Executive Board.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, a Council that has reduced in size to 10 members is not of sufficient size to provide representation to these members; and,
WHEREAS, dissolving a Council at a Single Council Airline by virtue of its size is not contemplated by this change; and,
WHEREAS, the Executive Board continues to be empowered to dissolve a Council by virtue of its diminished size, closure would not be automatic, but would require a discussion and decision of the Executive Board;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article III A.5. be amended as follows:
- Local Council Dissolution
A Local Council shall be automatically dissolved when the domicile ceases to exist or when the Union ceases to be the bargaining representative for the flight attendant members of the carrier. The Executive Board is empowered to terminate or dissolve a Local Council if its members diminish to 10 fifty (50) or fewer, or if other factors which led to its initial establishment are demonstrated to be no longer applicable. Six months prior to the start of any Term of Office, the International Secretary-Treasurer will notify the Executive Board if membership has dropped below the minimum at any Council.
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 21
Committee 5
Subject: Local Council – Dissolution (Article III.A.5.)
The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.
Signature: Melissa Osborne, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board:
Voice ___ Division of the House _ Roll Call X
___X___Adopted Date: 4/11.18 Time: 10:17 am
_______Adopted as Amended
_______Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn
Agenda Item #20
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: Executive Board Meeting Dates
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
Should the time period to conduct the regular annual Executive Board meeting be expanded?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: Strategic Planning Committee – March 9, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The current time frame for the regular annual Executive Board meeting is August 1 through October 1. Expanding this time frame until December 15 will facilitate planning of the Executive Board meeting and enable lower costs to conduct the meeting.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article VI.C.1. be amended as follows:
C. Meetings
- A regular meeting of the Executive Board shall be held annually between August 1 and October 1 December 15. The place and date of the meeting may be determined by the Board of Directors in session or by mail ballot sent to the Executive Board members by the International President. The Executive Board will meet by teleconference in quarters when a regular meeting of the Executive Board is not scheduled.
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 20
Committee 2
Subject: Exec Board – Expand Date Window of Regular Meeting (Article VI.C.1.)
The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.
Signature: Rick Gonzalez, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board:
Voice X Division of the House Roll Call
____X__Adopted Unanimously Date: 4/10/18 Time: 9:15 am
_______Adopted as Amended
_______Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn