UPDATED JULY 30, 2008. 368 flight attendants took the VBR (bridge to retirement) and many others took short and long term leaves so NO FURLOUGHS FOR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AT AMERICAN AIRLINES. ed.
American Airlines Inc. has told its flight attendants' union it MAY furlough 900 flight attendants beginning Aug 31, 2008.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants said in a hotline message to its 19,000 members that the airline delivered a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN, letter informing them of the possible layoffs. Texas' WARN ruling requires employers to give employees a 60-day advance notice of significant layoffs.
The letter said the 900 flight attendants with the least experience would be subject to furlough. (the former TWA flight attendants)American Chief Executive Gerard Arpey in May said the Fort Worth-based airline would cut thousands of jobs as it reduces its capacity by 11 to 12 percent by the fourth quarter. Last week, American said it would significantly reduce its management and support jobs by September.
The flight attendants union says American has agreed to some provisions for early retirements, voluntary leaves of absence and "partnership flying" in which two flight attendants can share the same job.
The "voluntary bridge to retirement" or VBR, is limited to flight attendants not currently on furlough, who are at least 50 years old and with at least 15 years' seniority as of Aug. 31, the union says. Attendants would get a $15,000 severance payment and some limited medical and travel pass benefits.
The one-time "bridge to retirement" will be awarded first, followed by leaves at bases with an overage. Where overages then still exist, partnerships will be awarded. After these three voluntary provisions are exhausted, and should any overage still exist, the company will then determine how many of the remaining 900 flight attendants are ultimately to be furloughed.
Web sites: http://www.aa.com/, ww.apfa.org
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