Association of Flight Attendants

PROPOSED SOLUTION:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the United Master Executive Council directs the United Master Executive Council President to continue to prepare our Union for any and all contingencies related to our Section 6 Negotiations including the establishment of a "United Master Executive Council CHAOST Strike Fund" ("Strike Fund") funded with voluntary contributions.

This Strike Fund shall be established in accordance with our Constitution and Bylaws and the accounting and administration of the Strike Fund shall be by the United Master Executive Council Secretary-Treasurer with the assistance of the International Secretary-Treasurer at the direction of the United Master Executive Council President in accordance with all established practices and policies.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this Strike Fund shall remain in place for perpetuity. All money collected and not used will remain in the Strike Fund and shall be maintained in an interest bearing account separate from all other AFA monies. This account shall conform with our Ethical Investment Policy as delineated in Section 4.L. of our Constitution and Bylaws.

Reports of the status of the fund shall be supplied to each Local Council President on a quarterly basis.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the United Master Executive Council directs the United Master Executive Council President to implement the policies necessary to support the administration of benefits provided by the Strike Fund and update the United Master Executive Council Rules of Policy and Procedure to reflect these actions in a new Section entitled Strike Fund.

Funds may only be used in the event of a properly authorized Strike, and available exclusively for United Airlines Flight Attendants on strike. The "United Master Executive Council CHAOST Strike Fund" will be available to assist striking Members, as a result of management's failure to reach a Tentative Agreement for a new Contract.

Eligibility Requirements
The Strike Fund Committee will consider the following:

• Engaged in a duly authorized Strike
• Active Member in Good Standing
• Not flying for United or another carrier engaged in a dispute with AFA-CWA
• Not engaging in any action or deed which might adversely affect the successful outcome of the dispute

Once a Member's eligibility has been certified by the "Strike Fund Committee" comprised of the Local Council President/designee, the MEC Secretary-Treasurer and the International Secretary-Treasurer:

• Strike Fund benefits shall accrue immediately upon a work stoppage
• Benefits shall be paid monthly by action of the Strike Fund Committee, with the first payment distributed within 30 days of the date the individual goes on strike.

Strike Fund Benefits
At the start of the Cooling-Off Period a benefit level for all strikers will be established based on the available funds. The monthly benefit level will not exceed 75 hours paid at the striker's international rate of pay. Such benefit shall be prorated to a daily rate if necessary.

Continuation of the Fund
The fund will remain in effect as long as the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA is the duly authorized representative for United Flight Attendants. In any other situation the remaining funds shall continue to be used exclusively for the benefit of United Flight Attendants. A resolution will be presented by the United Master Executive Council to the United Airlines Flight Attendant Membership for a final determination vote.

Unanimously Adopted.
July 15, 2010

Strike Fund Vote Result

The results of the Strike Fund Vote are 61.42% in favor and 38.58% against. Article XI.A.4. of our Constitution and Bylaws requires a two-thirds affirmative vote to enact the temporary dues increase for a United Airlines Flight Attendant Strike Fund. As this vote required a super majority a temporary dues increase will not be implemented.

Strike Fund Vote Detail >

This vote was an example of our democracy at work, not only through the ballots cast by AFA Members but also through our collective discussion about a Strike Fund. We heard from many of you that a Strike Fund is not necessary for you to make the commitment to strike. Others stated confidence in our strike strategy, and pointed to the incredible track record of CHAOS™ and the pressure it puts on management to reach a deal rather than lose control to the surprise attacks of CHAOS strikes. We also heard from Members who expressed confidence in the generosity of Flight Attendants and our commitment to financially take care of our strikers in the event of a strike.

As we stated at the beginning of our discussion about a Strike Fund, our preparations for a strike are well underway and we will continue to implement the strategy of our Contract campaign. Local Power and Action seminars about how we exercise our power and how we prepare for a potential strike will continue around the system. The United Master Executive Council will meet and confer next week.

Throughout our discussions during this vote, regardless of your opinion about the proposed Strike Fund, we heard loud and clear that management’s concessionary proposals are unacceptable. Remain engaged in these negotiations, informed through the Flight Attendant Negotiations Network (FANN) and stand ready to act for our future.

In Solidarity,

Greg Davidowitch, President
United Master Executive Council