AFA-CWA Council 12 | United Airlines Los Angeles

Sep 10, 2010

Posted December 2005 - Updated January 2010

January 2010: CLICK HERE FOR FORMS & MUST-READ Information from MEC website >>

IMPORTANT: UAL Fax Number for FMLA form submission: (847) 700-3084

[12.04.09] -- United Airlines Management Lobbied Against FMLA For Flight Attendants
[02.09.09] -- FMLA Fairness Unanimously Passed In The House

From Our MEC Website -- FMLA Issues: History & Overview For All Flight Attendants

UPDATE! DECEMBER 22, 2009 E-Lines - FMLA Legislation Signed into Law

Yesterday President Obama signed into law the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act (S.1422), amending the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to ensure that Flight Attendants and airline pilots are finally able to qualify for benefits under the Act. As you know, until this legislation was passed, we have faced qualification challenges unique to our industry due to our non-flying hours not being counted towards the total hours of service.

In a statement issued by the White House last night:

�Today the President was pleased to sign into law S.1422, the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act and appreciates the leadership of Senator Patty Murray, Senator Chris Dodd, Congressman Tim Bishop and others in Congress on this issue. This new law amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to make sure that flight attendants and pilots are able to qualify for FMLA benefits, just like other American workers.�

This is an enormous victory for Flight Attendants, as we will now be provided equal access to the same coverage that has long benefited every other worker in America. This achievement has been made possible through your calls and letters to Congress in support of this important legislation and made the difference in changing the sixteen year old law to include us. We recognize and are appreciative of the efforts of Senator Patty Murray, Congressman Tim Bishop for championing this legislation, as well as the work of former Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in the 110th Congress. We also wish to acknowledge the efforts of Debbie Golombek and the Government Affairs committees for working tirelessly on our behalf.

There are TWO types of FML Policy options all F/As should be aware of:

� In a foreseeable situation (birth, adoption, asthma, planned medical treatment, etc.) a F/A must give the Company 30 days notice. This process may also be applied to intermittent usage to establish future FML absences.

� In an unforeseen situation (flu, sprain, chicken pox, etc.), the F/A may be granted FML leave with the expectation s/he will provide the needed Serious Health Condition Certification Form completed by the F/A's health care provider and submitted to the Service Center within 15 days from the date of the illness (calling ONSL - Sick Leave). When calling ONSL to the F/A Service Center, be sure to have the call rep note that "retroactive FML" will be applied for to substantiate the absence.

AFA-CWA Joins Congressional Leader In Introducing Flight Attendant-Friendly FMLA Language

Rep. Bishop (D-NY) Holds Press Conference to Introduce New FMLA Language

[06.13.07] -- Washington, DC - Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) International President Patricia Friend will join Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY) on Thursday (6/14) in introducing new Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) language that will clarify the intent of the original law and finally provide all flight attendants equal coverage under this legislation.

�We are extremely pleased to support Representative Bishop's bill that finally addresses the current FMLA language that has repeatedly denied many flight attendants from qualifying for coverage for years,� said Friend. �AFA-CWA has worked hard to ensure that no flight attendant is left behind when it comes to FMLA coverage. We feel that Rep. Bishop's language will ensure that all flight attendants are eligible to take part in this very important legislation.�

Currently, flight attendants face many hurdles in order to qualify for FMLA benefits. These hurdles are particular to airline employees since current FMLA language has been narrowly interpreted and has failed to take into account �the unique way in which the airline industry counts its workers hours.� Congressman Bishop�s Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act will clarify the original 1993 FMLA law and ensure that flight crews are treated fairly and qualify for benefits.

�FMLA has been a great program for working families in this country. No one can question the benefit it has provided for working women and men by being able to take time off from work to care for themselves or family members,� said Bishop. �This bill will clarify the intent of the law in order to provide a fair and well-deserved benefit to the hard-working airline crewmembers.�

The FMLA requires most employers to provide job-protected unpaid leave to employees who have worked 60 percent of a full-time schedule over the course of a year. However, the courts and federal agencies disregarded that original intent and narrowly defined the �full time schedule� as that of a traditional 40 hour work week, thereby excluding any employee that does not fall with the traditional 9-5 work day. The Airline Flight Crew FMLA will correct this misinterpretation of the original legislation.

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