Upcoming furloughs

[GalleyHag]

I think there is a wait for furloughs at UA because they didn't want to furlough FAs outright right after this disaster. It's bad PR. So let's keep the FAs at about 4 years and under worried for months until the furloughs actually happen.

[5stars]

It's just a matter of time. Well, SINSW has closed down. Not furlough but RETRENCHED!!! I feel sad for the whole base and am very angry & sorry for UNITED mgt. These set of delicated crew had help United won the 5-star diamonds award and has maintained a very high std in every aspects. They were and will forever be the best SW in United. Yet, in this difficult period of time, the company show no mercy to them. Just because they are labelled as the RFAs. Its a great loss for United....

[ 09-27-2001: Message edited by: 5stars ]

[skysthelimit]

In reply to 5stars....The flight attendants at UAL are not happy to see the foriegn nationals be furloughed. However, to say that you are the "best" UAL has, is a slap in the face to every other UAL flight attendant. We are all one. And I am sorry if you have not learned anything since Sept. 11th.

We take no happiness in the cuts that will be conducted at UAL and every airline for that fact. Please remember...you knew you would be furloughed first should there be a cut at UAL. You TOOK the job. I am sure you do a fine job just as every single one of us at UAL do. There are 5,000 flight attendants at UAL in addition to the foriegn nationals that will be FURLOUGHED.

This is a sad time for the airline industry as a whole, please, don't hate at a time like this. We need compassion and understanding if we are to get through this.

God Bless you.

American We Are
United We Stand

[5stars]

Yes, skysthelimit, I do agree of what u said. and I certainly have learnt a valuable lesson from 911 and one of them is "never take things for granted". What I am trying to put across was although these RFAs were indeed the shining stars of UA, however they were slapped with no appreciation, miserable compensations for all these years of effort done. All the crew with 15 yrs and above seniority were inherited from PanAm. In order for them to carry on flying 15yrs ago, they hv no choice but to accept the contract. They worked real hard just like most of the AFAs, have proofed UA their loyalty in order (but failed) to fight for better status in UA.

I must assured u that they and I together with everyone out there do share the pain of going thru this tough time and we do understand what the company is going thru. But these SINSW n BKKSW people have lost something that most of the AFAs still have. That is, the hope of serving United again..... because they were RETRENCHED and not FURLOUGHED.

[GalleyWench]

5stars, I would like to express my sympathy at your base closure. As a 'mainline' UA flight attendant- I have to hand my hat to your colleagues- your service was PHENOMENAL!!! May I ask what 'retrenched' means? Have you been told the base will NEVER reopen? My sympathies to you and your colleagues, many of who have been flying longer and for less pay than the rest of us. Is there any chance of transferring to CS or reservations in Singapore? I wish the best to all of you........

[5stars]

Dear GalleyWench, thanks for your heart. The definition of "retrenchment" means ceased of employment with the company (ie termination). Well, no news were heard of reopening the base in future. It is pretty logical that even if UA were to reopen the base in SIN & BKK, priority would not goes to the "ex-RFAs". UA will seek for internal transfers requisition, and if more FAs required, they would recruit new AFAs. We don't think UA will want RFA base again cos it is so complicating having RFAs n AFAs.
As for the ground staff, they were also affected and the force were downsized too (easily count with 10 fingers!!!).

My wish to all the working AFAs out there, outshine & maintain the RFAs' excellent standard & reassure United customers their choice of airline....

[skysthelimit]

Dear 5stars, please do not feel that we, the flight attendants at United Airlines, are one bit pleased with UAL mgmt's decision regarding, as you put it, termination and furloughing of ANY flight attendant!

Especially when they (UAL mgmt) received money from the government to aid in getting this airline fully operational and, instead of treating their employees fairly, they sent $11.25 million dollar to a French aircraft maker so they can go on with their plans to start a new airline comprised of private jet service for the wealthy. They do not want to hire any of the furloughed flight attendants including RFA's because, as they stated....they are not the type of employee they are looking for.

So don't think you are the only one getting a kick in the ass from good old United Airlines. If you thought the company cared one bit about you, well, I am sorry, you were incorrect. UAL cares about how much money they can put into their pockets! They do not care that they are causing single mom's to maybe go on welfare. They do not care that people may lose their homes. They do not care how YOUR life, or MY life is affected by their inconsiderate decisions.

Please accept my sincere regrets. Our airline will never be the same until mgmt changes and realizes the dedication and loyalty so many of it's employees feel for this airline and returns these proud flight attendants, all of them, to their careers.

[5stars]

Dear skysthelimit, I'm sorry to hear about the fate of those furloughed AFAs. Well, I must apologise for my wrong information regarding the furloughed AFAs having the hope of returning to work when times are better. I have heard alot of complaints and unhappiness with the UA mgt. So do u have any info regarding the furloughed AFAs' compensations? Pls share with us... If the company is so uncompassionate, then we might as well follow their steps too!!! I was aware of the purchase of new fleets by the mgt. So what are the AFA union going to do?

[ 10-08-2001: Message edited by: 5stars ]

[skysthelimit]

Dear 5stars - All I can say is never give up hope. AFA is offerring voluntary three month furloughs. If you volunteer, then you will keep the medical and dental benefits, however, you will receive NO pay and will not accrue sick time or vacation. By flight attendants taking this three month furlough, it will ultimately put off the furlough of more junior flight attendants.

However, there is a tremendous movement going on within UAL by it's employees. No one is happy with the way Goodwin is running UAL.

Every day seems to bring about new changes in sentiment. Don't give up hope and let's all pray for United Airlines and all flight crew members industry wide during this most troubling of times.

God Bless You,