OSO

I'm writing to inform you to please be cautious of OSO (Off Scheduled Operation) and what it means to you! As some of you may know the American Eagle Pilots while in contract negotiations, and unable to reach an agreement an arbitrator was brought in. The arbitrator ruled in favor of the company to implement the right to declare off scheduled operations. Prior to writing this update I had hoped to attain a copy of this agreement. However, with the winter months upon us I wanted to inform you of your rights when OSO is declared.

First, OSO is ONLY FOR PILOTS so please do not be fooled! As most of you know when the company declares an OSO day they post signs all over the crew lounges and an e-mail is sent out. It is a form sent out by Crew Scheduling that resembles what a Junior manning/Draft and looks like this..."This is your official notice today is an OSO day. Any questions, please call crew scheduling. Please remember on OSO days you are required to check your e-mail for any schedule changes or modifications 1 hour after the last actual not scheduled leg of your sequence"

Some of you may have seen this as it has accidentally (Evil Grin) been sent out to the Flight Attendant group too. In the past when this has happened I've immediately called crew scheduling. In some conversations I have been told ... "there was a side letter that stated they could keep crews on OSO days." I've informed crew scheduling this is for pilots only! Line Flight Attendants are required to check e-mail at the conclusion of a trip, after 15 minutes has past from the completion of their last leg they are free from all obligation to the company.

I've called Doug Matalucci (Vice President of Crew Planning/Schedling) and informed him of the occasional error of OSO being sent out to the F/A work group - He apologized, and stated ... this was wrong. He has assured AFA all schedulers will be informed this is for pilots only. I've also had reports from Flight Attendants that they have been asked to stay on OSO days by either a scheduler, and/or sometimes their Captain. Again, Line holding Flight Attendants are not required to stay ~leaving will result in no discipline. Additionally, this reduces the number of F/A's the company will have to pay at the Junior manning rate. It also helps them to keep the Junior Manning percentages down.

RESERVE Flight Attendants, this does not supersede your contractual rights! Once you have completed a sequence, and called scheduling to be released ... you must be assigned something or sent home. You then will either be kept on duty at home, or put into rest. Forcing you to sit at the airport for an additional hour with no assignment is a contract violation. Flight Attendants may not be used as both regular reserves and stand by reserves within the same duty period. If there is additional assignment it must start within 2:00 hours of your last scheduled leg per section 8/M paragraph 3.

It is not clear to AFA what constitutes an OSO day? Meaning, is it just limited to weather, or are there other factors such as staffing, Maintenance etc., I will be sending out the ALPA OSO side letter to your Local Presidents for posting. I fully expect the company to con as many Flight Attendants as possible, what good is the pilot group sitting around on OSO days without Flight Attendants? I also expect the company to twist, misuse and exploit OSO. I have brought my concerns to the negotiation committee as I feel that is where the company is headed next since we are in negotiations. Flight Attendants, please know your rights!

by Veronica Tenerelli