Your Rights Through the Grievance Process

Summer is always a busy time for flight attendants, and your Endeavor AFA Grievance Committee is no exception. Each summer, we see an increase in grievances related to actual or suspected contract violations. Many of these issues pertain to IROPs, including duty limitations, hotel issues, and junior assignments/extensions. While many issues are able to be remedied through the grievance process, we stress the difference between a "gripe" and a "grievance."

A grievance is an appeal filed after a valid or suspected violation of the explicit or interpreted language of the CBA or its relevant letters of agreements, MOUs, or past practices (collectively "the Contract"). Grievances are defensible by letter of law, and able to be argued through articulable arguments in the Contract.

Examples of grievances could include:

• A flight attendant improperly worked beyond their duty limits.
• A flight attendant assigned a trip out of order.
• A flight attendant who was not reimbursed for out of pocket transportation costs to get to a hotel after waiting more than 30 minutes.

A gripe is a complaint that does not have a basis in the Contract. A gripe can seem unfair, or make you say, "this shouldn't be allowed," but when examined closely, has no provision in the Contract offering a protection or remedy.

Examples of gripes include: 

• Working a 16 hour duty day otherwise permissible in the contract.
• Excessive hotel van times.
• Reporting a fatigue and expecting a trip to be removed even after Crew Services reset your rest to 10 hours, as required in the Contract.

Legitimate grievances are able to be disputed with legal principles and established or articulable interpretations. Gripes generally hold no bearing on actual Contract language.

That doesn't mean that gripes aren't important; many gripes can form the foundation for Contract negotiations. Flight attendants are encouraged to keep a record of their gripes and discuss with the LEC the best ways to address those gripes through the negotiations process.

Your Grievance Committee handles over 200 grievances per year, for contract violations and discipline appeals. Each grievance requires a minimum of 4 hours of manpower from at least 5 different people. Each gripe filed as a grievance takes time and resources away from legitimate grievances and undermines our creditability and effectiveness. 

Flight attendants are encouraged to review the Contract, review resources, and ask questions of their local representatives and MEC Grievance Chair.

Together, we can defend our contractual rights and position your union for success in the future.