The DOT and FAA have recently announced that they will cut 10% of flights in preparation for the extended Government Shutdown. Starting Friday morning, 40 major airports nationwide will reduce operations, affecting all Airline Carriers. United will be complying with this DOT order. While we are unsure how this will affect our day-to-day operations, it is crucial to understand your Contractual rights and be prepared for any changes that may affect your schedule.
While this information may be alarming, please know that your Union is here to support you during this uncertainty. United is well-positioned to absorb these reductions in flying for a sustained period, with many levers to relieve pressure on the system.
We will keep you updated when we have more information. At this time, anticipate for cancelled flights across the system, resulting in advanced notice reassignment instances.
Your Contractual Protections: 7.Q.3 Reassignment
JCBA 7.Q.3, language regarding reassignment with more than one calendar day’s notice, protects us when these situations may arise. When notification of a “Loss of Flight Time” occurs (7.Q) Scheduling must do one of the following :
- Provide a Replacement Pairing
- Relieve you of further responsibility
If they don’t first do one of these, you may:
Be released from reassignment responsibilities, in which case your Line Guarantee will be reduced by the value of the pairing, but you will be free to pick up (or not) any trips on those days.
With Scheduling’s concurrence, pick up a trip as close to the time lost as possible on the days originally scheduled to fly, in which case there will be no reduction in guarantee, and you will be relieved of any further reassignment responsibilities (for that pairing).
If you get to this point and wish to be pay protected, you must call Scheduling the night before the starting day of the original pairing between 1800 and 2200 at which time Scheduling must give you a reassignment, or release you with no reduction in pay. By calling scheduling as soon as you notice a cancellation of a segment or an entire trip, you can begin the reassignment process. Should you need further help or information about Reassignments, please contact your Local Council.