Uniform Committee
Hello from your Uniform Committee.
We are happy to announce an official soft
launch date for our new uniforms. Employees will be allowed to
begin wearing their new uniforms Monday, May 5, 2008.
For those employees who do not have a
complete uniform will be permitted to wear their current
uniform. We suggest if you still do not have a full compliment
to wear, contact your supervisor and have them look into your
situation.
For the integrity of our
new uniform program, you will not be allowed to mix and match
the new and old uniform. It’s one or the other. If you have
questions on what is allowed, you can contact your uniform
committee via email at
uniforms@afa66.org
Effective Monday, June 2, all employees are
to be in their new uniform.
Additional Uniform items to update you on:
Fit Line Open again:
Have you had issues with your new uniform–
garments that don’t fit like the fit line, incorrect sizing,
fabric quality, mislabeled garments, mis-shipments, backorders,
or return or exchange issues?
Please come see us at the fit line
locations, so we can help you resolve these concerns prior to
our upcoming new Uniform launch.We encourage you to take
advantage of this opportunity, especially if you feel your
uniform doesn’t fit you properly.
From the feedback we’ve received thus far,
we understand that some of you felt rushed during the fit line
process, received poor direction, or are confused about how
individual garments should fit. If so, please bring in your
garments that don’t fit or have quality issues so we can review
them in person with you. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ITEMS EXPECTING TO
EXCHANGE, you will need to send those back to Twin Hill.
Representatives from TwinHill and US
Airways will be available to work with employees in identifying
fit, quality or shipping concerns at the times and locations
listed below. (As before, employees from across the system are
encouraged to fly in space available to meet with us if you’re
able to make it on your own time.)
April 21 – 23:
PHL B-6 Crew Annex 9 am to 6 PM
April 24 – 25:
CLT Crew Service Center 9 am to 6 PM
April 28 – 29:
PHX – B concourse (Upper level, 4th door
down on your right) 9 am to 6 PM
Remember – it's extremely important that
you bring in your garments that don’t fit or have quality issues
so we can address your concerns properly.
Alteration
reimbursements
We have heard from
several employees who stated to us that you are still awaiting
reimbursements. If you are having difficulty receiving your
reimbursement, please email us at
Uniforms@afa66.org.
We need written details in order to help address your situation
to get you reimbursed.
Improper charges
to your credit card via the Twin Hill Return/Exchange form.
In addition, we have heard that many of you
submitted your credit card information to Twin Hill for return
or exchange costs. We advise you to NOT provide this
information. The form found with your order is a stock form for
all Twin Hill clients. USairways employees are not required to
complete this information. If you have been mischarged, again
contact us.
Haven't opened
your order or tried on your uniform yet?
It is imperative that you open your box,
and try on every garment. We would hate for you to decide to do
this the day before the roll out and find out you have issues
with
Payroll
deduction option available yet?
We know some of you want to purchase
additional items via the payroll deduct option feature on the
Twin Hill ordering site. It will take approximately 60days after
the launch for this feature to be up and running fully. We will
send out a communication when that is an option.
Lastly, we would like to thank each and
everyone of you for your patience during the past few months as
we awaited an official announcement to wear your new uniform. We
know many of you are excited and enthusiastic to wear the new
look! Enjoy wearing this new uniform with pride, as it was
designed for you in mind.
Thanks,
Your MEC Uniform Committee Co-Chairs
Bob Spinner
Robyn Walters
Your Uniform
Committee would like to say thank you to all of you who
participated in the online survey. Approximately 70% of the
flight attendant group has participated in the survey. However,
25% of that group responded that although they have received
their uniforms they have not yet opened the boxes or tried any
of their uniforms on for size.
If you have not
yet tried on your pieces, it is important to ensure that every
uniform piece fits. Returns can take up to 3/4 weeks. Please
open the box and verify that what your packing slip says matches
to what you ordered and what you received.
Also, if you
have sent items back to Twin Hill for returns, log onto
http://usairways.twinhill.com
to check the status of your
returns. Click on Order Status and ensure that they show your
return being credited, and then a new order being processed for
your exchanges. If your return is showing but not a re-order,
next check to see if your return was credited back in points to
your allotment. If that is the case, you will need to go back
and place an order for the items you are awaiting using your
points.
We all want
this program to be successful and this is an opportunity for
each of us to help ensure that it is by bringing any fit, size,
order/return/shipping issues to one of these two fit lines and
professionally communicate it to US Airways corporate personal,
our uniform vendor TwinHill and In-flight personal that will be
on hand.
For those of
you in particular with fit problems who will be able to make it
to one of the two locations please remember to bring the problem
uniform item with you so that the team can make notations of the
problem and comparisons to fit line garments if needed. If you
have had shipping problems please remember to bring your packing
slip. If you are unable to make it to one of these locations
continue to email your issues.
Also, if you
are considering purchasing a black E-Bag lunch pail, it has been
approved by management.
Thanks,
Bob Spinner
Robyn Walters
AFA66 MEC
Uniform Committee Co Chairs
uniforms@afa66.org
Uniform Shipping Update
A few important reminders regarding your uniform shipment:
What should I do when I get my order?
First, open your order right away and verify your packing
slip matches what you received. Then try on all your pieces
to make sure they fit. If you need to return anything,
please initiate the return immediately as it may take 2-3
weeks to get an exchange processed. Return process is
included in your order.
When can I wear my new uniform?
Your new uniform cannot be worn until your departmental
program launch date: TBD
Yes, your new all-weather coat is the only piece that can be
worn immediately upon delivery.
How will alterations be handled? Am I on my own?
The garments that are sent to you will be the size that fit
you best at your fitting. No alterations are made by
TwinHill, unless you choose to receive your pants
pre-hemmed. If you need any alterations for your new
garments you have two options – take them to your favorite
tailor or take them to any Men's Wearhouse location (women
too). The Men's Wearhouse has very competitive rates. Keep
in mind the alterations must be consistent with your
department's uniform expectations. Go online at
www.menswearhouse.com to find any of the more than 550
Men's Wearhouse locations throughout the U.S.
I received my uniform pants and they are the wrong
length. Can I return them?
No. Altered or cleaned items cannot be returned. However,
you may take them to your tailor or the Men’s Wearhouse
store nearest you to be re-altered to an appropriate length.
Be sure to save your receipts for alterations, you will need
these to attach to your expense report reimbursements.
What is the process for a return or exchange?
TwinHill merchandise cannot be returned to a Men's Wearhouse
retail location. If you need to return or exchange your
TwinHill product(s) please follow the instructions below.
Please note: the last date for flight attendants to return
garments to TwinHill for exchange will be February 8, 2008
to ensure your items are sent back in time for the launch on
March 3rd.
Don't forget, we have a trade book at the Peer Educator
table in the crew room in PHX, and there is also a Uniform
trade section on the AFA 66 Discussion forum.
If a garment has been altered in any way, including a hem,
it cannot be returned for exchange or credit. If pants are
ordered hemmed, the hem can be adjusted free of charge at
any Men’s Wearhouse location for the life of the garment.
If the wrong size garment is ordered, TwinHill will exchange
the garment as long as it has not been worn, laundered, dry
cleaned or altered and the garment is returned within 30
days of receipt. The employee must cover the cost of return
shipping. Remember, US Airways employees receive up to 75%
off FedEx shipments.
Orders can be changed prior to garment shipping by
contacting TwinHill Customer Service. Once a garment has
been shipped, the return policy above will be in effect.
If the garment has a manufacturer defect such as missing
buttons, broken zippers or other faulty construction,
TwinHill will exchange the garment as long as it has not
been worn, laundered, dry cleaned or altered. TwinHill will
also exchange any garments with manufacturer’s defect within
30 days of receipt. If either of these situations occurs,
please contact TwinHill’s Customer Service Department at
866-429-1026. TwinHill will pay for return shipping and
quickly repair or replace the damaged merchandise. To
expedite the process, when speaking with the Customer
Service Department, please have the following information
available:
- Packing slip or invoice number
- Your name and telephone number
- Reason for the return
- Item(s) being returned
The reverse side of all packing slips are printed with a
return and exchange (if applicable) form. Please follow the
instructions on the form and return your garments to the
TwinHill Distribution Center for processing. We recommend
that you use a return carrier that provides tracking
information and guaranteed delivery (such as FedEx). Items
that have been worn, altered, laundered or dry cleaned will
not be accepted for return. All acceptable garments returned
will be processed for credit or exchange as indicated on the
form.
Return to:
TwinHill Returns
5630 Renwick
Houston, TX 77081
What if I have another question that’s not answered here?
How do I get assistance?
Please call TwinHill’s Customer Service Department at
1-866-429-1026 for help.
I heard I will receive a $25 Mens Wearhouse Gift card, it
was not in my shipment.
Yes, that is correct. You will receive your gift card in the
mail. It is being mailed in a separate envelope with a
“thank you” letter from TH.
In closing, keep in mind your Uniform Peer Educators are
available at the airport to assist you 7 days a week should
you need any further questions answered, including on how to
submit an expense report for alteration reimbursements. We
are here to assist you.
Thanks
Bob Spinner
MEC Uniform Co-Chair AFA66
Uniform Update
We have wanted to
provide an update for the upcoming uniform program and have been
awaiting news from the company for the past few weeks. We were
informed of an upcoming conference call two weeks ago with the
Uniform Steering Committee members and the Marketing team. That
conference call finally took place yesterday December 27th at
10am.
During this conference call we were
informed that the original uniform roll out date of January 28,
2008, was going to be delayed upon several factors. This was
very disappointing news for our committee, as we know many are
excited to be wearing the new uniform. We feel that delaying the
program, is the best option to make this program work.
As stated in the company Must read 07-302
Subject: Uniform Update
Date: December 27, 2007
"One of the greatest strengths of our new uniform program is
that employees are allowed to order whatever garments they
want from a large selection of items. Typically in
uniform change outs employees receive a set uniform, I.e.
2-jackets, 5-pants, 5-shirts, etc.
While this level of choice is a strength, it also creates a
risk. Since we didn’t require each employee to take a set
uniform, we ran the risk that some garments would be more
popular than we expected resulting in production shortages.
We are short on the following items and we will not be able
to launch on January 28 as originally planned:
White short sleeve shirts / blouses
Sweaters / shells
TwinHill is working as quickly as possible to produce the
remaining quantity required to fill all 18,000 employee
orders. However, we don’t expect to have enough inventories
available for all orders until early-April.
With this is in mind we are going to do a phased uniform
launch, taking advantage of our existing inventories to
launch one group and wait for the remaining production to
launch the other.
Flight attendant uniforms will roll-out first. Uniforms will
be delivered throughout the month of January.
Flight attendants will begin wearing the new uniform on
Monday, March 3, 2008.
Male and female all-weather coats, raincoats and winter
scarves are in inventory now and will be ready for the
changeover.
Customer service agents' uniforms will begin shipping in
late January and they will begin wearing the new uniform in
late April.
Everyone is excited about the new uniforms. We thank you for
your patience while this new look for US Airways is
implemented."
Additional factors that weighed in
on the date change include: the East FAs who took the separation
package. 75 FAs will be leaving on March 5, 2008, and another
group leave in April and June. The company decided that since
these first 75 would be provided a uniform that will now only be
worn by these folks for 2days, that they will be canceling their
orders saving the cost of uniforms for the 75 of approx.
$62,000. This also will help with the shortage of filling
orders for those who have items on backorder.
The pieces we are short on in order
to fill employee orders include the White shirt/blouses, some
sweaters/shells and polos. The company took the statistics from
the Uniform pre-order survey that was taken back in September.
They were certain that most employees would not be ordering as
many white shirts as placed since many have been in a white
shirt for the last 15 years.
With the white shirts, Twin Hill
has only processed 31% of the required inventory for outstanding
male orders, and 74% of outstanding female orders. In addition,
sweaters are in shortage of 75-84% of the required inventory.
This varies from style and size due to having 6 sweater options
for employees. Twin Hill is working as quickly as possible to
produce the remaining quantity required to fill all 18,000
orders.
Another factor includes the Chinese
New Year, which is February 7, 2008. This impacts TwinHill's
ability to fill inventories faster because China shuts down for
almost 4weeks, resuling in slow production an shipping at best.
This leaves for an expected delivery of some items until early
April.
The company also is finalizing up
the delay for 700 employees who were unable to order their
uniforms on the Twin Hill website. This was due to a problem
with our HR department. Todd Vigil, manager of the company
store, has informed our team that they have been loading the
employee information into the Twin Hill website, and should have
all names entered within the week. One week from then, all
dollar allotments should then be loaded, so that these 700
employees can finally place their order. We appreciate your
patience in this dilemma, as we have asked management to rectify
this problem back in October.
TwinHill has already processed over
1,000 orders, but the company has asked that they not ship these
items until they go through those orders and first pull any CSR
order, and then pull any FA who took the SEP. By doing this,
they will be able to fill partial orders for the remaining FAs.
So rather then sending one person 6
white shirts they ordered, they will send 2 and put 4 on back
order. This will allow for others to receive pieces they may not
have been able to get until the remaining uniform pieces are
manufactured. With this in mind, they company decided to roll
out the uniform in phases, beginning with FAs, and followed by
the CSR group.
Monday, March 3, 2008 will be the
official FA roll out date for you to wear your new pieces.
With the delay, it will provide
more time for employees to have fitted pieces altered as needed.
You will begin seeing orders arriving in the coming weeks, and
it may be shipped in multiple orders, especially if you have any
items on back order.
Beginning January 2, in each crew
room base, there will be a team of flight attendants known as FA
Peer Educators. These peers will be assisting you in answering
questions, and assisting you in educating the changes to the
new uniform guidelines.
We will have information for you to
read and be on hand to assist in answering questions. Some items
will include: how to complete a expense report for your
alteration reimbursements, costs of altering pieces at Men's
Wearhouse, and learning about Hot Topics in changes to our
uniform policies and procedures.
In addition, we will be creating a
Trade for Trade Uniform booklet. This will also be available via
the AFA66 Discussion forum as a post. Here, you will be able to
post uniform pieces that you may want to change/trade with other
flight attendants for either size issues or a trade in items.
This will help out in having to pay out of pocket for shipping
charges and speed up the process of getting the correct pieces
if available from another co worker. You will still have the
ability to return pieces for correct sizing to TwinHill, we just
thought it would be helpful to have this option available.
So in closing, we apologize for not
providing information out sooner, but our hands have been tied
for weeks, as we have been waiting for official word from the
company as to the status of our uniform program. Its always best
to provide the facts, rather then provide incorrect information.
We wish you a Happy New Year and
look forward to seeing all of you in the new uniform in the
coming months!
Bob Spinner and
Robyn Walters
MEC Uniform
Committee Co-Chairs
Uniform Replacement Process
Thank you for
your patience as your MEC Officers, Inflight Services, and
the company worked out the final details of a new uniform
replacement program. Last week I had many conversations with
Inflight Services and Labor Relations regarding the
administration of this program and carefully reviewed the
process that Inflight would use. The Company provided me
these details on Friday which I have included in a question
and answer format below.
Please review the following information and if you have any
questions please contact me at mec@afa66.org.
Gary Richardson
MEC President
Uniform
Changeover Sideletter Q & A
Letter of Agreement
Please continue to give us feedback and suggestions. Our email
address is
uniforms@afa66.org. You are
also welcome to leave a message at 480-966-1231 ext 28. We do
answer email a lot faster than phone messages.
Fly safe and wear your uniform proud!
|
|
Uniform Committee Representatives
Sam Halpin
Sara Shiroma
|
The
Uniform Committee works for the flight attendants under the
direction of the MEC. All communication will be via the AFA
files or the AFA hotline.
Thank you to everyone who stepped forward to participate on the
UC. It is our hope that your interest in the UC carries over to
other areas of AFA. AFA is your
Union and your
Union needs the help of all members. Volunteering in the AFA
office just one day a month is a great way to learn more about
AFA and other AFA committees. |
