Points policy faces legal challenges amid New York labor law
Flight attendants at American Airlines allege that the carrier's focus on terminating employees has intensified, with careers being jeopardized by an "erratic and irresponsible" attendance policy akin to a "totalitarian regime."
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) representing American Airlines crew members argued in a recent memo that this controversial attendance policy may violate a recently enacted New York labor law prohibiting employers from penalizing workers for lawful absences.
Introduced in 2018, American Airlines' disputed attendance policy automatically assigns points to flight attendants whenever they call in sick, take personal days, report late for work, or fail to show up for a flight. If a flight attendant accumulates too many points within a rolling 12-month period, they may face disciplinary action or termination, even if their absences were legitimate.
During "critical periods" such as the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, additional points are assigned for absences. The accumulation of just 10 points over a year could result in termination. The system is not unique to American – BNSF, the nation’s biggest (by revenue) railroad introduced a similar system it calls Hi-Viz in February 2022 to near-universal howls of outrage from employees.
Despite "numerous communications and discussions," the airline has not yet adjusted its policy to comply with the law. APFA...
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