Section 15 - Leaves of Absence

SECTION 15 

LEAVES OF ABSENCE 

15.A. GENERAL

15.A.1.

The following terms apply to all leaves of absence unless specifically stated otherwise in this Section. 

15.A.2.

Prior to the commencement of any leave of absence, the Company shall provide the Flight Attendant with the following information: insurance benefits, Union dues obligation, fringe benefit policy, and other information pertinent to their her/his leave. The Flight Attendant shall be provided with access to the documents and pertinent information and may download copies. 

15.A.3. ACCRUALS 

15.A.3.a.

While on a leave of absence, a Flight Attendant shall continue to accrue seniority for bidding and pass travel purposes for the duration of the leave. 

15.A.3.b.

Except as otherwise specified in this Section, while on leave(s) of absence, a Flight Attendant shall accrue longevity for purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments for a total of one hundred eighty (180) days in any twelve (12) month period in which the leave(s) occurs. After one hundred eighty (180) days, a Flight Attendant shall cease to accrue, but shall retain their her/his longevity for purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments. 

15.A.3.c.

While on a leave of absence, a Flight Attendant shall not accrue sick leave or vacation time, except: 

15.A.3.c.(1).

Flight Attendants on occupational sickness or injury on the job will accrue vacation, as provided in Section 12.A.8., or

15.A.3.c.(2).

as may be otherwise provided by the Company during a Special Company offered leave of absence (“Special COLA”). 

15.A.4. OTHER EMPLOYMENT 

For the purposes of this Section, a Flight Attendant may not engage in gainful employment for someone other than the Company without prior permission in writing from the Company, except while on a Company offered leave (“COLA”), educational leave, or a maternity leave. 

15.A.5. TRAINING DURING LEAVE

A Flight Attendant may, at their option, attend training and general meetings while on leave and will be paid and provided with transportation and lodging as if they she/he were in active service. Flight Attendants on leave due to a medical condition may not attend training, until they have been cleared to return to work. Flight Attendants may be required to attend training when on a COLA or a Special COLA in accordance with Paragraphs B.3 and C.2 below.

15.A.6. TRANSFERS DURING LEAVE

15.A.6.a.

A Flight Attendant on a leave of absence may request and be granted a transfer.

15.A.6.b. 

A Flight Attendant on medical, maternity, or military leave of absence shall continue in leave status following the award of a voluntary transfer.

15.A.6.c.

A Flight Attendant on a COLA, Special COLA, personal, parental, or adoption leave may request to continue their her/his leave at the new Base following the award of a voluntary transfer. The Company may grant such a request in its discretion. Otherwise, the Flight Attendant shall return from leave status on the effective date of their her/his transfer.

15.A.6.d.

In the event a Flight Attendant is transferred involuntarily due to a surplus or Base closure, they she/he will continue on leave and will be reassigned for administrative purposes to the new Base as of the transfer effective date. 

15.A.7. RETURN TO WORK

15.A.7.a.

Upon returning from an authorized leave of absence or any extension thereof, a Flight Attendant shall be permitted to return in the same status at the same Base to which they were she/he was assigned prior to beginning of the leave or transferred in accordance with Paragraph A-6 above.

15.A.7.b.

Flight Attendants shall comply with all return to work guidelines established by the Company, including any required training and/or documentation. 

15.A.7.c.

When a Flight Attendant is returning to work from a leave of absence and requires training in order to return to flight status, the Company shall make training available within forty-five (45) days of the Flight Attendant’s acknowledgement or notice of return from leave. In the event that the Company does not make training available commencing by the 45th day, the Flight Attendant will be paid as if in active service beginning on the 46th day or the Flight Attendant’s expected date of return, whichever is later.

15.A.7.d.

Except when on a COLA or a Special COLA, a Flight Attendant may elect to return to work at any time during a leave of absence. If the Flight Attendant has fulfilled all training requirements, they she/he shall be allowed to return to flight status upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Company, or earlier if practicable. If they require she/he requires training, it will be handled in accordance with Paragraph 7.c., above.

15.A.8. RETURN TO WORK LINE OF FLYING  

15.A.8.a.   

Starting with the Work With Window, a Flight Attendant returning to work who was not eligible to participate in the bid process but who is now qualified and current, shall be eligible to build their line of flying for the next bid month by contacting the Flight Attendant Support Team (FAST).  

15.A.8.a.(1).  

Once a Flight Attendant has completed all of the required steps of the return to work process, FAST will contact the Flight Attendant to notify them of their lineholder/reserve status and advise them to call within forty-eight (48) hours to start the line-building process.

15.A.8.a.(2).  

If the Flight Attendant does not call within forty-eight (48) hours, FAST will build the schedule.

15.A.8.a.(3).  

When the Flight Attendant calls within the forty-eight (48) hours, the Flight Attendant shall begin building their schedule with FAST.

15.A.8.b.  LINEHOLDER 

15.A.8.b.(1).  

If the Flight Attendant is contacted between the 22nd of the previous month and the 9th of the return-to-work month, they will be given five (5) calendar days to complete the schedule.  

15.A.8.b.(2).  

If the Flight Attendant is contacted on or after the 10th of the return-to-work month, they will be given three (3) calendar days to complete the schedule.  

15.A.8.b.(3).  

Unless otherwise delineated below, the line shall be restricted from trip trading functions until the completion of the process.

15.A.8.b.(4).  

The Flight Attendant will contact FAST within the time limits set in paragraphs 15.A.8.b.(1). or 15.A.8.b.(2). as applicable, to add pairings to their schedule from Open Time.  FAST will place the pairings selected by the Flight Attendant in their line of flying, if they are still available in Open Time, until they have reached their designated minimum number of required credited hours.

15.A.8.b.(5).  

If the Flight Attendant is available for the whole month, they will be required to select pairings with a total credited value no less than the seventy-one hours (71:00) lineholder minimum.  

15.A.8.b.(6).  

If the Flight Attendant is not available for the whole month FAST will inform them of the minimum number of credited hours they need to reach when selecting pairings, prorated from the lineholder minimum of seventy-one hours (71:00).  FAST will also inform them of their guaranteed minimum number of days off, prorated from ten (10).

15.A.8.b.(7).  

If the Flight Attendant’s seniority allows them to build a lineholder schedule, FAST will notify them whether their seniority allows them to build the line with domestic pairings or international pairings. 

15.A.8.b.(8).  

If there are no pairings in Open Time to complete a full schedule:

15.A.8.b.(8).(a).  DOMESTIC LINE

If  the Flight Attendant calls prior to the final deadline and there are no domestic pairings available in Open time, at their option, they may choose to wait for domestic pairings to become available, or decline to continue the process.  If the Flight Attendant declines to continue the process, their line guarantee shall be set at that time at the current line value and restrictions on trip trading will be lifted at that time.

15.A.8.b.(8).(b). INTERNATIONAL LINE

If the Flight Attendant calls prior to the final deadline and there are no international pairings available in Open time, at their option, they may choose to wait for international pairings to become available, select domestic pairings from Open Time, or decline to continue the process.  If the Flight Attendant declines to continue the process, their line guarantee shall be set at that time at the current line value and restrictions on trip trading will be lifted at that time.

15.A.8.b.(9).  

If the Flight Attendant does not complete building the line within the allotted time, FAST will complete the process, utilizing any trip for which the Flight Attendant is qualified.  

15.A.8.b.(10).  

At 0800 on the deadline day, as established in 15.A.8.b.(1). or 15.A.8.b.(2), above, FAST shall complete the line building process as provided in 15.A.8.b.(9)., above, after which the value of the line shall be set and the Flight Attendant will receive the appropriate minimum line guarantee, based on their full or prorated availability for the month and restrictions on trip trading will be lifted. 

15.A.8.c. RESERVE

15.A.8.c.(1).

When the Flight Attendant calls FAST pursuant to paragraph 15.A.8.a.(3)., above, if their seniority would have resulted in holding a reserve schedule, or they choose to be on reserve status, FAST will work with the Flight Attendant to build a Reserve line with the appropriate number of days of availability and days off, prorated as necessary. In addition, the Reserves minimum guarantee will be set based on the number of days of availability in their line.

15.A.8.c.(2).  

If the Flight Attendant is available for the entire month, they will notify FAST of the line they request subject to the seniority requirement and their reserve minimum guarantee will be seventy-eight (78) hours, prorated as necessary based on the line selected.  FAST will inform the Flight Attendant of their reserve guarantee if not available for the entire month, prorated from the reserve minimum guarantee of seventy-eight (78) hours.

15.A.8.c.(3).  

If the Flight Attendant does not contact FAST pursuant to paragraph 15.A.8.a.(3)., above, FAST will build them a Reserve line with the appropriate number of days of availability and days off, prorated as necessary. In addition, the Reserves minimum guarantee will be set based on the number of days of availability in their line.   If the Flight Attendant is available for the entire month, FAST will assign them the first numerical reserve line they could have held.

15.B. COMPANY OFFERED LEAVE OF ABSENCE

15.B.1.

Flight Attendants may be granted Company offered leaves of absence (“COLAs”) without pay, on a seniority basis in a Base and/or special qualification for a period not to exceed one (1) year. 

15.B.2.

If the Company grants additional COLAs in a Base and/or special qualification, it will grant them first from the list of Flight Attendants whose requests were filed by the original deadline. Any remaining leaves will be granted on a first come, first served basis. 

15.B.3.

The Company may require a Flight Attendant to attend training while on a COLA provided that the requirement is made known to them her/him prior to accepting the leave. 

15.B.4.

Bid closing dates for COLAs shall coincide with the bid closing dates for job shares and multiple-month partnerships. 

15.B.5.

A Flight Attendant whose last trip of the month extends into the month in which their her/his COLA begins may be required to complete the trip if there is insufficient reserve coverage during the first three (3) days of the month. 

15.B.5.a.

If all open trips for the first three (3) days of the new bid month can be covered with Reserves (allowing coverage for unforeseen circumstances), Flight Attendants with carry-in trips will be released not less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the report time of the carry-in trip. 

15.B.5.b.

Flight Attendant releases shall be made in seniority order. 

15.B.5.c.

A list showing both Flight Attendants who will be required to complete their trips and those released from their trips shall be posted. 

15.B.6.

A Flight Attendant granted a COLA may not return prior to the expiration of the leave unless approved by the Company. In a case of personal hardship, the Company may agree to end the Flight Attendant’s COLA early. 

15.B.7.

The Company is permitted to cancel a COLA by Base, provided the following conditions are satisfied: 

15.B.7.a.

The Company must meet and confer with the Union regarding the cancellation.

15.B.7.b.

In the case of a partial cancellation of a COLA by Base, the Company must first solicit volunteers to return to work, who shall be awarded return in seniority order. If the number of volunteers is insufficient, Flight Attendants will be returned to work involuntarily in inverse seniority order. 

15.B.7.c.

The Company shall provide Flight Attendants with a reasonable amount of time for return to work. The return date shall be no less than thirty (30) days after such notice is sent by email to the Flight Attendant at the last email address filed by them with the Company.

15.B.7.d.

The Company shall not cancel another COLA in the affected Base for two (2) years following the month in which a COLA was cancelled. 

15.B.8. 

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to COLAs. 

15.B.9.

In the event there are unforeseen shortages in a special qualification, the Company may suspend or cancel COLAs involving Flight Attendants with the special qualification in inverse seniority order. In this event, the provisions of Paragraph 7.d. above, shall not apply. 

15.C. SPECIAL COMPANY OFFERED LEAVE OF ABSENCE 

15.C.1.

Flight Attendants may be granted special Company offered leaves of absence (“Special COLAs”) without pay, on a seniority basis in a Base and or/special qualification. The duration of a Special COLA is to be determined and published by the Company, provided that there is a specified end date. In order to constitute a Special COLA, the benefits offered must exceed those specified herein for a COLA. 

15.C.2. 

Paragraphs 15.B.2., 15.B.3., 15.B.5. and 15.B.6. above, shall apply to Special COLAs. 

15.C.3.

The Company is permitted to cancel a Special COLA under the same terms and conditions set forth in Paragraph B.7. above, except that the prohibition on the cancellation of other COLAs shall not apply in the case of Special COLAs with a specified end date exceeding a twelve (12) month duration. 

15.C.4.

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to Special COLAs.  

15.D. PERSONAL LEAVE

15.D.1.

Flight Attendants may be granted employee requested personal leaves of absence without pay at the Company’s discretion based on the requirements of the service and the reason(s) for the request, e.g. leave for educational, charitable, political, or bereavement purposes.

15.D.2.

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to personal leave. 

15.E. MEDICAL LEAVE

15.E.1. 

Leaves of absence required due to occupational/non-occupational illness or occupational/non-occupational injury shall be granted upon written verification of disability from a qualified medical doctor. Any such leave may not exceed the lesser of: 

15.E.1.a.

The period of disability, or

15.E.1.b.

Three (3) years, or 

15.E.1.c.

The Flight Attendant’s total length of active service. 

15.E.2.

At the end of the maximum period, the Flight Attendant will be administratively terminated and removed from the System Seniority List. 

15.E.3.

For the purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments, Flight Attendants on medical leave will continue to accrue longevity for the period of time they are eligible for active-employee medical insurance coverage under paragraphs 15.E.6. or 15.E.7., below. the duration of the medical leave up to the maximum leave in Paragraph E.1. above. 

15.E.4.

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to medical leave. 

15.E.5. 

A Flight Attendant shall automatically be placed on a Medical Leave for illness or injury on the seventeenth (17th) day after exhaustion of all applicable paid sick leave credits.

15.E.6. 

A Flight Attendant on a medical leave of absence shall remain on active-employee medical insurance coverage for the lesser of the Flight Attendant’s total length of active service or the duration of their medical leave of absence.

15.E.7. 

Not withstanding the language of paragraph 15.E.6., above, a Flight Attendant on an occupational injury medical leave of absence which was caused by verified unannounced clear air turbulence or sudden aircraft movement, passenger assault, emergency evacuation, aircraft accident, hijacking or sabotage, but which was not the result of an unsafe work practice, shall be entitled a minimum of one (1) year medical insurance coverage at active employee rates.

15.F. MATERNITY LEAVE

15.F.1.

Maternity and other pregnancy related conditions will be treated like any other disability, except as provided herein. 

15.F.1.a. MATERNITY LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS 

15.F.1.a.(1).

The duration of a maternity leave may extend up to twelve (12) consecutive months following the birth of the child. 

15.F.1.a.(2). 

Once Maternity Leave commences, it will continue until the Flight Attendant advises the Company that she wishes to return to work, or 12 consecutive months following the birth of the child, whichever comes first;

15.F.2.

For purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments, Flight Attendants on maternity leave shall accrue longevity for the first ninety (90) days after birth in the same manner as for a medical leave.  After the first ninety (90) days, Flight Attendants shall accrue longevity for an additional one hundred eighty (180) days of leave.  Thereafter, a Flight Attendant shall cease to accrue, but shall retain her longevity for purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments.

15.F.3.  

A Flight Attendant who is pregnant may continue to work as a Flight Attendant as long as she is medically able to do so, subject to the following:

15.F.3.a.  

Not later than the start of the 28th, 30th and 32nd week of pregnancy, the Flight Attendant must provide certification from her physician that she is medically able to continue to fly;

15.F.3.b.  

Not later than the start of 33rd week of pregnancy, and each week thereafter, the Flight Attendant must provide certification from her physician that she is medically able to continue to fly.

15.F.4. 

A Flight Attendant may, at her option, choose to begin her Maternity Leave of Absence commencing any time beginning with the start of the 28th week of pregnancy, but no later than 31st day following birth of the child, subject to the following terms:  

15.F.4.a. 

The Flight Attendant must advise the Flight Attendant Support Team of the date on which she wishes to begin her Maternity Leave; 

15.F.4.b. 

Commencement of Maternity Leave will not result in the generation of points;

15.F.4.c.

Up until the commencement of Maternity Leave, maternity or pregnancy related absences will be handled consistent with the terms of paragraph 15.F.3, above.

15.F.4.d.  

The first ten (10) weeks of Maternity Leave will be paid at the Flight Attendant’s hourly rate as delineated in Section 4.A. and calculated based the Lineholder minimum of seventy-one hours (71:00), prorated.

15.F.5. USE OF SICK LEAVE 

15.F.5.a.  

A Flight Attendant who is unable to work due to her own medical condition may use Sick Leave by following the normal Sick Leave process;

15.F.5.b.

A Flight Attendant may use Sick Leave both prior to and following birth;

15.F.5.c.

Sick Leave may not be used while on Maternity Leave;

15.F.5.d.

If a Flight Attendant wishes to continue to use Sick Leave beyond the 30th day following birth, she may do so, however she then waives her ability to take Maternity Leave.

15.F.6. 

A Flight Attendant who is medically unable to work prior to commencement of Maternity Leave and who exhausts her Sick Leave bank or chooses to be placed on a Medical Leave shall be subject to the terms of Section 15.E.

15.F.2.

For purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments, Flight Attendants on maternity leave shall accrue longevity for the first ninety (90) days after birth in the same manner as for a medical leave. After the first ninety (90) days, Flight Attendants shall accrue longevity for an additional one hundred eighty (180) days of leave. Thereafter, a Flight Attendant shall cease to accrue, but shall retain her longevity for purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments. 

15.F.7.

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to maternity leave. 

15.G. PARENTAL LEAVE

15.G.1.

A Flight Attendant who has not taken maternity leave in conjunction with a birth shall be granted unpaid parental leave within twelve (12) months after the birth of their her/his child. In the case of surrogacy, where travel is required to be present for the birth of the child, the twelve (12) months may begin when the Flight Attendant begins travel to attend the birth. A request for parental leave must be in writing and include the requested dates. The leave request may not exceed twelve (12) consecutive months. The first two (2) weeks of Parental Leave will be paid at the Flight Attendant’s hourly rate as delineated in Section 4.A. and calculated based the Lineholder minimum of seventy-one hours (71:00), prorated.

15.G.2.

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to parental leave. 

15.H. ADOPTION LEAVE

15.H.1.

A Flight Attendant who legally adopts a child shall be granted a leave of absence within twelve (12) months following the date when the Flight Attendant takes custody of the child or, if travel is required, when the Flight Attendant begins travel to obtain custody of the child. A request for adoption leave must be in writing and include the requested dates. The leave request may not exceed twelve (12) consecutive months. The first two (2) weeks of Adoption Leave will be paid at the Flight Attendant’s hourly rate as delineated in Section 4.A. and calculated based the Lineholder minimum of seventy-one hours (71:00), prorated.

15.H.2.

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to adoption leave. 

15.I. FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE

15.I.1.

Family medical leave (“FML”) shall be available to eligible Flight Attendants in accordance with the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (the “Act”), as specifically modified herein. 

15.I.2.

FML may be used for the following: 

15.I.2.a.(1).

Up to twelve (12) months after the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child; 

15.I.2.a.(2). 

When a family member suffers a serious health condition requiring continuing care and a medical healthcare provider certifies that the Flight Attendant is needed for such care;

15.I.2.a.(3).

When the Flight Attendant suffers a serious health condition as certified by a medical healthcare provider; or 

15.I.2.a.(4).

Eligible employees are entitled to FMLA leave to care for a covered servicemember with a serious illness or injury as certified by a medical healthcare provider. 

15.I.2.b.

Family member is defined as spouse (as recognized by state law where the Flight Attendant lives), domestic partner, parent (a biological parent or person who raised the Flight Attendant when they were she/he was a child), son or daughter (a biological, adopted, foster or step child, legal ward, or minor who is being raised by the Flight Attendant). The child(ren) must be under eighteen (18) years of age or incapable of self-care (due to mental and physical disability).

15.I.2.c.

A Flight Attendant using FML for their her/his own serious health condition or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition may use FML on an “intermittent” basis as defined by the Act, if a medical healthcare provider certifies the necessity for so doing. 

15.I.2.d.

Should the terms of the Act as reflected in this Paragraph be amended, any amendment shall be incorporated herein, and the parties shall promptly meet and agree on the nature and extent of any such changes required to this Paragraph. 

15.I.3. GENERAL

15.I.3.a.

The Company shall administer FML for Flight Attendants on a centralized basis and in a consistent manner with the objectives of maintaining privacy and providing reasonable and efficient access to the FML process. 

15.I.3.b.

The Company shall provide Flight Attendants with electronic access to information regarding their FML eligibility, usage, and application status. 

15.I.3.c.

Flight Attendants shall be eligible for FML on the same basis regardless of whether they are based within or outside the United States. 

15.I.3.d.

A Flight Attendant on FML shall continue to accrue seniority for all purposes.

15.I.4. HOURS OF SERVICE REQUIREMENT 

In order to meet the hours of service requirement for FML, a Flight Attendant must have in the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the commencement of the FML leave: 

15.I.4.a. 

Have worked or been paid for not less than 60% of the applicable total monthly guarantee; and

15.I.4.b. 

Have worked or been paid for not less than five hundred four (504) hours, not including personal commute time, or time spent on vacation, medical, or sick leave.

15.I.5. FML USAGE

15.I.5.a. 

An eligible Flight Attendant is entitled to use up to seventy-eight (78) days of FML in any twelve (12) month period.

15.I.5.b.

Unless a Flight Attendant has applied for FML for an absence, the Company shall not designate that absence as FML.

15.I.5.c.

A Flight Attendant may use their her/his accrued sick leave, or a portion thereof, for FML authorized absences for their her/his own serious health condition or pregnancy prior to using unpaid FML, in which case the days of sick leave will not be counted against the Flight Attendant’s seventy-eight (78) day FML allocation. Alternatively, a Flight Attendant may use their her/his accrued sick leave, or a portion thereof, concurrent with FML taken for their her/his own serious health condition. 

15.I.5.d.

A Flight Attendant may use their her/his accrued vacation for the current year, or a portion thereof, before commencing an FML leave, in which case the vacation days will not be counted against the Flight Attendant’s seventy-eight (78) day FML allocation. Alternatively, a Flight Attendant may use their her/his accrued vacation for the current year, or a portion thereof, concurrent with FML. When a Flight Attendant uses accrued vacation either before or concurrent with FML leave, they she/he may only use a block of no fewer than six (6) consecutive days from either the beginning or end of a vacation period. If a Flight Attendant only has a block of vacation days fewer than six (6) days, they she/he must use the entire block. 

15.I.6. RETURN TO WORK 

When a Lineholder is able to return to work after a pairing(s) has been removed from their her/his schedule due to FML usage, they she/he may pick up open time in accordance with Section 7. A Flight Attendant who is able to pick up open time on the day(s) overlapping the removed pairing(s) will have the overlapping days actually worked restored to their her/his seventy-eight (78) day FML allocation. 

15.J. MILITARY LEAVE

15.J.1.

A Flight Attendant who voluntarily enlists or is ordered by the government of their her/his country of citizenship to enter active military duty during a period of national emergency or pursuant to law or is classified as 1.A under the Selective Service Act or the equivalent law of another country, who is unable to obtain a deferment and chooses to enlist for military duty in the Armed Forces shall be granted a leave of absence. The duration of a military leave may be up to five (5) years of Armed Forces duty plus ninety (90) days thereafter, or greater if required by law. 

15.J.2.

For the purposes of pay and vacation step adjustments, Flight Attendants on military leave will continue to accrue longevity for the duration of the military leave up to the maximum leave in Paragraph J-1. above. 

15.J.3.

The chart in Paragraph N. below contains additional rules and benefits that apply to military leave.

15.K. BEREAVEMENT

15.K.1.

A Flight Attendant shall be entitled to time off without loss of pay up to a maximum of four (4) consecutive days (inclusive of days free from duty) in the event of a death in their her/his family. Pay shall be based on trip(s) missed or reserve duty day(s). A Flight Attendant may extend the four (4) day period of paid time off by using up to fourteen (14) consecutive days of accrued vacation from the current or following year, if available. 

15.K.2.

For purposes of time off for bereavement, family shall include the Flight Attendant’s spouse, domestic partner, child (including step-children and in-laws), parent (including stepparents and in-laws), grandparent (including step-grandparents and in-laws), grandchild (including step-grandchildren), other relative living in their her/his home, legal dependent, legal guardian (in lieu of parent), siblings (including step-siblings and in-laws), or such additional individuals as may be included in Company policy. 

15.K.3.

The Company will provide positive space on-line passes for travel to attend the funeral/memorial service and return from downline locations. The Company will also assist in other travel arrangements as needed. 

15.L. UNION LEAVE

Flight Attendants assuming official positions with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA shall be placed on a leave of absence status upon request. Flight Attendants on Union Leave of Absence shall retain and accrue seniority for all purposes, and receive benefits as active employees. Upon return from a Union Leave of Absence, a Flight Attendant shall be credited with the maximum vacation, sick leave, and occupational illness or injury allowances provided by this Agreement in effect for employees of like seniority.

15.M. JURY DUTY/COURT WITNESS

15.M.1. JURY DUTY

15.M.1.a.

A Flight Attendant who is called upon to perform jury duty shall inform their her/his supervisor or designee no later than forty-eight (48) hours after receiving such notice. A Lineholder Flight Attendant shall receive flight pay credit, and all accruals, for any flight time lost due to the requirement to be present for jury duty. A Reserve Flight Attendant shall receive pay credit at the daily rate and all accruals for each reserve day lost due to the requirement to be present for jury duty. A Flight Attendant who adjusts their her/his schedule after receiving a jury duty notice shall only be entitled to receive flight pay loss, or pay for missed reserve days, in their her/his original schedule. 

15.M.1.b.

The Flight Attendant shall be available for reassignment on those days originally scheduled for duty which do not conflict with the jury duty assignment. After five (5) or more consecutive days of jury duty, or combination of flight duty and jury duty, the Flight Attendant will be guaranteed two (2) additional days off with no loss of pay. 

15.M.2. COURT WITNESS

15.M.2.a.

A Lineholder Flight Attendant who is called upon to appear in court as a witness for the Company shall receive flight pay credit, and all accruals, for any flight time lost due to the requirement to appear as a witness for the Company. A Reserve Flight Attendant shall receive pay credit at the daily rate, and all accruals for each reserve day lost due to the requirement to appear in court as a witness for the Company. A Flight Attendant who adjusts their her/his schedule after receiving a notice of obligation to appear in court as a witness for the Company shall only be entitled to receive flight pay loss, or pay for missed reserve days, in their her/his original schedule. The Flight Attendant who appears in court as a witness for the Company will be reimbursed for reasonable actual expenses incurred. 

15.M.2.b.

The Flight Attendant shall be released with pay available for reassignment on those days originally scheduled for duty which do not conflict with the court appearance date(s). After five (5) or more consecutive days as a court witness or a combination of flight duty and court witness activity, the Flight Attendant will be guaranteed two (2) additional days off with no loss of pay. 

15.M.3. GENERAL

15.M.3.a.

Notwithstanding the above, a Flight Attendant who is required to appear in court as the result of being subpoenaed or being named party in a court action shall be excused without pay from regular duties on days when they are she/he is required to be present. 

15.M.3.b.

Any compensation or expenses provided by the court may be retained by the Flight Attendant. A Flight Attendant shall be allowed a reasonable amount of time to travel between their her/his home and their her/his Base in order to complete such service. A Flight Attendant may be required to provide adequate proof of such service.