May 3, 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

•    Online Union Meeting for United, Continental & Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants
•    Airline Focus: AirTran Flight Attendants Empower AFA in Negotiations
•    Marking Day of Justice, AFA Honors Flight Attendant Heroes and First Responders
•    American Eagle MEC President Takes Negotiations to the Global Arena
•    AFA Focuses Attention on OSHA for Flight Attendants on Workers' Memorial Day
•    Join the 4th National CWA Union Hall Call Tonight
•    Nightwatchman Offers Exclusive Pre-Release "Union Town"
•    Letter Carriers to Collect Food Donations on May 14

Online Union Meeting for United, Continental & Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants
Flight Attendants cheered out loud at the Your AFA meeting at the Crowne Plaza EWR Airport when dates for a union representation election were announced last week as United Flight Attendants marked the 65th anniversary of the signing of the first Flight Attendant contract. The National Mediation Board (NMB) announced voting dates of May 17 - June 29 for the more than 24,000 United, Continental and Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants.

“We are determined to further strengthen the voice and status of Flight Attendants and to introduce our newest members to the expansive opportunities of AFA membership,” said AFA International President Veda Shook. 

Your AFA webcast will be broadcast live on the Internet on May 4, 1500-1700 Eastern.
Flight Attendants around the system have the opportunity to learn more about AFA, ask questions live and participate in an on-line union meeting.

Airline Focus: AirTran Flight Attendants Empower AFA in Negotiations
The AirTran Flight Attendants empowered the AFA negotiating committee with their tremendous support during negotiations and have inspired Flight Attendants at other AFA carriers currently in negotiations. The AirTran MEC’s targeted communications strategy reminded AirTran Flight Attendants on a regular basis that they held the key to successful negotiations; but equally important in their success was the grassroots member leadership, as exemplified by members like Howard McGee.

“Howard is all about serving the union. Howard stepped up and committed himself to mobilizing other members in support of our contract negotiations,” said MEC President Alison Head. “Howard is genuinely interested in the well-being of his flying partners: He really gets what being a member of AFA is all about.” Read Full Article>>

Marking Day of Justice, AFA Honors Flight Attendant Heroes and First Responders
Read AFA’s statement honoring the Flight Attendant heroes and first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.

American Eagle MEC President Takes Negotiations to the Global Arena
AFA met with other ITF affiliates representing workers in the Oneworld Alliance in Washington, DC, April 21-22 to leverage our strength on a global scale. American Eagle MEC President Robert Barrow (pictured at far left) attended the One World Labor Council planning session in preparation for a strategic meeting June 20-21 in Madrid. The meeting will consist of hundreds of delegates representing workers from every carrier in the Oneworld Alliance.
 
As AFA members, we understand that our airlines and our contracts do not exist in a vacuum—we know that together, we are stronger. Not only do we stand with the strength of 50,000 Flight Attendants, we are an integral part of the larger family of working Americans through the AFL-CIO. Our ties extend beyond our national borders as well, as members of the international network of labor solidarity through our global union federation the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). We support our broad network of allies and, in turn, we call upon them to unite around our Flight Attendant priorities. When those priorities are clear and our members are on board, there is little we can’t accomplish, even across the table from those who control the power and wealth in our economy. Read Full Article>>

AFA Focuses Attention on OSHA for Flight Attendants on Workers' Memorial Day
On a Workers Memorial Day event on Thursday at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland, Kevin Creighan participated in an expert panel discussion on labor history. Kevin described the tragic events surrounding the loss of AFA member C.B. Lansing in the Aloha Airlines flight 243 decompression event on April 28, 1988, and also explained to the labor activists in attendance that Flight Attendants are first responders who lack OSHA protections while working in the cabin. Other panelists included Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Rich Fairfax, AFGE Health and Safety Specialist Millie Rodriguez, and AFL-CIO Director of Safety and Health Peg Seminario. Kevin fielded several questions which revealed that, even in the labor community, there is little awareness that the aircraft cabin is not regulated by OSHA. Kevin had a chance to speak directly with OSHA Director David Michaels, who gave a keynote speech after the panel discussion, about furthering AFA’s continued campaign to extend OSHA protections to Flight Attendants.

Join the 4th National CWA Union Hall Call Tonight
You are invited to join thousands of our CWA sisters and brothers on the fourth national CWA Union Hall Call tonight at 7:30 PM EDT. You'll hear about our latest victories, the challenges that lie ahead, and how we can fight back, with reports on our successes, from New York to New Mexico. We’ll talk about ways you can take action in your community to defend collective bargaining rights. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will also be joining us with words of encouragement and an update on how the battle is unfolding across the labor movement. RSVP now online at www.cwaaction.org or text CWACALL to 69866. Now is the time to build on our victories and continue our show of strength!

Nightwatchman Offers Exclusive Pre-Release "Union Town"
An exclusive, full album of union songs by Tom Morello (AKA The Nightwatchman, formerly of Rage Against the Machine) will be released later this month. Tom, the artist who has inspired audiences across the country, is donating all proceeds to help workers wage a heroic fight for their rights in the state battles through SaveWorkers.org (the AV Labor Unity Fund). Check out one of Tom’s exclusive never-been-heard-before song for free at saveworkers.org. 

Letter Carriers to Collect Food Donations on May 14
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) National Food Drive comes at a critical time this year: Food banks are seeing increasing demand as donations decrease. According to the Agriculture Department's most recent study, the number of Americans living in “food insecure” homes topped 50 million in 2009. Of those, 17.2 million are children. In partnership with the AFL-CIO Community Services network, United Way Worldwide and the nation’s food bank network, the NALC will be collecting donations that will be distributed to needy families across the country. Place a box of non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your mail is delivered on Saturday, May 14, and your letter carrier will do the rest. Last year, 77.1 million pounds of food was collected in the one-day drive. 

The National Mediation Board (NMB) has yet to make a decision regarding charges of management interference in the Delta Flight Attendants’ union representation election.  The Delta Flight Attendants need a union and the clear choice is AFA, the Flight Attendant union. AFA members worldwide are committed to a Flight Attendant victory at Delta. It is time for a revote.


AFA's Negotiations Update page features a summary of negotiations or a statement of contract status at each AFA carrier.

 
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