Merkley/Hoyle Introduce Bill to Give Crew the Right to PUMP at Work
May 27, 2023 - No one should be forced to stop nursing by their employer. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Val Hoyle (D-OR) introduced the Air PUMP Act to close a loophole that excludes flight crew from federal protections guaranteeing new parents the privacy to pump at work.
"I pumped while working as a Flight Attendant, just like thousands of other Flight Attendants who try to make it work, and it's only become harder,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing 50,000 Flight Attendants at 19 airlines. “The Air PUMP Act would give Flight Attendants and pilots the right to pump without the threat of discipline by their airline. It will ensure clear instructions to the airlines to uphold this right and maintain safety, while protecting the health of the mother and baby. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Val Hoyle are advancing a key issue for women in aviation - and women we hope to attract to our jobs - with the right to safely pump in our workplace."
Right now, Flight Attendants at only two airlines have the explicit right to pump at work. The AFA Alaska contract provides for “lactation accommodations,” and Frontier Flight Attendants won the right to pump through a court settlement. All Flight Attendants and pilots deserve the right and protection to pump at work!
