Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

AFA Files for Single Carrier Determination with National Mediation Board

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) to declare that the Mesaba Airlines/Colgan Air merger has created a single carrier, triggering a union representation election for the combined group of nearly 1000 Flight Attendants. Over 600 Flight Attendants at Mesaba Airlines are represented by AFA.

“Mesaba Flight Attendants deserve tremendous credit for their sacrifice and service to the airline.  Through our Flight Attendant union, Mesaba members have challenged management plans to ensure they are good for the airline and not just schemes to squeeze more from Flight Attendants and other workers,” said Veda Shook, AFA International President. “AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession since 1945, and no union better understands the critical role Flight Attendants play in the cabin. We will be full partners and forceful advocates for Flight Attendants in this merger. The success of the airline is best measured with the good jobs and opportunities it provides the long-term, dedicated workers.”

“AFA will protect jobs and work for a bright future for Flight Attendants at Mesaba Airlines” stated Terry French, president of AFA at Mesaba Airlines.  “Flight Attendants are not commodities. This is our job, our livelihood, our profession. As the largest and most experienced Flight Attendant union in the world, AFA is a strong voice for our profession.  Mesaba Flight Attendants will continue to be best protected through the advocacy of AFA.”

Shortly after the NMB declares that the merged airlines are operating as a single carrier, the voting dates will be set and Flight Attendants will have the opportunity to vote for AFA representation.  AFA will become the exclusive bargaining agent upon securing a majority of votes cast from the combined Mesaba/Colgan Flight Attendant group.

For over 65 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants at 21 airlines come together to form AFA, the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.