Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Today the International Association of Machinists (IAM) has filed charges against the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA) alleging violations of the National Mediation Board (NMB) rules, policies and procedures by AFA and United Airlines.  The allegations were filed following a more than 2,000 vote margin in favor of the Association of Flight Attendants.  AFA International President Veda Shook issued the following statement today:

“Flight Attendants are excited to be unified at the new United Airlines and move forward together.  It is shameful that the IAM would disrespect the democratic outcome of this vote and attempt to interfere in the negotiations and daily representation for Flight Attendants at United, Continental and Continental Micronesia.

“Throughout the entire campaign the tactics employed by the IAM were some of the nastiest we’ve ever seen in other organizing drives where we faced management and union busters of the worst kind. Flight Attendants saw through it, voted for AFA and now they want to move on with a unified Flight Attendant group.

“There are serious issues to address for workers in the United States and around the world.  Union leaders should be working collaboratively and focusing our resources on improving the lives of working families.  Workers benefit when we unite as one. We invite the IAM to take a different approach that supports focus on bettering our members’ lives without petty distraction that seeks to divide workers.

“Flight Attendants want to be unified and to move forward for positive change. Withdrawal of these absurd allegations is the only responsible action that can be taken by the IAM in the best interests of Flight Attendants. Failing that action, AFA will vigorously respond to these baseless allegations directly to the NMB.

“AFA’s certification remains in place for all 25,000 Flight Attendants and our Union is moving quickly to transition to the representation structure that our members demand.”

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 65 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants at 23 airlines come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.