Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Increased Unemployment Benefits Under the CARES Act (COVID-19 Relief Act)

April 3, 2020 — As part of the COVID-19 Relief Act enacted last week, Congress increased by $600 the amount of weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments that laid off and furloughed workers can receive through July 31, 2020. The CARES Act also extends the number of weeks of eligibility for long term unemployed people by 13 weeks to the current state term (normally 26 weeks) to a maximum of 39 weeks, temporarily eliminates work-search requirements and minimum work history (under normal rules, only those who have been employed for a year are eligible), and expands the categories of eligible workers to include self-employed and gig workers, in addition to traditional employees. Generally, if you take a leave or a reduction in hours as a result of the downturn, you will be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. However, the scale and scope of these benefits will vary depending on the state where you are based. For more information about the changes the CARES Act made to the unemployment insurance, we recommend this guide put together by our friends at the National Employment Law Project.

Tell Secretary Mnuchin: You Can't Leverage People!

March 31, 2020 — The grants in the relief package provide paychecks for workers, not bailouts for airlines. These grants do one thing and one thing only: fund paychecks and benefits for two million hourly workers like flight attendants, pilots, gate agents, mechanics, the people who clean planes, cook the food, and help people through the airport.

Flight Attendant Volunteer Medical Assistance Force

March 31, 2020 — We have heard from many Flight Attendants that you would like to do more to support our medical community.

Healthcare During COVID-19

March 30, 2020

Dear Flight Attendants:

Across the country, governors are issuing “Stay At Home Orders” in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. COVID-19 has taken over all aspects of life, both at home and work. This letter addresses safety and health – as well as answers questions Flight Attendants have asked about what else we can do to help our medical professionals treat the sick and stop the spread of the virus.

Jobs Saved But More to Do

March 27, 2020 

Dear Flight Attendants:

Moments ago, the House of Representatives voted by voice to pass the CARES Act. This is historic both for our country and our industry. The bill will now go to the President for signing.

URGENT: Tell Congress to Vote YES on H.R. 748

March 26, 2020 — We built a relief package that is centered on Flight Attendants and other aviation workers. The Senate voted 96-0 for the CARES Act. The House of Representatives is set to vote on H.R. 748 tomorrow morning. The bill, which is part of the pandemic Stimulus response, has payroll grants that will save hundreds of thousands of jobs and will keep working people connected to our healthcare - especially important during this pandemic.

Labor’s Plan Puts Workers First with Jobs and Paychecks

An Op-Ed by AFA President Sara Nelson

March 23, 2020 — The Coronavirus pandemic shut down nearly our entire economy overnight.