Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today implored Congress to display responsible leadership for the nearly two million families who will be harmed without a paycheck during this government shutdown and to restart the federal government before the damage becomes irreversible:

“While some politicians are using this shutdown as a way to posture and position, it is the hundreds of thousands of women and men who work behind the scenes to keep our country running who are bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.

Washington, DC – US Airways Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), continue to advocate for the vast opportunities created by a US Airways/American Airlines merger as the Texas Attorney General formally withdrew from the Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to block what will become the world’s largest airline. Roger Holmin, AFA President at US Airways, made the following statement:

“Today’s move by the Texas Attorney General recognizes what constituents in the state and across the nation have been saying: the US Airways/American merger is right for our country and it is right for US Airways and American Airlines workers.

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today celebrated the first annual “Founder’s Day” to commemorate the formation of the union 68 years ago and reflect on the vast contributions of AFA’s late co-founder Edith Lauterbach to the world’s largest flight attendant union for nearly seven decades.

Washington, DC – AirTran Airways Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), voted in favor of a new agreement with Southwest Airlines management that would cover the over 1,700 Flight Attendants who, to date, have not been integrated into the Southwest system.

Concerns over Outsourcing and Competitive Disadvantage for Workers

Dallas, TX – American Eagle Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), are increasingly concerned about their future in the American/US Airways merger. Executives promise growth, but a steady stream of outsourcing appears to be the plan for their work. The 1,800 American Eagle Flight Attendants are seriously questioning the benefits of a merger where wholly owned carriers of the proposed new airline are already being pitted against each other.

Flight Attendants Join Together on Capitol Hill in Effort to Close Funding Gap

Washington, DC – On the eve of the 12th year marking the tragic events of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Flight Attendant Union Coalition, representing nearly 100,000 Flight Attendants at carriers nationwide, joined forces on Capitol Hill to request that members of Congress make voluntary personal contributions to close a $1.5 million funding gap for the Flight 93 National Memorial. Flight Attendants distributed a letter to every member of the United States Congress asking that they set an example by making a personal contribution towards funding the memorial’s Tower of Voices and educational programs.

AirTran Airways Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today announced a tentative agreement with Southwest Airlines management for over 1,700 Flight Attendants who remain at AirTran during the AirTran/Southwest merging process. The Southwest/AirTran merger was announced in 2011.

US Airways Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today issued a statement after a federal judge scheduled an expedited trial date for the Department of Justice’s anti-trust case against the US Airways/American Airlines merger. AFA US Airways President Roger Holmin said the following:

"US Airways Flight Attendants are ready to make the most out of the opportunities available through the creation of the world’s largest airline, which will provide real competition for Delta and United and a positive outlook for workers. Our union supported the motion for a November trial date because both US Airways and American Airlines front line workers deserve to know what our future holds.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) issued the following statement in honor of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington:

“On this day 50 years ago, hundreds of thousands of women and men descended upon our nation’s capital for an unprecedented demonstration for freedom and economic justice. Strangers from all corners of the country stood side by side as sisters and brothers to demand freedom from discrimination and the means to live their lives free of economic oppression. They were unified and they sent a powerful message that changed the course of history.

AFA Commends OSHA, FAA for Finalizing Cabin Workplace Safety and Health Policy

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today hailed the release of Occupational Safety and Health protections for Flight Attendants working on commercial aircraft. Following AFA’s tireless advocacy to improve safety and health standards for Flight Attendants in the workplace, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finalized a policy statement that corrects a nearly four-decade old exclusion of OSHA in the passenger cabin.