Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Flight Attendant Union Honors First Flight Attendant Ellen Church

Washington, DC - The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President Veda Shook made the following statement on the 82nd anniversary of Ellen Church starting our profession as the first Flight Attendant hired on May 15, 1930:

“On May 15, 1930, Ellen Church, a young registered nurse, first suggested the idea of ‘skygirls’ to executives at Boeing airlines and became the world’s first Flight Attendant. Those skygirls, who later would be called Flight Attendants, had to be registered nurses, retire at the age of 32, remain single and adhere to a strict set of limitations regarding weight and appearance.

Washington, DC – Today, Veda Shook, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), sent a letter to President Obama commending him for his support of marriage equality. AFA has been a longstanding supporter of equal rights for all, as evidenced in 1976 when the union’s Board of Directors amended its by-laws to include the following objective: “To unite all Flight Cabin Crew members regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or nationality.” In addition, in 2006, the AFA Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution in support of marriage equality.

Washington, DC – Today, a strong majority of Pinnacle and Colgan Flight Attendants joined Mesaba Flight Attendants in requesting that the National Mediation Board (NMB) hold an election for representation with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA).  On April 18, the NMB declared the Pinnacle/Colgan/Mesaba merger had created a single carrier for representation of over 1,800 Flight Attendants, approximately 600 of whom are already represented by AFA.

Washington, DC – Air Wisconsin Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), are gearing up for a possible strike at the carrier after mediated negotiations recently stalled. Strike vote ballots will be sent to the over 300 Flight Attendants next week with a vote count scheduled for May 22.  Air Wisconsin, the largest privately held regional airline in the United States, operates as a US Airways Express carrier.

Washington DC – Leaders of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA), representing pre-merger America West and pre-merger US Airways Flight Attendants, issued the following statement on a potential US Airways/American deal. “A contract for Flight Attendants at US Airways must be completed prior to any new merger deal.

We appreciate innovative efforts for an airline business model that supports jobs with good wages, work rules, benefits, and a secure retirement.  In that spirit, any new deal must first acknowledge the contributions of US Airways Flight Attendants through a single contract with job security and improvements promised to Flight Attendants involved in the last merger initiated by US Airways management.  Seven years later that deal still isn’t done.  There is a small window of opportunity for US Airways management to get this right,” stated Deborah Volpe, AFA president of pre-merger America West Flight Attendants, and Mark Gentile, AFA president of pre-merger US Airways Flight Attendants.

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) American Eagle President Robert Barrow issued the following statement today after American Airlines management dismissed recent AFA proposals that would have resulted in significant cost savings for the American Eagle subsidiary: “We are appalled and disappointed at the flippant disregard by American Airlines management throughout this bankruptcy process, especially in negotiating provisions which would have a direct impact on the company’s alleged longevity problem.

Washington, DC –Flight Attendants at Hawaiian Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today ratified an agreement that includes increases to compensation and benefits, and enhances quality of life issues for the over 1,200 Flight Attendants. The new contract will remain in place through 2016.

Mesaba/Pinnacle/Colgan Flight Attendants Get Chance to Vote for the Flight Attendant Union
 
Washington, DC – The National Mediation Board (NMB) today declared that the Pinnacle/Mesaba/Colgan merger has created a single carrier for representation of over 1,300 Flight Attendants. Over 600 Flight Attendants at Mesaba are currently represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA).

Washington, DC - The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) issued the following statement today after Pinnacle Airlines, which merged with Mesaba Airlines in January, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization:

“As the certified representative for Mesaba Flight Attendants, AFA will use its standing to participate in the bankruptcy process and ensure that the Flight Attendants’ rights are protected throughout Pinnacle’s restructuring.

Washington, DC – Flight Attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), from each of the pre-merger airlines, US Airways and former America West, voted against a tentative agreement offered by US Airways management. Ninety percent of the over 6,700 combined Flight Attendants participated in the voting process.