Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) and United Airlines today announced a one-time opportunity for Flight Attendants to voluntarily separate from the company with a payment up to $100,000. The Enhanced Early Out Program, announced in a joint letter from AFA Presidents Ken Diaz, Suzanne Hendricks and Marcus Valentino and management, is intended to resolve staffing issues at the airline and promote a landscape that supports the negotiations underway for a joint contract. AFA issued the following comments on the unprecedented early out benefits for Flight Attendants:

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) issued the following statement on the 13th year since the September 11, 2001 attacks changed the country and the Flight Attendant profession forever:

“On September 11, 2001, twenty-five Flight Attendants took action as first responders in a war we didn’t know we were fighting.  These heroes were among the first to relay the intelligence that alerted our country and our flying partners in flight 93, who in turn sacrificed their own lives to save countless others on the ground.

Washington, DC – Flight Attendant leaders from Envoy Air, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), issued the following statement today after AAG management announced plans to transfer Envoy’s fleet of 47 CRJ aircraft beginning Spring 2015:  
 
“Rather than investing in the future of an already proven company, AAG management continues to exploit the regional industry through their ‘race to the bottom’ mentality.  It is a sad reality that AAG management continues to dismiss and disrespect the very people who make AAG successful.

Washington, DC – After months of intense pressure from a broad labor coalition, including the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) today denied an exemption for a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian Air International (NAI). AFA urges the DOT to close the door on NAI permanently by rejecting the foreign air carrier permit outright. AFA International President Sara Nelson issued the following statement:

NMB Certifies Bargaining Representative for Combined 24,000 Flight Attendant Workgroup

Washington, DC – US Airways Flight Attendants issued the following statement today after the National Mediation Board (NMB) finalized the US Airways/American Airlines single carrier certification process for purposes of Flight Attendant representation:

“Earlier this year, US Airways Flight Attendants secured a voice in the world’s largest airline by mapping out a path where our over 65 years of bargaining experience at the world’s largest Flight Attendant union would help set the stage for the best possible results. We continue to proudly stand in solidarity with our flying partners at American Airlines to negotiate a contract that allows Flight Attendants to benefit from the merger.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today celebrates the 69th anniversary of its formation. AFA International President Sara Nelson issued the following statement:

“AFA is where it all began. On this day sixty-nine years ago, Edith Lauterbach and fellow United Flight Attendants Ada Brown Greenfield, Francis Hall, Sally Thometz and Sally Watt Keenan were successful in organizing the first union of Flight Attendants, the foundation from which we have achieved amazing victories for equality, workplace health and safety and contracts that define our work as aviation's first responders.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reject an application for a foreign air carrier permit submitted by Norwegian Air International (NAI). In comments filed yesterday, the unions, representing over 80,000 Flight Attendants, urged the DOT to uphold the strong labor protections outlined in the U.S.-E.U. Air Transport Agreement (ATA) known as Open Skies.

Washington, DC - Spirit Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today announced a tentative agreement with management on a new contract that includes immediate economic improvements, as well as protection of industry-leading healthcare and key quality of life provisions. The agreement, reached with the assistance of the National Mediation Board (NMB), would cover the nearly 1,400 Flight Attendants and more as the airline continues to grow.

Frontier Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today rejected new contract terms that would replace the equity and profit sharing portion of the current agreement. AFA has been in discussions with management over equity and profit sharing since prior to the purchase of the airline by Indigo Partners in December 2013.

Twenty-five years after the tragic crash of United Airlines flight 232 claimed the lives of one infant, dozens of passengers and one fellow Flight Attendant, the Association of Flight Attendants –CWA (AFA) continues to advocate for the use of child safety seats for all children under the age of two:
 
“On July 19, 1989, the heroic actions of the Flight Attendants and crew onboard United flight 232 saved the lives of 184 passengers in one of the worst crashes in aviation history. Through their professionalism and dedication, our colleagues showed the world the crucial role Flight Attendants have onboard the aircraft each and every day.