Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

The #1 Most Asked Question.

The answer depends on several things. First of all in accordance with the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws every flight attendant on a leave of absence owes dues for the first 3 months of their leave of absence AFTER their compensation from their airline ends. Those flight attendants on a military leave or involuntary furlough do not owe these dues.

This is part of the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws:

"Article XI A.6. Payment of dues shall be required of all members that are on active status during a month or any portion thereof. After the first ninety (90) days of removal from service and no longer receiving compensation through a carrier for disability leave, payment of dues shall not be required."

 

The Constitution and Bylaws is written by the AFA Board of Directors which consists of all LEC Presidents, including yours.

 

Example of the 90-day leave obligation:

On January 1 a flight attendant breaks their leg skiing, they are not scheduled to return until July.   They have enough time in the sick bank to claim and pay themselves for the month of January and February. Their 90-day leave obligation would be: March, April and May. They would not owe for June or July or beyond that if they were still out of work.

 

 

 

Yes. The AFA Membership Services Department receives this information from the AFA leaders at your airline. The AFA-CWA database is coded so you are only billed for these 3 months and then the billing stops.

 

You have 3 options for handling this obligation.

• Make the payment
• Set up a payment plan. See Payment Options
• Ask for a deferral

A dues deferral is available for flight attendants on a leave of absence.

This deferral moves your obligation to the point in time when you return to active flying. If you are in a financial hardship while on leave (medical) you may call the AFA-CWA Membership Services Department and ask for the deferral letter.

AFA will send this letter to you. You must follow the directions which include reading and signing the agreement and forwarding the signed letter to you LEC President. The address is provided on the letter. The Local Executive Office approves or denies the deferral.

If your application is approved, your account status will change and you will not be billed until you return to work.

If your LEC Office denies your request payment arrangements can be made by contacting the AFA-CWA Membership Services Department.