Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing Flight Attendants at Ryan International Airlines, filed for mediation yesterday in an effort to move contract negotiations forward. Ryan International, based in Rockford, IL, provides passenger service for the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense.

“Ryan International Flight Attendants worked hard to secure collective bargaining rights with AFA and are committed to reaching an agreement that reflects our contributions to the carrier,” said Mary Lou Riley, AFA Ryan International President. “We are eager to reach a legally binding contract that provides job security and valuable protections to Flight Attendants. We look forward to meaningful discussions with the assistance of the NMB and to securing a contract that values Ryan Flight Attendants’ exceptional service to the airline and to our clients.”
 
AFA requested mediation after negotiations were brought to a standstill due to management’s insistence on being able to have Flight Attendants on duty for 20 hours, and on other onerous work rules.  This is AFA’s first contract at Ryan International for the 200 Flight Attendants. Ryan International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rubloff Development Group.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 65 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants at 23 airlines come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.