UPDATE: Executive Orders Kill Our Jobs, But Congress Can Save Them
August 9, 2020
Dear Flight Attendants:
The Executive Orders announced yesterday interrupted negotiations for a COVID-19 relief bill and that puts our jobs in jeopardy unless we get Congress to act. We have well over 80 Senators in support of our extension and no one is against it. We also have similar overwhelming bipartisan support in the House. You made this possible and we are so close to getting this locked in. We can't let up for a minute. Watch a video update recorded yesterday evening for more on where we are: https://youtu.be/4lPQbHxniUA.
The Constitution dictates that all funding measures - including pandemic relief for struggling Americans - are the responsibility of the Congress. Joining Democrats, Senate Republicans made clear this past week they understand the urgency of this crisis for aviation workers and the communities we serve. An extension of payroll support would be a part of a full relief bill. Executive orders leave us out in the cold. We need Congressional leadership at the table right now. Read our full public statement >
Our non-stop action to secure an extension of Payroll Support matters for the jobs we will save right now. It also matters for those who remain on the job as seniority will stagnate, air service cuts to our small communities undercuts networks and makes commuting harder. The questionable ability for our airlines to recover and compete puts our long-term job security at risk as well. We simply cannot accept inaction from Congress especially when we know there's overwhelming bipartisan support for a resolution.
Please know, it's Congress that can fix this. Even though the White House had representatives at the table who refused to agree to a deal with our payroll extension, Congress can act without them. We need you to call on your Senators to act. They need to demand that their leadership get to the table now and get this agreement done. Leader McConnell has not been in these negotiations, but we need him to get there now. We need Congressional leaders of both parties to come together and finish this for the American people.
Your action matters. This fall is not just about a presidential election. We need Congress to act.
Keep calling. Our airlines are taking action with us, but it's your voices as constituents that matter most. And it's our jobs, the quality of our jobs, and the future of our jobs that's on the line. See the take action info below and help spread the word. We can do this - together.
We are stronger and better together.
In Solidarity,
Sara Nelson
AFA International President
Your Action
Keep up the calls through the weekend and into next week. Make three calls (both Senators and your Representative) every day. Since it's the weekend, expect to leave a voicemail and plan to call the next day. You can also look up the local contact info for your representatives at house.gov and senate.gov. Tell your Senators and Representative that we need a COVID-19 relief bill now!
SENATE: 888-848-4824
HOUSE: 888-907-9365
Sample Script:
"Hello, I am a constituent calling to ask my Senator/Representative to save my job as an essential worker and airline employee. An overwhelming majority of Congress supports an extension to the Payroll Support Program for aviation workers to avoid massive job loss in October and also to ensure there's no cancellation of service to small communities. We need a COVID-19 relief package with our payroll support passed TODAY. Our jobs are on the line right now and millions are hurting without this relief! Keep us connected to our jobs, paychecks, & healthcare. We are counting on you. Thank you.”
After you call, sign this letter to your Representative and Senators >
