Ellen Church

Washington, DC, May 15, 2012 - 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. Full Media Release>>

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Commends President Obama On His Support Of Marriage Equality

Washington, DC, May 9, 2012 – 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.

AFA is a leading advocate for the Flight Attendant profession and is proud to be part of labor’s decades-long tradition of standing up for fair and equal treatment for all workers. We support marriage equality for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) sisters and brothers. Marriage equality is not only an economic and social justice issue, but also a human rights issue. Full Media Release>>

Pinnacle Flight Attendants Gain Chance To Vote For World's Largest Flight Attendant Union

Washington, DC, May 2, 2012 – 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.

“Flight Attendants at the new Pinnacle Airlines are engaged in their careers and their future. In less than two weeks time, our Flight Attendant union received an overwhelming number of cards asking for an election to gain AFA representation,” said Veda Shook, AFA International President. “As the world’s largest Flight Attendant union with over 60 years of experience, these Flight Attendants recognize the advantage of electing AFA to navigate even the most difficult issues in bankruptcy in order to create opportunities for their future at Pinnacle. Full Media Release>>

Flight Attendant Union Calls for Strike Vote
 
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.

"Air Wisconsin Flight Attendants make great contributions to the success of our carrier through our professionalism and crucial role as first responders. It is time that management recognize Flight Attendants as key partners in the future success of our carrier and gets serious about negotiations," said Brenda Barrall, AFA Air Wisconsin President. Full Media Release>>

American Eagle Flight Attendants Continue Talks
 
Washington, DC, April 20, 2012 – Robert Barrow, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA) at American Eagle, issued the following statement on the bankruptcy negotiations and a potential merger:
 
“We continue to negotiate with American Eagle management to reach an agreement rather than a court imposed settlement.  We are focused on job security and a better future for American Eagle Flight Attendants.  We welcome innovative solutions that would fully recognize the contributions of American Eagle Flight Attendants, much like the divestiture that was planned prior to the bankruptcy.  Not long ago, that plan promised job security and greater opportunity for the dedicated workers at American Eagle.
 
“We are paying close attention to any potential merger. AFA is committed to protecting American Eagle Flight Attendants, ensuring the success of our airline, and working swiftly through this process. The potential merger announcement does not change AFA’s continued work to vigorously oppose unnecessary concessions. We will ensure Flight Attendants play an integral role in the reshaping and rebuilding of American Eagle. Full Media Release>>

Flight Attendant Contract First in a US Airways/American Deal

Washington DC, April 20, 2012 – 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. Full Media Release>>

Flight Attendant Union Slams American Airlines Management For Dismissing Proposals Containing Significant Savings

Washington, DC , April 19, 2012 – 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. Full Media Release>>

Flight Attendants at Hawaiian Ratify Contract

Washington, DC, April 18, 2012 - 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.

“Flight Attendants at Hawaiian are crucial to the success of the carrier and this contract with top industry wages recognizes our contributions,” said Sharon Soper, AFA President at Hawaiian. “AFA looks forward to working with Hawaiian management as we continue to grow our carrier and advance our profession.” Full Media Release>>
 

Flight Attendants' Rights Protected - NMB Calls For Union Election At Pinnacle
 
Mesaba/Pinnacle/Colgan Flight Attendants Get Chance to Vote for the Flight Attendant Union
 
Washington, DC, April 18, 2012 – 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).

“This is an amazing opportunity for Flight Attendants at these three carriers to unite and stand together for a better tomorrow. We are excited to welcome our Pinnacle and Colgan flying partners to the AFA family and look forward to the opportunity these Flight Attendants have to stand together for the best protections for Flight Attendants during bankruptcy and a better future at Pinnacle,” said Veda Shook, AFA International President. Full Media Release>>

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