For Immediate Release: November 24, 2008
Contact: Corey Caldwell 202-434-0586
Ryan International Flight Attendants To Vote On AFA-CWA Representation
Washington, DC – After reviewing that the required amount of Ryan International flight attendants are in support of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) becoming their collective bargaining representative, the National Mediation Board (NMB) announced Friday the voting schedule for a representation election. Balloting instructions will be sent to Ryan flight attendants in upcoming weeks and voting will take place from December 11 to January 6, 2009.
"We are excited for Ryan International flight attendants to begin the New Year with collective bargaining rights and a strong voice at the table," said AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend. "Ryan flight attendants need the strength and support of a union experienced in representing flight attendants. AFA-CWA is that union."
The NMB is the federal agency that oversees union representation elections in the airline industry. Earlier this month, AFA-CWA submitted signature cards from the Ryan flight attendant membership as required by the NMB in order to call an election.
"Ryan flight attendants have a strong commitment to shaping the future of our careers and we believe that is possible through AFA-CWA membership," said Kim Bancroft, Ryan International flight attendant and AFA-CWA activist. "This is exactly what we need right now."
Over 150 Ryan flight attendants would be represented by the AFA-CWA if a majority of employees vote to support a union. Ryan International, based in Rockford, IL, has had such customers as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Justice, and various tour operators.
For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. More than 55,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.
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