Delivering authorization cards from a majority of Delta Flight Attendants to the NMB.

“This is a special day for the thousands of Delta flight attendants who have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months in order to have the opportunity to take part in this historic process and gain a voice in their future,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. “While the Delta and Northwest merger has dominated news lately, it is easy to overlook one very important fact regarding this campaign: that this has been one of the largest grassroots’ campaigns in union history. What started as a small group of Delta flight attendants now includes more than 1,200 AFA-CWA activists. Each day we hear from more and more Delta flight attendants who are excited and eager to take control of their careers and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.” Full Press Release

More Info: DeltaAFA.org
 

AFA-CWA Testifies on Capitol Hill regarding the Delta/Northwest Merger

AFA-CWA International Vice President Veda Shook testified before the House Judiciary Committee on the effects the pending merger will have on flight attendants and other employees, and potential solutions to the worst aspects of the merger. Flight attendant careers at Delta and Northwest, as well as those of other aviation employees, are threatened by the merger due to the fact that there are virtually no federal protections for employees in these situations. The only protections employees have today is through their individual unions and collective bargaining agreements.

To read AFA-CWA's testimony, click here .

Related: Delta-Northwest Merger section on afanet.org
 

Information for Aloha and ATA Airlines Flight Attendants

ShareAloha is a community of friends and family offering help and support for the Aloha Airlines Family during this difficult season of transition. http://sharealoha.wordpress.com

EAP -  AFA-CWA Employee Assistance Program has many resources available, including links to unemployment resources and surviving a layoff.

US Airways Flight Attendant Jennifer Hunt (left) testifies before a Congressional Committee on clarifying FMLA language for flight attendants

AFA-CWA Asks Congress To Clarify FMLA Coverage For Flight Attendants

Washington, DC - Flight Attendant Jennifer Hunt, a member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), today testified before the House Education and Labor Committee on how the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) excludes flight attendants and the devastating effect that has on working families. It is often difficult for flight attendants to qualify for FMLA coverage due to their unusual work schedules and the specific requirements of the law. Ms. Hunt was denied FMLA leave with her airline in 2007 after her husband, who had recently returned from serving 15 months in Iraq, was diagnosed with cancer.

“The denial of FMLA benefits to flight crew is frustrating because despite the fact that we work full time schedules, flight attendants are repeatedly denied a right that every American is afforded under the law,” said Hunt. “Congress has the ability to correct this oversight by passing the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act and restore the original intention of FMLA, to help employees remain with their employer while meeting the needs of their families. It is time that the over 90,000 flight attendants in this country have the peace of mind that the Family and Medical Leave Act is intended to provide.” Read Full Press Release
 

Future Union Leaders: Scholarships Available
To encourage women and people of color to become union leaders, the AFL-CIO Union Privilege program is offering scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000, along with a personalized mentoring program. The scholarships are intended to help future leaders with the cost of education or training to pursue union career goals and leadership skills. Winners of the one-time cash awards may re-apply for future awards. A special mentoring program will match scholarship winners with current union leaders. Applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2008. For more information, visit www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/scholarships/diversity.cfm

The Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation.
 

Flight Attendants Make Gains On Capitol Hill

U.S. flight attendants benefited greatly from the omnibus bill passed by Congress this week due to two important provisions that were included. Every year, Congress must pass 12 bills that provide funding for the federal government, various projects and list spending priorities for various federal agencies.  Those bills are required to be passed by October of every year.  Many times, Congress misses that deadline and in an effort to get the job done quickly, they put all the 12 bills together into one large, comprehensive bill.  Hence the term "Omnibus" - meaning to deal with numerous things at once.
 
This massive legislation included two major legislative priorities of AFA-CWA. The legislation includes approximately $1 million to fund a comprehensive flight attendant fatigue study.  It also includes a provision that will provide protections for airline workers' seniority in the case of a merger between two or more airlines.

For more information on AFA-CWA's recent victory, click here to view the press release.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in partnership with American Association of Community colleges (AACC) is conducting trainings. For dates, locations and Points of Contacts (POCs) for 2006-2007, for the "Crew Member Self-Defense Training (CMSDT)" Program, click here..

TSA Web Site with updated trainings - click here