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2009 Media Releases

December 22, 2009
Horizon Air Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract
Horizon Air flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), ratified a two year contract yesterday that provides pay increases and flexibility improvements for the over 500 flight attendants at the carrier.

December 2, 2009
House Passes Bill To Help Airline Crews Care For Family Members
Today the House of Representatives passed legislation originally authored by Congressman Tim Bishop (NY-1) to ensure that flight crews are treated fairly and are able to qualify for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits. Airline pilots and flight attendants currently face unexpected hurdles to qualify for FMLA. These hurdles are unique to airline employees since their non-flying hours are not counted toward their total hours of service. To remedy this situation, Bishop introduced the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act to clarify the original FMLA 1993 law. Senator Patty Murray introduced a companion bill, which was passed by the Senate last month and came before the House for a final vote today. The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.

November 19, 2009
Flight Attendants Celebrate 20 Years of Smoke Free Flights
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) International President Patricia Friend issued the following statement today in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the legislation that banned smoking on all U.S. domestic flights.

November 18, 2009
Compass Airlines Flight Attendants Join AFA-CWA
A strong majority of flight attendants at Compass Airlines today voted to join the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). The election vote, conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), showed that 194 flight attendants voted for AFA-CWA representation. 

November 17, 2009
United Airline Flight Attendants Honor Picket Line at American
United Airlines flight attendant members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA-CWA) will join members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) at American Airlines on the picket line at airports around the country tomorrow.  While American Flight Attendants conduct a mock strike and walk the picket line, United Flight Attendants will join them in solidarity for a fair Contract and coordinated efforts to lift the standard for Flight Attendants across the industry.

November 16, 2009
Delta/Northwest Flight Attendants Ask Management For Quick Election
Flight attendants at Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, working together on an Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) organizing campaign, issued a letter last week to Delta CEO Richard Anderson asking for an immediate union election for the over 21,000 flight attendants. The Delta AFA-CWA Campaign Coordinating Committee offered that if management recognized the official results of a yes/no type ballot, then AFA-CWA would file for an election immediately.

November 16, 2009
Horizon Air Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement
Horizon Air flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), reached a tentative agreement with management on November 13. The proposed two year agreement includes pay increases and flexibility improvements.

November 11, 2009
Senate Approves FMLA Coverage For Flight Attendants
More than 16 years after the original Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was passed, flight attendants and flight crews across the country, are finally about to be granted access to the same coverage that has long benefited working families. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today applauded the U.S. Senate for approving the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act, S. 1422.

November 3, 2009
AFA-CWA Applauds National Mediation Board For Proposed Voting Procedure Change
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today withdrew the single transportation certification application it filed with the National Mediation Board (NMB) in July on behalf of flight attendants at Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The withdrawal is in response to the NMB's recent proposed voting procedures announcement that would permit a majority of workers who actually vote in union elections to decide the election and stop assigning "no" votes to workers who do not participate.

November 2, 2009
Last Flight For Midwest Airlines Flight Attendants
Midwest Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), today will witness the last flight staffed by Midwest crew as flight 210 lands in Milwaukee this evening. Over the past year, more than 400 flight attendants have lost their jobs due to management outsourcing of flight attendant positions to another carrier, and the eventual sale of Midwest to Republic Holdings, Inc.

October 6, 2009
USA3000 Flight Attendants Join AFA
Flight attendants at USA3000 Airlines today became members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) after an overwhelming majority voted for union representation. The election vote, conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), showed that 96 of the 114 eligible USA3000 flight attendants voted for AFA-CWA representation. 

October 2, 2009
Frontier Flight Attendants Call For AFA-CWA Election
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today filed a petition with the National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold a representation election on behalf of the over 900 flight attendants at Frontier Airlines.  Frontier Airlines exited bankruptcy earlier this week and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. 

October 1, 2009
AFA-CWA Praises Crew of Historic Flight As 'Miracle on the Hudson' Pilots Return To Work
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today offered congratulations to Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles as the pair reunited in the cockpit for first time since landing US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River on January 15. AFA-CWA represents US Airways flight attendants Donna Dent, Sheila Dail and Doreen Welsh who successfully evacuated 150 passengers from the plane as it sank into the river.

September 23, 2009
Compass Flight Attendants Call For Union Election
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) yesterday filed a petition with the National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold a representation election on behalf of the over 300 Compass Airlines flight attendants.  Compass Airlines was formed in 2007 as a Northwest Airlink partner and now is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.

September 15, 2009
Union Election Begins For USA3000 Airlines' Flight Attendants
Flight attendants at USA3000 Airlines begin voting today to elect the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) as their collective bargaining representative. Votes will be counted on October 6.

September 11, 2009
AFA-CWA Reflects On 9-11 Anniversary
In recognition of the eighth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks, Patricia Friend, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) International President, made the following statement:

"As we have for the past eight years, September 11 marks a day where we honor the brave sacrifices of our flying partners and colleagues who gave their lives in the line of duty. It is in their memory, and the memory of all flight attendants before them, that we rededicate our work to advancing the health, safety and security of our beloved profession.

September 3, 2009
AFA-CWA Supports Alaska Airlines Request to Review Ownership of Virgin America
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) this week requested that the Department of Transportation (DOT) support the renewed motion of Alaska Airlines to examine the ownership of Virgin America. AFA-CWA has long believed that the DOT ignored well established rules in 2007 when they permitted Virgin America to operate in the United States.

August 7, 2009
AFA-CWA Files For Election AT USA3000 Airlines
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today filed a petition with the National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold an election for union representation on behalf of USA3000 Airlines flight attendants. The over 100 flight attendants will be represented by AFA-CWA if a majority of employees vote to support the union.

August 7, 2009
UAL Flight Attendants Apply for Federal Mediation in Negotiations
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA-CWA), representing flight attendants at United Airlines, is filing a joint petition with the Company to the National Mediation Board (NMB) as the next step in securing a new contract.  The union contract requires this joint filing today as part of an agreement to begin negotiations early and expedite the process for a new contract.  The agreement was part of negotiations in bankruptcy where flight attendants were required to take deep cuts to pay, benefits and work rules.

July 27, 2009
Northwest and Delta Flight Attendants Call For Election
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) to declare that the Delta/Northwest merger has created a single transportation system that requires the NMB to conduct a representation election for the carriers' flight attendants.   Northwest Airlines flight attendants are currently represented by AFA-CWA.  Delta flight attendants are not represented by a union. 
 
July 9, 2009
Flight Attendants Advance Towards FMLA Coverage
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today applauded Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jim Webb (D-VA),  Sue Collins (R-ME), Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Kit Bond (R-MO) for introducing the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act. The legislation would clarify the intent of the original Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and finally provide all flight attendants equal coverage under this statute as was intended.

July 8, 2009
Midwest Flight Attendants Seek Federal Intervention In Ongoing Negotiations
Midwest Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) last week after contract negotiations stalled due to management's demands for enormous pay cuts and devastating concessions.  The NMB has now docketed the case.  On June 23, TPG, who had acquired Midwest in 2008, agreed to sell Midwest to Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (RJET).

 June 16, 2009
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Supports Carry-On Limitation Bill
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today announced support for a bill introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) that seeks to set one enforceable standard for all bags carried onboard U.S. commercial aircraft. The Securing Carry-On Baggage Act, H.R. 2870, would create a universal size requirement for carry-on bags instead of allowing each carrier to determine its own size requirements. The bill also requires that restrictions be enforced at screening locations through use of a template.

June 9, 2009
US Airways 1549 Flight Attendants 'Heroic' Actions Recounted In NTSB Hearing
The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) today commenced a three-day hearing on US Airways Flight 1549 with witnesses who testified to the professionalism and efficiency of flight attendants Doreen Welsh, Sheila Dail and Donna Dent, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). The three AFA-CWA flight attendants safely evacuated 150 passengers on January 15 as the plane sank into the Hudson River.

June 4, 2009
TSA Authorization Passes House Of Representatives With Important Flight Attendant Security Provisions
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today hailed the United States House of Representatives for passing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Authorization - with flight attendant security training included – by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 397 - 25.  The bill, H.R. 2200 authorizes flight attendants to complete no less than five hours of hands-on self defense security training every two years. Currently, comprehensive flight attendant self defense training is strictly voluntary.

June 4, 2009
Federal Mediator Convenes America West Flight Attendant Negotiations
America West Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), will resume contract negotiations that were occurring prior to the carrier's merger with US Airways. A federal mediator from the National Mediation Board (NMB) will meet with union and company negotiators on Monday, June 8 with joint talks planned for Tuesday, June 9 at the Tempe, Arizona headquarters of US Airways.

 May 22, 2009
AFA-CWA Urges Senate To Include Vital Protections in Upcoming FAA Reauthorization
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives on passing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 915) yesterday. The bill, which included important enhancements directly related to the flight attendant profession, now waits for the Senate to take similar action.

May 22, 2009
Senate Confirms Former AFA-CWA President To National Mediation Board
"Linda Puchala will be a valuable addition to the NMB which is so critical to labor relations in the aviation industry. There are difficult issues facing America's aviation workers and we applaud President Obama for his prompt nomination and the Senate for confirming Ms. Puchala. At a time when many airline employees are engaged in contract negotiations, it is crucial that the agency charged with overseeing collective bargaining and representation under the Railway Labor Act protect workers from employer interference and influence that unfortunately has become routine under the previous NMB. The confirmation of Linda Puchala is the beginning step in reforming the NMB."

May 21, 2009
AFA-CWA Looks Forward To Passage of FAA Reauthorization
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) commended the U.S. House of Representatives today on bringing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 915) to the floor for a vote and anticipates its passage later this evening. The bill, which appropriates funding to the FAA for vast improvements, includes important enhancements directly related to the flight attendant profession.

May 20, 2009
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Testifies On Emergency Planning After Recent Flu Outbreak
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today testified on Capitol Hill regarding concerns that arose after a recent public health emergency and the summer travel outlook for this year.  The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation conducted the hearing which focused on aviation consumer issues and emergency contingency planning during public health emergencies.

March 31, 2009
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Bestows Honor on US Airways 1549 Flight Attendants
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) held a ceremony today honoring the three flight attendants who successfully evacuated over 150 passengers of US Airways Flight 1549 after a water landing in the Hudson River. At the annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meeting, the C.B. Lansing Award for Heroism was presented to Sheila Dail, Donna Dent, and Doreen Welsh.

March 31, 2009
Hawaiian Flight Attendants Ratify Two Year Contract Extension
Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), today ratified a two year contract extension. The extension provides for pay increases, access to profit sharing and maintains important work rules.

March 13, 2009
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Applauds National Mediation Board Appointment
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) congratulated the Obama Administration today for their appointment of Linda Puchala to the National Mediation Board (NMB). When confirmed, Puchala will replace a current board member who was a hold-over appointment from the Bush Administration since July 2006.

March 3, 2009
Spirit Flight Attendants File For Federal Mediation
Spirit flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), today filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB).

February 26, 2009
Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement
Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), reached a tentative agreement today with management on a proposed new contract.

February 25, 2009
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Congratulates Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis on Confirmation
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) applauded Congress yesterday on confirming Rep. Hilda Solis as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Charged with protecting and promoting the interests of American workers, Secretary Solis' experience and dedication will assist the Department of Labor in repairing broken labor law.

February 17, 2009
United 9/11 Flight Attendant Honored at Dedication of Florida Post Office
United flight attendant CeeCee Ross Lyles, member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), was honored today in Fort Pierce, Florida, where a local post office was dedicated in her memory. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), as well as family members, community leaders and AFA-CWA representatives, paid tribute to a heroic flight attendant who tragically lost her life on September 11, 2001 onboard United Airlines Flight 93.

February 11, 2009
AFA-CWA Outlines Priorities For FAA Reauthorization
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today testified before the House Aviation Subcommittee on issues concerning flight attendants' that need to be addressed in the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"Flight attendants, as first responders in the aircraft cabin, have a unique perspective on a number of the safety programs of the FAA," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. "Unfortunately, the FAA has repeatedly failed to take action on several fronts that would improve the overall safety of the employees that work under its jurisdiction."

February 11, 2009
Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement
Alaska Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), reached a tentative agreement yesterday with management on a proposed two-year contract extension.

February 9, 2009
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Flight Attendant FMLA Bill
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act by a unanimous voice vote today. Congressmen Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Thad McCotter (R-MI) sponsored the legislation that will clarify the intent of the original Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and finally provide all flight attendants equal coverage under this statute.

February 3, 2009
Spirit Flight Attendants To Management: Put An End To Demeaning Advertising
Spirit flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) are demanding an immediate end to the demeaning and demoralizing advertising campaigns that management continues to run.

January 27, 2009
Spirit Flight Attendants To Management: We Are Safety Professionals Not Billboards
Spirit Airlines management has launched a series of degrading and demeaning advertisements and Spirit flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), have had enough.

"I feel as though I have entered a time warp and am reliving the battles for respect and justice for women that we fought for 40 years ago," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. "Several promotional fare ads, with their not very subtle innuendoes, are demeaning not to just the hardworking flight attendants at Spirit Airlines but to all of America's professional flight attendants. They offend not just the female population of this country but the male members of humanity who admire and respect women."

January 16, 2009
AFA-CWA Says 'Professionalism On The Hudson' Saved the Lives of 150 Passengers
US Airways flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) were instrumental in the evacuation of 150 passengers earlier this week as Flight 1549 made an emergency water landing in New York's Hudson River. Mike Flores, AFA-CWA US Airways President issued the following statement praising the professionalism of the three Charlotte, NC crew members:

"What began as a normal flight suddenly turned into something far from normal. US Airways Flight 1549 departed New York's LaGuardia airport shortly after 3 pm. Within minutes of becoming airborne the crew faced a seemingly impossible situation.

January 16, 2009
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Assists NTSB In US Airways Flight 1549 Official Investigation
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today was officially selected to participate in the investigation of US Airways Flight 1549 being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent U.S. government agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. AFA-CWA represents US Airways flight attendants, including the three flight attendants who successfully evacuated 150 passengers in less than 90 seconds as Flight 1549 sank into the Hudson River yesterday afternoon.

January 12, 2009
Lynx Aviation Flight Attendants Join the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
A majority of Lynx Aviation flight attendants voted today to have the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) serve as their bargaining representative. The vote, counted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), showed 55 of the 87 eligible Lynx flight attendants electing AFA-CWA. Due to the high participation rate, the vote exceeded the NMB's archaic rule that over half of the work group must participate in order for the election to be valid.

January 7, 2009
Flight Attendants Not Affected By Recent National Mediation Board Decision
Kevin Griffin, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) Northwest Airlines President, and Marianne Bicksler, AFA-CWA Delta Air Lines activist, issued the following statement today after the National Mediation Board (NMB) announced its decision in the Delta pilots’ single carrier application.

January 6, 2009
Ryan International Flight Attendants Join The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
Ryan International flight attendants made a monumental decision today and elected the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) as their bargaining representative.  AFA-CWA received 111 votes.  The total vote well exceeded the National Mediation Board's (NMB) arbitrary requirement that 50 percent plus one of eligible flight attendants vote in order for the election to be valid.