Launching a New Decade AFA-CWA Annual Board of Director’s Meeting April 27-29, 2010 Las Vegas, NV Legislative Policy Committee Report Summary

April 27-29, 2010 the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA held the annual Board of Director’s meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I was most generously invited to attend. The Political/Legislative Committee Report presented at the meeting provides highlights of several pieces of

legislation that are beneficial to our profession.

AFA-CWA Government Affairs Committee members have worked hard on our behalf, and my goal is to share their accomplishments with our LEC 96 membership, and work together with Washington State AFA-CWA councils at United, Horizon, and Alaska Airlines to educate and mobilize our membership to participate in our legislative process.

I believe that the most effective way to create change that benefits our profession is through legislation. Laws that are passed that benefit our workgroup mean more protections and ultimately less to negotiate at the bargaining table. We are fortunate to have elected officials in Washington State who support working families and many of the issues that affect our workplace. Following is a summary of the Committee’s report;

FMLA

December of 2009 marks the historic passage of the Family and Medical Leave technical correction into law. President Obama’s signature ensures we are not forced to negotiate access to FMLA, and all flight attendants share the same benefit afforded to millions of Americans. The passage of the law was the direct result of AFA-CWA members and flight attendants’ collective efforts to lobby their elected government officials. Washington State Senator Patty Murray worked tirelessly to ensure passage of the bill; Senator Murray has proven to be a true supporter and champion for flight attendants in Washington State, and throughout the country. Senator Murray was honored at the AFA-CWA Board of Directors Meeting on April 28, 2010 with an honorary membership in our Association for her work in the Senate on our behalf. To read the AFA Sen. Patty Murray Honorary Membership Resolution click here

CARRY ON BAGGAGE

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 2870) which would set limits on the size and number of carry-on bags allowed on board our aircraft. As flight attendants we are keenly aware of the conflicts that arise due to excess carry-on, not to mention potential threats to safety and security. AFA-CWA is actively lobbying members of Congress to co-sponsor this legislation. Read H.R. 2870 here

You can help: Urge your elected officials to support this legislation by clicking here.

FAA REAUTHORIZATION

Despite the passage of a bill in both the House and Senate, and temporary extension, the final version of language in the bill is still evolving. Until a combined merged version of the bill is finalized, AFA-CWA will continue to advocate for inclusion of the issues that directly affect crew members, while monitoring the status of this complicated legislation. You can help: To make sure this legislation remains a priority, write to Washington State Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. (Click for sample letter) Summary of AFA-CWA supported protections, (Link to article)

JOINT VENTURES

United Airlines AFA-CWA members have been the first flight attendant group to be directly affected by the apparent loophole in the Open Skies Agreement signed into law by the Bush administration. United Airlines “outsourced” a Washington DC to Madrid route to Aer Lingus Airline, and to date has hired and trained 72 non-union flight attendants to work the flights. United Airlines management’s deliberate outsourcing of U.S. flight attendants jobs with the United-Aer Lingus joint venture has resulted in the newly proposed H.R. 4788, “The Aviation Jobs and Outsourcing Prevention Act”. This legislation would prevent an airline from using lower cost foreign carriers on existing routes and shifting jobs overseas. To read more, (Link to full article)

BANKRUPTCY REFORM TO PROTECT AMERICAN WORKERS AND RETIREES

AFA-CWA urges the passage of H.R. 4677 and S.30300, the “Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies act of 2010”. This legislation would allow workers to recover far more than they do today, and create more transparency in the cost savings programs that often result in targeting employees and retirees for concessions. To read more, (Link to full article)

FLIGHT PAC

During this era of concessions, recession, and economic turmoil, it is more important than ever that we continue to support the election of politicians that support our issues. We are continually asked at work to support many worthy and important causes, including United Way, the Delta Caring fund, BCRF, and many more. We must also remember to help ourselves and secure our future; each piece of legislation that is passed that champions our cause, is one less issue that we need to negotiate in future contracts. The AFA-CWA constitution prohibits the use of members’ dues for political contributions, but we can rest assured that management at our airline is lobbying in Washington, D.C. with tens of thousands of dollars at their disposal. The 2010 election season is expected to be contentious, and we do not want to see elected officials with whom AFA-CWA works closely voted out of office. It is in flight attendant’s best interests to ensure that elected officials, including Senator Patty Murray, win in November. Our goal is 100 percent participation at the SEA base. We ask each flight attendant to sign up for at least the minimum donation: 1 dollar per month. A donation to FlightPAC is an investment in our future and our careers.

YOU CAN HELP

Enroll to contribute by payroll deduction to FlightPAC. (Link to FlightPAC) Other topics under consideration for introduced legislation include counterterrorism training and a ban on cell phone and on-board Wi-Fi systems during periods of heightened security as determined by the Dept. of Homeland Security. Thank you in advance for your participation; phone calls, emails, and letters take just a few minutes are well received and welcomed by our elected officials.

Sara Crippen

Lec 96 Gov Affairs Chair