Flight Attendant Union Reaches Tentative Agreement With United Airlines January 8th, 2012
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — United Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), successfully reached a tentative agreement with management today for 15,000 pre-merger United Flight Attendants. The agreement was reached with oversight from the National Mediation Board (NMB) through expedited mediation with airline management.
“There can be no doubt that if it were not for the clear commitment of United Flight Attendants in supporting our elected leadership and negotiating committee, we would not have been able to achieve these results. Pending leadership approval, the United AFA members will carefully consider the tentative agreement for ratification. Together, we will better our lives and our profession through our solidarity as we work towards improving our future. Next, we will achieve a Single Contract that is good for Flight Attendants, good for the company and unite us all,” said Greg Davidowitch, president of AFA at United Airlines.
The Agreement is now subject to approval by the United Master Executive Council (MEC), made up of the locally elected leaders from the 14 United Flight Attendants domiciles. The MEC will meet in a special session on Sunday, January 8, 2012. Until that time, full details of the Tentative Agreement will not be made public. If approved by the MEC, the Tentative Agreement will be sent to the Membership for careful consideration and ratification.
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President Veda Shook issued the following statement today after Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) announced an agreement on the 21st extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will put an end to the partial shutdown of the agency responsible for the safety of civil aviation:
“We applaud Senate Majority Leader Reid for his bipartisan effort to get 75,000 hardworking women and men back to work and finally put an end this shutdown. The work they do for our nation’s transportation system is vital to the future of our members’ jobs and the communities we live in.
“Additionally, AFA appreciates the work of U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood whose tireless championing of the agency’s employees and their vital work was the voice of reason in a sea of insanity.
“Over the past two weeks, the FAA has lost nearly $400 million in revenue that could have supported essential projects. It is shameful that in such difficult economic times, several Congressional leaders chose to play games and jeopardize the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Americans and their families as well as the long-term viability of the aviation industry. This shutdown was irresponsible and reckless.
“We look forward to the re-opening of FAA and the ability for all those affected to return to work. However, this extension is a temporary solution. When Congress reconvenes, they must get serious and pass a comprehensive funding bill that allows the FAA to move forward on vital safety and airport improvement projects that will help to enhance the world’s greatest aviation system.”
SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today issued support of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new program that will promote an alternate screening of crewmembers. The new program, sponsored by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA), will begin testing later this year.
“As first responders, Flight Attendants hold a primary stake and are the last line of defense in aviation security. AFA is proud to partner with ALPA, ATA and TSA on an alternate screening program for crewmembers,” said Veda Shook, AFA International President. “We look forward to being a key partner in the advancement of this alternate screening system. This program will highlight the importance of all crewmembers working as a security team for the safety of the crew and the traveling public.”
The program, as proposed by ALPA and ATA, includes Flight Attendants after initial testing. Alternate screening identifies authorized and trusted crewmembers at security screening checkpoints. The process, which Congress intended for all crewmembers in 2007, utilizes security screening clearances which are a condition of employment for aviation employees.
Continental Airlines flight attendants ratify agreement with Airline February 25th, 2011
CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Continental Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL), today announced that its flight attendants, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), ratified their collective bargaining agreement with the company.
“Our flight attendants provide great service to our customers as a critical part of our team, and it is to their credit that we have a new contract in place that rewards them for their hard work,” said Sam Risoli, vice president of Inflight Service for the combined company. “Our Continental flight attendants took a big step to keep us moving forward as we integrate Continental and United.”
The agreement covers approximately 9,300 Continental flight attendants located throughout the United States.
US Airways Flight Attendants : Five Years No Contract February 10th, 2011
PHOENIX, Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — After five years of protracted contract negotiations and the announcement of US Airways’ second biggest profit in the airline’s history, the members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) have had enough of management delay tactics and attempts to negotiate a concessionary merged contract.
Yesterday, the AFA Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) broke off talks with US Airways management. Tempe-based America West Airlines merged with US Airways in September 2005 and the Flight Attendants have been in merged contract negotiations since January 2006. US Airways management’s latest proposals contained no meaningful wage increases, concessions in healthcare and sick benefits and gutted scope and merger protections for Flight Attendants.
AFA MEC Presidents Mike Flores (East) and Lisa LeCarre (West) say US Airways CEO Doug Parker has no interest in completing the merger and resolving labor unrest. The two groups of Flight Attendants are unified in frustration and anger at the airline’s management. AFA wants to reach a merged agreement but management has failed to put into a contract the financial resources necessary to do so.
“For five years, US Airways CEO Doug Parker has financed his merged airline off the backs of the Flight Attendants, saving millions by paying Flight Attendant salaries that differ by up to 45 percent,” said AFA US Airways-West President, Lisa LeCarre. “When you merge two companies, the goal is to combine all employee groups and pay them the same wage for the same work. That has not happened. US Airways recently announced historic profits, yet management refuses to negotiate contract improvements and wage increases after years of promised benefits from this merger.”
AFA US Airways-East President Mike Flores said, “US Airways East Flight Attendants have been working under concessionary wages and benefits since 2005 and have provided the means for this airline to not only survive, but prosper. It is high time for all Flight Attendants to share in the company’s success through meaningful wage and benefit improvements.”
In the first of a series of events, AFA is holding a system-wide Day of Action on February 17, in all Flight Attendant bases, to show management and the public that Flight Attendants are united in their effort to reach a fair merged contract.