Tag Archives: AFA

United Airlines and Association of Flight Attendants agree to avert any involuntary furloughs

United Airlines (Chicago) and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) have agreed to advert all involuntary furloughs. The AFA issued this statement: The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing over 25,000 Flight Attendants at United Airlines, announced an agreement with United management that averts involuntary furloughs at the world’s leading airline through improved voluntary options. The mutual agreement between AFA and management also provides employment for Flight Attendants originally slated to lose their jobs by offering an enhanced crossover agreement to pre-merger Continental Airlines. In other news, United will end the Washington (Dulles)-San Salvador route on March 31 per Airline Route. The route is currently operated three days a week with Boeing 737-800s. Additionally the carrier will launch daily summer United Express service between the Denver hub and Sun Valley, Idaho from July 2 through September 22 with Bombardier CRJ700s.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-824 N26210 (msn 28770) in the Star Alliance colors arrives at the Washington (Dulles) hub.

United Airlines (current):

Spirit Airlines’ flight attendants vote down the latest contract offer

Spirit Airlines‘ (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) voted against a new tentative agreement.

The AFA issued this statement:

A majority of Flight Attendants at Spirit Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today voted against a tentative agreement with management. Their strong vote makes it clear that Spirit Flight Attendants expect more for their outstanding contributions to the profitable airline.

“Spirit Flight Attendants have sent a loud and clear message that management’s offer fails to address our needs and does not reflect our true worth. We remain focused on our future. Our demands at the bargaining table are now formally supported by an overwhelming message from the front lines of our airline,” said Todd St. Pierre, AFA President at Spirit. “We expect a substantial return for our contributions to the success of Spirit Airlines. It is well past time for management to negotiate an agreement that can be ratified and meets the priorities identified by Spirit Flight Attendants.”

AFA will survey the more than 1,200 Flight Attendants to focus efforts on the issues that matter most to Spirit Flight Attendants. The National Mediation Board, which has been mediating between the parties since 2009, retains oversight of future negotiations.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Still painted in the old 2004 black livery, Airbus A319-132 N510NK (msn 2622) prepares to land in Las Vegas.

Spirit Airlines:

AFA works to build a coalition to fight the U.S. operations of Norwegian Long Haul

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) has issued this statement against Norwegian hiring U.S.-based Flight Attendants:

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today met with a broad labor coalition and government representatives from Norway to discuss the detrimental effects Norwegian Air International’s attempt to bypass international labor laws will have on aviation workers around the world. AFA, part of a delegation comprised of union representatives, issued the following statement concerning current hiring practices by Norwegian Air International:

“Today we joined our aviation colleagues and industry leaders to discuss strategies and alternatives that would ensure Norwegian does not erode labor laws or the careers of U.S. Flight Attendants as they work to expand their business.

“History has shown that when companies find a way to take advantage of loopholes that assist in evading strong labor provisions, a global race to the bottom begins, leaving behind workers and communities. For nearly 70 years, AFA has been dedicated to protecting the Flight Attendant career, standing against any attempt to create a position that has little room for advancement and no job security. We are concerned that Norwegian’s announcement to hire U.S.-based Flight Attendants to staff international flights undercuts labor laws, paying outsourced workers a fraction of what Norwegian Flight Attendants earn.

“For decades, AFA has worked closely with our counterparts across the world for global labor standards that protect careers and enhance aviation growth. While we are dedicated to creating opportunities that expand business, it is imperative that airlines work collaboratively with unions and workers so that everyone is able to share in the success.

“AFA remains dedicated to our long-standing mission of uniting all Flight Attendants, regardless of carrier. We stand in unity with our counterparts at Norwegian in their fight to retain good jobs. Norwegian’s attempt to outsource Flight Attendant positions, not only bypasses Norway’s labor laws that protect workers, but it erodes careers of U.S. Flight Attendants who have worked for nearly seven decades to build an enduring career.

“In our global aviation environment, it is imperative that we all work together to ensure that workers are treated fairly and are recognized for the role they have in their airline’s success.”

United Airlines flight attendants express outrage at the loss of jobs

United Airlines‘ (Chicago) flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have issued this statement concerning United’s plans to furlough around 685 flight attendants as part of a $2 million annual cost-cutting plan announced in 2013:

United Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), express outrage at an attempt by United management to side-step United AFA representatives. This afternoon (January 22), Greg Davidowitch, AFA President at United denounced management’s tactics as seeking to destroy jobs and to destroy the bargaining rights of the United Flight Attendants.

United Flight Attendants learned yesterday (January 21) that management intends to do an end-run around the legal representatives for United Flight Attendants as we take all legal steps to prevent an involuntary furlough. Running from the pressure brought by the United AFA leadership, and the demands of their employees, management has moved from their position that the only option was an involuntary furlough at the United subsidiary. Having first refused to agree to numerous proposals offered by the AFA at United, management chose instead to undermine the collective bargaining process and, as described in a letter to employees, management stated, “we’ve decided to act on our own.”

Unilaterally changing the terms of employment, and bypassing the representatives of the duly certified exclusive union representative are violations of the Railway Labor Act.

“Management doesn’t need this furlough. They want it. Yesterday (January 21) United Airlines SVP, Sam Risolideliberately circumvented United AFA leadership to achieve an agenda that has nothing to do with managing staffing concerns,” said Greg Davidowitch. “Management is trying to force United Flight Attendants to give up their contract and their seniority to take jobs on the Continental side of the operation. Even as a valid, negotiated choice for Flight Attendants, this would not even provide job options to cover management’s desired furlough numbers. Management has refused to agree to the reasonable proposals presented by United AFA negotiators for mitigating the declared furlough altogether.”

“United Flight Attendants don’t want to be furloughed and forced into a position of an ultimatum of having to seek employment at Continental, and they certainly don’t want to be told what their priorities are,” saidGreg Davidowitch. “United Flight Attendant’s are the backbone of United and have sacrificed time and again for the success of our airline. We cannot do it alone.”

“United Flight Attendants have a long and proud history and are prepared to aggressively defend our contract and our jobs. Management tactics with the intent of harming United Flight Attendants are not the path to unity and success. We will hold management accountable for their actions if they involuntarily furlough even a single flight attendant. We do not want to fight, but we will never back down in defense of our members. Never. And that is the real reason for management’s attack on these dedicated Flight Attendants and all of our flying partners who care deeply about them.”

United Airlines (current):

United Airlines (historic):