Why Solidarity Matters

2012-2016 Contract

The power of our Union is only as strong as the number of Members who can be mobilized to action.

Solidarity is based upon interdependence with each other.  Although it appears we sometimes have different values and interests, ultimately our top priorities are common ground.  We cannot be passive observers during Expedited Mediation; we must take collective action and compel others to join our actions.

When you participate, you have a stake in our Negotiations.   It is your involvement that ultimately dictates our final outcome.  It is not enough to take part in one picketing event, go to one meeting or respond to one survey.  Our Negotiators need you ready to take action to demonstrate our support for them at a moment’s notice.

The entire purpose of these negotiations is to achieve meaningful improvements for United Flight Attendants – for You!  There is only one Negotiating Committee at the table fighting for your priorities; one Negotiating Committee who listed Hourly Rates of Pay (Section 5.A) as one of their major issues.  If you need a pay raise, stand behind the Negotiating Committee fighting for your interests in negotiations.  We will not see the pay raise we want in a new Contract just by asking.  Support your own interests and stand behind our AFA Negotiating Committee.  Your involvement is key!

Display our Solidarity now:

• Wear your AFA pin every time you fly
• Tie a Gold Ribbon on the side handle of your crew bag
• Join the Flight Attendant Negotiations Network to get negotiations information first and direct from the Negotiating Committee. If you do not currently receive the FANN Update write to engagemembers@unitedafa.org with your name, file number and e-mail address
• Be a good source of Negotiations information and share the information from the FANN with each other face-to-face

These actions are the most powerful way you can demonstrate your commitment to your Flying Partners and management that we are dedicated to achieving Contract improvements in Expedited Mediation.  Our power as a Union is in our numbers. Our Collective Action has a direct correlation to our future.

For example:

15,000 United Flight Attendants take collective action = a Tentative Agreement (TA) we will collectively be happy with.

10,000 United Flight Attendants take collective action = a TA we will be OK with.

8,000 United Flight Attendants take collective action = a TA no one will be happy with.

5,000 United Flight Attendants take collective action = potentially two more years in Negotiations purgatory.

A new Action begins right now with this Negotiations & You Newsletter.

• Sign the enclosed postcard.  Drop it in your Local AFA box hand it to your Local AFA Leadership or drop it in the mail today.

Jeffrey Smisek has said a lot about working together since he arrived on the scene.  This postcard is a challenge to Jeffrey Smisek to prove he is more than just talking the talk.  Participate in this challenge, sign the postcard and increase our leverage in Expedited Mediation.  Jeffrey Smisek can ignore a few of us; Jeffrey Smisek cannot ignore all of us.

Our Negotiating Committee is fighting for our collective Interests.  If we get involved in the fight and take action to support them at the table; United Flight Attendants can win.

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