1.      What are we voting on with this Strike Fund ballot?

The ballot question asks if you approve a temporary $3.75 dues increase to remain in place until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is ratified as part of our collective efforts to secure an Industry-Leading Contract. The dues increase is for the sole purpose of building a meaningful Strike Fund to support our strikers during a duly authorized strike.

2.      What is a duly authorized strike?

A duly authorized strike is one where Members have voted to authorize the Union to call a strike in accordance with the Railway Labor Act.

3.      How will the outcome of the ballot be determined?

Ballot approval requires a two-thirds majority. Only those who cast a vote have a say in the outcome. All of us stand to benefit from our Contract negotiations. So, be sure to take part in our democracy and vote.

4.      Who is conducting the ballot and how will it be counted?

The ballot is being conducted by the third party vendor, BallotPoint. This is the same electronic voting system that is used by the National Mediation Board, several other Unions and other agencies. The company is well respected for its strict adherence to Department of Labor regulations and enforcement of vote integrity. 

Unique ballot access information, generated by BallotPoint, was mailed to all AFA Members’ homes. The ballot is electronic, available by phone or internet. BallotPoint will tally the ballot electronically once the Ballot Certification Committee verifies voter eligibility at the close of the vote on July 6 at 1600 Central Time.

5.      What are the Strike Fund benefits?

Benefits will be paid at 75% of 100 hours at the striker’s International rate of pay at the time of the Strike, prorated to a daily rate if necessary. Strike Fund benefit eligibility begins immediately upon an authorized work stoppage and the benefit will continue until the striker is recalled to work or the Fund is depleted. Of course, the true benefit of a Strike Fund is the leverage it creates in support of our Contract goals.

6.      How long will the temporary dues increase remain in effect?
The temporary dues increase of $3.75 to build our Strike Fund will remain in effect for the duration of our current Negotiations until a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is ratified. Once we have ratified a new Contract the Strike Fund $3.75 monthly dues increase will stop. The potential return with improvements to our wages, benefits and working conditions far exceeds the modest investment of $3.75 on a temporary basis today.

7.      Why not use current dues to build a Strike Fund?
Current dues monies are distributed using the formulas and budgeting methodology in the AFA Constitution and Bylaws, and as adopted annually by the AFA Board of Directors. The dues are used to conduct the day-to-day business of the Union. Refer to the pie chart at www.fanninfo.org to view the breakdown of how your $43 monthly dues are spent. For example: local representation, training and legal services.

8.      What are the eligibility requirements for receiving Strike Fund money?

AFA Members in Good Standing who are engaged in a duly authorized strike called by AFA are eligible for Strike Fund benefits. Simply, the Member must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Strike Fund benefits:

• Engaged in a duly authorized strike
• Active Member in Good Standing
• Being available for and performing strike related activities as assigned by the Local Executive Council, ie. picketing, strike office support, etc.
• Not working for United or another carrier engaged in a dispute with AFA-CWA
• Not engaging in any action or deed which might adversely affect the successful outcome of the dispute

In the event of a strike, an ad hoc Local Council “Strike Fund Committee” shall be established to administer applications for assistance from the Strike Fund on a case-by-case basis and according to the criteria listed above. This Strike Fund Committee is made up of the Local Council President/designee, the United Master Executive Council Secretary Treasurer and the International Secretary Treasurer. Once a Member's eligibility has been certified by the Strike Fund Committee:

• Strike Fund benefit eligibility begins immediately upon an authorized work stoppage and the benefit will continue until the striker is recalled to work or the Fund is depleted
• Benefits shall be paid monthly by action of the Strike Fund Committee
• Initial benefit payments will be made within 30 days of the application

9.      Once we achieve an Industry-Leading Contract ratified by AFA United Flight Attendants, what happens to any remaining money in the Strike Fund?

As it states in the mailing to your home and in the Strike Fund resolution, the funding will stop with the ratification of the new Contract, but the Strike Fund shall remain in place in perpetuity. The Strike Fund will remain in an interest-bearing account and continue to support striking United Flight Attendants in future Contract negotiations.

All money collected and not used will remain in the “Strike Fund” and shall be maintained in an interest bearing investment account. This investment account shall conform with our Ethical Investment Policy as delineated in Section 4.L. of our Constitution and Bylaws. 

10. What is the purpose of the Strike Fund?

The sole purpose of the Strike Fund is to improve the careers of United Airlines Flight Attendants, today and tomorrow. If the funds built up during these negotiations for an Industry-Leading Contract are not used or depleted, then they will remain in an interest-bearing investment account totally separate from the rest of AFA's accounting. And, we will take the power of that Fund with us to the negotiating table every time we seek to maintain and improve our careers.

The Fund will ONLY be used to support United Airlines Flight Attendant strikers who will be a part of dramatically changing our careers for the better.  We are voting to take historic action to build a Strike Fund, to put money aside for today and for our future.  With this vote we can make clear to management just how committed we are to doing Whatever It Takes! to achieve an Industry-Leading Contract.

11. How will the Strike Fund monies in the interest-bearing account be monitored?

The Fund activity will be reported to the United Master Executive Council on a quarterly basis and as with all AFA finances may be available for review by any Member through a request to the AFA-CWA International Secretary-Treasurer.

12. Do we have assurances about what would happen to the Fund as a result of a merger? 

Yes. This Strike Fund is being put in place to improve our careers today and tomorrow. It will support AFA United Flight Attendants in any Contract scenario. In a worst case scenario where the AFA Fund would cease to exist, the monies would be returned on a per capita basis to contributing United Flight Attendants. For example, if the contribution time were to be 12 months, your total contribution would be $45.00. Assuming the Funds were never needed to be utilized or fully depleted as a means for supporting striking United Airlines Flight Attendants, remaining funds would be returned to you minus the administrative cost of disbursement.

13. What about money that has been raised in the past through local fundraisers?

Over the years AFA Local Councils have built individual AFA Local Council Strike Funds through fundraisers such as bake sales and car washes. The funds have been maintained in an interest-bearing account administered by Merrill Lynch. These funds are available for use in the event of an authorized strike action and provide a starting point upon which we can build a much more meaningful Strike Fund through a temporary dues increase.

14. Why didn't we join CWA Member Relief (Strike Fund)?

We reviewed many options for Strike Funds, and we closely reviewed the option of taking part in the CWA Member Relief Fund. Feedback from AFA Members helped Local Presidents conclude that Flight Attendant support centered on creation of a new fund that recognized unique nature of our Flight Attendant work and negotiating strategies, including CHAOS™ strikes. The CWA Member Relief Fund has a waiting period for benefits, a lower benefit level and requires a permanent 5 dollar per month contribution. Based on discussions throughout the system it became clear that a Strike Fund built to specifically support United Airlines Flight Attendants, with a benefit level of 75 hours at a striker’s international rate of pay was one that would be supported and would meet our needs to strengthen our negotiations. This Strike Fund would provide the confidence Members need to reject management fear tactics in the event of a strike and allow all of us the readiness to do Whatever It Takes! to get an Industry-Leading Contract.

15. Why do we need a Strike Fund?

The best way to gain a Contract and prevent a strike is to be prepared for one. A meaningful Strike Fund provides Members confidence when striking against management’s unacceptable Contract proposals and therefore gives us significant leverage at the negotiating table. It tells management we are prepared to strike and we will follow through on our promise to do Whatever It Takes! in support of our Contract proposals.

16. How do I vote?

• Dial 1-877-AFA-VOTE (1-877-232-8683) from within the United States or Canada.
  Flight Attendants based in international locations may dial the toll-free number for 1-800-Dear-AFA from any one of the domicile locations. Once in the Dear AFA system select option #2 to be transferred to the BallotPoint voting system.

• When requested, enter the Activation Code printed at the top of your Voting Instructions mailed to your home to obtain your VIN and PIN.
• Write down the VIN spoken to you.
• Enter a PIN of your choice, and confirm the PIN.
• Follow the instructions to enter your vote until you hear your confirmation number.

17. What if I need technical assistance or a new Activation Code?
If you need a new activation code, please call the AFA Membership Services Department at 1-800-424-2401, Extension 706, between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm Eastern Time.  Also, you may call the United MEC Voter Help-Line at 1-800-624-3907, Extension 546.