Among AFA-CWA's most important responsibilities is the advancement of issues important to Flight Attendants and our industry on Capitol Hill. The United Master Executive Council has a Government Affairs Committee Chair and Local Council Committees made up of volunteer activists. These dedicated individuals regularly travel to Washington, D.C., to walk the halls of Congress and lobby on the issues that affect Flight Attendants. Because we're the ones who work on the aircraft everyday, we're the ones who know what issues matter most. Together with the constant support of AFA's professional staff, we are our own best advocates.
The Government Affairs Committee members keep Flight Attendants informed of legislative actions that could affect our working conditions, our job security and our safety, health and security. These volunteers also conduct voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, promote AFA's Political Action Committee, FlightPAC, and actively participate in campaigns for AFA endorsed candidates. AFA encourages its members to be politically active on the local, state and federal levels - and support those members of Congress who consistently support Flight Attendants.
Many Government Affairs Committee members are involved in their local labor communities and serve as delegates to Central Labor Councils or as Executive Board members on the state level of the AFL-CIO. These delegates provide AFA greater access to AFL-CIO organizations and ensure that our issues and concerns get the full support of the local labor movement.
The relationships that the United AFA Government Affairs Committee members have built with many Congressional offices have enabled us to seek Congressional support in many different ways. When United announced their intention to seek changes to retiree medical benefits the United MEC and Government Affairs Committee persuaded over 110 House offices and 20 Senate offices to contact United Airlines about this unjust proposal.
AFA-CWA is known on Capitol Hill as the world's largest Flight Attendant Union and the only one that represents a cross-section of our entire profession. For decades, members of Congress and the federal government have not only respected our knowledge of the industry, but have turned to us in times of crisis.
When legislation that affects Flight Attendants is being proposed, AFA is the first and in most cases, the only Union that is contacted because of our status as the largest representative of Flight Attendants. Our steadfast work on behalf of Flight Attendants and aviation safety has increased our visibility for a well respected presence on Capitol Hill. Our greatest successes have been achieved when the United AFA Government Affairs Committee join the Government Affairs representatives from the other AFA carriers and speak with one voice.
Latest News
The Cabin Air Safety Act of 2019 aims to protect airline passengers and crew from the harmful effects of toxic cabin air.
Our efforts to secure 10 hours minimum rest under the law was successful in October 2018—closing a safety, health, and equality loophole in aviation.
The power of our Union comes from
the support of its Members. Our Government Affairs committee ensures our
Flight Attendants, and our industry, are represented in Washington D.C.
When workers stand together to organize, mobilize, and strike we can build power and win the wages, benefits, and working conditions we need and deserve.
When workers stand together, we have the power to negotiate the wages we need and the benefits we deserve at the bargaining table.
On Thursday, September 26th, the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation will hold a hearing regarding the implementation of provisions included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
The Cabin Air Safety Act of 2019 aims to protect airline passengers and crew from the harmful effects of toxic cabin air.
Our workspace is the public’s travel space and, in that space, today, crews and passengers are breathing toxins and it has to stop.
The Cabin Air Safety Act of 2019 (H.R.2208 or S.1112) aims to legislate protection for airline passengers and crew from the harmful effects of toxic cabin air.
AFA, ALPA, and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO joined lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 10 2019, as they introduced the Fair and Open Skies Act.
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