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        You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / Government Affairs Committee

        Equal Rest for Flight Attendants: Call Your Senators NOW

        June 15, 2017 05:00

        The following is a message from your AFA Government Affairs Committee

        The Senate is drafting their version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill and we need them to make combating Flight Attendant fatigue a top priority.

        Tell Senators to include our 10 hours minimum rest provision along with a Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) in the base bill.

        Call your Senator TODAY at (855) 534-1774 and tell them Flight Attendants need 10 hours minimum rest and not a minute less!

        Congressional fatigue studies confirm we need more rest. This is about safety, health and equality – the flight deck has 10 hours minimum rest and so should we!

        Call your Senator TODAY at (855) 534-1774! Calling is easy: When you dial the number, you will automatically be connected to one of your Senator’s offices after a brief message. It may take several attempts to reach both your Senators, so keep calling!

        Here’s what you can say when you are connected:

        “I’m your constituent and a Flight Attendant. Studies show I can become fatigued at work. I’m calling to urge the Commerce Committee to include 10-hour, non-reducible minimum rest for Flight Attendants and a Fatigue Risk Management Plan in the FAA Reauthorization Bill. Thank you.”

        For more information on our #Fightfor10 Campaign visit afacwa.org.

         

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Krystle Berry

        Filed Under: Government Affairs Committee Tagged With: 2017, FAA Reauthorization, Fight for 10, Government Affairs

        Combatting Rising Tensions in the Cabin

        June 9, 2017 17:00

        The past couple of months have been incredibly challenging for Flight Attendants after back-to-back in-cabin disturbances in the US were broadcast on social media. Those disturbances subsequently “broke the internet” and were widely carried by news outlets. The mob mentality response to the video clips, with little correct information about the incidents, has put Flight Attendants in the cross hairs. AFA immediately focused on a national de-escalation to keep travelers from coming to the plane with bias against crewmembers and the authority we must maintain to keep everyone safe.

        Reinforcing Our Role as Aviation’s First Responders

        AFA’s message in the media and on Capitol Hill has been to remind the public and our legislators that Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders charged with the safety, health and security of the passengers in our care. AFA has cited the ever-shrinking personal space in main cabins and minimum staffing as some of the contributing factors to these recent incidents.

        In case you missed it, the Today Show recently featured Flight Attendants talking about their perspective on conditions in the cabin. Flight Attendants reminded Matt Lauer and the public about the good job aviation’s first responders do to usher millions safely and efficiently to their destinations every single day. Matt Lauer reiterated this point to millions of viewers who also fly on our planes!

        Watch the full interview >

        Passenger Incident Reporting Form

        AFA has been receiving reports from Flight Attendants about a variety of situations in which they are feeling harassed by passengers. It is imperative that AFA begin collecting confidential data on these types of confrontations so that we can more effectively advocate on your behalf to management, regulators, legislators and the media. For instance, we want to know: (1) How frequently are passengers videotaping us, (2) What exactly are they filming and (3) Are they trying to incite emotions from Flight Attendants by saying or doing inappropriate things?

        If you or your fellow Flight Attendants experience concerning behavior from a passenger(s), please take a moment to fill out a confidential reporting form by clicking on the following link. The form is very simple to complete. Filling out this form is optional (although greatly appreciated) and does not relieve you of other reporting requirements indicated in your Flight Attendant manual.

        Passenger Incident Reporting Form »

        *** If AFA releases any of the data to third parties, be assured we will remove any and all identifying information so that confidentiality is strictly maintained. ***

        Thank you very much in advance for assisting AFA in combatting rising tensions in the cabin. Fly safe and continue to look out for each other.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

        Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Government Affairs Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2017, passenger incident reporing form

        AFA Nation – March 22, 2017

        March 22, 2017 12:00

        Rally for Rest

        AFA government affairs activists were in Washington, D.C. yesterday to advocate on Capitol Hill for 10 hours minimum rest, a Fatigue Risk Management plan, and enforcement of our Open Skies Agreements.

        Read more >

        OSHA Enforcement in Jeopardy

        Tell your Senator that health and safety protections matter! OSHA enforcement is in jeopardy of being stripped out of our workplace altogether. The House of Representatives has already passed this bill.

        The Senate is now considering the legislation and may vote on it as early as this week.

        Read more >

        Call the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and tell your Senators to stand with working families and OPPOSE SJ. Res 27!

        Onboard Sexual Assault Survey

        Congressional offices and victim rights advocates have reached out to AFA about the incidents of onboard sexual assault that has been reported by several media sources. As the expert voice in the cabin, AFA can make a difference for Flight Attendants and the passengers in our care.

        This 1-minute anonymous survey, distributed by AFA, will help us gather information about Flight Attendants’ experiences with passenger on passenger onboard sexual assaults.

        Your answers will help AFA better understand the extent and nature of this issue. The survey will be open through Sunday, April 2, 2017.

        Take the survey >

        Human Trafficking & “Eyes in the Skies”

        On June 1, 2015, AFA launched a major campaign to support the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation Blue Lightning Initiative designed to stop modern day slavery – Human Trafficking.  Our mission is to train 100,000 Eyes in the Skies to uncover this heinous crime that is “Hidden in Plane Sight.”  We successfully achieved one of our goals when Congress passed the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 that included mandatory Human Trafficking Awareness training; this training has been incorporated into the 2017 Recurrent Training curriculum.

        Adequate training is the key to ensuring we have 100,000 trained Eyes in the Skies to save lives as soon as possible. We encourage you to view AFA’s HiddeninPlaneSight.org website for more information about our work to end modern day slavery. Thank you all for your continued support in helping to stop this heinous crime.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Krystle Berry

        Filed Under: Government Affairs Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2017, Eyes in the Skies, human trafficking, OSHA, Rally for Rest, survey

        White House Meeting with Airline and Airport Executives

        February 14, 2017 17:00

        Last Thursday’s White House Airline and Airport Executive Meeting was concerning as it relates to job security and safety regulations.
        Specifically, President Trump said the following:

        “I know you’re under pressure from a lot of foreign elements and foreign carriers. I’ve been hearing that a little bit. At the same time, we want to make life good for them also. They come with big investments — in many cases, those investments are made by their governments. But they are still big investments.”

        “So we want to help you realize these goals by rolling back burdensome regulations.” 

         Full text of public remarks >

        A follow up article in The Street stated:

        Given that the U.S. already has “the safest aviation system in the world,” Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, doesn’t want to see it diminished.

        “The flying public enjoys aviation regulations we fought to achieve,” Nelson said in an interview. Among them: rest requirements, no smoking or knives on planes, and crew training. “Each regulation includes careful review and input from all stakeholders,” she said.

        Also, Nelson said, Trump’s statements “show a complete disregard for enforcing trade agreements or protecting and promoting U.S. jobs” that are endangered by the Middle East three and Norwegian Air International.

        “President Trump can’t afford to get this wrong,” Nelson said.

        Read more >

        Sign the petition to Save U.S. Aviation Jobs now >

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Government Affairs Chairperson Krystle Berry

        Filed Under: Government Affairs Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2017, GA, Government Affairs, jobs, white house

        Good Jobs Nation Rally in Washington, DC Tomorrow

        December 6, 2016 17:00

        #DenyNAI is all about making sure we are a “Good Jobs Nation.” The Master Executive Council (MEC) has received permission for any AFA Alaska members who are in the DC area to show up to the rally in uniform—please make sure to wear your union pin. RSVP by contacting MEC Government Affairs Chairperson Krystle Berry at krystle.berry@afaalaska.org.

         

        Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 7, Bernie Sanders, Keith Ellison and Danny Glover are coming to speak at a rally in D.C. held by Good Jobs Nation. We need to raise awareness on the dangers of Norwegian Air International (NAI) every way we can, and this is the perfect opportunity. Don’t allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to double-cross EU and US aviation workers without a fight!

        TIME:

        Wednesday, December 7, 2016 1000-1100 EST

        LOCATION:

        Freedom Plaza (Washington, DC)

        13th St and Pennsylvania Ave NW

        Washington, DC 20004

        Join in and help protest the DOT’s decision regarding NAI!

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC S/T-elect Linda Christou; and MEC Government Affairs Chairperson Krystle Berry

        Filed Under: Government Affairs Committee, Latest News

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