As Flight Attendants, we wear many hats, but at our core, we are aviation’s first responders. The moment we step onboard, our training takes over—not just to get passengers seated and doors closed, but to fulfill our primary role as safety professionals. We’re the ones who calmly handle onboard medical events and emergencies, manage the ever-changing environment of the cabin, and make sure every flight meets the highest standards of safety. Our expertise isn’t just a job requirement; it’s the foundation of everything we do. It demands constant vigilance and a deep understanding of the protocols that protect our crews and everyone who flies with us.

But the reality is that the environment we work in, and the rules that govern our financial stability and job security, is shaped long before we ever step onto the aircraft. The decisions made in state capitals and the halls of government in Washington, D.C., lay the groundwork for our profession, impacting everything from our financial stability to our job security.

This month, we’re turning our attention to that reality as we bring the focus to our Government Affairs Committee.

The Bridge Between the Cabin and the Capitol

If you’ve ever wondered how we protect the standards that shape our work, our Government Affairs Committee is where it all begins. Think of this Committee as our legislative advocate and our direct connection to the policymakers shaping aviation. It’s the bridge between our frontline experience as Flight Attendants and the people who write the rules that guide our industry.

When we engage in government affairs, we aren’t just keeping up with the news—we are bringing the reality of the cabin to the people who write the laws. By sharing our expertise, we make sure that legislative decisions don’t just happen to us, but rather for us, protecting our interests before policies are even finalized.

Our Roadmap for September

We’ve designed this month to give you a clear, step-by-step look at how our Committee turns ideas into real-world results. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share stories and resources that highlight how our collective advocacy protects the profession we’ve built together. Here’s what to expect each week:

• This Week (The Foundation): Kick off the month by getting to know the faces behind our advocacy and understanding why our presence in the Capitol matters so much.
• Week 2 (The Legislative Process): Ever wondered how a bill actually becomes law? We’ll break it down and offer practical tips for making your voice heard by your elected representatives.
• Week 3 (Civic Engagement): Your vote is your voice. This week, we’ll walk you through the “how-to” of civic participation—from registering to vote and finding your polling place, to researching candidates who stand with us on the issues that matter most.
• Week 4 (FlightPAC): We’ll wrap up the month by spotlighting the engine of our advocacy—FlightPAC. We’ll show you how it works and share how you can help keep our interests front and center in Washington.

Watch: Our Government Affairs Committee

In the video below, MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Bruni Agosto-Pinal pulls back the curtain on the Committee’s work and shares why coming together as a unified force is the most effective way to protect our future. Bruni highlights the importance of active citizenship and the power we have when we step up as both safety professionals and legislative advocates. We encourage you to watch and learn what our Government Affairs Committee is all about!

Writing Our Future

Advocacy is, at its core, an extension of the professionalism we bring to the line every day. When we connect with elected officials and share our stories, we’re not just lobbying—we’re shaping the protections that will define our careers for years to come.

If you’re ready to move from watching the legislative process to actively shaping it, now is the perfect time to get involved. Visit afaalaska.org/volunteer to see how you can lend your voice to our unified force.

Just as we’re always ready for the unexpected in the cabin, we must prepare for the legislative challenges ahead. Let’s make this September a month where we move from watching history to actively writing it.

Voting

• News: Most recent SCOTUS Voting Rights Act decision (Associated Press)

Primaries/ Important Dates

Alaska	Primary: July 19 Registration Deadline: Aug 18
California	Primary: June 2 Registration Deadline:  May 18
Florida	Primary: August 18 Registration Deadline: July 20
Hawaii	Primary: August 8 Registration Deadline: July 29 Deadline to request absentee ballot: August 1
Oregon	Primary: May 19 Registration Deadline: PASSED Ballots began being mailed to registered voters on April 29, check your mailboxes!
Washington	Primary: August 4 Online and mail registration Deadline: July 27  In-person only voter registration or updates: August 4

General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

What’s on the ballot? 

• All 435 districts in the U.S. House of Representatives 
• 35 seats in the U.S. Senate 
• Five of the House’s six non-voting members 
• Gubernatorial seats
• Lieutenant Gubernatorial seats
• Attorney General seats
• Secretary of State seats 
• Local ballot measures 

AFA Votes website: AFA has launched a website covering your voting needs this midterm election season, as well as pertinent information on all that is at stake for our workgroup this election cycle. It is crucial that you check your voter registration for the primaries (dates vary by state) and the general election in November, and that you know your polling location and plan ahead to cast your ballot. 

Legislation

• News: AFA & Transportation Unions Urge Congress to Expand Overtime Tax Deduction (AFA)
• News: House Passes ALERT ACT (AFA)
• We continue working on gaining co-sponsors in Congress to support the Safe Air on Airplanes Act and Safer Skies Act. Read more on the AFA Flight Attendants Vote website.

Political Endorsements

• Check out the 2026 AFA-CWA endorsements by state here.
• CWA Scorecard- How did your Representatives and Senators vote on labor issues? https://scorecard.cwa-union.org/

Phone Banking Opportunities

• CWA: sign up to volunteer to help labor-friendly candidates get elected
• Kaela Berg (US House of Representatives MN-02): https://kaelaforcongress.com/
• Mary Peltola (US Senate-AK): https://marypeltola.com/

Our Alaska + Hawaiian Government Affairs Committee Activities (Q1 2026 to current)

• SAVE Act Rally in Anchorage
  • https://cwa-union.org/news/against-save-act-afa-cwa-flight-attendants-hold-rally-anchorage
  • https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNCs7nl4Rm/?igsh=MzJ6OWt5dGU0ZWwx
• Facilitated a one-day training in Honolulu:  “Reversing Runaway Inequality” where participants learned about the growing gap between CEO wages and ordinary workers and how we can organize to reverse this inequality.
• Attended training focused on organizing internally and externally, Labor Notes – Washington Labor Education and Research Center.
• Attended training sessions with MLK Labor and Washington State Labor Council in anticipation of potential ICE activity in Seattle and Washington State, about allowable actions, reactions, communications, and activity planning.
• Partnering with MLK Labor on First Amendment rights and worker organizing at the Port of Seattle.
• Attended the California Labor Fed Pre-Primary Convention and Legislative Conference and participated in voting for June Primary Endorsements for statewide candidates in California.
• Participated in a lobby day at the California State Capitol alongside the AFL-CIO and CWA. Our discussions focused on establishing essential guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The goal of this legislation is to ensure that AI does not replace jobs or critical HR activities where human judgment and rationalization are necessary to maintain fairness. 
• Ongoing monthly meetings with the Pierce County Labor Council, MLK Labor, and Broward County AFL-CIO to stay informed on local labor issues.
• Looking for volunteer activities to get involved in with our Committee, or the labor movement in general? See the calendar ➔

An update on what our Government Affairs Committee has been working on this quarter. Thank you to all our Members who remain engaged and to all our volunteers and Committee Members for dedicating their time representing our Members, advocating for the safety and advancement of our careers while strengthening our labor movement every single day with professionalism and great pride.

Alaska + Hawaiian Government Affairs Committee Members Attend “Reversing Runaway Inequality” Training

Last month, MEC and Council 47 (LAX-pmHA) Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Bruni Agosto-Pinal, Council 19 (SEA) Government Affairs Committee Member Tracy Pettit, and Council 30 (ANC) Government Affairs Committee Member Rebecca Owens participated in a three day “Train-the-Trainer” session on Reversing Runaway Inequality in Chicago, IL. AFA Representatives from United Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, and Frontier Airlines also participated.

Led by CWA’s National Political Field Team—Curtis Hierro and Asa Shaw—the training explored the history of inequality in the U.S., its impact on economic justice, and the vital role of solidarity in the labor movement. It highlighted how wealth has shifted from the working class to the top earners (with the help of Congress), and how collective action and increased political power can reverse this trend.

Tracy, Rebecca, and Bruni are now qualified to lead this important training. The goal is to offer a one-day session at every base and online, expanding access to those who may be interested. The first session will be offered to members in November 2025. Stay tuned for sign-up details at your domicile!

Personal takeaways from the training:

“This training lit a fire in me—it reminded me just how powerful it is to ask the big questions: How did we get here? Why are we still fighting?  We dove into the history of worker exploitation, systemic issues and came together to brainstorm real, creative solutions —as a labor group and union family, realizing that ultimately it takes all of us!  It all starts with asking questions and educating ourselves and each other.  I’m feeling inspired and energized to roll this out with Tracy and Rebecca, so we can bring this momentum to all of you. Let’s keep building our strength, protecting our rights, and securing our future—because as we all know, when we stand together, we win! “

Bruni Agosto-Pinal, MEC and Council 47 (LAX-pmHA) Government Affairs Committee Chairperson

“I think these days can seem especially hopeless. I find myself more worried about the future than ever. The Reversing Runaway Inequality Training taught me that nothing is hopeless. This is not about what side you’re on: It’s about a system that was structured to benefit the mega-wealthy and makes life harder for the working class. This training demonstrates that with enough solidarity, worker power and bold action, we can win the fight against the billionaires and make the United States a much more equitable place.”

Tracy Pettit, Government Affairs Committee Member (Council 19, SEA)

“Runaway Inequality at AFA Bootcamp last year taught me that our labor history is not just the past — it’s the foundation of our future. It’s how we got to this exact moment. The wealthy have always divided us. They’ve turned workers against each other. Flight attendants have consistently fallen victim to the c-suite and shareholder agenda. I became an instructor so that l could bring this labor history education to all of AFA. Our power comes when we set aside differences, stand as one working class, and make our voices impossible to ignore. Enough is enough.”

Rebecca Owens, Government Affairs Committee Member (Council 30, ANC)

Government Affairs Committee Attends Virtual Labor Roundtable Hosted By Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05)

MEC and Council 47 (LAX-pmHA) Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Bruni Agosto-Pinal and Council 39 (PDX) Government Affairs Committee Member Manda Bednarczyk attended a Virtual Labor Roundtable hosted by Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05). It was a short, 45-minute session with other labor groups, and updates were given to the Congresswoman on what our Union has been working on and overall priorities- including the ongoing contract negotiations at various AFA carriers and specifically our JCBA here at Alaska + Hawaiian. We asked for the Congresswoman’s support on HR 2353 (Safer Skies Act) and HR 4994 (Safe Air on Airplanes Act). We also touched on the importance of protecting the vote-by-mail access for our workgroup, as many of us cannot get to the polls on Election Day. Congresswoman Bynum’s office shared a press release you can read here 

Council 15 (SAN)

Our San Diego Government Affairs Committee has been working closely with the San Diego and Imperial County Labor Council (SDICLC) which is comprised of about 100 local labor affiliates. We’ve had so much fun getting to know the staff of the SDICLC and our union brothers & sisters. We are present at the SDICLC’s round-table every month. Outside of this meeting, AFA has continued to make our presence known in San Diego at various labor events.
In July, we attended a City Council meeting to support hospitality workers of Amusement Parks & hotels with more than 150 rooms in receiving a $25 minimum wage. It is still under discussion by the City Council, but they appear to be favorable in supporting our service workers.

Local Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Rebecca Garcia, MEC and LEC Vice President Brice McGee, and International Vice President Keturah Johnson were all representing AFA during our San Diego Pride march on July 19

Government Affairs Committee Member Eve Seguin Du Haime participated in a Labor Day 2025 event where many unions and people of the public came together for workers’ rights & human rights.
She has also been volunteering at the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council’s (SDICLC) food bank about every other week, since June. It is open to union members and people of the public every Monday and Thursday and serves hundreds of families in San Diego. Here’s a picture at the end of a busy day.
Lastly, Council 15 has been invited to join the SDICLC’s Political Coordinators monthly meetings, where our Labor Council will be finding candidates who support our workers and our causes, and our Unions will be doing everything in our power to support them in turn (phone banking, canvassing, and the like). It’s about to be even busier as we get ready for the mid-terms! San Diego is feeling great being out in the community and strengthening our Union Power!

Council 19 (SEA)

Government Affairs Committee Members Andrew Stinson, Jerry Sinclair, and Local Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Melinda Jorge continued to attend Pierce County Central Labor Council (PCCLC) meetings monthly. PCCLC took the month of August to enjoy the summer break. However, they’re back working for the working class as of September.

Government Affairs Committee Members Tracy Pettit, Andrew Stinson, Melinda Jorge, and Kiersten Larson attended the annual Washington State Labor Council Convention (WSLC-convention). The WSLC consists of all the affiliated AFL-CIO unions in Washington. The convention is when the unions participate in a representative democratic process, voting on the political and legislative agenda for the upcoming year. It’s an excellent opportunity to speak up about our interests as Flight Attendants at the state and local levels. Among the many incredible speakers were Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and AFT-Chicago President Stacey Davis Gates. If you have questions about this convention and our legislative agenda for WSLC, please get in touch with one of our Government Affairs Committee Members.

UNITE HERE Local 8 held an informational picket at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on August 7. Melinda Jorge, Bev Bullock, and LEC President Paula Isla-McGill (as well as Melinda’s adorable grandchildren, Shadi and Mitali-Lucy) showed up to represent AFA and show our support for our fellow aviation siblings. 

Tracy Pettit had the unique privilege of being selected as a member of the AFA Honor Guard (along with Brandi Neal – AFA United) for the September 11th Memorial at the World Trade Center. When asked about the experience, she stated, “I realized how fortunate I am to be able to represent my flying siblings. It was a truly profound experience that I will never forget.” Tracy also had the opportunity to meet a Hawaiian AFA sister, Christina Curran, who also attended the event.

Thank You For Participating In The Call To Action Re: PSA Flight Attendants 

Thank you for your action in calling and writing our Senators urging them to sign on to Senator Tim Kaine’s letter to PSA management for a fair contract. On September 16, 14 US Senators signed on to the letter. Read the letter here.

On August 20, seven Members of the House sent letter to PSA CEO. Read the letter here.

Stay Up To Date With AFA International

As we know, there is so much that happens in our industry that affects our daily lives- including issues at other AFA carriers. We encourage you to sign up for the E-Newsletters here, so you can stay in the know of what is happening within our union and action you can take to ensure the protection and advancement of our careers. When we legislate, we do not have to negotiate!

Your Vote Matters! Check Your Voter Registration

Did you move? Change your name? Did your state laws change? Are you registered to vote? Even if you are registered, it’s important you double-check registration status and inform yourself on voter registration deadlines and process for your particular state. Local elections are some of the most important: you may have mayoral, city council, school board races and judicial seats up for election, to name a few. Check registration deadlines and what elections are coming up in your state and districts here

Your vote is your voice; it matters!

It’s time to take action! The Senate is currently reviewing its version of the federal budget already passed in the House. There are seriously harmful cuts to benefits and rights we count on as workers. Below is a brief summary of their plans to cut from programs we count on to fund and supercharge a massive giveaway to billionaires. 

Runaway inequality is already at a crisis level. This federal budget will make it far worse and much harder for workers to fight back against corporations or make our government work for us.

Call your Senators NOW! It only takes 3-4 minutes, but makes a huge difference!

Below are a few of the most harmful details and how they affect Flight Attendants — and then what you can do to help stop it.   

• Medicaid: Experts say more than 10 million people will lose healthcare if this bill passes — including millions of working people. 
• Social Security and Medicare: Republicans in Congress are already suggesting huge cuts to Medicare to help pay for their billionaire tax breaks, and the strain this bill puts on our entire budget sets the stage for Congress to consider significant Social Security cuts in the coming years.
• Hospitals will close: Cuts to Medicaid will put extreme strain on hospitals and everyone’s care regardless of insurance type. Experts say one in three rural hospitals will be forced to close. Wait times will increase in urban and suburban hospitals as more people without coverage are forced to use the ER for basic services.
• Food assistance: Experts say 7 million people could lose some or all of their SNAP benefits (food stamps). Many of the people who support our work will suffer, and so will thousands of Flight Attendants.
• Attacks on labor rights: Our jobs rely on skilled federal workers, from TSOs to ATCs and federal safety inspectors. This bill adds a new 5% tax for all federal workers who want labor rights, and a 10% tax on their union dues and charitable contributions paid by direct withdrawal. The only purpose of this is to punish federal workers who want due process and a fair contract at work — making it that much easier for corporations to follow suit.
• Killing good jobs: This bill cuts off investments in renewable technology. That kills good jobs in construction and manufacturing today, and makes pollution worse. Extreme weather and Clear Air Turbulence from climate pollution are already disrupting our jobs, and this bill will supercharge that danger.
• A giveaway to billionaires: Who benefits? The ultra-wealthy. Families earning $4.3 million or more per year would get a tax break of at least $390,070 in 2026, and billionaires could see staggering tax breaks they simply don’t need.
• Violent and illegal immigration action: This bill includes tens of billions to build vast detention centers and pay for even more out-of-control ICE raids that are already terrorizing communities, separating children and parents, and even sweeping up legal residents and citizens. All without fixing the broken immigration system.
• More debt for everyday people: All these severe cuts are coupled with enormous tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, adding to the deficit $4.5 trillion over the next ten years. This will likely increase interest rates and working families’ personal debt.
• Undermining the Constitution: The House version of the bill would make it nearly impossible for the courts to enforce legal orders. That gives those elected by the billionaires a blank check to do whatever they want — on aviation safety, on Medicare or Social Security, on labor laws, on anything — regardless of whether the courts say those actions are unconstitutional.
• AI Moratorium: Buried is a dangerous provision that prevents states and local governments from regulating AI. AI can be a powerful tool to boost productivity and innovation but only if properly regulated. Banning states and localities from acting means the workers and consumers will be left unprotected from the negative effects of AI.
• Investments in air transportation system: The bill would increase funding for FAA investments in air traffic control technology and to hire controllers, technicians and other vital aviation workers. That is good and we support this one part of the bill. But this won’t undo the enormous damage already done by Musk and DOGE in attacking federal workers. Already new “investments” are being funneled to this administration’s allies like Musk and Bezos for questionable technologies.

We encourage all Flight Attendants to make our voices heard! Call on our Senators to stop this disastrous, union-busting, giveaway to the filthy rich at our expense.

Mahalo for speaking up and taking care of one another, ensuring our voices are heard in Congress.