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AFA Nation – March 22, 2017

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

White House Meeting with Airline and Airport Executives

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

Good Jobs Nation Rally in Washington, DC Tomorrow

#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

Flood Congress with Calls! It’s About Our Jobs!

December 6, 2016

Flight Attendants,

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation wrongly approved a foreign air carrier permit for Norwegian Air International (NAI). The decision sets aside the labor protections that were central to the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement. We know. We were there! We had a seat at the table when this administration negotiated the Agreement, and now just like any labor contract, the administration needs to make good on this aviation trade deal. This is our about our jobs and our nation’s ability to move millions of people and connect with the rest of the world.

Norwegian can fly to the U.S. today. We are allies with the U.S.-based and Norwegian-based crews who fly today under U.S. and Norwegian labor law. But NAI, flagged in Ireland, sets up a ‘flag of convenience’ model in aviation—the same business model that destroyed U.S. shipping. NAI will use this ‘flag of convenience’ model to hire crews from countries with the lowest labor and safety standards, such as Malaysia or Thailand.

Watch this video to learn of about the dangers of flag of convenience.

We will not accept this. We will act. We will never stop. We will never accept abrogation of our rights.

1. Call Congress Now

Every Flight Attendant needs to call every day this week!

Connect directly to your Senate offices: 1-855-980-2338

Connect directly to your Representative’s office: 1-855-980-2306

“Hello, my name is _________ and I am a constituent. I’m a Flight Attendant calling to urge my Representative/Senator to take action to STOP Norwegian Air International from flying to the U.S. under a completely new set of rules. The DOT NAI approval opens the door to a flag of convenience model that will lead to outsourcing 300,000 U.S. aviation jobs, just like it decimated the U.S. shipping industry. This is about good U.S. aviation jobs and enforcing our trade deals.”

2. Good Jobs Nation Rally in Washington, DC – Wednesday

#DenyNAI is all about making sure we are a Good Jobs Nation – show up in uniform with your union pin and RSVP at info@afacwa.org.

This 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 NAI every way we can and this is the perfect opportunity.

TIME:
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 1000-1100 EST

LOCATION:
Freedom Plaza (Washington, DC)
13th St and Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004

U.S. Presidential Election Text Messaging by CWA

Over the weekend, it came to our attention that many AFA Members received a text message or series of messages from the Communication Workers of America (CWA), of which AFA is part, regarding the upcoming presidential election. The messages were sent using a computer system and were programmed to carry on a conversation based on the response from the person receiving the message.

After further investigation, we discovered that these text messages were sent from the CWA Political Department without the knowledge of your AFA Alaska leadership. Your MEC has contacted both CWA and AFA International regarding these communications. We received a commitment that AFA Members will not be included in future messaging using this system.

If you have any questions, please contact your LEC President. Contact information for your LEC President can be found on your Local Council page at http://afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

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

AFA Committee Focus Month: Inflight Service

Welcome to November!  Every day, we step onto our aircraft prepared to handle any situation as first responders and trained safety professionals. At the same time, so much of the pride we take in our profession comes from the warmth and hospitality we deliver to our passengers on every flight. Delivering a memorable, welcoming experience […]

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November 1 marks the start of Native American Heritage Month across the United States. Also observed as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this month provides an opportunity to recognize the profound contributions, vibrant cultures, and enduring sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. From the ancestral homelands of Alaska Native peoples across the North to […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 20 – October 2026

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management in Seattle for three days of collective bargaining, addressing critical sections of the contract. Through productive discussions, the JNC reached Tentative Agreements on Section 6 (Seniority), Retiree Pass Privileges, and Retiree Health Insurance. The committee plans to continue using both Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) and traditional methods to resolve complex issues during negotiations.

Call To Action: Election Day Is Tuesday, November 3

Our voice. Our vote. Our power. Throughout September, our AFA Government Affairs Committee highlighted how legislative advocacy impacts our work and daily lives as Flight Attendants. By breaking down the role of AFA Government Affairs, explaining the legislative process, encouraging civic engagement, and demonstrating the vital importance of FlightPAC, the campaign showed how our union’s voice is […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

Updated: 10/29/2026 17:05 PT On Thursday, October 22, members of our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Debi Wallstrom (ANC), Baron Lee (HNL), Bryce Sarmiento (pmAS LAX), Kahea […]

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