As we enter the fourth and final week of our Government Affairs Committee Focus Month, we tie everything we’ve explored together, from unpacking the legislative process to understanding the critical importance of voting. While educating lawmakers and showing up at the ballot box are vital pillars of civic engagement, having a continuous, dedicated voice in Washington, D.C., requires ongoing resources.

That’s where FlightPAC comes in. As the political action committee of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, FlightPAC is the financial engine that keeps our frontline priorities at the forefront in the halls of power.

Watch: Understanding FlightPAC

In our latest Focus Month video, Seattle-based Alaska Flight Attendant and Council 19 Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Andrew Stinson shares how FlightPAC works, why federal law requires it to remain separate from union dues, and how voluntary contributions empower Flight Attendants across our airlines.

Understanding FlightPAC: Dues, Laws, and Collective Power

If the term “PAC” sounds like corporate jargon, Andrew invites us to see it differently. FlightPAC isn’t about political parties; it’s our collective “influence fund,” designed to protect our careers and cabin safety. Here’s what you need to know:

• Negotiated Contracts vs. Legislated Protections: We fight hard for our collective bargaining agreement at the negotiating table. However, many of the foundational rules governing our day-to-day work, such as minimum rest requirements, cabin safety mandates, and aviation security standards, are enacted by lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and state capitals.
• The Legal Line Between Union Dues and Political Action: Federal law strictly prohibits the use of union dues for political campaign contributions. Your dues are reserved exclusively for contract negotiation, grievance handling, and daily union representation. Because dues cannot fund campaign advocacy, FlightPAC exists as a completely separate, voluntary, Member-driven fund.
• Pooling Resources for Maximum Impact: When we combine our voluntary contributions, no matter the size, our collective strength grows. FlightPAC enables us to support pro-labor, aviation-friendly candidates who listen to Flight Attendants and champion the laws that safeguard our profession.

Claiming Our Seat at the Table

Lawmakers make decisions every day that impact our schedules, our safety, and our long-term job security. By contributing to FlightPAC, we send a clear and unified message to elected officials: Flight Attendants have a seat at the table, and we expect our safety and workplace rights to be protected.

Joining FlightPAC is simple, voluntary, and flexible. Whether you contribute a few dollars per paycheck or choose a larger amount, every contribution strengthens our collective voice in Congress.

• Read More Online: Visit afacwa.org/flightpac to learn more.
• Talk to Our Committee: Ready to contribute? Reach out to any member of your Local Government Affairs Committee to get a sign-up form and a walk-through of the process.
• Get Involved: Want to lend your time and energy to our Union’s legislative advocacy? Sign up to volunteer at afaalaska.org/volunteer.

As we continue our Government Affairs Focus Month, our attention turns to civic engagement and the critical role voting plays in shaping our day-to-day work environment. While many of us associate workplace protections primarily with contract negotiations, the laws and regulations that govern our aviation career extend far beyond the bargaining table.

Watch: Why Vote?

In our feature video for the week, Zoe Wulz, a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant and Local Government Affairs Committee Chairperson for Council 35 in SFO, breaks down why voting is a professional necessity for every Flight Attendant. Zoe addresses how crucial decisions regarding aviation safety, rest requirements, and economic security are directly determined by elected officials. She emphasizes that when Flight Attendants stay on the sidelines, we allow individuals who have never worked a flight to define our reality in the cabin. Voting serves as our most direct, powerful tool to claim our seat at the table and ensure decision-makers understand the issues that impact our profession.

Take Action Today

Protecting our workplace starts with active civic participation. Here is how you can take action right now:

• Verify Your Voter Registration: Take five minutes today to check your voter registration status and ensure your current address is on file ahead of upcoming elections.
• Recognize the Scope of Elections: Remember that state and local offices matter just as much as federal positions in impacting labor standards, infrastructure, and community support systems.
• Engage Your Flying Partners: Start conversations in the crew lounge or on layovers about the importance of being registered and staying informed.

Coming Up This Week

Stay tuned to our AFA social media channels throughout the rest of the week for additional resources to prepare you for election season:

• Checking & Updating Your Registration: On Wednesday, we’ll share a guide walking you step-by-step through checking your voter registration status or registering for the first time.
• Candidate Research Resources: On Friday, we’ll post key tips and tools to help you research candidates and evaluate where they stand on essential Flight Attendant labor, safety, and security issues.

Our strength is in our numbers. By staying informed and participating in every election, we protect our contract, our working conditions, and our collective future.