What is the meaning of Labor Day?

 “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

 For many Labor Day signifies the start of school or the last summer hurrah. However, there is a different meaning for the US labor worker. This day signifies over 100 years of hard work and dedication for a better life. The fight for livable wages, safe working conditions, paid holidays, and sick leave is paying off. Labor groups across the country enjoy the ability to negotiate fair wages and safe working conditions. But, the fight is far from over and some labor groups  still struggle to achieve fair wages and safe working conditions.

 Today is the day to reflect upon and support our fellow brothers and sisters in their endeavors to achieve fair wages, safer working conditions, and commit to helping others achieve what we enjoy every day: A good contract.

 AFA is proud and thankful to represent the amazing group of Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants. We know how hard you work every day and we especially thank those who are working today.

 In solidarity,

 Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow

 “Five Bases, One Voice”

Click this link to review the history of labor: http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm

For Immediate Release

Contact:Corey Caldwell 202-434-0586

FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION COMMEMORATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) issued the following statement in honor of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington:

“On this day 50 years ago, hundreds of thousands of women and men descended upon our nation’s capital for an unprecedented demonstration for freedom and economic justice. Strangers from all corners of the country stood side by side as sisters and brothers to demand freedom from discrimination and the means to live their lives free of economic oppression. They were unified and they sent a powerful message that changed the course of history.

“This historic day serves as a reminder of what we, as citizens, can accomplish when we raise our voices together. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, evoking a new vision of the American dream, still ring true today and serve as a reminder of how far we have come and how far we have yet to go.

 “AFA’s commitment to equal treatment of all individuals, regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression has remained a top priority since our founding 68 years ago. Like Dr. King, we recognize that true freedom requires both an end to discrimination and an end to economic oppression. On this historic day, we recommit our efforts to push back against discrimination of any kind and we stand for economic justice.

 “For the brave women and men who stood in Lincoln’s shadow on this day 50 years ago, we continue our efforts to fight discrimination in any form in their honor. It is time, once and for all, to eradicate the poisonous legacy of discrimination from our society while we redouble our efforts to achieve economic justice for all working families.”

 The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 68 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

Corey Caldwell

FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION’S ENDURING EFFORTS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTIONS in THE CABIN BECOME REALITY
AFA Commends OSHA, FAA for Finalizing Cabin Workplace Safety and Health Policy

Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today hailed the release of Occupational Safety and Health protections for Flight Attendants working on commercial aircraft. Following AFA’s tireless advocacy to improve safety and health standards for Flight Attendants in the workplace, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finalized a policy statement that corrects a nearly four-decade old exclusion of OSHA in the passenger cabin.

“AFA looks forward to continuing our work with the FAA and OSHA to protect the safety and health of our nation’s Flight Attendants, whose duties in the cabins of commercial aircraft subject them to potential workplace hazards, including noise, bloodborne pathogens, and toxic chemicals. AFA welcomes the opportunity, as the voice for Flight Attendants, to ensure full implementation of these critical protections,” said Veda Shook, AFA International President. “AFA Flight Attendants have been forceful advocates for OSHA protections. We appreciate the efforts of FAA and OSHA to bring workplace safety and health standards into the cabin. This change will improve the working conditions of tens of thousands of Flight Attendants while benefiting the millions of passengers who travel on commercial flights every day.”

In 1975, the FAA issued a notice claiming exclusive jurisdiction over workplace safety and health for all crewmembers, preventing OSHA from protecting Flight Attendants while working on board commercial flights. Since then, AFA has pursued multiple legal and regulatory solutions to extend OSHA safety and health protections to airline workers. Today’s final policy statement resulted from years of aggressive AFA advocacy for inclusion of Flight Attendant safety and health protections, a memorandum of understanding signed between the FAA and OSHA during the Clinton administration, and follow through by the Obama administration. This final policy statement was issued after the FAA and OSHA thoroughly reviewed comments submitted by AFA, individual AFA members, and various industry stakeholders.

Moving forward, AFA will continue to work with the FAA, OSHA, and key aviation industry stakeholders to ensure that Flight Attendants are provided sufficient information to understand their rights to safe, healthy cabin workplaces, and that airlines comply with all relevant aspects of the applicable OSHA standards, including Flight Attendant training requirements.

The FAA/OSHA final policy statement will be posted later this week.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 67 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions.  Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

082213 OSHA BECOMES REALITY
__________________

Corey Caldwell
AFA Communications
ccaldwell@afanet.org
202-434-0586 (w)
202-550-5520 (c)