In This Edition

• MEC Resolution on Gender Equality
• CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before
• Georgia Senate Runoff Election
• Community Resources for Those in Need

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MEC Resolution on Gender Equality

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA has long been a champion of equality both in and out of the workplace.  Over the course of many years, we have made achievements in our struggle to realize fair treatment for all.  There is still much work to be done, however, and we continue with our efforts to achieve workplace equality almost daily.

The Master Executive Council (MEC) recently adopted a resolution in support of gender equality, specifically in regard to the right to recognition, acceptance, and inclusion of people of all gender identities and gender expressions.  As a part of the resolution, the MEC is calling upon Alaska Airlines management to make much needed changes to company policies in order to recognize, accept, and include non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.  You can view the complete language of the resolution on the AFA Alaska website by clicking here.

What Are Gender Identity and Gender Expression?

Gender identity refers to how you view your gender internally (e.g., man, woman, or another gender).  Gender expression refers to how you present your gender on the outside through your behavior, mannerisms, the clothing you wear, your voice, and other characteristics. Gender non-conforming is a broader term that describes people who do not follow other people’s ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth.

In our society, many people identify and express themselves as either male or female.  This is often referred to as the “gender binary”, meaning that it has two parts—male and female.  People who are non-binary have a gender that doesn’t fall into one of these two categories. They may have a gender that blends both male and female elements, is different than male or female, or they may not identify with any gender.

If you’d like to read more to further understand non-binary and gender non-conforming people, you can find additional information using the links below:

• Pride at Work – Union Guide to Discussing LGBTQ People and Issues
• National Center for Transgender Equality – Understanding Non-Binary People

A Request for Immediate Action

Earlier this week, the MEC sent a formal letter to management requesting an immediate meeting to discuss the resolution and begin the process of working to study, review, and update company policies as quickly as possible.  We have requested that the frontline employee uniform and appearance standards be reviewed first as they are one of the most significantly impactful areas of inequality for those who are non-binary and/or gender non-conforming.

Questions?

Please contact your LEC President with any questions about the MEC Resolution.

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CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before

Government Affairs Committee

We’ve rallied, marched, called, emailed, tweeted, and more to demand our members of Congress extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP). Our activism is forcing lawmakers to publicly come out to support #ReliefNow for Flight Attendants and essential aviation workers and urge their colleagues to take action. 

Throughout the next 7 days, we have to be louder than we’ve ever been before

The $908 billion bipartisan proposal on emergency relief has significant support across Congress, but there are a few outstanding issues unrelated to PSP. Our action and voices are critical to getting this legislation over the finish line.

Congress is gearing up to depart Washington, D.C. for the holidays and before they leave, they must pass a government funding bill by Friday, December 11th, to avert a government shutdown. Congress is expected to extend that deadline to December 18th. That is unfortunate because every day counts for those out of work and all the disruption and suffering caused for people without relief – and even those on the job under these conditions. We need to continue to demand #ReliefNow. Every day counts! This is a bridge of emergency relief for the whole country for four month. Stimulus discussions for recovery would be renewed in the New Year. More relief will be needed for our country to recover.

Our members of Congress must hear from us, our family members and friends, every day

SENATE: (888) 848-4824
HOUSE: (888) 907-9365

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to tell my (Senator/Representative) that we need emergency relief and an extension of the Payroll Support Program TODAY. We are out of work and without healthcare. Do not leave Washington, D.C. without passing emergency relief for our families. Do your job. Thank you.”

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Georgia Senate Runoff Election

Government Affairs Committee

On January 5, voters in Georgia will have the opportunity to vote in an election to determine who will represent them in the United States Senate.  Georgia voters will have the opportunity to send two candidates to Washington who support working Americans through the right to organize and bargain collectively.  This election is critical as the outcome has the ability to affect the balance of power in the Senate.

With judicial nominees, a stimulus deal, infrastructure and health care measures, and tax and spending policies all on the line, the Senate races in Georgia are likely to take on an intensity that mirrors the presidential race that just ended.  We need to do everything possible to encourage Georgia voters to vote and get the word out about pro-worker candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Our fellow AFA and CWA members will be working to reach out to Georgia voters through phone banking activities every Tuesday until the election as well for several days prior to the election itself.  You can help make a difference and get the word out by signing up for a shift and joining the phone bank!  Available shifts are:

Tuesday, December 15th	2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, December 22nd	2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, December 29th	2 to 5 PM PST
Sunday, January 3rd	9 AM to 5 PM PST
Monday, January 4th	2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, January 5th (Election Day)	9 AM to 3:30 PM PST

Signing up for just one shift can make a difference and you’re welcome to sign up for as many shifts as you’d like.  After you sign up for shifts, you’ll receive Zoom information about how to connect to the phone bank.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local Government Affairs Committee.

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Community Resources for Those in Need

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Your AFA EAP Committee has compiled the below list of websites that may prove helpful with the financial strains of our times.

Food Banks, Housing and Utility Assistance, Clothing Closets, Veteran Services etc.  

• United Way and Local Assistance Resources in your Area  www.211.org
• State by state resources and benefits to replace lost wages, housing and food assistance, resources to assist workers impacted by COVID   https://aflcio.org/covid-19/state-resources

Health Care

• Low-cost/no cost local health care services for adults and children: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
• Insurance for children if parents don’t have coverage for them. www.insurekidsnow.gov
• Open Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act – (open Season 11/1-12/15) www.healthcare.gov
• Hill-Burton free or low cost hospitals/medical facilities. https://www.hrsa.gov/get-health-care/affordable/hill-burton/facilities.html
• Join a Study/Trial- Find a study by disease, country, state that is actively recruiting participants. www.clinicaltrials.gov

Behavioral Health Care

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Website for sliding fee or no cost mental health services. https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

Prescription Assistance Programs

• Partnership for Prescription Assistance: A program sponsored by drug companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations, and civic groups. It helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or low-cost, brand-name medications. http://www.pparx.org  Ph: 888-477-2669 
• NeedyMeds: A nonprofit group that has an extensive database of information about patient assistance programs, state assistance, drug discount programs, and free or low-cost medical care. You can search the database for free on its website. The site also has information on thousands of programs to help consumers through the application process. www.needymeds.org
• RxAssist: An online database of drug company programs that provide free or affordable drugs and copay assistance. www.rxassist.org
• RxHope: A web-based resource where you can search by medication to find assistance programs. It also offers help with the application process. www.rxhope.com
• RxOutreach: A mail-order pharmacy for people with little to no health insurance coverage. www.rxoutreach.org

Questions?

Contact your Local EAP Committee if you’d like more personalized assistance in understanding and accessing these or other resources.