This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

August: Government Affairs and Human Rights Update

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Government Affairs

SCOTUS Voting Rights Decision: How Does This Impact Flight Attendants?

On Aug. 24, the SCOTUS lifted a lower-court injunction on procedural/standing grounds, allowing the current administration’s restrictions on mail-in voting to move forward. However, as of Aug. 28, another federal judge has temporarily blocked the USPS rule that would allow these restrictions to move forward in implementation. The rule could make the USPS charged with determining who receives a mail ballot in November. This is federal overreach as it oversteps the states’ constitutional authority to administer their own elections.

Voting by mail is essential for Flight Attendants, as many of us are away from our voting jurisdictions and working on Election Day. It ensures that we have the opportunity to make our voices heard, regardless of where our schedules take us.

It is important to note that this situation is still very fluid, which is why making a plan to vote early is going to be crucial this election season as we cannot assume the current rules will remain the same. If you have a mail-in ballot requested or automatically being sent in your state, please do not hold on to it. Be sure to mail your ballot ASAP after completing it or drop it off at a designated location, as designated by your state and county.

Now more than ever, we must remain vigilant about voting practices, ensure that our ballot is cast and our vote is counted, because EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

Read More:

• NPR: Supreme Court Ruling on Mail-In Voting
• PBS NewsHour: Supreme Court Mail-In Voting Ruling Explained
• ACLU: Challenge to Newly Finalized Mail Ballot Rule
• Voting Rights Lab: Proposed USPS Mail Ballot Rule

Upcoming September Primary Dates

• Sept. 1: MA
• Sept. 8: NH
• Sept. 9: RI
• Sept. 15: DE

Labor Endorsements

• AFA-CWA Endorsements
• California Labor Federation Endorsements
• Washington State Labor Council Endorsements

Midterm Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3

Please remember to make a plan to vote! Many of us have moved and/or experienced redistricting of our state maps. Your voting location and/or registration status may have changed. Check your registration status, voting location and request a mail-in ballot (if that is your preferred voting method) and return it ASAP. Do not hold on to your ballot until the last minute.

Check out AFA’s Voting Page for more information.

Training Opportunity: CWA’s Fighting Oligarchy (Virtual)

CWA Fighting Oligarchy is CWA’s new political education training focused on understanding the current political crisis working people face in 2026.

Participants in this session learn about what “Oligarchy” is and the tools the billionaire class use to consolidate their power at our expense. Training participants explore international, historical and modern U.S. case studies on how this rule of the super wealthy took root and how the power of an organized working class can win once again. Training participants are briefed on CWA’s political strategy and how to get involved to fight back for working-class power.

This training will be broken up into four 90-minute blocks over the course of September:

• September 3: Part 1: What is Oligarchy?
• September 10: Part 2: How Movements Can Win
• September 17: Part 3: Case Study: The Workers of Chile Defeat Oligarchy
• September 24: Part 4: Our Plan to Win: CWA vs. The Oligarchy

Each session will start at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and end at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT.

Register for CWA’s Fighting Oligarchy Training

FlightPAC

FlightPAC is our way of having a voice in Washington, D.C., where lawmakers make decisions impacting our careers, our livelihood every day. It is our way to build political power for us and our careers. Consider making a contribution.

Learn More About FlightPAC

Ready to sign up? Contact Bruni.

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Human Rights and Equity

Days of Observance/Holidays

United Nations Human Rights Calendar: September 2026

• Sept. 7: Labor Day
• Sept. 8: International Literacy Day
• Sept. 10: World Suicide Prevention Day
• Sept. 11: 9/11 Remembrance
• Sept. 11–12: Rosh Hashanah
• Sept. 15: International Day of Democracy
• Sept. 20–21: Yom Kippur
• Sept. 21: International Day of Peace and World Alzheimer’s Day
• Sept. 23: Bi Visibility Day
• Sept. 25–Oct. 2: Sukkot

Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month is Sept. 15–Oct. 15!

It is a month-long celebration of the histories, cultures and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities. This is a great opportunity to take time to expand our minds (and perhaps palates!) throughout the month.

Tip: Look for cultural and educational events happening in your area. A great start could be your local library!

Wear your AFA diversity pin!

A Little Labor Day History

From Union Plus

Before workers organized and formed unions, there were no regulations surrounding employment, and employers often took advantage of this freedom. This meant that employees were very often required to work extraordinarily long hours, and with no job protection from discrimination, or even violence. Worse still, young children were often put to work in factories, mines, railroads, warehouses, and other dangerous work environments.

How It Began

Working people began organizing and bargaining collectively to advocate for better working conditions and wages and celebrated the first Labor Day in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. Following the deaths of 13 workers during the Pullman Strike in June of 1894, President Grover Cleveland made reconciliation with the labor movement a top priority of his administration, making Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.

During the major economic depression of the early 1890s, the Pullman Palace Car Company cut wages in its factories. Discontented workers joined the American Railway Union (ARU), led by Eugene V. Debs, which supported their strike by launching a boycott of all Pullman cars on all railroads. ARU members across the nation refused to switch Pullman cars onto trains. When these switchmen were disciplined, the entire ARU struck the railroads on June 26, 1894. Within four days, 125,000 workers on twenty-nine railroads had quit work rather than handle Pullman cars.

How Unions Impact Our Lives Today

In the years since, labor unions have served as a united voice for workers of all professions by bargaining collectively with employers to advocate for better wages, working conditions and to establish parameters of work life that have become commonplace and law, such as the eight-hour workday, five-day workweek, protection for children in the workplace and the federal minimum wage.

Questions/Concerns Regarding ICE Activity at Our U.S. Airports?

Check out AFA’s Guide for Your Rights in U.S. Domestic Airports.

CWA Human Rights Conference Recap

C.47 Alexandra Roa & Bruni Agosto-Pinal and C.43 LEC Secretary Soon Kim represented AFA at the biennial CWA Human Rights Conference where they experienced days full of education, inspiration and most importantly, on the last day, activism related to a slew of topics affecting us all, from political activism, military veteran support all the way to the Delta AFA campaign!

Bruni was not only an attendee, but also a sitting member of the CWA Women’s Committee and therefore had a role in much of the behind-the-scenes work related to the conference events as hosted by the CWA Human Rights Committee. She also presented on the impact of Federal DEI rollbacks and its impact on Black women in the federal workforce on Day 1 of the conference.

CWA members from all across the nation attended, networked across sectors and honed in on core issues surrounding all of us as workers, while focusing on ways to build worker power, together.

Workshops included topics on artificial intelligence, immigration, finding balance as a worker, gender justice, and more! This was a wonderful experience for us all and we are further equipped with topics, tools and information we can bring back to our councils and flying partners to continue the great work this committee does.

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Mahalo,

Bruni Agosto-Pinal
Government Affairs Chairperson
Human Rights & Equity Chairperson
Council 47 LAX/SEA
bruni.agosto-pinal@afahawaiian.org

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Officer Update – May 7, 2026

Aloha LAX and SEA,

This has been a very busy week across our union, both at the Local and MEC levels. We want to take a moment to provide you with a few important updates on the work happening on behalf of our membership.

In Solidarity,

Josh, Paul and Beth
Council 47 Officers
47@afahawaiian.org

SEA Pulse Form (anonymous)
LAX Pulse Form (anonymous)
Council 47 SEA Committee Contact Roster

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TL;DR

• Council 47 Volunteers Meeting: Our LAX and SEA Chairs and Volunteers came together in Seattle last week. With 19 leaders and volunteers, our team continues to grow alongside our membership and strengthen representation across both domiciles.
• Block2Block: B2B messages can be viewed by management, so please keep communications professional. SEA FAs submitting B2Bs inflight on the 787-9 should connect their IMD to the internet after leaving the aircraft to ensure reports are transmitted.
• Reduced Time: There is one Reduced Time position each month in LAX and one in SEA. It provides a 37.5 to 55 hour bid month while maintaining full-time benefits. Requests must be emailed to Gina Lorenzo between the 1st and 7th.
• NRT 10th FA: When the crew-to-load trigger requires a 10th FA, the position will primarily be staffed from HNL while the non-language NRT pairings originate there. Once those positions transition to SEA, the additional FA will be staffed from SEA.
• SCRs: Council 47 has resolved the IT notification issues that caused delays in receiving and responding to Scheduling Clarification Requests from LAX and SEA.
• Asia Language Lead: The Business Class Lead Language Qualified FA does not have to work FA #8. The Contract requires the Lead Language FA to work an aisle position in Business Class, with positions selected by seniority during briefing.

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Council 47 Volunteers Meeting – Q3

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. As Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants, this month holds special meaning for many of us, as the cultures and traditions of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities are deeply woven into the identity and spirit of our airline. From the aloha we share with our guests to the diverse backgrounds of our crews, these cultures continue to shape who we are both in the workplace and in our union ‘ohana. This month, we celebrate and recognize the many AANHPI Flight Attendants and communities that make our airline so special.

Did you know that AFA created the AANHPI pin with Hawaiian Airlines very much in mind? Many of the colors and design references were inspired by our brand, and you can even see traces of Pualani reflected in it. It’s something we should be proud to wear, not only as a union pin, but also as a symbol that reflects part of our airline’s culture and identity.

A limited number of pins will be available in both the LAX and SEA lounges. Please only take one per Flight Attendant, as these pins are purchased through the local council budget. As a reminder, uniform standards allow Flight Attendants to wear a union pin above their wings or nametag regardless of which branded uniform is being worn.

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Council 47 Chairs and Volunteers

Last week, our Council 47 Chairs and Volunteers from both LAX and SEA came together in Seattle for our Council 47 Volunteers Meeting. With representatives from each of our committees in attendance, it was an opportunity to bring our entire volunteer team together to connect, collaborate, and focus on the work ahead for our membership.

As our membership has grown with the addition of SEA, so has our team. Council 47 now has 19 leaders and volunteers working to better represent and support our members in both LAX and SEA.

We had a productive meeting discussing our committee work, current projects, and goals. Most importantly, we strategized about how we can better support you, ensure your voices are represented in our discussions with management, strengthen communication, and continue building a unified union across both domiciles.

How do I get ahold of my union?
A complete roster of your Council 47 Officers, Chairs, and Volunteers can be found at this link. Moving forward, we will also include this roster in every Council 47 communication so you always have easy access to the right person when you need assistance.

Check out our Instagram video for a recap of the meeting! A complete committee report will also be posted at a later date for members who would like to read more about the work each of our committees is doing.

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Block2Block Reminders

Please remember that Block2Block (B2B) messages can be viewed by management. Always remain professional when communicating on Company-provided devices, as messages that are considered inappropriate or unprofessional may be called into question.

Another important reminder for our SEA Flight Attendants: if you complete a B2B report inflight, the 787-9 is not currently equipped with Starlink. Please make sure your IMD connects to internet service after leaving the aircraft so your report can successfully transmit to both the Company and AFA.

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Reduced Time Bid Line

For our West Coast domiciles, our Contract provides for one Reduced Time position in LAX and one in SEA each month.

The Reduced Time Option is similar to Low Time in that a bid month is awarded between 37.5 to 55 hours. One of the key differences is that Flight Attendants awarded the Reduced Time Option maintain full-time benefits, including group insurance, sick leave, vacation, and seniority/longevity accruals.

This position is awarded monthly by seniority. Flight Attendants interested in bidding for the Reduced Time position must submit a request by email to Gina Lorenzo between the 1st and 7th of each month.

For additional information about the Reduced Time Option, please reference Section 13 of our Contract.

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Who gets the 10th position on the NRT?

Who gets the 10th position on the NRT? Many of you have had questions regarding the 10th Flight Attendant position on Narita flights when the flight meets the contractual crew-to-load trigger.

Crew Scheduling has been using a mixture of HNL and SEA Flight Attendants to staff this additional position. AFA and Crew Scheduling have now reached a mutual understanding that the 10th Flight Attendant position will primarily be staffed from HNL, as the pairing for the non-language positions originates in HNL. Once the non-language positions on NRT transitions to SEA Domicile, the 10th FA will be added from SEA.

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Delay in SCR Responses

As Council 47 has taken on representation of the Seattle domicile, we have experienced some IT challenges with receiving proper notifications when Flight Attendants in both LAX and SEA submit a Scheduling Clarification Request (SCR), as well as notifications when the Company responds.

We are happy to report that Council 47 has now worked through these issues and is receiving the appropriate notifications.

We apologize for any delays over the past couple of months in acknowledging your SCRs, responding to you, or providing AFA’s position on the Company’s response. We appreciate your patience as we worked to resolve these issues.

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Asia Language Lead Position

We want to provide a quick reminder regarding the Business Class Lead Language Qualified position on Asia flying.

Under Section 34-27.A, the Business Class Lead Language Qualified Flight Attendant must work an aisle position, but the Contract does not require that Flight Attendant to specifically be FA #8.

The Lead Language Qualified Flight Attendant may work any Business Class position that is assigned to an aisle, based on how positions are selected in seniority during briefing.