December 2024 HRE Update

AFA International Human Rights & Equity 

December 2024 Newsletter

The AFA Human Rights and Equity Committee is committed to providing the broadest possible representation of our members regardless of age, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We honor and celebrate the shared humanity of the members in our care. We shall at all times endeavor to promote the principles of tolerance, fairness, equity, justice, respect and inclusion within our Union. It is only when we all band together and work together that we can rally against the walls of division to create a progressive culture that values social and economic justice for all working people.

December dates to remember:

1st - World AIDS Day

• Educate yourself and each other on AIDS and the impact that it has had on marginalized people throughout the world, including the LGBTQ+ community. Remember that when it comes to HIV, undetectable means untransmittable. Resources are always available to you through HRE & EAP. 
• Recommended reading: https://www.aidschicago.org/correcting-the-record-gaetan-dugas-and-the-patient-zero-narrative/ 

3rd - International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UN) 

• Familiarize yourself with the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights. Continue to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities on and off the aircraft. 
• News: Delta seeks approval for seats to accommodate wheelchairs in flight , $2.5M grant funds research to help airlines improve safety and dignity for wheelchair users 

5th - National AFL-CIO Day

7th - International Civil Aviation Day (UN)

9th - International Genocide Prevention Day (UN) 

• Educate yourself and others on the root causes of genocide and how discrimination within a society can lead to the most serious of human rights violations. 
• Continue to educate yourself on and speak out against current conflicts that constitute or may lead to genocide. 
• Please sign this petition and add your name to a growing list calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. (National Labor Network for Ceasefire)

10th - Human Rights Day (UN)

• Take time to reflect on your commitment to human rights. Thank you for everything you do. 

11th - FRONTIER DAY OF ACTION

17TH - AIR WISCONSIN  AND PSA DAY OF ACTION

18th - International Migrants Day (UN)

• Today, we reflect on and celebrate the contributions of millions of migrants worldwide. We recommit ourselves to the protection of the rights and dignity of migrants, including migrant workers and refugees seeking safe migration. 
• We need to prepare ourselves for an upcoming attack on the rights of migrants in the US with the incoming administration. Look out for each other.

19th - UNITED DAY OF ACTION

25th - Jan. 2nd - Hanukkah (Chanukah) 

25th - Christmas Day

26th - Boxing Day 

26th - Jan. 1st - Kwanzaa

31st - New Years Eve

RSVP Now: Days of Action at Air Wisconsin, PSA, Frontier and United

Flight Attendants at United, Frontier, Air Wisconsin, and PSA are battling for good contracts and the right to address the issues that impact our work. They need your support at their upcoming Days of Action! 

Join Frontier’s Day of Action on 12/11! RSVP for ATL, DEN (Frontier Headquarters), LAS, MCO, or ORD. Can’t make it? Sign on to this petition demanding Frontier management bargain over the impact of their business model change.

RSVP for Air Wisconsin and PSA’s Day of Action on 12/17 at CLT, DAY, DFW, ORD, MKE, and DCA.

Save the Date for United’s Day of Action on 12/19. Can’t make it? Sign on to this petition to tell United management to stop making insulting, concessionary proposals clearly proposed just to delay the contract. 

Nothing is more powerful than our Solidarity. We’ll see you on the picket line!

International Incident Reporting Form

What is the purpose of the “International Incident Reporting” form?

AFA wants to ensure that all members are aware of and utilizing the online form that was created to report incidents  related to  harassment and discrimination by non-airline employees.  This form is a crucial tool for AFA to track trends, collect data, and offer the necessary support to those affected.  Please note that this form is not meant to be used as a replacement for any incident reporting forms or incident reporting procedures set forth by your respective airlines, but to be used in conjunction with, so that members have access to additional support as needed. The form may also be used for situations where members may feel uncomfortable reporting an incident to the company yet desire the opportunity to discuss all available options. 

We strongly encourage our members to make use of this form to record incidents of harassment or discrimination that may occur during your duty periods, whether at hotels, airports, on airplanes, or during layovers by non-airline employees.  Should you have a conflict with or concerns about treatment from an airline employee, please contact your AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee.  Please note that the form includes an option for members to request follow-up support  from EAP. 

Who should use this form?

Any AFA member

What happens once the form is submitted? 

Once the form is submitted, it will be reviewed by the AFA International VP and/or designee and support will be offered to members as indicated on the form, based on that member’s individual needs. 

If needs be, please fill out the form here: international incident reporting form

Resources

AFA International HRE webpage has resources to support their wellbeing in the difficulty they may be experiencing post - election and moving forward.  

Use your economic power for good and spend wisely this holiday season. 

Give back to the community through local efforts such as toy drives, food bank collections, and winter clothing drives. 

If you are able to, consider making a donation to charity this holiday season. 

There are lots of opportunities to give impactful gifts or make donations to charity on behalf of someone you care about during the holidays and all year long. 

Some ideas:

• TisBest - Allows you to purchase a gift card that allows the receiver of your gift to make a donation to the charity of their choice. 
• UNICEF - Give the gift of livesaving essentials to children in need through a sponsored gift this holiday season.  Dedicate your gift to someone special in your life. 
• World Central Kitchen Cookbook - Full of recipes created for home kitchens and inspirational stories from chefs and local cooks who have fed millions of people impacted by disasters around the world. These recipes and experiences highlight resilience, community, and above all, hope.
• World Wildlife Fund - Allows you to “adopt” endangered species while also providing a special child in your life the gift of a plush of the animal you choose to symbolically adopt. 
• Packed with a Purpose - Send someone a thoughtful gift basket with items specifically curated for their social and environmental impact. 
• Conscious Step - Socks that are not only really cute, but give back to a number of charities
• Ten Thousand Villages - Find the perfect fair trade gift for anyone in your life while making an impact by addressing economic injustice