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February 2025 HRE Update

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, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, 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 work together that we can tear down the walls of division and create a progressive culture that values social & economic justice for all working people.

The work of this Committee includes:

  • The ongoing study of matters related to the strengthening of our Union through the promotion of and support for economic, racial, and social justice equity for all workers;
  • Recommendations for participation by our MEC and LECs with minority, women’s, and LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community organizations and coalitions which aim to eliminate discrimination and racism;
  • Recommendations for creating safe spaces within our Union for people to share their personal experiences in relation to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, gender expression and political orientation so that we better understand each other and build our Union through our common struggles and goals, rather than allowing union busters to divide us by differences;
  • Recommendations for educational materials and resources relevant to civil and human rights issues that affect our Members and communities;
  • Recommendations on how to facilitate training around the issues of Human Rights and Equity; and
  • Developing a productive working relationship with the company to ensure they are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace for all Flight Attendants.
  • We are committed to supporting the local HRE Committees that have been created as well as assisting in the creation of a local HRE Committee at each Council. Our aim is to get everyone who wants to be a part of an HRE Committee involved, and by utilizing their individual skills, backgrounds, and passions, we can create a movement within our Union that is intersectional, reflecting the diversity of our workforce. We encourage Member participation through volunteering to start or support a local HRE Committee, providing us with your feedback and personal stories, attending future events and trainings, and spreading the word of this new Committee to fellow Union Members. We look forward to working on the issues of human rights and equity which are affecting our fellow Flight Attendants.

Black History Month

BHM graphic

Black History Month (BHM) is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

 

International Month of Black Women In The Arts

The month is observed to recognize the impactful contributions of Black women across the areas of healing arts, culinary arts, fine arts, performing arts, and literature. Black women in the arts have overcome centuries-long discrimination and left indelible footprints on the world of art.

Check out the other notable dates on the February 2025 HRE calendar

Additional Updates

Donating to PSA 5342 Families

As Flight Attendants, we always take care of our passengers and each other. We’ve heard from many who want to help Ian and Danasia’s families in the aftermath of PSA Flight 5342. As they grieve and honor their loved ones, we hope to ease the additional burden of financial stress.

All donations to our AFA Disaster Relief Fund through Sunday, February 9 went to Ian and Danasia’s families. Our union contributed as well, and together with your donations we can all do more together. Together we can help take care of our Flight Attendant union family. 

Ian and Danasia have both taken their final flights home and Ian was laid to rest in Charlotte. Information about Danasia's service has not been made public.

 

Supporting our Trans Flying Partners

Over the last two weeks, the new administration has issued an onslaught of executive actions that have a direct impact on our lives at work and at home. 

One executive order states that the US government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, that are fixed at birth, and orders government agencies to end all reference to and consideration of a person’s gender identity. This sweeping redefinition threatens federal programs used by transgender people, impacts federal documentation such as passports, which can currently reflect the gender identity of transgender and nonbinary people, and attempts to erase from existence people we love and work with.

These executive orders are stunningly broad. But they do not change our commitment to supporting our Trans Flying Partners. Our Human Rights and Equity Committee is working with the ACLU on passports issues specifically. If you have passport issues, reach out to your Local Council and [email protected]. 

The rhetoric and hateful speech about our friends, family, and flying partners is jarring and very concerning. We are here for you. We are fighting thoughtfully and strategically during this tumultuous time. We encourage every Flight Attendant to take every opportunity to express support for each other.

AFA EAP is available at any time at 800-424-2406.

 

AFA-CWA HRE Has Got Your Back!

The International HRE has been working over the past year to bring awareness to our Union, our members, and those we fly for and with. Our message has been clear. We all deserve to be seen, respected and feel safe to come to work just as we are. It is our duty as members to protect each other and stand in solidarity with our Union siblings even if we may disagree on certain topics and issues. We need to have each other's backs. If there is an attack against one of us, it is an attack against all of us. And we are UNDER ATTACK. ALL OF US.

There are a lot of unknowns right now, but one thing we know is that we are resilient.  

We are all being impacted in one way or another, the attacks have already affected many of our friends, family, and loved ones in and out of our Union, (immigrants, people of color, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities,  those of lower socio economic status, veterans, anyone that does not look like you). 

While we are Aviation First responders, we are here for Safety. We will continue to educate and let folks know safety is being compromised when hate and division is created in our workplaces, and it’s best to keep Aviation First Responders, and the word Flight Attendant out of your mouth, when you don't know our Job.

It is also a time to hold those who have said they have our backs accountable. Remember Solidarity is a Verb.

HRE Resources are shared and updated on the AFA-CWA HRE website and are available to anyone all of the time. 

Human Rights & Equity - Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Things To Note

Uniforms

If you are having any issues with being denied uniform pieces due to gender and gender expression, please reach out to the committee immediately at [email protected]

 

Recent Website Updates

Mass Deportation - Know Your Rights As AFA Members

Understanding The Post Holiday Blues

 

Take These Important Surveys

Click the image to take the HRE survey

This survey allows you to tell us the issues that are important to you and helps give us some direction to focus on the causes that matter to our membership.

Click the image to take the Uniform Survey

This survey is about Uniform Gender Expression and seeks to identify how the crew feels about uniform choices, policies & guidelines at our airline and how it relates to their gender. 

 

Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions, concerns or ideas, don't hesitate to reach out to the committee.

Cheers,

Jhenelle (she/her)
HRE & Communications Committee Chair