July 2025 HRE Update

Our work is rooted in resistance, and it continues! Get Involved, Stay Involved! We have WORK to do!

We are currently living through unprecedented times. Every day we are bombarded with breaking news. It doesn’t matter if it’s social media, the news, or talking with others. This influx of information can become overwhelming, and we may want to tune it out. We may want to not think about it. We may want to shift our focus to something else. Unfortunately, we are at a point where ignorance is no longer acceptable. We cannot continue business as usual. We cannot shy away from certain topics just to keep everyone happy. We are at a point where we have to get up and stand for something. We have to fight back. We have to protect the most vulnerable.  We have to talk about uncomfortable topics. We have to check our privilege and do something. Choosing the status quo and remaining silent is no longer an acceptable choice. You may be nervous to discuss certain topics. You may not be comfortable bringing certain issues up because you may lack the knowledge on these topics. But knowledge is power, and it takes a village. If you are unsure, seek out the information, seek out the answers, or seek out those that know the facts. When we are educated by facts, we have nothing to worry about. People may have their own opinions, but facts are facts, and that cannot be changed. Complacency is no longer acceptable; we must stand up and fight back. It will take all of us; we must continue engaging one another and educating each other. 

We urge you to engage with the HRE committee, we urge you to get an HRE committee set up, we urge you to speak out, and hold ourselves accountable and make sure that our members are represented. 

“Silence is death, and if you speak, you die, and if you remain silent, you die. So, speak out and die.”

- Tahar Djaout

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, differently abled, 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.

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 training, and spreading the word of this new Committee to fellow Union Members. 

July 2025 Calendar

***Disability Pride Month/Anniversary of American with Disabilities Act

HRE Committee in Action for PRIDE MONTH!

HRE Committees from several carriers participated in PRIDE events within their local cities to celebrate and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community fostering pride, respect, and equality. Here are a few pics from Motor City PRIDE- Detroit, MI

Upcoming Events/Actions

• Volunteer Opportunity-Minority Vets Community Center July 8-11 (possibly 12 & 13) Tukwila, WA: Minority Vets is opening a Community Center and they need your help bringing the finished product to life! Sign up to volunteer here 
• Free Resources/Training Opportunities: 
  • ADA 
  • Commons Library 
  • DARU
  • Understood
  • PFLAG
  • Safe Zone Project
• CALL to Action: Stop Cuts and Giveaway to Billionaires Make the call! It takes less than 5 minutes!
• Are you a Veteran? Please click this link to request your Veteran's pin. 

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]

International HRE Committee Resources

You can always find information about the International HRE Committee, including resources, available at https://www.afacwa.org/hre 

Reach out to your HRE reps if you have any questions or concerns.

Happy Flying,

Jhen