November 2023 HRE Update

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the November 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.”

Here are some key things for you to note for the month of November.

Native American Heritage Month

November is a time of reflection and celebration as Native American Heritage Month, a period dedicated to recognizing and honoring the rich tapestry of indigenous cultures, histories, and contributions to the United States. This month, we commemorate the enduring legacy of Native Americans and acknowledge the importance of preserving their heritage. The indigenous peoples of North America encompass a vast array of cultures, languages, and traditions. From the Tlingit People of Southeast Alaska to the Navajo Nation in the Southwest to the Iroquois Confederacy in the Northeast, Native Americans have a vibrant and diverse history that predates the arrival of European settlers. This month is an opportunity to learn about these various cultures, their traditions, and the resilience they have shown throughout history.

Native American Heritage Month is also a time to remember the historical injustices faced by indigenous communities, including forced displacement, broken treaties, and cultural suppression. Acknowledging this history is a step towards reconciliation and healing. It is also a call to support and empower indigenous communities. Efforts to improve education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for Native Americans are essential steps towards rectifying historical injustices. This month serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions and enduring cultures of indigenous peoples. It is a time to celebrate, learn, reflect, and support these communities in their ongoing quest for justice, equity, and cultural preservation. By doing so, we can ensure that the voices and traditions of Native Americans continue to thrive and enrich our nation.

Learn more about Native American Heritage Month from these resources

• Learn about Native American Heritage Month from the Smithsonian
• Learn about Native American Veterans 
• Learn about Native American Heritage Month from the National Parks Service

Here are some ways to highlight and honor Native American Heritage Month

• Learn what Native land you are on
  • Long before you lived on it, the land you’re on was occupied, managed, and maintained by Indigenous people and tribes. Land is sacred and important to all of us — whether we know it or not — and it’s important to learn about the history of the land you’re on.
• Learn about challenges Native Americans have faced
  • Violence against Indigenous peoples is a reality. The cases of many missing and murdered Indigenous people go unsolved and unaddressed. The Secretary of the Interior formed a unit to pursue justice for these people. Read more about it HERE
  • You can find information about other issues using THIS RESOURCE
• Support the work of Indigenous photographers, musicians, authors and poets, and follow Indigenous people on social media
  • Here is an exhibit on Native Photographers In The Wild
• Support Native American-owned business
  • You can find a list of some businesses HERE
• Donate to Native American-led non-profits. See a couple listed below:
  • Indigenous Women Rising
  • Native American Rights Fund
• Wear your Native American Heritage AFA Pin
  • Please note: We currently do not have any pins for Native American Heritage Month available for the crew

Here is a simple resource that highlights 22 ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month:

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-native-american-heritage-month

Important dates and events for your calendar to celebrate and put your support behind.

• Aviation History Month: November 1-30

• Diabetes Awareness Month: November 1-30

• National Stress Awareness Day: November 2, 2023

• Election Day:November 8

• World Freedom Day: November 9

  • This is a day chosen to comemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. You can learn more about this HERE

• World Adoption Day: November 9

• Diwali:November 10-14

• Remembrance Day:November 11

• Veterans Day:November 11

  • The AFA International Human Rights & Equity Committee is trying to find how many, if any, veterans we have working at Norse. If you are a veteran and currently work at Norse please feel free to email me at [email protected] to make yourself known.

• World Kindness Day: November 13

• Transgender Awareness Week: November 13-19

• International Day for Tolerance:November 16

• International Men's Day: November 19

• Transgender Day of Remembrance: November 20

• World Children's Day: November 20

• National Day of Mourning (Native American): November 23

• Thanksgiving:  November 23

Ongoing Events

Native American Heritage Month Events

• Check out local events in your domicile to celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Solidarity Pickets

We continue supporting all of our members and other labor groups as they fight for fair contracts and human rights protections. Show up where you can, at the capacity you can, in the city you can!

• SAG-AFTRA Pickets - ongoing

• United Auto Workers (UAW) Pickets - ongoing

• United Airlines Day of Action: October 26, 2023

• American Airlines Systemwide Picketing: November 16, 2023

Union Pins

Union pins for the newer JFK crew members should have already been distributed. If you did not receive a union pin, please reach out to me directly at [email protected] and I will ensure to coordinate you getting one. 

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. 

Do you want to be a part of the HRE Committee?

The HRE committee meets the second Monday of every month! Join us for more more information, inspiration and work to recognize, support, and protect our Union sibs!
If you would like to attend an AFA HRE meeting, have any questions or issues, or have suggestions for causes or activities to highlight, feel free to reach out to the HRE rep any time via email: [email protected] 

At this month’s HRE call, AFA-CWA EAP Intern, Sahrah Marcellin, gave a presentation about implicit bias in the workplace. Implicit bias refers to the subconscious attitudes and stereotypes we hold about certain groups of people. These biases, often shaped by societal influences and personal experiences, can affect our judgments, decisions, and behaviors without our conscious awareness. They can pertain to race, gender, age, and many other characteristics.

Please find more information about Implicit Bias and other things discussed in this newsletter attached below.