September 2023 HRE Update
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE AFA HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUITY COMMITTEE?
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.
Note from your HRE Committee Chair
Welcome to the September edition of the HRE Newsletter, which includes causes and dates of note for this month. This month marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and also is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15, 2023-October 15, 2023.
The disbursement of union pins in September for Hispanic Heritage, 9/11, and our regular white & gold pins for our New Hires in JFK is currently being finalized. Once that is done, I will let you know who the person to get pins from on each AOC in each base is.
Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any other questions or concerns.
September is National Recovery Month
Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery from substance use and mental health, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
If you, or a loved one, are struggling and need support, please reach out to the EAP
September is Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide.
If you, or someone you know is struggling and needs support, just know that you are not alone.
Our EAP services are here to assist you.
There are other peer support options, such as thAIRapy that you can rely on as well.
If you are in crisis, please call the Crisis Lifeline or 911.
September is Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15-October 15, 2023
Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. Learn more about the Latinx fight for Civil Rights HERE
Most people use the words Hispanic/Latino/Latine/Latina/Lantinx interchangeably.HERE is a guide to learn more about how words like Hispanic & Lantix came about, and some more discourse on Rebranding Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Hispanic/Latino/Latine/Latina/Lantinx community is vast and includes a variety of countries and ethnicities. Learn about the history and culture ofthese different communities. You can start with some key facts about U.S. Latinos that was published in 2022.
Wear your Hispanic Heritage Month pin all month long to show solidarity, and familiarize themselves with the current issues that Hispanic and Latino/Latina/Latine/Latinx communities faces.
This includes Discrimination, Inequality and Violence to name a few.
You should also support Hispanic and Latino/Latina/Latine/Latinx owned business and charities
More important dates and events for your calendar to celebrate and put your support behind.
Labor Day - September 4
Learn more about the History of Labor day HERE
Look into someKey Events in Labor History
Learn more aboutthe history of Si Se Puede, an iconic labor rallying cry
World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10
Suicide Prevention week (September 10-16) kicks off with World Suicide Prevention Day. Learn more about this from the WHO website.
9/11 Memorial - September 11
Twenty-two years ago, we made a promise to Never Forget the events of September 11, 2001 and never allow them to be repeated. The AFA has an Honor Guard that will attend services at the national memorials. You can read more about this HERE
On this day, wear your 9/11 pin in remembrance of all those who lost their lives that day
Bisexual Visibility Week - September 16-23
Bisexual visibility and inclusion is still a challenge in the workplace. Learn more about this HERE
International Day of Peace (UN) - September 21
This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Learn more about this from the UN website
Bisexual Visibility Day - September 23
Why do we need Bisexual Visibility Day? This article answers that question.
We invite you to wear your Progress Pride pins on Bi-Visibility Day, as well as to continue to learn about and support the Bi+ community, an often overlooked yet major part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Validate and support Bi+ folks!
International Day of Sign Languages - September 23
The International Day of Sign Languages is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users. Learn more about this day and it's importance HERE
Upcoming Events
March with AFA in the 60th March on Washington
Join us on Saturday, August 26 for the rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
We will gather at AFA-CWA Headquarters at 9:00am for a brief kickoff ceremony. Signs, t-shirts, and breakfast will be provided. Then, we walk as a group to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Solidarity Pickets
Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) System Wide Pickets - August 30
AFA United System Wide Pickets - August 31
SAG-AFTRA & WGA Pickets - ongoing
Labor Day Events
Check out Labor Day events in your domicile on September 4
West Indian Day Parade - September 4
The West Indian Day Parade Carnival is a celebration of West Indian culture, held annually in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more about the history of the event HERE
March with us in the New York City Labor Day Parade on September 9
Our union is walking in the NYC Labor Day Parade this year! Join AFA International Officers, Endeavor AFA Local 45, and APFA on September 9th in Manhattan for a day of solidarity and union pride. We encourage Flight Attendants to wear red AFA t-shirts.RSVP here.
9/11 Remembrance Events
Check out local events in your domicile for 9/11 remembrance. You can also visit the following locations:
Hispanic Heritage Month Events
Check out local events in your domicile to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Important Information
Our Union Siblings in Maui are Struggling
On August 8, 2023, fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, at least three wildfires erupted on Maui. The most serious one swept into Lahaina and decimated the area. At least 110 people have been killed with more than 1000 still missing.
All AFA members have been accounted for, but many have been deeply affected and some lost nearly everything.
Learn more about what has happened on Maui HERE and if you are able, please donate to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund today to help our flying partners directly or to one if the organizations listed on the site.
Take the Harvard Flight Attendant Health Study (4th wave)!
The survey will take about 20-30 minutes to complete and includes questions about your health, work, and quality of life. Your participation will contribute to the understanding of flight attendant health. Additionally, participants who fully complete the survey will be entered in a lottery with a chance to win a $249 Apple Watch!
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]
