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In Solidarity

01 Sep, 2023

This past week, Jhenelle Jacas, our Communications and HRE Chair, attended 2 system-wide pickets for fellow flight attendants to show support and solidarity to their contract negotiations struggles with their respective companies.

On August 30, 2023, Jhenelle attended the picket at Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington D.C., to support the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) who represent American Airlines (AA) Flight Attendants. AA flight attendants have been in contract negotiations since 2019.

While at the picket, the results from the Strike Authorization Vote was read and it was announced that 99.47% of AA flight attendants voted to authorise a strike!

This does not mean that AA flight attendants will go on strike immediately, but it does mean that if they are unable to reach an agreement, with the backing of a strike authorization vote, they will request the National Mediation Board to release them into a thirty-day cooling-off period. If granted a release, they would engage in supermediation during the cooling-off period. After that point the parties would be able to utilize self-help, which includes striking or other forms of economic pressure on the company. It does not mean that a strike will happen, but does mean the membership has voted that if it does become necessary to call a strike, they support and authorize the strike.

Also at the picket was Dante Harris, International Secretary-Treasurer, Guy Bosworth, International Staff Representative for the AFA-CWA, Stephen Schembs, Government Affairs Director for AFA-CWA, and a few members of the AFA Team. Sara Nelson also made a surprise appearance for a few minutes to rally the APFA flight attendants.

AFA-CWA Team at APFA Picket — Representatives from AFA-CWA at the American Airlines Picket on August 30. 2023. From L-R: Stephen Schembs, Guy Bosworth, Dante Harris, Jhenelle Jacas, Jasmine

Signs from the APFA Picket. From L-R: "Hey Hey, AA where is my boarding pay?" "More work, less pay: it's the AA Way" "Ready To Strike." "AA makes billions. We can't pay rent." "No concessions x3" "Robert, whats the delay? We need a contract TODAY!"

APFA Picket Sign — Picket sign with caption: "Trying to get pAAid."

APFA Flight Attendants chanting "Ready to Strike!"

On August 31, 2023, Jhenelle attended the United Airlines Day of Action picket at Washington Dulles Aiport (IAD) in Washington D.C. Under the banner "Enough is Enough," United Airlines Flight Attendants, supported by their pilots, picketed system-wide to show how displeased they were with the way contract negotiations had gone. United Flight Attendants have been in contract negotiations since 2021 and their pilots, represented by Air Lines Pilot Association, International (ALPA), recently reached a historic agreement after 4 years of negotiations.

Dante Harris, International Secretary-Treasurer of AFA-CWA and a fellow United FA, led the charge in conjunction with the United's Local Executive Council (LEC) at IAD, and was also supported by International Staff Representative at AFA-CWA, Guy Bosworth, and Stephen Schembs, Government Affairs Director of AFA-CWA. Shonelle Waithe, a Norse Cabin Crew Member based in JFK, also came out to support the United FAs.

Members of the APFA also supported their fellow flight attendants based in DC at the picket at IAD. Proving once again that we are all in solidarity, no matter the company we work for, or the union we are represented by.

Norse Crew at United Picket — Shonelle Waithe and Jhenelle Jacas, representing Norse Atlantic Airways, supporting the United Flight Attendant Picket on August 31, 2023

United FAs picket signs — Picket signs from L-R: "Contract now!" "On Hold is Getting Old" "Delay Delay Delay Is Not Ok" "Enough is Enough!" "United Manahement: #1 in Operational Ego" "Straighten Up an Fly Right, United!" When it Rains, United Melts"

United Picket August 31 2023 — Some of the people who participated in the United Airlines picket, Enough is Enough, at IAD on August 31, 2023

We encourage everyone who is able to support any further pickets by our fellow crew members and other unions.

As a reminder, the Writer's Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are still on strike. You can also show up to support them on the picket lines. Not sure where to find the pickets? You can check the WGA strike website and SAG-AFTRA strike website for picket times and locations.