Latest News

Zoom Update/Union Committee Information - March 26, 2023

26 Mar, 2023

Dear Norse Cabin Crew,

Your new AFA MEC Officers will host a Zoom Update this Wednesday March 29th at 1700 Eastern Time. On this call we will introduce the new AFA MEC Officers, provide a general update, and discuss Union committees.

You can join the Zoom call HERE

Short descriptions and requirements of the Union committees are below. We also added a description for the Human Rights Equity (HRE) Committee which we left out in previous communications.

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)

Acts in an advisory role to the MEC Officers on safety matters
Studies air safety and health problems and prepares recommendations to be presented to the MEC Officers for consideration
Reviews material, handles correspondence, and keeps the Members well informed of current safety developments. Provides information to the Communications Committee for inclusion in Union communications.
Attends management debriefings when safety related issues are discussed

The HSE Committee will help cabin crew with:

Concerns or reports of safety, health, or security hazards onboard the aircraft and in other work locations
Obtaining resources and information from the AFA International Air Safety, Health, & Security Department
Filling out Safety reports

Benefits

This Committee shall act in an advisory role to the MEC Officers in connection with all benefit matters including Medical Insurance, Retirement, Travel, and Leaves of Absence.
Shall be knowledgeable in current contractually provided insurance programs, leaves of absence and occupational benefits.
Shall have a working knowledge of the state worker’s compensation laws of the states in which there are domicile locations.
Be responsible for researching and recommending improvements in present programs through collective bargaining (contract negotiations) and any other means.
Keep the membership informed of all benefits and any changes in company, legislative or judicial policy regarding occupational injuries or illnesses.
Knowledgeable about the Flight Attendant Short- and Long-Term policies and how they integrate with other occupational benefits.
Knowledgeable about benefits associated with permanent disabilities.
Knowledgeable about the Company's Health Insurance Plan, Retirement Plan, and Staff Travel Policy.
Review material, handle correspondence and keep the MEC Chairs well informed of current benefit developments

Communications

Attend monthly Communications Committee meetings.
Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.
Organizational skills
Written, digital & spoken communication skills.
- Ability to edit and proof communications
- Graphic design
Ability to work on short notice and deliver quick turnaround times
Knowledge of computer software including Microsoft Suite and Google Workspace
Knowledge of web design, development, and maintenance.
Membership Engagement
- Conduct interviews, polling, and surveys and gather information.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Assessment, Support, and Referral Services
Assist members in identifying and developing an action plan to address personal and work-related concerns
Provide support to a troubled flight attendant during the problem resolution process
When professional services or resources are required, identify an appropriate referral(s) and facilitates the trouble flight attendant successful linkage to it
Professional Standards
Offer a range of conflict resolution strategies, skills, and support to help co-workers resolve disputes among themselves without the need of management intervention
Critical Incident Response
Offer and/or coordinate a range of critical incident stress management services to promote and accelerate recovery in the aftermath of traumatic and/or critical incidents, both on and off the job

The EAP and Professional Standards Committee helps Flight Attendants with:

Personal and work problems
Support after a critical incident
Assistance in conflict situations with coworkers (F/A and pilots)

Government Affairs

AFA Government Affairs Committee lobbies members of Congress and organizes grassroots member activism around the issues that matter most to Flight Attendants. AFA is frequently invited to provide expert advice on Flight Attendant issues and to give testimony on behalf of our members in congressional hearings. The AFA Government Affairs Department and our extensive network of Flight Attendant activists influence decisions made at the highest levels of government that directly impact our profession.

When AFA successfully shepherds a Flight Attendant issue through the legislative process until it is enacted into law, we can take it off of the negotiating table and use our leverage to obtain other contractual gains.

Grievance

Enforce the contract
Represent all Flight Attendants when unjust discipline is issued
Collect evidence and establish that the alleged violation has occurred. Solicit documentation as needed.
Clearly and persuasively explain the union’s position concerning a grievance
Ensure that time limits are met for filing
File grievances
Handle initial grievance hearings; report the results to the MEC Officers and the grievant
Keep complete files on assigned cases
Assist union attorneys in preparing grievances for System Board
Keep the grievant informed about the processing of his/her grievance
Review material, handle correspondence, and keep the MEC Officers well informed of current grievance developments
Communicate regularly with the membership about decisions on local grievances—promote wins and explain ramifications of a loss
Write grievance articles for local membership communications upon request by the MEC Officers

Hotel & Transportation

Act in an advisory role regarding hotel and transportation issues
Monitor and investigate Flight Attendant write-ups of issues involving hotels, transportation, and any associated safety concerns
Review current and potential future layover sites for compliance with contract language
Coordinate with the Grievance Committee regarding any possible contractual violations concerning hotel or transportation issues on members’ behalf
Attend management briefings and coordinate with management counterparts regarding union input to potential future accommodations

The Hotel Committee helps Flight Attendants with:

Concerns about hotels and transportation providers
Providing information about hotels and the hotel selection process

Human Rights Equity (HRE)

Must be committed to the study of human rights, civil rights women rights, equality through economic and social justice for all workers, diversity, racism, and discrimination.
Should have experience in, or express a strong interest in learning, organizing and possess the skills necessary to support and participate in union campaigns.
Assist Local Councils in creating a safe space 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.
Will increase the credibility and the strength of the Local Human Rights Committees will actively partner with progressive community allies to build activism and power through training, organizing and political action.
Will strive to include the broader community in our local struggle for justice, democracy, dignity, and respect for all.
Provide support for work on union campaigns and programs including collective bargaining, organizing, voter registration information and get out the vote drives, informing members on legislation that impacts working men and women and community service and outreach programs.
Inform the membership on laws and protections affecting them.
Work closely with State and National Civil Rights and Equity and Women’s Committee Representatives.
The committee is charged with responsibility for 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.

New Hire

The committee's primary responsibility is the protection of all New Hire Flight Attendants against contract violations, and to provide guidance to New Hires while on probation. New Hire Representatives:

Educate and assist with interpreting our CBA.
Assist New Hires with how to use all company systems and software programs including email, training, scheduling, and safety.
Document, monitor, and follow up with new hire interactions and concerns and report them to MEC Officers.
Educate New Hires on where and who to contact for help in resolving different issues.

Scheduling (no openings)

Act in an advisory role to the MEC Officers regarding scheduling issues
Actively gather information and engage Flight Attendants in discussion to determine their suggestions for future pairings.
Keep records of such discussions in order to be responsive to the needs and wants of the members.
Establish history of schedules.
Retain monthly schedules, bid awards, staffing numbers, total monthly hours, reserve ratios, and other pertinent information thus building documentation for potential grievances.
Provide Flight Attendant input to Crew Planning during the pairing construction process.
Ensure the best possible balance of pairing types to represent the needs and wants of the members.
Represent the unique needs of the domiciles with Crew Planning
Answer Flight Attendant questions regarding the pairing and line construction process
Discuss any scheduling problems or concerns with management
Actively monitor management to ensure that established rules and procedures are complied with and that the collective bargaining agreement is not violated. Immediately report any violations or suspected violations to the MEC President.
Actively communicate information of interest to the Flight Attendants. Provide a summary of current staffing and scheduling information to the Communications Committee for inclusion in Union communications.

The Scheduling Committee helps Flight Attendants with:

Questions about how pairings are constructed
Comments and feedback about pairings and suggestions for future pairings

Uniform

Act in an advisory role to the MEC Officers regarding uniform issues
Ensure current contract language is followed regarding uniforms
Monitor and investigate Flight Attendant write-ups of issues involving uniforms
Answer Flight Attendant inquiries regarding uniform items, changes, etc.
Attend management briefings and coordinate with management counterparts regarding union input to potential uniform changes
Review material, handle correspondence, and Members well informed of current uniform developments through the Communications Committee and reports at Union meetings

The Uniform Committee helps Flight Attendants with: