10.20.23 – 2023 Fall Board of Directors Meeting Recap

2023 Fall Board of Directors
Meeting Recap

Friday, October 20, 2023

• National Officer’s Update: Building Solidarity for an Industry Leading Contract
• Negotiations Update
• Honorary Member: APFA Staff Member David Ray, Database Administrator
• Honorary Member: Former Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR)

The APFA Fall Board of Directors meeting was called to order on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at APFA Headquarters. Below are some highlights from the three-day meeting. Full details and all resolutions will be available no later than thirty (30) business days after the conclusion of the meeting.

The final agenda for the meeting may be found here.

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National Officer’s Update

The National Officer’s Update opened with a review of the timeline of negotiations after the pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since negotiations resumed in 2021, the Union’s collective focus has been on mobilizing Members to engage in the process through training, unprecedented transparency, and a strong, active, engaged Contract Action Team.

(click all images to enlarge)

During these negotiations, our Union is doing things differently:

• Including your Base Presidents along the way. Your Base Presidents are your elected leaders on the local level and bring unique perspectives. They have been fully engaged with your negotiators throughout the process.
• Full transparency. In past negotiations, we’ve only been privy to a complete tentative agreement at the end of the bargaining process, which results in approximately thirty days and one roadshow to digest information. Today, Flight Attendants are engaged and informed and have a front-row seat as the process plays out. Transparency brings each Member along during the process.
• A united Labor front. Our 99.47% strike authorization vote makes it clear that Flight Attendants are ready to strike, and while waiting is frustrating, we must be strategic in bargaining. Our Union Siblings at the Writer’s Guild/ SAG-AFTRA, United Autoworkers, and Labor Notes empower us in the fight against corporate greed. At the table, we must narrow our issues and be strategic with the political and economic dimensions that come with the release requirement from the National Mediation Board– something unique to transportation Unions.
• Supporting Flight Attendants in our shared struggle. Flight Attendants at Alaska, American, Southwest, United, and smaller carriers are in similar fights to preserve and expand work rules and to break out of a shared industry-wide economic framework that seeks to limit what Flight Attendants can earn. We will need the support of the entire Labor Movement and are keeping our elected officials in Washington, DC, updated on our fight.

Flight Attendants systemwide and industry-wide, along with Union workers across industries and occupations, have come together at four systemwide pickets. These pickets not only show management that We Are Ready!, but they keep our Union Siblings, the media, and our customers updated on our fight against management. We must continue to engage through pickets and other displays of solidarity. This battle is not over, and we need everyone standing behind our negotiators at the bargaining table.

Make a plan to join a picket line on Thursday, November 16th!

Our Contract Action Team (CAT) has been instrumental in preparing us for a tentative agreement or a request to release to strike. Our workforce is always ‘on the go,’ and face-to-face interactions with crews and CAT Members have proven invaluable. Dedicated Members support our local and national leadership through terminal walks, securing permits and logistics for our systemwide pickets, and local elected officials and Sibling Union outreach.

Whether we are on the verge of securing a tentative agreement or stepping onto the path leading to a strike, our collective power will be in our solidarity. Every member of our Union plays a vital role in this journey, so please stay informed and engaged.

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Negotiations Update

During the meeting, your Base Presidents received a comprehensive update on all items negotiated and the key open bargaining issues still on the table. Details are available on the negotiations status page of the APFA website and the 36 negotiations updates released thus far.

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Honoring David Ray, APFA Database Administrator

During this meeting, APFA honored David Ray, APFA Database Administrator, for his skills with data collection, UnionWare, and PowerBI. David has worked for APFA for 28 years and is an essential resource to our Union and the Labor Movement. As we have stated in previous communications, it is “all about the data,” — David’s knowledge, experience, and innovation help us fight management through data analysis.

David Ray, APFA Database Administrator

David has provided APFA with invaluable data and IT guidance over the years. David’s Honorary Membership in our Union will be immediate and will be recognized at the 2024 Annual Convention.

Thank you, David, for your hard work on our behalf.

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Honorary Member: U.S. House Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR)

APFA also recognized former U.S. House Representative Peter DeFazio as an unparalleled aviation ally in the U.S. Congress. Mr. DeFazio was first elected in 1987, later serving as Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee until his retirement in 2023.

U.S. House Representative Peter DeFazio
Photo courtesy: New York Times

Throughout his career in public service, Mr. DeFazio proved himself a tireless advocate for working people, never hesitating to stand up to powerful corporations. He legislated with principle, demonstrated an in-depth understanding of complex issues, and used strategic wit to pass our priorities through Congress. Without Mr. DeFazio as an advocate, Flight Attendants would not have achieved the 10-hour FAR minimum rest regulation. His leadership was also instrumental in Flight Attendant and aviation safety issues such as increasing fines and penalties for disruptive passengers, advancing cabin air safety provisions, introducing sexual harassment legislation to protect transportation workers, implementing COVID-19 worker safety requirements, overseeing reforms needed in the wake of the Boeing 737-MAX crisis, and pushing back on ‘Flags of Convenience’ schemes that aimed to undercut organized labor.

The APFA Board of Directors recognizes the contributions and accomplishments throughout Mr. DeFazio’s many years of leadership on Capitol Hill. Through the resolution passed at the Fall 2023 Board of Directors Meeting, APFA bestows former Chairman Peter DeFazio honorary membership to the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

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The upcoming meeting minutes will include information on New Business items, and the Department Reports will be posted for membership viewing.

In Solidarity,