Local Council Elections
AFA-CWA Local Executive Council elections are important because you determine the representatives for your Local Council
that will support you and every Member in the Council. Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents are Members of AFA's
governing Board of Directors (BOD). As such, elect International AFA-CWA Officers, determine the budget, oversee
all Union activities and where necessary to accomplish the goals of the Union based on the priorities of the Membership
take action to amend AFA-CWA's Constitution and Bylaws.
Election Categories
Each Local Council in AFA-CWA is assigned to an Election Category; airlines with more than one Local Council are assigned
to one of three Election Categories as evenly as possible.
ELECTION CATEGORY I
Current Office:
1/1/20 - 12/31/22 |
ELECTION CATEGORY II
Current Office:
7/1/20 – 6/30/23 |
ELECTION CATEGORY III
Current Office:
7/1/19 – 6/30/22 |
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EWR Council 6
LHR Council 7
LAX Council 12
HNL Council 14
DCA Council 21
BOS Council 27
|
LAS Council 25
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ORD Council 8
DEN Council 9
SFO Council 11
IAH Council 42
CLE Council 63
GUM Council 65
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When do elections begin?
Local Council elections begin approximately six months prior to the end of the current office term and are completed
three months before the new term begins in order to allow for an orderly transition period. AFA-CWA Members will
receive nomination ballot information from the AFA International Office. Remember, only Flight Attendants who are
AFA Members in good standing are eligible to participate in the process. The Local Council Officer positions open
for the nomination process are: LEC President, LEC Vice-President, LEC Secretary and Council Representative(s).
Who can run for office?
Under the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws, candidates for LEC office must be Members in good standing of the Council
where the election is scheduled at the time of the nomination and election. Candidates should also be committed
to all their representational responsibilities and must be able to volunteer off-duty hours to their elected post.
How are officers elected?
AFA-CWA's Constitution and Bylaws provides for a two-step secret-ballot process, both accomplished by electronic ballot.
The first step is distribution of a nomination ballot on which you indicate the name of your nominee. You are
required to ensure that the person you nominate wishes to serve in the position. The second step in the process
is the distribution of the election ballot which bears the names of all nominees who received at least two nomination
votes and who have indicated their willingness to serve. The nomination process is like a primary election,
while the election process is like a general election.
| Step One: Nominations |
Step Two: Election Conducted |
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Generally, it is best for candidates to make the decision to run and inform fellow flying partners and supporters
of that decision, before the nomination ballot information is sent out to Council Members. Members in good
standing are eligible to nominate up to one person for each of the elective positions at their Local Council.
Candidates must receive at least two nominations in order to appear on the election ballot.
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AFA-CWA election procedures protect the secrecy of Member's votes. Just prior to polls opening, Members will
receive via mail a Voting Notice and Instructions (VNI). A Member must activate their assigned Voter ID
(VIN) and Personal ID (PIN) in order to vote. These numbers should be kept in a secure place to prevent
your voting right from being compromised. The electronic voting process is run through a third-party company,
so no one at AFA or the ballot company knows any Member's VIN or PIN.
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How are campaigns run?
Candidates must use their off-duty hours to campaign. Candidates may enlist a fellow Flight Attendant as a campaign
coordinator. Campaign expenses such as telephone calls, special mailings, fliers, etc.- must be paid out of
personal funds. Donations from friends, family members and flying partners are permitted, but careful records
should be kept of all campaign contributions. The AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws permits AFA to assist Members'
election campaigns in three ways:
- by distributing campaign literature (at the candidates' expense),
- by posting resumes on AFA-CWA bulletin boards space permitting, and
- by providing opportunities to address Members at Union meetings.
If assistance is provided by AFA-CWA, all candidates must be treated equally. If you have additional questions
regarding nomination, election, or campaign procedures, please feel free to contact the office of the AFA-CWA International
Secretary-Treasurer in Washington, DC. at:
Association of Flight Attendants- CWA
501 3rd St NW # 1
Washington, DC 20001
Or for more information about AFA-CWA Local Council elections, visit the
AFA International Membership Election Information page.
Get Involved!
AFA is your Union, and it depends on input from Members. If you are interested in becoming a Union leader, run
for office. If not, you are encouraged to stay informed about the issues that affect your job, attend Union
meetings and above all, vote!
If you have any questions about election process or you need to request a duplicate ballot, call the
AFA-CWA Ballot Helpline at 800-424-2401, extension 706.