Labor Day Means
We Are Stronger and Better Together!
September 2, 2016
Dear Flying Partners,
 As we celebrate this holiday weekend with friends and family at home or with our flying partners at work, remember, Labor Day is OUR day. This U.S. holiday is a celebration of working women and men joining together to collectively bargain for a fair wage, humane schedules, health and safety on the job and benefits that allow us to care for our families. We are not motivated by golden parachutes that pay whether we perform our jobs well or not; we are moved by the pride we take in a job well done, the means to provide for our families and the joy we feel when taking care of others. Unions allow us to take care of each other.
Please watch this Labor Day video message >
We are powerful when we stand together. Our industry has changed drastically in recent years through mega mergers promoted on the idea that joining together creates strength. Yet, Flight Attendants and other aviation workers have been set up to believe that we are in competition with each other.
These distractions – this pitting of Flight Attendants against each other – keep us from tackling issues of inequality. United, American, Delta and Alaska charge the same ticket price for each route, but define the value of a Flight Attendant job as 45% less if the work is performed on a regional carrier. When management determines which routes are regional our value is cut in half. We must Bridge the Gap to mend this incredible vulnerability in our careers and ensure all of aviation’s first responders are equally compensated for our work.
Meanwhile, multi-national corporate thieves are attempting to change the rules for international aviation to outsource all of our jobs to countries without the most basic labor standards. We can’t waste another minute to find common ground and take on these issues stronger and better together.
Unity can achieve real results. This requires embracing each other, our varied histories and our common goals. It's never about competition between the workers – it's always about the latest business model and the legal loopholes bought by those who leverage money in politics. How do we stand up against that kind of paid-for power? We unite to strengthen our voice as the work group with more public contact than any other in the world. We exercise our right to cast a vote for our families. We build our power by focusing on all that we have in common, which is so much more than anything that may seem different.
Video About Building Our Power >
This Labor Day, you can make a difference through a simple action. Take time to recognize the contributions of a flying partner: every voice, every action by one has meaning for us all. Tell someone – thank you, it's nice to work with you. The truth is, being together is the best part of this job. Happy Labor Day!
We are Stronger and Better Together.
Thank You and Fly Safe,
Sara
We Will Never Forget
Dear Flying Partners:
This month we will mark 15 years since the events of September 11, 2001. We honor our fallen Sisters and Brothers by keeping their memory alive. Our union encourages Flight Attendants around the globe to wear a black ribbon under your AFA pin and join us for a moment of silence and quiet reflection at 8:46 AM Eastern Time on Sunday, September 11th. This year, we also begin a new tradition of the AFA Honor Guard in uniform at our three national memorials. These Flight Attendants will be a reminder of the sacrifice of our Sisters and Brothers. Members of the AFA Honor Guard have worked diligently to advance our legislative agenda to Never Forget. To become eligible for membership, volunteer for our Never Forget initiatives throughout the year to serve in future.
On September 11th, 2016, AFA leaders, members and Honor Guard will be present in uniform at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, the Flight 93 Chapel, the Memorial in Shanksville, and other memorial events around the country. Please visit AFA's online memorial page for a listing of remembrance and memorial events, share your tributes, and honor the 35 crewmembers and agents aboard those four fateful flights.
We will NEVER forget our flying partners who were among the first to alert us to danger and courageously fought back.
United 93: Lorraine Bay, Sandra Bradshaw, Wanda Green, CeeCee Lyles, Deborah Welsh, Capt. Jason Dahl, F/O Leroy Homer.
United 175: Robert Fangman, Amy Jarret, Amy King, Kathryn Laborie, Al Marchand, Michael Tarrou, Alicia Titus, Capt. Victor Saracini, F/O Michael Horrocks, CSR Marianne Mac Farlane, CSR Jesus Sanchez.
American 11: Barbara Arestegui, Jeffrey Collman, Sara Low, Karen Martin, Kathleen Nicosia, Betty Ong, Jean Roger, Dianne Snyder, Madeline Sweeney, Capt. John Ogonowski, F/O Thomas McGuinness.
American 77: Michelle Heidenberger, Jennifer Lewis, Kenneth Lewis, Renee May, Capt. Charles Burlingame, F/O David Charlebois.
Many of us have our own personal experiences and memories from that day which will be imprinted in our minds forever. Some of these experiences and memories rekindle emotions that are difficult to deal with, but know that we have each other to rely on. As Flight Attendants we are part of a huge family of unique safety professionals that provide each other with comfort and support each and every day. AFA EAP is always available to assist members who may need to talk or obtain other resources. Council 12 EAP can be contacted by emailing EAP@afalax.org or calling an EAP Representative using the Council 12 Roster at www.afalax.org.
Our colleagues we lost 15 years ago will forever be in our hearts.
In Solidarity,
Dante Harris, President
Lynn Statham, Vice President
John Palumbo, Secretary
Rakiya Ruiz, Council Rep
AFA-CWA Council 12 - LAX
NYFD Retirees of Southern California USS Midway 9-11 Memorial
Location: USS Midway 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, California
Date/Time: Sept. 11th, 2016 12:00pm
Details: This annual memorial tribute is hosted by the New York Fire Dept. Retirees of California and will include Presentation of the Colors, Pipes & Drums, Honor Guards from the San Diego FD, Helicopter Flyover, 21 Gun Salute, Orange County FD, US Marine Corps, US Border Patrol, the Singing of the Star Spangled Banner, Taps and the reading of the names.
For more events near you, go to We Remember and Never Forget! |
