APR 15 - Avelo Flight Attendants sent a message to their management and anyone thinking of starting an airline: we want respect and fairness from the start.
Washington, DC (April 13, 2022) —Today, six months after Avelo Flight Attendants filed for an election with super majority support, the National Mediation Board (NMB) announced that they have voted to form a union with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA).
“Avelo Flight Attendants sent a message to their management and anyone thinking of starting an airline: we want respect and fairness from the start,” said International President Sara Nelson. “The Flight Attendants will elect representatives from among their ranks and dig into the work of preparing for contract negotiations based on the priorities set by all Avelo Flight Attendants. As part of AFA, they have experts to work with them through the collective bargaining process and the full strength of our Flight Attendant union behind them every step of the way.”
Avelo Flight Attendants have faced an aggressive anti-union campaign run by management with consultants from Jones Day, even as working conditions at the startup airline have led to some of the highest turnover rates in the industry. Flight Attendants first filed for recognition with the NMB in October 2021. However, due to Senate Republicans blocking President Biden’s NMB nominees and frivolous delay-tactic filings by Avelo, the election was not scheduled for months.
Avelo Flight Attendants immediately delivered the official letter from AFA requesting that management enter negotiations and express their desire to work collaboratively with management to address retention issues.
“Avelo Flight Attendants showed incredible courage and solidarity in the face of an aggressive anti-union campaign,” Nelson said. “Now, it is time for Avelo management to stop wasting time and money fighting its workers and collaborate with them to lock in a contract that respects workers and strengthens the airline. Our entire Flight Attendant family stands with Avelo AFA crew to help them secure the rights, protections and benefits they deserve.”
