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Delta AFA Flight Attendant Hotline 1/15/2007
Today is Monday, January 15th and this is an updated hotline message for all Delta Air Lines flight attendants. NYC flight attendant and AFA supporter, Andrea Taylor reporting...
Why I want a union of, by and for Delta flight attendants.
Not only do I believe it's time we had legal protection in case of a merger, but I also believe it's time that Delta flight attendants had a voice in how our lives, and the lives of our families, are affected by not having a union.
It's time Delta flight attendants took an active and meaningful role in the future of Delta Air Lines and our industry as a whole. Too long have we had no power in our direct worklives, while reaping the benefits that AFA has succeeding in achieving for our profession. For example, did you know AFA is primarily responsible for accomplishing the following milestones in our industry:
- 1968 - When the average career lasted 18 months, AFA defeated the airline industry requirement that flight attendants resign at age 30 or 35.
- 1971 - AFA won a court ruling making it illegal to not hire males. The same year, AFA overturned United Airlines' no-marriage rule.
- 1975 - AFA challenged the requirement that flight attendants stop working when pregnant.
- 1979 - AFA wins the battle of flight attendant "weight" requirements.
- 1981 - AFA wins nation-wide campaign to kill the FAA's plan to reduce the number of required flight attendants on commercial aircraft.
- 1984 - AFA wins many new FAA rules (floor level exit lights, less flammable cabin interiors and many more workplace safety improvements).
- 1987 - After years of pressure, AFA gets the FAA to limit number of passenger carry on baggage
- 1988 - AFA wins smoking ban lobbying effort.
- 1990 - AFA petitions for OSHA protection, smoking ban now in effect for all domestic flights.
- 2000 - AFA achieves several major victories; whistle-blower protection, int'l. smoking ban, cabin air quality study & begins OSHA campaign.
- 2001 - In the wake of 9-11 attacks, killing 25 flight attendants, AFA leaders descended on Capitol Hill to lobby for security legislation.
- 2003 - Congress passes flight attendant certification after years of pressure from AFA.
As you can see, AFA has been shaping our industry not only in the halls of Congress, but also at the bargaining table. Here at Delta, we have seen our pay, benefits, work rules, retirement, and now possibly our job security slip away. We have done this silently because we don't have the ability to speak with a legal voice.
A voice can only come with the legal recognition of a union and a collective bargaining agreement. Such voice is the only way we can stand together; stand up for our rights; and stand up against the wrongs that have been thrust upon us.
A voice brings respect. A voice brings us to the table and makes our jobs and our interests relevant. With a voice we have a say in our future. Without a voice, our future is unknown and we are vulnerable.
It is not only our right to achieve a voice, it is our responsibility to ourselves and to our families. Today, I ask you to become involved. There is too much at stake to remain silent. To stand back and silently watch a few people make decisions that affect all of us is unacceptable. We owe it to ourselves, to our peers, to our families and to our profession to demand a say in our futures.
It is irresponsible and unprofessional to expect others to choose our path for us. We must be a part of the future of our company and our industry. Will you stand up and join me? Will you sign your AFA card? Will you get your friends to sign theirs? Will you become an activist? Will you join the discussions on www.itstimedelta.net ? Will you do it without fear because it is your right and your responsibility? Send an email to deltaorganizing@deltaafa.org and let us know where you stand on these questions.
The future is now in your hands.
This concludes the hotline message. This message will be updated next week or sooner if necessary.
Until then, take care of each other and remember...it's time!
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