EMILY & KASSIE FOR NYC

Union members deserve to know how your leadership is working for you. That's why we're committed to putting out regular base briefs communicating what is happening in NYC.

We all deserve a union we can rely on for support and factual information when we need it most. Were dedicated to being there for you and getting back to you within 24 hours.

We are stronger together! We've worked hard on the contract action team to build unity within our membership, and we aren't done yet. We have plans to continue building unity to harness our power and make meaningful change for flight attendants in New York.

The labor movement is strong, and were stronger when we're connected to them. We've built relationships with other labor unions and elected officials and will continue to collaborate on topics that matter to flight attendants.

This base cannot be run alone. We’re committed to building a strong coalition to serve the membership of New York, including opportunities for members to get involved with the union.

• 24 Hour Response Time
• Consistent base-wide communication
• Increased availability of base reps

In a 24/7 operation in the city that never sleeps, you should be able to reach union representation when you need it. Our existing reps work hard to support their fellow crew members, and we commit to taking that even further. You’ll receive a response within 24 hours of contacting local council. Period. We might not have answers for you yet, but you won’t be left in the dark wondering if your communication has reached anyone.

Members have the right to know how their elected representatives are working on their behalf. We will publish regular base briefs detailing the work our team is doing for NYC, including the number of open and completed grievances, and remain accountable to our members. If we are seeing the same problem come up consistently, that presents an opportunity to equip flight attendants with tools to prevent these problems and stand their ground on contractual violations.

• Increased number of active base reps
• Increased opportunities for union involvement and collaboration

We will foster a culture of collaboration and inclusion, and grow the team that NYC needs. Within the first 6 months of taking office, we will further build and invest in our team of Base Council Representatives. This will create opportunities for more members to get involved, share the workload equitably while increasing coverage and availability for our members, and ensure that every member who needs it receives unbiased, efficient, and timely representation.

• Contract training and resources, grievance workshops
• Identify contract specialists for quick answers to contract questions
• Empower future leaders of APFA

We’ll always have your back. One of the most important ways we will do that is by empowering you with the confidence to know, use, and enforce our contract yourself. Through live contract trainings, workshops, and helping you understand the hows and whys of the grievance process, we will become an even more united and educated workforce.

Make no mistake. In the current political climate, the bastions of corporate greed will feel emboldened. But “Inform, don’t enforce” is for passengers using the lav when the seatbelt sign is on. It isn’t for management thinking they can get away with trampling the rights of workers. We’re going to have to be smart, savvy, and stick together. But we can do it.

Change in leadership can present a challenge with lost knowledge in administration turnover. That is why we are dedicated to empowering the next generation of union leaders so knowledge is not lost. Succession planning starting on day one is necessary to ensure the future leaders of APFA are prepared to take on the company. We are committed to true, member-first, member-led democracy, not a clique accessible to only a select few.

• Streamline and demystify state wide benefits

One of the ways NYC is uniquely positioned to fight back against management’s attempts to encroach on the well-being of labor are the protections afforded to us by NY State and the City. There are unique programs available to NYC flight attendants, like New York Paid Family Leave, New York Paid Prenatal Leave, and New York Maternity Disability.

The problem is knowing how to navigate and combine these programs with existing contractual and company provisions. We will have a dedicated health and maternity coordinator on our team to help synthesize the options into a cohesive plan of action tailored to each flight attendant’s specific needs.

Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or sick sibling, are navigating reproductive health issues, or in the midst of adoption, you have options and resources. We know what it’s like to cry on the phone with MetLife, trying to get paid so you can pay rent, while your newborn is screaming in the hospital bed next to you. You shouldn’t have to do that alone.

• Engage with the larger labor movement
• Lobby elected officials for legislation benefiting flight attendants

While our primary responsibility will always be to the flight attendants of NYC, we’ve seen through our recent contract fight that the labor movement is stronger when we all stick together. We’ve worked hard to develop relationships with fellow labor leaders and elected officials. We intend to leverage these relationships to strengthen the labor movement and get laws passed that benefit both flight attendants and all other workers in New York.