10.24.12 – (LAA) – 2012 National Election Endorsements

 

 

Special APFA Hotline – Decision ’12    10.24.12

Please note: Union dues are never used to support political candidates. APFA has a voluntary PAC (political action committee). For more information and to join the APFA PAC, go to: index.php/732 

On November 6th, millions of Americans will go to the polls to vote, exercising our fundamental right and responsibility as part of a free democracy.  Not only will you be asked to cast your vote in the presidential election, but there are also many important ballot races and issues around the country.

As always, your vote is a personal choice – you decide.  This election cycle, we have increasingly been inundated with television, print, and email advertising from campaigns and special interest groups throughout the country.  The Supreme Court decision of 2010 “Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Committee” provided that corporations could spend unlimited resources for campaign ads in every advertising medium to try and influence our vote – and they are spending in unprecedented amounts.

APFA Government Affairs has evaluated candidates based on issues that are first and foremost important to Flight Attendants.

We know that nationally, union membership has been on a steady decline.  Numerous studies have shown that as union membership decreases, middle class income also decreases—that is why we need to speak with a unified vote.

APFA provides these guidelines for you to consider when you are deciding on a particular candidate. We urge you to ask yourself, which candidate supports issues that are important to Flight Attendants?  How important is it to vote for candidates that represent your best economic interests?  Fortunately, the current slate of candidates  have positions, policy statements and voting records that provide us a clear picture of where they stand on the issues.

OSHA: Do they support safety and health regulations for Flight Attendants at work in the aircraft cabin?

Flight Attendant Fatigue:  Are they willing to support this important piece of legislation that treats Flight Attendants as defined by the Department of Labor, as “essential transportation workers” required for the safe operation of the aircraft?  Pilots now have a comprehensive fatigue policy that requires the airlines to provide reasonable time off.

Union Representation:  Where do they stand on the Employee Free Choice Act that states it will “amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts and for other purposes”?

Bankruptcy Reform:  Do they support bankruptcy reform, including legislation that would prevent corporations from changing venues when filing Chapter 11 in order to favor the corporation to the detriment of the employees?

The APFA Board of Directors along with the Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions, together representing over 90,000 Flight Attendants have jointly endorsed Barack Obama and Joe Biden.    President Obama has demonstrated a commitment to workers by appointing officials that are coordinating with us on these various issues including: Sec. of Labor Hilda Solis and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta (OSHA oversight). Sec. of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, (Known Crew Member).  PBGC Administrator Josh Gotbaum (Flight Attendant pensions and bankruptcy support).  Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood, (strong domestic aviation policy and Next Gen).  Candidate Mitt Romney has gone on record as stating he would appoint a very different group of people from the private sector industry, many of them likely to be anti-union.

The restructuring at American Airlines and subsequent events have required our collective resolve.  We must understand that the choices we make on voting day will determine the course of our future and our nation for years to come.  APFA encourages its members educate themselves on the issues and exercise their right to vote.

The following is a list of some of the candidates APFA has recommended for support based on review of the issues outlined above.  

HOUSE

California

Congresswoman Lois Capps
Congresswoman Janice Hahn
Congressman George Miller
Congresswoman Jackie Speier

Florida  

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balhart
Congressman Ted Deutch
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson

Illinois

Candidate Tammy Duckworth
Candidate Bill Foster
Congressman Dan Lipinski
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

Massachusetts

Candidate Joe Kennedy
Congressman Mike Capuano
Congressman John Tierney

Minnesota

Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Candidate Rick Nolan

New Jersey

Congressman Frank LoBiondo

New York

Congressman Tim Bishop
Congressman Joe Crowley
Congresswoman Kathy Hochul
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney
Candidate Sean Maloney

Ohio

Congresswoman Betty Sutton

Oregon

Congressman Peter DeFazio
Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Tennessee

Congressman Steve Cohen

SENATE

Connecticut

Congressman Chris Murphy

Florida

Senator Bill Nelson

Hawaii

Congresswoman  Mazie Hirono

Massachusetts

Candidate  Elizabeth Warren

Missouri

Senator Claire McCaskill

Montana

Senator Jon Tester

Nevada

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley

Texas

Candidate Paul Sadler

Virginia

Governor Tim Kaine
 
Julie Frederick
APFA Government Affairs Representative
[email protected]