3.09.20 – Update from APFA National President, Lori Bassani

Monday, March 9, 2020

Update from APFA National President, Lori Bassani

Hello Fellow Flight Attendants,

This week will be a busy week at APFA Headquarters! We are hosting New Hire Class 20-01, and they are just a couple weeks away from flying their first trips. Welcome to the 126 new AA Flight Attendants, who will be joining us on March 24 in these base cities: BOS-18, CLT-11, DCA-7, LGA-9, MIA-46, ORD-1, PHL-32, SFO-2.

Speaking of New Hires, it is unfortunate news that the Company has postponed classes 20-7 through 20-11 due to the current Covid-19 situation. We look forward to welcoming all of them in the near future.

Last week, the APFA held its Annual Convention in Los Angeles where the Board of Directors took care of business such as Ad Hoc Elections, seating a new Balloting Committee, and passing the 2021 Year End Fiscal Budget. Congratulations to Ad Hoc Steve Watson for another 3-year term and to Ad Hoc Marcus Gluth who took the place of George Price. Thank you for your service, George. Highlights included presentations for special awards, including an honorary APFA award to Debbie Hoover, UAW staff for 20 years; and our Martha W. Griffiths recipients, Patrick Hancock, Steve Watson, Randy Trautman, and John Nikides, who received a special congratulatory phone call from legendary former AA Flight Attendant Barbara “Dusty” Roads.

Dusty regaled us with stories of Congressional Representative Martha Griffiths, who was a good friend of hers during the times of civil unrest and women’s rights struggles. Both Martha and Dusty were instrumental in the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964, the fight against age and sex discrimination, and fought for Flight Attendants’ right to be married and bear children. While accepting his award, Patrick Hancock surprised us with the fact that he was a Congressional staff aide for Martha Griffiths in the mid-’80s. Things sure come full circle, don’t they? With more than 100 years of Union experience among them, we are grateful for the years of continued sacrifice and service to our members by Patrick, Steve, Randy, and John. Well-deserved and well done!

In order to be proactive with the current Coronavirus crisis, I appointed a voluntary task force during the Convention to address this fluid situation and how it may impact our workforce. Our main focus is mitigating and minimizing the risk to the health of our members, their families, and our passengers. However, we are very concerned with customers’ fear of traveling and the resultant loss of flights and scheduling hours. We are in close contact with the Company and will do all possible to mitigate any negative impact on our jobs. Please visit our website for constant updates to the Covid-19. Click here to read the latest updates on www.apfa.org.

Today, your newly elected National Officers will be announced. We appreciate all of the candidates who stepped forward to serve their Union and congratulate the Officers-Elect who will assume office on April 1, 2020, for a four-year term ending March 31, 2024.

By the way, you all look fabulous out there sporting the new uniforms! Wear your Union pins proudly and fly safe.

In Unity and Solidarity,

Lori L. Bassani
APFA National President