10.04.20 – Payroll Support Extension Update – October 4, 2020

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Update – Payroll Support Program

Hello Everyone,

First, I want to acknowledge the emotional toll this process is having on our most junior Flight Attendants. Our potentially furloughed members need to make difficult decisions- decisions on moving, beginning new career opportunities, and planning finances and healthcare for themselves and their families. This extension did not need to drag on in this manner- especially with the broad bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress.

Talks on a Payroll Support Program (PSP) extension as well as an overall COVID-19 Stimulus Bill in Washington, D.C. are ongoing. Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin are continuing to try to bridge the cost gap this weekend, and talks are moving forward, including discussions with Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell. Leader McConnell and President Trump have both voiced strong support for a bill. Labor Unions are united in this fight, as are airlines CEOs, and we will continue to advocate on behalf of all aviation workers until this is done.

While it may seem as if your calls, tweets, and emails are not working, they are actually quite effective. Your elected representatives take direction from you, and what counts is the volume of messages they receive. To date, APFA members have sent over 65,000 calls, tweets, and emails to elected representatives. Together with members from all Labor Unions and supporters across the country, the sheer volume of correspondence has moved our leaders to take action. You have moved our leaders to ask airline CEOs to reinstate furloughees if an agreement is reached this week. Your action has painted a clear picture of the necessity of an extension.

Keep writing, calling, and tweeting.

Contact your elected representatives here. 

Tweet your Congresspeople here.

I also would like to recognize those Flight Attendants facing furlough who took the time to speak with the media last week. Sharing your stories and heartache with America offers an important human side to this unnecessary and inexcusable delay in keeping real Americans connected to pay and healthcare during a pandemic, and for that, I truly thank you.

Please take care of each other, and stay tuned as events unfold.

In Solidarity,

Julie Hedrick
APFA National President
[email protected]