9.29.21 – Government Shutdown Looming

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Government Shutdown Looming

If Congress does not act before midnight on Friday, October 1st, the federal government will shut down.

We’ve seen this before. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, 40% of the workers at the Federal Aviation Administration, including the agency’s safety inspectors, were furloughed, and that could happen again. In addition to the FAA furloughs, air traffic controllers and TSA employees could be forced to work without pay, unnecessarily burdening these employees and their families. A shutdown will make our jobs and our industry less safe.

We must contact our Representatives and Senators today to demand that they do all possible to avoid a shutdown of the government. You may reach your Representative and your two Senators through the Capitol Switchboard:

(202) 224-3121

Sample Script:

Dear Representative/ Senator_______,

I am an American Airlines Flight Attendant and your constituent. It is imperative that you fund the government and avoid another shutdown, which would make my job less safe. In addition, the passage of the bipartisan American Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act will ensure that our infrastructure will improve and our economy will thrive into the future. Thank you.

How does the Build Back Better Act affect Flight Attendants?

Some of the issues addressed in the Build Back Better Act that affect the aviation industry include:

• Expanding Family and Medical Leave Act: provide every worker with up to 12 weeks of equitable paid leave for ourselves and loved ones.
• Union dues once again tax-deductible for all workers, something that was lost during the tax cuts from the previous administration.
• Expanded early voting rights, which guarantees Flight Attendant the ability to cast a vote if we are flying on election day.
• Expanded Labor Rights- easing the requirements to form Unions and encouraging proactive collective bargaining.

Please take a moment to contact your Representative and Senators today.

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
APFA Government Affairs Representative

Lori Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representative

[email protected]