3.24.23 – 2023 APFA Annual Board of Directors Convention Recap

Friday, March 24, 2023

2023 APFA Annual Board of Directors Convention Recap

-National Officer’s Update
–“We Are Ready!” Contract ACTION Team/Negotiations Update
-Distinguished Service Awards
-Election for Executive Committee Ad Hocs 1 & 2

Your APFA Leadership

The APFA Annual Board of Directors Convention was held at the Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas on March 14th-16th, 2023. The meeting opened with the National President’s remarks which addressed topics including:

• Critical point of negotiations- all sections passed.
• Management’s rich profit-sharing program.
• Exorbitant increase in the cost of living.
• Challenges and changes within our careers- verbal and physical attacks are the new normal.
• The importance of organizing and mobilizing.

To view the final agenda for the meeting, click here.

click all photos to enlarge

APFA Board of Directors

L to R (front row): John Pennel (DCA), Tracey Montanari (PHL), Christian Santana (LGA), Scott Hazlewood (CLT), Amber DeRoxtra (DFW).

L to R (front row): Lisa Bales (LAX Vice President), Randy Trautman (MIA), Susan Wroble (ORD), Amy Milenkovic (BOS), Robin Agee (PHX).

National Officer’s Update

The National Officer’s update began with a look back on the history of APFA and the battles fought throughout the year. The presentation focused on Solidarity and Support for the Labor Movement- within our industry and beyond.

Working Together Across the Industry

At the onset of the pandemic, Flight Attendant Unions across the industry, including AFA-CWA and TWU 556, worked together to secure safety protections, healthcare, and compensation. The Payroll Support Program (PSP) was a historic, never before seen program in the industry. The program is credited with saving thousands of jobs across the industry. Flight Attendant Unions were at the forefront of the fight for the Payroll Support Program.

Not only did the PSP keep Flight Attendants connected to their pay and healthcare, but it enabled the company to ramp up staffing more quickly as the pandemic waned.

Pictured: APFA National President Julie Hedrick, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson, and TWU-556 President Lyn Montgomery.

APFA continues to work collaboratively with our Sibling Unions to ensure that Flight Attendant issues are addressed.

Current Issues

What is the PRO Act?

What is the Crown Act?

Workers across industries are fighting to organize. APFA’s first-ever attendance at Labor Notes in 2022 illustrated the need for collaboration and support within the Labor Movement.

“We Are Ready!” Contract ACTION Team/ Negotiations Update

Contract ACTION Team

Contract ACTION Team (CAT) Members facilitate the distribution of Union materials (lanyards, pins, bag tags) and lead the signed-up volunteers in various ACTION items. Their focus is on peer-led face-to-face interactions with Flight Attendants. Terminal walks and visibility will continue monthly.

Thank you to our Contract ACTION Team volunteers for all your work in planning and executing all our past and future days of ACTION!

Contract ACTION Team Leads update the Board of Directors on past and future ACTION events.
L to R: Kai Kamolz (PHL), Alyssa Kovacs (ORD), and Kaitlyn Ziegelbauer (DFW).

Are you ready to join the fight for a fair contract? Join the Contract ACTION Team today by clicking here!

Negotiations Update

The Negotiating Committee gave a comprehensive update on the status of negotiations. All Sections of our Contract have been passed to the company. We are focused on significant improvements to compensation, scheduling, and overall work/life balance.This negotiation process is completely transparent. Please stay up-to-date with the process. To view the status of each section, and the Union and company proposals, visit the Negotiations Status page of the website.

APFA Negotiating Committee Update
L to R: Joe Burns, Lead Negotiating Attorney, Wendy Oswald (LAX), Reese Cole (ORD), Timothy Legeros (MIA), Susan Wroble (ORD), Brian Morgan (PHL), Kelly Hagan (ORD), Julie Hedrick (LAX)

APFA Distinguished Service Award

This year’s APFA Distinguished Service Awards were presented posthumously to Catt Napper (MIA) and Paul Frishkorn (PHL).

Catt Napper most recently advocated for Flight Attendants as a Miami Base Representative and Regional Representative and was passionate about her work in the Grievance Department. Catt knew the importance of mentoring new Union Representatives and was always willing to share her knowledge and experience with others.

APFA’s Distinguished Service Award presented to the family of Catt Napper by MIA Base President Randy Trautman (far left), and National Vice President Larry Salas (LAX, far right).

Paul Frishkorn was a long-time Flight Attendant advocate, serving as the AFA-CWA Health and Benefits Retirement Chair, on the APFA National Health Committee, and as an APFA Regional Representative. Paul was the first Flight Attendant to pass away from COVID-19 and continued to fight for Flight Attendant COVID-19 benefits up until his passing.

APFA’s Distinguished Service Award, presented by APFA National Communications Chair Paul Hartshorn, Jr. (PHL), and accepted on behalf of Paul Frishkorn’s family by APFA Regional Representative Kim Kaswinkel (PHL).

Election for Executive Committee Ad Hocs 1 & 2

The meeting concluded with an election for Executive Committee Ad Hocs 1 and 2. The voting Board of Directors (your Base Presidents) elects the members of the Executive Committee.

Newly Elected Ad Hoc #1: Robert Norvell (MIA)
Newly Elected (returning) Ad Hoc #2: Marcus Gluth (MIA)
Ad Hoc #3: Kerstin Conners (DFW)
Ad Hoc #4: Joseph Seeyle (PHX)
Ad Hoc #5: Brian Morgan (PHL)

Full minutes for this meeting will be published to the APFA website no later than thirty (30) business days after the conclusion of the meeting.

In Solidarity,