6.08.23 – APFA BOS Base Brief – Urge Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell To Take ACTION!

Urge Massachusetts Attorney General
Andrea Campbell to Take ACTION!

Thursday, June 8, 2023

On June 2, 2023, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law (MESTL) would no longer apply to airlines. On April 4, 2018, a lawsuit was filed by Airlines for America (A4A) claiming that MESTL caused airline employees to abuse sick time, which in turn caused delays and cancellations of flights.

American Inflight management claims that they are here to support our workforce, but in the courtroom, testimony revealed just the opposite. When Flight Attendants are sick, they need more support from management, not to be attacked for using sick time provided under Massachusetts law.

Take action today!* Click here to urge Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell to appeal the ruling preventing Massachusetts inflight and ground crew employees from accessing earned sick time under the law.

*If you are a BOS-based Flight Attendant but do not have a Massachusetts address, please use the Boston Logan Airport Address: One Harborside Drive Suite 200S, East Boston, MA 02128

The text that will populate when you email Attorney General Campbell is as follows:

“I am an American Airlines Flight Attendant based in Boston. I am represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. I am deeply disappointed to see the recent court decision regarding the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law (MESTL). American Airlines has a punitive sick time usage policy that greatly impacts Flight Attendants and other airline workers. Our profession does not allow us to work from home. In fact, our job comes with an increased risk factor of contracting and spreading illness.

The MESTL provided a safety net to ensure that my health and well-being were maintained, while also protecting my employment status with American Airlines. The latest decision now puts me in a position where I have to prioritize my employment over my health.

Please do not let this ruling stand. At a time when worker protections across the country are under attack, Boston-based Flight Attendants and our Union, APFA, urge you to appeal this decision and ensure that airline workers are not exempt from Massachusetts state worker protections.”

APFA’s Legal department is compiling more information on the ruling. We will share this information in a subsequent base brief.

In Solidarity,

Kelli Powers
APFA BOS Base President
(603) 661-5297
[email protected]

Devyn Gourley
APFA BOS Base Vice President
(316) 409-3474
[email protected]