11.29.23 – APFA ORD Base Brief – NMB Denies Request for Release

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

As of today, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has denied our request for release into a 30-day cooling-off period. To say that we are disheartened would be an understatement. To say that we are mad as hell would be the most eloquent phrase that comes to mind. We continue to walk picket lines to voice our concerns and demands. We wear our red to show our displeasure and have been ignored for far too long.

Know that it is not uncommon for the NMB to deny the first request to be released. We were hoping we would be the exception. How can management sit for weeks at a table, read the economic package our negotiators presented in March, and witness our negotiators come to the table prepared to iron out open items, yet hold steadfast and dig in their heels? How can American Airlines upper management hear our pleas, watch us march, falsely listen to our concerns, allow new hires to suffer on 2014 wages, see our anger, yet continue to smile in our faces while still making billions off the backs of our labor all the while collecting bonuses and incentives?

We often say that management needs to realize who their customer is. It is NOT the customer in the seats. Those are OUR customers, yours and mine. We Flight Attendants are AA’s customers. You cannot skip over us to get to the person in the seat. That is a sure way to fail at running a prosperous company. Treat your employees fairly and equitably first. We are the faces that keep our customers returning. Happy employees go the extra mile.

This entire process has been going on for far too long. We don’t know any CEO who would work at a company that did not settle their contract promptly. Justin and I implore you to stay fired up! Keep the same sense of pride and unity you felt the day 99.47% of us voted YES for the Strike Authorization vote! Keep your trust in our negotiators and your anger directed at the Company.

“UNITED” we will succeed!

In Solidarity,

Dray Howard
APFA ORD Base President
(630) 215-8410
[email protected]

Justin Patterson
APFA ORD Base Vice President
(509) 720-0067
[email protected]