12.01.23 – Scope Violations: Ground Staff Performing Flight Attendant Duties

Ground Staff Performing Flight Attendant Duties

Friday, December 1, 2023

We have been notified that there have been multiple violations of our contractual scope language and the Recognition and Scope settlement agreement dated February 12, 2020.

Specifically, we have observed instances of Customer Care personnel, Flight Service Management, and other non-Flight Attendant personnel performing duties prior to or during boarding that fall within the exclusive scope of Flight Attendant duties. While the most recent incidents were reported at DFW, we have also received complaints from other bases.

These actions involve closing overhead bins, making passenger announcements during boarding, and distributing passenger amenities. These responsibilities are explicitly designated work for Flight Attendants. This work should not be performed outside our workgroup. This practice is not only a breach of our contractual agreement but also poses operational and safety concerns.

We’ve addressed this with management and insisted they immediately cease this practice, including notifying Inflight and airport staff at all stations to discontinue performing Flight Attendant duties before or during boarding. Management has responded that they have advised Customer Service and Inflight to address our issues.

This practice must stop! If you experience Inflight Management, customer care representatives, or any other airport personnel performing Flight Attendant duties, politely ask them to discontinue their activities and inform them that these are Flight Attendant duties covered under our contract’s scope language.

To ensure management compliance, we have created a form on the APFA website here to report incidents where Inflight Management, customer care representatives, or any other airport personnel perform Flight Attendant duties before or during boarding.

We must maintain the integrity of our contractual agreement and, if necessary, take further steps to stop these contractual violations.
In Solidarity,

Larry Salas
APFA National Vice President
[email protected]