2.08.24 – An Update from the Wings Foundation Board of Directors

Yesterday, APFA received the following communication from the
Wings Foundation Board of Directors:

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Wings Foundation has been informed by American Airlines that onboard aluminum can recycling no longer generates enough proceeds to financially benefit the Wings Foundation. We know this news comes as a shock to the Flight Attendants of American Airlines because the connection between Wings and recycling has been well established for over 23 years.  While we are disappointed by this update, we are encouraged by the outpouring of support and passion on social media from the Flight Attendant workgroup.

This is not an accusation of the company changing a policy or removing support from our great organization. American Airlines and APFA have always uplifted the Wings Foundation’s mission, and over the years have directly impacted our cause with financial assistance. Wings Foundation is an independent nonprofit founded and managed by Flight Attendants but would not exist without the support of American or APFA.

Below we have addressed a few common questions that have been asked since this news began circulating.

Have our recycling procedures changed?

To be clear- recycling procedures have not changed. It is still standard service procedure to recycle aluminum cans and Wings Foundation is not advocating for Flight Attendants to stop recycling. Please continue to recycle for the benefit of the environment and trash management onboard the aircraft.

Where are the proceeds from recycling going?

As we are all aware, the cost of many items and processes have increased in the past few years. The same applies to the labor costs and processing fees associated with recycling. Sadly, the increase in these costs means there is no longer a profit to distribute to Wings after these costs are deducted from proceeds of aluminum can recycling.

What can you do to help?

While we are disappointed aluminum can recycling is not as lucrative as it once was, Wings is choosing to see this shift as an opportunity to highlight ways Flight Attendants and other supporters can have the greatest impact.

Flight Attendants can donate, advocate, and volunteer.

All employees of American Airlines have access to a donation platform called Workplace Giving through the home page of JetNet (see image below). Electing to donate to Wings through Workplace Giving is the most consistent way to support the Wings mission with a bimonthly contribution of $5.

“Can my $5 donation make a difference?” 

Yes, it truly can. There are over 26,000 active Flight Attendants on the APFA system seniority list. If every Flight Attendant donated $5 per paycheck, Wings Foundation could operate as a completely self-sustaining organization. Our tagline has always been “Flight Attendants helping Flight Attendants.” Participating in payroll donations embodies this mission.

“I love Wings Foundation; I have been donating for years.”

Please keep in mind that in 2019, Flight Attendants moved to a completely new pay system and every payroll donation to Wings Foundation was discontinued. Previously pledged donations were not migrated to the new system, and all Flight Attendants are encouraged to log into Workplace Giving on JetNet and check on the status of their bimonthly donation. Currently, there are only 1,400 Flight Attendants enrolled in monthly donations through payroll deduction. 

You can learn more about Workplace Giving by clicking here.

Sincerely,

The Wings Foundation Board of Directors

www.wingsfoundation.com
The website will be updated to reflect the change regarding recycling soon.

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