3.22.24 – 2024 Convention Recap Part II: Member-Driven Events, 2024 Labor Notes
Recap Part II
-Members are Making the Difference!
-2024 Labor Notes Conference: APFA’s Expanding Involvement Within the Labor Movement
–Ad Hoc Election to the Executive Committee
Friday, March 22, 2024
The APFA Board of Directors Annual Convention was called to order on Tuesday, March 19th, at the Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas.
click all photos to enlarge
Your APFA Leadership
Your APFA Board of Directors
L to R (front row): Lisa Bales (LAX Vice President), Randy Trautman (MIA), Dray Howard (ORD), Scott Hazlewood (CLT), Robin Agee (PHX).
L to R: Tracey Montanari (PHL), John Pennel (DCA), Christian Santana (LGA), Kelli Powers (BOS), Amber DeRoxtra (DFW).
President’s Remarks/ National Officer’s Update
The meeting opened with National President Hedrick’s remarks, which included:
- A thank you to retired Congressman DeFazio for helping Flight Attendants industry-wide prioritize Payroll Support Program funds during COVID to keep frontline Workers connected to their pay and healthcare, not lining management’s pockets. (Read more about APFA’s recognition of Congressman DeFazio here.)
- An update on our Negotiating Committee’s presentation to the National Mediation Board (NMB) and a thank you to everyone who continues to attend our picketing events. The media and the traveling public are noticing, and we are determined to keep our fight with American Airlines at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
- A look into the future of our Union and what the next four years will bring: we will continue to build a class struggle union based on a simple concept:Â Workers create wealth, and our union struggles are part of a larger fight between labor and the billionaire class.
- A commitment to continue embracing the diversity within our Membership and make our Union more inclusive for all Members.
National Officer’s Update
Look What You’ve Done! Member-Driven Results
The National Officer’s update, entitled “We Are Ready!”, began with a look back at all of the member-driven events, including pickets, a successful March on the Boss, and our Worldwide Day of Action, to name a few. Flight Attendants systemwide have kept our fight in front of the media, and it shows.
Flight Attendants have continued to show AA that we will do what is necessary to secure the contract we deserve… stay tuned for more events!
In October, we took a united stand for our rights and dignity as American Airlines Flight Attendants by delivering a letter of no confidence for Brady Byrnes, Senior Vice President, Inflight and Premium Guest Services. We marched on the boss, Robert Isom, to make our voices heard loudly and clearly.
Be on the lookout (BOLO) for the scary Flight Attendants in red shirts!
Our Union Siblings at other airlines and across industries and occupations have offered unwavering support. We will continue to show AA management that we are unified and will not settle for the current contractual offerings that devalue their largest frontline employee group.
2024 Labor Notes: APFA’s Expanding Involvement Within the Labor MovementThe Officer’s update continued with an update on the 2024 Labor Notes Conference, which will be held on April 19-21 in Chicago, IL. APFA Leaders will join thousands of Union Activists and leaders in more than 200 meetings and workshops to help promote union organization and learn new tools for strengthening the Labor Movement.
With the media coverage from our Strike Authorization Vote, Contract Action Team, March on the Boss, and more, APFA Leadership has been asked to present as speakers on the following Labor Notes panels:
- Building a Contract Action Team
- How to March on the Boss
- Women in Leadership
- Successful Practice Picketing
- Organizing Contract Campaigns
- A Successful Strike Authorization Vote
APFA will be well-represented at the 2024 Labor Notes Conference
The Officer’s update concluded with a discussion on upcoming potential outcomes: preparing for a tentative agreement or a strike against American Airlines. Whatever path we follow, you will have plenty of avenues to gather information and ask questions, including guidebooks mailed to your homes, call centers, specific website pages, and more.
If a strike becomes necessary, you will have ample avenues to gather information, including a Strike Center staffed by our peers to answer questions and ensure you’re prepared to strike.
Negotiations Update
Your Negotiating Committee offered an update on last week’s meeting with the National Mediation Board (NMB). Negotiators presented a comprehensive list of open items to the NMB.
The goal of the NMB is to push both parties toward an agreement. APFA made the case that the remaining items can be solved with the pressure of a 30-day cooling-off period and made a strong case for release.
There is no timeframe for the NMB to respond to our request for release. APFA and American Airlines will continue mediated talks as scheduled. The next scheduled session will be April 9-11, 2024, in DFW.
To read the National Mediation Board Status Conference update, click here.
To read the latest Negotiations Update, click here.
Full updates on what has been negotiated may be reviewed on the Negotiations Status page of the APFA website.
Election for Executive Committee Ad Hoc 5/ Tell Me More About the APFA Executive Committee
The meeting concluded with an election for Executive Committee Ad Hoc 5. The voting Board of Directors (your Base Presidents) elects the Ad Hoc members of the Executive Committee.
Ad Hoc #1: Robert Norvell (MIA)
Ad Hoc #2: Marcus Gluth (MIA)
Ad Hoc #3: Kerstin Conners (DFW)
Ad Hoc #4: Joseph Seeyle (PHX)
Newly Elected Ad Hoc #5: Ankit Patel (DFW)
Q1: What is the APFA Executive Committee?
A1: The Members of the Executive Committee act as agents for and on behalf of the Voting Board of Directors (your Base Presidents), and interpret the APFA Constitution, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Q2: Who sits on the APFA Executive Committee?
A2:Â The Executive Committee consists of the National President, National Vice President, National Secretary, National Treasurer and five (5) Ad Hoc Members.
Q3: Where can I read more about the Executive Committee and their responsibilities?
A3: Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Committee may be found in the APFA Constitution Article III  Section 4.
Full minutes for this meeting will be published to the APFA website no later than thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the meeting.
In Solidarity,
APFA Headquarters
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Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
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Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
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APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Currently, no scheduled events...
APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Currently, no scheduled events...