A Letter From APFA President Laura Glading 8.21.12

Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,
 
A great deal has transpired since November 29, 2011. In some ways, it culminated with Sunday’s vote on the LBFO. This may have been the most important vote any one of us cast in our long careers. I was hopeful that everyone would make their voices heard and with a nearly 93 percent voter turnout, that goal was practically accomplished.

Of the 12,570 APFA members who cast a ballot, a solid majority voted “Yes.” I was one of them. However, APFA members on both sides of this debate were organized and vocal. I understand that there is a significant bloc of flight attendants that voted to reject the LBFO and pursue the more hard line strategy. I fully appreciate the reasoning behind the 5,088 “No” votes. What's more, I share the emotion that had a role in fueling that movement.
 
Regardless of the ballot’s outcome one thing is clear: no one’s vote indicated confidence in American Airlines management. That is not what this vote was about. This vote was about choosing a strategy to accomplish our ultimate goal: to realize a merger with US Airways while our Company is still in bankruptcy. That is how we will achieve a network contract, a new management team, and the job security that comes with working for an airline that can compete with United and Delta. We have made our choice and although it was not unanimous, our effort to pursue it can be.

Our membership has had enough of the failed leadership at our Company. We want real change and fair dealing. We want our airline back. We all want that.
 
On April 20, 2012, the three unions at American Airlines announced that we had reached agreements in principle with US Airways and would work to that end.When flight attendants saw that we had the opportunity to determine our own destiny, an incredible groundswell of support changed everything.That is what we have to do now. We must focus our efforts not on tearing each other down or continuing a debate that is over, but on achieving a merger with US Airways that puts Doug Parker at the controls. It is the employees that will write the next chapter of American Airlines’ history.

We may be exhausted and embattled, but I know we have enough fight left in us to go another round. And another, and another, if necessary. It is a privilege to fight alongside each of you.
 
In Unity,

Laura Glading
APFA President
817.540.0108 x8101
[email protected]