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Sep 10, 2010
 Getting Involved 101:
Your Personal Guide To Making
A Difference
[04.10.07] -- Flight Attendants want to know - how does one make a difference? Many F/As want to have an effect on change. Together, we can make a difference!
We've bulleted the key points of lobbying for the 110th Congress below, in an easy to understand overview of the issues.
In our representative democracy, it is important that we let our legislators know about the issues important to us, as Flight Attendants. In-person lobbying and legislation are an extension of Collective Bargaining, and allows labor to obtain benefits and protections not achieved at the bargaining table.
When Los Angeles AFA-CWA Activists contacted several California Congressional offices, they were unaware that F/As were OPPOSED to both Virgin America's operation application out of SFO, and the EU/US Open Skies Agreement. Every Congressional office's legislative reps, and the Congressman & Congresswomen we spoke to were unaware that OSHA protections do not cover Flight Attendants.
One staff representative noted, "I've heard from those who were in support of Virgin America and the EU/US Open Skies Agreement, but I haven't heard from any Flight Attendants." He encouraged us to send a message out, and "be heard." He committed to informing the Congresswoman on our position, and getting more facts from labor's perspective to her (she is a pro-Union, AFA-CWA supporter).
It is important for you to address our concerns - ask to speak to the Legislative Directors for each Congressional office you contact. Inform and educate them on the issues that are so important to our jobs!
Our work has only just begun - click HERE for the May 23, 2007 update and stay in tune with the course we're charting!
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 The 3 key issues AFA is addressing for the 2007-2008 Congress:
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Complete Flight Attendant Fatigue Study: To gain workplace health and safety protections and funding for a continued F/A Fatigue Study (an incomplete study was conducted by CAMI, a division of the FAA, in 2005).
In a recent CNN segment, the FAA stated, "We have not seen any data suggesting that current airline flight attendant scheduling practices are contrary to our regulations or pose any risk to airline passenger safety." The Airline Transport Association, which represents 90% of the nation's airlines said, "We rely on the results of the FAA studies, and there has been no recommendation for change." (click HERE to see CNN's F/A Fatigue video clip)
The statements made by the FAA and the Air Transport Association (corporate airline-represented group) clearly shows why comprehensive fatigue studies are needed to affect and make change. It is up to us to take action now.
 OSHA protection for Flight Attendants: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that Flight Attendants incur more occupational injuries than that of construction workers. Through the FAA Reauthorization Bill, Congress must provide strong and firm guidance to the Federal Aviation Administration to address the aviation safety concerns regarding Flight Attendant fatigue and OSHA protections.
For over 30 years, AFA has fought for workplace safety & health protections that are afforded to most other workers in the U.S. Our pleas to the FAA have repeatedly fallen on deaf ears. We continue to be denied even basic protections such as onboard sanitation standards. This is a serious oversight that impacts the safety & health of not only F/As, but the traveling public as well.
EU/US Open Skies Agreement: Some of the provisions in the agreement are vague and troubling, and raise a number of red flags. This agreement could lead to a change in U.S. law and policy, and open the door to greater foreign control of U.S. airlines. For over 60 years, the U.S. aviation industry has been protected against foreign control - we must ensure it stays that way. This proposal is a reiteration of what the U.S. House of Representatives strongly rejected during the 109th Congress just last year.
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"Lobbying cannot be a spectator sport" |
 Corporations employ paid lobbyists to wage opposition to labor-friendly initiatives and work against your wants and needs.
It is crucial that you do your part and contact the offices of your Senators and Congressmen/Congresswomen to let them know your position and the issues that are important to you as constituents!
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"Constituents are the most important people in an elected official’s life." |
If you want your representatives to do their job and support your views, you must do your job as a grassroots lobbyist. This means educating your members of Congress about the issues which affect our safety, security and health, our careers as Flight Attendants, and our rights as Union members.
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"The ballot is stronger than the bullet" -- Abraham Lincoln |
PHONE CALLS are most important because of the immediate nature of our campaign. LEGISLATORS WILL LISTEN TO YOU! They represent you, so tell them what you think by using the following vehicles of communication:
- LETTER WRITING allows you to fully explain your views, particularly on a new or complex issue. It is effective when you have enough time before Congressional action takes place. Legislators pay a great deal of attention to personally written letters.
- E-MAIL from constituents is often read and responded to. Always include your full name and postal address. Electronic mail that is generated through AFA’s E-Activist Alerts is formatted in accordance with the requirements of Congressional offices.
- PHONE CALLS are the fastest way to communicate with your legislators. They are best used when legislation is going to be voted on immediately, or when the issue is easy to explain. Congressional offices keep track of the number of calls they receive on an issue.
- MEETING personally with your Representative/Senator allows you to develop a relationship with her or him. Remember, members of Congress commute regularly between their home states and Washington, D.C. Face-to-face communication increases a legislators understanding of an issue and how important that issue is to you.
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How do I locate my Elected Officials & Communicate with them? |
Go to www.Congress.org now and enter your zip code on the home page. Click “Go” to find your national, state and local elected officials. It's that easy!
With everyone’s help we can ensure that Congress listens to our concerns and supports legislation that is in our best interest as Flight Attendants. Let's get to work, and don't forget to pass this page along to our coworkers! Copyright © April 2007 AFA-CWA, Council 12 Los Angeles. All Rights Reserved.
* some portions from the MEC site, August 2004
About Congress
There are 435 Members in the House of Representatives. Each one represents a different congressional district. Representatives' primary responsibility is to represent the citizens in their congressional districts. Citizens should share their views, so that their representatives' decisions reflect the views of constituents. Congresspersons represent constituents by voting for or against laws that are important to the citizens in their district.
Under the U.S. Constitution, each state is entitled to two senators (each serves a 6-year term) and at least one representative (serving a 2-year term). In 1911 the size of the House was fixed by law at 433, with provision for the addition of one seat each for Arizona and New Mexico when they became states. The number of Members increased temporarily to 437 when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states during the 87th Congress, but the 1960 census reduced the number to 435.
Since 1941 Congress has used the method of ''equal proportions'' to calculate apportionment, to minimize the differences in populations in congressional districts.
Visit this link for more: Los Angeles AFA Representatives Lobby On Capitol Hill
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