National Mediation Board Has Mailed Voting Instructions To Nearly 2,300 Flight Attendants

The voting process for nearly 2,300 Atlantic Southeast Airlines and ExpressJet Flight Attendants got underway Wednesday in an election to determine union representation. Voting instructions were mailed by the National Mediation Board (NMB) Wednesday, and voting results are expected to be announced on December 21, 2011. AFA already represents approximately 1,200 Flight Attendants at Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

"Today is an exciting day for Flight Attendants at the new ExpressJet and throughout our Flight Attendant union," said Veda Shook, AFA International President. "Flight Attendants are extraordinary people and our work is unique.  The largest Flight Attendant union, run by and for Flight Attendants, AFA promotes our role as first responders, negotiates industry-leading contracts, lobbies Congress and policy makers for safe, secure and healthy air travel and creates a network of Flight Attendants helping Flight Attendants throughout the world.  We have the experience and resources to negotiate the best contract at the new ExpressJet.  Flight Attendants will have peace of mind with our guaranteed seniority protection policy.  With AFA they have a union working 24/7 on supporting our work life and home life as Flight Attendants."

"AFA sought this election to unite Flight Attendants as quickly as possible to take advantage of the opportunities created by the merger and is uniquely positioned to advance the priorities of Flight Attendants. Built by Flight Attendants and run by Flight Attendants, our union has programs that improve every area of our work lives. Unified in AFA, we will ensure Flight Attendants are full partners in the benefits of our new super regional airline," said Lindsay Gardner, president of AFA at Atlantic Southeast Airlines. 

The representation election is not a vote for a contract. Both contracts remain in place after the election. When it comes time to negotiate a single contract for the combined Flight Attendant group, the best contract provisions from each contract will provide the floor for negotiations. AFA negotiates based on the priorities set by Flight Attendants through surveys, meetings and direct member feedback to elected Flight Attendant leaders.

FMI: www.yourafa.org