AFA Claim: AFA’s election would ‘lock in’ what’s already in place for flight attendants and sets a starting point for negotiations.
Reality: This is false. During negotiations for a first contract, companies can continue to make business-based decisions that change pay, benefits or work rules. Furthermore, neither the company nor the union is required to start negotiations with a proposal based on what is already in place.
During negotiations at JetBlue, the lead negotiator for TWU put it this way:
“Going in and writing something from scratch and having it be the basis of all contracts in the future is very difficult. So obviously, you’re doing your best to keep the things that you like….[B]ut there’s also…the company going in and changing rules or changing procedures. Under the Railway Labor Act, they are allowed to do that until we get our first contract. You don’t get [status quo] until you get a first contract.” – TWU JetBlue lead negotiator Thom McDaniel, Negotiations Town Hall – Nov. 12, 2019
Related AFA vs. Reality Articles
May 12, 2022
“Delta flight attendants received a pay raise because of AFA”
AFA claimed that Delta flight attendants received a pay raise in May 2022 because of AFA’s effort to unionize. This is false.
May 12, 2022
“Delta added new boarding pay because of the AFA’s organizing effort”
AFA claimed credit for our decision, but they have not negotiated boarding pay into the contracts of any airline they represent.
May 12, 2022
“AFA can negotiate a full contract for a workgroup within a year”
We are not aware of cases where AFA has done this for a group as big as Delta’s. Negotiations for much smaller groups have taken years.
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Stay in the know.
Text DELTA to +1 205 846 8096 for updates*
*By texting the keyword above, you are agreeing to receive periodic SMS text messages from Delta Air Lines regarding One Future. One Delta. Standard messaging and data rates may apply. You may unsubscribe any time by texting “STOP” and the keyword above to +1 205 846 8096. Full Terms.