AFA Committees
The founders of our Union understood that United Flight Attendants needed to build a Union for all Flight Attendants to improve standards throughout the industry and strengthen our profession. This has allowed us to claim legislative victories such as no smoking on the airplane and Flight Attendant Certification.
While AFA continues to be an effective voice on the Hill, we also have specialized Committees who daily defend and advance Flight Attendant jobs in areas such as scheduling, contract enforcement, protection against company discipline, occupational rights, insurance, retirement, safety, health and security, as well as employee assistance.
Over the years and recently we have claimed many successes as AFA. Each success story is directly linked to the involvement of AFA Membership. We have always had the professional negotiators, the financial analysts, the attorneys, and professionals in every other area which touches our jobs fully dedicated to working for United Flight Attendants and engaged in the process. But our Union was not built by these professionals; it was built by Flight Attendants.
Below is a list of the AFA Committees available to you:
Asian / European Affairs
The MEC Asian and European Affairs Committees monitor and provide assistance to International Domiciles.
Central Schedule Committee
The Central Schedule Committee reviews the IDs created by the company for Contractual compliance. This Committee works with the company and the Local Scheduling Committee on the construction of Flight Attendant monthly lines of flying.
Communications
Provides educational programs for Flight Attendants enabling them to have a better understanding of AFA, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Flight Attendant career and the aviation industry.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) / Professional Standards (PS)
Specially trained Flight Attendants who assist other Flight Attendants and their families in seeking professional care in various areas such as alcohol/drug abuse, marital or family problems and/or other emotional and stress related situations. Professional Standards can assist Flight Attendants in working out difficult professional / work related situations and Flight Attendant job performance.
Government Affairs
Keeps Flight Attendants informed on legislative actions that could affect income, working conditions and job security. AFA has lobbied for protection of benefits, safety concerns, the domestic no smoking ban, child restraint seats, and Flight Attendant flight/duty time provisions.
Grievance
The Grievance Committee protects you from arbitrary and unjust disputes and pursues the best avenue for resolving workplace problems. The Grievance Committee “enforces” what has been negotiated and helps Flight Attendants understand their Contractual rights.
Hotels & Transportation
Responsible for inspecting hotels and transportation in layover cities and surveys potential facilities. The Hotel Committee ensures accommodations comply with Contractual language on safety, cleanliness, food availability and check cashing. Also, this Committee investigates Flight Attendant issues reported in TVLLOG.
Insurance & Retirement
Acts as a resource on current insurance and retirement provisions of our Contract. The Insurance and Retirement Committee provides guidance and answers questions regarding questions of retirement, insurance disability and other benefits provided under our Contract.
Membership Engagement
The Committee shall be responsible to systematically engage AFA Members on issues pertaining to the Flight Attendant profession and achieve a high level of participation from the AFA Membership.
Occupational Benefits
Reviews all claims of occupational injury and acts as a resource to ensure that Flight Attendants receive the proper benefits in the event of injuries on the job.
Reserve
The Reserve Committee monitors all Reserve reports, Reserve utilization and call-in to ready ratios. This Committee also monitors all Call-in and Ready Reserve’s concerns on a system-wide basis through Local Reserve Committees.
Safety, Health & Security
Investigates Flight Attendant safety reports, and keeps Flight Attendants informed on current safety developments. This Committee works to improve safety in our Workplace.
System Board of Adjustment
The final step in the Grievance process. Two AFA Members and two company representatives sit with a neutral arbitrator for the purpose of arbitrating disputes or Grievances which may arise under the terms of the Contract.
Uniform
Makes recommendations to the company regarding Flight Attendant concerns with unsafe or uncomfortable styles, flammability of fabrics and/or any demeaning aspects of style.