Understanding the AFA-CWA Dues Increase

On March 13th, our International Office shared the actions taken at the recent Board of Directors Meeting held in Portland, Oregon. The announcement provided an overview of work on agenda items, including the Annual Budget, which addressed the dues increase required to be in alignment with our AFA-CWA Merger Agreement.

Following the publication, we received numerous inquiries from Members regarding the background on why this change is required. The agenda items were shared prior to the BOD and discussed during Local Council Meetings with your elected leadership, however, we understand not everyone had the opportunity to attend or discuss the issue of the required dues increase.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the history, our requirement to meet the agreed-upon average dues with the AFA-CWA merger, and why the adjustment is happening now.

Why the increase in monthly dues now?
Over the last 5 years, due to the complexity of how CWA dues are determined across the greater Union, the software system utilized by CWA was unable to provide us with the dues average. While this offered a temporary delay in implementing a dues increase, the average continued to climb even though we weren't yet required to match it. Now that the software is updated, we are required to adjust to the current $65.36 average.

Wages and Dues Over the Years
The chart below compares the top Flight Attendant Base Pay with monthly Union dues over the years. The Union maintained a $39 monthly dues rate from 1994 to 2006, increasing to $50 for the last 10 years. It’s important to note that dues have only increased 2 times in the past two decades. In 2007, dues were increased from $39 to $43, then again in 2016 to $50, where they have remained until the most recent dues increase for the 2026-2027 AFA-CWA fiscal year.

AFA-CWA Merger Background
The period between 2001 and 2003 was arguably one of the most difficult in the history of our industry. AFA lost over 10,000 members to furloughs and pay cuts as the industry used bankruptcy and restructuring to weather the aftermath of 9/11.

In response to the financial uncertainty faced by Flight Attendants in the early 2000s, all AFA Executive Board Members voted in 2003 to merge with CWA. Joining the 700,000 members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) was a pivotal decision to strengthen collective bargaining power, share resources, support AFA, and focus on Flight Attendant issues during a critical time.

Following the AFA-CWA merger, a foundational agreement ensured that AFA’s governance, identity, and autonomy remained intact, while also securing our established dues structure.

Dues Structure Under the AFA-CWA Merger Agreement
The AFA-CWA merger agreement, outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws, Appendix A, page 157, established the following dues framework:

Under Section 9.a. - Dues for AFA-CWA members shall remain at $39 per member per month for 48 months from the date of the merger. Thereafter, the AFA-CWA dues structure shall be determined by the AFA Board of Directors and shall be equal to the average monthly dues of CWA members.

2026 Board of Directors Meeting and Action on the Annual Budget
Agenda Item 1 (AFA-CWA Proposed 2026-2027 Annual Budget) addressed the implementation of the dues increase required under the AFA-CWA merger agreement. The proposed language in the agenda item focused on how to implement the increase, not on whether or not the increase should occur.

During the discussion on the Agenda Item, at the Board's direction, the budget committee pursued amendments and provided guidance, which was ultimately adopted as an amendment to the Agenda Item.

Following extensive discussion, the Board voted to approve the Annual Budget as amended, including implementation of the dues increase beginning with the 2026-2027 AFA-CWA fiscal year.

The AFA-CWA fiscal year begins on June 1st, and Member dues will increase to the full rate of $65.36 per member per month for all AFA carriers. A hardship rebate program will be available over the next two years, with eligibility determined by each MEC when considering the needs of their group of Flight Attendants at their airline.

Why are Dues important?
About 80% of all dues dollars are directly allocated to fund the work at each AFA-represented airline, ie. Local Councils, Master Executive Councils, Negotiations, Legal Services (external legal), and System Board. The remaining budgets at the International Office support Government Affairs, Air Safety, EAP, and Communications Departments, each of which provides expert services focused on Flight Attendants and resources for local leaders and committees at each airline. 100% of our dues dollars are allocated to priorities that provide Flight Attendant representation.