Committees

Benefits Committee

Purpose and Scope 

• This Committee shall act in an advisory role to the MEC Officers in connection with Article 12, Leaves of Absence.   
• Shall be knowledgeable in current contractually provided insurance programs, leaves of absence and occupational benefits.   
• Shall have a working knowledge of the state worker’s compensation laws of the states in which there are domicile locations. 
• Be responsible for researching and recommending improvements in present programs through collective bargaining legislation and any other means. 
• Keep the membership informed of all benefits and any changes in company, legislative or judicial policy regarding occupational injuries or illnesses. 
• Knowledgeable about the Flight Attendant Short- and Long-Term policies and how they integrate with other occupational benefits.  
• Knowledgeable about benefits associated with permanent disabilities.   
• Review material, handle correspondence and keep the LEC Chairs well informed of current benefit developments through email or text thread.  

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) (Safety)

Specific Duties & Responsibilities 

• Acts in an advisory role to the Officers on safety matters 
• Studies local air safety and health problems and prepares recommendations to be presented to the Officers for consideration 
• Reviews material, handles correspondence, and keeps the local members well informed of current safety developments. Provides information to the Communications Committee for inclusion in Local Council communications. 
• Attends management debriefings when safety related issues are discussed 

The ASHSC is available to help you with: 

• Concerns or reports of safety, health, or security hazards onboard the aircraft and in other work locations 
• Obtaining resources and information from the AFA International Air Safety, Health, & Security Department 
• Questions about the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) 

Sub-Committee - Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP)  

What is ASAP? 

• Flight Attendants to report their own inadvertent violations of Company policy or FAA regulations through a non-disciplinary, non-punitive system.  
• Voluntary and confidential self-disclosure program for Flight Attendants that will allow the AFA, the Company, and the FAA to determine specific commonalities surrounding these violations. 
• Flight Attendant reports an inadvertent safety violation that they, themself, did or failed to perform through the ASAP reporting system.  
• The report is de-identified (name and employee number removed) and forwarded to the Event Review Committee (ERC).  
• The ERC consists of an AFA representative, an Inflight representative, and a representative from the FAA.  
• The team reviews the report and collectively decides to either accept or reject the report based on set criteria agreed upon by all three parties.  
• Exclusion from the program includes criminal activity, the use of a controlled substance or alcohol, or intentional falsification.  
• The event must also be unintentional, and not involve behavior that is considered reckless. Once the report is accepted into the program, the Flight Attendant involved is protected against any Company discipline and any FAA civil penalties.  
• Following the outcome of the ERC review, the Flight Attendant may have to participate in some follow-up activities recommended by the ERC in order to keep the reported event in the ASAP program. Follow-up activities may include interviews, procedural reviews and/or training. 

ASAP Repoting 

Cabin Seat Committee

Purpose and Scope​​​

1. Documenting and record keeping of reciprocal cabin seat agreements. 
2. Assist LEC Chairs with questions regarding use of jump seats or reciprocal cabin seats, whether on our own aircraft or with airlines that we have agreements. 
3. Bring suggestions forward for new partners to be considered for possible new agreements.

Communications Committee

Duties and Responsibilities

•   ACT IN AN ADVISORY ROLE TO THE LEC OFFICERS REGARDING COMMUNICATIONS ISSUES.
•   SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO THE LEC OFFICERS
  AND LOCAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON BEST
  PRACTICES INVOLVING COMMUNICATION WITH THE MEMBERSHIP.
•   BE ABLE TO MAKE UPDATES ON SHORT NOTICE.
•   CREATE AND DISTRIBUTE REGULAR INFORMATIONAL UPDATES TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS.
•   MAINTAIN THE WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
•   UPDATE WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT REGULARLY.
•   HANDLE CORRESPONDENCE FROM LOCAL COMMITTEES REGARDING CURRENT HAPPENINGS AND INFORMATION OF INTEREST AND COMPILE FOR USE IN INFORMATIONAL UPDATES.
•   ACTIVELY MONITOR COMMUNICATIONS FROM MANAGEMENT TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO
  ENSURE ACCURACY AND APPROPRIATENESS OF INFORMATION.
•   IMMEDIATELY REPORT ANY INACCURATE, INAPPROPRIATE, OR SUSPECT INFORMATION FROM MANAGEMENT.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Professional Standards Committee

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Assessment, Support, and Referral Services 
• Assist members in identifying and developing an action plan to address personal and work-related concerns 
• Provide support to a troubled flight attendant (TFA) during the problem resolution process 
• When professional services or resources are required, identify an appropriate referral(s) and facilitates the TFA’s successful linkage to it 
• Professional Standards 
• Offer a range of conflict resolution strategies, skills, and support to help co-workers resolve disputes among themselves without the need of management intervention 
• Critical Incident Response  
• Offer and/or coordinate a range of critical incident stress management services to promote and accelerate recovery in the aftermath of traumatic and/or critical incidents, both on and off the job 

Why Would I Contact This Committee? 

The EAP and Professional Standards Committee is available to help you with: 

• Personal and work problems 
• Support after a critical incident 
• Assistance in conflict situations with coworkers (F/A and pilots) 

Government Affairs Committee

Grievance Committee

Specific Duties & Responsibilities 

• Enforce the contract 
• Represent all Flight Attendants when unjust discipline is issued 
• Collect evidence and establish that the alleged violation has occurred. Solicit documentation as needed. 
• Clearly and persuasively explain the union’s position concerning a grievance 
• Frankly explain to a grievant when there is little or no chance of winning a grievance 
• Ensure that time limits are met for filing 
• File grievances 
• Handle initial grievance hearings; report the results to the LEC Officers and the grievant 
• Keep complete files on assigned cases 
• Assist union attorneys in preparing grievances for System Board 
• Keep the grievant informed about the processing of his/her grievance 
• Review material, handle correspondence, and keep the LEC Officers well informed of current grievance developments 
• Communicate regularly with the membership about decisions on local grievances—promote wins and explain ramifications of a loss 
• Write grievance articles for local membership communications upon request by the LEC Officers 

System Board

Purpose and Scope 

• Will act in the best interest of the membership and will be consistent with the collective bargaining agreement.  
• Advocate our union’s position during the arbitration process involving disputes and/or grievances, which may arise under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between management and AFA-CWA. 
• Will serve as the AFA-CWA appointee on the System Board of Adjustment (“The Board”) for the purpose of hearing, evidence, testimony, and argument, whether written or oral, presented by both the union and company management.  
• Will attend our Union attorney’s preparation session that precedes the formal arbitration.  
• Will attend the entirety of the arbitration, whether conducted in person, telephonically, or virtually. 

Specific Duties & Responsibilities 

• Act in an advisory role regarding hotel and transportation issues 
• Monitor and investigate Flight Attendant write-ups of issues involving hotels, transportation, and any associated safety concerns 
• Review current and potential future layover sites for compliance with contract language 
• Coordinate with the Grievance Committee regarding any possible contractual violations concerning hotel or transportation issues on members’ behalf 
• Attend management briefings and coordinate with management counterparts regarding union input to potential future accommodations 

Why Would I Contact This Committee? 

The Hotel Committee is available to help you with: 

• Concerns about hotels and transportation providers (through feedback provided via My Crew Care app) 
• Providing information about hotels and the hotel selection process 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Must be committed to the study of human rights, civil rights women rights, equality through economic and social justice for all workers, diversity, racism, and discrimination.  
• Should have experience in, or express a strong interest in learning, organizing and possess the skills necessary to support and participate in union campaigns.  
• Assist Local Councils in creating a safe space for people to share their personal experiences in relation to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, gender expression and political orientation so that we better understand each other and build our union through our common struggles and goals, rather than allowing union busters to divide us by differences.    
• Will increase the credibility and the strength of the Local Human Rights Committees will actively partner with progressive community allies to build activism and power through training, organizing and political action.  
• Will strive to include the broader community in our local struggle for justice, democracy, dignity, and respect for all.  
• Provide support for work on union campaigns and programs including collective bargaining, organizing, voter registration information and get out the vote drives, informing members on legislation that impacts working men and women and community service and outreach programs. 
• Inform the membership on laws and protections affecting them.  
• Work closely with State and National Civil Rights and Equity and Women’s Committee Representatives.  
• The committee is charged with responsibility for ongoing study of matters related to the strengthening of our union through the promotion of and support for economic, racial and social justice equity for all workers.

Committee Activity shall include:

• Recommendations for participation by our MECs and LECs in their community, minority, and women’s organizations and coalitions which aim to eliminate discrimination and racism.
• Recommendations related to the support for work on union campaigns and programs to include the following: collective bargaining, organizing, voter registration information and get out the vote drives, informing members on legislation that impacts working men and women, and community service and outreach programs.
• Recommendations for creating safe spaces within our union for people to share their personal experiences in relation to age, color, disability, martial status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, gender expression and political orientation so that we better understand each other and build our union through our common struggles and goals, rather than allowing union busters to divide us by differences.
• Recommendations for educational materials relevant to civil and human rights issues that affect our members and communities.
• Recommendations on how to facilitate training around issues of Human Rights and Equity.

Mentor Committee

Reserve

Reserve 

Specific Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Act in an advisory role to the LEC Officers regarding reserve issues 
• Work to actively educate Flight Attendants regarding the reserve section of the contract 
• Answer Flight Attendant questions regarding reserve duty and help them to interpret the contract in accordance with guidelines set by the LEC and MEC 
• Investigate and respond to Flight Attendant concerns regarding reserve assignments and Crew Scheduling compliance with contract language. Gather information and work with management to satisfactorily resolve each issue. 
• Communicate any unresolved issues and/or potential contract violations to the Grievance Committee on members’ behalf 

Why Would I Contact This Committee? 

The Reserve Committee is available to help you with: 

• Questions about Reserve duty 
• Investigating and responding to concerns regarding Reserve assignments 
• Coordination between Reserve F/As and the Inflight Crew Scheduling department 

New Hire

New Hire 

The committee's primary responsibility is the protection of all New Hire Flight Attendants against contract violations, and to provide guidance to New Hires while on probation. As a New Hire Representative we:

• Assist with interpreting the reserve, scheduling and hours of service sections of the contract.
• Educate reserve flight attendants as to contract provisions applicable to reserve flight attendant status.
• Assist New Hires in the bidding process and how to manage their schedule.
• Monitor New Hires concerns on a local basis.
• Document, monitor, and follow up with new hire interactions and concerns

Negotiating Committee

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Negotiating Committee shall include the following:

1. The Committee, with the advice of the Staff Negotiator shall have the authority to conclude an agreement, subject to the provisions of Article XII. of the Constitution and Bylaws.
2. All members of the Committee, including alternates whenever possible, shall complete a negotiations training seminar prior to writing an "opener."
3. Committee members shall be familiar with Union policy and keep abreast of new developments in the industry.
4. Committee members shall utilize the facilities and resources of the Union and the experience and knowledge of Union Officers, International Office staff and study com- mittees of the Union. (eg., Legal, Retirement and Insurance, Wage and Working Conditions, etc.).
5. Committee members shall maintain a current record of the:
   1. (1)  Financial condition of the company.
   2. (2)  Management lines of authority and methods of communication.
   3. (3)  Operations statistics and experiences of the airline which may be used in bar- gaining, grievances, litigation, etc.
6. Committee members shall be familiar with the wishes of the flight attendant group with respect to wages, working conditions, and work rules, through, for example, system-wide distribution of contract surveys, periodic road shows, etc.
7. The Committee,with the advice of the Staff Negotiator, shall prepare the contract opener.
8. The Committee shall provide regular updates to the membership on the status of negotiations through, for example, newsletters, hotlines, telephone trees, etc.

i. The Committee shall maintain a complete record of the negotiations, including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA. A copy of this record will be forwarded to the International Office by the Negotiating Committee.

Scheduling Committee

Uniform Committee

Specific Duties & Responsibilities 

• Act in an advisory role to the LEC Officers regarding uniform issues 
• Ensure current contract language is followed regarding uniforms 
• Monitor and investigate Flight Attendant write-ups of issues involving uniforms 
• Answer Flight Attendant inquiries regarding uniform items, changes, etc. 
• Attend management briefings and coordinate with management counterparts regarding union input to potential uniform changes 
• Review material, handle correspondence, and keep Local Council Members well informed of current uniform developments through the Communications Committee and reports at Local Council meetings 

Why Would I Contact This Committee? 

The Uniform Committee is available to help you with: 

• Feedback and suggestions about F/A uniforms 
• Uniform-related concerns