Our Rights to Organize: We Belong with AFA

Since the launch of our public campaign, the excitement is building to win our Legally Recognized Voice at work!

As you may have already noticed, corporate does not want to lose their power over us so they can continue to change the terms of our employment at their whim. This is why corporate is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire a “union avoidance consultant” aka union-buster to try and dissuade us from claiming our power at work with our Flight Attendant Union. We are disappointed management chose not to spend the company’s money wisely negotiating with us in our Flight Attendant Union for real improvements to our careers.

Instead, executives chose to hire a high dollar consultant to advise them on how to appease, mislead and intimidate us. Union-busters have a “Playbook.” Coincidence, we think not, that is why we need a Contract!

This is also why we need to understand our Legal Right to Organize.

The law that protects our right to organize and protects us from management retaliation is called the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Again, it's our right to choose legal representation with AFA.

Once we demonstrate a majority of signed authorization cards to form our Union with AFA, we will file for an election with the National Mediation Board (NMB). Management will then have to provide a list of Breeze Flight Attendants to the NMB. The NMB will then compare the authorization cards to ensure the necessary support is demonstrated for the NMB to call an election. Then we will have the opportunity to vote for our Flight Attendant Union.

Remember: Breeze management never sees our authorization cards. The NMB keeps authorization cards confidential even after the election is announced. Then the NMB asks the executives to provide the list of eligible Flight Attendants and home addresses for the NMB to mail the ballots to the address we have on file with corporate. Be aware, you will probably hear a lot of misinformation. If you hear a rumor that makes you scared, angry, confused or some other negative emotion, reach out to your AFA Base Leaders. We share the same interests as you, a successful career, a successful airline and our earned respect.

What does it mean to Sign an AFA Authorization Card?

• Uniting with fellow Flight Attendants provides a stronger voice at Breeze and lifts our careers overall.
• Achieving a strong voice in our workplace and the protections we need begins with signing an authorization card.
• Next, an election entitles all eligible Breeze Flight Attendants to vote to secure your legal rights as Union members.

Once we win our Flight Attendant Union, all Breeze Flight Attendants on the seniority list and those who get hired along the way have the opportunity to participate in the Negotiations Process by participating in Negotiations Surveys and voting to accept a contract.

Our Legal Right to Wear a Union Pin

The AFA pin is a symbol of our collective strength. When we wear the AFA pin, it shows our flying partners and management that we support building our Flight Attendant union and we take pride in the work we do. It’s our legal right to wear our union pin as a part of our uniform. This pin means we are never alone! This first step is a simple act of visibility. Starting today, wear your AFA pin today and every day. Wear it proudly. Let’s show management and the flying public our solidarity.

If management attempts to infringe on your right by asking you to remove your AFA pin for any reason, take the following steps:

• Inform the person of your right to wear the AFA pin and ask if they still want you to remove the pin.
• If they say “yes” comply and remove the pin and inform them that this interaction will be reported to My Union.

Write an email report to [email protected]. In the report include the following information:

• Who told you to remove your pin
• Date and time of the incident
• Names of any other witnesses to the incident

Sign your AFA Authorization Card, put on your AFA pin, and then sign up to join our campaign at BreezeAFA.org. This is our chance to claim our power and have a legally recognized voice at work, and we’re the only ones who can make sure we succeed. We’re doing it together.

In Solidarity,

Breeze AFA

Who should sign an authorization card?

Anyone on the seniority list, including new hires and Flight Attendants out on leave. Everyone counts.

Where can I sign an authorization card?

You can sign an AFA authorization card in non-work areas. Specifically, non-work areas include:

• in the crew lounges where Flight Attendants relax and socialize with your co-workers
• shuttle vans to and from a layover hotel or employee parking lot
• anywhere while on a layover
• on the concourse before you report to your assigned gate
• any place where you are not engaged in work duties

If a supervisor attempts to interfere with your right to sign an authorization card, don’t argue. Immediately report the incident to: [email protected] so we can affirm your rights.