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CLT
Legislative Affairs |
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12,000 Letters in 4 Days...
The campaign for the technical correction to the Family
and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as it relates to flight
crews entered an exciting new phase this week. Over
12,000 letters were mailed to AFA-CWA members in
targeted states and congressional districts. Volunteers
from US Airways Council 41 and United Council 21 spent 4
days producing letters, stuffing and addressing
envelopes to flight attendants across the country
encouraging AFA-CWA members to place phone calls to
their representatives and senators in support of HR 2744
and S 2059. Included in the letter was an explanation of
the legislation, contact phone numbers and a script to
assist the flight attendants when they called the
offices. Flight attendants have also received e-mails
from AFA-CWA's Government Affairs Director Shane Larson
prior to the arrival of the letters with similar
information. Additionally, MEC Chairs have also been
calling members to remind them to take action as well.
This is a very labor intensive campaign but one that our
members have told us is very important to all.
In the world of politics, nothing is more powerful as a
phone call from a constituent. E-mails and letters
signed by members have gotten us 120 co-sponsors in the
House of Representatives. Now is the time to turn up the
heat on those members of the House who are riding the
fence and just need that added push to co-sponsor as
well. All that has been needed in some situations has
been one call or letter sent to their elected
representative to motivate them to take action.
This week volunteers will continue to work sending out
approximately another 8,000 to 10,000 letters to flight
attendants in those targeted states and district. The
Legislative/Political Policy Committee would like to
encourage all AFA leaders to inform and encourage
members to look for these letters and to take action
immediately should they receive a letter. The success of
this campaign depends on the local leadership. Please
use all available means to encourage your members to
take action as soon as possible. Should you have any
questions, please contact Shane Larson at slarson@afanet.org.
It may be the holiday season but we cannot rest when it
comes to our political agenda. Congress will return from
recess soon and the best present we can give our members
this season is access to the Family and Medical Leave
Act that we don't have to negotiate. |
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