• Flight Attendants Classified as Essential Employees
• A Special Message About the US Airways Flight 1549 Crew
• Accessing The Hub

• AFA Local Numbers

Labor Department Grants AFA-CWA Request:

Flight Attendants Classified as Essential Employees

Flight attendants scored a major victory this week when the Department of Labor responded to AFA-CWA's formal comments and reclassified the flight attendant occupation to its rightful place. The DOL's Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains a Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) system in which every occupation is assigned to a certain category.

Flight attendants had been listed in the personal care providers’ category, along with professionals such as animal trainers, hairdressers, funeral attendants and fitness trainers. AFA-CWA has long disagreed with this classification and has worked to reclassify our profession with our fellow crew members and transportation workers.

For the first time in over 30 years, flight attendants will be listed with essential transportation workers such as pilots and air traffic controllers in the Transportation and Material Moving Occupation section.

The SOC is frequently used by government agencies when compiling and comparing employment data. AFA-CWA made the claim to the Department of Labor to re-evaluate the flight attendant classification after first securing flight attendant certification with the Department of Transportation.

AFA-CWA International directors from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Air Safety Health and Security departments worked diligently alongside the Department of Labor to ensure that the federal government fully recognizes the value of flight attendants within the transportation industry.

This AFA-CWA victory in raising the profile of flight attendants is yet another step in the evolution of our profession to gain recognition from all levels of government and the public as safety professionals.

"I commend the Department of Labor for acknowledging that flight attendants are indeed essential employees," said AFA-CWA International President Pat Friend. "Particularly in today’s world, the crucial role of flight attendants in ensuring the security and safety of passenger aircraft is an undeniable reality."

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A Special Message About the US Airways Flight 1549 Crew
from AFA-CWA International President Pat Friend

Dear AFA-CWA Member,

Last Sunday, millions of people worldwide were introduced to the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 when they were honored before the Super Bowl game.

Beginning this week, you will hear their story.

AFA-CWA members Donna Dent, Sheila Dail and Doreen Welsh will appear on CBS' 60 Minutes on the evening of February 8 for their first interview since they successfully evacuated over 150 passengers as their plane sunk into the Hudson River on January 15th. The entire crew reunited in Charlotte recently for this special interview with Katie Couric. Be sure to check your local listings to watch your colleagues receive recognition for their professionalism and dedication. Donna, Shiela and Doreen will then head to New York City in which they will receive the Key to the City from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and appear on a variety of shows.

On Monday, February 9, you can see them on Good Morning America, The Early Show, ABC World News Tonight and NBC Nightly News.

On Tuesday, February 10, the crew will be on Larry King Live and The Late Show with David Letterman.

CNN's American Morning will welcome the crew on Wednesday, February 11 and People Magazine will hit the stands with an emotional story about the crew and passengers.

AFA-CWA Media Relations and US Airways MEC President Mike Flores have worked with news producers and reporters over the last few weeks to organize the media tour in Charlotte and New York.

The flight attendant crew of US Airways Flight 1549 will tell their story to the world next week and receive much deserved attention for their primary role in saving the lives of every passenger on that flight.

The story of Flight 1549 was originally nicknamed 'Miracle on the Hudson', but AFA-CWA has worked tirelessly to remind the media and the traveling public that it was the professionalism and skill of three highly trained professionals who saved every life onboard.

As they tell their heroic and emotional story, let us all tune-in and support their remarkable accomplishment. It is a proud moment for our profession, our union, and most importantly, for the three AFA-CWA flight attendants at US Airways - Donna, Sheila and Doreen.

As we watch our fellow flight attendants bring recognition to our profession, let us not forget that the wonderful success story that has emerged from the events of January 15 was brought to you by America's union members. The flight attendants, pilots, air traffic controllers, ship operators on the Hudson and police, fire and rescue units are all union members. America witnessed their professionalism, training and indeed, their courage on January 15. They showed the true meaning of Solidarity that day and we are all proud.

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA | 501 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Mike Flores, President
The US Airways Master Executive Council
AFA-CWA

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AFA Local Numbers
 
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

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