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AFA Newsletter: May 7, 2020

In this edition (May 7, 2020):

  • RSVP: Delta AFA Town Hall Call, Thursday May 21
  • Delta, the CARES Act and Why We Need a Minimum Guarantee for Flight Attendants
  • AFA Letter to Senate Commerce: Involuntary Reduction in Hours Side-Steps Congressional Intent for CARES Act
  • Unemployment Resources 
  • Flight Attendants are Essential Workers 

RSVP: Delta AFA Town Hall Call, Thursday May 21

Flight Attendants and the entire aviation industry have some short term financial stability now with the CARES Act and money going to our airlines for frontline worker payroll. We are working to make sure that money is delivered to us as intended. Our airline, industry, and country are still combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for the safety and health changes necessary to stop spread of the virus in aviation and give the public confidence in returning to the air.

 Thursday, May 21st at 5pmET join Delta AFA for a Town Hall Call to talk about what Flight Attendants are facing, what the CARES Act means right now and in the fall, the next steps for our campaign, and to get your questions answered.

RSVP for the May 21 Town Hall Call >

*You must RSVP to join the call.

Delta, the CARES Act and Why We Need a Minimum Guarantee for Flight Attendants

U.S. airlines across the industry received $25 billion in federal grants to keep Flight Attendants and other frontline aviation workers on the payroll through September 30th. Our collective action helped Delta management secure $5 billion alone to pay Delta Flight Attendants, pilots, gate agents, and more Delta workers.

Even with that payroll assistance, more than 14,000 of our flying partners have taken some type of leave, mostly unpaid. Our workgroup is doing our part to help Delta through this time of crisis. Yet, management still won't guarantee minimum hours for Flight Attendants. 

Our competitors at American and United will pay Flight Attendants at least the minimum 71 hour line guarantee and 75 or 78 hours reserve guarantee, per their contracts. (And obviously more if the Flight Attendant flies over those hours.)

Even though the company is awarding schedules over 70 hours, our trips get cancelled and we end up having to sit availability, earning less money and subject to the will of management from our originally scheduled release to report. For example, one Delta Flight Attendant explained their May schedule, "I was scheduled 2 turns in May that are already cancelled and 2 three days that are full of cancelled flights. So now I will be on availability for 8 days." And no guarantee.

 We are already contributing more than any other workgroup to help our airline. All we are asking for is a minimum hours guarantee so that we have some financial stability -- which is what the CARES Act intended. 

TAKE ACTION: We Need a Minimum Guarantee Now >

 AFA Letter to Senate Commerce: Involuntary Reduction in Hours Side-Steps Congressional Intent for CARES Act

AFA sent a letter to the Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation Committee ahead of yesterday's hearing: “The State of the Aviation Industry: Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Among other topics addressed in the letter including essential worker status, necessary safety protections and the status of the payroll support program, AFA President Sara Nelson raises a key issue: the undermining of the CARES Act by a couple of airlines. Read the full letter >

Unemployment Resources 

Flight Attendants are Essential Workers 

This pandemic makes clear that every job has value and that Flight Attendants are essential workers. Even with our schedules at 10-20% of normal levels, Flight Attendants are still working and providing essential service to our nation. Flight Attendants have been on the frontlines of coronavirus since the beginning, and many studies show we are the most likely exposed workers after healthcare.

We want to put a face to Flight Attendants on the frontlines. Tell you story: What is it like flying right now? Are you still flying? Did you take a leave? Are you caring for a loved one?

Email us at [email protected] with your name, airline, story and a photo or video (with proper social distancing!) of you on the frontlines — whatever that may look like. We will continue to lift up our work as Aviation's First Responders. 

Watch our tribute to Essential Workers >

Get Involved

Print an authorization card here >

Want to get more involved in our campaign for our Flight Attendant Union? This is your campaign. It is open to all Delta Flight Attendants.