TWU flight attendant leaders from Southwest Airlines, Allegiant, Flight Services International and JetBlue met at the TWU International Headquarters in Washington, DC for the second Coalition of TWU Flight Attendants meeting in April. The Presidents, Health and Safety Chairpersons, and Legislative Affairs Chairpersons from Locals 556, 577, 579, and our newest Local, 578, met for two days to discuss and collaborate on the priorities of our flight attendants.
In addition to updates on negotiations and other local issues, the Coalition members received briefings from TWU staff members and advisors on communications, legislative issues, Future Leaders Organizing Committee (FLOC), and the Assault Won’t Fly Campaign.
The Coalition agreed on future events to visit legislators in support of the recently launched Protection From Abusive Passengers Act as well as additional member actions to mobilize the public in support of passage of the bill. The Coalition also discussed strategies working together to pass the Toxic Cabin Air Bill and develop a Flight Attendant Bill of Rights. In addition, the Coalition agreed to change its name to the TWU Cabin Crew Coalition.
“Last week, the TWU Cabin Crew Coalition accelerated the fight for work-life improvements for all TWU flight attendants” said Local 556 President Lyn Montgomery. “TWU flight attendant leaders collectively strategized over aviation safety, legislative actions, negotiations, assaults on flight attendants, and Membership concerns.”
“The TWU Cabin Crew Coalition continues our mission to combine our efforts in the areas of legislation, advocacy, and to share resources to improve the livelihoods of our union members,” said Local 579 President Tyesha Best. “We are excited to amplify our voices as flight attendants as we fight for better quality of life, better work rules, and safer working environments.”
“The TWU Cabin Crew Coalition is a diverse group of professional flights attendants working together to make improvements to the work lives of our members and protect our basic human rights,” said Local 577 President Christa Gifford. “We have only just begun but we can accomplish big things together.”
As the newest Coalition member, Local 578 President Sharolyn Stanley received pledges of support from the group as she builds her brand new local. “The TWU Cabin Crew Coalition represents the best of our work group — the professional flight attendants of TWU,” said Stanley said. “Regardless of our differences, we are in this together. By promoting dignity and respect within the Coalition and representing that standard within our locals, we strive to seek improvements in the quality of life for all flight attendants.”
The next TWU Cabin Crew Coalition meeting will be held in conjunction with the TWU Legislative and COPE Conference on July 12-13 in Washington, DC.