AFA-CWA Applauds Court's Decision to Uphold Democratic Elections

Washington, DC –Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) International President Patricia A. Friend issued the following statement today after the United States District Court in the District Of Columbia supported new voting procedures proposed by the National Mediation Board (NMB). Effective July 1, 2010, the new procedures will allow the majority of workers who actually vote in union elections to decide the election and the NMB will stop assigning “no” votes to workers who do not participate in elections.

“Today, democracy has prevailed and we gladly usher in a new era where aviation and railway employees have a voice. Throughout this country, a majority of those casting ballots determine election outcomes. And for the first time in recent history, elections conducted by the NMB will be held to the standards and principles that our country was founded upon.”

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. More than 50,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world’s largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.