Flight Attendant Win FMLA Coverage, Law Goes to President's Desk

Legislation to extend the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act to flight attendants and other flight crew members is headed to the White House for President Obama's signature following House action this week.

"We are very pleased with the passage of the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.), which finally closes loopholes in the current law that have denied coverage to many flight attendants," said Patricia Friend, International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Friend noted that the legislation passed the House with a strong, bipartisan vote and expressed the appreciation of every flight attendant for Rep. Bishop. The Senate passed a companion measure last month.

FMLA was enacted in 1993, but flight attendants and other flight crew members were denied the law's protections because of the way airlines computed their work hours.