Flight Attendants Rally for Rest on Capitol Hill

Hundreds of AFA-CWA Flight Attendants and other activists rallied at the U.S. Capitol on March 16, calling on Congress to ensure that 10 hours minimum rest for Flight Attendants is included in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization.

Airline workers from the Air Line Pilots, Transport Workers, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Machinists and others joined the rally and the day of lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Flight Attendants and supporters visited all 541 congressional offices after the rally, and talked to Members of Congress and staff about the need for 10 hours minimum rest for Flight Attendants.

At the rally, AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson said, "We are going to get our 10 hours rest and flight fatigue management program in 2016." She reminded the crowd that, "what we legislate we don't have to negotiate."

CWA President Chris Shelton said the 10-hour minimum rest period was a critical safety issue, and rallied the crowd to get it done, pledging that CWA would be in the fight for as long as it takes.

Currently, the House version of the FAA reauthorization bill includes 10 hours minimum rest and an FAA regulated Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP). The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has voted to include AFA-CWA proposed language to address fatigue and establishing an FRMP for Flight Attendants, but the Senate language does not match the House version that requires an irreducible 10 hours minimum rest between duty periods for Flight Attendants. AFA-CWA continues to press forward to achieve 10 hours minimum rest equal to the pilots.

Flight Attendants from all carriers – mainline, regional, niche, charter, low cost or ultra-low cost – are unified in fighting for the 10-hour minimum standard.

Left: On the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Flight Attendants make their message heard. Right: AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson addresses AFA-CWA Flight Attendants and other airline union members who rallied then spent the day lobbying Members of Congress on the need for 10 hours minimum rest.