Once again the power is yours!

Once again the power is yours!

Through facts, incidents, comparisons and other measures we continue to prove to ourselves AFA is not working; however the bottom line is that most NWA flight attendants know in their hearts that AFA is not worth the nearly $500 a year we each pay in dues. AFA has had very little to no success with the NWA flight attendants and in many instances has pretended to pay attention to our voices, but have completely ignored us.

AFA has not served the NWA flight attendants well. They have had very little to no success on the NWA property. AFA wants to rewrite what we know is true.

Many flight attendants believed in voting for AFA that they would get a more powerful union, plus everything they got from PFAA. We have learned that neither is true. Those flight attendants are not to be blamed for wanting better, especially at a crisis period in very difficult negotiations.

What we now know is that bigger is not better and bigger has not helped us. A democratic, fighting union is what matters.

We all believe in having a collective bargaining agent, but we also believe in success for the working people. Big, overstaffed, overpaid and underperforming unions don’t work.

The power has been and always will be in the masses – the members.

So what do we do now? Vote in a union whose past performance indicates a failed future, risk voting non-union and get an attorney, try to get in another union, again? Each choice has risks.

The one thing we know for sure, however, is that attempting to change AFA has not worked. Many have tried. Soon even AFA itself will probably tell you they are revamping themselves to get your vote, but how well will that help you pay your mortgage, your kids’ tuition, your medical bills and take care of yourself and your parents?

Change of AFA leadership has not helped our families so far.

And speaking of leadership, at AFA all of the power is in D.C. with attorney David Borer, AFA-CWA Pres. Pat Friend, AFA-CWA V.P. Veda shook, former NWA AFA VP Danny Campbell and former NWA AFA Pres. Mollie Reiley. All the major decisions are being made by non-NWA flight attendants or NWA flight attendant leaders you have solidly asked to not lead you.

Yes, AFA is a “top down” organization.

AFA may tell and show you puny examples of how it’s not undemocratic, but AFA’s own past performance tells you otherwise. For example, remember the secret meeting mid-negotiations between Pat Friend and NWA CEO Doug Steenland? Or how about the extended voting period for TA3 that happened in D.C. when it appeared TA3 was heading for rejection? Important meetings are held by, and election decisions are made by those in Washington who never have to live with the results of their decisions: namely an inferior contract that ties us to concessions until at least 2011.

So, our choices are to try to influence David, Pat, Veda, Danny and Mollie or to get out of AFA.

What do you want to do?

Once again the power is yours! Do we let AFA crush it again?

Do we let them scare us into extortion again, like they did when they raided us during the toughest time in our collective history, simply so they could collect our dues money? It is time we all reevaluate what we want and what we deserve for ourselves, our families and our career.

The future is in YOUR hands.

The upcoming merger will once again give you the power to decide!