Fledgling Democracy Movement Fails at AFA Board Meeting; Griffin Resigns

Fledgling Democracy Movement Fails at AFA Board Meeting; Griffin Resigns

A move to make AFA officials more accountable to the membership died at the AFA Board of Directors meeting last week, when the board voted to reject several amendments that would have provided for direct member election of International officers and MEC officers.

NWA MEC President Kevin Griffin, who announced his resignation during the board meeting last week, originally put the amendments forward. However, for some unknown reason, our NWA MEC decided not to tell us on last week's hotline about Kevin’s resignation, or the results of the Board of Directors amendment items.

Some people might think the president resigning is a big deal; by the lack of communication, apparently this is not such a big deal to AFA. Also, as a side note, AFA NWA MEC Vice President Janette Rook announced that she would be taking a leave (for an unspecified amount of time), beginning around the same time Kevin’s resignation takes effect.

Kevin’s official quit date is April 17, but he is already gone from Minneapolis, which begs the question: “Who’s in charge?” Who is handling company meetings, or unresolved negotiations items or pending merger issues? Who’s running the show and why hasn’t the MEC informed us?

If anyone wishes to be the fourth MEC President in less than 3 years (or acting Vice President), be sure to let someone at AFA know (if there’s anyone left there listening).

Here’s Kevin’s resignation letter:

“Good Morning Everyone,

I just wanted to say it has been a pleasure working with all of you during the past several years. We have just concluded our fourth Association of Flight Attendants Board of Directors Meeting in Milwaukee. The industry has seen many changes over the past decade and it has been a struggle especially in this corporate and economic environment.

I stated to the presidents at our MEC meeting in Milwaukee that I will be resigning as of the 17th of April 2009 due to family and medical reasons. I will not be able to devote the time to representing the Northwest Flight Attendants from that date forward. I am hoping that there will be a smooth transition as you fill the office of the MEC President.

As many of you know Janette, our Vice President will be out on a medical leave as well for 2-4 weeks and possibly longer. As I have asked the Presidents in Milwaukee I would ask that all of you pull together and offer time to come in to the office in Minneapolis to assist our new Secretary Treasurer Lynn Bible.

Once again it has been a pleasure during rather difficult times. Please try to focus on the end result with keeping a voice and keeping a UNION. Together we can do it.

In Unity,
Kevin”

Sincerely,
Jose Arturo Ibarra