FAs Will Stage Informational Actions In Six Cities

AirTran Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have set a "Six Cities in Six Weeks" picketing tour. The airline's FAs said Sunday they are planning series of public protests which began on Monday, February 14 in Atlanta and conclude on April 1 in Baltimore. If a tentative agreement is not reached by April 1, the union plans to continue the pickets in six additional cities.

Following Monday's initial demonstration in Atlanta, the additional five cities being targeted are:

• Tuesday, March 1 – Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Wednesday, March 9 – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Thursday, March 17 – Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
• Wednesday, March 23 - Orlando – AirTran Shareholders Meeting
• Friday, March 25 – General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
• Friday, April 1 – Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Following the announcement of the acquisition by Southwest Airlines, AirTran management approached AFA requesting an abbreviated list of the Flight Attendants' greatest concerns in order to expedite negotiations. When presented with the union's "short list" proposal, company management responded with a minimal counterproposal that failed to address the most basic work, duty and rest provisions. AFA rejected management's proposal and filed for mediation services from the National Mediation Board the following day. "While we do not want to have to take our struggle to the street, our Flight Attendants deserve fair work rule improvements now," said Stephen Grimaldi, AirTran Flight Attendant and AFA Chairperson of Flight Attendant Mobilization. "Management has been dragging their feet for too long - enough is enough."

Saying they are ready to begin focusing on the transition to Southwest Airlines, AirTran Flight Attendants may continue to work under the AFA contract for at least another two years. The AFA-CWA says that, under the Railway Labor Act, this future change in ownership does not negate the carrier's obligation to negotiate now with its Flight Attendants in good faith.

FMI: www.afacwa.org