Focus Of The Meeting Was Ebola Concerns

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the world's largest flight attendant union, together with aviation union affiliates of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department, met late last week with principles and senior officials from agencies charged with aviation safety, health and security about a coordinated response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

"The arrival of Ebola in the United States has highlighted the importance of effective worker safety and health precautions and response to communicable disease. We have a serious challenge on our hands. We need serious attention to the procedures to manage it - both in this instance and to guard against any future risk," said Sara Nelson, AFA International President.

A week ago, AFA provided a comprehensive checklist of necessary precautions and response measures. The nation's leading flight attendant union continues to coordinate with unions for pilots, mechanics, ground staff and security screeners to press for protocols that protect frontline aviation workers and promote confidence among the traveling public. 

Agency officials from the White House, the FAA, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agreed to participate in the unprecedented call that brings officials and frontline stakeholders together for a discussion on response measures in support of aviation's first responders and safe air travel.

"Contracting the Ebola virus is highly unlikely, but the potential threat is serious. As long as the risk exists we will not rest. Precautions and thorough response for our members and the passengers in their care is paramount. And now is the time to enact meaningful policy that guards against future risk. We appreciate the coordinated response of these agencies and we remain steadfast in our call on them to take effective action and actively listen to the concerns of frontline workers," added Nelson.

FMI: www.afacwa.org