2.05.25 – 32nd Anniversary of the Passage of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

32nd Anniversary of the Passage of
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Today, we commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the passage of FMLA. This landmark law has protected Workers’ rights to take time off for family and medical reasons without risking their jobs or health insurance. Before its enactment on February 5th, 1993, many employees faced the difficult choice between their health or family needs and job security.

FMLA allows eligible employees of covered employers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons while maintaining health insurance coverage. However, Flight Attendants were initially excluded from this Worker protection, and it was not until December 21st, 2009, that the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act was signed into law providing Flight Attendants access to FMLA protections. The amendment passage specifically established an hours-of-service eligibility requirement compatible with how flight crews attain flight hours.

As the 119th Congress commences and a new administration takes office, we must remember that Worker protections, such as FMLA, were never given to us. The passage of the FMLA technical corrections bill was a long and hard-fought battle led by a coalition of Unions. Activists spent countless volunteer hours on Capitol Hill and in crew rooms helping Flight Attendants call and sign postcards to their Senators and Representatives.

As members of the Labor movement, we must continue to advance basic fairness and dignity for all workers, and as we fight forward, we recommit to defending and extending the rights of working people.

Click the image below to view the 30-year commemoration of FMLA in 2023. A Flight Attendant specific story begins at minute marker 6:42.

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
Lori Vitto-Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representatives
[email protected]