4.10.26 – APFA BOS Base Brief – Base NOD Filed Over LHR Catering

Base NOD Filed Over LHR Catering

Friday, April 10, 2026

Boston Flight Attendants,

On April 8th, 2026, we filed a Base Notice of Dispute (NOD) titled 2026-BOS-9 regarding increased workload, scope violations, and unreasonable expectations of Flight Attendants resulting from American Airlines terminating its contract with our previous catering vendor in London. We have begun receiving reports from Flight Attendants documenting safety hazards, food safety concerns, an increased workload without increased pay or staffing, and a variety of other issues. Additionally, we are challenging the company’s authority to delegate these tasks to the Flight Attendant workgroup in the first place, as we deem them outside the scope of our contract.

The APFA National Officers, Base Presidents, and Base Vice Presidents met with management the evening of April 8th, 2026, regarding concerns and violations we have seen since we changed our catering partner in LHR. We were told that the company believed some of the issues had already been resolved, and that they were unaware of safety matters, such as inserting heavy soda into upper compartments. Your reporting and documentation helped us make the point that these concerns have not been resolved, and hold them accountable for their responsibilities to their Flight Attendants.

How you can help

Continue documenting all your concerns through the appropriate reporting channel, whether it’s CERS, ASAP, or FA Reports. After you have filed your report, please forward a copy to [email protected] so we have it as we prepare the case for the base level Dispute Resolution Conference. When possible, take photos of heavy items being catered in high-up compartments in the galley, leakage from trash bags on the floor, situations that create food safety concerns, and anything else that can be visually documented. If there is no reporting avenue provided by American Airlines for the concern you are documenting, we encourage you to email it to [email protected] with any photos attached, and cc [email protected].

APFA BOS Base President Luke Williams files this dispute on behalf of all BOS based Flight Attendants regarding LHR catering disruptions and the associated violations they have caused. Starting February 28^th Flight Attendants were notified of a temporary adjustment to catering operations in LHR due to issues with the previous caterer, since that time the company has violated the CBA in asking Flight Attendants to perform duties outside the scope of their role, with no anticipated end in sight.

APFA asserts that these actions violate CBA provisions including but not limited to:

CBA Section 1 – Scope

Including but not limited to creating undo burden on Flight Attendants and expanding their job duties to perform functions routinely performed by Caterers, Cleaners, and other personnel, outside the scope of the Flight Attendant workgroup.

CBA Section 10 – Scheduling

Including but not limited to failing to re-assess staffing levels while increasing the workload on Flight Attendants flying segments to/from LHR.

CBA Section 14 – International Flying

Including but not limited to expanding the scope of the Purser to coordinating the re-catering of galleys and oversight of non-CBA compliant cleaning duties.

CBA Section 34 – Safety and Security Department (SSD)

Including but not limited to catering heavy items in higher positions in hard to reach places that are traditionally reserved for lightweight items.

CBA Section 37 – General

Including but not limited to requiring Flight Attendants to stow items for catering personnel, re-cater galleys, participate in cabin cleaning duties not permissible in the CBA, requiring these duties following the conclusion of an IPD leg, and by instituting changes in Flight Service without consultation of the APFA.

Remedy Sought:

• All BOS Based Flight Attendants that have worked a sequence touching LHR from February 28^th 2026 until such time as the APFA and company mutually agree that the work levels have returned to normal to be paid $10.50 per flight hour on each segment to/from LHR, equal to Understaffing Pay outlined in CBA 3.F
• The immediate Cease and Desist of all practices expanding the Flight Attendant scope outside of the contractual allowance, including but not limited to Cabin Cleaning duties, stowing of Catering items, and Purser oversight of non-Flight Attendant duties
• The immediate revision to galley packing standards to ensure heavy items are not loaded overhead in positions that could pose a threat to any crew member
• A re-assessment of staffing levels on flights to/from LHR for the 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, 787-9, 787-9P and 321XLR for the duration of the catering disruptions and written response to APFA on the reasoning behind the decision
• Any and all other remedies deemed necessary by the parties in conference

In Solidarity,

Luke Williams
APFA BOS Base President
(617) 362-0052
[email protected]

Kea Serikaku
APFA BOS Base Vice President
(617) 362-0052
[email protected]