12.13.24 – APFA BOS Base Brief – Why a Union Dues Restructuring is Necessary

Friday, December 13, 2024

Why a Union Dues Restructuring is Necessary:
Boston Flight Attendants

Introduction

In October 2024, our new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was ratified, securing industry-leading pay and stronger protections. However, a Union is only as effective as its ability to enforce contracts. With Union dues unchanged since 2001, our ability to meet rising operational costs and ensure robust representation is at risk. Restructuring Union dues is essential to maintain the benefits we’ve achieved and to ensure sustainable, effective support for all members, especially in Boston.

Current Challenges with Union Funding:

1. Rising Representation Costs:
   The CBA’s new pay rates increase the cost of representation, as Boston Base Leadership and Representatives are compensated for time removed from flying duties to represent Flight Attendants in meetings and address member concerns. Other larger bases have the budget for full-month removals for the Base President, Base Vice President, and Base Reps (BCRs), but BOS operates differently, adding strain to the current model.
2. Inflation Over 20 Years:
   Union dues have not been adjusted for inflation since 2001, severely eroding their purchasing and servicing power while operational demands continue to grow.
3. Understaffed Leadership in BOS:
   Boston, the smallest base, operates with a limited budget, supporting mostly a Base President and Vice President to handle:

• Attendance and performance meeting representation. (Averaging 12-20 meetings per month)
• CBA compliance and management discussions. (Thousands of calls and texts)
• 24/7 availability to address member concerns.

Despite policy allowing for more representatives, insufficient funds prevent additional staffing. Per the APFA Constitution, we can have up to 7 Base Council Reps (BCRs); however, there is only room in the budget to pay these people for their time if base leadership takes a cut to their hours.

Recognizing Our Volunteers

We are incredibly fortunate to have dedicated volunteers in Boston who go above and beyond to support our members. Tyler Anderson, Sarah Smith, and Heidi Visocchi volunteer their time on the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Professional Standards, and CIRP teams, providing essential resources and guidance to Flight Attendants navigating challenging situations. Their efforts ensure that Boston-based members have the support they need during critical moments, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment.

Creativity in Budgeting and Representation

Despite budget constraints, we’ve addressed some of the growing demands of our base through innovative approaches and teamwork. Devyn Gourley, our Regional Representative, has been instrumental in assisting with grievances and SBA work at the national level. Additionally, Luke Williams, Dylan Foy, and Madeline Snow have stepped up to assist in investigatory 35R meetings (CBA 35.R) with management, demonstrating the collaborative spirit that defines Boston. By adjusting Kelli and Nicole’s schedules, we’ve been able to utilize others for specific meetings on a PA Day (5 hours of pay) instead of incurring the higher cost of a full sequence removal. We are especially grateful that Luke, Dylan, and Madeline proactively stepped forward to take on these roles, showing initiative and dedication to supporting their fellow Flight Attendants. Their contributions have been invaluable in maintaining our standard of service and ensuring every member’s voice is heard.

A Day in the Life of BOS Vice President:

From early-morning calls to late-night messages, the BOS VP juggles advocacy, policy updates, and CBA enforcement. This workload is unsustainable under the current budget.

Sample Schedule:

• 7:20-7:30: Call Base President about a member needing follow-up with management.
• 8:00-9:00: Review staffing and allocations for next month.
• 9:45-10:00: Brief Flight Attendant before an attendance meeting.
• 10:00-11:00: Virtual attendance meeting to advocate for mitigating points.
• 11:00-11:15: Staffing briefing for next month from management during the drive to the airport.
• 11:30-11:45: Follow-up call with attendance manager.
• 12:00-13:00: Meetings with management about customer complaints and performance.
• 13:30-14:30: Drive home while debriefing with Base President about the day’s meetings.
• 15:20-15:40: Strategize with Base President about ongoing management discussions.
• 16:30-17:00: Respond to emails and write to the safety department regarding a current issue.
• 17:00-17:30: Text Flight Attendants with updates on pay discrepancies and policy clarifications.
• 18:00-18:15: text FA with follow-up on safety issues while reviewing the IFM bulletins
• 19:30-19:45: call with FA about rescheduling and duty limitations

This schedule reflects the reality of what it takes to provide effective representation and support under a limited budget and highlights the critical need for additional resources. Boston leadership often volunteers unpaid hours to fill gaps. Without restructuring, this approach will fail long-term, jeopardizing the representation members rely on.

Proposed Solution

A Ballot Measure for Dues Restructuring:

A shift from $41/month to 1 hour of pay at the 6th-year rate ($53.67) for all Flight Attendants regardless of your pay step will:

• Align dues with earning power.
• Adjust automatically with future pay changes.

Key Benefits:

1. Stronger Representation: Funding for BOS-specific needs like additional BCRs and adequate pay for BOS leadership for hours worked.
2. Improved Member Services: Increased capacity for timely responses and proactive advocacy.
3. Financial Transparency: Clear budget breakdowns to ensure members know how dues are allocated. This is available at any time by scheduling time to discuss this with the Base President.

Why This Matters to Boston Flight Attendants

Without sufficient funding:

• Delays in Representation: Reduced staff means slower responses to member issues.
• Missed Advocacy Opportunities: Limited resources hinder efforts to address systemic issues if stretched thin on basic duties of representation.
• Risk to CBA Enforcement: Strained resources weaken our ability to uphold negotiated benefits.

Bottom Line: Every dollar invested strengthens our ability to fight for fair treatment, enforce the CBA, and ensure lasting member protections. Representation is not free; all services have a cost and when we are well-funded, we are able to deliver on the needs for members.

By voting for the proposed dues restructuring, Boston Flight Attendants can expect:

• Fair compensation for Union representatives.
• Enhanced representation tailored to BOS’s unique challenges.
• A secure financial future for the Union.

Let’s build a stronger, more sustainable Union—together.

In Solidarity,

Kelli Powers   Pronouns: she/her/hers
APFA BOS Base President
[email protected]
(603) 661-5297

Nicole Tennenbaum   Pronouns: she/her/hers
APFA BOS Vice President
[email protected]
(727) 600-0141