3.10.26 – APFA LGA Base Brief – Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

HOLIDAY INCENTIVE DAY DISPUTES

All dispute requests submitted to our office have now been heard, and we are currently awaiting management’s response.

We received many requests asking that disputes be filed on behalf of entire crews. While we always want to ensure every Flight Attendant receives the pay they are contractually entitled to, this issue was not consistent across crews. In several cases, some Flight Attendants on the same crew were paid correctly while others were not, which required disputes to be addressed individually rather than through a group NOD.

Additionally, in New York we take member privacy seriously. APFA must receive authorization before reviewing records or speaking on a member’s behalf. Even in a group NOD, each Flight Attendant must still provide individual authorization for APFA to proceed.

Many members have asked why some crews were paid while others were not. Based on our review, this does not appear to have been intentional, but rather an issue with how the Holiday/Incentive pay was programmed to recognize segments affected by delays. In several cases, delays pushed a flight segment beyond the original duty period and into the next duty period after a rest break, which appears to be where the discrepancy occurred.

The Contract language is clear:

“If either the departure time or the arrival of the flight (based on local station time) touches or was scheduled to touch the actual holiday, Holiday/Incentive Day pay applies for the entire flight segment flown.”

We remain confident management will review these cases carefully and resolve them appropriately. If you have any questions, please contact us via [email protected]. We will notify members as soon as we receive a response.

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NEW YORK & THE AIRBUS A321XLR

On Thursday, December 18^th, 2025, New York celebrated the inaugural and very first live flight of the Airbus A321XLR for American Airlines, serving JFK-LAX.

This Sunday, March 8, 2026, New York celebrated the inaugural JFK-EDI route on the new XLR aircraft.

The cabin crew for this flight could not have been better organized. From senior to junior, the professionalism on display represented the very best of our workgroup. Purser Michele Nasca alongside Michelle Debernardi, Jaylen Watkins, John McCarthy, and Julie Bulkley set the tone for what excellence looks like in our profession.

Supporting the launch were Dimora Cole, representing Flight Attendants with professionalism and pride, along with Jason Coye, JFK Base Ops Manager, and Adrian Martin, Senior Regional Manager. There were also member of management from other stations present for the occasion.

As Base President, I make it a point to be present at moments like these. While inaugurals are certainly a celebration, they are also an opportunity to remind everyone that Flight Attendants are at the heart of every successful launch and every flight that follows. Our professionalism, safety expertise, and commitment to service are what make these milestones possible.

A heartfelt thank you to Raymond Lewis, APFA Regional Representative and who gave me perhaps the real opportunity to serve on his base council and feel out what advocacy really entailed. Raymond’s incredible talent on the bagpipes brought a powerful and memorable touch to this launch. Raymond is someone deeply respected by both our base and APFA. His presence made the moment even more meaningful.

The LGA Base Council is grateful to the local American Airlines management team, for always including APFA as a partner in building a strong operation here in New York.

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NEW YORK COMMUNICATION

As we continue welcoming new members to the base, we want to remind everyone how important it is to know the proper way to contact the Base Council or a local representative.

We continue to ask members not to send text messages when seeking assistance. It is simply not possible for a small group of representatives to effectively support nearly 3,400 Flight Attendants through text messages. Our work requires us to track requests, review records, and document communication, which cannot be done through texting.

We understand that emergencies happen, and in urgent situations we will always do our best to help. However, routine requests for assistance, especially those involving Union representation, must come through the appropriate channels.

Base officers receive a constant flow of emails, calls, and communications from members, management, and various APFA departments. Using the proper contact methods ensures that your request is received, tracked, and addressed appropriately.

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CONTACTING THE NY BASE COUNCIL

For any of the following matters, please email the Base Council at [email protected]:

• Requesting Union Representation
• Filing a Dispute
• Contract or Scheduling Questions
• Injury On-Duty concerns
• Parking Issues
• Communication Concerns with Management
• Any other matter requiring Base Council assistance

Email ensures your request is received, documented, and directed to the appropriate representative so we can properly support you.

Member Support Line:
You may also contact the APFA Member Line at 800-695-4265, available at any time. Members may leave a message or send a text, and a representative will return your call as soon as possible.

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APFA 2026 ANNUAL CONVENTION

Last week, both Base Officers attended the APFA Annual Convention, where the Board of Directors reviews Union business and votes on matters including the annual budget. Members in good standing are encouraged to review the meeting minutes to stay informed on the work being done on your behalf.

One of the most difficult outcomes of this year’s convention was the approval of additional budget reductions across the Union, including cuts that impact base operations and key departments that support Flight Attendants Day to day. As LGA Base President, I voted No on the proposed FY 2026–2027 budget.

My vote was not political, nor a reflection of the hard work put forward by those tasked with developing the budget. However, the additional reductions to the LGA base budget—on top of cuts already implemented by the Board in November 2025—will require us to operate with fewer resources while continuing to manage the same level of representation, meetings, and challenges our members face.

That said, under my leadership there will be no reduction in the advocacy, representation, or support we provide to LGA Flight Attendants. We will continue to engage management and fight to improve the quality of life for every member we represent.

If you have questions or concerns, you are always welcome to contact me directly at [email protected].

I’m often told I write too much, so I’ll leave it here for now. We will send another Base Brief this Friday with updates on new hires and other base initiatives.

We are living and working in challenging times. Here in New York, we know resilience and we know how to overcome obstacles. As always, please fly safe, stay vigilant, and take care of one another.

In Unity,

Christian M. Santana
APFA LGA Base President
[email protected]

Megan Blanchard
APFA LGA Base Vice President
[email protected]