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APFA Dues Department

What You Need to Know About Your Dues Obligation

All leaves are considered active leaves per the JCBA; therefore, dues are obligated on all leaves. The following leave types are eligible for an exemption if the Flight Attendant remains on that leave for 30+ days.

  • Unpaid Sick
  • Unpaid Medical Leaves
  • Unpaid IOD
  • Approved Military Leaves
  • Unpaid Furlough

While on leave, you will continue to be billed for dues, and the exemptions for leaves listed above will apply upon returning to active status. APFA strongly encourages our members to pay your dues while on leave to maintain their ability to vote and participate in union activities. This will also prevent you from accruing a large balance while on that leave.

Upon returning to active status from leave, the unpaid balance accrued during the leave is due within 60 days. If an exemption does not apply and you are unable to pay that full balance, you are afforded two options regarding that balance:

  • Request a payment plan
  • Request Dues Forgiveness

In either case, if you do not pay or make arrangements to pay, you will have 30 days to pay in full or be discharged.

Leave types that dues obligation is most commonly mistaken:

AA Cadet (Pilot Supply Program) Leaves
This leave has been negotiated by APFA for the Flight Attendant to maintain their seniority while on this leave and return to the line should they decide to discontinue the program.

There is a misconception that if you resign your membership from APFA, you will avoid paying union dues. This is indeed incorrect. In fact, if you resign your membership and were to return to the line, you would be required to pay a $250 rejoin fee. The only way to avoid paying dues while in the AA Cadet Program is to fully resign from American Airlines as Flight Attendant.

Baby Bonding
Baby Bonding is a voluntary leave, and the Flight Attendant is dues obligated while on this leave. The only exception to this leave is if the Baby Bonding is concurrent with FMLA.

Furloughs
Per the JCBA, Flight Attendants with more than 1 year of service is eligible for severance pay. That furlough pay is determined by the amount earned the 12 months prior. If a flight attendant is eligible for furlough pay, whether they receive pay or not, they are dues obligated.

Dues and Assessment (APFA Constitution Article IV, Section 1)

A member's obligation for dues and assessments shall commence as of the date of his/her eligibility for active membership. All members shall be required to pay dues except as provided in Article II, Section 4,B(3), Section 4,B(4), Section 4,B(5), Section 5,A,(1) and Section 5,A,(2) of the APFA Constitution.

Initiation Fee (Constituion Article IV, Section 2)

New/Probationary Flight Attendants are subject to an initiation Fee determined by the APFA BOD of Directors. The current initiation fee is $50 (APFA Policy Manual Section 2.E), payable in 2 parts: one-half (1/2) with the first semi-monthly deduction and one-half (1/2) with the first semi-monthly deduction at the time of anniversary, in accordance with section 35.B of the JCBA.

Dues (Constituion Article IV, Section 1.D)

$41 per month paid bi-monthly via payroll deduction (“dues check off”) in accordance with Section 35.Q of the JCBA. $4 of all dues paid are placed in a restricted account for negotiations, and negotiations-related activity (NNRF).

APFA Dues History

Step 1
Step 1
Step 1
Step 1
Step 1
Step 1
Step 1
Step 1
Step 1

5/01/2006 – Present

$41.00 per month

7/01/2004 – 4/30/2006

$38.00 per month ($3 dues holiday)
(2004 BOD Resolution 3)

7/01/2002 – 6/30/2004

$41.00 per month
(Dues Increase Ballot Result)

4/01/1995 – 6/30/2002

$35.00 per month

11/01/1994 – 3/31/1995

$30.00 per month
(Dues Increase Resolution)

2/01/1983 – 10/31/1994

$25.00 per month

8/01/1982 – 1/31/1983

$36.00 per month
(Dues Increase Ballot Result)

8/01/1978 – 7/31/1982

$18.00 per month
(Dues Increase Ballot Result)

5/01/1977 – 7/31/1978

$8.50 per month
(Dues Ballot)

Dues Collection

Dues obligation for AA Flight Attendants is a condition of employment. Section 35.F of the JCBA, as well as Article IV of the APFA Constitution defines that obligation.

If you are on leave or returning from one of the leaves negotiated and offered during the pandemic, please visit the APFA website to view your account for any past dues balances.

Assessments (Constituion Article IV, Section 1.F)

Currently there are no special assessments levied on active members.

Re-initiation Fee (Policy Manual Section 2.E.4.)

Any Flight Attendant who has resigned from membership in the APFA (including those who transferred to management) may rejoin by completing a new application and fulfilling all requirements of a new member, including direct payment to the APFA of a re-initiation fee, so long as the Flight Attendant meets the eligibility standard set forth in Article II, Section 1. of the APFA Constitution.

Effective October 1, 1997, the re-initiation is two hundred fifty dollars ($250). The re-initiation fee must be paid directly to APFA and will not be deducted from paychecks.

Delinquent Dues / Dues Arrears “Bad Standing” (Constitution Article IV, Section 3)

Members are subject to termination from the company for non-payment of dues and/or initiation fees in accordance with section 35.F.-H. of the JCBA.

Any member with a past dues balance for more than 60 days will be considered a member in “bad standing” and ineligible to exercise their full rights and privileges of membership (ability to vote, hold a union position, attend union meeting). An alert letter will be sent allowing you 30 days to pay or make arrangements to pay or be discharged under Section 35.F.2 of the JCBA.

Payment of Past Dues
In accordance with Section 35.P of the JCBA, collections of past dues must be paid directly to APFA and will not be deducted from your paychecks. You may make your payment of past dues with a debit or credit card on this website by clicking "My Account” on the homepage of this website or sending a check to 1004 W Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040. Be sure to provide your employee number on the check.

Payment Plan (Constitution Article VI, Section 3.C.)
A payment plan may be set up for active members returning from an unpaid leave status that is not a specific leave type that is eligible for exemption as outlined in Article II Section 4.B (3) of the APFA Constitution.

Members on a payment plan must sign and execute a promissory note agreeing to pay all back dues, initiation fee(s), and/or assessments within a period not to exceed twice the number of months of back dues owed. (e.g., A member is returning from a 6-month education leave and did not pay their dues the entire time on leave, the member is eligible for a payment plan not to exceed 12 months.)

Elected and Appointed Positions
In accordance with Resolution #3 from the 2010 Fall BOD Meeting, immediately upon becoming a member in bad standing, an elected or appointed officer or representative shall be ineligible to continue to hold, and shall be removed from his or her position.

Dues / Fees Forgiveness for Past Dues

Dues/fees forgiveness requests are handled pursuant to Section 2.B and 2.J of the APFA Policy Manual.

Dues forgiveness requests are coordinated through the office of the National Treasurer, and decisions to approve or deny requests are by a majority vote of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors.

At no time will current dues be eligible or considered for dues forgiveness.

To apply for dues forgiveness, complete the Dues Forgiveness Application.

Known AA Dues Deduction Errors

Only current dues and initiation fees will be deducted from normal cycle paychecks on the 15th and 30th of the month. Special paychecks (vacation payback, pay protections, payroll errors, profit sharing, etc.) will not have dues deducted.

Dues for APFA are one of the last of the deductions from your paycheck. If you do not have enough earnings to pay your full $20.50 dues or $25 initiation fee, no deduction will take place for that pay period.

9/4/2020: Due to AA issuing October 15th paychecks earlier than normal to comply with laws in certain states regarding final paychecks for certain furloughed members, you may not have had your $20.50 dues payment deducted on this paycheck.

7/1/2020: Due to the delay in processing the pay protections beginning in May 2020, certain members did not receive enough pay in their 15th paycheck to have dues deducted. Although you may have received a separate paycheck from AA the next day, that paycheck for pay protections was run off-cycle, and dues were not deducted. This issue is still ongoing, and payment must be made directly to APFA.

12/31/2018: 896 members from classes that graduated in 2016 and 2017 did not have the second half ($25) of their initiation fees deducted from their 1st-year anniversary paycheck. This issue has been resolved as of 12/31/2018.

FAQs

An active member is a current AA Flight Attendant who has signed a Union membership card. If you are on leave at AA for any reason, you are still considered an active member and will be billed for dues during your leave.

An inactive member is a retired AA Flight Attendant who does not have a dues obligation, or an honorary member designated by the Board of Directors. Inactive members maintain their right to attend meetings, however, are ineligible to vote.

Login to your account to view your membership type and your membership standing. If you notice any errors, please reach out to the Membership Department at [email protected].

A member in good standing is a member who is current on their dues obligation. Members in good standing are eligible to vote, attend any APFA events, and access the members-only section of the APFA website.

A member in bad standing is a member who is 60+ days in arrears on their dues obligation. Members in bad standing are ineligible to vote, unable to attend APFA events, and beginning this fall, will be unable to access the members-only section of the APFA website.

Yes, you can be terminated for not paying dues.

Section 35.F of the JCBA, titled 'Delinquent Dues Procedures', states:
When a Flight Attendant who is a member of the APFA becomes delinquent within the meaning of Paragraph E, the following procedures shall apply:

1. The Secretary/Treasurer of the APFA shall notify the Flight Attendant, in writing, certified mail, return receipt requested, copy to the Vice President of Labor Relations of the Company, that she/he is delinquent in the payment of initiation fee and membership dues, as specified herein and, accordingly, is subject to discharge as an employee of the Company. Such letter shall also notify the Flight Attendant that she/he must remit the required payment within thirty (30) days of the date of the mailing of the notice, or be subject to discharge.

2. If, upon the expiration of the thirty (30) day period, the Flight Attendant still remains delinquent, the APFA National President shall certify, in writing, to the Vice President of Labor Relations, copy to the Flight Attendant, that the Flight Attendant has failed to remit payment within the grace period allowed and is, therefore, to be discharged. The Vice President of Labor Relations shall then take proper steps to discharge such employee from the service of the Company.

3. A Flight Attendant discharged by the Company under the provisions of Paragraph F shall be deemed to have been discharged for cause within the meaning of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Article IV of the APFA Constitution further defines your dues obligation.

All members should be treated equally, and representatives are no exception. At the 2021 Spring Convention, your APFA Leadership passed Resolution 13, outlining the process and timeline for collecting non-dues-related funds owed to APFA. That process is being followed today, and those debts that have remained uncollectable after a member has terminated their employment have been turned over to an outside collection agency for collection or legal action, as applicable.

Article IV, Section 3.C of the APFA Constitution requires the Dues department to provide payment arrangements to members returning to AA from an unpaid status if requested. You will be required to sign a promissory note, and it will remain in effect until the balance is paid in full. Dues owed during regular employment or paid leaves are ineligible for payment arrangements and must be paid in full.

No, in accordance with Section 35.P of the JCBA, only current active dues may be deducted from your paycheck. The ability to pay past dues via payroll deductions is being explored in Negotiations.

Payment arrangements apply to dues owed during unpaid leaves only. Dues owed during regular employment or paid leaves are not eligible for a payment arrangement. This answer depends on the breakdown of your balance:

  • Dues owed during unpaid leaves only  – Yes, once APFA receives your signed promissory note, you can attend meetings and events. The signed promissory note must be received at least 30 days before the ballot for your vote to count.
  • Both dues owed during unpaid leaves and dues owed during regular employment/paid leaves  – Once APFA receives your signed promissory note for the dues owed during unpaid leaves and your regular employment/paid leave dues balance has been paid in full, you will be able to attend meetings and events. The signed promissory note must be received at least 30 days before the ballot for your vote to count.

Reach out to our outside collections agency, Diversified Credit Systems, at (800) 256-3838 to further discuss your account.

You will continue to receive a bill from APFA for dues while on your leave. You will become a member in bad standing after 60 days in arrears. Paying those dues while on leave will allow you to remain in good standing to vote and attend APFA events.

Most, if not all, leaves of absences have been negotiated by APFA. This includes Flight Attendants in the AA Cadet Program, Standard VLOAs, EVLOAs, PVLOAs, STLOAs, 12-month VEOPs, Education Leaves, Paid Medical Leaves, Paid IODs, Paid Maternity Leave, Baby Bonding, Personal Leaves, and those who were furloughed and eligible for furlough/severance pay. Moreover, these leaves are all voluntary.  If you are on a paid leave, you continue to be dues-obligated.

If you are on an Unpaid Medical Leave, Unpaid IOD, Military Leave, terminated/suspended from AA, and are currently seeking reemployment through the APFA SBA Department or unpaid furlough, you will continue to receive a bill from APFA for dues while on your leave. However, if you return, that balance will be wiped away.

Although per APFA Constitution Article II, Section 4.B(4), you are exempt from your dues obligation during unpaid status and remain in good standing. You will not be able to vote or attend meetings during your unpaid status if you are 60+ days in dues arrears.  This means that you must remain current on your dues obligation during any unpaid status if you wish to vote or attend meetings.

There are several reasons how this can happen, and these are the most common reasons:

  • The company may not have the dues check-off form on file. That agreement is needed for the company to allow dues deductions from your paycheck. Email [email protected] to verify your dues check-off form was received.
  • Union dues are the last deductions to come out of your paycheck, so you may not have had enough for the deduction. The full amount must be available for the deduction to process. (e.g., if you only have $14 leftover after all other deductions, then your dues will not be deducted.)
  • The company just didn’t take the deduction for some other reason. If you have a valid dues deduction authorization on file but the company is not deducting dues, please notify APFA immediately.

When a member has a balance for more than 30 days, a letter is mailed to your address on file notifying you of your balance and your risk of bad standing. If no payment is made a statement will be sent each month. If you have not received the letter or statements, please be sure to update your mailing and email address on the APFA website or by emailing  [email protected].

Payments can be made online or by calling the Dues Department at 817-540-0108, Option 3. You may also mail in a check to 1004 W. Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040.

Online Instructions: Watch our instruction video to learn how to pay dues online.

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

2024 APFA Board of Directors Fall Meeting

October 16 @ 8:00 am - October 17 @ 5:00 pm

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

2024 APFA Board of Directors Fall Meeting

October 16 @ 8:00 am - October 17 @ 5:00 pm

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

2024 APFA Board of Directors Fall Meeting

October 16 @ 8:00 am - October 17 @ 5:00 pm
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