Ep 5: Red Hot Summer of Solidarity

In this episode of "It's Time Live," we are joined by Melissa Osborne, an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant who also serves as the Alaska AFA Local Council 11 President (SFO Base President). With a rich background that includes roles at Aloha Airlines and Virgin America, Melissa provides deep insights into the substantial benefits that union support and contracts offer flight attendants, ensuring stability and an elevated quality of life. While at Virgin, Melissa experienced firsthand what it was like when management could unilaterally change work rules. Eventually, Virgin America Flight Attendants unionized, and the company later merged with Alaska Airlines. 

This episode sheds light on the efforts of Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, who utilize powerful tools available to them as a unionized workforce to pressure management during contract negotiations. Moreover, we will discuss dynamic strategies such as CHAOS, an approach designed to significantly impact the company by potentially initiating targeted flight strikes and organizing informational picketing events that exemplify the unity and strength of the union.

We also delve into the proactive involvement of Flight Attendants in these negotiations, highlighting their contributions through surveys and a "wish list," which compiles individual feedback, signifying the collaborative and democratic ethos fostered by AFA-CWA.

This podcast was recorded on the day that the union for American Airlines Flight Attendants, APFA, announced a 99.4% strike vote by Flight Attendants at AA. In other words, AA Flight Attendants are standing together and willing to strike for their fair share! 

Note: Aloha Airlines ceased operations following a well-publicized fare war with low-cost upstart Go! Airlines, which was owned by Mesa, during a period of soaring jet-fuel prices. Eventually, Go! also declared bankruptcy and ceased operations.