Does AFA use our dues for politics?
No. Dues go to representing us. When AFA supports a candidate, the money comes from FlightPAC, which is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from members who choose to give.
Two separate pots.
One pays for the work of protecting Flight Attendants. The other is optional, and it's the only one that gives to candidates.
Your dues
Protects every member- Who pays
- Every member, and not a penny until we vote to approve our first contract.
- What it funds
- The work of representing us and enforcing our contract.
FlightPAC
Your choice- Who pays
- Only members who choose to give. No one is required to, and you can give or not at any time.
- What it funds
- Candidates who have shown a real commitment to Flight Attendants, from any party.
What the rules say.
Straight from the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws, AFA's FlightPAC page, and federal election law.
Candidate contributions come from FlightPAC.
"Contributions to candidates from FLIGHTPAC, and administration of FLIGHTPAC shall be coordinated by the International President and the AFA-CWA Political/Legislative Policy Committee."Section XIV.D, Political/Legislative Policy Committee · Read the C&B
Giving to FlightPAC is voluntary.
"A procedure allowing Flight PAC check-off for members wishing to make such direct contributions to the Union's Political Action Committee."Contents of Contract, item 12 · AFA carriers are "encouraged to negotiate a check-off form providing for voluntary contributions to FLIGHTPAC."
Funded by members who choose to give.
"We are funded 100% by voluntary contributions from AFA members."afacwa.org/flightpac
Unions can't give dues money to federal candidates.
The Federal Election Campaign Act bars labor unions from contributing to federal candidates from their treasury. Contributions have to come from a separate fund built on voluntary donations. For AFA, that fund is FlightPAC.
52 U.S.C. § 30118 · Read the lawFlight Attendant issues aren't red or blue.
"Party and ideology are irrelevant to an individual's support for Flight Attendant causes."AFA FlightPAC
Earning FlightPAC's support is a rigorous process. A candidate has to show a real commitment to Flight Attendants, and have the support of local Flight Attendants.
What else people ask.
Could my dues end up with a candidate I don't support?
Contributions to candidates come from FlightPAC, and FlightPAC is funded by members who choose to give. If you don't give to FlightPAC, none of your money goes to a candidate through it.
Does AFA tell me how to vote?
No. Your vote is yours. AFA may point out candidates who have stood up for Flight Attendants, and what you do with that is your call.
Then why is AFA involved in Washington at all?
Because so much of our job is set by law: rest rules, cabin safety, security, family leave. Standing up for Flight Attendants on those issues is part of representing us. That advocacy is different from giving money to a candidate's campaign.
It's how AFA won 10 hours of minimum rest for every Flight Attendant, and the Payroll Support Program that kept us employed through the pandemic, including about $700 million SkyWest accepted.
Is my contact information used for politics?
No. AFA's Constitution and Bylaws make it Union policy not to hand out membership mailing lists for commercial or political purposes.
How can I see where dues actually go?
AFA files annual financial reports with the federal government, and each Master Executive Council (the elected leadership at an airline) gives members an annual report that includes Union expenditures. More on how dues work →
I want to give to FlightPAC. How?
It's completely optional. If you'd like to, AFA has the form and details on its FlightPAC page.
A reply you can send.
AFA doesn't give our dues to candidates. Dues fund representation: negotiations, contract enforcement, grievances and legal defense. Candidate contributions come from FlightPAC, which is funded by members who choose to give, and it supports Flight Attendant champions in any party.
More about how AFA works.
Our dues. Our union. Our priorities.
This campaign was started by SkyWest Flight Attendants and is run by SkyWest Flight Attendants.
