Response to the Starks and O’Neill Campaign

Good Afternoon,

This is a direct response to recent campaign claims that have made bold, untrue assertions regarding current LEC leadership. While we remain committed to the integrity of the election process, we must dispel misinformation to ensure our members have the facts.

Accountability and Communication

We want to be very clear: We have never provided excuses, been in a position to be “let off the hook”, or had any flight attendant been ignored. 

There have been claims of "communication failures," which ignore the reality of the tools at our disposal. While there were technical issues regarding the communication systems controlled entirely by AFA International, we didn't use that as an excuse to go silent. Instead, we pivoted. We utilized Facebook and Instagram to connect directly with members, meeting you where you actually are. Our commitment to transparency is reflected in the data: our social media engagement shows a 293% improvement from the previous year.

Experience Matters: Understanding the Structure

The Starks campaign shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how our union operates. This inexperience is a risk to our membership.

It is vital to understand the difference between the Local Executive Council (LEC) and the Master Executive Council (MEC):

• The LEC (Our Level): We are your direct advocates on the ground in DAY and PHL. We handle your grievances, represent you in local meetings, and solve day-to-day base issues.

• The MEC (System Level): The MEC handles system-wide negotiations, like the Tentative Agreement (TA).

When the Starks campaign confuses the roles of the LEC and MEC, it shows they don’t understand the position of the roles they seek. Flight attendants suffer when leadership lacks the basic understanding of the union structure. 

Transparency and the Union Budget

Financial transparency is a cornerstone of a healthy union. We would encourage any member who wishes to review the budget to follow the established procedures outlined in our AFA Constitution and Bylaws.

A Proven Record of Fighting for You

The Starks VP candidate claims this leadership has been "silent." However, she should be the first to attest to the fact that this union shows up. On many occasions, our current VP candidate sat across the table from her while she was still in management, fighting back through advocacy and grievances against the very disciplinary actions she was issuing to flight attendants. Our leadership didn’t just show up at election time; we have been on the front lines for DAY and PHL day in and day out.

Balanced Leadership: New Energy, Proven Experience

True leadership knows when to mentor the next generation. Our current VP is stepping aside specifically to allow for "new blood" and fresh energy from our new VP candidate, paired with the guidance of experienced leaders.

Correcting the Record on TA1 and MEC Recalls

• The TA1 Vote: The Starks campaign has boldly claimed to know how we voted. This is impossible. Votes are cast privately. Our candidates remained neutral to ensure members had objective information to make the best decision for themselves and their families.

• MEC Recall Efforts: We believe wholeheartedly in the democratic processes of our union. We strongly encourage flight attendants to be aware of all the facts. We stand steadfast in our commitment to the LEC and the rights of every member to follow our constitution and bylaws.

 

Upcoming Meeting

A Reserve Town Hall will be held on Wednesday, April 22 at 6 PM. This meeting will focus specifically on reserve-related issues. We will also schedule additional opportunities to address broader member concerns.

 

We remain committed to a clean, respectful campaign and to delivering realistic, experience-based leadership for our members. We have no intention of continuing to engage in responding to untruths or a lack of integrity. However, we have reached a pivotal moment where it was necessary to address these claims in order to uphold our commitment to a clean and honest campaign.