December 29, 2009
Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,
After the first of the year an official nomination and election process will be held for USA3000 AFA President and Secretary. Flight attendants who have officially joined the Union, by sending in their membership application are able to participate and run in this nomination and election process. If you have yet to send in your membership application, please do so as soon as possible in order to participate. If you are in need of a membership application, please contact domicile reps, as they are equipped with extras.
Now is the time to start thinking of who you would like to have represent our flight attendant group as we go into negotiations. If you are interested in one of these positions please make your peers aware of your interest, as flight attendants who wish to run for these positions must be nominated by at least two flight attendants.
AFA Local Executive Council elections are important because they determine the direction of policies that will affect the wages, benefits, and working conditions of every member in the Council. Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents are members of AFA's governing Board of Directors. As such, they amend AFA's Constitution and Bylaws, elect International AFA officers, determine the annual budget, and oversee all union activities.
When do elections begin?
The election begins when members receive nomination ballots from the International AFA office. Remember, only flight attendants who have become a member of AFA by completing a membership application are eligible to participate in the election process. The following positions will be open for nomination at our Council: LEC President and LEC Secretary. Since we are a newly-organized carrier without prior union representation nor a contract, we are entitled under the AFA Constitution and Bylaws and our domicile size, to two (2) elected representatives.
Who can run for office?
Under the AFA Constitution, candidates for LEC office must be members in good standing of the Council where the election is scheduled at the time of the nomination and election. Although our flight attendants may be based in different bases, we are designated as one AFA Council- #31. Prior leadership experience is useful, but not necessary. Many LEC officers learn on the job, and some of AFA's most effective leaders, as well as its founders, had no prior experience. Above all, candidates must be committed to all their representational responsibilities, and must be able to volunteer off-duty hours to their elected post.
How are officers elected?
AFA's Constitution and Bylaws provides for a two-step secret-ballot process, both accomplished by both electronic and mail ballot. The first step is a nomination ballot (mailed) on which you indicate the name of your nominee. Please ensure that the person you nominate wishes to serve in the position! The second step is the election ballot (electronic vote) which bears the names of all the nominees who received at least two (2) nomination ballots and who have indicated their willingness to serve.
Step 1: Nominations.
Generally, it is best for the candidates to make the decision to run and inform co-workers and supporters of that decision, before the nomination ballots are mailed out to Council members. Members in good standing are eligible to nominate up to one person for each of the elective posts at their Council. Candidates must receive at least two nominations in order to appear on the ballot.
Nomination ballots will be mailed out to AFA members at Council 31 on January 12, 2010
The nomination ballots must be postmarked by February 2, 2010
The nomination ballots will be counted on February 12, 2010
Step 2: Election conduct.
AFA election procedures protect the secrecy of member's votes. After ballots are marked, the member places the ballot into a "ballot" envelope and then into a "transmittal" envelope marked with a "Voter ID" label which must not be removed. Before a ballot is counted, the outside transmittal envelope is opened and physically separated from the ballot envelope to ensure secrecy. Electronic balloting follows similar secrecy guidelines which you will receive in the mail.
How are campaigns run?
Candidates must use their off-duty hours to campaign. Candidates may enlist a fellow flight attendant as a campaign coordinator. Campaign expenses-telephone calls, special mailings, fliers, etc-must be paid out of personal funds. Donations from friends, family members, and coworkers are permitted, but careful records should be kept of all campaign contributions. The AFA Constitution and Bylaws permits AFA to assist members' election campaigns in three ways: by distributing campaign literature (at the candidates' expense), by posting campaign material on AFA bulletin boards, and by providing opportunities to address members at union meetings. If assistance is provided by AFA, all candidates must be treated equally.
Get involved!
AFA is your union, and it depends on input from members. If you are interested in becoming a union leader, run for office. If not, stay informed about the issues that affect your job, attend union meetings and, above all, vote!