American Flight Attendants $3 Million Behind On Union Dues

This shouldn't affect the passenger experience, but it is surprising.

American flight attendants ~$3 million behind on union dues

American Airlines flight attendants are represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. The union sent a note with a shocking number. The union says that.

• 7,636 flight attendants are behind on their union dues, representing around 32% of the membership
• Those flight attendants owe $2,983,410.10
• That means the average member who is behind on dues owes around $390

Dues have not changed since 2002, even though the membership has seen an increase in wages. The Negotiations and Negotiations Related Fund (NNRF), which is a mandatory restricted account for negotiations, is the main source of dues for the union.

The Pandemic has been financially challenging for many. Those who were on involuntarily paid leave won't have to pay their dues. Those who took a voluntary leave of absence are still on the hook for their dues. The union says that members need to pay dues for the entire time they were gone because it negotiated all leave agreements.

Union threatens to have members fired

The flight attendants were told about what could happen if dues weren't paid. Flight attendants could be terminated for not paying their dues.

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.