The ultimate goal of any organizing campaign is to bring a contract to the newly unionized workgroup. While we are unable to guarantee what changes will result from negotiations, we can tell you that management and your negotiating team will meet and negotiate in good faith on your behalf. That’s the law.
 
There are many issues that are covered in a contract. Most importantly, you and your coworkers will no longer be considered at-will employees.  You will have the job security that you deserve.  The basics of a contract for a flight attendant workgroup include hours of service covering duty day and crew rest, scheduling, reserve guidelines, some type of discipline structure, and seniority issues.
 
But there are also other items in a contract that may be less well-known, but are equally important. These items include:
 
Scope – This defines the duties that will be performed by the workgroup. This language will prevent management from arbitrarily adding work to your job classification without renegotiating contract language with your union.
 
Scope also covers your rights if management initiates a merger or buyout of another carrier. Without this language, and without someone to represent you, your seniority could be meaningless.
 
Leaves – There are many different reasons that a person could need to take a leave, including maternity leave, FMLA, or jury duty. Leave language in a contract protects your seniority, and ensures that taking time away from your work does not harm you.
 
Discipline/Grievance Procedures – As a flight attendant, there will come a time when a negative passenger letter, a misunderstanding with a coworker, or crazy events on an overnight could lead to discipline. No one anticipates having these situations arise, but even the best flight attendants can find themselves in hot water. Through a grievance process, you are given several opportunities as outlined by the Railway Labor Act to ensure your case is heard, and is fairly adjudicated based on other similar cases.
 
The articles below were important and were negotiated by the Southwest Airlines flight attendants.  Your workgroup may have different needs, but take a look at this list, and see if any of these provisions should be negotiated in your contract.