CWA FACTS
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Union Facts
When do we start paying union dues?
You won’t pay dues until you negotiate and vote to accept your first contract. The first contract will not
go into effect until a majority of your co-workers vote to approve the tentative agreement reached
between the Airline and the CWA. If you wish to join the Association of Passenger Service Agents
now, go to the What is the APSA page.
How much are union dues?
Dues are equal to 1.3% of your base monthly wages and are pro-rated for part-timers. Full-time dues
are approximately 2 ¼ hours of your hourly salary. Part-timers are pro-rated based on scheduled
hours. For example: A full time employee working 40 hour per week making 10.00 per hour would
pay 22.50 per month. A part-timer scheduled 20 hours pays ½ of that and 30 hours ¾. Dues are not
assessed on overtime, traded, or part-time extended hours.
Is there an initiation fee?
No. There are no initiation fees.
Who determines my dues and how often they are raised?
Dues are determined by CWA members like you who are elected by co-workers to serve as delegates
at CWA’s conventions. Since dues are based on a percentage of your wages, they have never been
increased. The idea is to have an affordable level of dues that would increase only as members’
wages increase.
Where do my dues go?
Our dues will provide the resources CWA needs to represent us – in negotiations, grievance and
arbitration representation, training programs, health and safety programs, enforcing contracts, etc.
Convention delegates determine how and where dues are spent.
Will CWA force us to strike?
No. The decision to strike – or not to strike – is determined by a majority vote (through a secret ballot)
of the workers covered by the contract. In the airline industry contracts do not expire, they become
“amendable” and striking is the very last “self help” used. First negotiations, followed by mediation
with the National Mediation Board and management, and then an impasse must be granted by the
NMB which is followed by a 30 day cooling-off period before a strike can even be called. If necessary a
strike vote is taken and your group will vote to decide whether or not to strike, no other CWA members
vote on your contracts or strike issues.
How often do CWA members Strike?
Strikes are very rare. 98% of contracts in the United States are resolved without a strike. A strike is
the last means workers have at their disposal to pressure management into presenting a fair and
equitable contract proposal. In the airline industry strikes are even less common because the
National Mediation Board determines when and if workers are permitted to go on strike.
Who determines our bargaining priorities/issues?
You and your co-workers determine the priorities and bargaining issues for your negotiations. Prior to
bargaining, members of your bargaining unit are surveyed to determine what workplace issues will be
the most important priorities during negotiations.
Who bargains our contract?
Your bargaining committee, which will negotiate your contract, is made up of co-workers you elect to
serve on the committee. During bargaining your elected committee is assisted by expert CWA
negotiators who have bargaining experience and they will also be assisted and supported by CWA’s
legal and research departments.
Who approves our contracts?
Contracts can only be approved by the members covered by the contract. Only you and your co-
workers have the authority to approve your contract. Once a tentative agreement is reached with
management, you and other members of your bargaining unit vote by secret ballot whether or not to
approve or reject the agreement.
Can the airline close down my station if I vote for a union?
It is a violation of federal law for a company or it's management to threaten that it will close down if its
employees vote to form a union. (Remember, the pilots, flight attendants, ramp employees, ground
services, and maintenance employees are all represented by unions and the company didn't close
when they voted for union representation.)
Will our wages and benefits be cut if we vote in a union?
It’s common for employers to tell employees that they will lose their current level of wages and
benefits if they vote in a union. Such actions (and threats) are illegal and a violation of federal law.
Once employees vote in a union, their wages, benefits, and all conditions of employment remain
status quo while in negotiations. With a union contract the only way wages are lowered is if you
negotiate and vote to lower your wages.
Can I be punished for supporting the union?
Not legally. Federal labor laws make it illegal for an employer to retaliate or punish an employee for
supporting a union. CWA’s legal staff will defend any worker who is punished for their union activity.
Voting in the election.
How many votes to we need to gain representation? Currently in NMB elections we must have 50%
plus 1 vote of all employees eligible to vote. The NMB recently made a proposal to change union
elections in the transportation industry to be like every other election, union or political. If the rules
change we will have a YES/NO ballot. The outcome would be determined by a straight majority of
voters, not eligible voters.
How is an election called and conducted?
Workers may call for a representation election with 35% of the eligible voters’ signed representation
cards. Because we need a majority to win, we don’t file for an election unless we have a majority of
eligible employees’ cards. The cards are turned over the NMB by the union and company provides the
NMB with an eligibility list and copies of W4 signatures to verify the signatures on the cards. The
cards are returned to the union after the election and the company will not know who signed or didn't
sign a card unless you tell them.
Why CWA for passengers service and reservations?
The Communications Workers of America represents more than 740,000 employees in customer
contact, technical, and media/communications professions. The largest segment of CWA members
are employed as customer and passenger service employees. The AFA/CWA represents over 50,000
flight attendants. The CWA represents US Airways passenger service agents and employees at AT&T,
Verizon, Time Warner, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NBC, and ABC/Disney.
What has CWA accomplished?
The CWA was successful in negotiating an industry leading contract after the US Airways agents voted
for union representation. As their union they were also represented during bankruptcy proceedings at
the carrier. The CWA was able to negotiate a concessionary contract with seniority, technology,
outsourcing, and home based worker protections. The agents at US Airways already have a
guaranteed date to snap back to pre-bankruptcy pay, benefits, and working conditions at the end of the
concessionary contract. The agents at US Airways have language that covers mandatory overtime,
call monitoring and they have a uniform grievance process utilizing a neutral third party for
arbitrations. Agents not at maximum continue to climb through their pay steps until reaching
maximum. The CWA also fought, and was successful, in lowering the CEO of US Airways $26million
dollar retirement bonus in bankruptcy court.
Are there hidden fees, fines, and assessments?
There are no initiation fees for our groups to join the CWA. Members of the CWA, like members of
other democratically run organizations, established by-laws and a constitution to lay out rules of
conduct and operation. Members have been fined for serious violations in rare instances, but fines
can only be imposed if the members vote to do so. Any assessments must be approved by the CWA
members at convention.
When do we start paying union dues?
You won’t pay dues until you negotiate and vote to accept your first contract. The first contract will not
go into effect until a majority of your co-workers vote to approve the tentative agreement reached
between the Airline and the CWA. If you wish to join the Association of Passenger Service Agents
now, go to the What is the APSA page.
How much are union dues?
Dues are equal to 1.3% of your base monthly wages and are pro-rated for part-timers. Full-time dues
are approximately 2 ¼ hours of your hourly salary. Part-timers are pro-rated based on scheduled
hours. For example: A full time employee working 40 hour per week making 10.00 per hour would
pay 22.50 per month. A part-timer scheduled 20 hours pays ½ of that and 30 hours ¾. Dues are not
assessed on overtime, traded, or part-time extended hours.
Is there an initiation fee?
No. There are no initiation fees.
Who determines my dues and how often they are raised?
Dues are determined by CWA members like you who are elected by co-workers to serve as delegates
at CWA’s conventions. Since dues are based on a percentage of your wages, they have never been
increased. The idea is to have an affordable level of dues that would increase only as members’
wages increase.
Where do my dues go?
Our dues will provide the resources CWA needs to represent us – in negotiations, grievance and
arbitration representation, training programs, health and safety programs, enforcing contracts, etc.
Convention delegates determine how and where dues are spent.
Will CWA force us to strike?
No. The decision to strike – or not to strike – is determined by a majority vote (through a secret ballot)
of the workers covered by the contract. In the airline industry contracts do not expire, they become
“amendable” and striking is the very last “self help” used. First negotiations, followed by mediation
with the National Mediation Board and management, and then an impasse must be granted by the
NMB which is followed by a 30 day cooling-off period before a strike can even be called. If necessary a
strike vote is taken and your group will vote to decide whether or not to strike, no other CWA members
vote on your contracts or strike issues.
How often do CWA members Strike?
Strikes are very rare. 98% of contracts in the United States are resolved without a strike. A strike is
the last means workers have at their disposal to pressure management into presenting a fair and
equitable contract proposal. In the airline industry strikes are even less common because the
National Mediation Board determines when and if workers are permitted to go on strike.
Who determines our bargaining priorities/issues?
You and your co-workers determine the priorities and bargaining issues for your negotiations. Prior to
bargaining, members of your bargaining unit are surveyed to determine what workplace issues will be
the most important priorities during negotiations.
Who bargains our contract?
Your bargaining committee, which will negotiate your contract, is made up of co-workers you elect to
serve on the committee. During bargaining your elected committee is assisted by expert CWA
negotiators who have bargaining experience and they will also be assisted and supported by CWA’s
legal and research departments.
Who approves our contracts?
Contracts can only be approved by the members covered by the contract. Only you and your co-
workers have the authority to approve your contract. Once a tentative agreement is reached with
management, you and other members of your bargaining unit vote by secret ballot whether or not to
approve or reject the agreement.
Can the airline close down my station if I vote for a union?
It is a violation of federal law for a company or it's management to threaten that it will close down if its
employees vote to form a union. (Remember, the pilots, flight attendants, ramp employees, ground
services, and maintenance employees are all represented by unions and the company didn't close
when they voted for union representation.)
Will our wages and benefits be cut if we vote in a union?
It’s common for employers to tell employees that they will lose their current level of wages and
benefits if they vote in a union. Such actions (and threats) are illegal and a violation of federal law.
Once employees vote in a union, their wages, benefits, and all conditions of employment remain
status quo while in negotiations. With a union contract the only way wages are lowered is if you
negotiate and vote to lower your wages.
Can I be punished for supporting the union?
Not legally. Federal labor laws make it illegal for an employer to retaliate or punish an employee for
supporting a union. CWA’s legal staff will defend any worker who is punished for their union activity.
Voting in the election.
How many votes to we need to gain representation? Currently in NMB elections we must have 50%
plus 1 vote of all employees eligible to vote. The NMB recently made a proposal to change union
elections in the transportation industry to be like every other election, union or political. If the rules
change we will have a YES/NO ballot. The outcome would be determined by a straight majority of
voters, not eligible voters.
How is an election called and conducted?
Workers may call for a representation election with 35% of the eligible voters’ signed representation
cards. Because we need a majority to win, we don’t file for an election unless we have a majority of
eligible employees’ cards. The cards are turned over the NMB by the union and company provides the
NMB with an eligibility list and copies of W4 signatures to verify the signatures on the cards. The
cards are returned to the union after the election and the company will not know who signed or didn't
sign a card unless you tell them.
Why CWA for passengers service and reservations?
The Communications Workers of America represents more than 740,000 employees in customer
contact, technical, and media/communications professions. The largest segment of CWA members
are employed as customer and passenger service employees. The AFA/CWA represents over 50,000
flight attendants. The CWA represents US Airways passenger service agents and employees at AT&T,
Verizon, Time Warner, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NBC, and ABC/Disney.
What has CWA accomplished?
The CWA was successful in negotiating an industry leading contract after the US Airways agents voted
for union representation. As their union they were also represented during bankruptcy proceedings at
the carrier. The CWA was able to negotiate a concessionary contract with seniority, technology,
outsourcing, and home based worker protections. The agents at US Airways already have a
guaranteed date to snap back to pre-bankruptcy pay, benefits, and working conditions at the end of the
concessionary contract. The agents at US Airways have language that covers mandatory overtime,
call monitoring and they have a uniform grievance process utilizing a neutral third party for
arbitrations. Agents not at maximum continue to climb through their pay steps until reaching
maximum. The CWA also fought, and was successful, in lowering the CEO of US Airways $26million
dollar retirement bonus in bankruptcy court.
Are there hidden fees, fines, and assessments?
There are no initiation fees for our groups to join the CWA. Members of the CWA, like members of
other democratically run organizations, established by-laws and a constitution to lay out rules of
conduct and operation. Members have been fined for serious violations in rare instances, but fines
can only be imposed if the members vote to do so. Any assessments must be approved by the CWA
members at convention.
| What about union dues? |
| What about strikes? |
| Negotiating with management. |
| Legalities of voting for a union. |
| Why CWA? |
| Fines,and Assessments. |
| Do you have other questions? Contact your organizing committee at your location, email us at cwa4aa@sbcglobal.net or call us at 817-868-9933 |