1. Representation Is a Pipeline
For many flight attendants, “the union” feels like a single entity. In practice, representation is a structured pipeline: local representation, system-wide coordination, and national governance. Understanding who does what — and where issues go next — provides the baseline needed to assess responsiveness and accountability later.
2. The AFA Representation Ladder
LEC → MEC → AFA International (Functional Roles)
| Level | What It Represents | Primary Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| LEC (Local Council) | Base / local membership within a carrier | Member-facing representation, local casework, communications, local mobilization |
| MEC (Master Executive Council) | Carrier-wide unit (system-wide) | System-wide strategy, bargaining coordination, carrier-level policy disputes, escalation of issues |
| AFA International | Sector-wide AFA membership | National strategy, institutional programs (safety/legal/comms), cross-carrier expertise, governance infrastructure |
This is a simplified functional view for reader clarity. Formal authority boundaries are defined in governing documents.
3. Where CWA Fits (Without District Intermediation)
Unlike most CWA locals that sit within both a sector and a geographic district, AFA’s representational pipeline does not route through district offices. AFA operates as a national sector with its own internal governance ladder, and interfaces with CWA governance primarily through constitutional requirements and convention authority.
Practical takeaway
For flight attendants, most representational action occurs inside AFA’s LEC/MEC/International structure. CWA functions as the constitutional umbrella — not the day-to-day representation layer.
4. Accountability and Escalation
Multi-layer systems can be effective when escalation paths are clear and consistently used. They can also feel slow or unresponsive when responsibility is ambiguous or when escalation becomes circular. This series will later use the structure described here to compare responsiveness and accountability across different governance models.
Sources & Documents
- AFA Constitution (LEC/MEC/International structure) Primary source (link placeholder)
- CWA Constitution (sector framework and governance) Primary source (link placeholder)