Legislative Affairs

I am pleased to report to you I have recently attended the 2005 CWA National Political Convention. This was a rewarding experience having had the opportunity to lobby the Congressional Offices of our New York Delegates. I was honored to represent USAirways along side lobbyists representing all of the AFA carriers as well as the CWA who were in attendance in our common quest for flight attendant issues. The issues that were discussed with the Delegates were:

1) Cell Phone Usage in the Air
2) FMLA Clarification 
3) Flight Attendant Fatigue

The conference opened up on Sunday with the keynote speaker Rep. Bennie Thompson who was introduced by our AFA International President, Pat Friend. Other guest speakers included Senator Joe Biden (D-MD) Monday. On Tuesday newly elected Democratic Party Leader, Governor Howard Dean (D-VT) addressed the Conference. Lobbying visits were conducted on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday along with many workshops. I had the privilege of attending 2 U.S.Senate votes (including the vote to raise the minimum wage). I also sat in on a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearing on Pensions and the PBGC.

Some of the local Delegates offices I had the honor to meet with were Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Charles Schumer, Rep. Peter King and Rep Sherwood Boehlert among others.

On Tuesday evening the Star Spangled Congressional reception was well attended by the Members of Congress along with the Conference attendees. The Conference was adjourned on Wednesday morning directly following a Congressional Breakfast with the Keynote Speaker
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) closing the program. 


In Solidarity,

Mr. Rob Wessinger
RWessinger@afausairways.org
LEC President
Council 82