A Note from Your MEC President

It is with a bittersweet heart that I tell you all that February 9th will be my last day here at GoJet. I will always be grateful for my time spent here because of all of you.

You are the strongest group of individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of working alongside. You tackled: a brand-new type of aircraft with only a CBT to guide you, each person doing the job of two Flight Attendants, while also enduring a global pandemic and a worldwide shutdown. You faced the fear of the unknown with more bravery than you get credit for. To this day, you continue to work hard as aviation’s first responders confronting this pandemic.

Your strength is why I know this union will only continue to get better and better. But the union is not just Brittany and Joanne, or Joanne and Cookie. The union is all of you. I see how strong you are individually, so just think about how strong this union will be when you all work together. If you have ever felt that you or your friends were treated unfairly, please stand up for yourselves. Volunteer, speak up, file a grievance, and do not let them continue that behavior.

Now that we have a union, and once you’re off probation, the days of, “speak up and you’ll lose everything” are over. Joanne, Cookie, and I are proof of that. But one or two people can’t do it alone. Your next officers will need your help to really uphold this contract. And it will most likely be those next officers who will be at the negotiating table for our next CBA.

You have the chance to change your world. But everyone needs to come together to see a real transformation happen here. Flight Attendants are truly Stronger Together, Better Together.

With my departure, our Secretary-Treasurer Morris “Cookie” Bridges has also made the decision to step down from his position. Therefore, our council will hold another election for all new MEC/LEC officers. I have asked International President Sara Nelson to appoint our Grievance Chair Joanne Churchill to take over the duties and responsibilities of Interim MEC/LEC President. We are all so lucky to have her. Even though Joanne chose not to run for office, she has always been our fearless leader.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you have throughout the next two weeks. If you would like to know about life as a union officer, please contact me at [email protected]. As the next election approaches, you’ll get more information on nominations and voting procedures from AFA.

Thank you all for your love and support throughout the past eight years. You have changed me for the better.

In Solidarity,

Brittany Ashton Smith