American Airlines’ Flight Attendants Union Calls the Diversity & Inclusion Awards Hypocritical
Jackie Reddy February 27, 2019
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has this week launched its Diversity & Inclusion Awards, an accolade that is meant to fête the role of women within the global aviation industry. But Sara Nelson, AFA president, has publicly derided the sponsorship of these awards by Qatar Airways.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced earlier this week that it has launched its IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards, an accolade that is sponsored by Qatar Airways.
While they are intended to fête the diversity and especially the role of women within the global aviation industry, the announcement of the sponsorship of these awards has been derided by Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), Forbes.com reports.
In a tweet to Qatar that has been quoted by the outlet, Nelson wrote, “No union rights. {Flight attendants} must apply to get married. Dismissed if pregnant. & CEO says women could never be CEO. Hypocrisy.”
“Business of Freedom.” @IATA is launching Diversity & Inclusion Awards w/ sponsorship by @qatarairways. Seriously? No union rights. Must apply to get married. Dismissed if pregnant. & CEO says women could never be CEO. Hypocrisy! @SarahEnelow @tedreednc https://t.co/eh2oegA3Mp
— Sara Nelson (@FlyingWithSara) February 26, 2019
In making her latter point, Nelson is referring to controversial comments made by Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker back in June of 2018.
Further explaining her stance, Nelson said in an interview earlier this week that these awards, “…only happened because of pressure from unions and human rights groups. We’re going to keep it up until they change not only written policy but also every-day practices.”
In an official Qatar statement, Al Baker, said, “Qatar Airways recognizes the need for wider diversity in the workplace, not just in our airline but across the industry as a whole, which is why we are delighted to have this opportunity to reward individuals and teams who are going against the trend and proving that diversification is the way forward for aviation.”
“We see this as a long-term project and look forward to working hand in hand with IATA for the next decade continuing to encourage greater inclusion and diversification in the airline community,” he added.
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This headline is incorrect. American Airlines Flight Attendants are represented by the APFA who’s president is Lori Bassani.
I disagree with her about unionizing but she deserves attention for calling out the obvious about such a plan. It looks like, so far, she is the only one. Good for her.
Does the APFA ever have anything positive to say about anyone other than themselves ???? Seems every week they come out screaming about something or someone or against something.
Well, at least Qatar is encouraging others to be diverse.
I think having a Union is doing the Airline Industry a favor. Without the Union the management would treat their FA's with no respect. Remember a few years back when AA got their pilots and FA's to take a pay cut only for the management team reward themselves with big bonuses. The Union stepped in and got that reversed. One rule for the workers another for the Fat Cats.