You are all aware that the Coalition of Flight Attendants has been working diligently to advance legislation that would clarify flight attendants' right of FLMA and that would take the issue of FMLA qualification off the bargaining table once and for all. The proposed legislation that has been supported by the entire Coalition puts into law an hours of service requirement that more accurately reflects the intent of the original law as it should apply to flight crews. Dozens of unionized Flight Attendants have been lobbying this issue on Capitol Hill since the bill was first introduced early this past summer. To date, they have visited with over 200 House and Senate offices. The House version of the bill, H.R.2744, passed overwhelmingly and the bill has now moved into the Senate.

In the Senate, victory is predicated on Republican support. We are hopeful that by the end of the Congressional session this year, as many as 7 Senate Republicans could support the legislation, based on visits with their offices. However, they have made it clear that they need to hear directly from their constituents.

That is why at this point in the legislative battle, we have shifted our focus to mobilizing our Members to contact Congressional offices - through letters that are mailed and phone calls to offices. As we've learned and heard directly from Congressional offices, email campaigns (Get Active, CapWiz, e-activists) are not as effective as we would hope in getting their attention. They have made clear that they pay much closer attention to actual letters received in the mail and even more attention to phone calls. It is in this area that we hope you can help us all achieve victory on this issue.

Lobbyists in Washington have a script to use. We will also have Union Officers and Shop Stewards in lounges around the system with scripts asking our Members to make the quick and easy call. We must have our Members generate enough phone calls to Senate Offices to put passage of this legislation in reach. We believe we can do this, but only if we have your help.

I sincerely hope that you can join us in this massive campaign. By returning to traditional mobilization I know that collectively we can secure victory in this campaign. You may have already sent an e-mail or letter to your Senator or Representative and we appreciate your support, however, it's time for your voice to be heard ..literally! Placing a phone call to their offices is the best way to get them to co-sponsor our legislation.

The Family and Medical Leave Act was intended to provide all Flight Attendants with the ability to take time off from work to take care of family members facing serious illness. Unfortunately, corporate executives and their allies in Congress have short-changed many of our flying partners, denying them the protections of FMLA. The law has been a lifeline for working families, protecting their jobs while they attend to family priorities.

To ensure that all Flight Attendants are covered by FMLA, the Coalition of Flight Attendants worked with our friends in Congress to draft and introduce The Airline Flight Crew Family and Medical Leave Act. Members of Congress are signing on to our bill, with over 125 cosponsors so far. Our FMLA legislation is a bi-partisan bill, attracting support from both Democrats and Republicans.

The number for the Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121. Please take a few minutes to call the number, ask for your Senators and make your voice heard.

Sample phone call script for your Senator

"My name is ___________ and I am a Member of the Transport Workers Union Local 556, the Union of Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants and a resident of ____________ (your state) I am asking that the Senator co-sponsor Senate bill 2059, The Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act. This bill is a huge priority for all flight Crew Members and for me. I would really appreciate the Senator's support. Again, tell the Senator to please cosponsor S. 2059."

Thank you for your support on this important issue. Please feel free to pass this on to your Flight Attendant friends.