PAI Union News Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. — United Airlines flight attendant Sara Nelson, a native of Corvallis, Ore., has been elected president of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) by the union’s Board of Directors. AFA is an affiliate of Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Nelson defeated Veda Shook, who also has ties to Oregon. Shook, a flight attendant at Alaska Airlines, lived in Portland for 15 years before moving to Washington, D.C., after winning election as an international vice president. Shook was elected president of the international union in January 2011.
Nelson is an 18-year United Airlines flight attendant and has served as international vice president since Jan. 1, 2011. Prior to that she led external and internal communications for United’s flight attendants. She also coordinated AFA-CWA’s “Chaos” (Create Havoc Around Our System) campaign, concentrating on member mobilization.
Nelson grew up in Corvallis, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Principia College with majors in English and Education before joining United Airlines. She lives in the D.C. area.
“We can raise our voices in many ways, and my job as a union leader is to make sure our voices are heard,” she said.
I just listened to Sara Nelson in an interview on CNN about flying in the Pandemic Era that we are in. Her performance and explanation of the work of flight attendents in the current Pandemic era was absolutely excellent. She is a very pable spokesperson for your organization and give me great confort when I begin to fly again.