Voting for AFA Representation
The National Mediation Board (NMB) runs representation elections. The NMB will use an address list provided by the company, so the best way to ensure you get voting instructions is to make sure your address is up to date with the company. On the day the election opens the NMB will send the voting instructions. They will arrive in an envelope that looks like this:
Everyone on the seniority list as of the time AFA filed for the election, regardless of leave status, is eligible to cast a vote. However, Flight Attendants who have left the company are not eligible to vote. The instructions will include a VIN and PIN. If you are already an AFA member please note these are different numbers than the voting credentials you may have saved for AFA votes. Everyone needs a new VIN and PIN from the NMB to cast a vote for AFA in the representation election.
The telephone and Internet voting systems are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be careful not to vote on a company computer, or on a computer at a layover hotel: it is not secure.
Every Vote Counts – Your Vote is Critical
Once you receive your VIN and PIN cast your vote for AFA and then celebrate by calling toll-free 1-855-Vote-AFA to share the excitement of your historic vote with your flying partners.
Requesting Duplicate Voting Instructions
Sample Duplicate Voting Instruction Request Letter >
If you do not receive your VIN and PIN within the first week of the vote, send a signed, written request to the NMB for a duplicate VIN/PIN. The request must be in an individual envelope. No group requests are accepted. Requests by telephone or email are not accepted. A sample duplicate request letter is available for download here.
Mail your request to:
NMB, Office of Legal Affairs
1301 K Street NW, Suite 250 East
Washington, DC 20005
All requests must arrive at the NMB no later than five days prior to the closing of the vote.
Getting Duplicate Instructions in Person
Flight Attendants with a government-issued ID may request a duplicate VIN and PIN in person at the NMB.
- Download the request letter here and fill it out.
- Then call 202-692-5040 to advise the NMB you are coming with the request.
- Go to the address above and check in at the Security Desk with the proper ID, then proceed to the second floor.
Voting Q and A – NMB Representation Election
1. How do I cast my vote?
Get your VIN and PIN in the mailing from the National Mediation Board (NMB).
1. Dial 1-877-NMB-VOTE (877-662-8683)
2. Enter your VIN followed by the # sign.
3. Press 1 to confirm your VIN.
4. Enter your PIN followed by the # sign.
5. Press 1 to select “Yes, I vote for the Association of Flight Attendants”
6. Listen to verify your vote.
7. Stay on the phone until you hear “your vote has been recorded.”
1. Go to: https://www.ballotpoint.com/nmb/
2. Enter your VIN and PIN, click Login.
3. Check box to left of “Yes, I vote for Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA)”
4. Click the “Cast Vote” button.
5. Verify your vote and click “OK.”
6. Wait for screen that says, “Your Vote was successfully registered.”
7. Print the screen and save printout for your records.
2. What can I do if I have technical problems with the internet or telephone voting?
Call the National Mediation Board (NMB) at 1-800-488-0019 ext. 5040, Monday through Friday from 0830 – 1700 Eastern Time.
3. How do I get my voting instructions?
The vote is conducted by the government agency, the National Mediation Board (NMB). The union is not involved in the voting process. Voting instructions will be mailed to the address on file with the airline where you work.
4. Am I required to receive my duplicate voting instructions at the address on file with the company?
No, the NMB will send your duplicate voting instructions to the address you provide on the duplicate request letter.
5. When is the latest I can request duplicate voting instructions?
The NMB will not accept requests for duplicate instructions within the last 5 days of voting. If you need duplicate instructions, send your request right away so you don’t leave anything to chance – the vote is too important and you want to be sure your voice is heard.
6. If I request new voting instructions from the NMB and subsequently find my old voting instructions, can I still use the original VIN and PIN?
A Voter who loses her/his VIN/PIN then later finds it, may attempt to vote before the replacement request is processed by the NMB. Before sending new voting instructions, the NMB checks to see if the original VIN/PIN has been used. If not, they invalidate the original VIN/PIN and send a new set of VIN/PIN to the voter. If the original VIN/PIN has been used to cast a ballot, no replacement is mailed out.
7. What happens if I am in the middle of my vote and my phone drops the call?
Call back and enter your VIN and PIN to enter the system. If you have not yet confirmed your vote the system will guide you through the process to cast your vote. If you have already confirmed your vote the system will state, “You have voted the maximum amount of times in this election.” When voting on the phone be sure to follow the process and only hang up after you hear, “your vote has been recorded.”
8. Can I change my vote in a representation election conducted by the NMB?
No, you can only vote once and you cannot change your vote.
9. When will the NMB give us the results of the vote?
Voting normally closes at 1400 Eastern Time. Tabulation of the votes is conducted electronically. Results of the vote are typically announced within a few hours.
10. Why does AFA encourage voters to call 1-855-Vote-AFA to tell the union after voting?
In all professional GOTV efforts there is systematic work done to ensure every vote is counted. And, calling to tell us you were able to vote is also an opportunity to celebrate our future together. AFA provides you with the option to share your vote confirmation confidentially or to allow it to be shared publicly. You decide. We look forward to hearing from you and celebrating our future.