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The Air Line Stewardesses Association (ALSA) was founded in 1945 by flight attendants at United Air Lines. This collection consists of the first collective bargaining agreement negotiated between United Air Lines, Inc. and ALSA.
The Air Line Stewardesses Association (ALSA) was founded in 1945 by flight attendants at United Air Lines. The first president was Ada J. Brown, who left her position as chief stewardess and returned to the ranks in order to be able to organize the union. The first collective bargaining agreement between United Air Lines and ALSA was signed on April 25, 1946 and won voluntary recognition of ALSA by United as well as important victories for the flight attendants including a pay raise, compensation for work done on the ground, monthly limits on flying hours, and reimbursement for half the cost of their first uniform. ALSA also won flight attendants the right to see their personnel files and established a grievance process to dispute disciplinary actions and dismissals. Edith E. Lauterbach was one of the founding members of the Air Line Stewardesses Association. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (ALSA's successor organization) gives the Edith Lauterbach Merit Award, named in her honor, to a member who shows exceptional leadership and commitment.
NASM.XXXX.1119
Air Line Stewards and Stewardesses Association
1946
Unknown, assumed to be Edith E. Lauterbach, NASM.XXXX.1119.
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of the first collective bargaining agreement negotiated between United Air Lines, Inc. and the Air Line Stewardesses Association. The document covers such areas as rates of compensation, hours of work, working conditions, and a procedure for the settling of disputes. The agreement is effective January 1, 1946 and is printed in a booklet which measures 4 by 6.5 inches. The booklet is stamped on the last page with Edith E. Lauterbach's name and address.
Collection is a single item.
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Agreement Between United Air Lines, Inc. and the Air Line Stewardesses Association, NASM.XXXX.1119, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics
Collection descriptions
Archival materials