Frequently Asked Questions
about the Professional Airline Flight Control Association

In an effort to provide you more information about PAFCA we have put together some questions and answers.

1.  Who is PAFCA?
2.  Why PAFCA?
3.  How is PAFCA structured?
4.  How much are the dues?  
5.  Who runs the Locals?
6.  Should I consider joining PAFCA?
7.  Is PAFCA for all operational control personnel?

1.  Who is PAFCA?

Established in 1971 at Delta, The Professional Airline Flight Control Association (PAFCA) is a non-profit labor organization designed to protect and promote the profession of operational control personnel.

2.  Why PAFCA?

One united operational control labor voice is stronger than many individual voices.  PAFCA has established a good working relationship with the airlines where they represent individuals (ASA, DAL and UAL).  While PAFCA works towards the goals of the dispatchers, the dispatchers are working for the goals of the airline.  This creates a partnership with the corporation that will benefit both parties in this relationship. 

3.  How is PAFCA structured?

PAFCA is made up of locals (PAFCA-DAL, PAFCA-UAL, PAFCA-ASA) which create the International.  The International Board is made up of the local presidents and a Chairman of the Board, along with a International Secretary/ Treasurer. The goal of PAFCA is to allow the locals to run their own business and look to the International for guidance.  

4.  How much are the dues?

The dues are set by each local’s bylaws.  Currently the International assesses $24.00 per year per member, all other dues remains in each local.  This means your local is in control of their own finances.  The cost to run a local comes from meeting rooms, office supplies, and the Executive Boards time off from work.  The average dues of the current locals is thirty (30) dollars a month. It can however be higher depending on financial needs of the local. 

5.  Who runs the Locals?

The membership runs the local.  The local Executive Board is made up of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Secretary/ Treasurer.  These positions are  filled by the membership.  The president of the Local is also a member of the International Board of Directors. 

6.  Should I consider joining PAFCA?

That depends upon your current situation, including any agreement with the Company. You may have an open or closed shop, or agency shop. However, without 100% membership it would be very difficult to run a PAFCA local. As stated above, the locals run themselves and financially support themselves. Without a lot of volunteerism and support from each and every member it would be very difficult to establish and run your own local. It takes a tremendous amount of time from the local officers and also other members time in covering officers shifts while away from work, sometimes for no compensation. 

7.  Is PAFCA for all operational control personnel interested in organizing?

We would hope so but we also realize that PAFCA is not for individuals that want an international running their affairs. It is for those that want to control their own destiny with utilization of the best resources from all carriers represented under the PAFCA umbrella. This resource utilization is coordinated by PAFCA International. The International has no veto power over any local collective bargaining agreement. The International does have approval rights over the establishment of Local by-laws. That is to ensure that they are not contrary to the Constitution of PAFCA International. 

We would be happy to answer any further questions you may have.  Send questions to PAFCA@pafca.org