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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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[AS] New Crew Tracking System and Payroll Disputes

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This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

AFA is not okay with the situation

The Master Executive Council (MEC) sent out a “Trip Trades/Pickups and Screenshots” communication on September 20, 2017, that generated a number of concerns from the membership. We wish to clarify the intent of that communication and to assure you that AFA is definitely not okay with the situation.

Our new crew tracking system is a hot mess

Let’s be honest: From the Flight Attendant perspective, our new crew tracking system is a hot mess. As just one example, pairing values sometimes change due to reasons unknown as of this writing. Crew Administration has been taking the position that in order to guarantee pay when a pairing value has changed on the roster or is different than listed in the bid packet, then there needs to be a screenshot as proof. Otherwise, Crew Administration generally has not been paying the difference.

Documentation (e.g. screenshots) is generally needed as evidence in order for claims to be successful

In order for AFA to successfully achieve pay protection for a Flight Attendant pursuant to CBA §10.W [Scheduling Errors], management has usually been requiring objective evidence to substantiate the pay claim. One of the easiest ways for a F/A to provide evidence to AFA in order to help us advocate on your behalf is to take a screenshot of the pairing.

Similarly, if F/As wish to bring forward complaints to the state or to file a lawsuit, then documentation (e.g. screen shots) is generally needed as evidence in order to be successful. When you also consider that F/As can only look back 60 days on their respective rosters, then screenshots seem like one of the easier methods of verifying activity. AFA’s primary goal here is to get you paid correctly as soon as possible, which is why we recommended screenshots in the previous communication.

The law says the burden of proof for wage claims lies with the employer, not the employee

That being said, AFA believes the scheduling and payroll situation is completely unacceptable. Your AFA leaders and representatives advocate to management on a near-daily basis that Flight Attendants are being denied the tools to successfully manage their schedules and to verify their pay. Thankfully, AFA and management recently arrived at the same understanding on one very important point: The law says the burden of proof for wage claims lies with the employer, not the employee.

Consequently, AFA is advising F/As that you should not be required to provide screenshots to management in order to be properly compensated. However, AFA will continue to ask members who request our assistance with pay discrepancies to supply us with screenshots and any other available documentation so that we can research and resolve your disputes.

Jeff Butler’s October 3rd “JCTE and Payroll” email is a step in the right direction

The MEC appreciates Vice President of Inflight & Call Center Services Jeff Butler acknowledging the issues in his October 3rd “JCTE and Payroll” email, which is a step in the right direction. AFA is committed to continuing to work with management and advocating on your behalf to resolve these issues as soon as possible.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams and MEC Grievance Committee Representative Christina Frees

[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Wage Increase

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AFA and the Virgin America (VX) leadership team (management) met in Seattle, WA yesterday to discuss VX Flight Attendant wages, work rules and other concerns. AFA started out the conversation by requesting that the leadership team match the AFA Alaska pay rates. Disappointingly, the leadership team was unwilling to match the AFA Alaska pay rates without a fully merged agreement and an integrated seniority list (ISL). (More on those two points shortly.)

After negotiating into the late evening, the parties reached agreements on several interim improvements to pay and work rules. This communication will focus on the improvements to pay, and the following will focus on work rules.

Virgin America agreed to make up half the difference between the current VX InFlight Teammate (ITM) pay rates and the AFA Alaska Flight Attendant pay rates (converted to block-hours), effective immediately. Resulting increases to the base rate ranges between 8-17%. The parties also agreed to establish three new steps above Step 10. InFlight Team Leaders (ITLs) will continue to receive an additional 15% on top of the ITM base rate.

VX Wage Proposal Chart >

AFA VX LOA One Time Interim Wage Increase (4/27/2017) >

These new wage rates will be applied retroactively to the first of this year (January 1, 2017). The new pay rates and the retroactive credit will appear on the May 31st paycheck.

AFA believes the VX Flight Attendants are extremely deserving of the AFA Alaska rates, so we are obviously disheartened that Virgin America will not match the rates at this time. However, we are appreciative that the Virgin America leadership team worked with us to provide some immediate relief and to make the new rates retroactive through this year.

Virgin America has clearly stated the AFA Alaska rates are contingent on achieving a merged agreement and an Integrated Seniority List. Although AFA is not satisfied with that position, we are going to make this process as swift as possible so that we can achieve equal pay rates as soon as possible. Consequently, AFA will post vacancies for two VX Merger Representatives and one Joint Negotiating Committee member tomorrow morning; the Master Executive Council (MEC) plans to fill those positions during our MEC meeting in just three weeks. Once those positions are filled, the journey towards a merged agreement and an ISL will continue in earnest.

AFA would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the efforts of our sisters and brothers on the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) negotiating team. Although the improvements that AFA achieved this week are not directly connected to that committee’s negotiations, their foundational work is recognized and appreciated. AFA sincerely thanks the TWU negotiators for their service.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

 

Date of Signing Raises on December 17, 2015!

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The Master Executive Council (MEC) and your Contract Committee is excited to point out that on December 17, 2015, a date of signing raise is in effect.

 

CBA Section 21.A., states:

 

STEP RATES OF PAY

Flight Attendants will be compensated on the basis of the appropriate step rate as follows:

Step DOS DOS +1 DOS +2 DOS +3 DOS +4
DOH* $21.31 $21.63 $21.95 $22.28 $22.62
Step 1 $24.16 $24.52 $24.89 $25.26 $25.64
Step 2 $25.35 $25.73 $26.12 $26.51 $26.91
Step 3 $27.53 $27.94 $28.36 $28.79 $29.22
Step 4 $28.75 $29.18 $29.62 $30.06 $30.51
Step 5 $32.40 $32.89 $33.38 $33.88 $34.39
Step 6 $35.56 $36.09 $36.63 $37.18 $37.74
Step 7 $36.70 $37.25 $37.81 $38.38 $38.95
Step 8 $37.71 $38.28 $38.85 $39.43 $40.02
Step 9 $39.12 $39.71 $40.30 $40.91 $41.52
Step 10 $42.00 $42.63 $43.27 $43.92 $44.58
Step 11 $44.82 $45.49 $46.17 $46.87 $47.57
Step 12 $48.78 $49.51 $50.25 $51.01 $51.77
Step 13 $49.69 $50.43 $51.19 $51.96 $52.74
Step 14 $50.59 $51.35 $52.12 $52.90 $53.70
Step 15 $51.50 $52.27 $53.06 $53.85 $54.66

 

 

If you look under your applicable step rate and then look over to DOS+1 that will your new rate of pay as of December 17, 2015. This is a raise in addition to your anniversary step increase and longevity premium, if applicable.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

 

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

 

Your Contract Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

 

AFA-Alaska-Logo-Transparent-Background

SAN Recurrent Training Travel Pay

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Dear San Diego Flight Attendants,

Did you know, that all SAN-based Flight Attendants who attend RT in Seattle or Anchorage are to receive 1 TFP as over duty pay? For each RT you have attended as a SAN-based F/A since the opening of the base, you should have received this pay [Section 30.A.3.b]. AFA recently became aware that this contractual over duty pay was not being automatically paid.

To correct this error, all affected Flight Attendants should have received this past due pay on the July 20th paycheck. Going forward, the over duty pay will be automatically paid to all SAN-based F/As who attend RT in Seattle or Anchorage.

Fly Safe,

Stephen Couckuyt
LEC President

AFA Council 15 Logo

 

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