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AFA Alaska News in Review – May 31, 2024

In This Edition

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Originally posted May 28, 2024

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on May 21 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales. The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard. The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

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Negotiation Session 21

Originally posted May 31, 2024

This week, we tentatively agreed to Section 10.R-S, which closes out the operational components for Reassignments and Pre-Cancellations. We also presented a comprehensive proposal to management. While the parties are closer together, there is more work to be done. Next month we have a mediation session scheduled, as well as an added negotiation session without the mediator.

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Financial State

Alaska Flight Attendants struggle, Alaska management boasts. How can management continue to tout their excellence while knowing 79% of the Financial Survey respondents face financial insecurity due to the airline’s pay rates? Or that 5% were homeless in the last year?? Make it make sense.

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Where’s the CHAOS™?

We have mediation and negotiation sessions scheduled through September at this time. If an impasse in negotiations is reached, our Negotiating Committee is fully prepared to request the release to strike from the National Mediation Board.

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Next Week’s Events

Thursday, June 6Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on May 21 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Tuesday, May 21, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett was also present. 

The Committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Food and Beverage Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Systems Manger Andrea Lockett, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Managing Director of Guest Products Todd Traynor-Corey, Senior Product Manager of Guest Products Megan Low, Food and Beverage Planning Systems Manager Gayatri Watwe, and IT Vendor Christopher Pettigrew. 

The next scheduled Inflight Service Committee meeting is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee discussed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some of the items included:

  • Packaging for Main Cabin meals, including hot meals and their labeling.
  • The impact on service due to temporary product substitutions.
  • Progress on updating older aircraft furnishings and current enhancements for the cabins, addressing issues with lavatory trash, and placing mirrors from the aft jump seat.
  • Ensuring the safety of future coffee brewing, which included discussing modifications to the brew basket.
  • Discussion with Catering Operations to ensure plans for summer ice loading are in place and that new seasonal routes are correctly catered.
  • Management reported on upcoming Block2Block (B2B) updates, and glitches were discussed. The Committee received updates on B2B functions, including a new training mode, tap-to-pay issues, and screen switching for payment processing.
  • Discussion and review of catering issues causing crew confusion.
  • Email notifications to passengers regarding the ability to pre-order are improving the process and increasing pre-order counts.
  • The overall service flow and process were discussed.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Correct product labeling. The Committee is working with catering to ensure that meals are clearly labeled, especially the new Main Cabin hot meal options for long-haul, medium-haul, and short-haul flights.
  2. Adjusting product levels. Committee Members are working with management to modify product quantities to enhance service and reduce waste.
  3. Working with management on Block2Block (B2B). Committee Members have been informed that a new version of B2B will soon be available and are looking forward to pre-testing it. The Committee is actively involved in suggesting improvements.
  4. Enhancing snack basket contents. Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons will work with management to update the contents.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

AFA Alaska News in Review – May 24, 2024

In This Edition

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Originally posted May 20, 2024

Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, May 2 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability. If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible.  Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2024

Originally posted May 23, 2024

On May 21, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling. The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

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Maintaining the Status Quo

Originally posted May 24, 2024

Under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), participating in “self-help” actions such as strikes or work slowdowns is only allowed after the National Mediation Board (NMB), at its sole discretion, releases the parties and a 30-day cooling-off period has passed. Engaging in or supporting these actions before the cooling-off period ends is against the law and could result in serious consequences for individual Flight Attendants, including disciplinary action or termination. It could also harm our Union’s negotiations and bargaining position. Both parties must maintain the “status quo” during negotiations, which means no changes to current pay, rules, or working conditions are allowed.

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Financial Security Survey Results

Originally posted May 18, 2024
Originally posted May 19, 2024
Originally posted May 20, 2024
Originally posted May 21, 2024
Originally posted May 22, 2024

Your Tax Dollars at Work

When Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants can’t make ends meet, they qualify for government assistance. At the same time, Alaska management is boasting record profits and all-time high revenue. Management is fully aware that taxpayers are footing the bill for their employees’ survival!

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Next Week’s Events

Wednesday, May 29 – Thursday, May 30Contract Negotiations

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • On May 21, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, May 21, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO),Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kamako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Managing Director of Operations Staffing & Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Director of Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • There are concerns about the decrease in Hawaii flying.
  • PDX/SAN are facing challenges with Hawaii flying, including red-eye flights. There is also limited parking for planes in Seattle.
  • Questions were raised about the July increase in Flight Attendants and the decision to grant domicile transfers, which caused SAN to increase and SFO to decrease.
  • LAX is providing examples of issues with sit pay when Flight Attendants are assigned to pre-board, causing concerns about timely handling and violation of order of assignment. The parties are investigating. 
  • There needs to be clarity regarding text notifications for trips before Open Time and discrepancies in Crew Access. This sometimes occurs when the next month is loaded into the system. 
  • Some individual Flight Attendants are unsatisfied with the calendar view issue workaround. The calendar should actively work with the latest update and show the updated days under 90 seconds. 
  • SFO lost 40 Flight Attendants in July, raising concerns about the base’s future. Management said there’s no plan to reduce the number of gates at this time, and they are hopeful business travel will pick up in the near future.
  • There are concerns about Open Time issues from the April 16, 2024 system technical issue event.
  • There are concerns about Open Time issues from the May 15, 2024 system technical issue event.
  • Hotel wait times have improved compared to the previous month.
  • Seattle had a shortage of one TSN in June. This issue has been referred to the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, and the TSN is updated to show 17 correctly.
  • The PBS Subcommittee discussed bidding, bid awards, bid protests, and future releases. There are upcoming base sits in June.
  • There are plans to increase the number of pairings and improve commutability.
  • There are discussions about payroll issues, ITS updates, JCTE, and tap-to-pay adoption in Block2Block.
  • There will be no more requirement to file for sit time and release adjustments in the next JCTE update when pilots manually adjust the block in times.
  • Crew Planning discussed the increase in block hours for July, the reduction in SFO base block hours, and the impact of MAX delay on aircraft availability.
  • Pairing selection for July focused on keeping flight crews together and adding soft locks.
  • Commutability for July is best for SEA/ANC and most challenging for SFO/PDX.
  • There are ongoing challenges with sick leave and absences for lineholders and reserves.
  • Feedback from Flight Attendants includes the need for more productive trips, better scheduling, and increased TSN.
  • Flight Attendants desire contractual language protections and an improved work environment to address challenges.
  • Reserves are being highly utilized, and Crew Scheduling is covering flights saved by premium pay. However, we are seeing a reduction in lineholders picking up reserve days.
  • There are discussions about premium trips, reassignments, personal drops, and fatigue.
  • Hawaii flying has changed, shifting towards more transcon and Mexico flights.
  • Crew Pay is conducting base sits and aims to attend all bases this year.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NavBlue. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The next in-person PBS Training is planned for June 
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NavBlue to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
  3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NavBlue, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases.

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, May 2 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability.
  • If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

On Thursday, May 2nd, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee also met with Sr Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, and PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • OneWorld Pins
    • The OneWorld pin/logo is a required item. Please let your Local Chairperson know of any instances when a base does not have any pins available.
    • We have received complaints that the new 20 year OneWorld pins do not have secure backing.
    • Because of the red lanyards, bases are running out of OneWorld pins. Management provided lanyards with the OneWorld logo. They claim it is not in their budget to provide extra pins for the AFA provided red lanyards. AFA is currently working to find a resolution to this issue.
    • Inflight SEA base management has ordered more OneWorld pins and Flight Attendants should check the village during transit if they do not have the OneWorld pin.
  • Quality Concerns
    • All quality concerns including buttons falling off and splitting at the seams/cuffs of sweaters should be reported through the Quality Concern form on the Uniform subsite.
    • If you have any quality concerns, please submit your issue using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [SSO required] so Unisync and AFA can track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and proof of quality concerns.
  • We addressed initial training “uniform compliance check” day rumors from social media..
    • The Committee is working with management and the Training department to  possibly allow for Uniform Chairpersons to be available on uniform days leading up to compliance check so that the New Hires in training have an opportunity to receive compliance feedback from union representatives who are not management or instructors prior to the check.
    • There may also be an opportunity to discuss uniform compliance during “Style and Service Night” provided it’s possible to continue these events for future classes.
  • Tattoos & Piercings
    • The tattoo and piercing policies will not likely change until after merger/acquisition implementation and/or a new uniform roll out.
    • As a reminder, tattoos may not be covered with bandages or compression sleeves. 
  • Wings
    • Due to the long lead time, the Committee requested to have supervisors auto-order wings on anniversary dates.
    • We continue to see quality issues with the wings at shipment and during use. Please send a report to Unisync at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com 
    • The Committee has requested to have blank wings available at base.
  • SEA Fit Center will be closed on the following dates and will not be accepting walk-ins due to New Hire fitting:
    • Thursday, May 23rd
    • Monday, May 27th
    • Thursday, July 4th
  • The Atlas cardigan in smaller sizes and transition jackets may routinely be on backorder due to an influx of orders.
    • This has been addressed and they should be fully in stock by Fall.
    • The embroidering of the transition jacket is causing the back order. Management is researching to see if we can forego the embroidering to speed up the process.
  • There is a spare “sneaky button” at the bottom of all shirts that can be used at any button gap to add additional support. The Committee has requested that if Flight Attendants add the buttons through an alteration service, that they are added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.
  • The Committee will receive the quality concern form data once the data set has been compiled and processed.
  • Still brainstorming ideas for solutions for Fit Center sizing/fixes for Flight Attendants who do not live in SEA. 
  • The undershirt language is unclear and we will be working to find a clear approach that addresses Flight Attendant needs and concerns while still maintaining a professional look.
  • The Committee made a request to allow shoes to be included in the allotment. There is a contractual component to this, so it may take time to review and get approval if management agrees.
  • Management will be releasing style and care videos for uniform pieces in the near future.
  • Management is researching adding insulation and better weatherproofing to the current transition jacket.
  • Management addressed our concerns about sweater quality (holes, rips, and splitting). The Committee was able to feel a Nylon blend from the manufacturer which will likely also be warmer than the current blend. Wear testing for these items and their durability/breathability will begin in Fall. Please let your Local Committee Chairperson know if you are interested in wear testing these items.
  • Still sourcing spinner bags.
  • Wool sensitivity items are now coded on the Uniform website.
  • The Aura vest is now available for order.
  • Grooming standards remain in effect.
  • The following uniform changes have been APPROVED:
    • The patriotic tie/scarf may be worn on September 11th.
    • Brown leather gloves may be worn when wearing a brown belt and/or brown shoes. (May not be worn with a black belt).
  • The following uniform change requests have been DENIED:
    • The mock neck sweater untucked with the skirt.
    • A shorter apron. However, the committee has requested this be added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.

May 31st 2024 will see the ban of popular lug-style shoes and discipline may be issued for noncompliance. AFA has gone all the way up through marketing (including Luly Yang) in attempts to advocate for the shoe to remain in compliance. The final decision is that these shoes will not be allowed.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. CONTRACT NOW Lanyards. AFA believes that your right to wear a Union lanyard is protected by the Railway Labor Act. However, if you are directed by a supervisor to remove the lanyard, we recommend that you do so because we don’t want you to be disciplined. Please then fill out the Management Interference Report form. Note: The OneWorld pin is still a requirement, so please ensure you have the OneWorld pin on your lanyard or outer-most uniform piece.
  2. Training & Uniform Standards. Provide a safe and positive environment for New Hire Flight Attendants to become familiar with the Uniform Policy Guidelines.
  3. Tote Exchange Program. Specific to the post-COVID classes who were not given the normal selection process for totes due to supply chain issues. The Committee is currently working with management to create a process and will notify Flight Attendants once a method is determined. Please do not make requests at base or via email as there is no current process in place.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the wear test pool? Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Election Notice: Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Officer Elections

The term of office for our current Alaska + Hawaiian Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2025. The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the November Regular MEC meeting. This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual. […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, September 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present […]

Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

September 15 marks the start of Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month in the United States, a vibrant celebration dedicated to honoring the rich contributions and diverse cultures of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Spanning a full month, this observance—also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month—has its roots in Hispanic Heritage Week, which was established by legislation signed into law by […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary […]

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