With our Committee Chairperson positions filled, our goal is to send out at least quarterly updates from each committee. This update includes information about several committee changes we have made, as well as updates directly from your Committee Chairpersons. Please send any questions or concerns you may have to the respective Chairperson.
Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)
Ruth Ann Bledsoe, 907-854-3393
Several years ago I started the “Shoulder To Lean On” support group for those of us who have had shoulder injuries and surgery. I will be at the Starbucks at Tudor Road and A Street on Saturday, February 25th from 1pm-3pm. Please stop by for literature on shoulder injuries as well as a sympathetic and confidential discussion of your shoulder, back, or neck concerns. Looking forward to seeing you!
Benefits
Maternity: Kendall Brophy, 907-223-5653
Medical/FMLA: Lisa Pinkston, 512-850-7348
Worker’s Compensation: Ruth Ann Bledsoe, 907-854-3393
Due to the overwhelming abundance of work that falls under the Benefits Committee, we have decided to split the Chairperson position into three categories. Kendall has graciously stepped up to assist with Maternity questions/issues, Lisa will continue to assist with any Medical/FMLA questions/issues, and Ruth Ann will assist with any Worker’s Compensation related issues. We could really use additional committee members in all three areas under the Benefits umbrella so if you have a passion for assisting fellow FAs who have maternity, medical/FMLA, and/or work comp questions, or hear of anyone willing to assist in the Benefits arena, please email the respective Chairperson!
Communications
Media: Justin Wetherell, 541-980-3339
Technology: Maila Bischoff, 415-680-5460
Justin has agreed to take the role of Media Chairperson, focusing on newsletters, emails, Facebook, and text. He has already begun monthly newsletters (Arctic Ascent), and will continue to innovate new ways to keep our Base connected and informed. We will print the monthly newsletter and post a copy on the AFA bulletin board in the crew room and/or leave a few copies there as well as another avenue to make sure members receive information.
Maila will be spearheading the newly developed position of Technology Chairperson (think of this as an advocate for IT and technical issues we encounter). She has already been providing excellent feedback for several of the recent changes we have seen (IMD, FA website, JCA, etc.), and has agreed to serve as Chairperson of this newly created position. She will be a great asset and advocate for our members (especially in light of all the technological changes that have been coming and will continue to come our way).
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Professional Standards
Bonnie Walters, 907-230-7208
Several of our members have been dealing with the loss of loved ones, their own serious injuries/illness and/or those of family members, as well as the tragic passing of our friend and coworker, Alaska CSA Brandy Sullivan. Please know our Local EAP Committee is ready to assist anyone who would like help. You can find the telephone number of a Local EAP Committee member at www.afanet.org or by calling 800-424-2406. For information on Brandy’s Celebration of Life and how to assist her young daughters, please check your work email.
EAP also started a bake sale/fundraiser on Thursday, February 23, in the ANC Crew Room to assist with everyday expenses of FA’s who are in need. If you love to bake and would like to donate, great! Also, gift cards for Fred Meyer or Target are welcome donations.
Government Affairs
Matt Cook, 907-854-0607
Matt is excited to step into the role as Government Affairs Chairperson and has already begun work on several important topics, including prohibiting phone calls on planes and denying NAI. He will attend a conference in D.C. next month for training and will spend time lobbying on Capitol Hill. If you are interested in joining the Government Affairs Committee, please email Matt.
Hotel
Dori Marron, 907-854-8091
Many SLC pairings had shuffled hotel assignments this month, but pairings are being updated. Please double check your hotel assignment in Crew Access and pay attention to any Notifications. As always, make sure you submit a Crew Care Report for any Hotel or Transportation issues. Data is incredibly valuable to our Hotel Committee as they advocate on our behalf for hotel and/or transportation issues.
Inflight Service
Betsy DeMay, 907-854-8091
A few product and service updates will occur in the coming weeks. New spatulas are being boarded in First Class, as well as ramekins for serving Trans-Con salad dressing. New cold cups are approved and will show up soon; the cups are slightly larger and separate more easily. In mid-March, Dasani water bottles will begin loading. Currently, we are testing new cart drawers that slide more easily, new hot towels for FC, and new coffee lids. Liquor counts are being discussed and we hope modifications will be made soon to more accurately reflect the quantities needed for our flights. As always, and feedback/suggestions should be sent to catering.feedback@alaskaair.com and CC’d to Betsy.
Reserve
Matt Cook, 907-854-0607
A few Reserve fixes are planned for JCA, with some taking effect February 22nd. The interim Reserve Trading Board is up and running on the FA Website, but all trades must still be submitted through CrewSked.ReserveDesk@alaskaair.com. Crew Scheduling is currently working on an easier way to submit trades directly from the FA website, but this will not be available until February 24th at the earliest. Unfortunately, programming for Reserve trading and posting on JCA is still in progress. If you are interested in joining the Reserve Committee, or have any Reserve specific questions, please email Matt.
Scheduling
Justin Wetherell, 541-980-3339
Improvements are continuing to be made to the JCA system. An easy way to view and print the entire trip, with less clicks, is coming soon! Thank you for all the feedback and suggestions you have been providing! Please continue to submit any feedback/improvements to the system to CSS_SC@alaskaair.com, technical issues to help.desk@alaskaair.com, please be sure to continue to CC anc.scheduling@afaalaska.org. We will be sending out a pairings survey to our base soon. The data from that survey will be presented during our Pairings Discussion with Andy, Chad, Crew Planning and Karen (AFA Pairings Analyst) on March 30th at the Alaska Airlines Regional Headquarters.
Uniform
Tallee Wellman-Ulom, 907-351-4881
Preliminary designs are being produced and we are looking forward to wear-testing phase when that begins. We are committed to sharing more details as they are allowed to be shared; “West Coast Modern” is the description being given at this time. The tentative timeline scheduled to have final uniforms ready for distribution is by Q2 of 2018.
Your Local Officers would like to thank all the Committee Chairs and Committee members for all the work they do on behalf of our members. We would also like to thank each of you for allowing us the opportunity to assist each of you! If you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss with us, please email your Local LEC Officers.
In Solidarity,
Your Anchorage Council 30 LEC Officers and Committee Chairpersons
