The next step in the integration process is to appoint a Joint Negotiating Committee Member and two Merger Representatives. Information about each of the positions as well as how to express interest can be found below.
Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Member (1 position)
Pursuant to Section X.D [Merger Policy and Related Employee Protective Provisions: Contractual Protection] of the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws (C&B), the AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) is seeking one Virgin America AFA member to serve on the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for merged contract negotiations.
Purpose of the JNC
The purpose of the JNC is to obtain interim safeguards, including a fence agreement with management (which maintains separate Inflight operations for a specified period of time), and merging the collective bargaining agreement(s) and/or respective work rules. Many issues will need to be decided in order to provide for a smooth transition into one, combined carrier.
Scope of the JNC
From AFA-CWA C&B Section X.D.4: “The members of the negotiating committee shall have complete and full authority to resolve any and all trackage* disputes between the flight attendant groups including those arising from the interpretation or implementation of any agreement embodying interim safeguards.”
*Trackage is a somewhat antiquated term originally associated with the railroad industry.
Duties of the JNC
- Attend initial training of new JNC members.
- Conduct a review of the respective agreements (or work rules) to identify commonalities, differences, areas of cultural preference, benefits of each agreement (or work rules), and unique issues associated with specific air service.
- Review collective bargaining agreements and employment terms at comparable airlines.
- Create the Union’s opening position (“opener”) for merger negotiations.
- Interface with counterparts at Alaska Airlines and engage in discussions to reach mutually acceptable provisions on merging the two Flight Attendant groups.
- The MEC President is an ex-officio (i.e. “by right of holding another office”) member of the JNC.
Expectations/Qualifications
- Appointed by the AFA Alaska MEC and terms are served to completion at the approved of the MEC. Takes direction from the chairperson of the JNC (i.e. in this case the AFA Alaska MEC President) with input from the AFA International Collective Bargaining Department (i.e. staff negotiator) and Legal Department (i.e. staff attorney). After successful ratification of the JCBA will continue to serve as a contract interpretation resource for the JCBA.
- Maintain a complete record of negotiations including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA.
- Public interactions (including social media) must reflect favorably on AFA Alaska. If requested by AFA Alaska, JNC members must be willing to reasonably limit social media interactions for the duration of JCBA preparation, negotiations and implementation.
- Ability to tolerate controversy amongst one’s peers.
- Willing to travel for training, preparation, negotiations, roadshows and other meetings as needed.
- Must be willing to adjust her/his schedule as needed, sometimes with very little notice.
Flight Pay Loss/Expenses
- 6 block-hours for each 8 hours of work.
- Travel time is unpaid; exceptions will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
- Meal & incidentals and other expenses to be reimbursed according to AFA Alaska Policy Manual and AFA-CWA C&B.
Merger Representative (2 positions)
One of the most important aspects of any merger of airlines is the integration of the seniority list. The AFA Constitution and Bylaws provides for the Master Executive Council (MEC) to appoint two merger representatives from each airline. Merger representatives have complete and full authority to act on behalf of the Flight Attendants of their respective airline for the purpose of compiling necessary employment data and a single flight attendant seniority list. More information about duties and responsibilities of merger representatives are spelled out in Section X.C of the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Determine seniority numbers for each Flight Attendant by reviewing and determining date of bidding for seniority, initial training date, number of days of initial training, and if seniority was accrued for training (and if so, how many days were accrued).
- Evaluate all protests to determined seniority, determine validity, and adjudge accordingly.
- Compile and certify a combined system seniority list.
Qualifications
- Must be a current Virgin America Flight Attendant and AFA member.
- Ability to analyze written data and information with high attention to detail.
- Ability to commit time necessary to complete assigned responsibilities, including flexibility to meet on short notice. Some travel will be required.
How to Express Interest For the Positions
- Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest letter and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 5, 2017 at 5 PM PDT.
- Linda will contact applicants to coordinate an interview with the MEC. Depending on the number of applicants for each positions, telephone interviews may be conducted. If needed, telephone interviews will be conducted on Tuesday, May 9.
- Interviews for finalist candidates will be held on at the MEC meeting on Tuesday, May 16 or Wednesday, May 17.
Questions
Any questions regarding JNC or merger representative positions should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
