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    You are here: Home / Archives for Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    About Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Jeffrey Peterson hails from Anchorage, AK, and graduated from A.J. Dimond High in south Anchorage. Jeff was conferred a Presidential Scholar Award in 1991 and went on to achieve a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. Prior to being a Flight Attendant, he spent several years in hotel management working for Marriott International and a franchise company associated with Marriott Hotels. He started out his Flight Attendant career 15 years ago in Los Angeles. Jeff has also been based in Seattle and now San Diego. Jeff’s term as AFA-CWA Alaska MEC president began on July 1, 2011, and he is in his second term of office which expires December 31, 2016. Jeff currently commutes between his home in San Diego and the AFA office in Seattle, which he believes is a small price to pay for living even part-time in “America’s Finest City.”

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 12:00

    California meal & rest breaks

    Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA International continues to partner with Alaska Airlines management, other labor groups and the wider aviation industry to achieve a legislative fix. Alaska Airlines management, if you want AFA’s continued partnership on this issue, then maybe you can lay off the specific gloom and doom scenarios for now?

    From our perspective, management is nowhere near implementing the following for California-based Flight Attendants: clocking in and out during a duty period, attesting to meal & rest break opportunities, restricting 4k flying, or downsizing or closing California domiciles. Remember earlier this year when management was adamant that they would have to take drastic efforts in response to Bernstein v. Virgin America? It’s been mostly crickets since then. Meanwhile, staffing has started to increase in California – and other carriers have yet to make any discernible changes to their operations.

    Management is unnecessarily freaking you out – don’t fall for it!

    Filed Under: Message from the MEC President Tagged With: Bernstein, California meal & rest

    Alaska Airlines Management’s Unlawful Continued Denial of Washington State Sick Leave Law

    October 3, 2022 17:00

    Grievance Committee

    • Washington’s Paid Sick Leave Law went into effect on January 1, 2018, which in part allows Flight Attendants to use sick leave to care for themselves or a family member – including preventative care – and for which they cannot be disciplined or given attendance points.
    • The industry trade association Airlines for America and Alaska Airlines management refused to comply with the law and spent the last four years litigating whether they had to or not; they ultimately lost in litigation, and the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit decision in favor of the State of Washington and AFA stands.
    • Management still refuses to comply with the law, so AFA needs Seattle-based Flight Attendants to file complaints with the State of Washington Labor & Industries agency to ensure the law is rightfully applied.

    In 2018, a state law providing for paid sick leave went into effect in Washington State. Among other things, it required that employers provide:

    1. A minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, and 
    2. The right to use your sick leave after 90 days of employment, not after the 180 days of employment (following probation) provided in our contract. 

    Under the law, you can use this time to care for yourself or a family member — including preventative care. Additionally, the use of paid sick leave time cannot be counted as an absence that leads to or results in any type of discipline – and you cannot be given attendance points.

    Click here for more info about WA Paid Sick Leave (WA Department of Labor & Industries) >

    When the law went into effect in 2018, the MEC Grievance Committee contacted management to determine how they planned to implement the state law. We then learned that management had no intention of complying and instead would challenge the law through the court system. 

    Click here for “Washington Paid Sick Leave Law 2018” (afaalaska.org – February 7, 2018) >

    After four years of litigation and a win for the State of Washington and AFA in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court recently denied management’s request to hear the case. 

    Click here for “Supreme Court Ruling on A4A v. WA L&I (WA Paid Sick Leave)” (afaalaska.org – July 14, 2022) >

    As a result, the 9th Circuit’s ruling against Airlines for America (A4A) – including Alaska Airlines – is final, and no more appeals are possible. Even though the 9th Circuit’s decision in favor of the State of Washington and AFA is now binding, management still refuses to apply this law to Flight Attendants. They argue that litigation in district courts other the 9th Circuit that challenge how other states’ sick leave laws apply to flight crew could impact the application of the state law in Washington. 

    AFA strongly disagrees with management’s approach. We encourage Seattle-based Flight Attendants to file claims with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) if any of the following occur:

    1. You are given attendance points for calling in sick to care for yourself or a qualifying family member when you have accrued sick leave to cover the event,
    2. You are denied the use of sick leave for preventative care, or
    3. You are denied the use of paid sick leave after 90 days of employment (and prior to the end of your probationary period of 180 days). 

    While filing a claim can be time consuming, doing so helps you and your fellow crew members by protecting your rights and contributing to achieving what is legally due to you.

    Click here for SEAFAs to file a claim online with WA L&I >  

    We are also evaluating the applicability of the Washington law to all Flight Attendants under a prior arbitration award and will keep you updated on any further developments.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now Tagged With: sick, state law, Washington

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 18:00

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson

    The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification.

    Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) >

    At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, compensation, work rules, hours of service, retirement, and other additional improvements.

    Regardless of the outcome of the ratification vote, this TA raises the bar for Alaska Airlines pilots — and raises our expectations of Alaska Airlines management in Flight Attendant negotiations!

    In Solidarity,

    Jeff

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Message from the MEC President Tagged With: ALPA, negotiations, pilots, TA, tentative agreement

    Proportional Domicile Staffing

    August 22, 2022 17:00

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    The AFA Alaska MEC sent a letter to Alaska Airlines management last week advocating for growing each domicile proportionally via vacancy awards and new hire domicile assignments through 2023. We have all read and heard “we appreciate you” and “we care” in one form or another, but management must now demonstrate its values to do the right thing by turning those words into action. Management acknowledged receipt of the MEC’s letter and indicated they will respond early this week.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: seniority, staffing

    Supreme Court Ruling on A4A v. WA L&I (WA Paid Sick Leave)

    July 14, 2022 17:00

    Master Executive Council (MEC), Grievance Committee

    • A recent Supreme Court ruling upheld a decision by a lower court requiring that Alaska Airlines comply with the Washington Paid Sick Leave Law and apply it to Flight Attendants.
    • The law prohibits employers from adopting or enforcing any policy that counts the use of paid sick leave time as an absence that may lead to or result in discipline (qualifying absences will not incur attendance points).
    • Seattle-based Flight Attendants are considered covered employees for purposes of the law, but AFA believes that the ruling should apply to Section 32 (Attendance Policy) for all Flight Attendants, regardless of domicile, under a previous arbitration decision.

    In addition to Bernstein v. Virgin America, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) recently denied certiorari (from Latin “to be informed of” – a writ issued by a superior court for the reexamination of an action of a lower court) on Air Transport Association of America, Inc., dba Airlines for America, v. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries, et al.Therefore, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruling stands, which requires Alaska Airlines to comply with the Washington Paid Sick Leave Law (Wash. Rev. Code § 49.46.210 [2021]). AFA intervened and AFA Alaska representatives were deposed in this case.

    On July 1, 2022, AFA sent a demand letter to management requiring Alaska Airlines to comply with the law.  We have not yet received a response.

    What the decision means for Seattle-based Flight Attendants

    Seattle-based Flight Attendants have the benefits of the Washington Paid Sick Leave Law.  

    A covered Washington employee is authorized to use paid sick leave:

    • For an employee’s and their qualified family members’ mental or physical illness, injury or health condition or preventative medical care;
    • When an employee’s child’s school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official for any health-related reason;
    • For absences that qualify for leave under the domestic violence leave act; and
    • Beginning on the ninetieth calendar day after the commencement of their employment (for Alaska FAs, from their on-line/base orientation date).

    The law provides that the employer may require employees to provide verification, for absences exceeding three days, that an employee’s use of paid sick leave is for an authorized purpose.  An employer may not adopt or enforce any policy that counts the use of paid sick leave time as an absence that may lead to or result in discipline against the employee—in other words, qualifying absences will not incur attendance points.

    What the decision means for all Flight Attendants regardless of domicile

    AFA also demanded that the ruling apply to Section 32 (Attendance Policy) for all Flight Attendants, regardless of domicile, under a previous arbitration decision. While we believe arbitral precedent requires that Flight Attendants in all bases receive the benefit of no attendance points in circumstances protected from potential disciplinary action under the law, we do not yet know how management will interpret precedent.

    Stay tuned for further developments.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Grievance Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: paid sick leave, PSL, SCOTUS, state laws, Washington

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    February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals. Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below. Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.
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    The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28. Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data. If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.
    Read details from our Negotiating Committee about Session 8 of contract negotiations, including a tentative agreement on Hotels and updates on current progress.
    AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event. The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation. Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).
    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Latest News

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    • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
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    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
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    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023
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    Celebrating Black History Month

    February 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Human Rights Committee February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the […]

    Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000

    January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Master Executive Council (MEC) Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California. We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; […]

    LOSA Observations Are Underway

    January 27, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) As previously communicated, AFA and management agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) to help improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.  The LOSA program is jointly administered by AFA and management as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The […]

    Operational Safety Debriefs

    January 26, 2023

    Master Executive Council (MEC) In 2019, AFA filed grievance number 36-99-2-170-19, which alleged management’s violation of section 19.A of the collective bargaining agreement. The violation was related to an incident where management conducted a debrief meeting with Flight Attendants while they were still on duty following a slide deployment incident. As there was no contractual […]

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023

    January 25, 2023

    Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, January 24, our AFA Scheduling 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

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    Recent Posts

    • Celebrating Black History Month
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