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Trip Trading Freeze Part 2

On July 14th in our Trip Trading Freeze communication, the Master Executive Council (MEC) wrote about our frustrations that starting on the evening of September 30th Alaska Airlines management plans to “temporarily” suspend trip trading for up to 78 hours (although management says they plan to open up trading as soon as they believe it is safe to do so). The reason for the trip trading freeze is in order to transition from Jeppesen Maestro/eMaestro to Jeppesen Crew Tracking Enterprise (JCTE)/Crew Exchange.

A trip-trading freeze of this type would be a contractual violation of CBA §12.C.1. [Exchange of Sequences: Trading Procedures]: “The Company will provide and maintain a real-time electronic system for processing sequence trades, pick-ups, drops and give-aways.” That is just one violated provision of many.

The MEC has spent months attempting to negotiate provisions that would help take the sting out of such a major contractual violation and benefit the operation. The MEC has been trying to achieve an eleventh hour agreement that would be acceptable to our members over the past few weeks. At this point we are completely fed up with management and AFA is filing a grievance on the issue.

Trip-trading freeze negotiations

The MEC would like our members to know exactly how this all went down. When we first learned about the trip-trading freeze, the MEC fairly quickly realized this would cause disruption. However, we could not accept up to 78 hours of contractual violations. Of course the MEC started negotiating provisions on behalf of our members that would recognize how impactful this contractual violation would be as well as to minimize operational exposure. It could have been a “win-win” for all parties.

Paid drop coupons or the equivalent

The MEC’s opening position was one day of paid drop coupons or the equivalent in straight compensation for every Flight Attendant on the payroll for every partial day impacted by the trip-trading freeze (approximately three). Management was absolutely shocked we would open on a position that costs approximately $1 million per day. We told them the proposal was to get their attention and to give us a counter proposal. Negotiations continued.

“Super Reserves”

On the operations side, the parties fairly swiftly honed in on a “Super Reserve” concept that allowed Flight Attendants to be on voluntary call with no requirement to call back. This would help supplement the regular complement of Reserves during the cutover. If flown, a “Super Reserve” would receive the greater of 8.0 TFP or actual flying per day—all at premium pay. The only outstanding issue to be resolved was whether premium was double time (2.0x) or triple time (3.0x)—or somewhere in between. The parties also agreed to a liberalized process for resolving attendance points if Flight Attendants were granted Management Drops pursuant to Section 32 Attendance Policy during the cutover.

Positive Space Tickets, et cetera

Back to management’s “counter proposal.” Management refused to counter anything. The MEC attempted to be “more reasonable” (from management’s perspective) by suggesting every Flight Attendant receive an additional complement of positive space tickets (PST) to supplement our current allotment. We even gave them additional options by signaling that we were open to considering a bump to our Employee Choice travel credits. Nada. Management was concerned about setting a precedent for other employee groups asking for pass-related benefits due to contractual violations.

Attendance points credit

Earlier this week the MEC made a last-ditch proposal in which every Flight Attendant receives a credit of two attendance points (including up to two additional bank points if applicable) effective on or around the cutover date. This proposal was completely no cost and fully discretionary within Inflight (as in there would be no need to seek outside approval from executive management). Inflight management rejected the proposal as “too rich” but that they would consider perhaps one point.

What management thinks you are worth…

Inflight management has stated all along they believe the other provisions (the “Super Reserves” and a liberalized points forgiveness policy for Management Drops issued during the cutover) were good enough to make up for the contractual violation. This is what management thinks you are worth in relation to this unprecedented impact to your flexibility: Alaska Air Group will spend several billion dollars to purchase another carrier, but Inflight management can’t give us something that doesn’t cost a penny!

Grievance filed

So…that is why the MEC is done with management for now, and we’re filing a grievance.

>>> Click here to read Grievance No. 36-99-2-24-16: Suspension of Flight Attendants Trades and Denial of Related Contractual Provisions <<<

Considering how Inflight management is behaving these days, the MEC anticipates more grievances coming in the future.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact your LEC president.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

AFA Grievance No. 36-99-2-24-16 Suspension of Flight Attendant Trades and Denial of Related Contractual Provisions

Sick Leave Monitoring

Management once again focusing on sick leave usage

AFA recently received information indicating that management is once again focusing on monitoring sick leave usage. It is unfortunate that Inflight continues to use valuable resources to monitor it’s own employees with little to no tangible results. AFA believes it is important to notify Flight Attendants of the program and their respective contractual rights.

Inflight base management will be keeping track of their specifically assigned Flight Attendants. Base management will have a form recording their Flight Attendants’ trip lengths, commuter status, sick leave usage prior to or following vacation, eMaestro trip trade posting history in eMaestro (or Crew Exchange after cutover to JCTE), social media activity around the time of sick leave, and possibly other unknown factors.

Suspicion of sick leave abuse

If base management is concerned with a Flight Attendant’s sick leave, they will forward the information to the Flight Attendant’s performance supervisor. The performance supervisor will evaluate the information and take action if s/he believes there is suspicion of sick leave abuse. Sick leave investigations which lead to terminations are rare; however, be advised that abuse of sick leave is a terminable offense.

“Welfare check” emails

Base management may send out emails to Flight Attendants whenever they accrue attendance points. These sick leave usage/accrual of attendance points emails have been occurring since the current contract ratified, but the program has been inconsistently applied throughout the system. Inflight management is looking to make the practice more consistent.

AFA takes the position these emails must contain only friendly “just checking on you” tone and content because contractually the purpose of the email is to ensure the welfare of the Flight Attendant. Flight Attendants are not obligated to respond to this type of email.

There are only two instances in which a Flight Attendant is required to respond to an attendance related email:

  1. In the event they have reached four attendance points or
  2. If calling in sick online after scheduled check-in and prior to wheels up of her/his first flight.

A Flight Attendant may also be contacted to receive counseling anytime s/he receives a No Show pursuant to AFA Alaska Collective Bargaining Agreement §32.E.1 [Attendance Policy: Control Procedure], in which case s/he must respond.

Relevant contractual language

CBA §32.A.3-4. [Attendance Policy: Reporting Procedure]:

3.     Inflight management may reach out via electronic communication on the Company intranet to a Flight Attendant anytime s/he accrues attendance points in order to ensure the welfare of that Flight Attendant. The Flight Attendant will not be obligated to respond.

4.     Inflight management may contact the Flight Attendant via telephone or electronic communication on the Company intranet and the Flight Attendant will be expected to return the contact as soon as practical under the following circumstances:

a.     If a Flight Attendant has accrued a total of four (4) points (regardless of points reduction and/or total bank points) within two (2) consecutive calendar quarters; or

b.    If a Flight Attendant calls in sick at or after scheduled check-in and prior to wheels-up of her/his first flight (Sick Leave On-Line at Scheduled Check-In). Inflight management may contact the Flight Attendant via telephone or electronic communication on the Company intranet. 


***

If you have any questions or concerns, contact one of your LEC officers, particularly if you receive any “off script” emails about attendance.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee; MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Jennifer Wise MacColl and MEC Grievance Committee Representative Stephanie Adams

Order of Reserve Assignment Grievance Granted

Management granted Grievance No. 36-99-2-4-16: Violation of CBA §11.E.9 Order of Reserve Assignment. AFA filed this grievance earlier this year because Crew Scheduling called a Reserve and didn’t wait 15 minutes for the Reserve to return the call. Crew Scheduling then proceeded to assign the next Reserve on the Low Time First Assigned (LTFA) list to the trip that the first Reserve should have received, but management was disputing whether additional pay was due for the second Reserve.

CBA §11.E.9. [Reserve: Order of Assignment]:

Crew Scheduling will assign Reserves in LTFA order as modified by LTFA preferences or reverse seniority order for Lineholder opt-out; if a Reserve is otherwise assigned out of order for any other reason, s/he will receive one and one-half times (1.5x) the trip rate for all TFP flown or credited, or for APSB of which one-half times (0.5x) will be paid above guarantee.

Since the grievance was granted, Crew Scheduling is required to wait a full 15 minutes for a Reserve to call back for an assignment. If Crew Scheduling moves to the next Reserve prior to the 15 minutes expiring, and if the first Reserve calls back during that time, then the second Reserve called and assigned is entitled to 1.5x pay for all TFP flown or credited in that pairing; 0.5x pay will be paid above guarantee.

If you think you have been assigned a trip out of order under these circumstances, take screen shots of the LTFA list, then contact your local Reserve Committee chairperson if you have any challenges with receiving the additional contractual compensation.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee; MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Jennifer Wise MacColl, MEC Grievance Committee Representative Stephanie Adams; and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill

Alaska Airlines-Virgin America Merger Update: July 28, 2016

Initial Meeting Between AFA Joint Negotiating Committee and TWU Negotiating Committee

Members of your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) joined the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Virgin America Negotiating Committee for a casual dinnertime “meet and greet” on Tuesday night in Burlingame, California. The JNC members present were MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jen Wise MacColl and Lindsey Steele. Council 18 LAX President Tim Green accompanied the JNC as an additional representative of the MEC. Tim participated because he is LEC president of the only Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant domicile that overlaps with Virgin America’s operation: Los Angeles. The entire MEC did not attend because we believe it was best to keep the number of participants limited for this first unofficial meeting. However, the full MEC very much looks forward to additional opportunities to get to know the Virgin America Inflight Team Mates (ITMs) in the future.

The TWU Virgin America (VX) Negotiating Committee was negotiating in San Francisco this week as they continue their efforts to reach a first contract. The TWU VX Negotiating Committee is TWU International Vice President Thom McDaniel, Negotiating Team Members Armando Fierros, Aladrian Hillmon, Daniel “DJ” Martinez, Jansen Nichols, Danielle Pappert, Jeremy Schoggins and Didi Sindelar. The JNC and Tim found their team to be professional, intelligent and committed. They also very much appreciated their willingness to meet up after a long day of negotiations with Virgin American management! There is nothing else significant to report from this informal dinnertime meeting except to say that the parties used the occasion to get better acquainted.

Recap of merger-related information so far

The MEC and JNC have heard frustration from the membership that there is not enough information about the acquisition of Virgin America by Alaska Air Group and the intent to merge Alaska Airlines and Virgin America under a single operating certificate (“the merger”). In case you missed any of the several previous membership releases about the merger, you can find them archived here: http://afaalaska.org/merger. Keep in mind the merger is still very much in the extremely early stages, so there are few developments at this time.

>>> Click here for all archived merger-related information. <<<

Following the merger announcement in early April, we have selected our Merger Representatives for seniority integration and our Joint Negotiating Committee for joint contract negotiations in addition to following the other provisions in Section X [Merger Policy…] of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws. Consequently, AFA is very well positioned to move forward with the process as soon as all parties (AFA, TWU, Alaska Airlines management and Virgin America management) are willing and able to do so. However, there is not likely to be any further progress until the transaction receives official regulatory approval, which is expected in late September or early October. In the meantime, keep up the good work in welcoming our soon-to-be brothers and sisters at Virgin America by striking up a conversation if the opportunity presents itself.

Merger Rumors

There have been no formal discussions about what joint contract negotiations would look like. TWU VX has not yet achieved a first contract, so any details about joint contractual provisions would be pure speculation and are almost certainly rumor. AFA is committed to being transparent with you about any merger developments.

* * *

If you have any questions at this time, contact your LEC president.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

Your Merger Representatives – Sandra Morrow and Marie Maxwell

Alaska Airlines-Virgin America Merger Update: Initial Meeting Between AFA and Alaska Airlines Management

AFA representatives and Alaska Airlines management met last Thursday, July 14, 2016, to update each other regarding the Alaska Airlines-Virgin America merger and discuss the current situation and next steps. MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) member Lindsey Steele, AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberly Chaput, and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo represented AFA. Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider, Vice President of Labor Relations Greg Mays and Managing Director of Labor Relations Elizabeth Ryan represented management.

 

The two groups reviewed the merger timeline and discussed the AFA merger policy, seniority integration and other issues that must be negotiated.  The parties agreed the merger is still in the early stages, so only preliminary discussion could take place prior to Department of Justice approval and the close of the corporate transaction.

 

It is important to recognize that the Alaska Airlines pilot discussions have advanced more quickly because both pilot groups at Alaska Airlines and Virgin America (VX) are represented by the same union—the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Additionally, the Transport Workers Union (TWU), which represents the Virgin America Inflight Team Mates (ITMs), is involved in the end stages of first contract negotiations on behalf of the VX ITMs.  AFA supports their efforts to achieve a first contract and we appreciate their focus on that important achievement.

 

To further communications and good relations between the two Flight Attendant groups, the AFA Alaska JNC and the TWU Virgin America Negotiating Committee will meet in SFO this coming Tuesday, July 25th for an informal “meet and greet” session. A meeting between Alaska Airlines and Virgin America management and TWU and AFA leaders is also in the process of being arranged. We look forward to discussing the impending merger and mutual concerns.

 

AFA has extensive merger experience and every merger is different. It may seem as though not much is happening, but we are still in the very early stages of the merger. The next several hurdles are the Virgin America shareholder vote, followed by DOJ approval and then completion of the merger transaction. Only after transaction close will the merger be official, and then the actual work may start on integrating the Alaska Airlines and Virgin America Flight Attendant groups.

 

We will keep you posted on further developments as they happen.

 

In Solidarity,

 

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

 

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jen Wise MacColl, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

Navigating Acute & Delayed Stress As A Flight Attendant

Stress is an inherent aspect of the Flight Attendant profession, often stemming from the demanding nature of responsibilities and the unpredictable nature of air travel. It’s essential for Flight Attendants not only to understand the different types of stress they may encounter but also to recognize the warning signs of acute and delayed stress for […]

Protect Yourself From Potential Discipline on Social Media

Our Grievance Committee would like to provide background on social media, protected classes, and discipline. Federal protected classes include race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.  Alaska’s People Policy says: Personal Conduct22. Threatening, intimidating, or discourteous behavior, including abusive, profane, or obscene language, acts, […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Nyachan Chuar (ANC), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). MEC Human […]

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026

Editor’s Note: Our MEC Inflight Service Committee now represents both pre-merger airlines, but management still makes service decisions that affect each group of Flight Attendants differently. This update covers changes for both Hawaiian- and Alaska-branded flying, but is specific to aircraft flown by pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines crews. As the work of the merger progresses, we […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026

Our JNC met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC focused on clarifying questions about moving expenses and presented a proposal for Sick Leave, using feedback from Flight Attendants to guide improvements. The Committee is working to incorporate the strongest elements from both contracts to ensure better support for all members.

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