AFA and management work through potential disputes prior to engaging in the arbitration process in the hopes of coming to a fair resolution. The process is called Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). To access the ADR log, which is a record of issues being addressed via ADR, click here. Alternatively, you can point your browser to www.afaalaska.org –> Committees –> Grievance Committee, then scroll down and select “View the ADR log.” AFA has diligently advocated on your behalf; here is a small highlight of issues that are resolved and pending.

Resolved

ADR 004-15A- Probationary Flight Attendants (CBA §7 & 32)—It will not be considered an unsuccessful month for a probationary Flight Attendant if his/her crew is coded with a delay provided the delay is not caused by a late report, failure to brief the exit row, etc.

ADR 019-15A- Appearance of Sleeping—Management instituted a new policy regarding sleeping in public view. AFA stringently objected to the original policy and after much discussion management issued a much preferred policy change.

ADR 024-15A- Fatigue Policy—AFA worked diligently to establish a way to assist fatigued Flight Attendants. As a response management issued a labor memorandum to inflight Crew Scheduling to advise “fatigued” Flight Attendants to call out sick if they are not fit for duty; and fatigue like any condition rendering a Flight Attendant not physically fit for duty is a legitimate reason to call out sick.

ADR 028-15A- Stranded and Sit Pay (CBA §21.D.5.)—Management believes that stranded and sit pay would not be included in the same pairing. AFA believes that stranded and sit shouldn’t be paid in the same stranding, but there could be more than one issue per pairing. AFA’s argument prevailed, and we added contract language for the extra pay and protection.

ADR 033-15A- Flight Attendants Deadheading on Flights Over 4 hours (CBA §10.X.2.d.)—Management agreed to instruct Customer Service Agents to refrain from asking Flight Attendants deadheading on flights over 4 hours to sit in the jump seat. The same courtesy is already given to Pilots and will now be extended to Flight Attendants.

ADR 039-15A- Jury Duty and Subpoenas (CBA §32)—After AFA brought forward some applicable laws regarding subpoenas; management agreed to treat subpoenas the same as jury duty in regards to attendance points.

ADR 061-15A- Overlapping Multiple Pay Rules (MPRs)(CBA §21.F.)—Management agreed that if a Flight Attendant is on a month end overlapping trip and wishes to be paid for the MPRs for the pairing during the first month’s pay period s/he can do so by filling out an activity pay form.

ADR 076-15A- Trading a Premium Trip with a Non-Premium Trip in Open Time (CBA §8.D.)—After many lengthy conversations management agreed to process the trading of premium with non-premium trips.

Pending

ADR 084-15A- Open Time (CBA §21.E.1.d.)—AFA alleged that Crew Scheduling is holding trips out of open time and when caught doing so is paying contractually mandated 1 TFP as a type of penalty.

ADR 085-15A- Crew Scheduling is Posting Premium Trips in Open Time (CBA §9.E.)—Crew Scheduling posted premium trips in open time and then revoked them and gave them to line holders as a reassignment or put them back into open time without the premium pay attached in violation of the contract. Management agreed and will take action to address this with Crew Scheduling.

ADR 001-16A- Coordinating Sick Leave While on Paternity Leave (CBA §15.E.2.)—Flight Attendants should be able to coordinate sick leave while on paternity leave; it should be treated like a maternity leave. Management will be reviewing this issue, and AFA will continue to pursue.

ADR 002-16A- Crew Duty Time (CBA §21.J.1.)—Flight Attendants given a day room after check in due to delay should be paid delay and stranded pay from check in to departure. AFA believes Flight Attendants are considered to be on duty if given a day room and not put into rest. Payroll analysts believe that when the FA is in a day room they are not on duty and do not get ground delay pay. AFA will continue to pursue this issue.

ADR 006-16A- Supervisors are asking Flight Attendants on a Leave why they are traveling (CBA §15.J.)—AFA believes that Supervisors are not to ask Flight Attendants on leaves of absence why they are traveling. Management agreed, and will take action to address this issue in their spreadsheet.

ADR 011-16A- Sick Child Online (CBA §32.C.6-7)—AFA believes Flight Attendants are allowed to call in sick child/sick family on-line per Washington Family Care Act. Management agrees and will follow up on the issue with a labor memo.

ADR 015-16A- Long Term Disability (LTD) (CBA 23.C.6.)—AFA believes when a Flight Attendant is receiving LTD, a Flight Attendant may continue to receive health care at active-employee rates for the duration of the benefits or 24 months. Management is investigating this issue.

ADR 016-16A- Insurance Issues (CBA §23.C.6.)—AFA alerted management that Flight Attendants are getting frustrated with the difficulty in resolving benefit/insurance issues. Management is looking for a solution, and AFA will continue to persist in finding a solution.

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As we work through these ADR issues you will see more information on the ADR log. Until then, if you have any questions or concerns about these issues please contact your local Grievance Committee.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow, Stephen Couckuyt; MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Jennifer Wise MacColl and MEC Grievance Committee Member Stephanie Adams