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        You are here: Home / Benefits Committee

        website-header-benefits

        Including Worker’s Compensation, Maternity, FMLA, and Leaves of Absence
        • What Does This Committee Do?
        • Who Do I Contact?
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        What Does This Committee Do?
        The Benefits Committee works to educate and provide assistance to Flight Attendants in all matters involving benefits (including insurance, maternity, worker’s compensation, and leave of absence programs)

        Download the Benefits Committee Member duties and responsibilities

        Specific Duties and Responsibilities
        • Work with management to resolve any concerns involving claims submitted under benefits programs
        • Act in an advisory role to the LEC Officers on matters related to benefits, insurance, maternity, worker’s compensation, and leave of absence programs
        • Actively communicate information of interest to the Flight Attendants. Provide information to the Communications Committee for inclusion in Local Council communications.
        Why Would I Contact This Committee?

        The Benefits Committee is available to help you with:

        • Company provided or voluntary benefits programs
        • Medical or maternity leaves of absence
        • Family medical leave (FMLA)
        • On-the-job injuries and workers compensation procedures

        Go to top

        Who Do I Contact?

        For assistance, contact any member of your Local Benefits Committee.  You can find a list of Committee Members on your Local Council Committees page.  For your convenience, a list of Committee Chairs and links to the Local Committee lists are below.

        ANC

        Debi Wallstrom
        Tallee Wellman-Ullom
        Maki Bogart
        anc.benefits.chair@afaalaska.org

        View the ANC Committee List >>

        LAX

        Ava McWilliams Ellington
        lax.benefits.chair@afaalaska.org

        View the LAX Committee List >>

        PDX

        Ann LaRue
        pdx.benefits.chair@afaalaska.org

        View the PDX Committee List >>

        SAN

        Sonia Quackenbush
        san.benefits.chair@afaalaska.org

        View the SAN Committee List >>

        SEA

        Kathy O’Malley
        sea.benefits.chair@afaalaska.org

        View the SEA Committee List >>

        SFO

        Julie Pearson
        sfo.benefits.chair@afaalaska.org

        View the SFO Committee List >>

        MEC

        Dianna Ripley, MEC Chairperson
        benefits@afaalaska.org

        Go to top

        Links

        • AS Benefits Website AS Log-In
        • F/A Benefits Handbook AS Log-In
        • National Group Protection (Supplemental Benefits)
        Go to top

        Committee News

        View the Benefits Committee news archives

        Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairpersons

        Posted: December 9, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few weeks and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that highlight their […]

        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

        Posted: December 3, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairperson positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After […]

        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—December 2025

        Posted: November 5, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

        Health Benefits Coverage & Staffing Adjustment Leaves

        Posted: November 6, 2023

        Benefits Committee Our Benefits Committee has been notified that there are multiple issues with health benefits coverage for those returning from staffing adjustment leaves (SAL). If you are on a staffing adjustment leave or have recently returned from one, please be aware of the following. Re-Enrolling After A Leave While we disagree that one should […]

        Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2023

        Posted: October 26, 2023

        Benefits Committee On Tuesday, October 24, representatives from our Local AFA Benefits Committees met to discuss their ongoing work related to Flight Attendant work-related benefits, including insurance, maternity, worker’s compensation, and leave of absence programs. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), Kathy O’Malley (SEA), Ann LaRue (PDX), Julie Pearson (SFO), Majo Tanco, […]

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        Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

        Latest News

        • Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month
        • Council 39 May 2026 Update
        • AFA News in Review – May 29, 2026
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
        • Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.
        • Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon
        • AFA News in Review – May 22, 2026
        • When the Unexpected Happens in the Skies: How the Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) Supports You
        • Council 43 (HNL) LEC Officer Election Results

        Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

        June 1, 2026

        Every June, we come together to honor LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the remarkable resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ community. Pride Month began as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The inaugural Pride March, […]

        Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

        May 29, 2026

        On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), […]

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

        May 29, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, May 26, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

        Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.

        May 27, 2026

        We all know flying can be demanding—long days, irregular hours, and fatigue are part of the job. It’s natural for tensions to rise. Before you head to management or vent on social media, consider Professional Standards. In this video, Ava McWilliams-Ellington, pre-merger Alaska LAX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson, shares how Professional Standards provides a confidential, […]

        Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon

        May 25, 2026

        This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your nutrition during the work day through our crew meal provisions. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of crew meals are most meaningful to you, as we continue to advocate for […]

        Recent Posts

        • Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month
        • Council 39 May 2026 Update
        • AFA News in Review – May 29, 2026
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
        • Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.
        • Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon
        • AFA News in Review – May 22, 2026
        • When the Unexpected Happens in the Skies: How the Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) Supports You
        • Council 43 (HNL) LEC Officer Election Results
        • Council 39 (PDX) LEC Officer Election Results
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
        • AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Monday, June 8
        • AFA News in Review – May 15, 2026
        • Boeing 787 Seattle International Service Observation Period Update – May 2026

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