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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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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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        • Benefits Handbook

        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 (pmAS)

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

        View the LAX (pmAS) Committee List >>

        LAX/SEA (pmHA)

        Beth Hayes
        47.benefits.chair@afahawaiian.org

        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 (pmAS)

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

        View the SEA (pmAS) Committee List >>

        SFO

        Julie Pearson
        sfo.benefits.chair@afaalaska.org

        View the SFO Committee List >>

        MEC

        Dianna Ripley, MEC Chairperson (pmAS)
        Chasity Theno, MEC Chairperson (pmHA)
        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, […]

        Need Help?

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

        Latest News

        • Save the Date: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6
        • Council 43 Update – June 21, 2026
        • Juneteenth aka Emancipation Day
        • AFA News in Review – June 19, 2026
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – June 2026
        • MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – June 8, 2026
        • AFA News in Review – June 12, 2026
        • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026
        • AFA News in Review – June 5, 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

        Save the Date: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6

        June 23, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Pre-merger Alaska Reserve Flight Attendants: Have you ever had Crew Scheduling call you with a change to your assignment and wondered, “Can they do that?” Lineholders, have you flown with a Reserve Flight Attendant and found yourself asking the same question? You’re not alone! Our Reserve Committee […]

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – June 2026

        June 16, 2026

        On Monday, June 8, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in-person to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and […]

        MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – June 8, 2026

        June 15, 2026

        Whether you joined us live or are looking to watch on your own schedule, we’re excited to share the full recording of our June 8 MEC Town Hall! Catch up on the discussions and hear directly from our MEC Officers and AFA panelists—now available to you anytime on the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian YouTube channel […]

        Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

        June 10, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, June 4, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), Adrian Alcantara (SAN), and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire […]

        Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

        June 5, 2026

        The JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all members.

        Recent Posts

        • Save the Date: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6
        • Council 43 Update – June 21, 2026
        • Juneteenth aka Emancipation Day
        • AFA News in Review – June 19, 2026
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – June 2026
        • MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – June 8, 2026
        • AFA News in Review – June 12, 2026
        • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026
        • AFA News in Review – June 5, 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026
        • Local Committee Interviews – July 2026
        • 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

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        AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX (pmAS) Council 19 SEA (pmAS) Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX Council 43 HNL Council 47 LAX/SEA (pmHA) EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee
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