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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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        You are here: Home / Benefits Committee
        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 >>

        HNL

        Calyn Rosehill
        hnl.benefits.chair@afahawaiian.org

        View the HNL 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

        View the LAX/SEA (pmHA) Committee List >>

        PDX

        Linda Gunselman
        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

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        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

        Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

        Posted: August 3, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Wednesday, July 22, our pre-merger Alaska Benefits Committee Chairpersons met for their regular monthly meeting. This meeting was an internal AFA-only meeting and did not involve management.  Representing you at the meeting were Ava McWilliams Ellington (LAX), Linda Gunselman (PDX), Sonia Quackenbush (SAN), Kathy O’Malley (SEA), […]

        Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – June 2026

        Posted: June 25, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Wednesday, June 17, our pre-merger Alaska Benefits Committee Chairpersons met with management for their regular meeting. These discussions help ensure that management understands the real-world impact of their decisions on Flight Attendants and that your concerns are addressed directly.  Your representatives at the meeting were Deb […]

        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, […]

        Need Help?

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

        Latest News

        • Air Safety, Health and Security: Layover Safety – August 2026
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 18 – August 2026
        • Council 39 August 2026 Update
        • AFA News in Review – August 28, 2026
        • AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Wednesday, September 23
        • Staying Safe On Layovers
        • Committee Update: I Mua Ke Alo – August 2026
        • AFA News in Review – August 21, 2026
        • Council 47 Officer Update – August 2026

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026

        August 31, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, August 25, 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), […]

        Joint Contract Negotiations Session 18 – August 2026

        August 31, 2026

        This week, the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian JNC engaged in four days of collective bargaining with management in Seattle. Despite presenting a comprehensive proposal to address Section 19 (Grievance) and Section 30 (Training), the committee and the company were unable to reach an agreement. The JNC remains dedicated to securing the best possible outcome for our members.

        AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Wednesday, September 23

        August 27, 2026

        Don’t miss your chance to connect, share your thoughts, and be heard! Our upcoming AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall is happening Wednesday, September 23. Stay informed with the latest AFA updates and engage directly with our MEC Officers. Bring your questions—AFA Representatives will be ready to provide answers. The Details What: AFA Alaska + […]

        Staying Safe On Layovers

        August 27, 2026

        A joint message from our AFA Hotel Committee; Air Safety, Health & Security Committee (ASHSC); and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee. Your safety matters to us—and we want you to come home from every trip safe and well. Most layovers go smoothly, and you can keep it that way by staying aware and trusting […]

        Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

        August 19, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, August 13, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Diana Berni (PDX),  Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather […]

        Recent Posts

        • Air Safety, Health and Security: Layover Safety – August 2026
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 18 – August 2026
        • Council 39 August 2026 Update
        • AFA News in Review – August 28, 2026
        • AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Wednesday, September 23
        • Staying Safe On Layovers
        • Committee Update: I Mua Ke Alo – August 2026
        • AFA News in Review – August 21, 2026
        • Council 47 Officer Update – August 2026
        • Reserve Committee Update – August 2026
        • Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026
        • Meet Our Local Chairpersons – August 2026
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026
        • August Bidding Extension and Reserve Webinar

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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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