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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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        Latest News

        • Important Update: Irregular Operations Due to Civil Unrest In Mexico
        • AFA News in Review – February 20, 2026
        • Invitation to Training: What To Do if a Union Member is Detained
        • AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Tuesday, March 3
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – February 2026
        • AFA News in Review – February 13, 2026
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations Update – February 2026
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026
        • AFA News in Review – February 6, 2026
        • Important Upcoming BOD Meetings

        Important Update: Irregular Operations Due to Civil Unrest In Mexico

        February 22, 2026

        In response to the significant operational disruptions caused by the civil unrest affecting cities throughout Mexico, particularly Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Guadalajara (GDL), and Manzanillo (ZLO), management continues to operate under an Irregular Operations (IROPS) situation. Our MEC and Committees are actively monitoring the situation and working with management to support our Flight Attendants. Management has […]

        Invitation to Training: What To Do if a Union Member is Detained

        February 18, 2026

        The California Federation of Labor Unions is offering a series of Union Rapid Response Trainings. The next session, “What To Do if a Union Member is Detained,” will offer practical information and guidance on how to respond if this happens. Details of the training are as follows: Date: Thursday, February 19Time: 11:30 AM to 1 PM PTLocation: Zoom Please register […]

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – February 2026

        February 16, 2026

        On Monday, February 9, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met virtually 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), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX-pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC […]

        SEA Domicile Negotiations Update – February 2026

        February 13, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants SEA Domicile May Vacancy Posting The company has posted vacancies for the SEA domicile. There are 121 permanent vacancies available, effective May 1, 2026 for the May bid month. Bids will close at 11:59 PM HT on Monday, February 16. Awards will be posted by 12:00 PM […]

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

        February 12, 2026

        On Wednesday, January 28, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Brad Young (SFO & MEC ASHSC Vice […]

        Recent Posts

        • Important Update: Irregular Operations Due to Civil Unrest In Mexico
        • AFA News in Review – February 20, 2026
        • Invitation to Training: What To Do if a Union Member is Detained
        • AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Tuesday, March 3
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – February 2026
        • AFA News in Review – February 13, 2026
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations Update – February 2026
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026
        • AFA News in Review – February 6, 2026
        • Important Upcoming BOD Meetings
        • AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Tuesday, March 3
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026
        • Celebrating Black History Month
        • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000 
        • AFA News in Review – January 30, 2026

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