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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

        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

        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

        • MEC Statement Regarding Management’s New California Timekeeping Policy
        • Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 19 – September 2026
        • Understanding The Legislative Process
        • Council 47 SEA Base Update – NGP October 2026
        • Reserve Webinar – September 16, 2026
        • Go In-Depth with Our AFA Government Affairs Committee Chairperson
        • AFA News in Review – September 11, 2026
        • Council 47 Update – October Flying Overview

        MEC Statement Regarding Management’s New California Timekeeping Policy

        September 15, 2026

        Management announced a major policy shift last night that, starting October 1, 2026, California-based pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants in SFO, LAX, and SAN will be required to take an additional and redundant step to record their time worked by punching in and out using a timekeeping system. According to management, this new procedure applies to […]

        Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

        September 15, 2026

        Each year, from September 15 to October 15, the United States observes Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month, a vibrant and meaningful tribute to the remarkable contributions, history, and cultures of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. This celebration began as Hispanic Heritage Week, established in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson to recognize the impact and influence of Hispanic-Latinx communities across the […]

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

        September 14, 2026

        On Thursday, August 27, our Seattle Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met with management 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 Walstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX/SEA pmHA), Carin Merritt (LAX […]

        Joint Contract Negotiations Session 19 – September 2026

        September 14, 2026

        Last week, the JNC received management’s responses on several contract sections and submitted counterproposals, including important updates for retiree benefits. As negotiations continue, both parties are preparing to use Interest-based Bargaining (IBB), a collaborative approach that aims to find mutually beneficial solutions to complex issues. IBB training is scheduled for October in Seattle and will be led by a mediator from the National Mediation Board.

        Understanding The Legislative Process

        September 14, 2026

        As we continue our Government Affairs Committee Focus Month, this week we’re exploring how the legislative process works, why enacting laws strengthens our collective bargaining power, and how to engage effectively with our elected representatives. The legislative process may sometimes feel complex or far removed, but it directly shapes our day-to-day lives—from cabin safety regulations […]

        Recent Posts

        • MEC Statement Regarding Management’s New California Timekeeping Policy
        • Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 19 – September 2026
        • Understanding The Legislative Process
        • Council 47 SEA Base Update – NGP October 2026
        • Reserve Webinar – September 16, 2026
        • Go In-Depth with Our AFA Government Affairs Committee Chairperson
        • AFA News in Review – September 11, 2026
        • Council 47 Update – October Flying Overview
        • Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11: Never Forget
        • NGP Supplemental Benefits – September 2026
        • Council 43 Update – Local Council Meeting: November 6
        • SAVE THE DATE: Council 39 Local Council Meeting
        • Council 47 Update – September 11: We Will Never Forget

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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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