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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines Merger Moves Forward

Alaska and Hawaiian management have satisfied any questions raised during the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) review of the proposed merger. This means DOJ will not take further actions and has essentially approved the merger. 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has the authority to review international routes and general compliance with DOT requirements as it relates to the merged carrier. This has typically been a perfunctory approval. 

Mergers take time — this first hurdle only relates to the financial closing of the merger which can now proceed. DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration will play a significant role in the operational merger.

As a reminder, the transition period includes specific protections for Flight Attendants as negotiated between our union, and both Alaska and Hawaiian management. Review last week’s communication on the Merger Transition Agreement (MTA). Negotiations for a contract at Alaska will continue separately according to the Railway Labor Act. Improvements for Alaska Flight Attendants will set a higher starting point for JCBA negotiations.

We will all do better through our solidarity. Stay close to union communications, fly safe, and as always look out for each other. We are stronger and better together.

Impact on AFA Alaska Negotiations 

AFA will continue to work on negotiating a second Tentative Agreement (TA2) for Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants. Alaska Airlines has a legal obligation to continue negotiations with AFA Alaska. 

The Negotiating Committee (NC) is drafting a survey to determine the targeted goals for TA2. Following MEC approval, we tentatively plan to release the survey on Tuesday, August 27 and close the survey on Wednesday, September 4. The NC will analyze the results and continue through the steps listed here, including drafting a TA2 proposal.

The status of our mediation has no impact on the merger transaction with Hawaiian.

TA Ratification in Context of Delayed Merger Decision

The MEC and Negotiating Committee met this morning to discuss the delayed Department of Justice (DOJ) merger decision prior to our final Tentative Agreement (TA) roadshow. The MEC explored the possible impact on the TA voting timeline and unanimously agreed not to extend the ratification vote. Please ensure you vote by noon Pacific Time on August 14th.

Several factors lead to this decision:

  • We did not originally plan our voting timeline around the DOJ merger decision – the original announcement date just happened to fall within the timeline.
  • There is no guarantee the DOJ decision will actually be announced on the 15th. It is possible the DOJ could further delay its decision – and the voting deadline cannot be indefinitely extended.
  • We negotiated this TA strategically to be a strong option in either scenario, regardless of the DOJ decision. The TA sets us up for a JCBA if the merger does go through, or to be back in negotiations in 2 years (with the three-year duration and one-year early opener). Either way, we will have an opportunity to press for more improvements from a strong base quickly.

Please make sure to vote prior to the deadline – several days before the 14th is recommended in case you encounter any difficulties voting. Keep in mind that voting assistance is available Monday through Friday during regular business hours Eastern Time. Voting information can be found on the contract website.

All published resources are available from the TA page on the contract website.

Department of Justice Merger Decision Update

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced early this morning that they reached an agreement with Hawaiian and Alaska managements to extend the merger review process 10 days until August 15th.  

What does this mean? There is no way of knowing. In fact, the DOJ could not render a decision on August 15th and could further delay the review process. AFA International is monitoring the situation with the DOJ and we will continue to share any new developments or information with members. As a reminder, the Tentative Agreement (TA) was negotiated to position us to return to the bargaining table in the near term whether the merger is approved or not.

The Negotiating Committee is finishing up the TA roadshows in Portland and Anchorage today and tomorrow, respectively. We continue to welcome any questions from you during the ratification process.

Alaska & Hawaiian MECs Meeting – April 26, 2024

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • On April 26, our AFA International President convened a virtual meeting with the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MECs).
  • The group met to review progress on the demands set by the MECs’ previous unanimously adopted resolution. While there has been progress, the first demand — an industry-leading AFA Alaska contract — has not been met.
  • The group passed a resolution extending the deadline for determining our support, opposition, or neutrality to the merger. The Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will reconvene the week of May 20th to evaluate conditions and review management’s action/inaction to review our position.

On April 26, 2024, our International President convened a virtual meeting with the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MEC). This includes the directly elected Local Council Presidents and MEC officers at each airline. Our AFA professionals from Legal, Collective Bargaining, Government Affairs, and Communications were in attendance to support the elected Flight Attendant representatives.

The group met to review progress on the demands set by the MECs’ previous unanimously adopted resolution. While there has been progress, the first demand — an industry-leading AFA Alaska contract — has not been met. The group passed a resolution extending the deadline for determining our support, opposition, or neutrality to the merger. Read the full resolution.

The Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will reconvene the week of May 20th to evaluate conditions and review management’s action/inaction to review our position.

Alaska & Hawaiian MECs Meet To Discuss Proposed Merger

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • On February 2, our AFA International President held a Constitutional Section X Merger meeting with the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MECs) in Los Angeles.
  • The Flight Attendant leadership from both airlines unanimously passed a resolution that sets clear demands to management for what is required if our Union is to support, rather than oppose, this merger.
  • The Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will reconvene on March 25 for a status update and again on April 26 to review management’s action/inaction to determine whether our Union will support or oppose the proposed merger.

On February 2, 2024, our International President convened the AFA-CWA Constitutional Section X Merger meeting with the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MEC) in Los Angeles. This includes the directly elected Local Council Presidents and MEC Officers at each airline. Our AFA professionals from Legal, Collective Bargaining, Government Affairs, and Communications were in attendance to support the elected Flight Attendant representatives, as well as AFA’s financial analyst/economist. 

The group met to thoroughly review the details of the proposed merger, our Union’s merger policy and protections for Flight Attendants as well as a legal review of the merger process. Finally, we had a discussion about our support or opposition of the proposed Alaska-Hawaiian merger. 

Together the Flight Attendant leadership from both airlines unanimously passed a resolution that sets clear demands to management for what is required if our Union is to support, rather than oppose, this merger. The demands include: 

  1. The AFA Alaska industry leading contract management has promised.
  2. A merger protocol agreement with detailed protections for all Flight Attendants such as
    • “no furlough” protections, 
    • no displacements (everyone maintains their base assignment), 
    • a fence/metal agreement to protect the respective flying prior to the operational merger, 
    • an “adopt and go” / “adopt and amend” expedited joint contract negotiations that yields improvements for all Flight Attendants just like management and shareholders, 
    • and other protections specific to this proposed merger including AFA Representative involvement in safety and service modifications.

Read the full resolution > 

The Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will reconvene on March 25th for a status update, and again on April 26th, to review management’s action/inaction to determine whether our Union will support or oppose the proposed merger.

Action: RSVP for the Worldwide Day of Action next Tuesday, February 13th! 

AFA Alaska Strike Vote: Our solidarity is our power. Every Alaska Flight Attendant has a chance to back up our negotiators and make your voice heard with your strike vote. VOTE NOW and/or make sure your friends and flying partners have cast their votes. Visit the AFA Alaska Strike Vote page to get more info.  

Mergers are a long process with many steps. If this merger happens, it will not happen tomorrow, next week, next month, or maybe this year . We will keep you closely updated and involved throughout the process. If you have questions, take a look at the FAQ we compiled based on common questions. If your question isn’t there, let us know what’s on your mind so we can address it. 

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Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants As a follow-up to our June 23 save-the-date announcement, we’re excited to share full details and open registration for our August pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar! If you’ve ever wondered, “Can they do that?” when Crew Scheduling calls with a reserve assignment or schedule change—whether you’re a Reserve Flight […]

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Joint Contract Negotiations Session 16 – July 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.

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