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Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on September 30 to October 2 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for October 21 to October 23
  • A tentative agreement was reached regarding Section 13 – Uniforms
  • 2,207 Flight Attendants participated in the Vacation Survey, our JNC will review all responses submitted

Negotiations Update

The AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The JNC met with management on September 30 to October 2 in Seattle, WA.  At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberRyan St. John, Vice President, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Brian Palmer, MEC Communications ChairpersonKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

Throughout this week’s negotiations, our JNC made meaningful strides in developing several sections of our agreement. Both parties demonstrated a willingness to collaborate, and while there are still some areas that need addressing, we are optimistic about the progress we are making together. As we continue this important dialogue, our goal is to advance further toward finalizing each section we’ve discussed.

Brian Palmer joined the committee to share his expertise on connectivity in Section 27 – Association General. Our JNC aims to enhance communication with you, our Members, in crew rooms across all bases.

Our JNC has reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 13 – Uniforms. We are working through various provisions, including the basic uniform, dry cleaning, uniform costs, footwear, jacket requirements, and gloves, which will be resolved once the final uniform design is determined. We successfully negotiated valuable items from the Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including protective measures ensuring that surnames do not appear on name tags. We’ve enhanced the uniform replacement provisions and broadened the guidelines for Arctic boot wear, reflecting our commitment to improving the overall uniform standards.

Section by Section Progress

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Section 13 – Uniforms (HA CBA Section 6)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Section 25 – Air Safety Health and Security (HA CBA Section 28)

We continue to advocate for safety improvements and reporting

  • Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)

As our Flight Attendant population continues to grow, we are actively seeking resources to ensure proper representation for our Flight Attendants.

  • Section 30 – Training (HA CBA Section 26)

We are in discussions around recurrent training as we work through travel protections and compensation for the the requalification process.

  • Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation (HA CBA Section 4.C and Section 4.E)

We are seeking enhancements to food accessibility on layovers.

  • Section 36 – Commuter Policy (HA CBA Section 34-28)

We continue to advocate for ground and air commuter policy enhancements.

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Section 6 – Seniority (HA CBA Section 9)
  • Section 15 – Leaves of Absence (HA CBA Section 17)
  • Section 19 – Grievance Procedures (HA CBA Section 23)

Vacation Survey

Thank you for participating in the Vacation Survey. We had a total of 2,207 Flight Attendants take part, with 64% of the responses coming from pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants and 37% from pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants. All responses will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the evaluation process.

Additionally, please look out for the link to the upcoming Sick Leave Survey, which will be available in the coming weeks.

Local Council Meetings

On September 22, our JNC participated in the Local Council 35 meeting in San Francisco. It was a great opportunity to connect with members and LEC officers, addressing questions about the joint negotiating process and gathering valuable feedback. We’ll be attending Local Council meetings until the end of the year, including Local Council 30 today, October 3 in Anchorage. Be sure to stay connected with your Local Council for the latest updates and information.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for October 21 to October 23.

Vacation Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Vacation Survey Closing on Wednesday, September 24 at Noon PT

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is conducting a vacation survey to gather insights from Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines regarding their vacation benefits.

Our committee aims to understand the varying ways these benefits are utilized and how to enhance them especially as there are significant differences between the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems. The JNC committee remains committed to advocating for the quality of work life for all Flight Attendants to ensure that both Alaska and Hawaiian employees retain their long-standing benefits.

The survey will be available until Wednesday, September 24 at Noon PT. We strongly encourage you to take a moment to complete the survey. Your input will help the JNC advocate effectively for your needs.

Thank you for being an essential part of this process!

If you have any questions regarding the survey feel free to contact the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons

We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on October 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils, ensuring that the voices of both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants are heard and advocated for. Below, you’ll find brief bios that showcase their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our combined Flight Attendant group.

James Bozanich, MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson

James began his aviation career in 2009 as a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant with Virgin America. Over the years, he has held a variety of leadership and instructional roles within Inflight, including Inflight Team Leader, Air Transportation Supervisor, and Inflight Instructor, a role he continues to serve in today. In addition to teaching Initial and Recurrent Training, James has co-developed numerous Inflight Training programs at both Virgin America and Alaska Airlines. One of his most memorable experiences was participating in the Virgin America / Virgin Australia Exchange Program, spending a year flying as a Sydney-based Flight Attendant.

James became active with AFA shortly after the ratification of the 2018 JCBA, first serving as the Council 35 (SFO) Hotel Committee Chairperson before transferring to the SAN base in 2021, a city he now proudly calls home. In 2023, he assumed the role of MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson and also joined the Inflight Training Committee. Guided by his belief that constructive action is a powerful driver of change, James applied for and was selected to join the 2022 Negotiating Committee. In this role, he contributed to the strategy and negotiations that led to the 2025–2028 CBA, a contract delivering significant economic gains and work rule improvements for Alaska’s Flight Attendants. He will soon begin his second term as MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson, where he will oversee the integration of the pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Hotel Committees while continuing to champion the highest standards of crew accommodations.

Outside of Union and inflight work, James holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from UC Davis. Before becoming a Flight Attendant, he worked as a Securities Licensed Banker and as a Trip Leader for a high-end active travel company. In his free time, he enjoys scuba diving, running, skiing, and experiencing the cuisines of the world while traveling.

Mischelle Fielsch, MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson

Mischelle Fielsch began her aviation career in 1997 as a Flight Attendant with Reno Air before flying with American Airlines, Virgin America, and ultimately Alaska Airlines. Throughout her career at these four airlines, she has held a variety of leadership and Union roles, including Team Leader, Union Representative, Inflight Supervisor, and Performance Supervisor. She has experience in performance management, investigations, and conflict resolution, and is known for building trust, fostering collaboration, and advocating for Flight Attendants in both operational and Union settings.

In her current role as AFA Council 35 (SFO) Vice Chairperson for the Grievance Committee and Chairperson for the Communications Committee, Mischelle has spearheaded innovative initiatives such as the Union Break podcast and Council 35’s social media channels, enhancing transparency and engagement among members. In her new position with the MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson, she looks forward to expanding opportunities for Flight Attendants to connect with their Union, share their voices, and feel supported in their execution of job duties. Her passion for engagement, coupled with integrity-driven leadership, will continue to strengthen the relationship between Members and Union leadership.  

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson: James Bozanich  
MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson: Mischelle Fielsch

These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons will coordinate the activities of their respective merged committees across both airlines. They’ll support the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils—both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian. Their official term will begin on October 1, 2025. They’ll serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), as well as for the upcoming cycle (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028).

If you have any questions about the MEC Committee Chairperson elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met virtually with management on September 11 to receive their response to our last proposal
  • Our union has a longstanding history of negotiation with management to establish new domiciles as supported by Section 27.D.2 of our CBA
  • Our priorities during these negotiations aim to support Flight Attendants during the transition to the SEA domicile while addressing operational and contractual concerns

Negotiations Update

Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and integrity of our working relationships. At the negotiating table for this virtual meeting were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Committee ChairpersonJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations
Martin Gusman, Committee MemberAllen Thieman, Vice President, Inflight
Joshua Aoki, Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations
Jeffrey Fuke, Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations
Lea Franzoi, Committee Support RepresentativeAdriene Tom, Specialist, Labor Relations
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff Negotiator

Hawaiian’s Negotiating History

For decades, the Association has negotiated with management to establish new domiciles.  There is a long history of precedent and collaboration with management to ensure fair and just protections for Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants. The Hawaiian Flight Attendant Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) establishes just that in Section 27.D.2:

Section 27.D.2

2. International

All domiciles other than Honolulu which are established for the international operation shall be geographically located within the fifty (50) United States. Prior to creating and opening any other domiciles, a supplement to this Agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Section 6, Title I of the Railway Labor Act, as amended.

This language is longstanding and requires the company to negotiate in good faith prior to opening a new domicile. In the latest proposal it has become clear that Alaska management is unwilling to negotiate a fair agreement by rejecting many of our proposals that are beneficial to the Flight Attendants and that would support the long term viability of the company’s goals for International expansion.

Our Vision for the SEA Domicile

The company has expressed a brand promise to both the Flight Attendants and the Hawai’i community at large. In that promise is the expectation to uphold our brand integrity and culture which would entail capturing and honoring the Hawaiian Spirit of Aloha and hospitality, a culture that we are proud to share around the globe.


Our vision for the SEA domicile is fostering an experienced and knowledgeable foundation for long term growth. This means including protections that would encourage experienced Flight Attendants to volunteer for the SEA domicile. These Flight Attendants would bring the highest Hawaiian standards for hospitality to Alaska’s highest profile and flagship global flying onboard the Boeing 787-9, and in the process mentor new hire Flight Attendants who may be assigned there.


Looking back at when we were first hired, it was comforting to know that there was someone to help guide and support us as we embarked on this new journey of being a Flight Attendant. To be able to support and bring our work culture to our new SEA domicile would bring comfort to those who bravely volunteer to conquer this journey. By rejecting our current proposals, Alaska management is promoting a new base serving global destinations, which would leave them staffed with crews who have little to no experience on key routes (ICN and NRT) that we have preserved and cultivated for years.

Key Priorities

In our first SEA Domicile Update on September 6, we summarized the key areas we’re focused on. Please find the information below for your reference.

  • Transfer Processes – strengthening protective elements of the transfer process for those who may be interested in moving to the new domicile
  • Return to HNL or LAX Domicile – addressing the concern of Flight Attendants transferring to SEA and potentially wishing to return to their Hawaiian domicile before the merging of the Hawaiian and Alaska SEA domiciles
  • Staffing – ensuring that staffing is sufficient to meet operational demands
  • Moving Expenses – advocating for fair and comprehensive compensation related to any necessary relocations
  • Operational Concerns – defining the type of flying and pairings that will be constructed in the domicile
  • Safeguarding Existing Bases – protecting our HNL and LAX domiciles during this transition

Next Steps

Your SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee will meet with management from October 6 to 8 in Honolulu for our second round of SEA Domicile Negotiations. 

Let us remind everyone, our contract applies to this new management the same as it did to our previous management. Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines along with our fairly-negotiated contract, which remains in full force until ratification of a joint contract between Alaska’s and Hawaiian’s Flight Attendants. Being the acquired carrier does not release Alaska from following the contract, nor does it subject us to being second-class members of the Alaska ‘family.’ To that end, we will in good faith continue demanding further dates in order to negotiate in accordance with our contract.

We are sharing this with you so that you are aware of the uphill battle we are currently facing.  As we have expressed previously, only we can uphold the spirit of our culture and retain the Hawaiian spirit and experience that our community has come to know.  We ask for your support to make us successful by keeping informed, so we can come together as one voice and achieve fair and just protections for the SEA domicile.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local leadership or email the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee at sea@afahawaiian.org.

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Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000 

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Joint Contract Negotiations Session 11 – January 2026

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On Monday, January 12, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle 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), Kanani Vallot (SAN), […]

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