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

• Our JNC met with management this week on August 5 to August 7 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for September 28 to October 3
• Our JNC will be attending Local Council Meetings at your domicile, please stay informed through your Local Leadership for details
• Two surveys are being finalized – Vacation and Sick Leave; look out for links to participate in these surveys in the upcoming weeks

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 August 5 to August 7 in Seattle, WA.  At the negotiating table for this session were:

During this week of negotiations Suzanne Balzer, AFA Senior Staff Negotiator and Neil Osato, Hawaiian Airlines, Director of Labor and People Relations joined us at the negotiating table. Throughout the week, we exchanged several proposals, carefully considering each one to ensure that they align with our goals and interests. While there was some movement on both sides, we encountered several provisions that continue to need resolution. It has become clear that addressing these specific areas is vital for us to reach a tentative agreement on those sections. As we continue this important dialogue, we hope to continue to make progress toward finalizing the agreement for each section addressed.

Section by Section Progress

Sections discussed in this session:

• Section 13 – Uniforms (HA CBA Section 6)
• Section 25 – Air Safety Health and Security (HA CBA Section 28)
• Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)
• Section 30 – Training (HA CBA Section 26)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

• Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation (HA CBA Section 4.C and Section 4.E)
• Section 36 – Commuter Policy (HA CBA Section 34-28)

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)

Our JNC is Coming To a Base Near You

Our Joint Negotiating Committee will be attending the Local Council Meetings in your domicile. Please stay informed through your Local Council for more information.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for September 30 to October 2.

We are in the process of finalizing two surveys: one for Vacation and one for Sick Leave. Each survey will be distributed separately. The Sick Leave survey will be sent out after the Vacation survey window has closed. Please keep an eye out for the links to these surveys in the coming weeks.

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

• JCBA negotiations aim to create a new contract from two existing agreements, rather than improving an existing one
• Our JNC will be conducting targeted surveys for specific contract sections and considers feedback from MEC Committee Chairs and Members
• The goal is to negotiate a contract that incorporates the best aspects of both carriers, providing improvements that benefit all Flight Attendants

JCBA vs. Regular Contract Negotiations: What’s the Difference?

There are important differences between Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations and standard “Section 6” negotiations under the Railway Labor Act. This message outlines how JCBA negotiations work—and what you can expect.

Regular Section 6 Contract Negotiations

Most of you are familiar with Section 6 negotiations, which are used to update and negotiate your carrier’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Here’s how that process typically works:

• Survey First: Before bargaining begins, the Negotiating Committee (NC) sends out a survey to all members to gather input on priorities on existing contract provisions.
• Comparison and Strategy: The NC looks at recent gains by other Flight Attendant groups and compares contract terms across the industry.
• Proposal Development: This information helps AFA create initial proposals for management—our roadmap for negotiations.  Management also brings wanted changes forward.
• Negotiation Flow: Talks usually begin with non-economic sections and sections both sides agree don’t need changes. Tentative agreements are communicated to members along the way.
• If Talks Stall: Either side can ask the National Mediation Board (NMB) for help. If mediation fails, AFA can request a “Proffer of Arbitration,” which may eventually lead to a 30-day cooling-off period—and the legal right to strike.

All of this is governed by Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act. However, JCBA negotiations follow a very different process.

JCBA Negotiations

Here’s how JCBA talks differ from regular negotiations:

• Not Section 6 Negotiations: Because our contracts are not amendable, we fall outside the regular Section 6 process and don’t have all of the above avenues under the Railway Labor Act.  However, the NMB can provide mediation/facilitation services if requested.
• Creating One Contract from Two: Instead of improving a single contract, JCBA talks are about building an entirely new agreement from two existing contracts—each with its own culture, policies, rules, and operational concerns adding complexity to the process.
• Different Survey Process: Because it wasn’t possible to capture the entirety of both contracts in one survey, the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) will send targeted “subject matter” surveys on specific contract sections. These will also help educate members on both carriers’ current provisions.
• Input Matters: Besides survey feedback, the JNC also considers input and advice from committee chairs, and member emails, comments, and concerns when making decisions.

The Framework: Merger Transition Protocol Agreement (MTPA)

JCBA negotiations are guided by the MTPA, which outlines where and how often the JNC and management meet and other related details. The MTPA also establishes two main approaches:

• Adopt-and-Go: Use an entire section from one contract as-is.
• Modify-and-Adopt: Take a section from one contract, modify it, and include it in the new agreement.

Because the JCBA will likely last beyond current amendable dates of the Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs, the JNC is also pushing for improvements that go beyond both current contracts. Industry comparisons play a key role in setting these goals.

Balancing Two Contracts

In consultation with the Master Executive Council (MEC), the JNC evaluates and compares each section from both contracts—like Sick Leave, Vacation, Open Time, and Training. These provisions often differ significantly between carriers. The JNC’s job is to find solutions that work best for the combined membership.

Subject-matter survey results help guide these choices.

Expect more information on surveys soon as the JNC tackles major contract sections.

Merged Seniority List

Under AFA’s Constitution and Bylaws, the merged seniority list is based on Flight Attendant date-of-hire. A joint committee of Flight Attendants from both airlines – under the guidance of the AFA International Secretary-Treasurer – verifies with documentation and with individual Flight Attendants – all training and hire dates and integrates them according to date-of-hire.

Until a JCBA is finalized (which could take 2+ years), here’s what you can expect per the provisions of the MPTA:

• Hawaiian and Alaska Flight Attendants will continue to operate separately and on their own operation’s aircraft
• No cross-flying between airlines
• Hawaiian widebody aircraft will be flown to Asia and Australia/New Zealand, etc. by Hawaiian Flight Attendants
• Bases and pairings will stay separate
• Alaska Flight Attendants will continue to receive higher pay rates and boarding pay

While having control of the merged seniority list does give AFA significant leverage in these negotiations, there will also be pressure on the parties to combine the operation so that all members can work and take advantage of the entire, combined operation, receive higher pay, and transfer freely between bases- but the JNC will move at a pace that protects your contract rights and prioritizes improvements for all.

Looking Ahead

JCBA talks will involve tough decisions. The JNC will keep members informed and involved, working closely with MEC leaders every step of the way. Your feedback and engagement are vital.

The JNC is committed to negotiating a contract that reflects the best of both carriers—with improvements over and above those provisions that will benefit all Flight Attendants.