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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Seniority Verification Letters Are On Their Way

Our Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) has finalized the Seniority Verification Letters (SVL) that were mailed earlier this week. Nearly 10,000 letters have been sent to Alaska Airlines (AS) and Hawaiian (HA) Flight Attendants, and we have received reports that some letters have already started arriving at the mailing addresses on file with the company. 

Example Letters

You can find a copy of the letter for Alaska Flight Attendants here. For Hawaiian Flight Attendants, a copy of the letter is available here. Please note that the letter you receive will contain your individual information rather than placeholders.

If You Have a Non-U.S. Mailing Address

While letters have been sent to all Flight Attendants, the SMIC understands that those living and receiving mail outside the U.S. may experience delays. To help ensure timely delivery for Flight Attendants with non-U.S. mailing addresses, a copy of the letter will also be placed in the company mailbox/v-file for anyone with such an address.

Requesting a Duplicate Letter

If you do not receive your Seniority Verification Letter (SVL) by Monday, July 28, 2025, you may request a duplicate to be sent to you by email. To do so, please send your request to smic@afacwa.org. Your request must include your name, employee number, council/base, and email address. You can expect a response within five business days.

Challenges to Seniority Dates

Any challenges to the seniority date listed in your Seniority Verification Letter must be received by August 29, 2025. These challenges will be reviewed by the end of September 2025, and you will receive resolutions and explanations regarding your challenge.

Questions

If you have any questions about the seniority verification letters or the seniority verification process, please don’t hesitate to contact the SMIC at smic@afacwa.org.

Management’s Planned Hawaiian Airlines Seattle Flight Attendant Domicile

Today, management announced plans to establish Hawaiian Airlines’ 787 Pilot and Flight Attendant bases in Seattle by early 2026. This move aims to enhance operational efficiencies for Alaska Airlines as it expands its international presence in the Seattle area. According to the terms of the Merger Transition Protocol Letter of Agreement, the Company is allowed to open Flight Attendant domiciles for either pre-merger carrier in the same city where the other pre-merger carrier has an existing domicile once it obtains a Single Operating Certificate (SOC), which is anticipated to be secured by the end of October.

It’s important to note that the Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendant contract requires management to negotiate the terms for opening a new domicile in accordance with Section 6, Title I of the Railway Labor Act, as amended.

We recognize that this announcement may come as a surprise, and many of you may have questions about the implications going forward. Our Master Executive Council (MEC) is committed to keeping you informed throughout this process.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 4 – June 2025

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on June 17 to June 19 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for July 15 to July 17
  • The JNC conducted a concourse walk at SeaTac Airport to address question and gathering feedback from Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants
  • Research and consultation continues in preparation for the next negotiation session scheduled for July 15 to July 17

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 June 17 to June 19 in Seattle, WA.  At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonRyan St. John, Vice President, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMatt Prainito, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
 Allen Thieman, Managing Director, Crew Scheduling and Crew Pay, Hawaiian

During the most recent negotiating session, our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) concentrated on the proposals that have been part of our ongoing discussions with the company. We successfully reached agreements on several provisions across different sections; however, there are still additional areas that require attention and resolution. In the time leading up to our next meeting with the company in July, our JNC will continue to engage in thorough research and consultation with our subject matter experts. This process is critical to ensuring that we make well-informed decisions that align with the best interests of our collective group and enhance our overall negotiation strategy.

Section by Section Progress

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Section 13 – Uniforms (HA CBA Section 6)
  • Section 18 – Reduction in Force (HA CBA Section 16)
  • Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)
  • Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation (HA CBA Section 4.C and Section 4.E)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

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

SEA Concourse Walk

Before we resumed our discussions with the company, our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) conducted a concourse walk at SeaTac Airport on Monday, June 16. Representatives were present at KCM, N-Gates, and S-Gates from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM PT. The JNC had the opportunity to meet with Flight Attendants from both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines as they started their daily work assignments. They were able to answer questions, address concerns, and gather suggestions.

If you missed the chance to meet with the JNC and have any thoughts you would like to share, please email the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for July 15 to July 17.

Mahalo From Your AFA Hawaiian Communications Committee

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Aloha Hawaiian Flight Attendants,

On behalf of your AFA Hawaiian Communications Committee, we would like to extend our heartfelt mahalo to each of you for your engagement and support throughout the years. It has been an honor to serve you and to help ensure that important communications reached you in a timely and meaningful way. This work has always been a team effort, and we are deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in us.

As of June 1, 2025, our Communications Committee has officially merged with AFA Alaska to bring you a more unified voice. On June 10, 2025, we held our final meeting as the AFA Hawaiian Communications Committee, and we wanted to provide some final updates. You may begin to notice, or may have already seen, changes in the design and delivery of some of our messages. Please know that while the MEC-level communications have merged, local communications will continue to operate as they always have. Your voices continue to matter, and every Hawaiian Flight Attendant remains a priority.

Email Handle

The communications@afahawaiian.org account will be deactivated and preserved as an archive. This address was primarily used for administrative purposes. If you have this email saved in your contacts, please update accordingly.

In order to help you reach your LEC Officers more easily going forward, we’ve created a few new email shortcuts. If you’re based in HNL, you can reach your Council 43 officers at hnl@afahawaiian.org. If you’re LAX-based, you can reach your Council 47 officers at lax@afahawaiian.org. Emails sent to either of these addresses will automatically route to the inboxes of all your LEC Officers.

Website

The hawaiianafa.org website is currently undergoing revisions to improve accessibility and communication during our transition. As part of this process, some links may now redirect to afaalaska.org. This change is intended to streamline updates and reduce the need for duplicate work across multiple websites, allowing us to share important information more quickly. Centralizing content also helps ensure that members have a single, reliable source for the most current updates, contacts, and resources.

Facebook / Instagram

These current accounts are inactive, and the future of these accounts is still under discussion. We will share an update as soon as leadership makes a final decision regarding their use moving forward.

Questions Form

The MEC Questions Form will be discontinued. Going forward, please direct any inquiries, comments, or suggestions to your Local Council officers: https://www.hawaiianafa.org/contact-us

Thank you again for your continued solidarity as we navigate this merger.

AFA Hawaiian Communications Committee
Josh Aoki, Lea Franzoi and Andrew Ferreira

Seniority Merger Integration Committee Update – May 2025

History And Importance Of AFA’s Seniority Integration Policy

The pre-merger Hawaiian and pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants cannot be combined and begin working together until FAA oversight of safety policies and procedures is completed, a joint contract is ratified, and our seniority lists are merged and accepted.

Nearly 35 years ago, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) established a seniority integration policy designed to minimize division among Flight Attendants during a merger. Having a clear and transparent policy allows us to focus on our other priorities such as maintaining job stability, improving pay, benefits, work rules, and the quality of life at the merged airline.

Following the merger of TWA and American Airlines, where all TWA Flight Attendants were placed at the bottom of the combined seniority list, our Union pushed for a law to ensure “fair and equitable” seniority integration for airline workers affected by mergers.

To address this inequity the McCaskill-Bond Amendment was enacted in 2008, mandating fair seniority integration practices. This law ensures that AFA’s Constitution and Bylaws seniority integration policy is followed, providing a standardized approach during mergers when AFA represents Flight Attendants from both pre-merger airlines.

How Will Our Two Seniority Lists Be Integrated?

The Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) consists of representatives from each pre-merger airline: two Hawaiian Flight Attendants and two Alaska Flight Attendants, along with assistance and oversight from the AFA International Office. 

As the SMIC works to combine the seniority lists for the merged Alaska-Hawaiian Flight Attendant group, they will: 

  • Compile employment data for all Flight Attendants from their respective airlines
  • The C&B only allows changes for initial Flight Attendant training [Section X.C.3.c]
  • Send out a Seniority Verification Letter (SVL) to each Flight Attendant to confirm your current seniority date
  • A verification period will allow each Flight Attendant to review their seniority date before the list is finalized
  • Adjust seniority dates to align with the first day of Flight Attendant Training
  • Determine a consistent method for integrating initial classes with the same start date
  • Maintain everyone’s existing seniority order; no Flight Attendant may leap-frog over anyone else
  • Generate our integrated seniority list based on each Flight Attendants adjusted seniority date
  • The AFA Seniority Merger Integration Process does not permit changes to seniority dates that have been handled through a grievance
  • The SMIC cannot change previous seniority integrations

Solidarity Always

Your AFA SMIC, Joint Negotiating Committee, MEC, and International Officers are working to ensure that our rights are protected, and Flight Attendants benefit from this merger. While mergers are often stressful as employees work through integration and many things we cannot control, we must focus on those things that we can; how we react and how we treat each other. Commit to having each other’s backs and lets eradicate any “us” versus “them” thinking as we are all on this journey together.

Seniority Integration Timeline

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, January 27, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Celebrating Black History Month

February 1 marks the start of Black History Month in the United States—a vibrant celebration with roots dating back to 1925, when acclaimed historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced “Negro History Week” to highlight the remarkable achievements of Black individuals. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded it to Black History Month, calling on all […]

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

On this day, we pause to remember and honor the anniversary of the tragic loss of Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which occurred on January 31, 2000. This heartbreaking event claimed the lives of all 88 passengers and crew on board, leaving an enduring impact on all of us. As we reflect on this tragic day, […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 11 – January 2026

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) continues to make steady progress in collective bargaining sessions with management. Recent meetings have focused on refining contract Section 15 (Leaves of Absence). The JNC continues to incorporate the strongest language from both Alaska and Hawaiian agreements.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

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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