AFA Alaska

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
Menu
  • Local Councils
    • Anchorage (Council 30)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Honolulu (Council 43)
    • Los Angeles (Council 18/pmAS)
      • Officers
      • Committees
      • Los Angeles (Council 47/pmHA)
        • Officers
      • Portland (Council 39)
        • Officers
        • Committees
      • San Diego (Council 15)
        • Officers
        • Committees
        • Seattle (Council 19)
          • Officers
          • Committees
        • San Francisco (Council 35)
          • Officers
          • Committees

        • More About Local Councils >>
        Close
      • Master Executive Council
        • Officers
        • Close
      • Committees
          • Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC)
            • Air Quality
          • Benefits
          • Communications
          • Employee Assistance Program & Professional Standards
          • Government Affairs
          • Grievance
          • Hotel
          • Human Rights & Equity
          • Inflight Service
          • Inflight Training
          • Membership
          • Membership Engagement
          • Reserve
          • Retirement
          • Scheduling
            • Pairing Construction
            • Preferential Bidding System (PBS)
          • Uniform

        • More About Committees >>
        Close
      • Contract
          • Contract Home
            • 2025 Alaska TA2 (Ratified)
            • 2018 Alaska JCBA
            • 2020 Hawaiian Contract
            • Ask Contract Questions
          • Contract Resources
          • Alaska Contract Negotiations (2022-2025)
        • Close
      • Resources
          • What To Do If You Encounter Contaminated Cabin Air
          • Issues & Campaigns
          • Newsroom
            • AFA News Now
          • Event Calendar
          • Membership Services
          • New Members
          • About
          • Links
          Close
        • Merger
          • Joint Negotiating Committee
          • Close
        • Contact Us
        You are here: Home / Archives for AS/VX Merger

        ITL “Pay Cut” [VX]

        February 21, 2018 14:17

        Q:     Some VX ITLs (steps 1-5) will be receiving pay cuts with this TA. Can you please explain this?

        A:     When evaluating pay step increases it is very important to compare apples-to-apples. Every step, including current ITL’s and those affected by the Red Circle LOA will receive a pay increase (and retroactive 1/1/2018). When a Flight Attendant works in the A position, they receive $2.26 / block-hour ($2.00 / TFP) A pay “override” in addition to their regular (base) step rate of pay. When a Flight Attendant does not work in the A position, s/he does not receive the A pay override. This is a similar application as at L-VX: a ITL has her/his ITL rate reduced by 13% when not working in the ITL position, which equals the appropriate ITM rate.

        Management has made it clear that they wish to eliminate the ITL program as quickly as possible. In order to align VX and AS as much as possible until Full Integration, and to work within IT constraints, the A Position bid (formally ITL program) will be open to all Flight Attendants on a monthly basis. In addition, all open time will be available on the 12th of the month to all Flight Attendants within the base to allow schedule modifications.

        Example 1: A Year 3 ITL is currently making $31.35 / block-hr for ITL under the VX pay scale. At DOR (+2 bid periods, s/he will make $33.56 / block-hr if s/he works in the A position ($31.30 / block-hr base rate + $2.26 A pay = $33.56 / block-hr).

        Example 2: A Year 3 ITM is currently making $27.26 / block hr under the VX pay scale. At DOR, s/he will make $31.30 / block-hr when s/he does not work A position.

        In summary, the JNC believes that no ITL is taking a pay cut when comparing the pay rate for working the appropriate position (ITL vs A and ITM vs “not A”).

        Filed Under: JNC Blog

        “Full Implementation” Guarantees / Penalties 2 [VX]

        February 21, 2018 13:42

        Q:     If Alaska management doesn’t meet the Mar 2, 2019, goal and must apply L-AS rules on L-VX, who won’t have the coverage to comply what happens? Cancelled flights? Altered schedules? Operational assignments? Shouldn’t these kinds of penalties be more one sided and less disruptive?

        A:     Flight Attendants have voiced concerns that management will either willfully delay Full Integration or because the IT systems will not be capable of integrating at the time. However, if the TA is ratified and if management does not meet the target goal of March 2019 to combine the Flight Attendant Groups, then management must build the pairings on the L-VX partition under the same duty-time limitations and rest provisions as the L-AS Flight Attendants.  While this is a “penalty” for the Company in terms of productivity, it is a great protection for the L-VX Flight Attendants.

        Management will have ample warning and time to prepare for this deadline, and they will take measures to avoid disruption in the network.  However, it will be inefficient for the Company and an inconvenience that may involve moving around flying.  Again, this provision was put into place as an incentive for management to meet the deadline and as a long-term protection for the L-VX Flight Attendants.

        Filed Under: JNC Blog

        VX “Red-Circled” Pay Rates: Intra-Company (e.g. GST) Transfers [JCBA]

        February 21, 2018 12:56

        Q:     Why can’t the GST transfer be grandfathered in? Seems like forcing AS rules on VX retroactively is unfair. I don’t think GSTs would have transferred in knowing their pay would be frozen for years. Can you please explain?

        A:     Management initially took the position that all rates should be re-set to Flight Attendant Occupational Seniority. However, the VX Red Circle Pay Rates Letter of Agreement provides for L-VX Flight Attendants  whose Company Seniority is greater than their Occupational Seniority to remain at their current pay step. Other Alaska Airlines employees who transfer into Inflight as a FA do not receive pay rates based their Company Seniority. Additionally, Horizon Air (QX) FAs “transfers” do not receive credit for time served as a QX FA to establish their pay step.  

        AFA proposed full Air Group Seniority for pay purposes, but management would not agree due to cost. The red-circled rates was the best we could achieve given the totality of circumstances.

        Filed Under: JNC Blog

        Number of Voting FAs [misc]

        February 21, 2018 12:12

        Q:     How many pmAS FAs are there and how many pmVX FAs are there for voting purposes?

        A:     As of noon PT 2/21/2017, there are 895 L-VX FAs and 4164 L-AS FAs eligible to vote.  Under AFA’s Constitution and Bylaws, L-AS Flight Attendants must be in good standing (i.e. dues current) to be eligible to vote, and L-VX Flight Attendants must have a completed AFA membership application on file with AFA Membership Services in order to be eligible to vote.

        Click here for additional voting info >

        Filed Under: JNC Blog

        FMLA Lookback for L-VX FAs [VX]

        February 21, 2018 12:04

        Q:     What does the FMLA look-back entail? Could VX be placed on PIPs* (e.g. performance improvement plans, which is similar to written warnings at Alaska), points, termination? Could we be forced to see a Company appointed doctor? Why even have a look back?

        A:     From L-VX FA Transition Agreement 2018 TA, §15.C:

        C.     FMLA: At DOR, the standard for FMLA qualification used for the L-AS Flight Attendants will be applied retroactively to all L-VX Flight Attendant. The Company shall complete a twelve (12) 150 month “lookback” effective DOR to determine if L-VX Flight Attendants qualify for FMLA.

        The FMLA “lookback” language is to clarify that as of DOR any L-VX Flight Attendant who did not qualify for FMLA (due to the duty hour requirement) would be reviewed under the Alaska FMLA policy standard of 504 duty hours.  During negotiations the JNC was made aware that VX (prior to January 1, 2018) was using a duty hour standard that was more restrictive.  The lookback only applies to those Flight Attendants who applied for FMLA and were subsequently denied (due to duty hour requirement).  Since the FMLA eligibility requirements are housed in federal law and applied via Company policy (and not contractual) the JNC sought to require a look back so that no L-VX Flight Attendant would be required to spend an additional year qualifying for FMLA leave.  

        If a Flight Attendant qualifies for, and uses, FMLA, there can be no discipline attached to the FMLA use (i.e. no PIPs, points or termination for appropriate use). Please note that after transition to Section 32 [Attendance Policy],  attendance points apply for short calls (even if covered by FMLA).  

        Filed Under: JNC Blog

        • « Previous Page
        • 1
        • …
        • 17
        • 18
        • 19
        • 20
        • 21
        • …
        • 42
        • Next Page »

        Need Help?

        Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

        Latest News

        • Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives
        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 17, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
        • U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement
        • Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 10, 2025
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025

        Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

        October 23, 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 and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

        Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives

        October 22, 2025

        We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on November 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 […]

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

        October 20, 2025

        On Monday, October 13, 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), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot […]

        Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

        October 17, 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 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 careful […]

        Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

        October 17, 2025

        During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives. 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 Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee […]

        Recent Posts

        • Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives
        • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 17, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
        • U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement
        • Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 10, 2025
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025
        • Protecting Yourself From Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
        • Government Affairs Committee Update – 4th Quarter 2025
        • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025
        • AFA News in Review – October 3, 2025
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025

        Local Councils

        • Anchorage
        • Honolulu
        • Los Angeles (pre-merger Alaska)
        • Los Angeles (pre-merger Hawaiian)
        • Portland
        • San Diego
        • San Francisco
        • Seattle

        Master Executive Council

        • MEC

        Negotiations

        • Contract 2022 Home
        • Negotiations News
        • TA2 Information

        Contract

        • Contract Home

        Committees

        • Air Safety, Health, & Security
        • Benefits
        • Communications
        • EAP/Professional Standards
        • Government Affairs
        • Grievance
        • Hotel
        • Human Rights
        • Inflight Service
        • Mobilization
        • Reserve
        • Retirement
        • Scheduling
        • Uniform

        News By Month

        News By Category

        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 Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX 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 Committee 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
        • Email
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • YouTube

        Want To Stay In The Loop?

        Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
        Sign Up for Emails
        Sign Up for Text Updates

        Connect With AFA

        • Contact Us
        • Online Support Center
        • AFA International
        • CWA
        • AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines
        • AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy

        Copyright © 2013-2025 Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO