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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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AFA Update – March 19, 2021

In This Edition

  • How the First Amendment Applies in the Workplace
  • Benefits Enrollment Upon Returning from a Leave of Absence (including EVF or ELOA)
  • What’s the Difference Between a Fear and a Phobia?
  • REMINDER: Scholarship Opportunities

How the First Amendment Applies in the Workplace

Grievance Committee

The Grievance Committee is hearing a lot of chatter from Flight Attendants believing they are exempt from discipline from harassment or discrimination due to their First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.  We’d like to give a brief overview of how the Amendment actually affects one who works for a private employer such as Alaska Airlines.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution prevents the government from making laws which regulate an establishment of religion, or that would prohibit the free exercise of religion, or abridge the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, or the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.

The key word in the Amendment is government.  Alaska Airlines is a private rather than governmental employer.  It can legally establish system regulations or people policies enforcing its behavioral and disciplinary standards providing these policies do not violate state and/or federal law.  

Present federal law protections from discrimination regarding employment decisions are based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender (including pregnancy), disability, age (if the employee is at least 40 years old), and citizenship status.  The Equality Act is also adding protections based on one’s sexual orientation and gender identity.  These protections safeguard people who fit those categories from being discriminated against regarding employment decisions based on that status.  For example, Alaska Airlines couldn’t refuse to hire an otherwise qualified candidate only because s/he is 41 years of age.  

What the law doesn’t allow for is using your protected status as a defense to harass or discriminate against others.  For example, someone over 40 years of age may not harass another person based on their race because they believe themselves to be an “old school thinker” and are basing their actions on beliefs/feelings from when they were younger or when things “were different.”  This becomes an issue of harassment and/or discrimination and the harasser is not protected from discipline because they fall into the protected class of age.  This applies to all protected classes. 

The Alaska Airlines People Policy clarifies what constitutes harassment and discrimination, and the Grievance Committee has seen the Company discipline based upon those policies and the law.  While one may not intend to harass or discriminate, Alaska Airlines typically looks at the impact on the person being harassed and not the intent of the harasser.  So, while everyone is entitled to their private opinion or to share their opinion with their government, one can be disciplined for sharing an opinion deemed harassing, discriminatory or intolerant in the workplace or via social media if such nexus can be made to your private employer.  We share this information in the attempt to educate our fellow members and prevent any further discipline or terminations.

Questions?

Please contact your Local Grievance Committee if you have any questions.

Benefits Enrollment Upon Returning from a Leave of Absence (including EVF or ELOA)

Benefits Committee

As a reminder, Flight Attendants returning from a leave of absence, including EVF or ELOA, must complete the enrollment process again in order to maintain or reinstate company health benefits.  Optional coverages which were not in place during the leave such as FSA contributions or Supplemental Short-Term Disability must be re-added to your coverage.  Previously elected benefits do not resume automatically.  It is essential to contact Alaska Airlines Benefits at (844) 231-3476 or visit www.myalaskabenefits.com within 31 days from the date of returning to work to verify, enroll or make changes to benefits.  If enrollment is not completed during this window, no changes are able to be made until the next open enrollment period and your current health benefits may terminate, even if you maintained coverage during your EVF or other leave. 

Questions?

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your Local Benefits Committee.

What’s the Difference Between a Fear and a Phobia?

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Phobias come in many different forms. Acrophobia is the fear of heights. Trypanophobia is the fear of needles. Hodophobia is the fear of traveling.  Phobias are one of the most common mental health disorders with 11% of people experiencing at least one phobia over her/his lifespan.  So, what is the difference between a fear and a phobia? 

Fears have a protective purpose.  They make us alert to danger and prepare us to deal with it.  Phobias involve the experience of persistent fear that is excessive and unreasonable. A fear of being hit by lightning during a thunderstorm will result in most of us leaving the beach when a thunderstorm pops up. Most would call this a reasonable, if not healthy fear.  Once the thunderstorm clears, we go back onto the beach.  Those with a phobia about being struck by lightning, which is called astraphobia, may find it difficult to even venture outside with a concern that a thunderstorm could pop up anytime.   The key to distinguishing a fear from a phobia is whether the person is physically and/or psychologically impaired by her/his worry.  In short, a phobia is a fear of being afraid. It results in a person limiting or eliminating normal life activities just to avoid the triggering objector event.  

Most people generally don’t seek treatment for phobias. Only 6% of people with a phobia ever go in for treatment.  This low treatment rate is due in part because those with a phobia are not totally disabled by it. Many are able to successfully create routines to avoid their trigger(s).  Not before a person’s phobia is extremely severe or life limiting does one typically seek help.

Even though phobias can be very disabling and downright exhausting, the great news is that phobias in children, adolescents and adults are also very treatable. If you’d like confidential assistance with a phobia or other anxiety disorders, call one of your Local EAP Committee Members. You can find contact information on the EAP Committee page of afaalaska.org.

REMINDER: Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International

In a previous AFA Update sent out on January 22, information was shared about scholarship opportunities available to AFA and CWA Members as well as certain eligible dependents.  Details about both scholarships, as well as information on how to apply, can be found by following the links below. 

AFA Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.  The deadline for applications is April 10.  Details are available on the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships.

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship is offered by CWA. The deadline for applications is April 30.   Details on this scholarship are on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne.

AFA Update – February 19, 2021

In This Edition

  • COVID Vaccine Information for Flight Attendants
  • REMINDER: Scholarship Opportunities
  • Free Training to Former Cabin Crew Transitioning into Job Market
  • Relaxation Exercises – An Essential Tool for Flight Attendants

COVID Vaccine Information for Flight Attendants

Master Executive Council (MEC)

On February 10, AFA International published an AFA Interactive e-mail newsletter with an overview of COVID vaccine information for Flight Attendants. There is a state-by-state listing of aviation work priority for receiving the vaccine and a link to the respective state’s vaccine portal. 

The newsletter also includes a link to send a letter to the governor of your state calling upon them to move essential aviation workers to phase 1B (or equivalent), in line with other non-medical essential workers and essential transportation workers. AFA Alaska signed onto a joint letter from Alaska Air Group management and labor leaders advocating to Governor of Washington Jay Inslee and Governor of Oregon Kate Brown for essential aviation workers to be in phase 1B. (Essential transportation workers are in phase 1B or the equivalent in Alaska and California.)

You can read the complete AFA Interactive article and view the list of state vaccine information on the AFA International website.

Many Flight Attendants are having success securing a vaccination by using the Vaccine Prioritization Letter supplied by Alaska Airlines management (AAG SSO required). Print the form in advance and make sure to bring your Crew ID!

REMINDER: Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International

In a previous AFA Update sent out on January 22, information was shared about scholarship opportunities available to AFA and CWA Members as well as certain eligible dependents.  Details about both scholarships, as well as information on how to apply, can be found by following the links below. 

AFA Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.  The deadline for applications is April 10.  Details are available on the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships.

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship is offered by CWA. The deadline for applications is April 30.   Details on this scholarship are on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne.

Free Training to Former Cabin Crew Transitioning into Job Market

AFA International 

For those who have recently left our profession, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is offering an online training course to help displaced airline cabin crew members re-enter the job market. This course will be offered free of charge for those who register between now and February 23. More information about the three-hour course, titled Cabin Crew – Leveraging Professional Skills, can be found on the IATA training course website.

Relaxation Exercises – An Essential Tool for Flight Attendants

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

There are many benefits to being able to induce the “relaxation response” as soon as you begin to experience warning signs of stress, anxiety or agitation.  Some benefits include a reduction of generalized anxiety, prevention of cumulative stress, increased energy, improved concentration, reduction of some physical problems, and greater mood stability.   Relaxation exercises can be a powerful physical and emotional weapon against life’s stressors.  Given the events of 2020 and now 2021, being able to invoke a greater sense of calm is a critical skill for Flight Attendants.  

Tips for Relaxation

Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted for at least 20 minutes.  Turn off the phone and give yourself permission to devote some time to self-care. Research shows that relaxing the body will relax the mind, and vice versa. If you struggle with racing or intrusive thoughts, it might help to focus on the body. If you have a lot of physical tension or pain, it may be better to work on relaxing the mind. It’s hard to predict which exercises will work for whom; it’s best to try different relaxation exercises until you find the one that feels right. Remember that you are practicing a skill – like playing the piano. The more you practice, the more effective your relaxation work becomes. It is important to work toward an attitude of acceptance of whatever occurs in your session, rather than growing impatient if you don’t achieve a given result. Below are two relation exercises that are easy to do in most settings.

Sample Progressive Relaxation Exercises

Favorite Place

Find a comfortable position. Let your shoulders drop, your arms relax, let your buttocks sink into the chair, let your legs relax, and feel your feet planted on the floor. Imagine a place in your mind that you like. It could be a beach, your room, a forest…take a moment to find that place.  If you haven’t found a place, don’t worry…just keep your eyes closed and breathe deeply. As you are in your favorite place, notice how the air feels, the temperature, notice what you see, notice any smells or sensations in your body as you stay in this place…feel your body relaxing….just enjoy where you are….take a moment to notice anything else you’d like about this place… know you can come back here at any time….take what you want and come back into the room. 

Breathing and Centering

  • Take two to three deep, even breaths.
  • Visualize the word “relax” in a calming color
  • Think this calming word to yourself as you continue to breathe deeply: 
  • Breathe in…think “relax”; as you breathe out think “relax” 
  • PAUSE*
  • Breathe in…think “relax”; as you breathe out think “relax” 
  • PAUSE
  • Now breathe 8 more times, slowly and deeply.

*Be aware of how your body feels at the PAUSE.  This is the “centering” piece.  Feeling centered means you are feeling calm and focused. 

Presidents’ Day Weekend 2021 Pacific Northwest Snowstorm

Presidents’ Day Weekend 2021 Pacific Northwest Snowstorm

A Storm for the Record Books

What a weekend! The recent Pacific Northwest (PNW) snowstorm was one for the record books, so the systemwide severe irregular operations were not terribly surprising. That being said, it’s clear the operation became profoundly broken at various points: Crew Scheduling “perma hold” for up to two hours (assuming one could get through) and/or dropped calls, hotel rooms extremely delayed or unavailable, no ground transportation, significant delays and cancellations, et cetera, et cetera.

Operational Debrief with Management Next Week

Your AFA Alaska leadership knows you want answers as to what went wrong and what can be done to prevent this from happening again. We are currently working on scheduling an operational debrief with management for next week. Stay tuned for an update following the debrief.

AFA Alaska Online Support Center

In the meantime, we encourage Flight Attendants to open a new ticket at the AFA Alaska Online Support Center if you need a union representative to review an issue or concern. Some examples related to the recent snowstorm:

  • Requests for Management Drop denied (or initially approved and subsequently denied) and No Show assessed
  • Day rooms unavailable (for transit time through an outstation exceeding four hours)
  • Delayed layover hotel rooms – AFA will need FAs to provide their release time into the applicable layover and the time when they received a room key
  • Flight Attendants paid for their own rooms either due to snow rooms being unavailable or layover hotel rooms being unavailable

Please provide as many details as possible to help your AFA representatives research your ticket. Thank you!

AFA Special Update – February 1, 2021

In This Edition

  • Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month

Human Rights Committee

Carter G. Woodson

February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the world.  It was expanded to its current form in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford when it became Black History Month.

Learn More About Black History

You can learn more about the accomplishments of Black Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

Celebrate with a Black History Month AFA Pin

In 2019, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of February as Black History Month.   The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of February.

For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee.  Also be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.

AFA Update – January 22, 2021

In This Edition

  • Letters of Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding
  • REMINDER: Reserve Availability & Commuting
  • College Scholarship Opportunities

Letters of Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding

Grievance Committee

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) occasionally enters into letters of agreement (LOAs) with management to address situations that were not anticipated or did not exist during contract negotiations.  The MEC also enters into memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with management in order to clarify existing contractual language.  Both LOAs and MOUs are binding agreements and are fully enforceable documents.

LOAs and MOUs are accessible on the current contract page of the AFA Alaska website and can also be accessed on the IMD through the Goodreader app (ASFA Supplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Recent LOAs and MOUs

Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) – outlines how the company’s FRMP will be structured, including how reports will be coded and handled as well as disciplinary protections.  Also guarantees AFA representation on the Fatigue Review Board (FRB).

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) – renews the ASAP program (FAA requires that the ASAP MOU be renewed every two years).

COVID-19 Agreements Extension – Through March 2021 – extends the Temporary Waiver of Discipline Delivery Confirmation MOU (04/14/2020) and Commuter Policy and Utilizing Other Airline (OAL) Carriers During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions LOA (04/07/2020).  Both will remain in effect through March 31, 2021. 

Boeing 737 MAX 9 Proving Activities – outlines Flight Attendant involvement in FAA-required proving activities for the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and ensures AFA participation in the process.

Questions?

If you have questions about LOAs or MOUs, please contact your LEC President or Local Grievance Committee.

REMINDER: Reserve Availability & Commuting

Reserve Committee

There have recently been some instances where Reserve Flight Attendants were disciplined for not being physically present in their domicile during their entire availability period.  Contractually, reserve availability periods run from 00:00 to 14:00 for AM reserve, 10:00 to 23:59 for PM reserve, and 00:00 to 23:59 for ER reserve.  During these times, a Reserve Flight Attendant must be present in their domicile, contactable, and available to report for an assignment within two hours.

Even if a Reserve Flight Attendant has self-assigned or otherwise already been given an assignment, this does not relieve them of the requirement to be in their domicile during their entire reserve availability period.  There are certain circumstances when they may be removed from the assignment and given another assignment as indicated in the CBA.  Crew Scheduling has the right to utilize this contractual language and does so on a regular basis.

Example: Reserve Flight Attendant has a 4-day block of PM reserve days starting on the 20th of the month.  On the 19th, they self-assign a 4-day trip with a report time of 21:00 on the 20th.  The Reserve Flight Attendant is still required to be contactable starting at 10:00 on the 20th and be able to accept an assignment and report within two hours.  Even though the F/A has self-assigned a trip, Crew Scheduling retains the right to contact the F/A at or after 10:00, remove the self-assignment as indicated in the CBA, and give the F/A another legal assignment.

Release on Last Day of Reserve Block

Section 11.C.5 of the CBA provides Reserve Flight Attendants with the right to request release from the remainder of their reserve obligation on the last day of a reserve block after the last Company-operated flight that the Reserve would be legal to fly has departed the domicile.  In order to take advantage of this contractual provision, a Reserve Flight Attendant must call Crew Scheduling and request to be released from the remainder of their reserve availability period.  Once released by Crew Scheduling, the Reserve Flight Attendant is free from further duty and may commute home.  If a Reserve Flight Attendant does not request release, they are still considered on duty and are obligated to physically remain in domicile until the end of their reserve availability period.

Questions?

If you have questions about commuting while on reserve, please contact your Local Reserve Committee.

College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International

As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least three different scholarships, and the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees, and e-books.  The time for applying is now!

Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with members.  Please see the respective links for detailed information, and good luck in obtaining financial assistance.

AFA Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.  The deadline for applications is April 10.  Details are available on the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships.

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship is offered by CWA. The deadline for applications is April 30.   Details on this scholarship are on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne.

Union Plus Scholarship Program

Union Plus provides a suite of scholarships, educational discounts, and loans available for union members.  You can find information at https://www.unionplus.org/college-education-financing.  One additional “click” brings up the scholarship applications that may be submitted online by the deadline of January 31.

Union Plus Free College Benefit

In addition, there is a free college benefit available through Union Plus for active and retired Members and their families with the opportunity to earn an associate degree completely online – for FREE.  Details and an application are online at https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org.  This benefit can save you thousands of dollars.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your LEC Officers

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AFA Update – March 19, 2021

In This Edition How the First Amendment Applies in the Workplace Benefits Enrollment Upon Returning from a Leave of Absence (including EVF or ELOA) What’s the Difference Between a Fear and a Phobia? REMINDER: Scholarship Opportunities How the First Amendment Applies in the Workplace Grievance Committee The Grievance Committee is hearing a lot of chatter […]

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