Dear Flight Attendants,

Researches from Harvard University have contacted us seeking assistance in finding Flight Attendants to participate in a health study to help better understand the health implications of our profession.  The researchers are ideally seeking candidates who, in addition to having a layover in Boston, will have approximately two weeks off during which the candidate is not planning to travel by air.  The two weeks off may occur either immediately prior to or following the Boston layover.  Having two weeks free of air travel is not a requirement of the study however and any Flight Attendant working a trip that includes a layover in Boston is encouraged to volunteer.  A letter from the Harvard researchers and information about how to participate can found by clicking here.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow

Resources

• Letter from Harvard Researchers: http://alaskamec.org/latest-news/harvard-flight-attendant-health-study-researchers-letter
• Flight Attendant Health Study Website: http://fahealth.org

Please join us in welcoming Seth Heiple to the position of Master Executive Council (MEC) chairperson of the Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC), effective March 1.  As MEC chairperson, Seth will be responsible for working with the Local SHSC Chairs in each base to coordinate the activities of the SHSC for all Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants.

Seth joined Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant at the beginning of 2008.  While at Alaska he has served on both the Inflight Service Committee and the SHSC and worked with the F/A team that developed the “D Check” program.  Before joining Alaska Seth worked as a F/A for Northwest Airlines for close to 10 years, five of which he had the additional responsibilities of being an international purser.  Seth graduated from George Fox University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Economics.  He is pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the MEC SHSC chair and support the Committee’s efforts to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for F/As and cabin environment for our passengers.

The MEC would also like to thank current MEC SHSC Chairperson Barb Moynier for her hard work and accomplishments over the past several years that she has held the position.  Barb has been a tireless advocate for our Flight Attendants and her efforts are greatly and sincerely appreciated.

The Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC) is responsible for working with management on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health.  Contact information for each Local SHSC can be found at alaskamec.org, then by selecting your base from the Local Council menu.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow

Dear Flight Attendants:

Due to the cancelation of our January MEC meeting to accommodate the TA Roadshows, the previously scheduled interviews for the position of MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chairperson have been re-scheduled.  The interviews will now be held February 19 and 20 at the MEC office in Seattle.

For those of you interested in applying for this position, there is still time to submit your resume.  Please submit your resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Gesch by fax at (206) 246-4752 or by email at ysgesch@gmail.com.  Resumes must be submitted by February 10, 2014.  Yvette will then contact you to schedule your interview.

For a description of the position responsibilities please see below.  If after reviewing this information, you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact current MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Chairperson Barb Moynier at shsc@alaskamec.org or MEC Vice President Brian Palmer, who oversees our MEC Committees, at bpalmer@alaskamec.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, and Sandra Morrow

Scope

a.        The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC) shall work with the Company on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health.

Policy/Responsibilities

a.        The MEC SHSC shall consist of the MEC SHSC Chairperson, MEC SHSC Vice Chairperson—Air Quality, and the Local SHSC Chairperson from each council.

b.        The MEC SHSC Chairperson is the primary contact with the Company, the FAA and the International office, regarding Flight Attendant safety and health issues.

c.         The MEC Chairperson shall:

(i)       Attend any safety meetings with the company.

(ii)      Attend FAA/Alaska Airlines safety meetings.

(iii)    Attend AFA-CWA Air Safety Department training seminars

(iv)     In conjunction with the International Office, develop and conduct initial and ongoing local Safety/Health training, including NTSB accident investigation procedures

(v)      Communicate with the AFA-CWA Air Safety Department.

(vi)     Communicate with other airline safety representatives, as appropriate.

(vii)   Participate in accident investigation, hijacking, sabotage, etc., as directed.

(viii)  Communicate with the Alaska ALPA MEC Safety Chairperson as appropriate.

(ix)     Attend and participate in Congressional hearings dealing with cabin safety, as directed.

(x)      Assign special safety assignments to local Safety/Health Chairpersons as appropriate.  The MEC officers and appropriate LEC President shall be advised of these special assignments.

(xi)     Handle safety incidents, i.e. equipment problems, occupational injuries, as they arise.

(xii)   Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website.

(xiii)  Be on a 24-hour call-out in the event of an accident.

d.        The committee shall:

(i)       Participate in programs concerned with air safety, health and security.

(ii)      Act in an advisory role to the MEC on safety and health matters.

(iii)    Study safety and health problems and prepare recommendations to be presented to the MEC for consideration.

(iv)     Review material, handle correspondence and keep members informed of safety and health developments through the Communications Committee and/or reports at Local Council meetings.

(v)      Attend company debriefings after an accident or incident or when pertinent issues are discussed.

Position Description Information (Please Review Both Links)

• Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC) Member
• MEC Chairperson Addendum