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    You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / Communications Committee

    Understanding Our Union: How AFA Works at Our Airline

    May 4, 2022 17:00

    Communications Committee

    • Representation within our Union starts at the domicile level with your Local Council.  Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers are directly elected from among your fellow Flight Attendants who are members of the same Local Council.
    • LEC Officers work to resolve concerns specific to Flight Attendants from your base with local management.  Your LEC President also represents your base at the airline level as a member of the Master Executive Council (MEC). 
    • The LEC Presidents from all six bases together form our MEC, which works to coordinate the activities of our Union at the airline level.  They make decisions on our behalf and give direction to the MEC Officers, who represent the MEC to management.

    AFA is first and foremost a union organized by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants.  The structure of AFA, as laid out in the constitution and bylaws, is designed to be democratic and driven by Members. A single Member has the power to bring forward ideas to change the course of our Union, to elect the officers who directly represent us, and to serve in any elected or appointed position within our Union.

    At Your Base—Your Local Council

    Each Local Council is made up of the AFA Member Flight Attendants within a given domicile.  In the case of a new or smaller domiciles where the number of active Members does not meet the constitutional threshold, multiple domiciles may be grouped together into one Local Council for purposes of representation. At Alaska Airlines, each base is represented by its own AFA Local Council.

    At Your Base—Your Local Executive Council (LEC)

    AFA Member Flight Attendants in each Local Council directly elect Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers to represent them.  These Local Executive Council Officers consist of a President, Vice President, and Secretary.  In some Local Councils, additional officer positions called Council Representatives may also be elected to the LEC.

    The LEC Officers are responsible for representing Flight Attendants directly.  They are who a Flight Attendant goes to when there is a question, when assistance is needed, or when they want to make a suggestion for change.  The LEC Officers primarily work with local management and other immediate supervisors to address and resolve Flight Attendant issues that are specific to the domicile they represent.  

    LEC Decision Making

    When a decision needs to be made at the LEC level, the LEC Officers work together to come to consensus.  If consensus can’t be reached, the LEC President makes the final decision.

    At Our Airline—the Master Executive Council (MEC)

    The LEC Presidents from each of our Local Councils come together to form the Master Executive Council (MEC).  The MEC is responsible for coordinating the activities of AFA across our entire airline and administering the collective bargaining agreement.  Each LEC President serves as a voting member of the MEC, directly representing the members of the Local Council that elected them.

    The voting members of the MEC (the LEC Presidents) elect three MEC Officers: a President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer.  These MEC Officers administer the day-to-day business of AFA at our airline and represent the MEC in interactions with company management.  They do not have a vote on the MEC with the exception of the MEC President, who votes only to break a tie.

    MEC Decision Making

    The MEC frequently makes decisions ranging from granting contractual exceptions, approving letters of agreement (LOAs), determining MEC priorities, and providing direction to the MEC Officers.  Often times, the MEC is able to come to consensus and decisions are agreed upon by all.  If there is not consensus on an issue, the voting members of the MEC (the LEC Presidents) will vote to determine the outcome.  If there is a tie, the MEC President is responsible for casting the deciding vote.

    Questions?

    If you have questions about how our Union works at the local or airline levels, please reach out to your LEC President.


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    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Communications Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: understanding AFA

    Introducing AFA Alaska News Now

    November 29, 2021 17:05

    Communications Committee

    • We’re looking to improve the way we communicate using more frequent updates that are more concise and to-the-point.
    • AFA Alaska News Now posts will be made throughout the week and posted to the AFA Alaska website and AFA Alaska social media channels.
    • Prefer to receive news by email?  AFA Alaska News in Review email updates will still be sent out regularly with a summary of AFA Alaska News Now articles that have been posted recently.

    Based on feedback from you and other AFA Members, we’re reformatting the way we share news and updates.  Starting today, you’ll start seeing AFA Alaska News Now posts, our new primary way to share information with you.  Each post is a single subject update that covers the important information and key points first while still providing additional information that is good to know.

    Unlike email newsletters, AFA Alaska News Now posts will be made throughout the week to bring you information closer to when it happens.  Each post will be available on the AFA Alaska website and AFA social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), so no matter how you prefer to receive news you’ll be able to keep up-to-date.  If you’d rather receive updates by email, we’ve got you covered.  We’ll still be sending out regular AFA Alaska News in Review email newsletters with a summary of recent AFA Alaska News Now articles so you won’t miss anything.

    Thoughts or Ideas?

    If you have thoughts about our new format or ideas about what you’d like to see covered, we’d love to hear from you!  Please send us an email at communications@afaalaska.org.  

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Communications Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: AFA News Now

    Alaska AFA Information At Your Fingertips

    October 23, 2015 05:00

    AFA Alaska news and information are now easier to access than ever with the recent launch of our new optimized mobile website.  Just visit afaalaska.org on your IMD or personal smartphone for easy access to AFA resources when you’re on the go.

    There’s An App For That

    If you’re using an Apple device, you can save the AFA Alaska mobile website as an app icon on your device’s desktop.  It’s easy; just follow these steps (or check out the screenshots below):

    • On your device, visit afaalaska.org
    • Click the center icon at the bottom of the screen (arrow pointing up inside a square)
    • Click “add to home screen”
    • Click “add” in the top right corner

    The mobile web app will be available as an icon on your desktop an you’ll have easy access whenever you need it.  Please note that the AFA Alaska web app requires an active Internet connection to function.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Local Council.

    In Solidarity,

    Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

    IMG_9944

    Step 1 – Click the center icon (arrow pointing up)

    Step 2 - Click "Add to Home Screen"

    Step 2 – Click “Add to Home Screen”

    Step 3 - Click "Add"

    Step 3 – Click “Add”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    AFA Alaska Logo No Tag

    Filed Under: Communications Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2015, communications, IMD, inflight mobile device, mobile website, web app

    New AFA Alaska Website Now Online

    August 6, 2014 10:39

    We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new AFA Alaska website!  The new site features more content, features, and an easier-to-navigate layout including a mobile layout optimized for use on smartphones.  You’ll find the new site at http://afaalaska.org.  Please be sure to update your bookmarks and favorites, as this is a new address for the site.

    If you have any feedback or ideas to help improve the new website, please let us know by emailing them to communications@afaalaska.org.

    In Solidarity,

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

    MEC 5B Logo

    Filed Under: Communications Committee, Latest News

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    February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals. Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below. Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.
    Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California.
    The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28. Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data. If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.
    Read details from our Negotiating Committee about Session 8 of contract negotiations, including a tentative agreement on Hotels and updates on current progress.
    AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event. The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation. Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).
    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Latest News

    • Celebrating Black History Month
    • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023
    • January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

    Celebrating Black History Month

    February 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Human Rights Committee 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 […]

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

    January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Master Executive Council (MEC) Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California. We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; […]

    LOSA Observations Are Underway

    January 27, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) As previously communicated, AFA and management agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) to help improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.  The LOSA program is jointly administered by AFA and management as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The […]

    Operational Safety Debriefs

    January 26, 2023

    Master Executive Council (MEC) In 2019, AFA filed grievance number 36-99-2-170-19, which alleged management’s violation of section 19.A of the collective bargaining agreement. The violation was related to an incident where management conducted a debrief meeting with Flight Attendants while they were still on duty following a slide deployment incident. As there was no contractual […]

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023

    January 25, 2023

    Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, January 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met 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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

    RSS Negotiations News

    • Negotiation Session 8
    • Negotiation Session 7
    • What commuter improvements can we expect?
    • The commitment from management on industry leading pay is great news! However, pay rates are only part of the picture – are we sacrificing work rules and benefits for leading pay rates?
    • Can you clarify the pay components included in our Opening Proposal (Ground, Flight, Delay, Stranded)?
    • Negotiation Session 6
    • Negotiation Session 5
    • Can you clarify insurance premiums in the Insurance Benefits tentative agreement?
    • Why isn’t the Negotiating Committee publishing tentative agreements of each section?
    • Management has lawyers at the negotiating table – why don’t we?

    Recent Posts

    • Celebrating Black History Month
    • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023
    • January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

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