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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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    Our Grievance Committee works to protect all Flight Attendants from arbitrary and unjust disciplinary action and to uphold our collective bargaining agreement. This update provides a short summary of the committee’s work over the past few quarters. Management has issued discipline lately for a variety of reasons. Read on for more information about the reasons why management is disciplining and terminating Flight Attendants. If you’ve faced a situation that you believe might be a contractual violation, please report the issue through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center. AFA Representatives review each report submitted and will follow up to help you determine options and a course of action.
    Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, May 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft. The Inflight Service Committee continues to work with management to continuously improve onboard catering and engage in discussions leading to future improved processes. Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!
    June 1st marks the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States. The tradition recognizes the events of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a watershed moment in the LGBTQ rights movement. Read more about LGBTQ Pride Month, learn about the history of the LGBTQ rights movement, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below. Join the celebration by wearing an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin during the month of June. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.
    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 23 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!
    Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 9 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability. If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.
    We received many questions about tentative agreements on Section 16: Sick Leave/On the Job Injury and Section 32: Attendance Policy. This update helps explain legal requirements of sick leave and clarify the proposed differences between State Bank and CBA Bank. We also discuss the bargaining priorities management had for this section, and summarize where we end up: which provisions were improved/gained, which were maintained, and which were modified.

    Latest News

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – June 2, 2023
    • Grievance Committee Update – 3rd & 4th Quarters 2022, 1st Quarter 2023
    • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2023
    • Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2023
    • Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 26, 2023
    • Council #19 May Hotel Update
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 19, 2023
    • AFA Council 19 (SEA) Election Results

    Grievance Committee Update – 3rd & 4th Quarters 2022, 1st Quarter 2023

    June 2, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Grievance Committee Our Grievance Committee has been very hard at work ensuring disciplinary due process and contractual compliance on your behalf. The contract requires a minimum of 13 arbitration dates yearly to dispute discipline/termination cases and contractual issues. Termination cases are usually given first priority in order to return a Flight Attendant back to work […]

    Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2023

    June 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Inflight Service Committee On Wednesday, May 24, our AFA Inflight Service 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 Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift […]

    Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

    June 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Human Rights Committee June 1st marks the first day of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month in the United States.  The celebration originated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.  The Stonewell Uprising is recognized as a major milestone in the LGBTQ civil rights movement.  On June 28, 1970, the first Pride March was held […]

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2023

    May 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, May 23, 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 […]

    Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2023

    May 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Uniform Committee On Tuesday, May 9, our AFA Local Uniform 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 Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Salá McDaniel (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN). The […]

    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

    • Supplemental Update: Sick Leave & Attendance Policy
    • Negotiation Session 15 part 2
    • Negotiation Session 15 part 1
    • Negotiation Session 14
    • Negotiation Session 13
    • Negotiation Session 12
    • Supplemental Negotiations Update – March 30, 2023
    • Negotiation Session 11
    • Negotiation Session 10
    • Negotiation Session 9

    Recent Posts

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – June 2, 2023
    • Grievance Committee Update – 3rd & 4th Quarters 2022, 1st Quarter 2023
    • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2023
    • Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2023
    • Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 26, 2023
    • Council #19 May Hotel Update
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 19, 2023
    • AFA Council 19 (SEA) Election Results

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