AFA Alaska

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

Click here to report an issue to AFA
Menu
  • Local Councils
    • Anchorage (Council 30)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Los Angeles (Council 18)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • 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
      • Inflight Service
      • Inflight Training
      • Membership
      • Mobilization
      • Reserve
      • Retirement
      • Scheduling
        • Pairing Construction
        • Preferential Bidding System (PBS)
      • Uniform

    • More About Committees >>
    Close
  • Contract
      • Contract Home
        • Current Contract
        • Ask Contract Questions
      • Contract Resources
        • Read Contract Q&A
        • Explanatory Videos
      • Contract Negotiations
    • Close
  • Resources
      • Issues & Campaigns
      • Newsroom
        • AFA Alaska News Now
        • Message from the MEC President
      • Event Calendar
      • Membership Services
      • New Members
      • About
      • Links
      Close
    • Negotiations
    • Contact Us
    You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / EAP/Professional Standards Committee

    Mental Health Awareness Month

    May 9, 2023 11:59

    Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

    • May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
    • Our AFA EAP Committee wants to share a few reminders about mental health, mental illnesses, and available support.
    • You can reach out to your local AFA EAP Committee Members for assistance in connecting with a professional or addressing concerns, for yourself or a loved one.

    What is mental health?

    Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

    Can your mental health change over time?

    Yes, it’s important to remember that a person’s mental health can change over time, depending on many factors.  When the demands placed on us exceed our resources and coping abilities, our mental health could be impacted. 

    How common are mental illnesses?

    Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness. About 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as major depression.

    What causes mental illness?

    There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, such as:

    • Adverse Childhood experiences such as trauma or a history of abuse 
    • Experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes
    • Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain
    • Use of alcohol or drugs
    • Having feelings of loneliness or isolation

    How can you protect and support your own mental well-being?

    Evaluate your mental well-being on a routine basis just like you are advised to do for your physical health. Your AFA EAP can help you connect with a professional to assist you with that process or to address any concerns you may have about your or a loved one’s mental health.  Your local AFA EAP Committee Members can be found on the EAP Committee page of the AFA Alaska website or you can call (949) 470-0493.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: mental health

    Other Parents Like Me (OPLM)

    May 3, 2023 12:34

    Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

    • Our AFA EAP Committee wants to share a free online resource for parents and other caregivers of children struggling with mental health and/or substance use issues.
    • Other Parents Like Me (OPLM) offers several resources free of subscription charge for one year with the code/link provided.
    • This free subscription is a gift from OPLM founder and retired United Airlines Flight Attendant Cassie Fariello.

    Other Parents Like Me (OPLM) is an online peer support community designed for parents and other caregivers of children struggling with mental health and/or substance use issues. Normally, it is a fee-based resource, which is now being provided to Flight Attendants free of any subscription charge for one year (1 year). 

    OPLM offers a number of resources including:

    • Daily support groups: 17 virtual peer-led meetings every week that include, Men’s and Women’s, Adoptive Families, Meditation, to name a few
    • Subject Matter Speakers: At least 5 speaker meetings per month followed by a Q&A 
    • Parent Stories & Blogs: Personal stories and insights into the journey of parents like you
    • Resource Hub: Search podcasts, articles, apps, books, and more 

    This free one-year subscription is being gifted by the OPLM founder and retired United Airlines Flight Attendant Casie Fariello who herself struggled with maintaining her career responsibilities while addressing behavioral health crises with her children.   

    Flight Attendants can access their free one-year subscription by using this code: FADAP2023 or link: https://oplm.com/register/?coupon=FADAP2023.

    DISCLAIMER OF ENDORSEMENT. AFA’s participation in notifying Flight Attendants of this free OPLM subscription does not constitute endorsement by AFA. AFA does not authorize, endorse, support or sponsor any OPLM product, service, or activity.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: parent support

    EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

    March 15, 2023 17:00

    EAP/Professional Standards Committee

    Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee (Members helping Members) seeks to assist Members, their families, and partners experiencing personal and work-related problems that could or are affecting their health and well-being on and off the job. Our EAP committee is a Union-sponsored support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, and partners. EAP Peer Representatives are trained to provide three distinct but interrelated services: Assessment, Support, and Referral Services; Professional Standards; and Critical Incident Response.

    AFA EAP is a confidential resource available to Members, demonstrating care and concern for its Members individually and collectively.

    EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairpersons

    ANCBonnie Waltersanc.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(907) 230-7208
    LAXJeanne McCleave  lax.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(949) 922-1606
    PDXContesa Nicolaidis  pdx.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(503) 970-6873
    SANMelanie Buker   san.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(208) 890-1849
    SEAAndrea Koricansea.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(206) 419-2637  
    SFOZarah Cummings  sfo.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(925) 577-5733
    MECElizabeth Dillon (Chairperson)
    Lisa Haugen (Vice Chairperson)
    eap@afaalaska.org(949) 470-0493 

    DID YOU KNOW: There’s a New Program Called FAAS?

    What is FAAS?

    FAAS stands for Flight Attendant Addiction Support. It’s a new assistance program developed and run jointly by AFA EAP and management. Any non-probationary Flight Attendant is eligible to use the program.

    What does FAAS offer?

    • FAAS is structured to encourage Flight Attendants to seek help before on-the-job misconduct occurs.
    • Those who self-disclose to the company before a work-related performance issue occurs will have access to 30 days of residential treatment at a facility fully paid for by the company,  whether you have Kaiser Insurance, Premera Blue Cross/Blue Shield, or NO Insurance.
    • AFA EAP and your Base Director/Manager will be part of your recovery support team during the treatment period.
    • Should a Flight Attendant’s substance use progress to the point that they show up at work under the influence, the Flight Attendant will have access to company-funded treatment IF the Flight Attendant self-discloses before boarding the first flight of the day and before a reasonable suspicion test is requested. 
    • Should a Flight Attendant’s on-the-job impairment result in a test positive, a pathway to return to flying for Alaska has been developed under the FAAS program following their separation.
    • FAAS is also designed to encourage co-workers to feel comfortable approaching or identifying a Flight Attendant whose impairment risks flight safety. Under FAAS, only the struggling Flight Attendant can jeopardize their job by failing to self-disclose before boarding their first flight of the day or before being identified for testing. Even then, the Flight Attendant will have a pathway for reinstatement.

    Does FAAS replace AFA EAP or the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP)?

    No. AFA EAP/FADAP offers confidential assistance without company knowledge or involvement.  AFA EAP can confidentially help you decide which of these assistance programs is best for you and your work circumstances.  Unlike FAAS, AFA EAP can also work with probationary Flight Attendants and their family members.  Don’t hesitate to call any of your EAP Committee Members in a safe, confidential setting.

    FADAP Contact Information

    https://www.fadap.org 
    Phone: (855) 33-FADAP / (855) 333-2327
    Direct Line: (202) 355-6337

    Did You Know: Wings of Sobriety Telephonic Meetings

    Meetings are open to all Flight Attendants exploring their need for or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. Meeting times are scheduled every Wednesday at 12 PM Pacific time and Sunday at 2 PM Pacific time. Meetings generally last between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The conference call number to join is (855) 544-2320.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: FAAS, Wings of Sobriety

    The Present Is A Gift

    February 21, 2023 17:00

    Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

    • The hustle, bustle, and distractions of modern life can sometimes leave us with feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry.
    • Mindfulness is a practice that can help us to stay present in the moment and feel calmer and more refreshed.
    • AFA EAP is always available for support. Find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

    Do you find it hard to stay focused on one task at a time? Do you find yourself daydreaming? In our interconnected world, it is hard to live in the moment. Our technology and busy schedules keep us moving from one thing to the next. Learning how to gently pull your attention towards the present is a unique skill that can help improve both physical and mental health.

    Stress and anxiety can be constant distractions from the present, which can include worries about both the past and the future. While these concerns may be valid, it is important to regularly take a few minutes to notice your environment, your breath, and even your posture. Below are two ways to help you stay present through mindfulness and other sensory exercises.

    What is mindfulness?

    In 1979, mindfulness was developed in a hospital setting for patients with chronic pain. But all of us possess the ability to practice mindfulness in our natural environment and obtain benefits from it. People generally report feeling calmer or more refreshed through mindfulness. It focuses less on control and more on awareness – of our thoughts, sensations, and our breath. Remember, mindfulness is a skill and does take practice. As a result, it might take a few times to get the hang of it. Consider this exercise below:

    1. Find your favorite guided meditation website or app. Widely used apps include Calm and Headspace. YouTube also has great videos such as this one to get started. Here is another good choice.
    2. Sit comfortably in a chair with your hands, palm-side down, and your back and bottom gently supported.
    3. Listen to the prompts in the video. The goal is to become more aware of each breath, the pattern of breathing, and the sensations of your body. Simply notice what is happening around you and inside your mind, without judgement.

    How can I use my senses to stay present?

    Humans have a very powerful sensory system. It helps keep us alert when we’re anxious, but it can also help us relax. Here are a few sensory exercises for each of your senses, to help you stay present.

    • Smell. Notice and take time to absorb your favorite smells around you. It could be the smell of flowers, fresh-baked cookies, or your oil diffuser.
    • Taste. Find and savor samples of your favorite foods. They could be spicy, sweet and sour, or warm and comforting.
    • Sight. Adjust lighting in your space to warm and soothing tones. Focus your eyes on an object or image that brings joy or calm.
    • Sound. New research is emerging about brown noise. Consider the wonderful genre of Lo-Fi music. 
    • Touch. Clothe or surround yourself with tactile comforting objects, like a favorite sweater or blanket.

    AFA EAP is always available for support!

    Our AFA EAP Committee is here for you when you need us!  Reach out any time at (949) 470-0493 or find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: wellness

    Don’t Underestimate the Effects of Alcohol

    December 12, 2022 17:00

    Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

    • Many people enjoying celebrating during the holidays, which often includes having alcoholic beverages.
    • Alcohol can affect decision making abilities and reaction times long before other outward signs of intoxication become evident. Overconsuming alcohol can lead to reckless decisions, blackouts, and dangerous consequences.
    • If your holiday plans involve consuming alcohol, remember to drink responsibly. Have a designated sober driver or order a taxi or ride share.

    Alcohol’s Effects Begin Quickly and Last Longer Than Most Believe!

    Many of us look forward to celebrations during the holidays, yet it is also a time when some people are more likely to drink beyond their limits than at other times of the year. Some people will experience adverse consequences that range from fights to falls to traffic accidents. Unfortunately, myths about drinking persist, including how quickly alcohol affects the body and how long the effects of drinking last. 

    People may not recognize that critical decision-making abilities and driving-related skills are already diminished long before they show overt signs of intoxication. Initially, alcohol may appear to act as a stimulant, making you feel upbeat and excited. But don’t be fooled. Alcohol decreases inhibitions and judgment which can lead to reckless decisions. Reaction times get longer and behavior becomes poorly controlled and sometimes even aggressive. Continued drinking causes the slurred speech and loss of balance that is typically associated with being drunk. Alcohol can also cause blackouts—which are gaps in a person’s memory while they were intoxicated. These gaps happen when alcohol temporarily blocks the transfer of memories from short-term to long-term storage—known as memory consolidation. At higher blood alcohol concentration levels, alcohol acts as a clear depressant, which can cause people to pass out. At even higher levels, people who drink face the danger of life-threatening alcohol overdose due to the suppression of vital life functions. 

    Even when drinking stops, alcohol’s effects do not stop.  It’s easy to misjudge how long alcohol’s effects last. For example, many people believe that they will begin to sober up—and be able to drive safely—once they stop drinking and have a cup of coffee. The truth is that alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been finished. Even after drinking stops, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream, resulting in impaired judgment and coordination for hours. 

    So, this holiday season, don’t underestimate the effects of alcohol. Think before you drink. Use a designated sober driver if you know you will be ingesting any alcohol.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: alcohol

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • …
    • 14
    • Next Page »

    Need Help?

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

    Connect with Us on Facebook

    Connect with Us on Facebook

    Follow Us on Twitter

    Tweets by AFAAlaska

    Instagram

    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

    Local Councils

    • Anchorage
    • Los Angeles
    • Portland
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
    • Seattle

    Master Executive Council

    • MEC

    Negotiations

    • Contract 2022 Home
    • Negotiating Committee
    • Negotiations Feedback
    • Negotiations News
    • Negotiations Process

    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 Alaska News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 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 Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) 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
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Want To Stay In The Loop?

    The best way to stay connected with up-to-date AFA Alaska news and information is through a subscription to AFA Alaska emails!  Click the button below to sign up.  Already a subscriber?  You can make changes to your email by clicking below!
    Sign Up

    Connect With AFA

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

    Copyright © 2013-2023 Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO