AFA Alaska

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / EAP/Professional Standards Committee

AFA Update – July 2, 2020

In This Edition

  • Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program
  • Substance Use During COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Vanguard Retirement Webinar—Coming Soon
  • Union Plus Program Hardship Benefits
  • Updated Board of Directors Information
  • The Dues Pie Chart – Where Do My Dues Go?

Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program

AFA International

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 are calling for a six-month aviation Payroll Support Program (PSP) extension through March 31, 2021, to protect our jobs, extend the restrictions on stock buybacks, dividends, and executive compensation, and maintain service to all of our communities. Tell Congress to keep our industry intact to ensure aviation can help fight the virus and contribute to economic recovery as opposed to adding to an economic depression.

Amplify Your Voice With a Call

In addition to sending a letter, you can amplify your voice by following up with a phone call to your Members of Congress.  Call your Representative and Senators and say:

Hello, I am a constituent calling to ask [Representative]/[Senator] to help save my job as an essential worker. Take legislative action in July to extend the CARES Act Payroll Support Program for aviation workers in order to avoid massive job loss in October. Keep us connected to our jobs, our paychecks, and our healthcare. Thank you for your urgent attention to this.

AFA COVID Relief House – (888) 907-9365
AFA COVID Relief Senate – (888) 848-4824

Substance Use During COVID-19 Pandemic

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Historically, crisis events tend to trigger increased drug and alcohol abuse. Post 9/11, for example, the National Institutes of Health raised concerns about increased substance use by those impacted by the tragedy.  Meanwhile, after Hurricane Katrina, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that hospitalization for alcohol use disorders rose by 35 percent in New Orleans.   Experts fear that we will see similar trends this time, but on a national scale. People frequently self-medicate with drugs and alcohol to cope with feelings of stress and anxiety.  Uncertainty about the future, loneliness, lack of routine, economic dislocation, job loss and fear of death by disease, can all be triggers for those who are vulnerable to substance abuse, including those in recovery – even after long periods of abstinence.  Meanwhile, stay-at-home orders in effect for COVID-19, limit access to support systems such as friends, neighbors, therapists, church, family and recovery groups.  Early indications aren’t good.  Researchers are seeing spikes in alcohol sales, marijuana use, and anti-anxiety and pain medication prescriptions.

If you are concerned about substance abuse for yourself, a family member or flying partner, now is the perfect time to consider treatment, especially if you are on a voluntary leave.  Your AFA EAP Committee can discuss and coordinate all treatment options while maintaining your right to privacy.   If you are getting ready to return from a leave and would like to discuss preventing safety risk associated with drug and alcohol testing violations, contact your AFA EAP Committee for a confidential conversation.   Contact information for your Local EAP Committee can be found at afaalaska.org/eap.

Vanguard Retirement Webinar—Coming Soon

Retirement Committee

As the company will be offering early out packages, your AFA Retirement Committee, in conjunction with Vanguard, the company’s 401(k) plan administrator, will be conducting an online webinar to provide information and answer questions about the planning process for retirement.  Meeting date, time, registration information, and information about how to submit questions in advance will be posted to the Retirement Committee page of the AFA Alaska website and communicated in an AFA update email once finalized.

Retirement Plan Resources

In addition to the upcoming retirement webinar, a list of retirement plan resources and links to these online tools can be found on the retirement resources page of Alaska’s World (AAG sign-on required).

Union Plus Program Hardship Benefits

AFA International

Many of the Union Plus programs, which are an AFA Member benefit, provide hardship benefits.

Members who currently have a Union Plus Mortgage, Credit Card, Personal Loan, or Supplemental Insurance programs may be eligible for additional hardship assistance through the Mortgage Assistance Program and Union Plus Hardship Help. The Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program provides interest-free loans and a $1000 grant to help eligible members make mortgage payments when disabled, unemployed, furloughed, locked out or on strike.

Union Plus Credit Card holders are eligible for a $300 job loss grant if they have been laid-off or furloughed for 45 days or more due to COVID-19. The eligibility criteria and application process can be found at www.unionplus.org/hardship-help/union-plus-hardship-help-benefits.

The MetLife Legal program is making available additional resources including free consultation and document review and access to a self-help library so members can get questions answered and also review and complete Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives and similar documents for free through July 31, 2020. Additional info, including the instructions to reach the self-help document library, is available here: https://www.unionplus.org/blog/consumer-tips/free-legal-document-review-and-consultations-through-july-31-2020.

The Free College program is making available additional financial aid to students who may need additional assistance for education-related expenses due to COVID-19. Info on Free College is here: https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org.

Updated AFA Board of Directors Information

AFA International

The Board of Directors were scheduled to meet in-person during May 2020, but due to the pandemic conditions, that meeting was cancelled. The BOD met virtually via a Zoom Meeting on May 20, 2020. The purpose of this meeting was to address the 2020-2021 Proposed Annual Budget.

Visit the AFA International Board of Directors resource page for updated meeting documentation that includes the single Agenda Item (Annual AFA Budget), the four Resolutions that were considered and other useful material.

The Dues Pie Chart – Where Do My Dues Go?

AFA International

The Dues Pie Chart depicts where all funds at AFA are budgeted. About 80% of dues dollars are directly allocated to fund the work at each airline (i.e. Local Councils, Master Executive Councils, Negotiations, and System Board). The remaining budgets at the International Office support Government Affairs, Air Safety, EAP, and Communications Departments, each of which provides expert services that are Flight Attendant focused and provide resources for the local leaders and committees of Flight Attendants at each airline. 100% of our dues dollars are allocated to priorities that provide Flight Attendant representation.

Pie chart showing AFA dues allocations.

There are four distinct areas where dues money is spent:

Local and Airline-Specific

Each base has a Local Executive Council (LEC) with elected Officers who provide direct representation and deal with local grievances and other issues. These Local Officers will answer your phone calls and make sure member interests are represented in front of management. For example, in the event of discipline or a contract violation, Local Officers will address the issue where it happened and work to get swift resolution. Additionally, elected Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers provide representation at the corporate level. At both the LEC and MEC, there are committees that solve problems in areas such as safety, schedules, hotels, grievances, etc. These committees also enforce the contract specific to their area of expertise, produce newsletters, and participate in union meetings. The role of your LEC and MEC Officers and committee representatives at each airline is to ensure you are represented by Flight Attendants who know your job because they share it with you at your airline. AFA promotes this autonomy at each airline where your representatives, assisted by experts, negotiate with management and develop and maintain the relationship between airline management and the Union.

Negotiations

Bargaining for pay and working conditions is one of the core representation activities performed by the Union. We start with a membership survey, schedule meetings with management, conduct caucuses with the committee, develop contractual language, support membership engagement and information programs, and we work with AFA-CWA professional negotiators throughout the process including all direct negotiations/mediation with management. The end result is improved contractual language with higher pay, better working conditions, and improved benefits.

System Board (Grievances)

The first step in any grievance is to try to resolve the matter locally. Some airlines have negotiated an alternative dispute process for a faster, collaborative resolution. If that fails, then the final stage for resolution, whether disciplinary or contractual, is an appeal to a neutral arbitrator. An AFA-CWA attorney will work with our Grievance Committee to present our case to the neutral arbitrator. We defend the contracts we negotiate.

International Office Support

While your LEC is the face of the Union to local management and the MEC to corporate management, the International Office is the public persona and brand of the Union. Our presence and name recognition can legislate or improve federal regulations, remove obstacles from the bargaining table, better our position in negotiations and improve our experience on the job across the profession. The International Office maintains the professional staff of attorneys, negotiators, and other personnel that provide administration, accounting and membership services to members and elected leaders. We all work together to support the programs that encompasses our profession.

Questions?

If you have questions about AFA dues, please contact your LEC President. 

AFA Update – June 12, 2020

In This Edition

  • Black Lives Matter
  • Onboard Fume Events – How To Recognize and Respond
  • AFA EAP Support Services

Black Lives Matter

By Chip Hestle, MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson

Three words at the center of conversations, not only in the United States of America, but throughout the world. So just what does Black Lives Matter (BLM) mean? BLM is an international human rights movement, founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tomet, in July 2013.  The BLM movement originated from the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer.  BLM is a global organization focused on annihilating white supremacy and stepping in to support black citizens who are victims of systemic racism and violence because of the color of their skin.

Systemic racism is deep-rooted discrimination that has repeated itself again and again, becoming more and more ingrained in society during a span of generations.

As it was stated by Mr. Strickland, senior legal analyst and special assistant to the director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, at the Ohio State University, “Systemic racism permeates within our institutions, its within our laws, our policies and our practices that have this founded foundation of biases, discrimination where you have barriers that place certain races above others. It permeates so much that people see it as normal, and it’s kind of normalized, that’s how, the way things are, when, in fact, these structures have been set up to the place certain races above others.”

As Flight Attendants, we have the privilege of working side-by-side with diverse colleagues and passengers aboard our aircrafts.  Our paramount responsibility as Flight Attendants is to ensure the safety of the traveling public.  Have you witnessed or experienced racism while inflight? Think about it.  

Let me be clear—saying or hearing BLM doesn’t mean that non-black lives don’t matter.  BLM has provided a platform for the black community and for people of color to draw attention to the need for change. 

How can we effectively make change? Together, we can have healthy productive conversations with our family, friends and crew members.  A discussion around race is not easy.  But, if you desire to be a part of the solution and not the problem, I encourage you to try.  As Flight Attendants we have the gift of navigating difficult conversations.  We have the innate ability to express our feelings and, even more importantly, listen. 

During this time of unparalleled crisis with COVID-19 and civil unrest, I encourage you to reach out to your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson or your Local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee.  Your AFA Human Rights Committee is here for you.

Onboard Fume Events – How To Recognize and Respond

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) – Air Quality Subcommittee

Everyone knows that the cabin can smell. Most of the time, the smells are unpleasant but should not make you sick. But when you notice an unpleasant, unusual smell sourced to the air supply vents – “fumes” – you should pay attention. 

The design and maintenance of aircraft systems means that, sometimes, engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes contaminate the air supplied to the cabin for ventilation. Ever noticed a dirty sock smell coming from the vents, maybe associated with APU usage or engine start? That smell can be engine oil fumes and the chemicals in those fumes can make you sick. Similarly, an acrid smell from the vents can be hydraulic fluid fumes. Other types of chemicals can get into the ventilation system, too, like deicing fluid and exhaust fumes. It’s important to know how to recognize and respond to the presence of these fumes in the cabin. 

To assist our Members, AFA has created a video training tool to teach Flight Attendants how to recognize and respond to the presence of fumes onboard. The entire training takes approximately 40 minutes to complete and is built in modules that run for about 5 to 10 minutes each and can be completely individually. There is no password or login required to access the material. Check it out – listen to the stories of crewmembers who have been affected by fumes and learn about what you need to notice, plus the various AFA resources you can access. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please refer to the Air Quality Subcommittee page of the AFA Alaska website or email airquality@afaalaska.org.

AFA EAP Support Services

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

AFA EAP has put together several resources to help Flight Attendants manage their personal mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 outbreak.  All services are available in either a telephone or online format.  For a complete list of support services being offered, schedules, and access information, please click here.

AFA Update – May 11, 2020

In This Edition

  • Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status
  • AFA Dues Payments While on a Leave of Absence
  • Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status 

AFA International

The announcement of reduced flying schedules and the subsequent need for leaves of absence have many Flight Attendants feeling anxious and concerned. Local Unemployment offices are facing an unprecedented demand for information and assistance. Many states are revising their requirements to make it easier for workers to apply online. 

Additional benefits for Flight Attendants can be found in the recently passed CARES Act. Because of your many calls and letters to Congress and through AFA’s advocacy on Capitol Hill interacting directly with lawmakers, we were able to secure financial relief for individual workers and airlines in a way that promotes direct support of continued paychecks, healthcare, and financial viability of the airlines. All of this was made law while placing restrictions on stock buybacks, dividends, executive bonuses and using funds in any way to undermine worker rights.  

The following information has been compiled from AFA EAP and Legal departments, the AFL-CIO and Union Plus Benefits. Links to several useful flyers are contained within this section which provide additional information.

AFA EAP

We know this is a stressful time for everyone. AFA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to help you deal with the emotional toll the events of this time are taking. AFA EAP is a resource for resolving problems through an international network of over 200 professionally-trained, peer support volunteer Flight Attendants overseen by mental health professionals. AFA EAP assists members in accessing appropriate medical help around mental health issues involving family crises, work-related trauma and chemical imbalance, as well as conflict resolution services and response to critical incidents. EAP is totally confidential. If you would like to contact AFA EAP you can find contact information by clicking here.

We hope these resources will assist you with this difficult transition. We encourage you to reach out to these experts as soon as possible.

AFL-CIO: State Specific Resources

As a member union in the AFL-CIO we are pleased to direct you to a useful landing page that will allow you to search for resources by state including:

  • Resources and benefits to help replace lost wages
  • Eligibility for emergency paid leave
  • Housing and food assistance programs
  • Health insurance and public health services and guidance

https://aflcio.org/covid-19/state-resources

Unemployment Benefits 

People who take a leave or experience a reduction in hours through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive unemployment. Eligibility requirements, statutory wait periods and length of time to collect benefits differ by state. However, the scale and scope of these benefits will vary depending on the state where you are based. It is strongly recommended that you review the unemployment filing requirements and determine if your personal circumstances might allow you the choice of filing with your home state or your domicile state. An important piece of any unemployment filing will be the leave paperwork you receive from your airline. If the language contains verbiage that the leave is COVID related, this will be key to securing benefits. Additionally, most airlines have taken the position they will not contest unemployment filings that are COVID related. Make sure you reference COVID as the reason for your leave when filing your unemployment claim.

As part of the COVID-19 Relief Act, Congress increased by $600 the amount of weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments that laid off and furloughed workers can receive through July 31, 2020. If you’re eligible for at least $1 of state unemployment compensation, you get the full $600, according to the Labor Department. The CARES Act also extends the number of weeks of eligibility for long term unemployed people by 13 weeks to the current state term (normally 26 weeks) to a maximum of 39 weeks, temporarily eliminates work-search requirements and minimum work history (under normal rules, only those who have been employed for a year are eligible), and expands the categories of eligible workers. 

Online Unemployment Information and Resources: 

  • For more information about the changes the CARES Act made to the unemployment insurance, we recommend this guide put together by our friends at the National Employment Law Project.
  • Our AFA website contains up to date information, compiled by the legal department, regarding your questions and answers about unemployment: https://www.afacwa.org/increased_unemployment_covid19

Online Government Resources for Help 

Information about unemployment insurance and sources of other governmental assistance programs can be found here: 

Union Plus

Union Plus is another partner of the AFL-CIO. It is a consumer benefits program for union members and offers specific programs to assist members in times of financial hardship. Visit these websites for additional information: 

AFA Dues Payments While on a Leave of Absence

Membership Committee

As a reminder, Article II.C.1.b of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws require that AFA dues continue to be paid during any leave of absence less than 90 days.  If you currently pay your dues through payroll deduction, dues payments will continue to be deducted as long as you continue to receive a paycheck with sufficient funds for all other payroll deductions plus your AFA dues.  If you are no longer receiving a paycheck or your paycheck does not cover all of your payroll deductions, AFA dues will not be deducted and you will instead receive an invoice from AFA International Membership Services.

Payment Options

If you receive an invoice or statement indicating that you owe AFA dues, payment can be made in one of two ways:

More information about payment options can be found on the payment options page of membership services section of the AFA International website.  This page also contains information about payment plan options if you have a past due account and are unable to pay your entire balance at once.

Questions?

If you have any questions about payment options for outstanding AFA dues, please contact the AFA International Membership Services Department at (800) 424-2401, extension 707.  For other dues-related questions, please contact your Local Membership Committee.

Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

It is prudent for all Flight Attendants to assess their personal financial positions in anticipation of income reductions.  While every Flight Attendant’s situation will vary, below are some general considerations that can help you begin strategizing how best to weather the financial impact of flying cutbacks on your household.

Assess Your Financial Status

  • Prepare a household budget and cut any non-essential items.
  • Prepare a list of all creditors and a contact person.  Make minimum payments.
  • Place your money in a bank in which you have no debt.
  • Attempt to secure a loan early, so you will have a cash flow.
  • Assess your tax situation.  You may be owed a refund or need to file an extension.
  • Be proactive.  Assess your credit card debt.  Look into a temporary reduction or abatement in payments.

Contact Your Creditors

You must communicate with your creditors before any payments become delinquent, and the sooner the better.  You can negotiate a lower repayment schedule before you run out of money.  Be professional, but assertive.  Creditors are easier to work with if they know ahead of time that there’s a problem.  Also, it shows ‘good faith’ that you are concerned about your debts and intend to pay.

The goal is to make the amount of money you’ve saved last as long as possible.  Pay what you can on a regular basis, even if it is less than expected.  Partial payments may keep collection agents away.  Follow-up all telephone conversations with a letter and keep documentation.  Even in the worst-case scenario, it takes a long time for collections, repossessions and evictions to occur.  Contact credit counselors who can help you sort out your financial affairs.  Be sure to remember to contact the creditors that are automatically payroll deducted.

Even if you can’t pay creditors the amount they want, make your best effort to pay something regularly.  This holds arrears as low as possible and lets the creditor know that you are doing all you can.  Partial payment may keep your account from being turned over to a collection agency.

Put your payments in order of importance: this will help you pay first things first when money is short.  Generally, your most important payment will be the mortgage or rent payment, followed by utilities, health insurance and car payments.

And after the initial contact, it’s important that you keep in contact with creditors – every two weeks or so.  This reassures the creditor, shows a responsible attitude toward your obligation and may keep the creditor from ‘hounding’ you.

Prepare a Household Budget

A budget helps you see where you spend your money and where you can save.  Your budgeted expenses should include:

  • Fixed expenses, including: mortgage, rent, taxes, insurance, loans, installment payments, credit card payments and any other monthly payments.
  • Monthly expenses, including: food, gas, repairs, dues, recreation, prescriptions.
  • Future expenses, including: income/property tax and any other outstanding debts.

Your budgeted income should include:

  • Any remaining income
  • State disability insurance benefits
  • Workers’ compensation checks
  • Savings
  • Social Security
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Other pension funds

Your assets may include:

  • Cash value of insurance policies
  • Equity in your home
  • Prepaid burial or funeral policy
  • Resale value of vehicles (including boats and snowmobiles)

Now you are ready to adjust your expenses, negotiate with creditors and use assets in the most effective way possible.

Questions?

Contact your Local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee or call (949) 470-0493.

AFA Update – April 25, 2020

In This Edition

  • Reserve Resources
  • AFA EAP Support Services – Updated 4/22

Reserve Resources

Reserve Committee

With the significant increase in the number of Flight Attendants who will be holding a reserve schedule in May, our AFA Reserve Committee would like to ensure that you are aware of the resources available to help understand the contractual rights and obligations associated with reserve duty.  The following resources may be accessed electronically using the links below:

Questions?

In addition to the printed resources above, Reserve Committee Members are available in your Local Council to answer questions, clarify contractual language, or provide other support related to reserve duty.  You can find contact information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. 

AFA EAP Support Services – Updated 4/22

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

AFA EAP has put together several resources to help Flight Attendants manage their personal mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 outbreak.  All services are available in either a telephone or online format.  For a complete list of support services being offered, schedules, and access information, please click here.

AFA Update – April 20, 2020

In This Edition

  • Flight Attendant Addiction Support (FAAS) Program
  • Cornerstone App Replacement
  • Vacation While on a Staffing Adjustment Leave of Absence
  • AFA EAP Support Services – Week of April 20
  • Union Plus – Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program

Flight Attendant Addiction Support (FAAS) Program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

The Flight Attendant Addiction Support Program (FAAS) is a program that allows Flight Attendants who deal with substance use problems and dependency the ability to obtain appropriate treatment without the threat of automatic termination.  The program is several years in the making and has been a joint effort between AFA Alaska EAP, AFA International EAP, and Alaska Airlines management.  The FAAS Program became available for use as of March 1, 2020 and is available to all non-probationary Flight Attendants. 

Under the FAAS Program, there are three pathways for seeking support and treatment:

  1. Proactive Self-Referral
  2. Proactive Self-Disclosure/Reactive Self-Referral
  3. Violation of DOT regulations or Company Drug and Alcohol policy

More information about these pathways, conditions for participation, effect on employment status, options for payment of treatment, and recovery support can be found in the FAAS Program Manual.  You can access the manual on the Inflight website under Administration > FA Addiction Support Program > FAAS Program Manual or on the IMD in GoodReader > ASFASupplemental > FAAS Program.

Note: The MEC would like to thank MEC EAP Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Dillon, Vice Chairperson Jeanne McCleave, and SAN LEC Vice President/EAP Committee Chairperson Melanie Buker for their enduring efforts in seeing this program through to realization. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the FAAS Program, please contact your Local EAP Committee.

Cornerstone App Replacement

Inflight Training Committee

On March 30, management announced that the Cornerstone app would be replaced with the new Cornerstone Learn app.  The replacement of the Cornerstone app is a welcome announcement given the ongoing technical issues and challenges that the app has presented to our Flight Attendants.  Management has indicated that the new Cornerstone Learn app has greater reliability than the legacy Cornerstone app and should be easier for Flight Attendants to use.  Though AFA representatives have had the opportunity to briefly test the new app, there were several technical issues identified and we are skeptical that the new platform will resolve all of the outstanding issues that Flight Attendants experienced with the old app.

Sync Your Training Before April 30

In bulletin #2020-0024 (AAG sign-on required), published on March 30, management provided notification that the legacy Cornerstone app will no longer be supported after April 30.  If you have started or completed any training using the download feature in the legacy Cornerstone app, you must ensure that you sync the Cornerstone app on your IMD so that your progress is transferred to the new Cornerstone Learn platform.  You can find more information about how to sync in the bulletin under the “New Mobile Learning App” heading.

Questions?

If you have questions about the new Cornerstone Learn app or how to ensure that your training is synced in preparation for the transition, please contact Inflight Training management directly at inflight.training@alaskaair.com.

Vacation While on a Staffing Adjustment Leave of Absence

Master Executive Council (MEC)

If you’re taking an upcoming staffing leave of absence and have vacation days that are scheduled during your leave, those vacation days will be removed from your roster and replaced with the coding for your leave of absence.  The MEC would like to ensure that you are aware of the options that you have to either move or be paid out for your vacation days, which are as follows:

  • Trade Your Days With Vacation Open Time.  Identify available days in vacation open time and email F/A Crew Pay (fa.crewpay@alaskaair.com) to let them know the days that you’d like to trade into.  F/A Crew Pay will process the change.  Vacation open time can be viewed on the Inflight website under Schedule & Bidding > Vacation Trading > Vacation Open Time.  The calendar will display the number of open slots on each day for your base.
  • Request That Your Vacation Be Paid Out Now.  If you would like your vacation to be paid out now, complete and submit a Vacation Payout Form.  The form is located on the Inflight website under Administration > Pay & Benefits > Vacation Payout Form.  As long as the form is submitted 7 or more days prior to pay day, your vacation will be paid out on your next available check.
  • Do Nothing and Be Paid Out Later. If you do not trade your vacation days or request that they be paid out now, they will be paid out automatically on February 5, 2021.

Questions?

If you have questions about any of the above options or need assistance, please contact your LEC Officers.

AFA EAP Support Services – Week of April 20

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

AFA EAP has put together several resources to help Flight Attendants manage their personal mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 outbreak.  All services are available in either a telephone or online format.  For a complete list of support services being offered, schedules for the week of April 20, and access information, please click here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about available EAP support services, please contact your Local EAP Committee.

Union Plus – Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program

AFA International

Because of the current economic and health uncertainty facing many union members, students who enroll in the Union Plus Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program, in partnership with Central State University, in the summer 2020 term will complete their entire degree for free.

There will be no out-of-pocket cost for tuition, fees, or e-books until graduation, not just the summer term. Students may enroll part-time, but continuous enrollment is required.  Students must complete the FAFSA and the financial aid process.

Summer classes begin May 18, 2020.

Unemployed, furloughed or laid off union members and their extended families are still eligible to enroll in the Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program.

Questions?

You can learn more by calling 888-897-9671 or get started online at https://bachelorsdegree.unionplus.org.

Latest News

AFA Update – July 2, 2020

In This Edition Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program Substance Use During COVID-19 Pandemic Vanguard Retirement Webinar—Coming Soon Union Plus Program Hardship Benefits Updated Board of Directors Information The Dues Pie Chart – Where Do My Dues Go? Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program AFA International The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the Association […]

AFA Update – June 30, 2020

In This Edition Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program Pandemic Response Fraudulent Face Mask Exemption Card Management Provides Contractual Furlough Notice Company “Early Out” CARES Act Additional $600 Ends Soon Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program AFA International The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Transport […]

AFA Update – June 12, 2020

In This Edition Black Lives Matter Onboard Fume Events – How To Recognize and Respond AFA EAP Support Services Black Lives Matter By Chip Hestle, MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Three words at the center of conversations, not only in the United States of America, but throughout the world. So just what does Black Lives Matter […]

A Message About Current Events, and Planning for the Future

A Message About Current Events Nearly constant bombardment of disturbing news lately The Master Executive Council (MEC) recognizes there has been a nearly constant bombardment of disturbing news lately. The COVID-19 pandemic and the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have touched every one of us in some way or another, and […]

AFA Update – May 29, 2020

In This Edition AFA President Sara Nelson Statement on Justice for George Floyd, Attacks on Protesters and Press AFA Board of Directors Special Meeting – May 20, 2020 COVID-19 Agreements Extension – June 2020 Life Insurance Coverage While on a Staffing Adjustment Leave AFA President Sara Nelson Statement on Justice for George Floyd, Attacks on […]

Top Posts & Pages

News By Month

News By Category

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 Contract 2021 Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee 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) Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

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