EAP/Professional Standards Committee

AFA Update – October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019 12:00

In This Edition

Introducing your MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson
Introducing your MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Uniform Safety Representative
MEC Committee Chairperson & Appointed Position Interviews
What Happens When You Report a Human Trafficking Tip?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Introducing Your MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson

Human Rights Committee

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews last week for the new MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson position. The MEC would like to thank the candidates who demonstrated willingness to represent our Flight Attendants. After thorough consideration, the MEC has appointed Chip Hestle to the position.

About Chip

Chip Hestle II is a Seattle-based Flight Attendant with 29 years of service at Alaska Airlines. During his career, Chip held the position as Chairperson for the first Alaska Airlines CATeam. In this role, he worked alongside Human Resources to promote diversity and cultural awareness. He also participated in Flight Attendant Hiring Events. Additionally, Chip served on the AFA Government Affairs Committee and established the Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Support Group.

Most recently, Chip was one of four keynote speakers at the AT-62nd Area 46 AA New Mexico State Convention. In January 2018, he was named one of Alaska Airlines Legends in Customer Service. In October 2017, he received the Alaska Airlines Award of Excellence. Chip served as co-President of the FADAP Mentorship Program and established “Wings of Sobriety”. Chip participated in Humanity Chartered Mercy flights to New Orleans, LA, during Hurricane Katrina. He represented Alaska Airlines at the African American Flight Attendant Convention in New York, NY. And, he participated in lobbying Congressional legislators to protect flight attendant crew rest and duty hours in 2001-2002.

Chip is very grateful for the opportunity to serve and have received many awards and recognitions, but what he’s most proud of is the wonderful working relationship that he has with Alaska Airlines customers, management and fellow crew members.

About The Position

The MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson is responsible for leading the committee’s effort to promote activities that foster greater understanding of one another and the diversity of our membership in order to build the strength of our Union through our common struggles and goals rather than allowing others to divide us by our differences. Additional information about the position and committee can be found by clicking here.

Introducing Your MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Uniform Safety Representative

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews last week for the new MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Uniform Safety Representative position. The MEC would like to thank the candidates who demonstrated willingness to represent our Flight Attendants. After thorough consideration, the MEC has appointed Deb Wallstrom to the position.

About Deb

Deb Wallstrom is an Anchorage-based Flight Attendant. She started working for Alaska Airlines in 1998 and has been based in Anchorage, Los Angeles and San Diego. She believes in a strong safety culture in the workplace and has been a member of the Air Safety, Health, and Safety Committee for the last five years. She recently joined the Benefits Committee and looks forward to helping others navigate the medical leave of absence process.

While soap making has also become a new hobby, she can be found hiking, camping and enjoying the outdoors in her spare time.

About The Position

The ASHSC Uniform Safety Representative will be responsible for assisting Flight Attendants who experience reactions and health concerns related to wearing the Flight Attendant uniform. The position will work closely with the Uniform and Benefits Committees to ensure that Flight Attendants have a strong voice to advocate for them in relation to uniform safety.

MEC Committee Chairperson & Appointed Position Interviews

Master Executive Council (MEC)

In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the term of appointment for the MEC Committee Chairpersons is concurrent with those of the MEC Officers. As the current MEC Officer term of office will end on December 31, 2019, the MEC will be conducting a review of the MEC Committee Chairperson positions in December 2019.

During this review process, the MEC will be interviewing for the following MEC-level chairperson positions:

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson
Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson – Air Quality
Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson – Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP)
Benefits Committee Chairperson
Communications Committee Chairperson
EAP Committee Chairperson
EAP Committee Vice Chairperson
Government Affairs Committee Chairperson
Grievance Committee Chairperson
Hotel Committee Chairperson
Hotel Committee Vice Chairperson
Inflight Service Committee Chairperson
Inflight Training Committee Chairperson
Reserve Committee Chairperson
Retirement Committee Chairperson
Scheduling Committee Chairperson
Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS
Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – Pairing Construction
Uniform Committee Chairperson

Appointment for the Human Rights Committee Chairperson position was made within the last six months. As a result, this positions will not be reviewed and will continue until the end of the next MEC Officer election cycle.

Additionally, interviews will also be held for the following MEC-level appointed positions:

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee – ASAP Alternate Representative
Grievance Committee Assistant
Grievance Committee – Payroll Representative
Inflight Training Committee Member (2 positions)
Scheduling Committee – PBS Subcommittee Member (2 positions)

General Qualifications

The following qualifications apply to all MEC-level Chairperson positions:

Previous experience as a Committee Member or Chairperson preferred (required for EAP)
Previous committee-specific training preferred (required for EAP)
Ability to attend meetings as required, including being present in Seattle on occasion
Strong computer skills. Good working knowledge of Inflight Mobile Device, Google email, and Microsoft Office.
Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and plan meetings agendas and take minutes.
Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks

Duties and Responsibilities

Information about the duties and responsibilities of each specific committee can be found in article VII of the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, which can be accessed by clicking here. Additional information about MEC Committee Chairperson duties and responsibilities can be found in this document.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss for each position will be discussed during each interview. All positions operate in accordance with AFA’s spirit of volunteerism.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews during the December MEC meeting from December 9-12, 2019. Bid around the interview date or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/XWsW9pEgtMRmqhZM6. The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Monday, November 25. After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

Please note that in order to submit an expression of interest, you must have a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Questions?

Any questions about MEC Committee Chairperson or MEC-level appointed position duties and responsibilities can be directed to MEC Vice President Brian Palmer at brian.palmer@afaalaska.org.

What Happens When You Report a Human Trafficking Tip?

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

In our role as aviation’s first responders, Flight Attendants have the ability to make a substantial impact in the fight against human trafficking. Education and training about how to identify and report suspected human trafficking has been included in Flight Attendant Recurrent Training for the past several years and additional reminders have been included in various communications from AFA and management.

Flight Attendant procedures for suspected human trafficking involve reporting the event at which point authorities take over and follow up on the tip. Reports from Flight Attendants and other aviation employees are a part of the Department of Homeland Security—Customs and Border Protection’s Blue Lightning Initiative, which provides a voluntary platform to identify potential human trafficking victims and to notify federal authorities for front line workers at U.S. commercial airlines. The diagram below provides an overview of what takes place once a report is submitted.

Reporting Human Trafficking

If you suspect a case of human trafficking:

Call toll-free (866) 347-2423 from anywhere in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Call (802) 872-6199 (not toll-free) from any country in the world.
Report the tip online at www.ice.gov/tips.
If in flight, report the situation to the pilots.

Questions?

You can learn more about human trafficking and the Blue Lightning Initiative at https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. There are about 1.38 million new cases of breast cancer each year. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles.

Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer; therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. Today, in the United States alone, there are over 3.5 million women and men breast cancer survivors.

Chances are, you know someone with or impacted by breast cancer. It could even be you. That’s why this fight is everyone’s fight. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, people wear pink, including ribbons, to support the progress being made to defeat breast cancer, to honor survivors, and to remember those lost to the disease. If you would like to get more involved in the fight against breast cancer, visit makingstrides.acsevents.org. Remember, your AFA EAP is available to confidentially assist you with any health related issues. You can find contact information for your Local EAP Committee at https://afaalaska.org/eap or by calling (949) 470-0493.

AFA Update – August 30, 2019

August 30, 2019 12:00

In This Edition

Where to Find Our Contract on the IMD
The Latest on KCM
Personal Strategies for Approaching the Anniversary of September 11
Election Notice: MEC Officer Elections

Where to Find Our Contract on the IMD

Contract Committee

Having easy access to our collective bargaining agreement empowers you to ensure that you are always able to reference your contractual rights and responsibilities in a given situation. Section 27.T of our collective bargaining agreement requires that the Company provide access to an electronic version of the contract on the IMD. Management has complied with this contractual requirement by housing an electronic version of the contract in the GoodReader app.

To access the contract on your IMD, follow these steps:

Open the GoodReader app
Tap on ASFASupplemental
Tap on Collective Bargaining Agreement
Tap on Contract
Tap on the contract file

Questions?

If you have any questions about accessing the contract on your IMD, please contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers.

The Latest on KCM

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

On Saturday, August 24, an update was posted to the KCM website indicating program changes related to unpredictable screening procedures (USP) and uniform requirements that were to take effect several days later. This update was posted with no advance notice and a very short implementation schedule. After receiving notice of these proposed changes, AFA promptly engaged the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), Airlines for America (A4A), and the TSA to have additional conversations about these program changes and discuss alternatives.

Unpredictable Screening (USP) Changes

Additional measures related to USP (commonly referred to as “random selection”) went into effect on Tuesday, August 27 as announced. With this change, if you are selected for USP at a KCM access point you will continue to be flagged as a selectee at all KCM access points at that airport for a pre-determined amount of time. If you are referred for USP that involves re-direction to the passenger screening lanes, please remember that you are subject to the same requirements as passengers if you are not in uniform. Only crewmembers in uniform are exempt from TSA limitations on liquids, gels, and aerosols.

Uniform Requirement

As a result of discussions with AFA, ALPA, and A4A, the TSA made the decision not to change the uniform requirement for KCM screening, meaning that crewmembers continue to be able to use KCM access points while out of uniform.

Compliance and Reporting

It is important that we continue to comply with procedures and instructions at KCM access points and security checkpoints if selected for unpredictable screening. If you are given an instruction by a TSA Officer that differs from communicated procedures, please respectfully question the instruction. If the Officer does not change the instruction, comply and then report the issue immediately to AFA.

The only way to address concerns with individual TSA Officers or airports carrying out KCM screening differently from communicated procedures is to report the issue. Posts on social media about individual issues will not only fail to resolve the concern but could also unintentionally share sensitive security information (SSI) related to the KCM program. Please use the reporting form below to report any issues as soon as possible so that they can be addressed directly with the TSA.

KCM Reporting Form and Questions

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding KCM, please submit your question using the above form or contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers for assistance.

Personal Strategies for Approaching the Anniversary of September 11

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

As we approach the anniversary of September 11th, many of us will begin to plan how we’ll recognize this day. Anniversaries offer an opportunity to acknowledge our memories and experiences, to connect with others who share in them, and to pay tribute to our individual and collective journeys. They can also serve as personal and professional milestones of our healing and resiliency. For some, September 11th will be marked with private personal gestures such as observing a moment of silence, spending quiet time reflecting, or dedicating our flying to our profession. For others, it will be marked with collective activities such as ceremonies and memorial services.

There is no right way or better way to recognize the anniversary; but, there are some suggestions that may prove helpful as we approach the anniversary of September 11th.
Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you. Say no to events or activities that you sense may flood you with too many feelings. Find more gentle ways of honoring the anniversary.
Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11th anniversary.
Acknowledge that we all heal at different rates, in different ways, and with different outcomes.
Give yourself permission and time to be affected. Though uncomfortable, anticipate and plan for having a stress reaction as the anniversary approaches. Trust that if you have moments of difficulty, you’ll be able to pull yourself back together.
Try not to isolate yourself. Pre-plan now to be with people if you know you have this tendency.

However you choose to structure your day this September 11th or however it just naturally unfolds, please remember that your AFA EAP Committee Members welcome being a part of it. If you or a flying partner needs a confidential ear, please call us at (949) 470-0493 or find your local EAP contact information on the EAP Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. Remember, we’re just a phone call away.

Election Notice: MEC Officer Elections

Master Executive Council (MEC)

The term of office for our current Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2019. The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the regular November MEC meeting. This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with article III.C.1 of the MEC Policy Manual.

Background

The MEC Officers consist of a President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. These officer positions are responsible for serving as the coordinating council for the membership of the airline and carrying out the decisions of the MEC. These officer positions are elected by the Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, who are the voting members of MEC.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the MEC Officers are defined in article VII.C.2 of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws.

MEC President

From the AFA Constitution & Bylaws (article VII.C.2.a)

The President shall be the official Union spokesperson and chief executive officer for that airline and shall have the authority and duty to:

(1) Be responsible for and charged with administering the policies of that Master Executive Council, and implementing the objectives and policies announced by the Board of Directors and Executive Board.

(2) Be responsible for the expeditious processing of members’ complaints and grievances.

(3) Be the Union representative on that airline for the purpose of furthering and implementing the objectives and policies announced by the Board of Directors and Executive Board.

(4) Coordinate and compile Master Executive Council policy, review reports and recommendations and submit such material to the appropriate committees of the Union.

(5) Be a member of the Negotiating Committee.

(6) Be a member of the Executive Board.

(7) Be granted the privilege of the floor at all meetings of the Board of Directors, but shall have no vote, if not also a Local Council President.

(8) Be responsible for and supervise the business and managerial functions of the Union on that carrier.

(9) Consult with and be assisted by the Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer.

(10) Ballot the Master Executive Council if necessary or when required.

(11) Keep a current and accurate inventory of all Union property and supplies purchased or provided by the Union and submit a copy of this to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

(12) Inform all Master Executive Council Officers and committees that all files, correspondence, documents and other materials resulting from the work of such committees are the property of the Union, not the personal property of individuals, and are to be safeguarded.

(13) Maintain the Union’s files and property, then transfer them to her/his successor promptly.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

Attend regular and special MEC meetings, quarterly Labor Leader meetings with the company, and annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meetings.
Participate in the MEC Duty Officer program

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

This position is contractually provided 130 TFP of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) per month
Must have the ability to be present in the MEC Office in Seattle to attend meetings and as needed. Additional work completed remotely as necessary.
No relocation or accommodation reimbursement is provided for this position.
The MEC President is on-call to respond to critical incidents and situations.

MEC Vice President

From the AFA Constitution & Bylaws (article VII.C.2.b)

The Vice President shall:

(1) Function under the jurisdiction of the President in carrying out the policies and directives of the Master Executive Council.

(2) Perform the duties of the President at her/his request or in the absence of the President.

(3) Be granted the privilege of the floor at all Master Executive Council and Board of Directors meetings, but shall have no vote if not also a Local Council President.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

Serve as executive sponsor of MEC Committees and inform the MEC Secretary-Treasurer of upcoming meetings for calendaring.
Be responsible for obtaining a monthly written report from each of the MEC Committee Chairs and providing these reports to the MEC Secretary-Treasurer for submission with the monthly MEC agenda.
Attend regular and special MEC meetings, quarterly Labor Leader meetings with the company, MEC committee meetings, and annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meetings.
Coordinate and participate in the MEC Duty Officer program

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

This position is budgeted for 120 TFP of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) per month
Must have the ability to be present in the MEC Office in Seattle to attend meetings and as needed. Additional work completed remotely as necessary.
No relocation or accommodation reimbursement is provided for this position.
The MEC Vice President is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the MEC President during vacation and as needed.

MEC Secretary-Treasurer

From the AFA Constitution & Bylaws (article VII.C.2.c)

The Secretary-Treasurer shall:

(1) Assist the President in administering Master Executive Council funds.

(2) Maintain Master Executive Council records and perform such other duties that may be specifically assigned to the Secretary-Treasurer by the President or Acting President.

(3) Be responsible to the President and Master Executive Council.

(4) Be responsible for general record keeping and accounting of the Master Executive Council budget and any funds.

(5) Distribute a quarterly statement on expenditures to the Master Executive Council.

(6) Assist in preparation of the Master Executive Council annual report to the membership.

(7) Exhibit at all reasonable times the general records to any Officer or active member in good standing upon application.

(8) Maintain Master Executive Council records and record all meetings of the Master Executive Council.

(9) Deliver to her/his successor all monies and other property of the Master Executive Council. On demand of the International Office, s/he shall make available all books and records for examination and audit.

(10) Submit a copy of all Master Executive Council meeting minutes and nomination notices to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

(11) Be responsible for distributing a list of Master Executive Council committees’ flight pay loss to the Master Executive Council and the International Office each month; this list will include, but not be limited to, hours and ID(s) missed, days on projects, and projects charged.

(12) Be granted the privilege of the floor at all Master Executive Council and Board of Directors meetings, but shall have no vote if not also a Local Council President.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

Maintain the MEC agenda; solicit agenda items from members of the MEC
Reserve meeting space and other meeting resources as needed
Make arrangements for MEC hotel accommodations and meals
Perform month-end financial reconciliation activities including:
- Monthly submission of MEC flight pay loss to the company
- Monthly reconciliation of Union Business flight pay loss
- Monthly submission of all Union Business to AFA International
- Review and approve expense reports
- Monthly reconciliation of budget and expense reports
Attend regular and special MEC meetings, quarterly Labor Leader meetings with the company, and annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meetings.
Participate in the MEC Duty Officer program

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

This position is budgeted for 100 TFP of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) per month
Must have the ability to be present in the MEC Office in Seattle to attend meetings and as needed. Additional work completed remotely as necessary.
No relocation or accommodation reimbursement is provided for this position.
The MEC Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the MEC Vice President during vacation and as needed. S/he is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the MEC President if the president and vice president are simultaneously unavailable.

Working Relationships

With The Master Executive Council (MEC)

Constant interaction with the LEC Presidents, other LEC Officers, and other MEC Officers

With MEC Committees

Constant interaction with MEC Committee Chairs and Committee Members.

With Management

Constant interaction with Alaska Airlines management, particularly within the inflight and labor relations departments

With AFA International

Frequent interaction with AFA international officers and staff members

Term of Office

The regular term of office is for three years, beginning on January 1, 2020 and concluding on December 31, 2022.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews and conduct elections during the regular November MEC meeting on Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6, 2019. Bid around these dates or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/DoRD4akQcakcuWRn9. The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Tuesday, October 29. After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

Questions?

If you have any questions about MEC duties and responsibilities or the election process, please email officers@afaalaska.org.

AFA Update – July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019 12:00

In This Edition

Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form
Air Quality Fume Event Q&A
Let’s Talk It Out–AFA Professional Standards

Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form

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

On June 10, 2019, management issued Emergency Interim Bulletin (EIB) 19-11 regarding Cabin Air Quality. This EIB was subsequently incorporated into the FAM with revision 51, which became effective July 10, 2019. The information is contained in section 2.700, pages 1-5.

Along with this update, management launched the new Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form (form 2-5366). This form can be found onboard in the Stationery Kit on all aircraft and should be used in a suspected cabin air quality event.

The form is an excellent resource which was developed with input from your AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC). It provides step-by-step guidance to identify and describe the indicators of the event (type of odor/location/source/phase of flight, etc.). The completed form is then used to concisely relay the information to the Flight Deck in a timely manner, allowing the pilots to take the possible steps to mitigate the situation and communicate to maintenance. Both pilots and maintenance are familiar with the new form and look to Flight Attendants to use the form to report possible events.

The Cabin Air Quality Report Form should not be confused with the AFA Onboard Air Quality Checklist. The AFA form was previously developed by AFA to help provide Flight Attendants with a tool to use in a suspected cabin fume event. As there is no longer a need to use the AFA Onboard Air Quality Checklist, please discontinue using the checklist and destroy any copies that you may have. Going forward, the company’s Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form should be used in any suspected cabin fume events.

In a suspected fume event, it is recommended that you work with your fellow crew members to quickly complete the form, take a picture of the form with your IMD for your records, and notify the Flight Deck as well as hand off the form to the Flight Deck. By taking a picture of the completed form (and sharing it with your crew), the information can be used to help with any subsequent debriefings and to complete the required FAIR (Flight Attendant Incident Report) and voluntary ASAP (Aviation Safety Action Program Report).

Air Quality Fume Event Q&A

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

To better understand Air Quality Fume Events, your AFA Air, Safety, Health and Security Committee (ASHSC) strongly recommends you read the AFA Air Quality Fume Event Q&A document, which can be accessed by clicking here. This resource is specific to procedures at Alaska Airlines and was created in collaboration with the AFA International Air Safety, Health, & Security Department and your AFA Alaska ASHSC.

Let’s Talk It Out—AFA Professional Standards

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Professional Standards Committee

AFA encourages the use of Professional Standards whenever a member is experiencing a concern about or a conflict with a flying partner. Professional Standards provides members with an informal and confidential process to disclose and resolve such problems.

Professional Standards offers:

An opportunity for involved parties to maintain control over the outcome of a conflict
Acts as an alternative to the supervisory-discipline model
Reduces expenditure of resources in the grievance process

Professional Standards does not monitor or evaluate work performance, “fix” or “change” others’ behaviors or “investigate” the activities of its members.

Professional Standards exists to help members resolve co-worker conflicts/concerns involving or stemming from:

Personality clashes
Differences in communication and/or interaction style
Work and/or personal habits
Offensive conduct
Physical and/or emotional health

Professional Standards will not accept complaints involving:

Issues addressed by corporate policy, federal aviation regulations or inflight handbooks
Issues where management is actively involved
Training or skill deficiencies
Contract issues
AFA political matters

Professional Standards contact information can be found on the EAP/Professional Standards Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

AFA Reminders – May 30, 2019

May 30, 2019 05:00

In this edition:

AFA Census closes on May 31
Report adjoining hotel rooms on CrewCare
FDA requires stronger warnings about rare but serious incidents related to sleep medications

AFA Census closes on May 31!

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA 2019 Census is a project to better understand the demographic make-up of our union, including your aspirations, needs, and preferences. We also want to know in what areas of your community you may already be engaged in making a difference for you, your family, and the place where you live. All of this will help us build power together so we can continue to advance our Flight Attendant careers.

The University of New Hampshire Survey Center (UNHSC) is conducting this very important data gathering effort. You should have received emails and possibly a phone call to encourage you to complete the Census. You may have a pre-filled email from “Sara Nelson via UNH” with the subject line “AFA Census – Response Requested.”

Our contract with UNHSC ensures your information remains confidential within AFA. It does not allow UNHSC to share any of your information with outside organizations. A summary of the final results will be shared with AFA members.

The AFA census can be accessed using the following link: https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TguTDVCSOZJEmF.

Reminder: report adjoining hotel rooms on CrewCare

A message from your Hotel Committee

As previously published on April 9, your Hotel Committee needs your assistance in reporting instances of adjoining rooms with connecting doors assigned to crews on layovers. If you are assigned an adjoining and connecting room, even if you are able to switch rooms, please make note of the hotel, room number and date and file a CrewCare report on the situation.

CrewCare reports are automatically routed to Alaska management, API (Accommodations Plus International, the company’s hotel contractor), and your AFA Hotel Committee Members. Representatives from API and management use the data from the reports to follow up on each situation with the corresponding hotel. CrewCare can be easily accessed from the Hotel, Travel, & Station menu of the inflight website or by using the CrewCare icon on the home screen of your IMD.

Management has asked that we report these situations each and every time that they occur. The more information that we are able to provide, the more effectively each hotel can be held accountable.

FDA requires stronger warnings about rare but serious incidents related to sleep medications

A message from your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Updated warnings for eszopiclon (Lunesta) zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist).

At the end of April 2019, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the agency’s most prominent warning will now be required on certain prescription insomnia drugs. The warning follows FDA’s review of 66 cases of serious injuries and/or deaths resulting from various complex sleep behaviors after taking these medicines. These complex sleep behaviors have included falls, burns, near-drowning, exposure to extreme cold temperatures leading to loss of limb or near death, self-injuries such as gunshot wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, fatal motor vehicle collisions with the patient driving and suicide. The new warnings will be required for eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist).

“While these incidents are rare, they are serious and it’s important that patients and health care professionals are aware of the risk. These incidents can occur after the first dose of these sleep medicines or after a longer period of treatment, and can occur in patients without any history of these behaviors and even at the lowest recommended doses,” said FDA Acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D. In addition to the warning, the agency is requiring the addition of a contraindication to not use these medicines in patients who have experienced an episode of complex sleep behaviors after taking them. The warning and contraindication are intended to make the warning more prominent and reflect the risk of serious injury and death.

Building Better Working Relationships

February 5, 2019 16:12

A message from your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee

Human are naturally social creatures – we crave friendship and positive interactions, just as we do food and water. So it makes sense that the better our relationships are at work, the happier and more productive we’re going to be.

Good working relationships give us several other benefits. Our work is more enjoyable when we have good relationships with those around us. Good relationships give us freedom from spending our time and energy overcoming the problems associated with negative relationships. Most importantly, successful working relationships are criterial to crew resource management and thus safety.

So what are the characteristics that make up good, healthy working relationships?

Trust – This is the foundation of every good relationship. When you trust co-workers, you form a powerful bond that helps you to work and communicate more effectively. If you trust the people you work with, you can be open and honest in your thoughts and actions, and you don’t have to waste time and energy “watching your back.”
Mutual Respect – When you respect the people who you work with, you value their input and ideas, and they value yours. Working together, you can develop solutions based on your collective insight, wisdom and creativity.
Mindfulness – This means taking responsibility for your words and actions. Those who are mindful are careful and attend to what they say, and they don’t let their own negative emotions impact the people around them. They are conscious communicators.
Welcoming Diversity – People with good relationships not only accept diverse people and opinions, but they welcome them. For instance, when your flying partners offer different opinions from yours, you take the time to consider what they have to say, and factor their insights into your decision-making.
Open Communication – We communicate all day, whether we’re sending emails and IMs, or meeting face to face. The better and more effectively you communicate with those around you, the richer your relationships will be. All good relationships depend on open, honest communication.

So, what can you do to build better relationships at work?

Develop Your People Skills

Good relationships start with good people skills including how well you collaborate, communicate and deal with conflict.

Identify Your Relationship Needs

Look at your own relationship needs. Do you know what you need from others? And do you know what they need from you? Understanding these needs can be instrumental in building better relationships.

Schedule Time to Build Relationships

Devote a portion of your flying day toward relationship building, even if it’s just in minute increments. Small and even routine interactions help build the foundation of good relationships.

Focus on Your EI

Spend time developing your emotional intelligence (EI). Among other things, this is your ability to recognize your own emotions, and clearly understand what they’re telling you.

High EI also helps you to understand the emotions and needs of others.

Appreciate Others

Show your appreciation whenever someone helps you. Everyone wants to feel that their work is appreciated. So, genuinely compliment the people around you when they do something well. This will open the door to great work relationships.

Be Positive

Focus on being positive which is both attractive and contagious. It will help strengthen your relationships with your flying partners. No one wants to be around someone who’s negative all the time.

Avoid Gossiping

Don’t gossip. Gossip is a major relationship killer at work. If you’re experiencing conflict with someone in your group, talk to them directly about the problem. Gossiping about the situation with others will only exacerbate the situation, and will cause mistrust and animosity between you.

Stretch Yourself

Occasionally, you’ll have to work with someone you don’t like or someone that you simply can’t relate to. But, for the sake of your comfort and everyone’s safety, it’s essential that you maintain a professional relationship. When this happens, make an effort to get to know the person. It’s likely that the person knows full well that the two of you aren’t on the best terms, so make the first move to improve the relationship by engaging in positive exchanges. While you’re talking, try not to be too guarded. Ask the person about their background and interests. Instead of putting energy into your differences, focus on finding things that you have in common. Just remember – not all relationships will be great; but you can make sure that they are, at least, workable!

AFA Update – October 4, 2019

AFA Update – August 30, 2019