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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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FAA Finalizes 10 Hours Rest Rule

Government Affairs Committee

  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalized a rule earlier this week requiring a minimum of 10 hours of irreducible rest for Flight Attendants between duty periods.
  • Though Alaska Flight Attendants have benefitted from contractual language ensuring scheduled rest of greater than 10 hours between duty periods for over a decade, this rule brings similar protections to all Flight Attendants throughout the industry.
  • This rule change is the culmination of tireless advocacy by members of our AFA Government Affairs Committee and other Flight Attendant activists from every airline.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this week finalized a rule requiring 10 hours minimum, non-reducible rest for Flight Attendants between duty days – finally implementing a 2018 law that will make aviation safer for over 100,000 Flight Attendants and the passengers in our care. The rule will increase the rest period to 10 irreducible hours when scheduled for a duty period of 14 hours or less. Though Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants have had contractual language guaranteeing greater than 10 hours of scheduled rest between duty periods since 2006 and Alaska management and AFA implemented 10 hours of irreducible rest in June 2020, equivalent protections have not been in place for all other Flight Attendants across the industry up to this point.

“After years of fighting for the Fight For 10, the FAA on October 4, 2022 finalized 10 hours minimum rest. This is a pivotal moment for the aviation industry and we owe our thanks to the dedicated Flight Attendants from our Government Affairs Committee. For years our Committee Members fought hard and worked with our elected Representatives to make our careers safer by fighting to give us proper rest. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to achieving this milestone,” said Martin Monteblanco, AFA Alaska MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson.

AFA International President Sara Nelson also issued a statement about the rule, which can be read by clicking here.

AFA Alaska Update – September 30, 2021

In This Edition

  • URGENT: No More Shutdowns
  • Having Difficulty Working with a Fellow Crew Member?
  • How AFA Dues Deductions Work

URGENT: No More Shutdowns

AFA International

Unless Congress acts before Thursday night (midnight, Friday morning), the federal government will shut down again.

We need to make it clear: federal shutdowns are unacceptable.

Aviation workers ended the shutdown of 2019/2020. Together, we ended the 35-day nightmare of two million people out of work without notice, 400,000 workers forced to come to work without pay, and an increasingly dangerous workspace for the rest of us. We’re not going to stand by while Congress puts us in danger again by failing to do their jobs now.

Call your member of Congress now and demand they fund the government and avert a shutdown and pass legislation that keeps all transportation going.

Shutdowns are dangerous.

  • Transportation Security Officers and Air Traffic Controllers will be forced to work without pay, putting huge stress on workers whose attention to detail keeps us all safe.
  • Investigators who build cases against unruly passengers will be furloughed. Because of the statute of limitations on these investigations, this could mean unruly passengers get off without being investigated at all.
  • Key security personnel who track potential threats will be furloughed, leaving exploitable gaps in aviation security.

This is a safety issue. Flight Attendants are already on the frontlines dealing with a crisis of dangerous passenger behavior. If Congress fails to do their basic job and makes our jobs more dangerous, we will take any necessary action to keep ourselves safe.

Call your members of Congress directly or use the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 to get connected to your Representative and two Senators. Demand they do their job and avoid a shutdown.

Script: Dear Representative/Senator _____, I am a constituent and a Flight Attendant. I cannot do my job if Congress doesn’t do its job. Fund the government and avoid another government shutdown that would put us all in danger. After you fund the government, get to work to ensure we don’t default on our debts and pass the bills that give us the infrastructure we need all over our economy with living wage jobs and basic rights for everyday people. Pass the bipartisan American Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act without delay. We need Washington to do its job so we can do our job too. Thank you.

Keeping the government open is the bare minimum, but there’s much more we need done to solve the problems in front of us today.

You’ve probably heard some of the debate about the two infrastructure bills. The process sounds complicated, but the outcomes are simple. We need Congress to pass BOTH the American Jobs Act, which you may have read about as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework or BIF, and the Build Back Better Act, which reporters are calling the “reconciliation package.”

Here are four key items in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) for Flight Attendants and aviation:

  • Voting Rights: BBBA expands early voting and other voting rights. Flight Attendants are often on trips on Election Day, and we deserve to have our voices heard in our democracy. This will ensure we—and all workers—have the chance to cast our votes.
  • Labor Rights: BBBA makes it easier for workers to come together to form unions, negotiate contracts and hold bad bosses accountable.
    • Creates real financial penalties for employers who retaliate against organizing.
    • Bans Mandatory anti-union meetings.
    • Charges executives who break labor laws so that corporate leaders have real consequences for union busting and violating workers’ rights.
    • Stops companies from retaliating against workers who exercise their right to strike.
  • Expands the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide every worker with up to 12 weeks of comprehensive, paid leave whether caring for themselves or a loved one.
  • Makes union dues tax deductible for all workers, a benefit that was taken away for everyday people in the Trump tax cuts.

Your action today and tomorrow is urgent. We’ll keep updates coming so you have the latest on what’s happening and what we’re doing together to keep each other safe.

Call your Member of Congress now.

Having Difficulty Working with a Fellow Crew Member?

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Quite often, someone doesn’t realize they may have come across as bossy, rude, lazy, etc.  They may in fact be experiencing issues at home, are new and unsure of the job, have just come back from a medical leave and are out of practice, or other life challenges are causing them to not be performing as expected.  If you’re experiencing a similar issue, believe the issue needs to be addressed, and are not comfortable talking one-on-one with the other person, we recommend that you speak to one of our highly trained AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee Members. 

Contact AFA Professional Standards First!

AFA EAP/Professional Standards can help facilitate a conversation between the affected Flight Attendants.  We can offer suggestions on dealing with each other.  We can reach out to Flight Attendants and share the perceptions of their co-workers.   All this is done in a safe and confidential environment.

Professional Standards Can Help with Pilots

AFA Professional Standards maintains a close working relationship with ALPA Professional Standards.  If have a concern or conflict that involves a Pilot, we can refer the issue to ALPA Professional Standards.  Just as AFA Professional Standards responds to every report of a concern, ALPA Professional Standards does the same.

Management Isn’t Involved

Most importantly, it’s handled without involving management.  Often, when a Flight Attendant has an “off” day, it’s due to special circumstances.   If you were in their shoes, you would appreciate your co-worker giving you the benefit of the doubt and leaving management out of the equation.

Who Do I Contact?

If you have a professional standards concern, please reach out to your AFA Local EAP/Professional Standards Committee or call (949) 470-0493.

How AFA Dues Deductions Work

Membership Committee

The Current Month is the Current Dues Month

The paycheck that you receive on the 20th of the month is your pay for all flying activity during the previous month.  Your AFA dues that are deducted from the 20th of the month check, however, cover your dues obligation for the current month.

For Example:

  • Paycheck Date (Advice Date): October 20
  • Flying Pay for (Pay Begin and End Dates): September 1-30 (previous month)
  • AFA Dues Deducted for: October (current month)

For those returning to work from one of the mitigated leaves of absence your dues may not be deducted since you were not active in the previous month. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about dues deductions, please refer to the Membership Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

AFA Update – December 11, 2020

In This Edition

  • MEC Resolution on Gender Equality
  • CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before
  • Georgia Senate Runoff Election
  • Community Resources for Those in Need

MEC Resolution on Gender Equality

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA has long been a champion of equality both in and out of the workplace.  Over the course of many years, we have made achievements in our struggle to realize fair treatment for all.  There is still much work to be done, however, and we continue with our efforts to achieve workplace equality almost daily.

The Master Executive Council (MEC) recently adopted a resolution in support of gender equality, specifically in regard to the right to recognition, acceptance, and inclusion of people of all gender identities and gender expressions.  As a part of the resolution, the MEC is calling upon Alaska Airlines management to make much needed changes to company policies in order to recognize, accept, and include non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.  You can view the complete language of the resolution on the AFA Alaska website by clicking here.

What Are Gender Identity and Gender Expression?

Gender identity refers to how you view your gender internally (e.g., man, woman, or another gender).  Gender expression refers to how you present your gender on the outside through your behavior, mannerisms, the clothing you wear, your voice, and other characteristics. Gender non-conforming is a broader term that describes people who do not follow other people’s ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth.

In our society, many people identify and express themselves as either male or female.  This is often referred to as the “gender binary”, meaning that it has two parts—male and female.  People who are non-binary have a gender that doesn’t fall into one of these two categories. They may have a gender that blends both male and female elements, is different than male or female, or they may not identify with any gender.

If you’d like to read more to further understand non-binary and gender non-conforming people, you can find additional information using the links below:

A Request for Immediate Action

Earlier this week, the MEC sent a formal letter to management requesting an immediate meeting to discuss the resolution and begin the process of working to study, review, and update company policies as quickly as possible.  We have requested that the frontline employee uniform and appearance standards be reviewed first as they are one of the most significantly impactful areas of inequality for those who are non-binary and/or gender non-conforming.

Questions?

Please contact your LEC President with any questions about the MEC Resolution.

CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before

Government Affairs Committee

We’ve rallied, marched, called, emailed, tweeted, and more to demand our members of Congress extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP). Our activism is forcing lawmakers to publicly come out to support #ReliefNow for Flight Attendants and essential aviation workers and urge their colleagues to take action. 

Throughout the next 7 days, we have to be louder than we’ve ever been before

The $908 billion bipartisan proposal on emergency relief has significant support across Congress, but there are a few outstanding issues unrelated to PSP. Our action and voices are critical to getting this legislation over the finish line.

Congress is gearing up to depart Washington, D.C. for the holidays and before they leave, they must pass a government funding bill by Friday, December 11th, to avert a government shutdown. Congress is expected to extend that deadline to December 18th. That is unfortunate because every day counts for those out of work and all the disruption and suffering caused for people without relief – and even those on the job under these conditions. We need to continue to demand #ReliefNow. Every day counts! This is a bridge of emergency relief for the whole country for four month. Stimulus discussions for recovery would be renewed in the New Year. More relief will be needed for our country to recover.

Our members of Congress must hear from us, our family members and friends, every day

SENATE: (888) 848-4824
HOUSE: (888) 907-9365

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to tell my (Senator/Representative) that we need emergency relief and an extension of the Payroll Support Program TODAY. We are out of work and without healthcare. Do not leave Washington, D.C. without passing emergency relief for our families. Do your job. Thank you.”

Georgia Senate Runoff Election

Government Affairs Committee

On January 5, voters in Georgia will have the opportunity to vote in an election to determine who will represent them in the United States Senate.  Georgia voters will have the opportunity to send two candidates to Washington who support working Americans through the right to organize and bargain collectively.  This election is critical as the outcome has the ability to affect the balance of power in the Senate.

With judicial nominees, a stimulus deal, infrastructure and health care measures, and tax and spending policies all on the line, the Senate races in Georgia are likely to take on an intensity that mirrors the presidential race that just ended.  We need to do everything possible to encourage Georgia voters to vote and get the word out about pro-worker candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Our fellow AFA and CWA members will be working to reach out to Georgia voters through phone banking activities every Tuesday until the election as well for several days prior to the election itself.  You can help make a difference and get the word out by signing up for a shift and joining the phone bank!  Available shifts are:

Tuesday, December 15th2 to 5 PM PST 
Tuesday, December 22nd2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, December 29th2 to 5 PM PST
Sunday, January 3rd9 AM to 5 PM PST
Monday, January 4th2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, January 5th (Election Day)9 AM to 3:30 PM PST
Click here to sign up for a shift

Signing up for just one shift can make a difference and you’re welcome to sign up for as many shifts as you’d like.  After you sign up for shifts, you’ll receive Zoom information about how to connect to the phone bank.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local Government Affairs Committee.

Community Resources for Those in Need

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Your AFA EAP Committee has compiled the below list of websites that may prove helpful with the financial strains of our times.

Food Banks, Housing and Utility Assistance, Clothing Closets, Veteran Services etc.  

Health Care

Behavioral Health Care

Prescription Assistance Programs

  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance: A program sponsored by drug companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations, and civic groups. It helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or low-cost, brand-name medications. http://www.pparx.org  Ph: 888-477-2669 
  • NeedyMeds: A nonprofit group that has an extensive database of information about patient assistance programs, state assistance, drug discount programs, and free or low-cost medical care. You can search the database for free on its website. The site also has information on thousands of programs to help consumers through the application process. www.needymeds.org
  • RxAssist: An online database of drug company programs that provide free or affordable drugs and copay assistance. www.rxassist.org
  • RxHope: A web-based resource where you can search by medication to find assistance programs. It also offers help with the application process. www.rxhope.com
  • RxOutreach: A mail-order pharmacy for people with little to no health insurance coverage. www.rxoutreach.org

Questions?

Contact your Local EAP Committee if you’d like more personalized assistance in understanding and accessing these or other resources.

AFA Alaska Special Update – November 2, 2020

AFA Alaska Special Update – November 2, 2020

In this Edition

  • Vote!
  • The Jobs Crisis Does Not Stop for the Election

Vote!

Government Affairs

High voter turnout by union members helps increase the power of our solidarity. Visit vote411.org/afacwa for helpful election information. Election Day is Tuesday—please vote on or before November 3rd!

The Jobs Crisis Does Not Stop for the Election

Government Affairs

WATCH: AFA International President Sara Nelson’s most recent update >

We absolutely should have had our Payroll Support Program (PSP) extension prior to the Senate being adjourned. There is overwhelming bipartisan support for our PSP extension — because of our actions. Instead, 100,000 aviation workers are still without a paycheck, some without healthcare. 

This crisis does not stop because of an election, and we cannot wait until a new Congress for relief. We are not giving up. We are continuing to demand relief and right now our airlines are sticking with us. 

#ReliefNow #ExtendPSP #EveryDayCounts

Click here for more information about what you can do >

AFA Update – September 4, 2020

In This Edition

  • #ReliefNow Rally in Seattle on September 8
  • National Group Protection Supplemental Insurance Premium Waiver for COVID-19 Leaves and Furloughs
  • A September 11th Anniversary Message from Your AFA EAP

#ReliefNow Rally in Seattle on September 8

Government Affairs Committee

On Tuesday, September 8th, the AFA Council 19 Government Affairs Committee will be hosting a #ReliefNow Rally in Seattle to demand a clean extension of the Payroll Support Program. We will be rallying outside the offices of Senators Murray and Cantwell at 12 PM Pacific. An extension of the Payroll Support Program will provide job security for hundreds of thousands by requiring airlines continue their promise of no furloughs through March of 2021. With hundreds of thousands of jobs on the line, including hundreds here at Alaska, we ask that you join us in rallying and demanding an extension.  

What: Seattle #ReliefNow Rally
When: Tuesday, September 8 a 12 PM Pacific
Where: Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98174

This event is open to all, including Flight Attendants laying over in Seattle as well as friends and family members.  Not able to join in Seattle?  Visit the #ReliefNow page to find an event near you.

Keep The Pressure On Congress—Call Your Representative and Senators!

Flight Attendants continue to pressure Congress to put in place #ReliefNow. Last week, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows talked about extending aid to airlines but acknowledged that Congress must act — executive orders will not save our jobs. Congress is set to return to D.C. on September 8th. We have to keep up the pressure this week with one message: #ReliefNow for aviation workers and all Americans. Get it done. 

Make three calls every day this week. One to your Representative and two to your Senators.

SENATE: 888-848-4824
HOUSE: 888-907-9365

Sample Script:

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to ask my Senator/Representative to save my job as an essential worker and airline employee. An overwhelming majority of Congress supports an extension to the Payroll Support Program for aviation workers to avoid massive job loss in October and also to ensure there’s no cancellation of service to small communities. We need a COVID-19 relief package with our payroll support passed TODAY. Our jobs are on the line right now and millions are hurting without this relief! Keep us connected to our jobs, paychecks, & healthcare. We are counting on you. Thank you.”

You can also find local office information by looking up your Representative and Senators at house.gov and senate.gov.

National Group Protection Supplemental Insurance Premium Waiver for COVID-19 Leaves and Furloughs

Benefits Committee

Most Company-offered supplemental insurance coverage continues while on COVID-19 leaves or furloughs, and the premiums for such insurance are double-deducted upon return to service or are direct billed by the Company or an agent of the Company depending on the situation. However, premiums for supplemental insurance offered by National Group Protection (NGP) / Continental Accident Insurance Company (CAIC) and payroll deducted as “Continental Insurance (CAIC)” are not double-deducted or direct billed by the Company or an agent of the Company.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NGP has offered a generous continuation of coverage and a six-month suspension of premiums for Flight Attendants on leaves or furloughs beginning in May and for the remainder of 2020. The six months are not required to be consecutive and the waiver of premium may continue into 2021 if the Flight Attendant is on leave or furlough as of December 31, 2020.

No action is required in order to maintain coverage. CAIC will honor claims during this time (subject to policy provisions/language and documentation requirements). NGP will communicate directly with Flight Attendants who are expected to exhaust the waiver of premium.

If you have any questions, you may contact NGP directly at 1-800-344-9016 or service@ngp-ins.com.

A September 11th Anniversary Message from Your AFA EAP

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

We know that the anniversaries of significant events in people’s lives can sometimes trigger reactions.  September 11, 2020 will be no different.  Some of us may harness our responses by participating in commemorative activities and memorials.    For others, September 11th will be marked by private reflections and personal tributes like a moment of silence or picking up a trip on the 11th.  For others, September 11th will serve as a reminder that September is National Preparedness Month.  Many will channel their responses into creating or updating family disaster communication/preparedness plans. 

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 local EAP Committee Member contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.  Remember, we’re just a phone call away.  

Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting

Master Executive Council (MEC) Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 50th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting being held virtually. They will join representatives from the other airlines that make up AFA to conduct the business of […]

2023 College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships for the pursuit of higher education.  The time for applying is now! Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with Members.  Please see the respective links for […]

EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

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, […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Reserve Committee On Thursday, March 9, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Teran Eason (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN).  Also present was MEC Reserve […]

Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!

AFA International SkyWest Flight Attendants are organizing to form their Union and join AFA-CWA! Help support their efforts by joining in an upcoming SkyWest AFA “Concourse Chats” visibility event. The goal of the events is to engage 1-on-1, in-person and have conversations with SkyWest Flight Attendants to learn their issues and priorities and invite them […]

Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

By

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

By

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, […]

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