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Good to Know: Tips from Your Grievance Committee

Passport Renewal

When it’s time to renew your passport, the contract has a process outlined to ensure that you only fly domestic trips while your passport is out of your possession.  If your passport is in the renewal process and you have international flying on your line, the pre-cancellation language outlined in section 10.S.12 will be used to find alternative flying.  If no flying is available that meets this language, pay protection as outlined in section 10.S applies as long as your attempt to renew your passport was initiated at least 15 days before the expiration date of your passport (see section 22.D [expenses/passport renewals] and the addendum to section 22 #1).

Inflight bulletin #2014-0218 also has information about expediting passport renewals.

Union Representation

You are entitled to AFA representation when you have a discussion or meeting with management and the possibility of discipline exists for you, another Flight Attendant or another employee. If a supervisor contacts you, you have a right to ask, “Could this conversation result in discipline?”  If so, we recommend that you tell the supervisor that you would like an AFA representative before having any further discussion.  The supervisor should provide you with the name and phone number for your Local Executive Council (LEC) President.  Regardless of whether there is a possibility of discipline, you can always contact your Local Grievance Committee for AFA representation.  You can find contact information for your Local Grievance Committee on the AFA Alaska website.

Probationary Flight Attendants may also ask for an AFA representative to be present in a supportive (non-representational) role.  Again, if you are asked to provide a written statement or account of events, you are always entitled to confer with an AFA representative prior to doing so; this is also true for probationary Flight Attendants.

Disciplinary Issues

The Grievance Committee has recently noticed an increase in discipline for using profanity, making discriminatory statements, and sitting in passenger seats playing games or watching movies.  Management is taking a hard line on these issues regardless of intent or seniority.  In many instances, they are skipping steps of progressive discipline and going straight to suspension without pay or even termination.  Management says this increase in discipline is coming from the Legal department and upper management. We will continue to dispute inappropriate and/or inconsistent discipline and are available to represent all members regardless of circumstance.

Medical/Maternity/Workers’ Compensation/LTD/STD Leaves

If you are contemplating taking a leave, be sure to contact your Local Benefits Committee for assistance.  Members of the Benefits Committee have specialized expertise involving leaves of absence and can help to guide you through the complicated leave process.

Sick Leave and Attendance Points

Management takes the following position regarding short sick calls and the associated 2.5 attendance points: even if management can back date a medical leave, they will not remove short sick call points associated with the dates of the leave.  This can be an issue if you are struggling with an illness. The following is a recap of contractual provisions regarding sick leave.

“Short Sick Call” or FS2 (formerly S2 in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.5

If a Flight Attendant calls in sick less than two 2 hours prior to scheduled check in, then s/he will be given 2.5 points with no option for quarterly point reduction.

“Sick Leave on Line at Scheduled Check-in” or FSB (formerly SB in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.6

If a Flight Attendant scans in on time and subsequently calls in sick later than scheduled check-in time, then s/he will be given 0.5 points in addition to the points value of the trip, e.g., 1-day is 1.0 points (0.5 points + 0.5 points), 2 day is 1.5 points (0.5 points + 1.0 points), et cetera. If the Flight Attendant is on FMLA then s/he will receive no points.

“Sick Leave on Line” or FSO (formerly SO in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.7

If a Flight Attendant calls in sick after flying one leg, then s/he will be given only points for the value of the trip, e.g., 1-day trip is 0.5 points, 2-day trip is 1.0 points, etc.

Please make sure you are familiar with the above provisions, especially if you are struggling with an illness and point accumulation.

Questions?

For further questions, contact one of your LEC Officers.  Contact information for your LEC Officers can be found on your Local Council page of the AFA Alaska website.

 

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed AGAIN!

This morning, AFA became aware that all trips in Open Time across the entire system were again coded with premium pay, then withheld and placed back in OT with the premium removed.  The system glitch with Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) that was previously communicated by AFA last week was again responsible for the recurrence (see All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed – Part 3).

AFA is preparing to file yet another grievance on management’s violation of our contract.  (Updated 2/17/2017: Instead of filing a new grievance on the same issue, we amended the original grievance to include the circumstances of this most recent contractual violation and any ongoing violations of the same nature. ^jtp) We will continue to work to defend our contract despite management’s failure to live up to their contractual obligations.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee, MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

2016 Performance Based Pay

Performance Based Pay is 8.73% of 2016 eligible earnings

Pursuant to CBA §29.A [Profit Sharing and Retirement: Performance Based Pay], all Flight Attendants will receive a Performance Based Pay (PBP) payout today on all eligible earnings described in the Alaska Airlines, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan. This year, line employees are receiving about a month’s pay or 8.73% of their 2016 eligible earnings. This is the eighth consecutive year Alaska has exceeded the 5% payout target, and PBP has averaged 9.14% over 5 years. Prior to 2009 Flight attendants participated in the Variable Pay Plan (VPP), which had a maximum payout of 7.0% of eligible earnings.

PBP eligible earnings

What are PBP eligible earnings? In general, it should be everything except for the prior year’s PBP payout, the Quarterly Productivity Premium (QPP), Operational Performance Rewards (OPR), per diem, expense reimbursements and imputed income.

Some of you have been doing your own calculations and questioning why your PBP payout is not consistent with eligible earnings. Well, the most probable reason is that the Company has likely been calculating PBP incorrectly for Flight Attendants since at least date of signing for this contract in December 2014. At a minimum, we believe that Sit Pay and Longevity Premium have not been included in the calculation for PBP 2014-2016.

PBP grievance

Consequently, AFA has filed Grievance 36-99-2-8-17 Violation §29.A Failure of Company to Include All Eligible Earnings in Calculation of Performance Based Pay (PBP). AFA believes the remedy would be a “make whole” recalculation and payout for the excluded eligible earnings. Management is currently in the early stages of research, which may take awhile due to the complexities of the issue. In the meantime, enjoy your 2016 PBP payout, and congratulations to all!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

2017.02.10 Grievance 36-99-2-8-17 Violation §29.A Failure of Company to Include All Eligible Earnings in Calculation of Performance Based Pay (PBP)

AFA Requests Attendance Points Review

Between Winter Storm Maya and the inability to get through to Crew Scheduling in the past couple days, have you received attendance points that you believe are inappropriately assessed considering the challenging circumstances? If so, the Master Executive Council (MEC) would like to hear from you as soon as possible.

Send an email to points.review@afaalaska.org, with your name, Arctic and/or Peoplesoft number and supporting information. Include as much specific documentation as possible.

The MEC has a meeting set up with management tomorrow morning to address several topics of concern. We will use this as an opportunity to review points accrued under extenuating circumstances due to the inclement weather in the Pacific Northwest and the busy phone lines into Crew Scheduling.

It is not necessary that you submit something by tomorrow morning, but we will need it as soon as possible if you are planning on requesting a review of your points. However, it will definitely help the entire review process if we have a collection of compelling evidence to present to management by tomorrow morning.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Grievance Chairperson Stephanie Adams

 

Introducing Your MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews at the September MEC meeting for the position of MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson. We would like to thank the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the position. After thorough consideration, the MEC has appointed Stephanie Adams to the position.

Stephanie began her career with Alaska Airlines in 1995 as a Reservation Sales Agent, she spent an additional year as a Customer Service Agent, and in 1997 she became a Flight Attendant. For the majority of her career she has been based in Seattle with a brief time in Portland.

Stephanie began AFA work when she was elected as Seattle Council Representative in 2014. In 2015 she also became the MEC Grievance Representative. She felt compelled to begin AFA work as it combines her education with her longtime experience as a Flight Attendant. Her goal is to passionately protect all Flight Attendants under the purview of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Stephanie is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law and member of the Washington State Bar. Formerly, Stephanie acted as a family law attorney. She resides in Renton and enjoys spending time with her kids and traveling.

In her role as MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson, Stephanie will work closely with the Local Grievance Committee Chairpersons, AFA Staff Attorney Kimberly Chaput, and the AFA International legal department to represent and advocate for Flight Attendants. Stephanie’s appointment is effective December 1, 2016, and her term of appointment is concurrent with the term of the MEC Officers. She will report directly to the MEC.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Boeing 787 Seattle International Service Observation Period Update – May 2026

05/16/2026: This post has been corrected to reflect the correct crew-to-load of 85% that was negotiated with the opening of the SEA base. The previous version incorrectly listed it at 80%. The service comparison document linked below has also been updated to reflect the correct number. This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Over […]

Council 19 (SEA pmAS) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 19 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Seattle. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Paula Isla-McGillLEC Vice President: Melinda JorgeLEC Secretary: Adam ClareyCouncil Representatives: Kiersten Larson and Andrew Stinson These newly elected officers will begin […]

Government Affairs Committee Update – 2nd Quarter 2026

Voting Primaries/ Important Dates Alaska Primary: July 19Registration Deadline: Aug 18 California Primary: June 2Registration Deadline:  May 18 Florida Primary: August 18Registration Deadline: July 20  Hawaii Primary: August 8Registration Deadline: July 29Deadline to request absentee ballot: August 1 Oregon Primary: May 19Registration Deadline: PASSEDBallots began being mailed to registered voters on April 29, check your mailboxes! […]

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, May 5, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Slater Areno (SFO), Heather […]

Crew Meal Survey Now Open

Crew meals are an important aspect of supporting the health and effectiveness of Flight Attendants. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance these provisions, the JNC is collecting feedback from Flight Attendants. Your participation in the Crew Meal Survey will directly influence future meal standards and help ensure that your needs and preferences are represented.

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