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    You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / Human Rights Committee

    Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

    September 15, 2023 09:00

    Human Rights Committee

    • September 15th marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1968 when legislation was signed into law first recognizing Hispanic Heritage Week.
    • Read more about Hispanic Heritage Month, learn about the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans, and learn about events you can participate in using the resource links below.
    • Join the celebration by wearing a Hispanic Heritage Month AFA Pin. Check with your Local Council if you need a pin.

    September 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.  The celebration, also called National Hispanic Heritage Month, began as Hispanic Heritage Week when it was established by legislation signed into law by President Lydon Johnson in 1968.  In 1988, the single-week event was expanded to a month-long period to be celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15.

    September 15 is significant as it marks the anniversary of the independence of the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  Mexico also celebrates independence on September 16, Chile on September 18, and Belize on September 21.

    Learn More About Hispanic History

    You can learn more about the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

    • Library of Congress – National Hispanic Heritage Month
    • National Archives – Hispanic Heritage Month
    • National Park Service – Hispanic Heritage Month
    • Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of the American Latino
    • Alaska Air Group – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin Culture Resource Group (LCRG) (AAG sign-on required)

    Celebrate with a Hispanic Heritage Month AFA Pin

    In 2021, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution recognizing Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month. The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month.

    For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee.  Also, be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions, please contact your Local Human Rights Committee.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Human Rights Committee Tagged With: Hispanic Heritage Month

    Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

    September 1, 2023 13:00

    Human Rights Committee

    • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, August 28, to discuss their ongoing program of work to advance human rights within our workplace and community.
    • The Committee also met with management to receive updates on what progress has been made on concerns that had been previously brought forward and address new concerns that have come to light. 
    • If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback for the committee, your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson would love to hear from you!

    On Monday, August 28, our AFA Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to build awareness and effect change within our workplace and community. Representing you at the meeting were Louise Borras (LAX), Erika Daniel (SAN), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer.

    The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman and Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert from management.

    The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.  

    Topics of Discussion

    The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

    • The Committee has been engaged in ongoing conversations about ways to support passengers who don’t have a clear plan or assistance upon arrival at their destination. Many of these passengers do not speak English, and Flight Attendants have requested resources to assist them. The inflight training department reported that resources are being developed and may be available as early as 2024. The Committee is also working to contact Casa Latina, a non-profit organization that advances the power and well-being of Latino immigrants, to seek out additional resources that Flight Attendants can provide to passengers who may need them. 
    • SEA Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson Yan Yan Teague recently represented AFA Alaska as a voting delegate at the Biennial Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) Convention, held August 3 through 5. APALA was founded in 1992 and is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers. APALA works to address the workplace issues of AAPI Union Members and serves as the bridge between the broader labor movement and the AAPI community. For more information about APALA or to become a member, please reach out to Yan Yan Teague at sea.humanrights.chair@afaalaska.org
    • The Committee brought forward concerns about inconsistency with dress code requirements for traveling on the Flight Attendant jumpseat when not in uniform. The verbiage in the Flight Attendant Manual and Employee Travel Handbook has been updated to reflect new guidance. However, the Customer Service Manual (the manual used by CSAs) has not. The CSM still uses gender-specific terminology to define acceptable attire. The Committee has requested that the CSM be updated to align with the FAM so that everyone is on the same page in the future.
    • The Committee is seeking more consistency and communication related to the Inflight Diversity & Inclusion Listening Session series. The session schedule so far has been sporadic, with several close-in cancellations of some sessions. In addition, the Committee has asked that management more actively promote the sessions across multiple channels to encourage broad participation.

    Other Committee News

    • Our Human Rights Committee meets monthly with AFA International VP Keturah Johnson and staff and the Human Rights Committee from other AFA carriers to collaborate on subjects surrounding human rights and protection for our Flight Attendants. During our August meeting, issues surrounding Flight Attendants traveling to certain countries where safety is a concern were discussed. Some countries do not permit certain items like medications, representational symbols, electronics, etc., which is a concern, especially among our charter carriers. The AFA Human Rights Committee will create a reporting system for locations where safety or other human rights concerns may exist. The system will allow issues to be reported and addressed by the airlines.
    • In collaboration with our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee, a training series has been developed to support, educate, and advocate for AFA leaders and Members based on issues brought to the Human Rights and EAP Committees. The first training session in July focused on microaggressions and their impact on the workplace. These virtual sessions provide a way to have group conversations and build a more inclusive culture in our workplace. They will be ongoing with Human Rights and EAP Committees across AFA.

    What The Committee Is Working On

    1. Exploring Collaboration and Shared Goals. Working with the company’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) department to build relationships with the company Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to find areas where we can join together to advance human rights within the scope of each group.
    2. Supporting Passengers. Discussing reports of some passengers traveling between specific city pairs without a clear plan or assistance upon arrival at their destination. The Human Rights Committee and management are currently working on potential resources our Flight Attendants can use to help in these circumstances.
    3. Clarifying Company Policy on Cultural and Religious Tattoos. Working to discuss the current uniform tattoo policy with management decision-makers and advocating for the incorporation of allowances for tattoos with cultural or religious significance.

    We Want to Hear From You!

    Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Human Rights Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Human Rights Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Human Rights Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

    Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

    June 1, 2023 09:00

    Human Rights Committee

    • June 1st marks the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States.  The tradition recognizes the events of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a watershed moment in the LGBTQ rights movement. 
    • Read more about LGBTQ Pride Month, learn about the history of the LGBTQ rights movement, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
    • Join the celebration by wearing an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin during the month of June.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

    June 1st marks the first day of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month in the United States.  The celebration originated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.  The Stonewell Uprising is recognized as a major milestone in the LGBTQ civil rights movement.  On June 28, 1970, the first Pride March was held in New York City to commemorate the one-year anniversary on the Stonewall Uprising and the last Sunday in June continued to be celebrated as “Gay Pride Day”.  Over time, the single day event eventually grew to an entire month of events and activities.

    Learn More About LGBTQ Pride Month

    You can learn more about the history of LGBTQ Pride Month and the history of the LGBTQ rights movement through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

    • National Archives – LGBTQ+ Pride Month
    • Library of Congress – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month
    • National Park Service – Stonewall National Monument
    • Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History – LGBTQ History
    • History Channel – Pride Month
    • Pride at Work
    • Alaska’s World – Are you ready for Pride Month? (AAG sign-on required)

    Celebrate with an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin

    In 2018, the AFA Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution in recognition of June as LGBTQ Pride month.  A special commemorative pin was subsequently designed for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of June.

    For more background on the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee.  If you’d like to get a pin of your own, be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers for information about availability.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Human Rights Committee Tagged With: LGBTQ Pride Month

    Building Community Power: Now and Then

    May 4, 2023 12:14

    Human Rights Committee

    • Our Human Rights Committee wants to invite you to our 2023 celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month on May 23rd.
    • Join our online presentation, Building Community Power: Now and Then, with panelists discussing community power in the past and present day.
    • AFA is joined by the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities, and the International Women’s Alliance for this event.


    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Join CWA Human Rights for Building Community Power: Now and Then, our 2023 celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month! We will hold an online presentation and panel on Tuesday, May 23, at 7pm EST, on what building community power for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander workers has looked like in the past and the present day.

    We are excited to facilitate a discussion with panelists from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities, and the International Women’s Alliance. AANHPI workers, as well as all union siblings and allies, are encouraged to attend.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Human Rights Committee

    Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    May 1, 2023 09:00

    Human Rights Committee

    • May 1st marks the first day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States.  This tradition dates back to 1978 when Congress passed a resolution to commemorate the first Asian/Pacific American Heritage week the following year.
    • Read more about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, learn about the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
    • Join the celebration by wearing an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month AFA Pin during the month of May.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

    May 1st marks the first day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States.  The celebration originated when Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1978 to honor the first ten days of May in 1979 as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week”.  It was expanded to an entire month by Congress in 1990 and was finally designated to take place during the month of May in 1992.  The month of May was selected to recognize both the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States (May 10, 1869), which was accomplished primarily through work done by Chinese immigrants.

    Learn More About Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

    You can learn more about the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

    • National Archives – Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
    • National Endowment for the Humanities – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the United States
    • National Park Service – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
    • Smithsonian Institution – Asian Pacific American Center
    • Alaska Air Group Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Event Calendar (AAG sign-on required)

    Celebrate with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month AFA Pin

    In 2021, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.   The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of May.

    For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee.  Also be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Human Rights Committee Tagged With: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

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    Instagram

    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, September 26 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
    Our Master Executive Council (MEC) has decided to split the duties of the MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson into two positions. Current MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Justin Wetherell will move into a new MEC Negotiations Strategic Communications Representative position. Council 15 (SAN) Mobilization Committee Chairperson Samantha Wolff will take on the MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson position.
    Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, August 8 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability. If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.
    This year’s company milestone anniversary celebration is coming up on Saturday, September 23, and we’re ready to turn the party into a RED HOT event! If you’re planning to attend as someone being recognized for a milestone anniversary (10 years of service and every five years after that) or joining someone who is as a guest, don’t forget to wear red (including your red AFA pin) to the event. Let’s show management our solidarity and turn out a sea of red to demonstrate that we’re fired up about a contract recognizing our contributions to the company’s success over our many years of service!
    Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants. The MEC also met with executive management and a group of union leaders from other company workgroups to receive updates and discuss concerns affecting employees company-wide. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, and Wednesday, October 11.
    We continued discussing Section 10.R-S: Scheduling and MPRs/RIGs this session, but progress has slowed considerably since June. We have been assigned a Mediator, who we anticipate joining our negotiation sessions starting in November. We are planning additional Mobilization activities in the coming months and expect to share additional details next week.

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    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2023

    September 29, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, September 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

    Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

    September 22, 2023

    Uniform Committee On Tuesday, August 8th, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform […]

    September 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

    September 20, 2023

    Master Executive Council (MEC) The September 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19. The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs […]

    Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

    September 19, 2023

    Reserve Committee On Thursday, September 14, 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 Brandi Urban (ANC), Conner Gallagher (SEA), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie […]

    Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

    September 18, 2023

    Inflight Service Committee On Wednesday, September 13, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift […]

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

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