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Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Human Rights Committee

  • June 1 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. 
  • You can use the resource links below to explore more about LGBTQ Pride Month, delve into the history of the LGBTQ rights movement, and discover events you can take part in.
  • Join the celebration by wearing an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin during June. Contact your Local Council for more information on obtaining a pin.

June 1 marks the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States. This celebration originated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which is recognized as a significant milestone in the LGBTQ civil rights movement. On June 28, 1970, the first Pride March was held in New York City to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. 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.

Celebrate with an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin

In 2018, the AFA Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution to celebrate June as LGBTQ Pride Month. A special commemorative pin was created for AFA Members to proudly wear to honor throughout June.

If you’re interested in learning more about the pin and its significance, please reach out to your Local Human Rights Committee. Additionally, keep an eye out for communication from your Local Council or get in touch with your LEC Officers to find out how you can get your hands on one of these special pins!

Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Human Rights Committee

  • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, May 6, 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, May 6, 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 Annie Madsen (ANC),Erika Daniel (SAN), Freddy Vega (SEA), and Louise Borras (LAX). Also present was MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II.

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

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Friday August 30, 2024. 

Topics of Discussion

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

  • High Deductible Insurance Plans: Concerns of having to pay the full deductible prior to paying for the benefit of certain medications. SEA Local Committee Chairperson Chair Freddy Vega will be reaching out to our AFA Benefits Committee about the Committee concerns. Inflight Management wasn’t aware of this possible change and are also looking into this with Alaska HR/Employee Benefits.
  • Spanish speakers on international flights. Flight Attendants have the translate option on their IMD as a resource if there aren’t any Spanish speaking individuals on the flight.
  • Discussions of May & June heritage events.
  • Flight Attendant listening sessions will resume in June. Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons will co-facilitate the sessions along with inflight management. The Committee and management have asked a representative from our various 13 BRGs (Business Resource Groups) to also attend. June will be hosted with LAX Local Committee Chairperson Louise Borras, Inflight Management, and a BRG Representative. The first session will give Flight Attendants an opportunity to learn more about our BRGs, how to join, and what opportunities are available.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Wings. Working toward the ability to add pronouns to our wings.
  2. Arrival “Land Acknowledgement” announcements.
  3. Resource for Flight Attendants about safety concerns in layover cities (Layover Safety Alerts) on the AFA Website.
  4. The ability for Flight Attendant names to be spelled phonetically on our IMD.
  5. CSA manual being more gender neutral. Removal of the use of the identity language of he/she when addressing proper dress attire for non rev travel.
  6. Formal change of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) name to be inline with AFA International Human Rights Equity (HRE) name.

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.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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.

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.

Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2024

Human Rights Committee

  • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, February 22, 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 Thursday, February 22, 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 Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Annie Madsen (ANC), Trista Vanta (SFO), Erika Daniel (SAN), Freddy Vega (SEA), and Lala Davis (LAX HRC Committee Member). Also present was MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II.

The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, and Managing Director of Inflight Ops & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman.

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • The ability for Flight Attendant names to be spelled phonetically on our IMD.
  • The ability for Flight Attendants to have their choice of pronoun on their wings.
  • Concerns about Inflight Management coming to the aircraft during our crucial time of boarding, as it’s very distracting and interferes with our boarding duties. 
  • Loss of the Spanish speakers on our International routes.
  • A resource for Flight Attendants about safety concerns in layover cities (Layover Safety Alerts).
  • Arrival “Land Acknowledgement” announcements. “We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.” As this can be applied for all landings, recognizing Indigenous People and their traditional territories.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. International Flyer. Adding more routes to use the International Flyer as well as additional resources for the upcoming year.  
  2. Committee Participation. Participation with Alaska’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Department Heritage Months and other projects.
  3. Optional Pronouns on Wings. Working toward the ability to add pronouns to our wings.

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.

Celebrating Black History Month

Human Rights Committee

  • February 1 is the beginning of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition was initiated by a Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, in 1925. He introduced a week-long event to raise awareness about the contributions made by Black individuals.
  • Discover resources to learn more about Black History Month, celebrate the achievements of Black Americans, and find events to participate in by using the links below.
  • Wear your Black History Month AFA Pin this month and join the celebration. Contact your Local Council if you need a pin.

February 1 marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition has a rich legacy that dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week” to bring attention to the achievements and contributions of Black individuals. It was expanded to its current form in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford when it became Black History Month. Today, we celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of Black Americans and honor their legacy and profound impact on our society and the world.

Learn More About Black History

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

Celebrate with a Black History Month AFA Pin

In 2019, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution recognizing February as Black History Month. The resolution established a unique commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout February.

For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine availability.

Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Management has recently informed our Master Executive Council (MEC) that they are distributing new Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) to Flight Attendants with devices nearing the end of their lifecycle. The specific schedule for this distribution will be communicated by management separately. Flight Attendants with the oldest devices […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 23, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters 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), […]

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

On Thursday, September 18, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing efforts to represent our Flight Attendants and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular meeting was centered […]

Vacation Survey Closing Soon

There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the crucial vacation survey that will help shape future provisions—your insights are essential for advocating the best outcomes for all Flight Attendants. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Wednesday, September 24 at 12 PM PT.

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