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

        Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

        November 22, 2022 17:00

        • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, November 21, 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, November 21, 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 Matt Cook (ANC), Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Melissa Osborne (SFO), and Louise Borras (LAX). Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer. The committee met with Vice President of Inflight Matt Prainito, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, San Francisco Base Manager Cierra Lewis, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist Sarah Keimig, and Managing Director of Labor Relations Carmen Williams from management. 

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Members of management’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) team have started visiting stations, beginning with a visit to PDX last week. The Committee did not receive direct notice from management that visits were going to be taking place and requested that management coordinate with the Committee going forward. The next visit will be to ANC on December 9.
        • Representatives from the Committee will participate in the 2023 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in January in Washington, DC.
        • Conversation about how management’s DE&I team can better connect with Flight Attendants. The Committee recommended that DE&I make improvements by working more collaboratively with the Committee, as it is made up of Flight Attendants who represent our work group. Additionally, the Committee requested that management actively include them when communicating about upcoming events and activities sponsored by DE&I or the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs).
        • AFA International has started holding monthly conference calls of Human Rights Committee members from across our Union to share information and coordinate activities.
        • Concerns about availability of emergency healthcare for pregnant employees in locations where regulations may impose limitations on healthcare providers. Management assured that, if necessary, they will facilitate the relocation of an employee to another state to facilitate treatment based on the recommendation of Global Lifeline.
        • Reports of some passengers traveling between certain city pairs seeming to be in need and lacking a clear plan or assistance upon arrival at their destination. Discussion was had about what resources might be available to assist these passengers that Flight Attendants could offer. Both the Committee and management will review available community resources that might be available.
        • Upcoming plans by management to introduce gender neutral uniform pieces. Although management has started work on the process, there is no interim solution, and Flight Attendants are still required to select from specific pieces labeled masculine or feminine. The Committee requested once again that management allow Flight Attendants to wear the pieces that fit them best without regard to program labels. In conjunction with the AFA Uniform Committee, the Committee has offered to engage in further conversation with management to develop a plan for implementation.

        The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.  

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Developing a Framework for Diversity & Inclusion Listening Sessions. Discussing proposed plans with management to have our AFA Human Rights Committee facilitate sessions in each base that would allow Flight Attendants to discuss diversity and inclusion topics and concerns with management. Conversations are ongoing, and a preliminary version of the plan is currently under review.
        2. Building Relationships with the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs). Continuing to work to establish relationships with leaders of the Company’s BRGs to find areas where we can join together to advance human rights within the scope of each group.
        3. Advocating for Expanded Access to Uniform Pieces for All. Continuing to work with the AFA Uniform Committee to remove gender-based limitations on uniform items and allow all Flight Attendants to wear the pieces that best fit them as an individual.

        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 News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

        November 1, 2022 09:00

        Human Rights Committee

        • November 1st marks the first day of Native American Heritage Month in the United States.  This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when proclamations were adopted by various organizations and state governments celebrating American Indian Day.
        • Read more about Native American Heritage Month, learn about the accomplishments of Native Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
        • Join the celebration by wearing a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin during the month.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

        November 1 marks the first day of Native American Heritage Month in the United States.  The celebration, which is also referred to as National Native American Heritage Month, began with efforts to recognize an American Indian Day in the early 20th century.  In 1916, New York became the first state to proclaim American Indian Day after a declaration from the governor.  

        The first national recognition came in 1976 when President Gerald Ford signed a proclamation designating Native American Awareness Week.  In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a resolution recognizing the first National American Indian Heritage Month.  This recognition has continued with similar proclamations issued each year under varying names (including Native American Heritage Month and National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month) since 1994.

        Learn More About Native American History

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

        • Library of Congress – Native American Heritage Month
        • National Archives – Native American Heritage Month
        • National Endowment for the Humanities – American Indian History and Heritage
        • National Park Service – Native American Heritage Month
        • Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of the American Indian
        • Alaska Air Group Native Employee Network (NEN) – Microsoft Teams Channel (AAG sign-on required)

        Celebrate with a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin

        In 2021, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of Native American 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 News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee Tagged With: Native American Heritage Month

        Uniform Gender Expression Survey

        September 2, 2022 09:00

        AFA International

        • Everyone should be able to dress and express themselves at work in a manner that is reflective of their true self.
        • AFA is working with other aviation unions and PRIDE@Work to ensure that all Flight Attendants are supported in exercising our rights. 
        • Your participation in the Uniform Gender Expression Survey will help to identify where discrimination exists and improvements to uniform choices, policies, and guidelines need to be made.

        In order to make sure that Flight Attendants are able to express who we are, it is critical that we understand the importance of gender expression, and ensure our airlines provide equal opportunity to dress and present ourselves in ways that reflect who we are.  This is critical to creating a supportive culture, which in turn allows each of us as Flight Attendants to do our job with pride and comfort.

        Companies should understand this issue ultimately affects the bottom line. Disallowing Flight Attendants to dress and express in ways that align with their genders is communicating that they are not valuable as employees. Providing this flexibility across carriers or the industry, will send a signal to other industries that we support and advocate for all people. Further, this will impact not only retention of current Flight Attendants, but will also result in recruiting a wider range of skilled Flight Attendants to this industry. 

        While movements are happening, and policies have been changed, we need EVERYONE to have the opportunity to express themselves.

        AFA is working with other aviation unions, and PRIDE@Work to identify these issues together and make sure that we are protecting all Flight Attendants so that we are able to be seen and heard and are able to dress in the way that makes us feel seen in our place of work. 

        This survey is being conducted to identify those who are feeling discriminated against in the workplace in regards to uniform choices, uniform policies and guidelines at their airlines. 

        It is also worth noting that many workplaces already have these opportunities and protections in place for every employee, based on EEOC Protections Against Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.  We want to make sure Flight Attendants are fully supported in exercising our rights. 

        Click here to take the survey >>

        Thank you in advance for your participation!

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee, Uniform Committee

        Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2022 

        August 5, 2022 14:00

        Human Rights Committee

        • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, August 4 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, August 4, 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 Matt Cook (ANC), Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Melissa Osborne (SFO), and Louise Borras (LAX).  Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou.  The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman and Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert from management. 

        Topics of Discussion

        The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management.  Some items discussed include:

        • Ongoing efforts to increase diversity and representation within the Flight Attendant Special Projects Pool.  
        • Upcoming celebrations of Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15) and Native American Heritage Month (November)
        • Management has added a link on the inflight website directly to the AFA Human Rights Committee website.  The link can be found under Administration > AFA > Human Rights Committee.
        • Management will soon be launching a new email introducing diversity champions.
        • Management’s proposal to conduct DEI listening sessions with Flight Attendants in each base; discussion about involvement of the AFA Human Rights Committee.
        • Upcoming plans by management to introduce gender neutral uniform pieces.
        • Participation by Human Rights Committee Members in the upcoming CWA Human Rights Conference and Pride at Work Convention.
        • Plans to conduct a Human Rights Committee survey to help determine priorities for the committee based on Flight Attendant feedback.
        • Review of management’s current diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) metrics.
        • Update on current program of work from the company’s Business Resource Groups (BRG).  The BRGs are working to encourage more participation from front-line employees.
        • Ongoing concerns about employees using gendered language in announcements.  Request that management issue a reminder.
        • Concerns about availability of emergency healthcare for pregnant employees in locations where regulations may impose limitations on healthcare providers given the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

        The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Friday, November 18, 2022.  

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Developing a Framework for Diversity & Inclusion Listening Sessions.  Discussing proposed plans with management to have our AFA Human Rights Committee facilitate sessions in each base that would allow Flight Attendants to discuss diversity and inclusion topics and concerns with management.
        2. Promoting Increased Diversity Within the Flight Attendant Special Projects Pool.  Advocating for management to create a Special Projects Pool that is reflective of our overall work group, starting with a focus on those who are selected to participate in Flight Attendant recruiting and hiring. 
        3. Building Relationships with the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs).  Continuing to work to establish relationships with leaders of the Company’s BRGs to find areas where we can join together to advance human rights within the scope of each group.

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that 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 News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022

        June 8, 2022 17:00

        Human Rights Committee

        • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 31 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 Tuesday, May 31, 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 Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Sejal Patel (SFO), Louise Borras (LAX), and Erika Daniel (SAN).  Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou. The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman and Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert from management. 

        Topics of Discussion

        The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management.  Some items discussed include:

        • Ongoing concerns about low morale within our work group.
        • Continued efforts to build relationships with the company’s Business Resource Groups (BRG) to ensure Flight Attendant representation in all areas.  The Committee would like to see BRG activities be more inclusive of Flight Attendant participation and made available in all bases.
        • Management is launching a new general email address for all employees to ask questions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The new email address will launch on June 15.
        • Ongoing request to make DEI information easily accessible to Flight Attendants on the Inflight Mobile Device (IMD), including a link to the AFA Human Rights Committee resources page.
        • Tragedies that have taken place recently in communities across the United States and around the world.  The Committee will work with the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee to request that resources be shared with Flight Attendants to help individuals cope with these events.
        • Ongoing issues related to the company’s use of Boxed Water as a supplier and concerns about ownership/investors whose values may be contradictory to those of Alaska Airlines.  The Committee met with management and Daryn Kuipers, CEO of Boxed Water to discuss these concerns.  Kuipers stated that Boxed Water fully supports human rights and treating people equally.  It was also shared that the company is an active supporter of LGBTQ events and has made both monetary and in-kind donations.
        • Management’s proposal to conduct DEI listening sessions with Flight Attendants in each base; discussion about involvement of the AFA Human Rights Committee.
        • Working to increase diversity and representation within the Flight Attendant Special Projects Pool.  

        The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Thursday, August 4, 2022.  

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Developing a Framework for Diversity & Inclusion Listening Sessions.  Discussing proposed plans with management to have our AFA Human Rights Committee facilitate sessions in each base that would allow Flight Attendants to discuss diversity and inclusion topics and concerns with management.
        2. Working to Make Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Information More Accessible.  Encouraging management to make information about DEI events, activities, and programs more accessible and visible to Flight Attendants through links on the IMD and more regular and relevant communication.  Requesting that management include links to the Human Rights Committee’s resource page on afaalaska.org.
        3. Building Relationships with the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs).  Continuing to work to establish relationships with leaders of the Company’s BRGs to find areas where we can join together to advance human rights within the scope of each group.

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that 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 News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

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