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PDX Inflight Service Committee Changes

Inflight Service Committee Changes

The Council 39 Inflight Service Committee will be undergoing a change of Committee Members over the next few weeks.

Tutu Smith

Tutu Smith will be joining the Committee, effective February 12, 2014.  Tutu has been an employee for Alaska Airlines since February 2001.  Her foundation started as a Customer Service Agent in Seattle and she then transferred to Portland after about a year.  In 2007, she decided to pursue a career in Inflight and honestly loves flying.  “I’ve seen familiar faces over the years and definitely have met new ones that have created loyal and lifelong relationships for me,” says Tutu.  Though she has not been involved in any prior union committees, she looks forward to the opportunity to be representing her coworkers on the Inflight Service Committee.

Tutu was born and raised in Portland and has an amazing supporting cast at home: her husband John and daughters Ariana (9) and Averie (4).

David Sutherland

David Sutherland will join the Committee effective February 5, 2014.  David started his flying career 12 years ago and has worked with SkyWest, United and Alaska.  He started his most recent round with Alaska in 2008 and has been based in Portland since 2010.  He loves the Portland base and is lucky enough that he’s able to work with some of closest friends on a regular basis.

David’s previous union involvement includes serving on the Reserve Committee.  As a new member of the Inflight Service Committee, he looks forward to giving Flight Attendant thoughts and feedback on changes that will keep us competitive in this always-changing industry.

David was born and raised in Fairview, Oregon and has lived all over the west coast and in Washington D.C.  He has 3 adorable nephews who keep him occupied on his off time and currently resides in Northwest Portland.

 •    •    •    •

Please join us in thanking Committee Members Alan Sousa and Cali Huynh, who have served on the Committee for the past few years.  They will remain on the Committee during the transition period and will step down on February 28, 2014.  We thank them for their volunteerism and service.

The Inflight Service Committee represents Flight Attendant interests regarding catering and inflight service/sales and addresses Flight Attendant complaints and concerns regarding catering and inflight service/sales.  They may be contacted through the PDX AFA Hotline at (503) 396-4089, option 7 or through the AFA website at alaskamec.org/pdx/inflightservice.

Yours In Solidarity,

LEC President Cathy Gwynn, LEC Vice President Brian Palmer, and Local Inflight Service Committee Chairperson Todd Horn

MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Chairperson Opening

Dear Flight Attendants:

Due to the cancelation of our January MEC meeting to accommodate the TA Roadshows, the previously scheduled interviews for the position of MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chairperson have been re-scheduled.  The interviews will now be held February 19 and 20 at the MEC office in Seattle.

For those of you interested in applying for this position, there is still time to submit your resume.  Please submit your resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Gesch by fax at (206) 246-4752 or by email at ysgesch@gmail.com.  Resumes must be submitted by February 10, 2014.  Yvette will then contact you to schedule your interview.

For a description of the position responsibilities please see below.  If after reviewing this information, you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact current MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Chairperson Barb Moynier at shsc@alaskamec.org or MEC Vice President Brian Palmer, who oversees our MEC Committees, at bpalmer@alaskamec.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, and Sandra Morrow

Scope

a.        The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC) shall work with the Company on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health.

Policy/Responsibilities

a.        The MEC SHSC shall consist of the MEC SHSC Chairperson, MEC SHSC Vice Chairperson—Air Quality, and the Local SHSC Chairperson from each council.

b.        The MEC SHSC Chairperson is the primary contact with the Company, the FAA and the International office, regarding Flight Attendant safety and health issues.

c.         The MEC Chairperson shall:

(i)       Attend any safety meetings with the company.

(ii)      Attend FAA/Alaska Airlines safety meetings.

(iii)    Attend AFA-CWA Air Safety Department training seminars

(iv)     In conjunction with the International Office, develop and conduct initial and ongoing local Safety/Health training, including NTSB accident investigation procedures

(v)      Communicate with the AFA-CWA Air Safety Department.

(vi)     Communicate with other airline safety representatives, as appropriate.

(vii)   Participate in accident investigation, hijacking, sabotage, etc., as directed.

(viii)  Communicate with the Alaska ALPA MEC Safety Chairperson as appropriate.

(ix)     Attend and participate in Congressional hearings dealing with cabin safety, as directed.

(x)      Assign special safety assignments to local Safety/Health Chairpersons as appropriate.  The MEC officers and appropriate LEC President shall be advised of these special assignments.

(xi)     Handle safety incidents, i.e. equipment problems, occupational injuries, as they arise.

(xii)   Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website.

(xiii)  Be on a 24-hour call-out in the event of an accident.

d.        The committee shall:

(i)       Participate in programs concerned with air safety, health and security.

(ii)      Act in an advisory role to the MEC on safety and health matters.

(iii)    Study safety and health problems and prepare recommendations to be presented to the MEC for consideration.

(iv)     Review material, handle correspondence and keep members informed of safety and health developments through the Communications Committee and/or reports at Local Council meetings.

(v)      Attend company debriefings after an accident or incident or when pertinent issues are discussed.

Position Description Information (Please Review Both Links)

PDX Reserve Committee Meet & Greet Social Hour

When: Thursday, August 29 from 3 to 5 PM
Where: Buffalo Wild Wings, Cascade Station, 9810 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland, Oregon 97220-6825

We hope you’ll join us for an opportunity to meet the members of the Reserve Committee, ask questions, get answers, and network with your fellow F/As.  This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone who has joined us in the PDX base recently including the 35 F/As who will be joining us in September!

All F/As, reserve and lineholder, are welcome!  However, due to limited space, no non-F/A guests please.

MEC AQ Update July 27, 2013: Recent Aircraft Cabin Air Quality Events

***Updated July 7, 2015***

 

July 27, 2013

 

Dear Flight Attendants,

Very likely you are aware that Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants have recently experienced two different high profile aircraft cabin air quality incidents. Please be assured that Alaska Airlines Maintenance and Engineering, Flight Ops and Inflight are working with AFA on this very serious issue.  Due to the increased frequency of air quality events and the severity of these recent two, AFA is stepping up our focus in this area.

AFA representatives have been in contact with affected members, are working through the administrative processes and meeting with Company reps to identify the mechanical faults. AFA is currently developing practical educational material to share with all of our members and planning air quality awareness/incident training for safety reps from each local council. AFA International Air Safety & Health Department Industrial Hygienist Judith Anderson is assisting the effort as resident subject matter expert.  Once the investigations are complete, the affected crew members will be given copies of the maintenance reports to be provided by Alaska Airlines. AFA will also report back with any lessons learned from these and other recent air quality incidents.

If you or any of your crewmembers experience an air quality event contact:

  • MEC Air Quality chairperson Karyn Kobe (775-560-3297), or
  • AFA Air Safety & Health Department Industrial Hygienist Judith Anderson (206-932-6237).

More information regarding aircraft cabin air quality may be found on the

Take care and fly safe!

 

“Five Bases, One Voice”

Upcoming PDX Reserve Committee Changes

The AFA-CWA Council 39 Reserve Committee will soon be undergoing a realignment of Committee Members to help keep the Committee closest to those it represents—Flight Attendants holding a reserve schedule.

Melissa Stanek will be joining the Reserve Committee, effective August 1.  Melissa recently began her career with Alaska Airlines in September of 2012.  As a new Flight Attendant with no previous airline experience, she came into the industry excited to learn as much as she could. Although Melissa has only been with company a short time, her desire to be involved comes with no hesitation.

With a background in Real Estate as well as Sales and Marketing, Melissa has had the opportunity to be involved by helping individuals in the community professionally with high standards and ethics.  She grew up in the Portland/ Vancouver area and helping others has always been a part of her nature.  She also enjoys the outdoors, traveling and spending time with family.

Melissa is very excited to part of the Portland Reserve Committee and to be able to get to know everyone. Being a part of the Committee will allow her to be available to help anyone that may not understand some of the legalities of our contract and help answer any questions they may have.  She is more than happy to assist and excited to get started. She looks forward to helping others and building new relationships.

David Sutherland will take over as Reserve Committee Chairperson, effective September 1.  David has served on the Reserve Committee since October 2012 and has been an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant since June 2008.  With nearly all of that time spent on reserve, David has developed a firm understanding of the reserve sections of the collective bargaining agreement and is seen by his co-workers as an encyclopedic resource for all things pertaining to reserve.

In his role as Reserve Committee Chairperson, David will lead the long-term efforts and program of work of the Committee and provide support to Committee Members Hannah Winit and Melissa Stanek.

Jennifer Duvall will be leaving the Committee effective August 31.  Jenn has served on the Committee since 2010 and will be pursuing other AFA Committee work.

Brian Palmer will be stepping down as Chairperson effective September 1 and will be leaving the Committee effective November 30.  He will be focusing on his responsibilities as LEC Vice President for Council 39.

Contact information for Reserve Committee Members can be found on the PDX Reserve Committee page of the MEC website at http://alaskamec.org/pdx/reserves.

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