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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!

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on May 21 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Tuesday, May 21, 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 (SAN). MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett was also present. 

The Committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Food and Beverage Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Systems Manger Andrea Lockett, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Managing Director of Guest Products Todd Traynor-Corey, Senior Product Manager of Guest Products Megan Low, Food and Beverage Planning Systems Manager Gayatri Watwe, and IT Vendor Christopher Pettigrew. 

The next scheduled Inflight Service Committee meeting is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee discussed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some of the items included:

  • Packaging for Main Cabin meals, including hot meals and their labeling.
  • The impact on service due to temporary product substitutions.
  • Progress on updating older aircraft furnishings and current enhancements for the cabins, addressing issues with lavatory trash, and placing mirrors from the aft jump seat.
  • Ensuring the safety of future coffee brewing, which included discussing modifications to the brew basket.
  • Discussion with Catering Operations to ensure plans for summer ice loading are in place and that new seasonal routes are correctly catered.
  • Management reported on upcoming Block2Block (B2B) updates, and glitches were discussed. The Committee received updates on B2B functions, including a new training mode, tap-to-pay issues, and screen switching for payment processing.
  • Discussion and review of catering issues causing crew confusion.
  • Email notifications to passengers regarding the ability to pre-order are improving the process and increasing pre-order counts.
  • The overall service flow and process were discussed.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Correct product labeling. The Committee is working with catering to ensure that meals are clearly labeled, especially the new Main Cabin hot meal options for long-haul, medium-haul, and short-haul flights.
  2. Adjusting product levels. Committee Members are working with management to modify product quantities to enhance service and reduce waste.
  3. Working with management on Block2Block (B2B). Committee Members have been informed that a new version of B2B will soon be available and are looking forward to pre-testing it. The Committee is actively involved in suggesting improvements.
  4. Enhancing snack basket contents. Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons will work with management to update the contents.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

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

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • On May 21, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, May 21, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives 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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO),Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kamako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Managing Director of Operations Staffing & Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Staffing Nicholas Giles, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Manager of Product Management Rick Mitchell, Director of Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • There are concerns about the decrease in Hawaii flying.
  • PDX/SAN are facing challenges with Hawaii flying, including red-eye flights. There is also limited parking for planes in Seattle.
  • Questions were raised about the July increase in Flight Attendants and the decision to grant domicile transfers, which caused SAN to increase and SFO to decrease.
  • LAX is providing examples of issues with sit pay when Flight Attendants are assigned to pre-board, causing concerns about timely handling and violation of order of assignment. The parties are investigating. 
  • There needs to be clarity regarding text notifications for trips before Open Time and discrepancies in Crew Access. This sometimes occurs when the next month is loaded into the system. 
  • Some individual Flight Attendants are unsatisfied with the calendar view issue workaround. The calendar should actively work with the latest update and show the updated days under 90 seconds. 
  • SFO lost 40 Flight Attendants in July, raising concerns about the base’s future. Management said there’s no plan to reduce the number of gates at this time, and they are hopeful business travel will pick up in the near future.
  • There are concerns about Open Time issues from the April 16, 2024 system technical issue event.
  • There are concerns about Open Time issues from the May 15, 2024 system technical issue event.
  • Hotel wait times have improved compared to the previous month.
  • Seattle had a shortage of one TSN in June. This issue has been referred to the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, and the TSN is updated to show 17 correctly.
  • The PBS Subcommittee discussed bidding, bid awards, bid protests, and future releases. There are upcoming base sits in June.
  • There are plans to increase the number of pairings and improve commutability.
  • There are discussions about payroll issues, ITS updates, JCTE, and tap-to-pay adoption in Block2Block.
  • There will be no more requirement to file for sit time and release adjustments in the next JCTE update when pilots manually adjust the block in times.
  • Crew Planning discussed the increase in block hours for July, the reduction in SFO base block hours, and the impact of MAX delay on aircraft availability.
  • Pairing selection for July focused on keeping flight crews together and adding soft locks.
  • Commutability for July is best for SEA/ANC and most challenging for SFO/PDX.
  • There are ongoing challenges with sick leave and absences for lineholders and reserves.
  • Feedback from Flight Attendants includes the need for more productive trips, better scheduling, and increased TSN.
  • Flight Attendants desire contractual language protections and an improved work environment to address challenges.
  • Reserves are being highly utilized, and Crew Scheduling is covering flights saved by premium pay. However, we are seeing a reduction in lineholders picking up reserve days.
  • There are discussions about premium trips, reassignments, personal drops, and fatigue.
  • Hawaii flying has changed, shifting towards more transcon and Mexico flights.
  • Crew Pay is conducting base sits and aims to attend all bases this year.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NavBlue. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The next in-person PBS Training is planned for June 
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NavBlue to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
  3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NavBlue, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases.

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, May 2 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.

On Thursday, May 2nd, 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 Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee also met with Sr Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, and PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • OneWorld Pins
    • The OneWorld pin/logo is a required item. Please let your Local Chairperson know of any instances when a base does not have any pins available.
    • We have received complaints that the new 20 year OneWorld pins do not have secure backing.
    • Because of the red lanyards, bases are running out of OneWorld pins. Management provided lanyards with the OneWorld logo. They claim it is not in their budget to provide extra pins for the AFA provided red lanyards. AFA is currently working to find a resolution to this issue.
    • Inflight SEA base management has ordered more OneWorld pins and Flight Attendants should check the village during transit if they do not have the OneWorld pin.
  • Quality Concerns
    • All quality concerns including buttons falling off and splitting at the seams/cuffs of sweaters should be reported through the Quality Concern form on the Uniform subsite.
    • If you have any quality concerns, please submit your issue using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [SSO required] so Unisync and AFA can track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and proof of quality concerns.
  • We addressed initial training “uniform compliance check” day rumors from social media..
    • The Committee is working with management and the Training department to  possibly allow for Uniform Chairpersons to be available on uniform days leading up to compliance check so that the New Hires in training have an opportunity to receive compliance feedback from union representatives who are not management or instructors prior to the check.
    • There may also be an opportunity to discuss uniform compliance during “Style and Service Night” provided it’s possible to continue these events for future classes.
  • Tattoos & Piercings
    • The tattoo and piercing policies will not likely change until after merger/acquisition implementation and/or a new uniform roll out.
    • As a reminder, tattoos may not be covered with bandages or compression sleeves. 
  • Wings
    • Due to the long lead time, the Committee requested to have supervisors auto-order wings on anniversary dates.
    • We continue to see quality issues with the wings at shipment and during use. Please send a report to Unisync at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com 
    • The Committee has requested to have blank wings available at base.
  • SEA Fit Center will be closed on the following dates and will not be accepting walk-ins due to New Hire fitting:
    • Thursday, May 23rd
    • Monday, May 27th
    • Thursday, July 4th
  • The Atlas cardigan in smaller sizes and transition jackets may routinely be on backorder due to an influx of orders.
    • This has been addressed and they should be fully in stock by Fall.
    • The embroidering of the transition jacket is causing the back order. Management is researching to see if we can forego the embroidering to speed up the process.
  • There is a spare “sneaky button” at the bottom of all shirts that can be used at any button gap to add additional support. The Committee has requested that if Flight Attendants add the buttons through an alteration service, that they are added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.
  • The Committee will receive the quality concern form data once the data set has been compiled and processed.
  • Still brainstorming ideas for solutions for Fit Center sizing/fixes for Flight Attendants who do not live in SEA. 
  • The undershirt language is unclear and we will be working to find a clear approach that addresses Flight Attendant needs and concerns while still maintaining a professional look.
  • The Committee made a request to allow shoes to be included in the allotment. There is a contractual component to this, so it may take time to review and get approval if management agrees.
  • Management will be releasing style and care videos for uniform pieces in the near future.
  • Management is researching adding insulation and better weatherproofing to the current transition jacket.
  • Management addressed our concerns about sweater quality (holes, rips, and splitting). The Committee was able to feel a Nylon blend from the manufacturer which will likely also be warmer than the current blend. Wear testing for these items and their durability/breathability will begin in Fall. Please let your Local Committee Chairperson know if you are interested in wear testing these items.
  • Still sourcing spinner bags.
  • Wool sensitivity items are now coded on the Uniform website.
  • The Aura vest is now available for order.
  • Grooming standards remain in effect.
  • The following uniform changes have been APPROVED:
    • The patriotic tie/scarf may be worn on September 11th.
    • Brown leather gloves may be worn when wearing a brown belt and/or brown shoes. (May not be worn with a black belt).
  • The following uniform change requests have been DENIED:
    • The mock neck sweater untucked with the skirt.
    • A shorter apron. However, the committee has requested this be added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.

May 31st 2024 will see the ban of popular lug-style shoes and discipline may be issued for noncompliance. AFA has gone all the way up through marketing (including Luly Yang) in attempts to advocate for the shoe to remain in compliance. The final decision is that these shoes will not be allowed.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. CONTRACT NOW Lanyards. AFA believes that your right to wear a Union lanyard is protected by the Railway Labor Act. However, if you are directed by a supervisor to remove the lanyard, we recommend that you do so because we don’t want you to be disciplined. Please then fill out the Management Interference Report form. Note: The OneWorld pin is still a requirement, so please ensure you have the OneWorld pin on your lanyard or outer-most uniform piece.
  2. Training & Uniform Standards. Provide a safe and positive environment for New Hire Flight Attendants to become familiar with the Uniform Policy Guidelines.
  3. Tote Exchange Program. Specific to the post-COVID classes who were not given the normal selection process for totes due to supply chain issues. The Committee is currently working with management to create a process and will notify Flight Attendants once a method is determined. Please do not make requests at base or via email as there is no current process in place.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the wear test pool? Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

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.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary […]

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

Vacation Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

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