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Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

On Tuesday, September 16, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Nyachan Chuar (ANC), LaLa Davis (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel (SAN), and Trista Vanta (SFO). MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II and MEC Vice President Brice McGee were also present.

The Committee met with several members of management including Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, and California Director of Inflight Base Operations Benito Pasia-Garcia Jr.

The committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, December 8.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Inclusivity Initiatives at Villages/Crew Rooms: The LAX and SEA Alaska Villages (crew rooms) are becoming more inclusive and work-friendly to accommodate Hawaiian crew members better. Management has presented new Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines signage to the Committee for the LAX Village. Additional initiatives focused on inclusiveness will be implemented at LAX, while SEA is currently working on designating space for Hawaiian Flight Attendants.
  • DEI Name Change and Communication: SVP of People Andy Schneider and Senior Culture Partner Sarah Keimig have posted a TeamAAG communication regarding the name change of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) to “Culture and Belonging.” This communication also addresses Alaska’s role in response to current federal government executive orders. Jenny Bookert has included a link to the TeamAAG article in the current SEA Newsletter for those based in Seattle.
  • Unaccompanied Deportees Task Force: Concerns have been raised regarding Flight Attendants who have unaccompanied deportees on Alaska and Hawaiian flights. Management has established a task force working to find solutions for these situations. Flight Attendants are reminded to always comply with authorities in these cases and to seek assistance from inflight management if needed.
  • SEA Village Flyer Investigation: A “Don’t Be Shy, Please Ask Why” flyer has been posted on the door at the SEA Village. Alaska Customer Service Agents (CSAs) are responsible for this flyer; Inflight Management will investigate its origin, as they did not post it.
  • Social Media Policy Reminder: Given the current environment, the Committee has requested that management send out a reminder regarding Alaska’s social media policy.
  • IMD Belong App Update: The title of the “Belong” web app link on the Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) has been updated from DEI to “Culture and Belonging.”
  • Potential Drug & Alcohol Infinity Group BRG: The Committee discussed the potential for the “Alaska Airlines Drug & Alcohol Infinity Group” to become one of the company’s Business Resource Groups (BRGs). MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle will meet with inflight management and the Culture and Belonging Department to discuss this topic further. Additionally, the Committee will reach out to the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee to explore possible collaboration.
  • ADA-Compliant Rooms Discussion: The Committee has requested that management look into the possibility of ADA-compliant rooms for Flight Attendants who have self-disclosed their needs in PeopleSoft. Management will discuss this possibility with the HR department and respond to the Committee. The Committee will also reach out to the AFA Hotel Committee for further discussions.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Wings. Awaiting finalization of the merger with Hawaiian Airlines, as there may be an overall new design.  
  2. Arrival “Land Acknowledgement Announcements” for our seven current domiciles airports (both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian).
  3. Batok Tattoos Visible While In Uniform. Awaiting finalization of Alaska merger with Hawaiian.
  4. Business Resource Group (BRG) Listening Sessions, co-facilitated with pre-merger Alaska Local AFA Human Rights Chairpersons for 2025/2026. 

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 & Equity Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Human Rights & Equity Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson: Stephanie Adams
MEC Grievance Committee Assistant: Bianca Dew
MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representatives: Julie Thornton, Orna Samuelly
MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson: David Jelinek

These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives will carry out their respective roles specific to our six pre-merger Alaska Local Councils as we continue to navigate the merger process. They’ll begin the transition into their roles over the next few months, with their official term beginning on January 1, 2026. They will serve for the upcoming MEC Officer election cycle from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.

If you have any questions about the pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson: James Bozanich  
MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson: Mischelle Fielsch

These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons will coordinate the activities of their respective merged committees across both airlines. They’ll support the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils—both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian. Their official term will begin on October 1, 2025. They’ll serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), as well as for the upcoming cycle (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028).

If you have any questions about the MEC Committee Chairperson elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, September 11, 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 Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams. 

The committee met with the Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook and Interim Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Matthew Trujillo.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 11.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during both internal AFA-only discussions and meetings with management. Some of the topics discussed include:

  • Issues and glitches with Crew Access that are affecting Reserve Flight Attendants. Review of where known issues are documented and newly added/ fixed issues. 
  • Review of upcoming update to Crew Access software and associated fixes to current issues and other improvements prioritization for programming fixes.
  • Review of reserve-related scheduling issues that have occurred recently.
  • Review of reserve-related issues that have been escalated to the Scheduling Review Board (SRB) and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
  • Ongoing concerns with no shows & non-contactables. Please report these issues through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so that AFA Representatives can follow up with management. 

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for Reserve Flight Attendants. Working to update Reserve 101 & the Reserve survival guide with new CBA provisions.
  2. Assisting Probationary Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program. Answering questions from and providing support to probationary Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program. Also, developing a checklist of common topics that new hire Flight Attendants need assistance with within the first 30 days after graduation.
  3. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns. Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management complies with our contract.

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 Reserve Committee is your voice to management. You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

September 15 marks the start of Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month in the United States, a vibrant celebration dedicated to honoring the rich contributions and diverse cultures of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Spanning a full month, this observance—also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month—has its roots in Hispanic Heritage Week, which was established by legislation signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. In 1988, this week-long celebration was expanded to a full month, now taking place from September 15 to October 15 every year.

The choice of September 15 is significant, as it coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Central American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Each of these nations celebrates its sovereignty from Spanish rule during this time, adding a layer of meaning to the month-long festivities. Furthermore, Mexico carries the spirit of independence into the following day, September 16. Chile follows suit with its own independence celebrations on September 18, and Belize rounds out the list with its Independence Day on September 21.

Learn More About Hispanic-Latinx History

To enhance your understanding of Hispanic-Latinx history and contributions, we invite you to explore some of the following informative resources:

Celebrate with a Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pin

We invite you to join the celebration by wearing a Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pin! In 2021, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution recognizing Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month. The resolution also introduced a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month.

If you’re interested in learning more about the significance of the pin, reach out to your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee. Want to get your hands on this unique pin? Keep an eye out for availability updates from your Local Council or connect with your LEC Officers to ensure you don’t miss out.

Questions?

If you have any questions or are looking for more information, remember that your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee is here to assist you.

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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