AFA Alaska

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Archives for Committees

The Present Is A Gift

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

  • The hustle, bustle, and distractions of modern life can sometimes leave us with feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry.
  • Mindfulness is a practice that can help us to stay present in the moment and feel calmer and more refreshed.
  • AFA EAP is always available for support. Find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Do you find it hard to stay focused on one task at a time? Do you find yourself daydreaming? In our interconnected world, it is hard to live in the moment. Our technology and busy schedules keep us moving from one thing to the next. Learning how to gently pull your attention towards the present is a unique skill that can help improve both physical and mental health.

Stress and anxiety can be constant distractions from the present, which can include worries about both the past and the future. While these concerns may be valid, it is important to regularly take a few minutes to notice your environment, your breath, and even your posture. Below are two ways to help you stay present through mindfulness and other sensory exercises.

What is mindfulness?

In 1979, mindfulness was developed in a hospital setting for patients with chronic pain. But all of us possess the ability to practice mindfulness in our natural environment and obtain benefits from it. People generally report feeling calmer or more refreshed through mindfulness. It focuses less on control and more on awareness – of our thoughts, sensations, and our breath. Remember, mindfulness is a skill and does take practice. As a result, it might take a few times to get the hang of it. Consider this exercise below:

  1. Find your favorite guided meditation website or app. Widely used apps include Calm and Headspace. YouTube also has great videos such as this one to get started. Here is another good choice.
  2. Sit comfortably in a chair with your hands, palm-side down, and your back and bottom gently supported.
  3. Listen to the prompts in the video. The goal is to become more aware of each breath, the pattern of breathing, and the sensations of your body. Simply notice what is happening around you and inside your mind, without judgement.

How can I use my senses to stay present?

Humans have a very powerful sensory system. It helps keep us alert when we’re anxious, but it can also help us relax. Here are a few sensory exercises for each of your senses, to help you stay present.

  • Smell. Notice and take time to absorb your favorite smells around you. It could be the smell of flowers, fresh-baked cookies, or your oil diffuser.
  • Taste. Find and savor samples of your favorite foods. They could be spicy, sweet and sour, or warm and comforting.
  • Sight. Adjust lighting in your space to warm and soothing tones. Focus your eyes on an object or image that brings joy or calm.
  • Sound. New research is emerging about brown noise. Consider the wonderful genre of Lo-Fi music. 
  • Touch. Clothe or surround yourself with tactile comforting objects, like a favorite sweater or blanket.

AFA EAP is always available for support!

Our AFA EAP Committee is here for you when you need us!  Reach out any time at (949) 470-0493 or find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 7 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 Tuesday, February 7, our AFA Local Uniform 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 Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN, and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.  The committee met with Interim Uniform Programs Manager Eric Phillipson, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Day of Travel Experience Manager Kelly Cuthill, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford. 

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:

  • Updated wear test protocol and approved new processes and timelines.
  • Reviewed AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) recommendation sheet and made a commitment to develop a similar wear-test specific recommendation sheet that will be provided to management.
  • Ongoing uniform quality issues (i.e., name bars falling off of wings, pilling, holes in sweaters, seams coming undone).
  • Examined the need for a more diverse pool of wear testers.
  • Unisync sourced a possible option for a packable parka. AFA will review quality and packability and provide recommendations to management.
  • Requested a more robust survey and feedback form after the completion of wear testing.
  • Suggested a checklist sheet for wear testers.
  • Discussed the new “no heel” policy (sole height requirements still exist) reflected in the latest Uniform Policy Guide[AAG sign-in required] update in November 2022.
  • Dismissed rumors about the discontinuation of skirts and the Aura dress. These are core pieces and will remain part of the basic uniform.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Wear Testing. Wear testing for the feminine cardigan and button up shirt began on Monday, February 6th, and will run for 30 days. Wear testing for the feminine vest begins on April 26th and will run for 30 days. Wear testing for a gender neutral mock neck cardigan and a gender neutral “Aura vest” will also take place on a yet-to-be-determined timeframe. Advocating for a uniform that suits all body types requires available wear testers. The Committee is seeking volunteers who have gender neutral, petite, tall, and/or plus sizes to test uniform redesigns and additions.
  2. Pride Scarf Redesign. Redesign is in the works and will hopefully roll out by Summer of 2024.
  3. Warm Weather Shirt. Still in production. More information will be provided once the shirts are shipped from the manufacturer.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync directly at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include photos, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please also consider opening a ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the uniform 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.

Celebrating Black History Month

Human Rights Committee

  • February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals.
  • Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
  • Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the world.  It was expanded to its current form in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford when it became Black History Month.

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 in recognition of February as Black History Month.   The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of February.

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.

LOSA Observations Are Underway

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28.
  • Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data.
  • If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.

As previously communicated, AFA and management agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) to help improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.  The LOSA program is jointly administered by AFA and management as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The information collected from LOSA observations will help us better understand how Flight Attendants manage threats and errors, evaluate compliance with standard operating procedures and gain valuable insight into our day-to-day line operations from a safety perspective.

LOSA Observers are line Flight Attendants trained by an independent third party, the LOSA Collaborative. They are prohibited from recording Flight Attendant names, flight numbers, or dates, as confidentiality is critical to this process. Any data collected is sent directly to the LOSA Collaborative, which evaluates and analyzes the information. AFA and management will receive a final report outlining what went well and what can be better, identifying procedures that should be modified or re-emphasized.

Over the next month, you may have a Flight Attendant LOSA Observer ask to join your flight to conduct an observation. Participation is entirely voluntary; however, we encourage you to participate in this valuable effort. You also will have the opportunity to submit any safety-related feedback in an anonymous questionnaire during the flight.

Questions?

More information about LOSA can be found in the January 16, 2023 bulletin bundle (AAG sign-on required). If you have any other questions about the LOSA program, please reach out to the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee at losa@afaalaska.org.

Operational Safety Debriefs

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event.
  • The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation.
  • Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).

In 2019, AFA filed grievance number 36-99-2-170-19, which alleged management’s violation of section 19.A of the collective bargaining agreement. The violation was related to an incident where management conducted a debrief meeting with Flight Attendants while they were still on duty following a slide deployment incident. As there was no contractual basis for management to conduct a meeting to investigate a work-related event with Flight Attendants outside of the procedures outlined in 19.A, the grievance alleged that contractual rights to AFA representation and investigatory meeting pay were violated.

The grievance was denied by management and subsequently scheduled for arbitration in June 2020. As the arbitration date approached, management indicated they were interested in settling the grievance in lieu of arbitration. Discussions between AFA and management ensued and a settlement-in-concept was reached, which the MEC approved at the time.

Following the conceptual agreement, AFA proposed a letter of agreement (LOA) that codified the settlement in detail. Unfortunately, turnover in a number of key management positions resulted in setbacks as new managers needed to brought up to speed with the history of the settlement and background of what had been discussed. To compound the situation, the aircraft evacuation of flight 751 in Seattle on August 23, 2021 revealed some unforeseen issues with the debrief process that required further discussion and incorporation into the proposed settlement.

Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA)

AFA and management were recently able to reach consensus on the details of the LOA, which serves as final settlement of the original grievance.  AFA LOA 2023-01-17 (Operational Safety Debriefs) establishes a process for management to speak directly to Flight Attendants who have been involved in a significant safety-related event while providing benefits and protections to Flight Attendants, including:

  • Minimum pay of 4 TFP for participating in an Operational Safety Debrief, in addition to any Minimum Pay Rules and pay protection due. 
  • Limitations on how long Operational Safety Debriefs are, when they must begin, and maximum duty day.
  • Guarantee that any conversations are non-disciplinary in nature and any information obtained cannot be used in disciplinary actions (including protections under ASAP if an ASAP report is filed timely).
  • The right to AFA representation and involvement in conversations.
  • An established process to handle any follow-up training.

For complete details, please click here to view the complete LOA.  You can also find the LOA on your IMD in GoodReader in the ASFA Supplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement folder.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Operational Safety Debriefs LOA, please contact your LEC President.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025

Our JNC made significant progress in shaping our JCBA, successfully reaching a Tentative Agreement on Section 13 – Uniforms. Key provisions include enhancements to uniform standards, ensuring protective measures such as no surnames on name tags, and valuable items from the Hawaiian CBA, like a lunch tote and a 22-inch rollerboard. While we continue discussions on various sections, including Air Safety Health and Security, Training, and Commuter Policy. We appreciate feedback from the 2,207 Flight Attendants who participated in our recent Vacation Survey.

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 […]

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Committee Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates