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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Washington Paid Sick Leave Law 2018

AFA alerted management in early January about a new paid sick leave law in effect January 1, 2018.  The law is encompassed in I-1433, RCW 49.46, and WAC 296-128.  Management did not respond to us with their position until yesterday at which time they advised their lobbying group, Airlines for America (A4A), filed suit against the State of Washington.

Management is planning on issuing a communication regarding their reasons why they believe these laws do not apply to you.  AFA does not agree with their interpretation of these laws, and we wanted to be the first to communicate this information to you.

Attached is the Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief filed February 6, 2018.  AFA strongly believes based on the timing, that we are the national union named on page 11 line 20 as insisting that management comply with the Act.

Be assured that AFA will utilize its full legal resources to fight this, and we will advise in upcoming communications how you can help with this fight.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Protecting Yourself from Sexual Violence

A message from your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee

Flight Attendants, both male and female, are not immune from the risks of violence, including sexual assaults. Consider the following statistics on rapes and attempted rapes from the Department of Justice:

  • Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.
  • Most rapists are not a masked or unknown person. Approximately 70% of female victims and 74% of male victims know their assailant (i.e. friend, acquaintance etc.)
  • Only one out of ten rapes involves the use of a weapon.
  • 60% of rapes take place away from the victim’s home and most take place between the hours of 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Physical force or the threat of physical force is the primary mode of victimization.  This includes the use of drugs that renders the victim physically helpless and usually unable to remember what happened.  These drugs are called “date rape drugs”.  They often have no color, smell or taste and can be easily added to flavored drinks without the victim’s knowledge.  Educate yourself on the use of these drugs and ways in which you can protect yourself, on and off the job.  Below is some information to help you with this.

What are date rape drugs?

These are drugs that are sometimes use in facilitating a sexual assault. Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to.  It can include inappropriate touching, sexual intercourse and attempted rape. The effects of these drugs render victims physically helpless, unable to refuse sex, and unable to remember what happened. The drugs often have no color smell or taste and are easily added to flavored drinks without the victim’s knowledge. There are at least three common date rape drugs.  (Although we use the term “date rape,” most experts prefer the term drug facilitated sexual assault.”).

  • GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid) is a drug used to treat narcolepsy. The drug can be in many forms including liquid, powder and pill.
  • Rohypnol is a used for sleep disorders and as an anesthetic. It also comes in pill form.
  • Ketamine is a drug used as an anesthetic for humans and mostly for animals. The drug is a white powder.

What effects do these drugs have on the body?

These drugs can affect you quickly.  The length of time that the effects last varies. It depends on how much of the drug is taken and if the drug is mixed with other substances, like alcohol.  Alcohol can expedite and worsen the drug’s effect.  These drugs can cause relaxation, drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, impaired motor function, memory problems, numbness, distorted perception of sight and sound, confusion, vomiting, even coma and death.

How can I protect myself ?

  • Never leave your drink or food unattended, not even with a person whom you think you should be able to trust.
  • Only order beverages that are brought to your table in sealed bottles.
  • If you have a history of black-outs from drinking, you can never predict when one will occur. For your safety, consider ordering only non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Should you find yourself awakening without any memory in a strange environment or situation, proceed immediately to the emergency room to be tested for the presence of a date rape drug and medically evaluated for a sexual assault.
  • If you have a friend who passes out, do not let anyone take the unconscious person to her/his room. Instead, keep the person exactly where they are and insist that medical help be called.

Assistance available to you

Remember, confidential support and assistance is just a phone call away through your AFA EAP.  Call anytime.  AFA Alaska EAP can be reached at (949) 470-0493 or you can find contact information for your Local EAP Committee at http://afaalaska.org/eap.  You can also contact the International AFA EAP Helpline at (800) 424-2406.

[pmAS] Additional Transportation Options Between Domiciles/Co-Terminals/Out Stations

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants

Due to several recent flight diversions and how crew member transportation was handled in those situations, AFA has worked with management to clarify what options Flight Attendants have for transportation in these situations.  A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed with the Company putting this clarification in writing.

If your flight is diverted and passengers and crew members are transported by ground, you have the contractual right to be transported separately from the passengers per §22.B of the Flight Attendant collective bargaining agreement.  The new MOU gives you the additional option to use the transportation provided for passengers in such a situation if you choose to do so.

If you have any questions about the MOU, please contact your Local Council Officers.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones

[pmAS] Maternity Leave Grievance Survey

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants

Last September, AFA published information about management granting our grievance #36-99-2-24-17 (Violation of Section 15.M.1.a & 2.a, Failure to Allow Minimum Coordination While on Maternity Leave) and grievance #36-99-2-25-17 (Failure to Allow Minimum and/or Maximum Coordination While on Maternity Leave).

Grievance #36-99-2-24-17 applies to the time period of 6/8 weeks post-birth to the 120th day post-birth.  It mandates that management follow our contractual provision to allow a Flight Attendant to use minimum coordination with sick leave and/or vacation from 6/8 weeks’ post-birth to 120 days’ post-birth.  Previously management required maximum coordination with at least 70 TFP of sick leave monthly.

Grievance #36-99-2-25-17 encompasses 121st day post-birth up to one to eight months leave post-120th day.  Again, this mandates that management follow our contractual provision to allow a Flight Attendant to coordinate minimum or maximum sick leave and/or vacation from one month up to eight months following the 120th day post-birth.

As part of the resolution process, AFA is collecting information from Flight Attendants who may have been affected by the grievance. If you were on maternity leave any time between December 2014 and now, we ask that you complete the survey below to provide us with additional details regarding your leave.

Click here to access the Maternity Leave Grievance Survey

If you have already completed this survey in paper form, there is no need to complete the survey again.  The survey will be available through Monday, February 12, 2018.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

Introducing Your Inflight Training Committee

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews last week for three positons for the new Inflight Training Committee: one chairperson position and two committee member positions. The MEC would like to thank the candidates who demonstrated willingness to represent our Flight Attendants. After thorough deliberation, the MEC has appointed Megan Brown to the chairperson position and Steven Vincent and Samuel Clifton to the committee member positions.

About The Committee Members

Megan Brown, Inflight Training Committee Chairperson

Megan started her Flight Attendant career in 1991.  After Flight 261, she decided to get involved with the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  She spent 10 years as the Local EAP Chair/Co-Chair for Council 19 in Seattle.  In 2004, she joined the inflight training department where she was an initial instructor and recurrent instructor, which she enjoyed.  In 2016, Megan stepped out of the classroom, but continued to support training by performing Probationary Observations and IOEs. She has recently stepped back into the classroom and hopes to support Flight Attendants’ training needs and concerns.

Megan’s greatest accomplishment is her son, Zane.  When she’s not flying, she spends her time with her family.  She looks forward to learning and supporting her fellow coworkers in her work with AFA.

Steven Vincent, Inflight Training Committee Member

Steven attended initial training in June 1981.  He initially became involved with AFA just after probation, starting with involvement on the Safety Committee.  He also became the chairperson of the AFA International Aircraft Technical Committee immediately after probation. In this role he worked with Regulatory committees and Aircraft Manufactures. He also provided accident support for the International committee and the member airlines representing AFA Flight Attendants.

In 1983, he joined the training department in preparation for the MD-80 aircraft arrival. He has worked on development and presenting training for the MD-80, 737-400 and Russian extended overwater flying for 727-200, MD-80 and support for ETOPS certification of the 737. He also has conducted Initial training since mid-80s.

Previously, Steve participated in the development and implementation of merger training for pre-merger Jet America Flight Attendants. In Alaska/Virgin America merger, he has supported pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants by participating in the blending of emergency procedures, manuals and training for FAM revision cycle 4 in SFO.

In this new role, Steve hopes to represent the entire membership as we merge to become one Flight Attendant group.

Samuel Clifton, Inflight Training Committee Member

Sam has been with Virgin America since May 2007 as an Inflight Team Leader and Inflight Instructor, mainly teaching recurrent training but has also taught several new hire training classes.

Prior to working at Virgin America, Sam worked at American Trans Air (ATA) from 1989 through 2007.  While at ATA, he was a Flight Attendant and also taught recurrent training throughout the system.  He was an active member of AFA and served on the LEC Informational Committee during contract negotiations.

From 1986-1989 Sam served in the United States Air Force as a C-5 Aircraft Crew Chief.

Sam has always had the aviation bug!  When not working he enjoys being at home in the Bay Area taking his miniature Australian Shepherd for walks on the Bay Trail.  Something interesting about Sam is he has a small collection of vintage Barbies ranging from 1959-1968.

He is extremely excited to be serving on the Inflight Training Committee and hopes to be a strong voice for his fellow instructors.

About The Inflight Training Committee

The Inflight Training Committee is an MEC-level committee responsible for working with management to advocate for Flight Attendant interests in all matters pertaining to Flight Attendant training programs and to represent the unique needs and interests of Flight Attendants who are involved in Flight Attendant Initial and/or Recurrent Training and training-related special projects.  Additional information about the Inflight Training Committee can be found at http://afaalaska.org/inflighttraining.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

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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