Click the link below to view the minutes from the September 14th 2017 Quarterly Reserve Meeting with Scheduling Management.
[AS] Trip Trades/Pickups and Screenshots
This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants
It has come to our attention that management is requiring screenshots of a Flight Attendant’s roster and the pairing in question if a Flight Attendant is requesting pay protection. Management has not yet put out an official communication stating this. AFA has several recent examples where management has denied activity claim forms without this information.
Due to the position that management appears to be taking, AFA highly recommends taking a screenshot of all pairings that you pick up or trade into, along with a picture of your roster with the pairing showing. This will help to resolve any dispute surrounding pay protection should one occur.
If payroll denies your activity claim form, please contact your LEC Officers for assistance. You can find contact information for your LEC Officers on your Local Council page of the AFA Alaska website. Alternately, you can file report using the AFA Online Support Center at http://support.afaalaska.org/.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee, MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams, and MEC Grievance Committee Representative Christina Frees
[AS] Maternity Leave Grievances
This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants
Last month, management granted 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). Information about the grievance was published on August 7. The grievance 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. That was a huge win for all Alaska Flight Attendants.
Recently, management sustained another grievance #36-99-2-25-17 (Failure to Allow Minimum and/or Maximum Coordination While on Maternity Leave) which 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. This was even a bigger win for all Alaska Flight Attendants.
These sustained grievances mean that a Flight Attendant on maternity leave, may use minimum or maximum sick leave/vacation per section 15.M of the contract. They will get paid when they are on a longer maternity leave and will be eligible for active employee rates for insurance for as long as 8 months following the 120th day post-birth (up to a year post-birth). This will allow Flight Attendants to stay off work much longer with their newborns while receiving pay from their sick leave and/or vacation banks and maintaining active rate insurance. This will also allow the look back calendar to be applied in calculating flight attendants TFP toward the yearly 480 requirements for vacation, insurance and uniform benefits.
If you have any questions about maternity leave, please contact your Local Benefits Committee Chairperson (or Local Benefits Committee Member who specializes in maternity-related issues). You can find contact information on your Local Council’s Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.
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
A September 11th Anniversary Message From Your AFA EAP
We know that the anniversaries of significant events in people’s lives can sometimes trigger reactions. September 11, 2017 will be no different. Some of us may harness our responses by participating in commemorative activities and memorials. For others, September 11th will be marked by private reflections and personal tributes like a moment of silence or picking up a trip on the 11th. For others, September 11th will serve as a reminder that September is National Preparedness Month. Many will channel their responses into creating or updating family disaster communication/preparedness plans.
How ever you choose to structure your day this September 11th or how ever it just naturally unfolds, please remember that your AFA EAP committee representatives welcome being a part of it. If you or a flying partner needs a confidential ear, please call us at:
Pre-Merger Alaska
(949) 470-0493 or find your local EAP representatives’ contact information at afaalaska.org/eap
Pre-Merger Virgin America
(800) 424-2406
Remember, we’re just a phone call away.
Strategies for Dealing With The Anniversary of September 11th
Anniversaries of tragedies can be difficult times for many people. For some, the anniversary of 9/11 continues to be a powerful reminder of loss. For others, who thought they had put the tragedy behind them, the anniversary may produce unexpected anxiety or grief.
The anniversary and the media replay of that day’s destruction may stir strong emotions and difficult memories in many of us. But there are ways to cope:
- Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you. Being with other people, getting involved in memorial activities and talking about the tragedy are all important coping strategies, but taking time to be by yourself – to think and reflect – can be helpful and healing as well.
- Limit television as much as possible. The visual images can prompt especially strong reactions. Instead, be prepared to turn to a movie channel, read a book, or go to Blockbusters.
- If you start to feel overwhelmed, talk with a friend, family member, or your AFA EAP. Often, talking about your fears and feelings is enough to relieve stress and realize that other people share your feelings. Taking action is a sign of strength and self-awareness.
- Recall other times you’ve experienced strong emotions. Identify which coping strategies have worked for you in the past, and use them.
- Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11 anniversary. Everyone experiences and copes with stress differently. Try not to judge people’s emotions by their outsides.
- If you have children, encourage them to discuss their concerns and feelings with you.
- If you have strong feelings that haven’t or won’t go away, seeking help from a professional may prove useful. Your AFA EAP can provide you with referrals.
- Share this information with a flying partner who may be struggling with the upcoming anniversary.
Modified from information from the National Mental Health Association
[AS] Enacting §8.S [Natural Disasters…] Due to Hurricane Irma
This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants
Turning crews out of Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Havana (HAV) starting tomorrow
In anticipation of Hurricane Irma, Alaska Airlines management has made the decision to reposition crews out of Fort Lauderdale (FLL) tonight and to turn crews out of FLL and Havana (HAV) starting tomorrow. AFA and Alaska Airlines have agreed to enact the provision of §8.S [Natural Disasters…] in order to ensure crew safety. The provisions of §8.S remain in effect until such time as Alaska Airlines is able to resume normal operations to the affected stations. Based on the size of Irma, AFA is advocating for management to widen the scope of §8.S in the coming days if the latest forecast models hold. AFA has also requested that management keep the Inflight webpage (SSO login required) updated with the latest information regarding which stations have been affected by Hurricane Irma and are covered by the provisions of §8.S.
Irma Preparedness
AFA International has developed a Hurricane Irma preparedness page for those potentially affected by the storm.
Hurricane Harvey and Houston (IAH)
The Master Executive Council (MEC) is pleased that management appears to be more proactive in seeking to utilize §8.S for Hurricane Irma than it was for Hurricane Harvey. Management never sought AFA’s approval to use §8.S in order to turn crews out of Houston (IAH) in advance of Harvey, which resulted in one Flight Attendant crew being stranded in IAH during the storm. Thankfully, management successfully worked with that crew over the next several days, and the crew was eventually evacuated without physical harm. AFA is hoping Hurricane Irma will be an opportunity for the Company to improve its response.
Hurricane Harvey resources for AFA members
The AFA International Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Department has developed an informational page with details on giving help, getting help and recovery resources related to Hurricane Harvey.
AFA Disaster Relief Fund
The AFA Disaster Relief Fund provides a means for AFA members to assist other members and retirees who have suffered significant damage and/or relocation as a result of a disaster. Since it began in the fall of 2001, the AFA Disaster Relief Fund has provided support in the aftermath of many large-scale disasters including the September 11th terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and other natural and/or man-made disasters.
AFA encourages members to donate now. Be assured 100% of your contribution will go directly to impacted Flight Attendants in the form of cash assistance.
If you have any concerns, questions or need assistance, contact the appropriate AFA resources (e.g. EAP, local officers or Scheduling or Reserve Committee members).
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- …
- 130
- Next Page »
