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        You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / Scheduling Committee

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2023

        May 31, 2023 16:59

        Scheduling Committee

        • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 23 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
        • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
        • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

        On Tuesday, May 23, our AFA Scheduling 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton.

        The committee met with Director Inflight Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

        The next Scheduling Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Reserve Utilization. In May we saw utilization around 90%, we expect this to increase in the spring/summer. Management continues to mention an increase in sick leave usage and absence rates. Typically reserves are 60% AM and 40% PM, however in June for SEA/ANC it will be around 50/50. Premium is being offered some weekends to help cover the operation. 
        • No Shows. We continue to receive reports of circumstances where flight attendants were issued no shows incorrectly based on contactability requirements of the contract. If you believe you are assessed points incorrectly, please follow up with your local AFA representatives.
        • Hotel wait time/assignment. AFA is aware there are issues with wait times and transportation. If you are required to share rooms, stay at a non-approved hotel, or wait in the hotel lobby more than one (1) hour, please file a Crew Care Report, and contact your local Hotel Committee Chairperson and Scheduling Committee Chairperson. AFA and management are reviewing the processes in place for IROPS and Severe IROPS with the intent to improve wait times and bookings. 
        • Leaves. There will be no leaves for June/July. Crew planning is working on August pairings.  The line averages are around 80.1 TFP.  
        • Van Times. Pilots and Flight Attendants sharing transportation should have the same van times. There were reports of crews waiting in the van for pilots. Pilot Scheduling/Crew Scheduling should coordinate any transportation changes on behalf of the crews. 
        • NavBlue Pattern Bidding. In July we are anticipating adding a new feature that will allow pattern bidding. Look for more information on how to utilize this new option. The PBS Committee is updating help files in the system to be more user friendly. If you need assistance in bidding, please email the committee. 
        • Per Diem. In some circumstances you will see taxed layover per diem based on state/federal requirements. Rainmaker is programmed to process the taxes automatically based on the limits. You can review taxation on CONUS Rates. The company is required by law to process the taxation. 
        • Pilot Retiming Block In/Out. AFA sent a request to Labor Relations and Inflight management asking for communication on when/how pilots are able to adjust block in/out times. Crew members are seeing changes to their rosters and want clarification on the process. Management is reviewing our request. 
        • Retimes. There are several flights that will require being retimed/rescheduled. This could cause several pre-cancellations. Scheduling will be working on these as they receive updated information. 
        • Sick Child/Sick Family (LOA 5 in CBA). California passed a new law that allows crew members to designate one primary person per year. This person will be designated and the FA will receive the full protections under the law. Labor Relations and AFA are working on the implementation of this improvement. Look for more information in a future AFA communication. 
        • Base Turns. Each month some Flight Attendants are surprised after combining two sequences over 10 hours 30 minutes and that some of their contractual legalities are waived. If you are adding sequences together, refer to Section 8.T.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. NavBlue. The PBS Subcommittee asked management for base sits to assist Flight Attendants with bidding. We are waiting for further details.
        2. Crew Access Filters. We expect implementation in a 3rd quarter release. Look for additional communication from management. 
        3. Handshake Trades. This change would allow Flight Attendants to post trips for trade on Crew Access and accept/decline offers submitted. We expect implementation in a 3rd quarter release. 
        4. Pairings Survey. It’s been a few years since we submitted a survey on pairing construction. We are discussing survey questions and the possibility of a virtual session or town hall. A meeting with management is set for June 5, 2023.

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling 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 Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – April 2023

        May 2, 2023 11:58

        Scheduling Committee

        • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, April 25 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
        • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
        • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

        On Tuesday, April 25, our AFA Scheduling 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Martin Vance (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton.

        The committee met with Supervisor Inflight Crew Scheduling Matthew Trujillo, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

        The Committee is next scheduled to meet on May 23, 2023.

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Reserve Utilization. April Reserve utilization was around 85%; utilization is expected to increase in the spring/summer. Management continues to discuss an increase in sick leave usage and absence rates. Typically reserves are 60% AM and 40% PM, however in June for SEA/ANC it will be around 50/50. 
        • No Shows. We continue to receive reports of circumstances where 
          Flight Attendants were issued no shows incorrectly based on contactability requirements of the contract. If you believe you are assessed points incorrectly, please follow up with your local AFA representatives.
        • Hotel wait time/assignment. AFA is aware of issues with wait times and transportation. If you are required to share rooms, stay at a non-approved hotel, or wait in the hotel lobby more than one (1) hour, please file a Crew Care Report and contact your local Hotel Committee Chairperson and Scheduling Committee Chairperson. AFA and management are reviewing the processes in place for IROPS and Severe IROPS with the intent to improve wait times and bookings. 
        • Leaves. Leaves will not be offered in June. We expect to see line averages around 79 TFP and 21% reserve ratio system wide. 
        • Van Times. Pilots and Flight Attendants sharing transportation should have the same van times. There were reports of crews waiting in the van for pilots. Pilot Scheduling/Crew Scheduling should coordinate any transportation changes on behalf of the crews. 
        • NavBlue Pattern Bidding. In July we are anticipating adding a new feature that will allow pattern bidding. Look for more information on how to utilize this new option. The PBS Committee is updating help files to be more user friendly. If you need assistance with bidding, please email them. 
        • Charters. Voluntary charters no longer exist. All charter flights will be paid. AFA successfully advocated for this change. 
        • Per Diem. In some circumstances you will see taxed layover per diem based on state/federal requirements. Rainmaker is programmed to process the taxes automatically based on the limits. You can review taxation on CONUS Rates. Company is required by law to process the taxation. 
        • Pilot Retiming Block In/Out. AFA sent a request to Labor Relations and Inflight management asking for communication on when/how pilots are able to adjust block in/out times. Flight Attendants are seeing changes to their rosters and want clarification on the process. Management is reviewing our request.
        • Sick Child/Sick Family (LOA 5 in CBA). California passed a new law that allows Flight Attendants to designate one primary person per year. This person will be designated and the Flight Attendant will receive full protection under the law. Labor Relations and AFA are working on the implementation of this improvement. Look for more information in a future AFA communication. 

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. NavBlue. The PBS Subcommittee asked management for base sits to assist Flight Attendants with bidding. We are waiting for further details.
        2. Crew Access Filters. There is a meeting with Jeppesen scheduled in late April to discuss filters. We expect implementation in a 3rd quarter release. 
        3. Handshake Trades. This change would allow users to post trips for trade on Crew Access and accept/decline offers submitted. We expect implementation in a 3rd quarter release. 
        4. Pairings Survey. It’s been a few years since we submitted a survey on pairing construction. We are discussing survey questions and the possibility of a virtual session or town hall. 

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling 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 Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        REMINDER: AFA Alaska Online Support Center Planned Outage

        April 27, 2023 17:00

        Grievance Committee

        Earlier this week, we shared news about upcoming back-end system improvements to the AFA Alaska Online Support Center (support.afaalaska.org) that require a planned system outage. In preparation for the work, the system will go offline tomorrow (Friday, April 28) at 7 AM Pacific time. The system is anticipated to return to service by 5 PM Pacific time on Monday, May 1.

        If you have any issues to report or need assistance while the system is offline, please get in touch with your LEC Officers.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Grievance Committee, Reserve Committee, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: AFA Alaska Online Support Center

        AFA Alaska Online Support Center Planned Outage

        April 24, 2023 17:00

        Grievance Committee

        Our Grievance Committee is working to make back-end improvements to the AFA Alaska Online Support Center (support.afaalaska.org) to help ensure that AFA Representatives can provide you with the best possible help when you need it. These improvements will require a planned outage, during which the AFA Alaska Online Support System will be offline and unavailable. The outage is scheduled to begin at 7 AM Pacific time on Friday, April 28. The system is anticipated to return to service by 5 PM Pacific time on Monday, May 1.

        If you have any issues to report or need assistance while the system is offline, please contact your LEC Officers.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Grievance Committee, Reserve Committee, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: AFA Alaska Online Support Center

        Crew Access Frustrations

        April 17, 2023 18:00

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        • Changes to how trips are posted and displayed in Crew Access and other ongoing system issues have resulted in concerns about contractual violations and a lack of management accountability.
        • Management must provide a functional system that works correctly and has agreed to troubleshoot the current issues and review programming changes to Crew Access.
        • AFA Representatives will continue protecting Flight Attendant interests and contractual rights through all legal means available to us, including the grievance process as applicable.

        We understand that many of you are frustrated with recent changes to how trips are posted and displayed in Jeppesen Crew Access, especially when it comes to trading trips with crew members or through Open Time. These issues have resulted in concerns about contract violations and an apparent lack of accountability from management. As your Union leadership, we are actively addressing these concerns and advocating for your rights.

        It’s important to note that a financial award may not be an achievable or realistic remedy for contract violations brought forward to a system board of adjustment under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Under the standards of arbitration, AFA would have the burden of proving that a specific person was denied a particular trip on a specific date and time. This is essentially impossible; even if it were, the remedy would be limited to what can be found within the “four corners of the contract” doctrine; in other words, any remedy must be contained within the contract. For example, if you were denied sit pay when you sat for two hours, you would be awarded one TFP. However, we cannot show who was specifically harmed or the dollar amount of such harm. As a result, in these circumstances, the only likely arbitral remedy for a contractual grievance would be a “cease and desist” order, which would require the Company to comply with the contract on a go-forward basis.

        Compliance in this case still requires the system to work correctly, and even in the face of an award, it would not necessarily happen immediately. Management has already agreed to troubleshoot the current trip display issues in Crew Access and has expressed a willingness to implement programming changes to the Crew Access trading system potentially. Our analysis indicates that an arbitrator would likely find management’s actions an appropriate remedy for the current concerns. While we understand that this may only partially satisfy your expectations, it’s essential to recognize the legal limitations of the process.

        This does not mean that we give up. As your AFA Representatives, we are committed to working towards fair and just solutions to contract violations—and filing and arbitrating grievances where appropriate. We will continue to negotiate and pursue all available avenues under the RLA and the contract to protect your interests. We understand your frustrations and encourage you to contact us with any questions or further grievances you may have. Your feedback and input are invaluable in helping us advocate for your rights and achieve positive outcomes.

        We take your concerns seriously and are dedicated to holding management accountable to the terms of our contract. We appreciate your ongoing support and solidarity as we work towards resolving these issues. Together, we can continue to fight for the rights and well-being of all Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Grievance Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC), Scheduling Committee Tagged With: crew access

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