Uniform Committee

• Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, February 22 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 Thursday, February 22nd, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee also met with Director – Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Sr Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, and SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

• Red AFA CONTRACT NOW lanyards are here! AFA believes that your right to wear a Union lanyard is protected by the Railway Labor Act. However, if you are directed by a supervisor to remove the lanyard, we recommend that you do so because we don’t want you to be disciplined. Please then fill out the Management Interference Report form. Note: The OneWorld pin is still a requirement, so please ensure you have the OneWorld pin on your lanyard or outer-most uniform piece.
• During the annual AFA Uniform Allotment Review, it was discovered that the allotment needed to be adjusted due to an increase in value of several pieces. The Company agreed and an additional $60.62 was deposited for a total allotment value of $760.62 for the 2024-2025 cycle.
• The mockneck sweater is now available and must be worn per the style guide. The committee has asked for the following improvements in the style guide: the ability to wear it untucked from the skirt and the ability to wear it under the vest. Until AFA receives a formal response to these requests, Flight Attendants will still be held to current uniform standards during a uniform check. AFA reported quality concerns of cuffs splitting at the seam and the neck hole being too small. Please follow care instructions for the sweater and do not dry them in the dryer as they will shrink.
• The Aura vest is intended to be in stock in June with a possible preorder date of May. This is a tentative timeframe.
• The Company is working with Travelpro to possibly design a hardside 4-wheel spinner that is Crew quality. They are also open to exploring other vendors, but will not sacrifice quality and durability for the spinner design.
• Wings/name tag order process may take up to 90 days. Name tags are a Minimum Order product and are done in once-a-month batches. Once the orders are placed, it may take up to 60 days for the Flight Attendant to receive their wings. If a Flight Attendant submits their order form on the day after Management has submitted their monthly order, the request will be held until the following month. AFA discussed the possibility of creating blank wings for the interim. Please order wings (max of 4 per type) if you have 2 or less as the turn time may be longer than expected. The Committee is also exploring the possibility of having supervisors order wings once a year for every Flight Attendant.
• The Company is considering possibly creating How To videos on care for the uniform in order to help Flight Attendants get longevity out of their pieces during an allotment cycle.
• An issue with no return labels in uniform orders has been resolved. All orders should come with a UPS return label.
• The Uniform survey closed on 11/07/2023 and results were shared with AFA. Uniform improvements will be made based on the data received.
• The Fit Center highly recommends scheduling appointments even though walk-ins are allowed. There will be new back-to-back classes of both Flight Attendants and pilots this year that may reduce the Fit Center’s ability to accept walk-ins (if any at all). AFA and the Company will work together to notify Flight Attendants when class fittings will occur in order to avoid the likelihood of being turned away due to unavailability. Please ensure you are signed up for base updates through your local council as this information will be included in your base newsletters.
• If you have any quality concerns, please submit your issue using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [SSO required] so Unisync and AFA can track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and proof of quality concerns.
• AFA Uniform policies change requests:
  • Shorter apron- The Company will consider this and review with stakeholders.
  • Allowing brown leather gloves if you are wearing brown shoes- The Company will consider this and review with stakeholders.
  • Allow patriotic neckwear on 9/11- The Company will consider this and review with stakeholders.
  • More modest skirt that is below-the-knee for religious accommodation (FAs can order tall skirts, but some sizes may still hit above the knee)- The Company will consider this and review with stakeholders.
  • Offer the Travelpro backpack as an alternative to the tote- The Company will consider this and review with stakeholders.
  • Piercings & Tattoos- The Company is inclined to adjust current policies to be more relaxed based on the Uniform Survey results, but will not be doing so prior to the Hawaiian merger & acquisition as our uniform standards are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
  • Allow the Franco Sarto loafers (without the tassel) but with the tan stripe and stitching- The Company is not inclined to make an exception, however, FAs are allowed to color or dye the stitching and stripe a navy color in order to make them compliant.
• AFA brought up concerns about uniform compliance checks being done during boarding/pre-departure safety duties. Management stated they are not specifically going to aircraft to do compliance checks. However, if a Flight Attendant is noncompliant, they will have a discussion. These discussions will continue any time Flight Attendants are on duty and may be subjected to performance steps of discipline if multiple Records of Discussion (RODs) are issued. The main areas of concern receiving discipline are:
  • Outerwear – Noncompliant coats
  • Nose rings (hoops) and earrings that are larger than approved size of a quarter
  • Hemlines – Too short
  • Shoes with white soles or stitching (you can use a navy/brown permanent marker or leather dye on the white stitching to make them compliant)

May 31, 2024 will see the ban of popular lug-style shoes and discipline may be issued for noncompliance. AFA has gone all the way up through marketing (including Luly Yang) in attempts to advocate for the shoe to remain in compliance. The final decision is that these shoes will not be allowed. (this previously stated the cutover is March, which was incorrect)

What The Committee Is Working On

1. AFA CONTRACT NOW Lanyards. Trying to work in coordination with the Mobilization Committee to ensure all Flight Attendants have a lanyard.
2. Transition Jacket. AFA believes we may have found a solution to make the navy parka packable. We will explore this more. The committee’s outwear focus is now geared toward sourcing a transition jacket that is suitable for all-weather purposes (similar to the former Legacy-VX transition jacket).
3. Quality Concerns. We would like Unisync to make quality improvements to their sewing and material based on FA feedback; however, there is not sufficient enough data to support our requests because Flight Attendants are not submitting quality concern reports. Please submit a formal request so improvements can be made.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the 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.

Uniform Committee

• Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 14 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, November 14th, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee also met with Director – Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Sr Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis and Manager Inflight Policies and Standards Jeannette Waddel.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is tentatively set for Tuesday, February 22, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

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

• The new Unisync website launched at the end of October.
• New method for reporting quality issues – now located directly on the Uniforms page in Team AAG.
• Mockneck sweater now available for order. Delivery slated for Q1 2024. Aura vest (blue) is scheduled to ship in Summer 2024 and ordering will be available shortly before then.
• Spinner suitcase testing will begin in the near future. A Travelpro spinner was previously tested but proved to be too top heavy (tipped easily) and one inch smaller (inclusive of the wheels). This created about two inches less space compared to our current roller making it unsuitable for 4+ day trips. AFA and management will continue to explore other options.
• New uniform policies were updated at the end of October.
  • Aura and Atlas pieces may be mixed and matched to suit body types and style preferences, however, the style guide must be followed regardless of which pieces are being worn.
  • Uniform checks are currently being conducted. The main areas of concern receiving discipline are:
    • Outerwear – Noncompliant coats
    • Nose rings (hoops) and earrings that are larger than approved size of a quarter
    • Hemlines – Too short
    • Lanyards other than ones from the company store (Labor has expressed that management will not pursue discipline, however, if you are asked to remove your lanyard, please comply and submit a ticket at support.afaalaska.org)
    • Shoes with white soles or stitching (you can use a navy/brown permanent marker or leather dye on the white stitching to make them compliant)
• Management will consider moving from the current approved list to “boot guidelines and requirements” for the seasonal navy boots. Updates will be made by March of 2024 when boot season concludes.
• March 2024 will also see the ban of popular lug-style shoes and discipline may be issued for noncompliance. AFA has gone all the way up through marketing (including Luly Yang) in attempts to advocate for the shoe to remain in compliance. The final decision is that these shoes will not be allowed.
• Seasonal aprons will continue to be allowed and the committee is advocating for marketing to make this a permanent part of the style guide.
• Maternity pieces should be in full stock and available. Please email or call the Fit Center if you encounter any issues and let your local Uniform Committee Chairperson know if you are unable to obtain pieces.
• The Uniform survey closed on 11/07/2023 and results will be shared with AFA in late December once the data has been analyzed.
• Discussed the possibility of opening the PDX Fit Center on an annual or semiannual basis, but there has not been much turn out in the past. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email AFA at uniform@afaalaska.org so we can collect data on how many FAs would attend to return items, have repairs done, and get fitted.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Wear Testing. Trying to create a diverse pool of wear testers. Finding convenient ways to get wear test items to testers other than base office hours as we would like FAs working early AM trips and nighters to also be part of future wear tests. Would also reduce issues with returns getting back to the Fit Center.
2. Annual Review of Basic Uniform Cost. AFA meets annually to review the cost of the basic uniform per the contract to ensure the allotment amount is correct with the addition of new pieces.
3. Unisync Usability. Concerns over confusion with new ordering sizes. Wool Sensitivity options are available but not widely known or advertised. Made-to-order pieces (tall) still require a phone call.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the 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.

Uniform Committee

• Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, August 8 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, August 8th, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee met with Director – Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, and SFO Base Manager Cierra Lewis.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023.  

Topics of Discussion

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

• Reported quality issues including wings/pins causing injury and holes in uniform, name bar falling off wings, hems and seams running/tearing, zipper tabs falling off cardigans, holes in sweaters, and sleeves on cardigans splitting at cuff. 
• Clarified there is no desire for management to remove the requirement for company-issued lanyard due to safety concerns. Current lanyards have a “snap away” feature that prevents injury.
• Management will consider moving from the current approved list to “boot guidelines and requirements” for the seasonal navy boots. Updates will be made as soon as internal discussions conclude.
• The committee requested management review seasonal neckwear policy to allow for year-round wear for Pride, Patriotic, and Breast Cancer Awareness themes. Marketing’s initial concern is this would lose the cohesive look of the brand with so many different styles. It also lessens the impact of the seasonal neckwear during those specific months/days. We will continue discussing.
• There will be an update on Gender Neutral Collections and the Unisync Website in late October. It will link back to Uniform Subsite to provide more information. 
• Management is not inclined to remove the hosiery requirement for dresses/skirts.
• Unisync has a preferred vendor list which has limited the ability to source a transition jacket. The committee has requested a list of the preferred vendors and will continue to actively assist in sourcing the best possible fit and quality. 
• The feminine vest wear test was a success and the redesign will be used in the site relaunch in October.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Wear Testing. Wear testing for the Pride neckwear began on Monday, August 7th, and ran for 14 days. Wear testing for a gender neutral “Aura vest” has been suspended. Advocating for a uniform that suits all body types requires available wear testers. Seeking volunteers who have gender neutral, petite, tall, and/or plus sizes to test uniform redesigns and additions.
2. Mockneck Sweater. This piece will be added to the uniform collection, available for preorder in October and shipping in Q1.
3. Warm Weather Shirt. Added to uniform collection and currently available for order. The shirt does not have alteration guidelines, however Flight Attendants may hem the shirt halfway up their bicep. Flight Attendants may not fold or cuff the shirts more than once.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the 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.

Uniform Committee

• Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 9 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, May 9, 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), Salá McDaniel (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN).

The committee met with Director of Procurement Eric Phillipson, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Senior Project Manager Megan Low, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, and SEA Base Manager Omar Torres.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday August 8, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

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

• Ongoing uniform quality issues (i.e., name bars falling off wings, pilling, holes in sweaters, seams coming undone).
• Asking to be included in the new uniform policies and provide feedback for the new “Approved Looks”.
• Continuing to advocate for changes in the boot, hosiery, grooming and tattoo policies. 
• Requesting uniform policies and wear guidelines be clearer and more readily available.
• Asking management to find a quality, 4-wheel “Spinner” bag that can be included as an approved option. 
• Results of the updated feminine shirt and cardigan wear test:
  • The shirt redesign was nixed due to more than 50% preferring the current resign. 
  • The redesigned cardigan had issues with the pockets. The design team will work to make the necessary changes and retest.
• Reasons for the long backorders:
  • Supply Chain has upped the number of pieces that are ordered at a time to hopefully circumvent this happening in the future.
  • Once an order is placed it takes 9 months for the items to be produced and shipped to the distribution center.  

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Wear Testing
   • Gender-Neutral Mock Turtleneck. Wear testing of the gender-neutral mock turtleneck ended May 17^th. Testers will be surveyed to help determine decisions and changes
   • Feminine Vest. The new feminine tailored vest began testing on May on 26^th, and will run for 30 days. Wear testing for a gender neutral “Aura Vest” will also take place on a yet-to-be-determined timeframe.
   • Pride Scarf Redesign. A new redesign has been chosen and wear testing will take place in July. If results are positive it will hopefully roll out by Summer of 2024.
   • General. 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. New “Approved Looks”
   • The committee is asking to be more involved the new look guidelines as we can provide valuable feedback from our peers to management.

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.

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.