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.

Uniform Committee

• Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 15 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 15, 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 Milner (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN).  Also present was MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Todd Scarlett.  The committee met with Uniform Programs Manager Ashlyn Pham, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Day of Travel Experience Manager Kelly Cuthill, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, and other representatives from management. 

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:

• Review of recently updated uniform policies, which include a clarified winter hat policy and the ability to wear zero drop shoes.  The updated policy guide is posted on the uniform subsite of Alaska’s World.
• Ongoing uniform quality issues.  The Committee has received numerous recent reports of pieces not standing up to normal wear and tear and inconsistency of sizing, cut, and fabric on new orders.  Reports have also been received about wings breaking and the printing rubbing off the name plate portion.
• Ongoing request to review the current process for Flight Attendants to provide feedback related to uniform pieces.  Management indicates that they are working on an improved system for reporting issues and providing feedback based on what they heard from the Committee at the last quarterly meeting.
• Concerns with lack of availability of approved boots that can be worn with the feminine uniform.
• Ongoing concern that the policy requiring that hosiery be worn with the uniform skirt and dresses is outdated.  Management has declined to make any changes to the policy at this time.
• Repeated request to designate certain existing pieces as gender neutral until specific gender neutral uniform pieces are available.  Management does not anticipate designated gender neutral pieces will be available until 2024 at the earliest.
• Repeated request for a packable, insulated jacket that provides more substantial warmth than the transition jacket in a similar form factor.  Management has started reviewing options but they will not be available this season.
• Concerns with product shortages and items that are backordered for extended periods of time.  Management reports that supply chain issues are continuing to be a challenge.  An increased number of orders are being shipped from the manufacturer by expedited means in order to increase availability.
• Management plans to launch a new warm weather shirt in mid-2023.  A prototype shirt had previously been tested by some Uniform and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Members.  The warm weather shirt will be allowed to be worn with the skirt and Arctic parka based on continued advocacy by the Committee.

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.  

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Cold Weather Improvements.  Working to expand policies and improve uniform pieces in anticipation of upcoming cold weather months.  This includes advocating for improvements to the uniform boot policy and a warmer packable jacket.
2. Simplification of Uniform Policies.  Advocating for an overall simplification of company uniform policies through clearer guidelines, removal of excessive or unrealistic restrictions, and other common sense changes.
3. Streamlining the Uniform Feedback Process.  Working to develop an easy-to-use, online form that Flight Attendants can use to provide feedback about uniform issues and concerns that automatically routes to management, Unisync, and our AFA Uniform Committee.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please help our Uniform Committee by taking the time to email Unisync at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com with any quality issues you are experiencing.  When sending an email, please describe the issue with as much detail as possible and include photos if you can.  Please CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so that the Uniform Committee can track the issues as well.

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 our contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.