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Joint Contract Negotiations Session 12 – February 2026

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on February 24 to February 26 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for March 24 to March 26
  • Progress was made in narrowing issues in Section 15 (Leaves of Absence) and Section 22 (Expenses)
  • First proposal on Section 28 (Domiciles) was presented to management

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on February 24 to February 26 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

 Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

During this negotiation session our JNC continued to make progress in narrowing outstanding issues in Section 15 (Leaves of Absence) and Section 22 (Expenses). The JNC remains steadfast and is working on enhancing provisions in these sections drawing on positive developments from the Hawaiian CBA. Additionally, the Committee presented our first proposal on Section 28 (Domiciles), with an emphasis on moving expenses and continued to advocate for meaningful improvements across all areas under discussion.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA will be used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • Expenses (AS CBA Section 22 and HA CBA Section 4)
  • Domiciles (AS CBA Section 28 and HA CBA Section 5, 14, and 27)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 26 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for March 24 to March 26.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 11 – January 2026

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on January 27 to January 29 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for February 24 to February 26
  • Our MEC Air Safety Health and Security Chairperson and Air Quality Representative, along with the AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist joined the JNC to speak to management about impacts of air quality on Flight Attendants

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on January 27 to January 29 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska
Seth Heiple, MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chairperson
Deb Wallstrom, MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Air Quality Representative
Judith Anderson, AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist; Air Safety, Health and Security

During this negotiating session we were joined by the MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson, Seth Heiple; MEC ASHSC Air Quality Representative, Deb Wallstrom; and AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist, Judith Anderson. After an in-depth presentation to the JNC, our subject matter experts educated management on air quality from the Flight Attendant perspective and identified areas of improvement and concrete action-items to address the on-the-job injury process.

After the presentation, we passed our prepared proposal on Section 15 (Leaves of Absence) to  management.  We continue to advocate for improvements and protections in this Section.  The JNC also made our initial proposal on Section 22 (Expenses).  On Day 2, management passed their response on Section 15 (Leaves).  We are significantly apart in this area as we work to incorporate improvements from the Hawaiian Contract.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA will be used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • Expenses (AS CBA Section 22 and HA CBA Section 4)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 26 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Master Executive Council (MEC) Meeting in Honolulu earlier this month. During the meeting the JNC provided the MEC with a negotiations update and collaborated on some of the more difficult decisions coming up as we work to combine two very different contracts. On January 15, the JNC met with Honolulu-based Members in a meet and greet event hosted by the Council 43 Leadership.  The JNC fielded questions, updated Members on the negotiations process, and addressed their concerns.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for February 24 to February 26.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on December 9 to December 11 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for January 27 to January 29
  • A Tentative Agreement has been reached for Section 27 (Association General)
  • Our JNC continues to analyze the Vacations Section of both the AS CBA and the HA CBA alongside the vacation survey results

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on December 9 to December 11 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberNeil Osato, Director, Labor and People Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

During this negotiating session we continued to narrow issues in Section 15 (Leaves of Absence). The JNC also received the company’s first proposal on Section 24 (General and Miscellaneous). We were able to reach a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 27 (Association General) and secure additional resources to support our growing Flight Attendant group.

The JNC has also begun the process of meticulously analyzing Section 14 (Vacations). During this process, we are also reexamining the vacation survey results in conjunction with assessing the vacation provisions.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA will be used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Association General (AS CBA Section 27 and HA CBA Section 22)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 26 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

Sick Leave Survey

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Sick Leave Survey. We had a total of 3,358 Flight Attendants take part, which is consistent with our previous surveys. Your responses, including partial responses, will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the evaluation process.

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Joint LAX Local Council Meeting with Council 18 (Alaska LAX) and Council 47 (Hawaiian LAX) on Friday, December 12 in Los Angeles. Our next stop will be in Honolulu during the month of January. Please check your Local Council communications for updates about future meetings.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for January 27 to January 29.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 9 – November 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on November 18 to November 20 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for December 9 to December 11
  • A Tentative Agreement (TA) was reached regarding Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security) which incorporates several improvements taken from the Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on November 18 to November 20 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberNeil Osato, Director, Labor and People Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

In this round of negotiations, our JNC made progress on Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security), Section 27 (Association General), and Section 36 (Commuter Policy). We are getting closer to settling several issues where we still disagree.

We are pleased to share that we have reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security). We secured several procedural improvements, formalized support for important safety meetings and reports, and made progress on incorporating language around Cabin Air. The Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) helped the Committee make these valuable improvements.

Section by Section Progress

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Section 25 – Air Safety Health and Security (HA CBA Section 28)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)
  • Section 36 – Commuter Policy (HA CBA Section 34-28)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Section 30 – Training (HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Section 6 – Seniority (HA CBA Section 9)
  • Section 15 – Leaves of Absence (HA CBA Section 17)
  • Section 19 – Grievance Procedures (HA CBA Section 23)
  • Section 33 – Charters (HA CBA Section 12)

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Local Council Meeting with Council 39 (Portland) on Friday, November 21, in Portland. In December, we will continue our base visits, with our next stop at the joint Local Council Meeting with Council 18 (Alaska LAX) and Council 47 (Hawaiian LAX). Please check your Local Council communications for updates about future meetings.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for December 9 to December 11.

Sick Leave Survey Extension – Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Sick Leave Survey Closing on Friday, November 21 at Noon PT

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your health and well-being. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of our paid sick leave policy are most meaningful to you, as we strive to improve our support for your needs.

Our paid sick leave policy is specifically designed to give you the assurance of taking necessary time off without the stress of losing pay. Understanding that every individual’s health journey is unique, our JNC is dedicated to ensuring our contract meets your healthcare needs.

The survey is currently open and will close on Friday, November 21, at Noon PT. For a quick comparison of the Alaska and Hawaiian Sick Leave please see Sick Leave Survey Now Open in AFA News Now. We strongly encourage you to take part in this brief survey, as your input is invaluable in helping us create a supportive environment for all.

If you have any questions regarding the survey feel free to contact the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

On Thursday, February 26, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work in representing our Flight Attendants and advocating for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), Gary Manoi (LAX pmHA), Andrew […]

2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention Recap

The 2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention concluded on Wednesday, marking the end of an engaging and productive three days. Delegates participated in a full agenda: hearing from elected officials and union leaders, joining a spirited picketing event at PDX to support Horizon Flight Attendants in their contract fight, honoring the achievements of AFA award recipients, electing […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, March 5, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO) & MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire […]

2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention: What You Need To Know

Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and several other LEC Officers, Committee Chairpersons, and Committee Members will attend the 53rd Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Convention in Portland, Oregon. They will join representatives from other AFA airlines to address our Union’s business at the international level. Watch […]

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Negotiations – March 2026 Update

Management currently requires Flight Attendants to provide proof of relocation to receive the flat-rate moving expense, a policy that the AFA is formally challenging through the grievance process. While this dispute is ongoing, Flight Attendants able to submit proof of relocation must submit two forms of documentation, such as a lease or updated driver’s license, within 60 days of transfer if they wish to be paid under management’s terms. The union continues to advocate for a fairer process and encourages members to keep records of all related interactions.

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