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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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AFA Update – May 11, 2020

In This Edition

  • Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status
  • AFA Dues Payments While on a Leave of Absence
  • Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status 

AFA International

The announcement of reduced flying schedules and the subsequent need for leaves of absence have many Flight Attendants feeling anxious and concerned. Local Unemployment offices are facing an unprecedented demand for information and assistance. Many states are revising their requirements to make it easier for workers to apply online. 

Additional benefits for Flight Attendants can be found in the recently passed CARES Act. Because of your many calls and letters to Congress and through AFA’s advocacy on Capitol Hill interacting directly with lawmakers, we were able to secure financial relief for individual workers and airlines in a way that promotes direct support of continued paychecks, healthcare, and financial viability of the airlines. All of this was made law while placing restrictions on stock buybacks, dividends, executive bonuses and using funds in any way to undermine worker rights.  

The following information has been compiled from AFA EAP and Legal departments, the AFL-CIO and Union Plus Benefits. Links to several useful flyers are contained within this section which provide additional information.

AFA EAP

We know this is a stressful time for everyone. AFA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to help you deal with the emotional toll the events of this time are taking. AFA EAP is a resource for resolving problems through an international network of over 200 professionally-trained, peer support volunteer Flight Attendants overseen by mental health professionals. AFA EAP assists members in accessing appropriate medical help around mental health issues involving family crises, work-related trauma and chemical imbalance, as well as conflict resolution services and response to critical incidents. EAP is totally confidential. If you would like to contact AFA EAP you can find contact information by clicking here.

We hope these resources will assist you with this difficult transition. We encourage you to reach out to these experts as soon as possible.

AFL-CIO: State Specific Resources

As a member union in the AFL-CIO we are pleased to direct you to a useful landing page that will allow you to search for resources by state including:

  • Resources and benefits to help replace lost wages
  • Eligibility for emergency paid leave
  • Housing and food assistance programs
  • Health insurance and public health services and guidance

https://aflcio.org/covid-19/state-resources

Unemployment Benefits 

People who take a leave or experience a reduction in hours through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive unemployment. Eligibility requirements, statutory wait periods and length of time to collect benefits differ by state. However, the scale and scope of these benefits will vary depending on the state where you are based. It is strongly recommended that you review the unemployment filing requirements and determine if your personal circumstances might allow you the choice of filing with your home state or your domicile state. An important piece of any unemployment filing will be the leave paperwork you receive from your airline. If the language contains verbiage that the leave is COVID related, this will be key to securing benefits. Additionally, most airlines have taken the position they will not contest unemployment filings that are COVID related. Make sure you reference COVID as the reason for your leave when filing your unemployment claim.

As part of the COVID-19 Relief Act, Congress increased by $600 the amount of weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments that laid off and furloughed workers can receive through July 31, 2020. If you’re eligible for at least $1 of state unemployment compensation, you get the full $600, according to the Labor Department. The CARES Act also extends the number of weeks of eligibility for long term unemployed people by 13 weeks to the current state term (normally 26 weeks) to a maximum of 39 weeks, temporarily eliminates work-search requirements and minimum work history (under normal rules, only those who have been employed for a year are eligible), and expands the categories of eligible workers. 

Online Unemployment Information and Resources: 

  • For more information about the changes the CARES Act made to the unemployment insurance, we recommend this guide put together by our friends at the National Employment Law Project.
  • Our AFA website contains up to date information, compiled by the legal department, regarding your questions and answers about unemployment: https://www.afacwa.org/increased_unemployment_covid19

Online Government Resources for Help 

Information about unemployment insurance and sources of other governmental assistance programs can be found here: 

Union Plus

Union Plus is another partner of the AFL-CIO. It is a consumer benefits program for union members and offers specific programs to assist members in times of financial hardship. Visit these websites for additional information: 

AFA Dues Payments While on a Leave of Absence

Membership Committee

As a reminder, Article II.C.1.b of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws require that AFA dues continue to be paid during any leave of absence less than 90 days.  If you currently pay your dues through payroll deduction, dues payments will continue to be deducted as long as you continue to receive a paycheck with sufficient funds for all other payroll deductions plus your AFA dues.  If you are no longer receiving a paycheck or your paycheck does not cover all of your payroll deductions, AFA dues will not be deducted and you will instead receive an invoice from AFA International Membership Services.

Payment Options

If you receive an invoice or statement indicating that you owe AFA dues, payment can be made in one of two ways:

More information about payment options can be found on the payment options page of membership services section of the AFA International website.  This page also contains information about payment plan options if you have a past due account and are unable to pay your entire balance at once.

Questions?

If you have any questions about payment options for outstanding AFA dues, please contact the AFA International Membership Services Department at (800) 424-2401, extension 707.  For other dues-related questions, please contact your Local Membership Committee.

Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

It is prudent for all Flight Attendants to assess their personal financial positions in anticipation of income reductions.  While every Flight Attendant’s situation will vary, below are some general considerations that can help you begin strategizing how best to weather the financial impact of flying cutbacks on your household.

Assess Your Financial Status

  • Prepare a household budget and cut any non-essential items.
  • Prepare a list of all creditors and a contact person.  Make minimum payments.
  • Place your money in a bank in which you have no debt.
  • Attempt to secure a loan early, so you will have a cash flow.
  • Assess your tax situation.  You may be owed a refund or need to file an extension.
  • Be proactive.  Assess your credit card debt.  Look into a temporary reduction or abatement in payments.

Contact Your Creditors

You must communicate with your creditors before any payments become delinquent, and the sooner the better.  You can negotiate a lower repayment schedule before you run out of money.  Be professional, but assertive.  Creditors are easier to work with if they know ahead of time that there’s a problem.  Also, it shows ‘good faith’ that you are concerned about your debts and intend to pay.

The goal is to make the amount of money you’ve saved last as long as possible.  Pay what you can on a regular basis, even if it is less than expected.  Partial payments may keep collection agents away.  Follow-up all telephone conversations with a letter and keep documentation.  Even in the worst-case scenario, it takes a long time for collections, repossessions and evictions to occur.  Contact credit counselors who can help you sort out your financial affairs.  Be sure to remember to contact the creditors that are automatically payroll deducted.

Even if you can’t pay creditors the amount they want, make your best effort to pay something regularly.  This holds arrears as low as possible and lets the creditor know that you are doing all you can.  Partial payment may keep your account from being turned over to a collection agency.

Put your payments in order of importance: this will help you pay first things first when money is short.  Generally, your most important payment will be the mortgage or rent payment, followed by utilities, health insurance and car payments.

And after the initial contact, it’s important that you keep in contact with creditors – every two weeks or so.  This reassures the creditor, shows a responsible attitude toward your obligation and may keep the creditor from ‘hounding’ you.

Prepare a Household Budget

A budget helps you see where you spend your money and where you can save.  Your budgeted expenses should include:

  • Fixed expenses, including: mortgage, rent, taxes, insurance, loans, installment payments, credit card payments and any other monthly payments.
  • Monthly expenses, including: food, gas, repairs, dues, recreation, prescriptions.
  • Future expenses, including: income/property tax and any other outstanding debts.

Your budgeted income should include:

  • Any remaining income
  • State disability insurance benefits
  • Workers’ compensation checks
  • Savings
  • Social Security
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Other pension funds

Your assets may include:

  • Cash value of insurance policies
  • Equity in your home
  • Prepaid burial or funeral policy
  • Resale value of vehicles (including boats and snowmobiles)

Now you are ready to adjust your expenses, negotiate with creditors and use assets in the most effective way possible.

Questions?

Contact your Local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee or call (949) 470-0493.

AFA Update – April 25, 2020

In This Edition

  • Reserve Resources
  • AFA EAP Support Services – Updated 4/22

Reserve Resources

Reserve Committee

With the significant increase in the number of Flight Attendants who will be holding a reserve schedule in May, our AFA Reserve Committee would like to ensure that you are aware of the resources available to help understand the contractual rights and obligations associated with reserve duty.  The following resources may be accessed electronically using the links below:

Questions?

In addition to the printed resources above, Reserve Committee Members are available in your Local Council to answer questions, clarify contractual language, or provide other support related to reserve duty.  You can find contact information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. 

AFA EAP Support Services – Updated 4/22

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

AFA EAP has put together several resources to help Flight Attendants manage their personal mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 outbreak.  All services are available in either a telephone or online format.  For a complete list of support services being offered, schedules, and access information, please click here.

AFA Update – April 20, 2020

In This Edition

  • Flight Attendant Addiction Support (FAAS) Program
  • Cornerstone App Replacement
  • Vacation While on a Staffing Adjustment Leave of Absence
  • AFA EAP Support Services – Week of April 20
  • Union Plus – Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program

Flight Attendant Addiction Support (FAAS) Program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

The Flight Attendant Addiction Support Program (FAAS) is a program that allows Flight Attendants who deal with substance use problems and dependency the ability to obtain appropriate treatment without the threat of automatic termination.  The program is several years in the making and has been a joint effort between AFA Alaska EAP, AFA International EAP, and Alaska Airlines management.  The FAAS Program became available for use as of March 1, 2020 and is available to all non-probationary Flight Attendants. 

Under the FAAS Program, there are three pathways for seeking support and treatment:

  1. Proactive Self-Referral
  2. Proactive Self-Disclosure/Reactive Self-Referral
  3. Violation of DOT regulations or Company Drug and Alcohol policy

More information about these pathways, conditions for participation, effect on employment status, options for payment of treatment, and recovery support can be found in the FAAS Program Manual.  You can access the manual on the Inflight website under Administration > FA Addiction Support Program > FAAS Program Manual or on the IMD in GoodReader > ASFASupplemental > FAAS Program.

Note: The MEC would like to thank MEC EAP Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Dillon, Vice Chairperson Jeanne McCleave, and SAN LEC Vice President/EAP Committee Chairperson Melanie Buker for their enduring efforts in seeing this program through to realization. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the FAAS Program, please contact your Local EAP Committee.

Cornerstone App Replacement

Inflight Training Committee

On March 30, management announced that the Cornerstone app would be replaced with the new Cornerstone Learn app.  The replacement of the Cornerstone app is a welcome announcement given the ongoing technical issues and challenges that the app has presented to our Flight Attendants.  Management has indicated that the new Cornerstone Learn app has greater reliability than the legacy Cornerstone app and should be easier for Flight Attendants to use.  Though AFA representatives have had the opportunity to briefly test the new app, there were several technical issues identified and we are skeptical that the new platform will resolve all of the outstanding issues that Flight Attendants experienced with the old app.

Sync Your Training Before April 30

In bulletin #2020-0024 (AAG sign-on required), published on March 30, management provided notification that the legacy Cornerstone app will no longer be supported after April 30.  If you have started or completed any training using the download feature in the legacy Cornerstone app, you must ensure that you sync the Cornerstone app on your IMD so that your progress is transferred to the new Cornerstone Learn platform.  You can find more information about how to sync in the bulletin under the “New Mobile Learning App” heading.

Questions?

If you have questions about the new Cornerstone Learn app or how to ensure that your training is synced in preparation for the transition, please contact Inflight Training management directly at inflight.training@alaskaair.com.

Vacation While on a Staffing Adjustment Leave of Absence

Master Executive Council (MEC)

If you’re taking an upcoming staffing leave of absence and have vacation days that are scheduled during your leave, those vacation days will be removed from your roster and replaced with the coding for your leave of absence.  The MEC would like to ensure that you are aware of the options that you have to either move or be paid out for your vacation days, which are as follows:

  • Trade Your Days With Vacation Open Time.  Identify available days in vacation open time and email F/A Crew Pay (fa.crewpay@alaskaair.com) to let them know the days that you’d like to trade into.  F/A Crew Pay will process the change.  Vacation open time can be viewed on the Inflight website under Schedule & Bidding > Vacation Trading > Vacation Open Time.  The calendar will display the number of open slots on each day for your base.
  • Request That Your Vacation Be Paid Out Now.  If you would like your vacation to be paid out now, complete and submit a Vacation Payout Form.  The form is located on the Inflight website under Administration > Pay & Benefits > Vacation Payout Form.  As long as the form is submitted 7 or more days prior to pay day, your vacation will be paid out on your next available check.
  • Do Nothing and Be Paid Out Later. If you do not trade your vacation days or request that they be paid out now, they will be paid out automatically on February 5, 2021.

Questions?

If you have questions about any of the above options or need assistance, please contact your LEC Officers.

AFA EAP Support Services – Week of April 20

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

AFA EAP has put together several resources to help Flight Attendants manage their personal mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 outbreak.  All services are available in either a telephone or online format.  For a complete list of support services being offered, schedules for the week of April 20, and access information, please click here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about available EAP support services, please contact your Local EAP Committee.

Union Plus – Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program

AFA International

Because of the current economic and health uncertainty facing many union members, students who enroll in the Union Plus Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program, in partnership with Central State University, in the summer 2020 term will complete their entire degree for free.

There will be no out-of-pocket cost for tuition, fees, or e-books until graduation, not just the summer term. Students may enroll part-time, but continuous enrollment is required.  Students must complete the FAFSA and the financial aid process.

Summer classes begin May 18, 2020.

Unemployed, furloughed or laid off union members and their extended families are still eligible to enroll in the Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program.

Questions?

You can learn more by calling 888-897-9671 or get started online at https://bachelorsdegree.unionplus.org.

COVID-19 Schedule Changes

The drastic changes to April flying have resulted in an unprecedented number of ongoing systemwide disruptions to Flight Attendant schedules: pre-cancellations, flight time changes (“re-times”), flight routing changes, et cetera. Flight Attendants are often given revised flying with completely different flight numbers and/or flight routing and initial report times that are many hours earlier than their original report time.

Crew Access notifications

Multiple ‘bundled’ notifications

Multiple ‘bundled’ Crew Access notifications have made the situation even more confusing. Flight Attendants are being inadvertently stuck with unwanted alternative assignments because they acknowledged a Crew Access notification for pay protection. However, they later realize that same “good news” notification was bundled with other notifications for undesirable alternate assignments such as re-times reporting way earlier than originally scheduled. Acknowledging Crew Access notifications is “all” or “nothing.” Consequently, AFA filed a contractual grievance on this issue yesterday.

Confusing contractual citations

Additionally, AFA has become aware that Crew Access notifications have included confusing references to what appear to be contractual citations that are not related to our contract. AFA has confirmed these citations are from the pilot contract, and we have addressed this concern with management. Pilot crew schedulers have been advised by management to stop including the contractual references in the notifications effective immediately.

Disputing re-times and reassignments

AFA filed Grievance No. 36-99-2-45-17 “Violation of §10.S Pre-Cancellation and Schedule Changes” regarding re-times between 15 and 21 minutes back in June 2017 (click here for the July 2017 Grievance Report >). Management sustained the grievance (meaning they agreed the contract was violated) shortly thereafter in July 2017. However, AFA and management disagreed with the remedy (i.e. the “fix”) for the violation, and we have been in negotiations over the remedy since then.

Unfortunately, other developments and shifting priorities continually complicated our efforts: ongoing Crew Access violations, payroll issues, a merger, Open Time negotiations, Recurrent Training and management leadership changes all along the way. We know this sounds like AFA leadership is making excuses, but we want to be transparent about how long we’ve known about the issue, and why it’s still not resolved.

In the meantime, AFA also added several other contractual disputes related to reassignments to the Alternate Dispute Resolution (i.e. pre-grievance) process. The parties have continued to negotiate over a long-term remedy to all the reassignment-related disputes, including re-times. We had been making more progress towards a mutually acceptable solution lately…but then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. The parties will continue to work towards a long-term resolution to the disputes, but AFA and management agree that Flight Attendants need at least a temporary solution in place now.

COVID-19 Schedule Changes Letter of Agreement

Starting tonight at midnight Pacific Time, AFA and management have agreed to temporarily administer all Flight Attendant schedule changes that occur in advance of the day of departure of a sequence just like pre-cancellations under Section 10.S [Pre-Cancellations] with the exception of §10.S.1.c (re: cancellations reported between 8pm and midnight the day prior). This would include flight time changes (i.e. re-times), flight routing changes, etc. This temporary letter of agreement is not a permanent change to contract and will be in effect through the end of May.

Click here for the COVID-19 Schedule Changes LOA (04/17/2020-05/31/2020) >

Summary of provisions

  • Re-times, flight routing changes and other schedule changes that occur in advance of the day of departure of a sequence will be treated just like pre-cancellations except under §10.S.1c. All scheduling obligations and scheduling and pay protection options pursuant to §10.S except for §10.S.1.c apply to pre-cancellations as well as re-times, flight routing changes, et cetera. This includes but is not limited to the following:
    • The Company may offer an alternate assignment to open positions that may include multiple sequences on the same day(s) as the original assignment. The Flight Attendant may (1) accept the alternate assignment or (2) decline the alternate assignment and waive pay protection.    
    • However, if the alternate assignment contains a check-in that is more than two hours earlier and/or a release time that is more than two hours later than the original assignment (“footprint + 2 hours”), then the Flight Attendant may decline and agree to call Crew Scheduling between 6 PM and 8 PM local domicile time the night prior to the day of departure of the original assignment.
    • If the Flight Attendant calls back Crew Scheduling between 6 PM and 8 PM local domicile time the night prior to the day of departure of the original sequence, then the alternate assignment offered must operate within the check-in and release times (“exact footprint”) at domicile of the original sequence. If no such alternate assignment exists, then the Flight Attendant will be pay protected and relieved of further scheduling obligation.
  • “I didn’t mean to acknowledge the Crew Access scheduling notification and/or I don’t want the new assignment” provision
    • A Flight Attendant who acknowledges a Crew Access notification for an unwanted schedule change occurring in advance of the day of departure of the sequence may re-establish her/his scheduling obligations and scheduling and pay protection options under §10.S [Pre-Cancellations].
    • The Flight Attendant must call Crew Scheduling prior to 6 PM local domicile time on the day prior to the day of departure of the sequence in order to be eligible for this provision.
  • Extension of the “Pre-Cancellations Due To COVID-19 Schedule Changes” LOA (executed 3/28/2020) through May 31, 2020
    • Please do not call Crew Scheduling until the day prior to the day of departure of the sequence.
    • You may waive pay protection and be relieved of further scheduling obligation by emailing Crew Scheduling (“CrewSked FADesk” <CrewSked.FADesk@alaskaair.com>) no later than one day prior to the date of departure of the sequence.

We know that is a lot of information for one update. The Master Executive Council (MEC) hopes this temporary LOA will provide at least some short-term relief to all the confusion and disruption caused by the COVID-19 schedule changes. As your direct representative on the MEC, your LEC President is available to answer questions that you have about the LOA or the information above. You can find contact information for your LEC President by clicking here. 

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Matt Cook, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Additional Background and Information on Hawaii Turn LOA

Your LEC Presidents have received questions, comments, and concerns regarding AFA LOA 2020-04-10 [Hawaii Turns Due to COVID-19 Restrictions] that was communicated in yesterday’s AFA Update.  Based on the feedback that has been brought forward, the MEC would like to provide additional clarification around the decision to enter into the letter of agreement (LOA).

Background

The situation surrounding COVID-19 has changed day-by-day over the past several months.  The State of Hawaii announced a mandatory self-quarantine order for all persons entering the state on March 21 that requires all visitors to proceed directly to their hotel room upon arrival and remain there for 14 days or for the entire duration of their stay in Hawaii, whichever is shorter.  The order also specifies that while under self-quarantine, visitors who leave their hotel room for any reason other than to seek medical attention could be subject to a fine of $5000, imprisonment of one year, or both.  The self-quarantine order for visitors is in effect until at least May 20, 2020.

Management provided AFA with clarification received from the State of Hawaii that airline crews have an exemption from the self-quarantine order and may instead abide by the state’s stay-at-home order provided that crewmembers undergo a temperature screening prior to leaving the airport.  As part of the exemption, if one member of the crew is found with a body temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, the entire crew is required to self-quarantine in their hotel room and abide by all of the provisions of the self-quarantine order. Crew members who refuse the temperature screening are treated as passengers and are also subject to the self-quarantine order.

Hawaii turns enacted under 8.S

The MEC worked quickly to enact protective measures for Flight Attendants based on the potential requirement for self-quarantine for an entire crew based on one person’s temperature screening results, restrictive measures that were being required if self-quarantined, and harsh penalties for violations of the order.  Both AFA and management agreed to begin turning crews out of Hawaii using the provisions of section 8.S [Natural Disasters, Acts of War, Riots, Terrorism, etc.] of the JCBA.  Crew Scheduling began modifying pairings as necessary and Flight Attendants began operating Hawaii flying as turns on March 26, 2020.

Management provides AFA notice to discontinue 8.S turns

Last week, management provided AFA with notice that they intended to discontinue operating Hawaii flying as turns and return crews to regularly constructed trips with Hawaii layovers.  As the state of Hawaii’s self-quarantine order for visitors is still in effect through May 20, the MEC had serious concerns for the safety and well-being of Flight Attendants who might be forced to undergo temperature screening and comply with the state’s restrictive requirements. 

Management indicated that they were reluctant to continue operating these trips as turns due to the costs associated with having to staff each trip with two sets of Flight Attendants under the pay and rest requirements provided for in section 8.S.  Contractually, operating flights with a duty day exceeding 10 hours and 30 minutes under section 8.S requires that both AFA and management mutually agree.

The MEC discussed the possibility of crews returning to Hawaii layovers and determined that the safety and health concerns were too great and that protections needed to remain in place given the State’s ongoing restrictions.  Though management was not willing to continue operating Hawaii turns under section 8.S, AFA and management were able to reach an agreement that would allow these flights to continue to operate as turns while providing Flight Attendants with additional pay, staffing over minimum crew, and dedicated rest breaks and seats.

Key Provisions of the Letter of Agreement

No one will be awarded a Hawaii turn who doesn’t want one

In order to be awarded a Hawaii turn during the bid-award process, you will need to positively opt-in by selecting a waiver to either “Allow Redeye Long Duty (4k) Pairings” or “Allow Day Long Duty (4k) Pairings”.  If you do not include this waiver in your bid in NAVBLUE, you will not be awarded a Hawaii turn.

Crews will be augmented with two additional Flight Attendants

One of the additional Flight Attendants will work to Hawaii as the “E” Flight Attendant and deadhead on the return flight to the mainland.  The other additional Flight Attendant will deadhead to Hawaii and work as the “E” Flight Attendant on the return flight.  This addition of a fifth Flight Attendant meets CFR requirements to augment crews when a duty day exceeds 14 hours.  The sixth Flight Attendant provides additional staffing to prevent a cancellation should another Flight Attendant become sick online.

Dedicated crew rest seats and breaks will be provided

Management will pre-block seats for crew rest on all Hawaii turn sequences.  The crew will be responsible for coordinating rest breaks of equal duration that will be offered in seniority order (e.g. the most senior F/A picks when during the flight they want to take their break, then the next most senior, etc.). While on break and in a crew rest seat, Flight Attendants are permitted to rest, sleep, eat, and use portable electronic devices in the same manner as a passenger.  Note: at least 4 F/As must remain on active duty (not on break) at any given time.

2.0x pay continues to apply

Flight Attendants will be paid two times (2.0x) the rate of pay for any TFP flown during a Hawaii turn sequence. Any other contractual premiums due will be paid above this amount.

Hawaii turns are only temporary and have an end date

Hawaii turns are intended to ensure Flight Attendant health and safety while the State of Hawaii’s self-quarantine order for visitors remains in effect.  The letter of agreement has an end date of June 30, 2020 and can only be extended if both AFA and management agree.

Prioritizing the Safety and Health of Flight Attendants

As a group, we are currently being presented with situations on a daily basis that are unprecedented and wouldn’t even have been thought of just a few months ago.  As evidenced in the situation from last week where Holland America cruise passengers were going to be transported on Alaska aircraft, AFA representatives continue to push to ensure that Flight Attendant safety and health are the first priority in every decision made and action taken.  This is an area where there is no room for compromise.

The MEC had substantial discussion regarding the Hawaii turn LOA and the decision to enter into the agreement was not made lightly (nor was it unanimous).  Based on the State of Hawaii’s restrictive measures if required to self-quarantine and harsh penalties for violations of the self-quarantine order, the MEC determined that it would be preferable to continue operating Hawaii flights as turns while the State’s requirements are in place.  

As your direct representative on the MEC, your LEC President is available to answer questions that you have about the LOA or the information above.  You can find contact information for your LEC President by clicking here. 

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Matt Cook, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Latest News

AFA Update – May 11, 2020

In This Edition Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status AFA Dues Payments While on a Leave of Absence Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status  AFA International The announcement of reduced flying schedules and the subsequent need for leaves of absence have many Flight […]

AFA Update – April 25, 2020

In This Edition Reserve Resources AFA EAP Support Services – Updated 4/22 Reserve Resources Reserve Committee With the significant increase in the number of Flight Attendants who will be holding a reserve schedule in May, our AFA Reserve Committee would like to ensure that you are aware of the resources available to help understand the […]

AFA Update – April 20, 2020

In This Edition Flight Attendant Addiction Support (FAAS) Program Cornerstone App Replacement Vacation While on a Staffing Adjustment Leave of Absence AFA EAP Support Services – Week of April 20 Union Plus – Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program Flight Attendant Addiction Support (FAAS) Program Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee The Flight Attendant Addiction Support Program […]

COVID-19 Schedule Changes

The drastic changes to April flying have resulted in an unprecedented number of ongoing systemwide disruptions to Flight Attendant schedules: pre-cancellations, flight time changes (“re-times”), flight routing changes, et cetera. Flight Attendants are often given revised flying with completely different flight numbers and/or flight routing and initial report times that are many hours earlier than […]

Additional Background and Information on Hawaii Turn LOA

Your LEC Presidents have received questions, comments, and concerns regarding AFA LOA 2020-04-10 [Hawaii Turns Due to COVID-19 Restrictions] that was communicated in yesterday’s AFA Update.  Based on the feedback that has been brought forward, the MEC would like to provide additional clarification around the decision to enter into the letter of agreement (LOA). Background The situation surrounding COVID-19 […]

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