AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News

System Board of Adjustment Interviews – June 2026

Leave a Comment

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for one (1) Member to serve on the pre-merger Alaska AFA System Board of Adjustment.

Scope

Members are to serve on the System Board of Adjustment for the purpose of arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise under the terms of the Agreement between Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines and its Flight Attendants.

Policy/Responsibilities

  • There will be two members selected by the MEC from active members in good standing to represent the Association. Members will be selected at-large without regard to Local Council or domicile. 
  • Until such time as a joint collective bargaining agreement is ratified, separate System Boards of Adjustment will be maintained for pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants and pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants.
  • Any person seeking a position as a System Board of Adjustment Member must submit a resume. Candidates must interview with the MEC.
  • System Board Members will be selected for a two (2) year election period in accordance with the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. At least one election will be reviewed in June of each year. Selection will be made, insofar as possible, to ensure that both members will not be new at the same time.  
  • The System Board Members will act in the best interest of the membership and the Association and will be consistent with the Agreement between the Flight Attendants and Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines.
  • The MEC President will have the ability, in the event of an emergency, to appoint a qualified member in good standing to fill an ad hoc position on the Board.
  • The MEC on an ad hoc basis, by majority vote, may appoint an expert as a substitute for one member of the System Board of Adjustment.

Qualifications

  • Current Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant
  • Willingness to attend the requisite grievance training(s)
  • In depth knowledge of the contract
  • Understanding of the principles of just cause
  • Adherence to Grievance Committee policies, procedures, and standards of ethical conduct
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and personal information
  • Maintenance of member-in-good-standing status
  • Ability to remain in good standing with the company
  • Ability to analyze written data and information with high attention to detail
  • Strong written and communication skills
  • Strong computer skills.

Term of Office

The selected candidate will serve a term of office that begins on July 1, 2026, and concludes on June 30, 2028.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews of eligible candidates during the June Regular MEC Meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. If you’re interested in interviewing, plan to bid around this date or adjust your schedule accordingly to accommodate. All interviews will be conducted in person in Seattle, WA or using Google Meet videoconferencing at the candidate’s discretion.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume using the online expression of interest form. The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. After the submission deadline, an MEC representative will contact eligible candidates to arrange a specific interview time.

Please note that to submit an expression of interest, you must have a Google account.If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Questions?

Any questions regarding the position or application process should be directed to pre-merger Alaska MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams at stephanie.adams@afaalaska.org.

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Update – May 2026

Leave a Comment

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • ETCH folder trips must be cleared in their originating domicile before being available for pickup or trade by Flight Attendants from other bases
  • HNL and LAX Flight Attendants are able to pick up SEA 787-9 pairings, but must order the Dreamliner uniform through Affinity Apparel
  • In accordance with Section 6.V of our contract, jackets are not required from April 15 to October 31 or when the ground cooling system is not working

With three domiciles now operated by pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, the Seattle Domicile Negotiating Committee would like to clarify how out-of-domicile pickups and trades work.

ETCH Folder

Trips in the ETCH folder must first be cleared in their originating domicile before they become available for pickup or trade by Flight Attendants from other bases. Until that process is complete, those pairings are not eligible for out-of-base pick up or trade.

Dreamliner Uniform (787-9 Pairings)

Flight Attendants who are not based in SEA and are interested in picking up SEA domicile 787-9 pairings should place an order for the Dreamliner uniform through Affinity Apparel. HNL and LAX Flight Attendants have received extra uniform points to support access to the Dreamliner uniform. Those points can be allocated to Dreamliner uniform pieces at the Flight Attendant’s discretion.


The Dreamliner uniform is intended for 787-9 flying, contractually, a Flight Attendant is able to pick up any trip they are legal for. Flight Attendants should make a good faith effort to obtain the appropriate uniform. If a Flight Attendant has a 787-9 pairing approaching and has not yet received your Dreamliner uniform, please reach out to management, Gina Lorenzo, Jenny Bookert, Heather Hailey, and Michaela Littman, and copy sea@afahawaiian.org to explore available uniform options.

Jacket Requirement

As a reminder, in accordance with Section 6.V, jackets are not required to be worn from April 15 through October 31, or at any time the ground cooling system is not working. If management has asked, please reference the contract and notify a union representative.

Mahalo for your continued engagement. If you have more questions, please contact your local leadership or email the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee at sea@afahawaiian.org.

AFA Committee Focus Month: EAP/Professional Standards

Leave a Comment

We’re excited to launch our first AFA Committee Focus Month this month. This program will help you get to know the different AFA Committees, all made up of volunteer Flight Attendants, the work they do for us, and the resources available to you. We’re starting by highlighting our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee, which lines up with National Mental Health Awareness Month. Taking care of your well-being is not just encouraged—it’s essential.

Our EAP/Professional Standards Committee, commonly referred to as AFA EAP, is a confidential, Union-operated, peer-based support network. Made up of specially-trained fellow Flight Attendant volunteers—not management—the Committee works together as one to offer resources for every challenge, from your personal life to your professional career.

Keep in mind that AFA EAP is different from the company’s EAP, Lyra. While both programs work to support you, AFA EAP is run entirely by our Union, which means more privacy and no management involvement. Our Committee is truly Flight Attendants helping Flight Attendants.

How Our EAP/Professional Standards Committee Supports You

The Committee provides confidential support across three core programs:

  • EAP (Employee Assistance Program): EAP is a confidential lifeline that offers help for mental health, substance use concerns, grief, and life changes. If you’re feeling tired from a tough schedule, dealing with family stress, or facing financial worries, we’re here to support you.
  • CIRP (Critical Incident Response Program): When the job is especially tough, CIRP provides emotional support after serious events, such as a medical emergency on board, a security issue, or a natural disaster. We connect you to long-term help so you never have to face a critical incident alone.
  • Professional Standards: Before conflicts escalate, Professional Standards offers confidential, peer-to-peer help to resolve issues informally, such as miscommunication or a problem with professional conduct. We aim to encourage clear communication, repair relationships, and prevent matters from going to management, where discipline might occur.

We encourage you to contact an EAP Committee Member whenever you need support. Your privacy is important to us, and everything is confidential.

Understanding Your Resources: A Four-Week Focus

To help you learn about all the resources the EAP/Professional Standards Committee offers, we’ll spend the next four weeks highlighting the different parts of the Committee:

  • This Week (General Overview): Introducing your AFA EAP Committee and the comprehensive structure of our support network.
  • Week 2 (EAP): Confidential, everyday support for personal and professional challenges.
  • Week 3 (CIRP): Critical Incident Response Program for emotional first aid after serious events.
  • Week 4 (Professional Standards): Peer-to-peer intervention to resolve day-to-day workplace conflicts informally.

Learn More About Your Support Network: Watch the Video

Want to see how this support network can help you? Watch this short video featuring pre-merger Alaska EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson Melanie Buker and Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Dillon. See how the three main Committee components—EAP, CIRP, and Professional Standards—can make a difference with your personal and work challenges. 

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

After watching, share it with a flying partner who may benefit—be the reason someone else finds support.

Contact Information

Your privacy is important. Save our confidential 24/7 contact number now and reach out whenever you need us:

AFA News in Review – May 1, 2026

Leave a Comment

In This Edition

  • Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026
  • Next Week’s Events

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Originally posted May 1, 2026

Each May, communities across the United States come together to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—a time dedicated to celebrating vibrant cultures, powerful histories, and lasting contributions. This month is an invitation to explore traditions to discover the many ways AAPI voices have shaped and enriched our nation.

Read More >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

Originally posted May 1, 2026

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) continued its thorough review of both the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems, engaging in productive discussions with key company stakeholders. A collaborative approach was proposed to address the complex provisions, ensuring that all parties’ needs are considered. Looking ahead, the committee is preparing to gather feedback through a Crew Meal Survey and anticipates further sessions with management from June 2 to June 4.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, May 5LEC Officer Elections: Council 39 (PDX) and Council 43 (HNL) Polls Open
Tuesday, May 5Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting (pmAS)
Thursday, May 7Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

Leave a Comment

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on April 28 to April 30 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for June 2 to June 4
  • Our JNC is working to combine vacation provisions for Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants, presenting a vision for Section 14 (Vacation) as a starting point for negotiations
  • The Crew Meal Survey will be sent to your inbox on May 12 to collect feedback as the JNC evaluates Section 22 (Expenses)

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 April 28 to April 30 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing 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

This session, the JNC continued to look closely at both the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems. At the start of the week, we had a helpful discussion about how Flight Attendant vacation is managed. Jake Jones, AFA’s MEC Scheduling Chairperson, joined us along with vacation administrators from both Alaska and Hawaiian: Manager of Crew Planning, Jefferey Hunt; Manager of Crew Staffing, Alex Mandus; Manager of Crew Planning, Colin Beard; Flight Crew Administration Manager, Laurie Shiira; Manager of Crew Pay, Debbie Bakke; Senior Crew Plan Analyst, Rich Nicklaw; and Senior Crew Plan Analyst, Choak O’Connell.


As the JNC began discussing combining the elements of the vacation sections, we identified several important issues that would need close work with company stakeholders. We proposed a collaborative approach to management to tackle the complicated provisions, so both sides can work together to find solutions that meet everyone’s needs. With this in mind the JNC presented our vision for Section 14 (Vacation), which will be used as a starting point for discussion.


The JNC also passed and received from management proposals on the new Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignment) and shared our first proposal for Section 35 (Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges). The committee also continued to trade proposals on Section 36 (Commuter Policy).

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA is being 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:

  • 🆕 Temporary Duty Assignments (AS CBA does not address these provisions and HA CBA Section 15)
  • Vacations (AS CBA Section 14 and HA CBA Section 18)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 36 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges (AS CBA Section 35 and HA CBA Section 30)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Domiciles (AS CBA Section 28 and HA CBA Section 5, 14, and 27)
  • 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)

Crew Meal Survey

Our JNC is in the process of reviewing Expenses (AS CBA Section 22 and HA CBA Section 4). We are looking for your feedback regarding Crew Meals. The survey is currently being finalized and will be sent to your inbox on May 12.

  • Survey opens Tuesday, May 12 at 9 AM PT
  • Survey closes on Tuesday, May 25 at Noon

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for June 2 to June 4.

System Board of Adjustment Interviews – June 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Our Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for one (1) Member to serve on the pre-merger Alaska AFA System Board of Adjustment. Scope Members are to serve on the System Board of Adjustment for the purpose of arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise […]

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Update – May 2026

With three domiciles now operated by pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, the Seattle Domicile Negotiating Committee would like to clarify how out-of-domicile pickups and trades work. Trips in the ETCH folder must be cleared in their home domicile before they are available for pickup or trade by Flight Attendants from other bases. Additionally, if you wish to pick up a SEA 787-9 pairing but are not based in SEA, you must order the Dreamliner uniform through Affinity Apparel.

AFA Committee Focus Month: EAP/Professional Standards

We’re excited to launch our first AFA Committee Focus Month this month. This program will help you get to know the different AFA Committees, all made up of volunteer Flight Attendants, the work they do for us, and the resources available to you. We’re starting by highlighting our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee, which lines […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

The JNC continued its thorough review of both the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems, engaging in productive discussions with key company stakeholders. A collaborative approach was proposed to address the complex provisions, ensuring that all parties’ needs are considered. Looking ahead, the committee is preparing to gather feedback through a Crew Meal Survey and anticipates further sessions with management from June 2 to June 4.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the vibrant stories, achievements, and enduring impact of these communities. Their cultures, traditions, and innovations have enriched every facet of American life, from art and science to activism and public service. What started in 1978 as a weeklong observance […]

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX (pmAS) Council 19 SEA (pmAS) Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX Council 43 HNL Council 47 LAX/SEA (pmHA) EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska + Hawaiian news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates