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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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AFA Alaska News in Review – March 24, 2023

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In This Edition

Negotiation Session 11

Originally posted March 24, 2023

Our Negotiating Committee began discussing Sections 15 (Leaves of Absence), 27 (General – Association), and 30 (Training). Tentative agreement was reached on LOA 5 (Sick Family/Sick Child), increasing the total to 29 sections. The Committee is currently discussing 13 open sections and 3 sections remain. The next negotiation session is April 4th through 6th.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, March 28Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 30Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

AFA Alaska News in Review – March 17, 2023

In This Edition

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Originally posted March 13, 2023

Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, March 9 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants. The Committee also met with management to review a number of specific concerns that were brought forward by Flight Attendants. Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any reserve related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Read More >

EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

Originally posted March 15, 2023

Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee (Members helping Members) seeks to assist Members, their families, and partners experiencing personal and work-related problems that could or are affecting their health and well-being on and off the job. Our EAP committee is a Union-sponsored support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, and partners. EAP Peer Representatives are trained to provide three distinct but interrelated services: Assessment, Support, and Referral Services; Professional Standards; and Critical Incident Response.

Read More >

2023 College Scholarship Opportunities

Originally posted March 16, 2023

As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships. An additional opportunity, the Union Plus Free College Benefit, offers the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees, and e-books. Check out the links below for eligibility requirements, application information, and other important details for each opportunity.

Read More >

Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting

Originally posted March 16, 2023

Members of our Master Executive Council (MEC) and other AFA Representatives will attend the AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting next week. The BOD meeting is where business affecting all AFA airlines is conducted. Your LEC President is your representative at the BOD meeting and will be voting on your behalf regarding the approval of the AFA International budget. If you have any questions about the BOD meeting, please contact your LEC President.

Read More >

Shared on Social

FAA Reauthorization Bill 

Our AFA Government Affairs Committee met with their representatives on Capitol Hill and urged them to pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill. This bill will improve aviation safety and conditions onboard the aircraft for flight crew and passengers. Top priorities discussed with Congress include cabin air safety, and stopping disruptive passenger abuse towards crew members and gate agents.

See the post on Instagram

Next Week’s Events

Monday, March 20AFA Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, March 21 – Thursday, March 23Contract Negotiations
Thursday, March 23SAN Base Safety Meeting
Friday, March 24Quarterly Human Rights Committee Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Members of our Master Executive Council (MEC) and other AFA Representatives will attend the AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting next week. The BOD meeting is where business affecting all AFA airlines is conducted.
  • Your LEC President is your representative at the BOD meeting and will be voting on your behalf regarding the approval of the AFA International budget.
  • If you have any questions about the BOD meeting, please contact your LEC President.

Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 50th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting being held virtually. They will join representatives from the other airlines that make up AFA to conduct the business of our Union at the international level.

Schedule of Events

Monday, March 20Board of Directors Meeting

BOD Meeting Agenda Items

Your LEC President represents you and the other members of your Local Council on the Board of Directors and will be casting votes on your behalf at the BOD meeting. Your MEC Officers serve in an ex-officio capacity on the BOD but do not have voting privileges.

This year, as in all odd-numbered years, the only advanced agenda item for consideration by the Board is the annual AFA-CWA budget. Each Local Council has held or will hold a Local Council meeting before the BOD meeting to discuss the proposed budget and gain your feedback. Details about the proposed 2023-2024 AFA-CWA budget are available from your LEC President.

Questions?

If you have any questions or thoughts about the BOD meeting or the proposed AFA-CWA budget, please get in touch with your LEC President.

2023 College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International

  • As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships.
  • An additional opportunity, the Union Plus Free College Benefit, offers the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees, and e-books.
  • Check out the links below for eligibility requirements, application information, and other important details for each opportunity.

As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships for the pursuit of higher education.  The time for applying is now!

Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with Members.  Please see the respective links for detailed information, and good luck in obtaining financial assistance.

AFA Dee Maki Scholarship

The Association of Flight Attendants Dee Maki Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.  The deadline for applications is April 10.  Details are available on the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships.

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship is offered by CWA. The deadline for applications is April 30.   Details on this scholarship are on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne.

Union Plus Free College Benefit

In addition, there is a free college benefit available through Union Plus for active and retired Members and their families with the opportunity to earn an associate degree completely online – for FREE.  Details and an application are online at https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org.  This benefit can save you thousands of dollars.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your LEC Officers

EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

EAP/Professional Standards Committee

Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee (Members helping Members) seeks to assist Members, their families, and partners experiencing personal and work-related problems that could or are affecting their health and well-being on and off the job. Our EAP committee is a Union-sponsored support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, and partners. EAP Peer Representatives are trained to provide three distinct but interrelated services: Assessment, Support, and Referral Services; Professional Standards; and Critical Incident Response.

AFA EAP is a confidential resource available to Members, demonstrating care and concern for its Members individually and collectively.

EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairpersons

ANCBonnie Waltersanc.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(907) 230-7208
LAXJeanne McCleave  lax.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(949) 922-1606
PDXContesa Nicolaidis  pdx.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(503) 970-6873
SANMelanie Buker   san.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(208) 890-1849
SEAAndrea Koricansea.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(206) 419-2637  
SFOZarah Cummings  sfo.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(925) 577-5733
MECElizabeth Dillon (Chairperson)
Lisa Haugen (Vice Chairperson)		eap@afaalaska.org(949) 470-0493 

DID YOU KNOW: There’s a New Program Called FAAS?

What is FAAS?

FAAS stands for Flight Attendant Addiction Support. It’s a new assistance program developed and run jointly by AFA EAP and management. Any non-probationary Flight Attendant is eligible to use the program.

What does FAAS offer?

  • FAAS is structured to encourage Flight Attendants to seek help before on-the-job misconduct occurs.
  • Those who self-disclose to the company before a work-related performance issue occurs will have access to 30 days of residential treatment at a facility fully paid for by the company,  whether you have Kaiser Insurance, Premera Blue Cross/Blue Shield, or NO Insurance.
  • AFA EAP and your Base Director/Manager will be part of your recovery support team during the treatment period.
  • Should a Flight Attendant’s substance use progress to the point that they show up at work under the influence, the Flight Attendant will have access to company-funded treatment IF the Flight Attendant self-discloses before boarding the first flight of the day and before a reasonable suspicion test is requested. 
  • Should a Flight Attendant’s on-the-job impairment result in a test positive, a pathway to return to flying for Alaska has been developed under the FAAS program following their separation.
  • FAAS is also designed to encourage co-workers to feel comfortable approaching or identifying a Flight Attendant whose impairment risks flight safety. Under FAAS, only the struggling Flight Attendant can jeopardize their job by failing to self-disclose before boarding their first flight of the day or before being identified for testing. Even then, the Flight Attendant will have a pathway for reinstatement.

Does FAAS replace AFA EAP or the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP)?

No. AFA EAP/FADAP offers confidential assistance without company knowledge or involvement.  AFA EAP can confidentially help you decide which of these assistance programs is best for you and your work circumstances.  Unlike FAAS, AFA EAP can also work with probationary Flight Attendants and their family members.  Don’t hesitate to call any of your EAP Committee Members in a safe, confidential setting.

FADAP Contact Information

https://www.fadap.org 
Phone: (855) 33-FADAP / (855) 333-2327
Direct Line: (202) 355-6337

Did You Know: Wings of Sobriety Telephonic Meetings

Meetings are open to all Flight Attendants exploring their need for or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. Meeting times are scheduled every Wednesday at 12 PM Pacific time and Sunday at 2 PM Pacific time. Meetings generally last between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The conference call number to join is (855) 544-2320.

Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting

Master Executive Council (MEC) Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 50th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting being held virtually. They will join representatives from the other airlines that make up AFA to conduct the business of […]

2023 College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships for the pursuit of higher education.  The time for applying is now! Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with Members.  Please see the respective links for […]

EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

EAP/Professional Standards Committee Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee (Members helping Members) seeks to assist Members, their families, and partners experiencing personal and work-related problems that could or are affecting their health and well-being on and off the job. Our EAP committee is a Union-sponsored support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Reserve Committee On Thursday, March 9, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Teran Eason (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN).  Also present was MEC Reserve […]

Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!

AFA International SkyWest Flight Attendants are organizing to form their Union and join AFA-CWA! Help support their efforts by joining in an upcoming SkyWest AFA “Concourse Chats” visibility event. The goal of the events is to engage 1-on-1, in-person and have conversations with SkyWest Flight Attendants to learn their issues and priorities and invite them […]

Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

By

California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

By

Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

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