AFA News Now – Page 14

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

March 12, 2026 13:00

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 & Probation, Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Adrian Alcantara (SAN). Also present was MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton.

The Committee met with the Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 4.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during both internal AFA-only discussions and meetings with management. Some of the topics discussed include:

Crew Access and Software Updates: Reviewed upcoming updates to the Crew Access, including fixes for current issues and the prioritization of programming improvements.
Rainmaker and Pay Concerns: Regarding Rainmaker and general pay concerns, please remember to review the user guide on the inflight website. Additionally, ensure you wait for Crew Pay to deny a query before submitting an AFA Alaska Online Support Center ticket for a pay discrepancy.
Virtual Pay Sessions: There is a request for virtual pay question sessions for Flight Attendants. This will be discussed further with the MEC Grievance Payroll Representative and the MEC.
Initial Training Classes: Class 1 graduated in February and consisted exclusively of management employees and requalification level 3 (RQ3) Flight Attendants. Management indicated that a second class may occur in April; however, the total number of classes and students remains dependent on the delivery of new 737 aircraft.
APSB Limitations: APSB duty day limitations and instances where APSB assignments end after the daily last flight of the day.

What The Committee Is Working On

Developing Additional Tools & Resources for Reserve Flight Attendants: Working to revamp all Reserve supporting documents: Reserve 101, the Reserve survival guide and discussion of developing videos for common questions & answers for Reserves.
Assisting Reserve Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program: Answering questions from and providing support to Reserve Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program.
Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns: Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management complies with our contract.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the Committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Reserve Committee is your voice to management. You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

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

March 4, 2026 09:01

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 this short video to learn what happens at the BOD Convention and why your engagement matters.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, March 7	Regular MEC Meeting
Sunday, March 8	Executive Board Meeting (MEC Presidents from all airlines)
Monday, March 9	Board of Directors Convention begins Picketing in support of Horizon Flight Attendants @ PDX Awards presentation
Tuesday, March 10	Board of Directors Convention continues International Officer election
Wednesday, March 11	Board of Directors Convention continues

BOD Convention Agenda Items

Your LEC President represents you and other members of your Local Council on the BOD, casting votes on your behalf during the meeting. Our MEC Officers participate in an ex-officio capacity but do not have voting privileges.

Twelve advance agenda items were submitted for the Board’s consideration. In the weeks leading up to the Convention, each Local Council held meetings to discuss these items, providing your LEC President the opportunity to gather feedback from Members. You can review the full list and language of the agenda items on the BOD Convention page of the AFA International website.

Attending The Convention

If you’ll be in Portland, don’t miss the chance to see our Union’s democratic process in action! Attendance at the Convention is open to any AFA Member in good standing. Registration is required. You can find more information about the logistics of the Convention on the BOD Convention page and register by clicking here.

Learn More About The BOD Convention

Want to know more about the BOD Convention and its impact? Access the interactive module on the AFA Online Learning Academy. This resource provides valuable insights into the BOD’s role in conducting business and making decisions at the international level of our Union. Whether you’re interested in how AFA operates or looking to get more involved, this is a great opportunity to explore our democratic process and expand your knowledge.

Click here to access the “What is the AFA Board of Directors?” module >

Note: If it’s your first time using the AFA Online Learning Academy, you’ll need to register for a free account to access the module.

Feedback or Questions?

Your LEC President is your voice at the Board of Directors meeting, but they can only be as effective as the feedback they receive from you. Your input shapes the decisions made on our behalf—don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, questions, or concerns. Reach out to your LEC President today and make your voice heard.

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Negotiations – March 2026 Update

March 2, 2026 13:00

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

AFA has filed a grievance disputing the proof of relocation required by management to qualify for the flat rate moving expense
Flat-rate moving expenses are taxed as bonus wages and are not grossed up, while actual moving expenses reimbursed with receipts will be grossed up to cover taxes owed

Flat Rate Moving Expense Update

Many of you have come to us with concerns about management’s requirement to provide proof of relocation to be eligible for the flat rate moving expense. AFA’s position is that a Flight Attendant does not have to actually move in order to be eligible for the flat rate payment. We are in dispute with management over the requirement and have formally filed a MEC grievance on the issue. The grievance process will take some time to resolve the dispute. In the meantime, we would like to clarify the requirements for those who may be interested in securing the flat rate expense under management’s terms.

First, management is requiring that you actually move, but you do not need to move to Seattle – just a location that makes sense for you to be able to commute to SEA. For example, a move from HNL to a location on the continent such as AUS, SMF, PDX, or DEN, is allowable.

Second, there is no requirement that your move be a permanent one. If you move and a group of Flight Attendants decides to lease a home or large apartment together, with the intention of moving from your current place of residence to SEA or to a location closer to SEA than your current residence, the flat rate moving expense is available.

Third, management is requires that you provide two forms of the required proof of relocation within sixty (60) days after the effective date of your transfer in order to receive the flat rate moving expense. Management requires two forms of the documentation below:

Lease or rental agreement
Mortgage or rental payment receipt
Insurance documents, like homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy
Driver’s license, State ID
Mail from the Department of Motor Vehicles with your address listed
Official school documents, including an enrollment form or a school ID
Utility bill (including any public utility like a gas, electricity, or water bill) or confirmation of utility service (including a utility hook-up or work order)
Statement from a bank or financial institution with the address listed
U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation letter
Moving company contract or receipt with your address listed
Voter registration card with your name and address listed

Finally, if you need the flat rate moving expense before your move, please contact your base manager. Section 5.B.2. of the contract provides that the flat rate moving expense can be provided to you in advance. Please note that the company will not be able to provide you with a cash voucher (the funds will be directly deposited). In addition, flat rate expenses are now taxable under changes in tax laws.

AFA’s position is that you should not need to provide proof of relocation. We hope this information provides additional clarity regarding flat rate moving expenses for those of you who will be able to provide the company-required documentation, while we work through the grievance process for those who will not be able to provide relocation documentation.

If you are unable to provide the company requested documentation:

Document all interactions with management regarding your denial of the Flat Rate moving expense
Email the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee at sea@afahawaiian.org so we may track any potential grievants.

Moving Expenses – Tax Clarification

Actual Moving Expenses

For moving expenses that are reimbursed with actual receipts (actual moving expenses and settling expenses), the company will gross up the payment. This means that the company will be increase the gross payment to cover the taxes owed, to ensuring the Flight Attendant receives the intended reimbursement amount.

Flat Rate Moving Expenses

Lump sum payments (flat rate moving expense and new hire settling expense) will be taxed similarly to bonus wages and will not be grossed up.

For any questions regarding your specific tax situation, please consult your tax advisor or another qualified financial professional.

Other Information

Pet Moving Expenses

The company will reimburse reasonable expenses associated with moving your pet, including the required pet health certificate. If your pet is unable to travel in the cabin or in the baggage compartment and may require specialized handling, please reach out to your duty manager for next steps.

Cargo Information

If you wish to ship your household goods by cargo, you may do so on a space available basis on company aircraft. You will need to complete an SP-28 form, available through Alaska Cargo. Please call 1-800-225-2752 or cargo.capacity@hawaiianair.com for more information.

SEA LOA Resources

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local leadership or email the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee at sea@afahawaiian.org.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 12 – February 2026

February 27, 2026 13:00

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 Attendants	Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee Chairperson	Allen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Joe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Carmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Kalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Mike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff Negotiator	Karen 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.

Reminder: Don’t Miss Next Week’s MEC Town Hall!

February 27, 2026 11:00

Mark your calendar—Tuesday, March 3, is almost here! There’s still time to register for our Alaska + Hawaiian Town Hall and hear directly from your MEC Officers: MEC President Tim Green, MEC Vice President Brice McGee, and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Ikioka. Join us for the latest updates and get answers to your questions.

The Details

What: AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall
When: Tuesday, March 3
Time: 11 AM – 12:30 PM PT
Where: Zoom

What We’ll Discuss

Here’s some of what you can expect:

State of the MEC: Updates on AFA at Alaska and Hawaiian, and our MEC Officers’ goals and plans for their new term of office.
Flying Schedule Changes: Addressing the Alaska flying reductions in SFO and LAX, and increases in SAN and PDX.
Hawaiian SEA Domicile: Information about the soon-to-open SEA domicile for Hawaiian Flight Attendants.
Negotiations: The latest on negotiations for a joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA).
Questions & Answers: Answers to your questions, whether submitted online in advance or live during the session.

How to Join: Registration Required

Click Here to Register Now >

Please use your personal email address when registering. Registrations from alaskaair.com or hawaiianair.com will be canceled. Membership status will be verified before the Town Hall.

Shape the Conversation: Submit Your Questions Now

Help shape the conversation—submit your questions in advance using our online form. Even if you can’t attend live, your input helps us focus on the topics that matter most to all Flight Attendants. Every question contributes to a stronger discussion.

Click Here to Submit a Question >

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, March 3, at the Town Hall!