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Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines Merger Moves Forward

Alaska and Hawaiian management have satisfied any questions raised during the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) review of the proposed merger. This means DOJ will not take further actions and has essentially approved the merger. 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has the authority to review international routes and general compliance with DOT requirements as it relates to the merged carrier. This has typically been a perfunctory approval. 

Mergers take time — this first hurdle only relates to the financial closing of the merger which can now proceed. DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration will play a significant role in the operational merger.

As a reminder, the transition period includes specific protections for Flight Attendants as negotiated between our union, and both Alaska and Hawaiian management. Review last week’s communication on the Merger Transition Agreement (MTA). Negotiations for a contract at Alaska will continue separately according to the Railway Labor Act. Improvements for Alaska Flight Attendants will set a higher starting point for JCBA negotiations.

We will all do better through our solidarity. Stay close to union communications, fly safe, and as always look out for each other. We are stronger and better together.

Impact on AFA Alaska Negotiations 

AFA will continue to work on negotiating a second Tentative Agreement (TA2) for Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants. Alaska Airlines has a legal obligation to continue negotiations with AFA Alaska. 

The Negotiating Committee (NC) is drafting a survey to determine the targeted goals for TA2. Following MEC approval, we tentatively plan to release the survey on Tuesday, August 27 and close the survey on Wednesday, September 4. The NC will analyze the results and continue through the steps listed here, including drafting a TA2 proposal.

The status of our mediation has no impact on the merger transaction with Hawaiian.

August 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • The August 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was scheduled to take place this week on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. 
  • The meeting was extended by an additional day to allow the MEC to discuss the path forward with negotiations following the TA ratification vote results.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for August 2024 on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers and LEC Presidents. Additionally, the MEC received committee reports from the Grievance, Benefits, and Retirement Committees and reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

TA Ratification Vote Results

Our MEC was joined by our Negotiating Committee and various AFA Representatives who support the Negotiating Committee in anticipation of the close of the TA ratification vote on Wednesday, August 14, and the announcement of the results. As previously communicated, the TA was not ratified, with 32% voting for the agreement and 68% voting against it. This decision came with 92.4% of eligible voters participating. We appreciate everyone who took the time to vote and have their voice heard through the democratic process!

Next Steps With Negotiations

The MEC Meeting was extended an additional day into Thursday to allow the MEC to have an initial discussion about the path forward with contract negotiations. The first step will involve surveying Members to understand our collective priorities for the negotiations ahead. The survey results will be crucial in shaping the opening proposal and determining the Negotiating Committee’s focus at the bargaining table.

In addition to the survey, our MEC and Negotiating Committee will be working diligently in the upcoming weeks to solidify a strategic plan as we gear up for the next phase of negotiations and resume mediation. Further details about the survey, process, and timeline will be shared through AFA Alaska email and social media channels and posted on the negotiations website when they become available.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

TA Ratification in Context of Delayed Merger Decision

The MEC and Negotiating Committee met this morning to discuss the delayed Department of Justice (DOJ) merger decision prior to our final Tentative Agreement (TA) roadshow. The MEC explored the possible impact on the TA voting timeline and unanimously agreed not to extend the ratification vote. Please ensure you vote by noon Pacific Time on August 14th.

Several factors lead to this decision:

  • We did not originally plan our voting timeline around the DOJ merger decision – the original announcement date just happened to fall within the timeline.
  • There is no guarantee the DOJ decision will actually be announced on the 15th. It is possible the DOJ could further delay its decision – and the voting deadline cannot be indefinitely extended.
  • We negotiated this TA strategically to be a strong option in either scenario, regardless of the DOJ decision. The TA sets us up for a JCBA if the merger does go through, or to be back in negotiations in 2 years (with the three-year duration and one-year early opener). Either way, we will have an opportunity to press for more improvements from a strong base quickly.

Please make sure to vote prior to the deadline – several days before the 14th is recommended in case you encounter any difficulties voting. Keep in mind that voting assistance is available Monday through Friday during regular business hours Eastern Time. Voting information can be found on the contract website.

All published resources are available from the TA page on the contract website.

Department of Justice Merger Decision Update

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced early this morning that they reached an agreement with Hawaiian and Alaska managements to extend the merger review process 10 days until August 15th.  

What does this mean? There is no way of knowing. In fact, the DOJ could not render a decision on August 15th and could further delay the review process. AFA International is monitoring the situation with the DOJ and we will continue to share any new developments or information with members. As a reminder, the Tentative Agreement (TA) was negotiated to position us to return to the bargaining table in the near term whether the merger is approved or not.

The Negotiating Committee is finishing up the TA roadshows in Portland and Anchorage today and tomorrow, respectively. We continue to welcome any questions from you during the ratification process.

Supplemental Ditching Training Update

Grievance Committee

Supplemental Ditching Training Update

Dear Flight Attendants,

We wanted to take a moment to remind and encourage all of you to complete your Supplemental Ditching Training (SDT) as soon as possible but by July 31, 2024. The SDT drill requires completion of an in-person hands-on drill, completion of the SDT CBT, and to watch the video in the June 13, 2024, required Bulletin Bundle. This is FAA-required training. Please remember instructors are Flight Attendants first and have really stepped up to the plate to help.

Resolution of SDT Issues

AFA is pleased to let you know we strenuously negotiated and settled the open SDT issues with management to the benefit of our Flight Attendants:

  • Most Flight Attendants will receive 5 TFP for completing the SDT drill, plus an additional 1 TFP for completing the SDT CBT and watching the video in the June 13, 2024, required bulletin bundle.
  • The training must be completed by July 31st, if the Flight Attendant has duty in the remainder of July; the training can be done at many different times. You can select which option works best for you:
    1. The Flight Attendant may begin the training no sooner than :30 minutes prior to scheduled check in provided they call Crew Scheduling to verify their legalities and obtain approval; or
    2. The Flight Attendant may start the training at, but not before, scheduled check in time (Departure-60), without calling Crew Scheduling; or
    3. The Flight Attendant may complete the training during a sit time without calling Crew Scheduling; or
    4. The Flight Attendant may complete the training following a duty period, provided they call Crew Scheduling prior to the training to verify their legalities and obtain approval; or
    5. The Flight Attendant may complete the training on a day off provided they call Crew Scheduling to verify future legalities and obtain approval; or
    6. If you are scheduled for recurrent or requalification training from June 17th through July 31st (or before your return from leave of absence), the training will be included and you will receive the 5 TFP plus 1 TFP for CBT/video on top of normal pay for recurrent/requalification.
  • If you have no duty or are on a leave of absence from July 17th -July 31st , you must complete the training before your first flight back in August. You will receive 5 TFP plus 1 TFP for CBT/video.
  • If you have duty from July 17th -July 31st but fail to complete the training by July 31st, you must complete it before your first flight back in August. However, you will only receive 2 TFP plus 1 TFP for CBT/video.
  • Since Flight Attendants must call Crew Scheduling and obtain approval in a, d, and e, above, prior to the SDT drill, there should be no instance where a Flight Attendant will obtain pay for over duty or under rest, etc., per §8.E-M, or additional TFP per §11.B.4.a-b, unless Crew Scheduling approves the SDT drill, thereby resulting in such an event. However, if Crew Scheduling does approve the SDT drill in violation of such contractual legalities, then the provisions in §8.E-M, and §11.B.4.a-b, and any other applicable contractual provisions will apply.
  • Flight attendants who completed the training on July 4th will receive double time on the TFP for the 5 TFP, excluding 1 TFP for CBT/video.
  • Flight Attendants who were awarded a reserve line in the month they did the training will receive the 5 TFP and the 1 TFP for CBT/video above guarantee.
  • Open houses may be held from 3-5pm, although the dates and locations are yet to be confirmed. Management will post required bulletins with this information.
  • There will be no Q3 CBT.

Questions?

There are more details in the Letter of Agreement, which will be sent to your IMD soon. Please reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary […]

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

Vacation Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

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