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Joint Negotiating Committee and Seniority Merger Integration Committee Interviews

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Tuesday’s announcement of the final regulatory approval and subsequent financial closing of the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines mark important milestones. As per Section X [Merger Policy and Related Employee Protective Provisions] of the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws (C&B), the AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) will now begin the process of electing Members in good standing to serve on the Seniority Merger Integration Committee and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC). More details about these positions and how to express interest are provided below.

Though the MEC is starting the process of electing members for the Joint Negotiating Committee and Seniority Merger Integration Committee, our immediate focus remains on returning to the negotiation table to achieve a second tentative agreement. Our AFA Alaska Negotiating Committee is preparing an opening proposal based on the TA2 survey results. Please stay updated by following AFA Alaska social media accounts and contract2022.afaalaska.org for the latest news and information.

Joint Negotiating Committee

2 POSITIONS

Pursuant to Section X.D [Merger Policy and Related Employee Protective Provisions: Contractual Protection] of the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws (C&B), the AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) is seeking two Members in good standing (dues current) to serve on the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for merged contract negotiations.

Purpose & Scope

Members of the committee are authorized to negotiate as one of the two pre-merger airline members of the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement covering Hawaiian and Alaska Flight Attendants as specified in Section 10.D.2 of the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.

The Joint Collective Bargaining Negotiating Committee (JNC) is comprised of four members, two of whom are appointed by the Hawaiian MEC and two by the Alaska MEC. The MEC Presidents of the Hawaiian and Alaska MECs shall serve as ex-officio members of the JNC.  

Election

  • Any person seeking a position on the negotiating committee must submit a willingness to serve and resume to the MEC by the announced deadline.
  • Applicants should be willing to devote a substantial amount of time to this committee during negotiations.
  • Applicants should have a good working knowledge of the current contract (if applicable) and of the policies and operation of the airline.
  • If possible, the committee should have a member or members with previous negotiations experience.
  • The MEC selects two negotiating committee members from among the applicants in good standing.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Attend AFA-CWA joint contract negotiations training.
  • Conduct a review of the respective agreements to identify commonalities, differences, benefits of each agreement and unique issues associated with specific air service.
  • Review collective bargaining agreements and employment terms at comparable airlines.
  • Assess the priorities and needs of the members through surveys and union meetings.
  • Work jointly as members of the JNC to develop an opening proposal for the joint collective bargaining agreement.  
  • Be familiar with AFA-CWA policy and industry standards and trends. 
  • Communicate the negotiating objectives to the membership.
  • Attend negotiations sessions and assist in preparing proposals and counter-proposals. 
  • Willingness to travel extensively and adjust schedule to meet the needs of the negotiations.  
  • Update the members and the MECs throughout negotiations. 
  • Remain available as a resource for education on new contract provisions and interpretation of the JCBA. 

Expectations/Qualifications

  • Appointed by the AFA Alaska MEC and terms are served to completion at the approval of the MEC. Takes direction from the chairperson of the JNC with input from the AFA International Collective Bargaining Department (i.e. staff negotiator) and Legal Department (i.e. staff attorney). After successful ratification of the JCBA will continue to serve as a contract interpretation resource for the JCBA.
  • Maintain a complete record of negotiations including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA.
  • Public interactions (including social media) must reflect favorably on AFA Alaska. If requested by AFA Alaska, JNC members must be willing to reasonably limit social media interactions for the duration of JCBA preparation, negotiations and implementation.
  • Ability to tolerate controversy amongst one’s peers.
  • Willing to travel for training, preparation, negotiations, roadshows and other meetings as needed.
  • Must be willing to adjust her/his schedule as needed, sometimes with very little notice.

Flight Pay Loss & Expense Reimbursement

  • 6 TFP for each 8 hours of work (0.75 TFP per hour)
  • 5% override on TFP in lieu of per diem
  • Travel time is unpaid; exceptions will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
  • Meal & incidentals and other expenses to be reimbursed according to AFA Alaska Policy Manual and AFA-CWA C&B.

Seniority Merger Integration Committee

2 POSITIONS

One of the most important aspects of any merger of airlines is the integration of the seniority list.  The AFA Constitution and Bylaws provides for the Master Executive Council (MEC) to appoint two Seniority Merger Integration Committee Representatives. Seniority Merger Integration Committee Representatives have complete and full authority to act on behalf of the Flight Attendants of their respective airline for the purpose of compiling necessary employment data and a single flight attendant seniority list. More information about duties and responsibilities of merger representatives are spelled out in section X.C of the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Determine seniority numbers for each Flight Attendant by reviewing and determining date of bidding for seniority, initial training date, number of days of initial training, and if seniority was accrued for training (and if so, how many days were accrued).
  • Evaluate all protests to determine seniority, determine validity, and adjudge accordingly.
  • Compile and certify a combined system seniority list.

Qualifications

  • Must be a current Alaska Flight Attendant and AFA member in good standing (i.e., dues current).
  • Ability to analyze written data and information with high attention to detail.
  • Ability to commit time necessary to complete assigned responsibilities, including flexibility to meet on short notice.  Some travel will be required.

Expressing Interest & Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews of eligible candidates during the November Regular MEC Meeting on Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13. 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 SeaTac, WA.

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, November 5, 2024. 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 positions or application process should be directed to the MEC Officers at officers@afaalaska.org.

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA Never Forget Website

United Flight 175

Robert J. Fangman
Amy N. Jarret
Amy R. King
Kathryn LaBorie
Alfred G. Marchand
Michael C. Tarrou
Alicia N. Titus
Captain: Victor Saracini
First Officer: Michael Horrocks
Customer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez

United Flight 93

Lorraine G. Bay
Sandra Bradshaw
Wanda A. Green
CeeCee Lyles
Deborah Welsh
Captain: Jason Dahl
First Officer: Leroy Homer

American Flight 11

Barbara Arestegui
Jeffrey Collman
Sara Low
Karen Martin
Kathleen Nicosia
Betty Ong
Jean Roger
Madeline Sweeney
Dianne Snyder
Captain: John Ogonowski
First Officer: Thomas McGuinness
Customer Service Representative: Renee Newell

American Flight 77

Michele Heidenberger
Jennifer Lewis
Kenneth Lewis
Renee May
Captain: Charles Burlingame
First Officer: David Charlebois

Honoring Your Feelings On The Anniversary Of 9/11: A Message For Flight Attendants

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

For Flight Attendants, the anniversary of September 11th holds deep emotional significance. Whether you were flying that day, knew someone personally affected, or joined the profession afterward, the weight of that tragic day is often felt across the industry. The emotions that surface on this anniversary can vary widely—ranging from grief and sadness to pride and resilience. It’s essential to acknowledge these feelings and find ways to honor them.

You’re not alone in how you feel. The aviation community shares a unique bond, and this anniversary is often a time when Flight Attendants, pilots, ground staff, and all those connected to the industry come together in solidarity. Reaching out to colleagues can provide a sense of comfort and shared understanding. Sometimes, simply talking about your feelings with someone who understands can bring relief. By honoring your own feelings and supporting one another, you help carry forward the legacy of resilience and unity that defines the aviation community.

While honoring the memory of 9/11, it’s equally important to care for your own well-being. The emotions stirred on this day can be heavy, so take time for self-care. This might include spending time with loved ones, engaging in activities that bring you comfort, or simply giving yourself permission to step away from any overwhelming emotions.

If you feel the need for more support, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Local AFA EAP Committee representative.  You can connect to one through AFA Alaska EAP at (949) 470-0493. You can also find the listing of your Local AFA EAP Committee with their contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Human Rights Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2024

Human Rights Committee

  • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Friday, August 30, to discuss their ongoing program of work to advance human rights within our workplace and community.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates on what progress has been made on concerns that had been previously brought forward and address new concerns that have come to light. 
  • If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback for the committee, your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson would love to hear from you!

On Friday, August 30, our AFA Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to build awareness and effect change within our workplace and community. Representing you at the meeting were Erika Daniel (SAN), Louise Borras (LAX), Aaron Miller (PDX). Also present was MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II.

The committee met with Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert and VP Inflight Matt Prainito.

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Monday, November 18, 2024. 

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Discussions of Sept & Oct heritage events
  • Flight Attendant listening sessions. Sept 15th – Oct 15th next month Hispanic Heritage Month ANC Chairperson/Inflight/LCRG BRG Representative will host the next scheduled listening session, date and time TBD.
  • Concern of “Fly” Dress code while traveling – “Tattoos are never acceptable” requesting this be addressed
  • Concern of Medlink on our IMD identifying the guest as Male or Female, seeking if this can be more gender neutral
  • Alaska and Horizon jumpseat dress code has been changed to read more gender neutral

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Wings. Awaiting finalization of Alaska acquisition of Hawaiian, as there may be an overall new design.  
  2. Working on a CBT with SFO Chairperson about understanding transgender people, gender identity, and gender expression 
  3. Resource for Flight Attendants about safety concerns in layover cities (Layover Safety Alerts) on the AFA Website.
  4. Med Link on our IMD. Identifying the guest as Male or Female, seeking if this can be more gender neutral 
  5. CSA manual being more gender neutral. Removal of the use of the identity language of he/she when addressing proper dress attire for non rev travel.
  6.  Arrival “Land Acknowledgement Announcements” for our 6 present domiciles also including HNL
  7. Batok Tattoos visible while in uniform. Awaiting finalization of Alaska acquisition of Hawaiian.

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 Human Rights Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Human Rights Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • On August 27, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work representing Flight Attendants’ interests in lineholder scheduling.
  • The Committee met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
  • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to assist with any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!

On Tuesday, August 27, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz. 

The committee met with Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Managing Director of Inflight Operations & Crew Scheduling Allen Thieman, Senior Manager Product Management RIck Mitchell, Supervisor of Inflight Crew Scheduling Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Flights facing heat restrictions, blocked seats, and short runways have caused passenger revenue reduction and issues with commuting in multiple locations.  
  • Night rule violations where crews were exceeding 10:30 duty limits. A reminder that the night rule supersedes irregular operations. 
  • Overview of staffing leaves for October. Currently, there is no plan to offer leaves; the company plans to lower line averages instead. 
  • There are issues with Crew Access notifications showing blank schedules. This sometimes occurs when Crew scheduling is working to confirm a hotel on your layover. 
  • Concerns over pairing options due to reduced seasonal flying.
  • Demand for more commutable and longer trips from LAX instead of co-terminals.
  • We resolved some issues regarding trip removals due to jury duty and discussed the need to remind crew schedulers of the process.
  • Hotels in the bid packet.  In some cases, the hotels will relocate the crew due to unforeseen circumstances. In most cases, the hotel in the bid packet will be the location to which you are assigned. 
  • Reminder to review fatigue management protocols. For information, refer to the Letter of Agreement at afaalaska.org. We are seeing an increase in fatigue reports among reserves and line holders.
  • There is a need for improved communication regarding the Flight Attendant website and SharePoint updates. We ask Flight Attendants to report missing or broken links to AAG information technology services (ITS) or AFA.
  • There is a noticeable decline in block hours for October, with a 13% reduction.
  • Year-over-year analysis indicating a mix of sick leave trends across different bases.
  • Crew Scheduling has approximately five (5) new crew schedulers assisting with the operation.
  • Crew Planning is hiring for a few available positions, while pilot crew planning assists until those roles are filled. 
  • Base Sits. We are anticipating a new budget for 2025. The PBS Subcommittee will not do base sits in October, November, or December. If you need assistance with bidding, please get in touch with them directly or reach out to your Local Scheduling or Reserve Committee. 

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee is seeking feedback on how they can improve their assistance to flight crews regarding bid awards and understanding results. They provided both in-person and virtual meetings for this purpose. The PBS Subcommittee is working with management on PBS base sit budgets.  Management has the committee keep track of how money is being spent to assist flight crews with their bidding.  We appreciate your participation in virtual and in person base sits. 
  2. Pairings Survey. There is a discussion of reviewing bidding data from NAVBLUE to see what kind of pairings Flight Attendants are interested in flying instead of sending out a survey. We will continue to review options. 
  3. Chime Communications. To reduce phone call volumes, Flight Attendants may soon be able to chat with Crew Scheduling via app/Microsoft Teams. The chat will be for Flight Attendant-initiated contact only. The function is currently in the early stages of development and still needs to be discussed with Labor Relations management and our MEC. Testing and implementation are continuing over the next few weeks. We are working on a letter of agreement for implementation, which is still pending review. 
  4. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  5. Crew Planning. Like Crew Scheduling, there was a monthly review of PowerPoint presentations that covered subsequent month staffing, trip length distribution, Flight Attendant block hours, special initiatives (e.g., IROPs), commutability, and other relevant agenda items. Statistics around teaming continue to be reviewed. Crew Planning continues to maximize pairing construction and optimizing teaming strategies to minimize costs and ensure that crews (Flight Attendants) can stay together for multiple segments.
  6. ITS. Representatives from ITS joined the scheduling meeting to provide updates on NAVBLUE, Crew Access, internal systems, and Block2Block. These updates include performance reviews, data analysis, and information about future releases.

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your nutrition during the work day through our crew meal provisions. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of crew meals are most meaningful to you, as we continue to advocate for […]

Council 43 (HNL) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 43 LEC Officers, representing Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants based in Honolulu. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Kela Chong IVLEC Vice President: Martin GusmanLEC Secretary: Soon Kim View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Council 39 (PDX) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 11 AM PT today for the election of Council 39 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Portland. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Krystle Shae BerryLEC Vice President: Melodie AnderesLEC Secretary: Kevin Sharp View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

On Monday, May 11, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met virtually 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), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee […]

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