AFA News Now – Page 49

The Present Is A Gift

February 21, 2023 17:00

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

The hustle, bustle, and distractions of modern life can sometimes leave us with feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry.
Mindfulness is a practice that can help us to stay present in the moment and feel calmer and more refreshed.
AFA EAP is always available for support. Find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

Do you find it hard to stay focused on one task at a time? Do you find yourself daydreaming? In our interconnected world, it is hard to live in the moment. Our technology and busy schedules keep us moving from one thing to the next. Learning how to gently pull your attention towards the present is a unique skill that can help improve both physical and mental health.

Stress and anxiety can be constant distractions from the present, which can include worries about both the past and the future. While these concerns may be valid, it is important to regularly take a few minutes to notice your environment, your breath, and even your posture. Below are two ways to help you stay present through mindfulness and other sensory exercises.

What is mindfulness?

In 1979, mindfulness was developed in a hospital setting for patients with chronic pain. But all of us possess the ability to practice mindfulness in our natural environment and obtain benefits from it. People generally report feeling calmer or more refreshed through mindfulness. It focuses less on control and more on awareness – of our thoughts, sensations, and our breath. Remember, mindfulness is a skill and does take practice. As a result, it might take a few times to get the hang of it. Consider this exercise below:

Find your favorite guided meditation website or app. Widely used apps include Calm and Headspace. YouTube also has great videos such as this one to get started. Here is another good choice.
Sit comfortably in a chair with your hands, palm-side down, and your back and bottom gently supported.
Listen to the prompts in the video. The goal is to become more aware of each breath, the pattern of breathing, and the sensations of your body. Simply notice what is happening around you and inside your mind, without judgement.

How can I use my senses to stay present?

Humans have a very powerful sensory system. It helps keep us alert when we’re anxious, but it can also help us relax. Here are a few sensory exercises for each of your senses, to help you stay present.

Smell. Notice and take time to absorb your favorite smells around you. It could be the smell of flowers, fresh-baked cookies, or your oil diffuser.
Taste. Find and savor samples of your favorite foods. They could be spicy, sweet and sour, or warm and comforting.
Sight. Adjust lighting in your space to warm and soothing tones. Focus your eyes on an object or image that brings joy or calm.
Sound. New research is emerging about brown noise. Consider the wonderful genre of Lo-Fi music.
Touch. Clothe or surround yourself with tactile comforting objects, like a favorite sweater or blanket.

AFA EAP is always available for support!

Our AFA EAP Committee is here for you when you need us! Reach out any time at (949) 470-0493 or find our contact information at afaalaska.org/eap.

February 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

February 17, 2023 09:00

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, February 14, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, crew planning, and marketing management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.
The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7. Please don’t hesitate to contact your LEC President if you have any questions.

The February 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, February 14. The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work.

Meeting with Management

As part of most Regular MEC Meetings, our MEC meets with management to review current issues and challenges that Flight Attendants are facing. Attendees from management this month included Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Services Gloria Chow, Director of Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience Sangita Woerner, Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising Eric Edge, Associate Vice President of Finance and Resource Planning Ryan St. John, Managing Director of Operation Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, and Vice President of Labor Relations Jenny Wetzel.

Some of the topics that were discussed include:

Current company marketing and advertising. Management provided an update on current marketing efforts and media campaigns in key growth markets. Our MEC brought forward questions seeking more information about why management selected some of the talent and characters they did in recent advertising.
Timing of upcoming uniform wear tests. Our MEC asked about the timing of the upcoming wear test of the new gender-neutral mock turtleneck and why it was scheduled to take place during the summer months. Management indicated they wanted to complete the wear testing process quickly to allow the new piece to be introduced as soon as possible.
Staffing and growth. Management provided a review of staffing plans for the year. The projections are constantly shifting based on anticipated aircraft deliveries and market conditions.
iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) distribution. Management provided an update on the rollout of the new iPhone 13 IMDs. Our MEC brought forward Flight Attendant concerns about long wait times, even for those who have pre-scheduled appointments for pickup. There are also reports of supervisors not offering to make separate arrangements for pickup, including direct shipping, as provided in the iPhone 13 IMD Distribution Letter of Agreement.
Longevity PTO assignments. Our MEC shared frustration from Flight Attendants about how longevity PTO has been awarded during the vacation bidding process for those with eligible seniority and then subsequently removed if the 960 TFP threshold wasn’t met. Management was asked to consider a different approach that better honors seniority and preferred awarded vacation dates.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please contact your LEC President.

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

February 10, 2023 09:00

Uniform Committee

Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 7 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability.
If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

On Tuesday, February 7, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN, and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant. The committee met with Interim Uniform Programs Manager Eric Phillipson, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Day of Travel Experience Manager Kelly Cuthill, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

Updated wear test protocol and approved new processes and timelines.
Reviewed AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) recommendation sheet and made a commitment to develop a similar wear-test specific recommendation sheet that will be provided to management.
Ongoing uniform quality issues (i.e., name bars falling off of wings, pilling, holes in sweaters, seams coming undone).
Examined the need for a more diverse pool of wear testers.
Unisync sourced a possible option for a packable parka. AFA will review quality and packability and provide recommendations to management.
Requested a more robust survey and feedback form after the completion of wear testing.
Suggested a checklist sheet for wear testers.
Discussed the new “no heel” policy (sole height requirements still exist) reflected in the latest Uniform Policy Guide[AAG sign-in required] update in November 2022.
Dismissed rumors about the discontinuation of skirts and the Aura dress. These are core pieces and will remain part of the basic uniform.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

What The Committee Is Working On

Wear Testing. Wear testing for the feminine cardigan and button up shirt began on Monday, February 6th, and will run for 30 days. Wear testing for the feminine vest begins on April 26th and will run for 30 days. Wear testing for a gender neutral mock neck cardigan and a gender neutral “Aura vest” will also take place on a yet-to-be-determined timeframe. Advocating for a uniform that suits all body types requires available wear testers. The Committee is seeking volunteers who have gender neutral, petite, tall, and/or plus sizes to test uniform redesigns and additions.
Pride Scarf Redesign. Redesign is in the works and will hopefully roll out by Summer of 2024.
Warm Weather Shirt. Still in production. More information will be provided once the shirts are shipped from the manufacturer.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync directly at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include photos, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please also consider opening a ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the uniform wear test pool? Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Celebrating Black History Month

February 1, 2023 09:00

Human Rights Committee

February 1^st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals.
Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the world. It was expanded to its current form in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford when it became Black History Month.

Learn More About Black History

You can learn more about the accomplishments of Black Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

Celebrate with a Black History Month AFA Pin

In 2019, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of February as Black History Month. The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of February.

For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee. Also be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.

Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000

January 31, 2023 16:22

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California.

We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; Captain Ted Thompson; First Officer William Tansky; Sheri Christensen, Rachel Janosik, Ileana Ost, Sarah Pearson, Anjesh Prasad, James Ryan and Stacy Schuyler.

Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines