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        You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News / AFA News Now

        Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

        November 22, 2022 17:00

        • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Monday, November 21, 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 Monday, November 21, 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 Matt Cook (ANC), Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Melissa Osborne (SFO), and Louise Borras (LAX). Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer. The committee met with Vice President of Inflight Matt Prainito, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, San Francisco Base Manager Cierra Lewis, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist Sarah Keimig, and Managing Director of Labor Relations Carmen Williams from management. 

        Topics of Discussion

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

        • Members of management’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) team have started visiting stations, beginning with a visit to PDX last week. The Committee did not receive direct notice from management that visits were going to be taking place and requested that management coordinate with the Committee going forward. The next visit will be to ANC on December 9.
        • Representatives from the Committee will participate in the 2023 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in January in Washington, DC.
        • Conversation about how management’s DE&I team can better connect with Flight Attendants. The Committee recommended that DE&I make improvements by working more collaboratively with the Committee, as it is made up of Flight Attendants who represent our work group. Additionally, the Committee requested that management actively include them when communicating about upcoming events and activities sponsored by DE&I or the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs).
        • AFA International has started holding monthly conference calls of Human Rights Committee members from across our Union to share information and coordinate activities.
        • Concerns about availability of emergency healthcare for pregnant employees in locations where regulations may impose limitations on healthcare providers. Management assured that, if necessary, they will facilitate the relocation of an employee to another state to facilitate treatment based on the recommendation of Global Lifeline.
        • Reports of some passengers traveling between certain city pairs seeming to be in need and lacking a clear plan or assistance upon arrival at their destination. Discussion was had about what resources might be available to assist these passengers that Flight Attendants could offer. Both the Committee and management will review available community resources that might be available.
        • Upcoming plans by management to introduce gender neutral uniform pieces. Although management has started work on the process, there is no interim solution, and Flight Attendants are still required to select from specific pieces labeled masculine or feminine. The Committee requested once again that management allow Flight Attendants to wear the pieces that fit them best without regard to program labels. In conjunction with the AFA Uniform Committee, the Committee has offered to engage in further conversation with management to develop a plan for implementation.

        The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.  

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Developing a Framework for Diversity & Inclusion Listening Sessions. Discussing proposed plans with management to have our AFA Human Rights Committee facilitate sessions in each base that would allow Flight Attendants to discuss diversity and inclusion topics and concerns with management. Conversations are ongoing, and a preliminary version of the plan is currently under review.
        2. Building Relationships with the Company’s Business Resources Groups (BRGs). Continuing to work to establish relationships with leaders of the Company’s BRGs to find areas where we can join together to advance human rights within the scope of each group.
        3. Advocating for Expanded Access to Uniform Pieces for All. Continuing to work with the AFA Uniform Committee to remove gender-based limitations on uniform items and allow all Flight Attendants to wear the pieces that best fit them as an individual.

        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. 

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Human Rights & Equity Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

        November 18, 2022 15:00

        Uniform Committee

        • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, November 15 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, November 15, 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 Milner (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN).  Also present was MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Todd Scarlett.  The committee met with Uniform Programs Manager Ashlyn Pham, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Day of Travel Experience Manager Kelly Cuthill, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, and other representatives from management. 

        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:

        • Review of recently updated uniform policies, which include a clarified winter hat policy and the ability to wear zero drop shoes.  The updated policy guide is posted on the uniform subsite of Alaska’s World.
        • Ongoing uniform quality issues.  The Committee has received numerous recent reports of pieces not standing up to normal wear and tear and inconsistency of sizing, cut, and fabric on new orders.  Reports have also been received about wings breaking and the printing rubbing off the name plate portion.
        • Ongoing request to review the current process for Flight Attendants to provide feedback related to uniform pieces.  Management indicates that they are working on an improved system for reporting issues and providing feedback based on what they heard from the Committee at the last quarterly meeting.
        • Concerns with lack of availability of approved boots that can be worn with the feminine uniform.
        • Ongoing concern that the policy requiring that hosiery be worn with the uniform skirt and dresses is outdated.  Management has declined to make any changes to the policy at this time.
        • Repeated request to designate certain existing pieces as gender neutral until specific gender neutral uniform pieces are available.  Management does not anticipate designated gender neutral pieces will be available until 2024 at the earliest.
        • Repeated request for a packable, insulated jacket that provides more substantial warmth than the transition jacket in a similar form factor.  Management has started reviewing options but they will not be available this season.
        • Concerns with product shortages and items that are backordered for extended periods of time.  Management reports that supply chain issues are continuing to be a challenge.  An increased number of orders are being shipped from the manufacturer by expedited means in order to increase availability.
        • Management plans to launch a new warm weather shirt in mid-2023.  A prototype shirt had previously been tested by some Uniform and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Members.  The warm weather shirt will be allowed to be worn with the skirt and Arctic parka based on continued advocacy by the Committee.

        The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.  

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Cold Weather Improvements.  Working to expand policies and improve uniform pieces in anticipation of upcoming cold weather months.  This includes advocating for improvements to the uniform boot policy and a warmer packable jacket.
        2. Simplification of Uniform Policies.  Advocating for an overall simplification of company uniform policies through clearer guidelines, removal of excessive or unrealistic restrictions, and other common sense changes.
        3. Streamlining the Uniform Feedback Process.  Working to develop an easy-to-use, online form that Flight Attendants can use to provide feedback about uniform issues and concerns that automatically routes to management, Unisync, and our AFA Uniform Committee.

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Please help our Uniform Committee by taking the time to email Unisync at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com with any quality issues you are experiencing.  When sending an email, please describe the issue with as much detail as possible and include photos if you can.  Please CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so that the Uniform Committee can track the issues as well.

        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 our contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. 

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Uniform Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Be Aware of Sexual Assault

        November 14, 2022 17:00

        Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

        Sexual assault is when someone is sexually touched, coerced, or abused without their consent. Statistics show that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. It can happen to anyone. Perpetrators can be people you know, but also can be people you don’t know as well. In America, 16% of women and 3% of men are sexually assaulted. Signs to look out for include: denial, guilt, self-blame, numbness, fear, anxiety, and nightmares. These are also symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which also occurs as a result of sexual assault.

        What is Consent?

        • Consent is an enthusiastic YES!
        • Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
        • Consent involves two-way communication and should be given before every sexual encounter and every stage.

        How to Protect Yourself

        • Speak up if you notice someone trying to sexually assault you.
        • Do not accept open drinks. Be sure to only consume drinks you’ve opened yourself.
        • Be aware of signs that indicate to others that you’re alone or far away from home/layover hotel.
        • Make sure a friend/flying partner knows where you are at all times. Consider sharing your phone’s location.
        • Do not give out personally identifying information (PII), including lodging information, to people you don’t know.

        What To Do If You’ve Been Sexually Assaulted

        • Contact the confidential AFA EAP helpline at (949) 470-0493.
        • Recognize how you respond. Sexual assault triggers our fight, flight, or freeze response.
        • Get medical care if necessary.
        • Some survivors file a police report and use a rape kit to collect any DNA evidence.
        • Consider seeing a therapist to help you process the traumatic experience. AFA EAP can help you with this referral.

        Confidential Help Is Available

        Remember, confidential help is available through our AFA EAP.  You can find contact information at afaalaska.org or call (949) 470-0493.

        Information for the article is provided by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: sexual assault

        Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program

        November 11, 2022 09:00

        Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

        • AFA and management have agreed to implement a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program to improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.
        • Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never shared with management.
        • If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact your Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) or the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.

        Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) and management regularly review a wide variety of data that allows us to identify and mitigate potential safety risks at our airline, an essential part of the Company’s Safety Management System (SMS). To supplement the safety data generated from our regular programs, AFA and management have agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) in the first quarter of next year.

        AFA and management administer the LOSA program jointly as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The information collected from LOSA observations will help us better understand how Flight Attendants manage threats and errors, evaluate compliance with standard operating procedures and gain valuable insight into our day-to-day line operations from a safety perspective.

        When LOSA observations begin next year, a team of two Flight Attendant LOSA Observers may ask to join your flight. Participation is entirely voluntary; however, we encourage you to participate in this vital effort. You also will have the opportunity to submit any safety-related feedback in an anonymous questionnaire during the flight. 

        LOSA Observers are line Flight Attendants trained by an independent third party, the LOSA Collaborative. They do not record Flight Attendant names, flight numbers, or dates, as confidentiality is critical to this process. Any data collected is sent directly to the LOSA Collaborative, which evaluates and analyzes the information. AFA and management will receive a final report outlining what went well and what can be better, identifying procedures that should be modified or re-emphasized.

        ALPA at Alaska is also an enthusiastic supporter of LOSA, and our Pilots have participated in multiple LOSAs over the past 15 years. As a result, they have seen improvements in safety-related procedures. We are pleased to have parity with ALPA by securing a LOSA program and joining United Airlines as one of only two carriers worldwide with an Inflight LOSA program.

        Questions?

        If you have questions about the LOSA program, please reach out to your Local ASHSC or the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.

        AFA LOSA Steering Committee Members

        Seth Heiple, MEC ASHSC Chairperson
        David Lake, MEC ASHSC LOSA Representative

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Tagged With: Line Operations Safety Audit, LOSA

        AFA Council 30 (ANC) Election Results

        November 10, 2022 13:00

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Anchorage:

        LEC President: LeiLauni Scheideman
        LEC Vice President: Heather Reier
        LEC Secretary: Anne Madsen

        View the certified election results here >>

        These officers will serve a term of office starting January 1, 2023 and concluding on December 31, 2025.

        Our Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Council 30 ANC Tagged With: election results, officer elections

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