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

        Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022

        May 26, 2022 17:00

        Inflight Service Committee

        • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, May 25 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
        • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
        • Management continues to experience challenges in many locations that are affecting the correct loading on onboard catering supplies and retail products.  Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!  

        On Wednesday, May 25, our AFA Local Inflight Service 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 Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN).  Also present were MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer.  The committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Managing Director of Guest Products Todd Traynor-Corey, and other management representatives from the food & beverage, catering operations, and inflight mobile teams. 

        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:

        • Ongoing issues with errors in catering execution, provisioning, and loading across the entire system.  The committee believes management needs to get back to basics and significantly reduce the errors that are occurring before adding any additional products or making additional changes.
        • Issues with catering of flights to/from PAE that are catered in non-hub stations.  Catering errors on this flight have been substantial and highly impactful.  Management is looking to open a catering location in PAE.  In the meantime, they are looking to modify/reduce service so that something can be offered that is actually consistent given the current circumstances.
        • Concerns with lack of hands-on, practical service training during initial training.  New hire Flight Attendants continue to be placed at a disadvantage by management by not being set up for success.  The committee advocates for the reinstitution of service flights as part of initial training curriculum.
        • Products that are being advertised or promoted on the menu card are running out (True Lemon/True Lime).  If a product is being actively promoted, additional stock needs to be boarded in anticipation of increased demand from passengers.
        • Review of June 22nd catering changes.  Adding cranberry juice (boarded in 1 liter cartons) and POG as well as changes in beer and first class wine products.  Additional bags of liquor minis will be added to first class beverage carts for summer flying.
        • Safety concerns have been identified with coffee carafes falling off the beverage cart.  Management is looking to take action to address the concern.  There will be a new requirement that coffee carafes be placed inside a drawer on top of the cart to keep them from falling over.
        • New CSA announcements are being added for departures from some stations asking passengers to stow bags on sides in overhead bins (like a book on a bookshelf) and encouraging passengers to use restrooms in the terminal before boarding.  Corresponding Flight Attendant announcements will be added about bag stowage and at D-10 indicating that lavatories are closed until after takeoff.
        • MAX aircraft coffee maker brew baskets have been redesigned to better fit our coffee filter packs.  The new design has been tested by management and shows improved performance.  The redesigned brew basket should roll out across the MAX fleet across the next few weeks as the new parts are manufactured.
        • Continued supply chain issues affecting management’s ability to procure and stock service items and other products.  Most recently, this has affected stir sticks and potato chips.  Management is working to procure substitute products.  A disclaimer is being added to the menu card indicating that items may not be available and/or a substitute product may be offered due to supply chain issues.
        • Discussion about management’s desire to raise the main cabin pre-order meal limit.  The Committee shared concerns about the corresponding increase in trash and additional workload for Flight Attendants.
        • Discussion about some catering locations not providing an empty cart for trash as required.  Some stations are leaving carts onboard from previous legs with supplies or other items in them.  Please report these issues.  Conversely, please refrain from asking catering staff to load additional supplies in empty carts intended for trash stowage.
        • Concerns that the current snack basket being provided for first class passengers is lacking and not enough product is being loaded to allow all passengers much choice or selection.
        • Staffing levels within catering operations and currently open positions that management is working to fill.
        • Installation of Wi-Fi on newly delivered aircraft will continue to lag behind due an increase in aircraft deliveries and capacity limitations from the installation vendor.  Passengers will be notified by email and text message that their aircraft doesn’t have Wi-Fi.
        • Upcoming cabin refresh on the 800 fleet.  Will include new seat covers, seat cushions, carpet, bulkhead, and cabin divider.
        • Review of Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) replacement project scheduled to take place later this year.  Current devices will be replaced with the iPhone 13 (new hires are receiving the iPhone 12).  Block2Block will be updated to utilize the expanded screen space.  The new phones have the potential to use tap-to-pay functionality, which management is currently evaluating for potential use.
        • Update on upcoming Block2Block software fixes and improvements.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Addressing Catering Errors and Shortages.  Escalating catering issues reported through Block2Block and other reporting channels, voicing Flight Attendant frustration with ongoing errors in catering provisioning and loading, and working to hold management accountable to fix the problems that make our job more difficult.
        2. Reviewing Block2Block (B2B) Updates. Working to provide feedback to management on changes and improvements to the B2B app, focusing on ensuring that any changes are functional and that the app remains easy for Flight Attendants to use.
        3. Providing Input on New Aircraft Galley Designs.  Working to ensure that Flight Attendant needs are prioritized in the design of galleys and galley components for new aircraft that the company has on order.

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block.  If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt!  Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

        Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management.  You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. 

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

        AFA Council 35 (SFO) Election Results

        May 26, 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 San Francisco:

        LEC President: Melissa Osborne
        LEC Vice President: Virginia Fritz
        LEC Secretary: James Ikehara
        Council Representative: Brad Young

        View the certified election results here >>

        These officers will serve a term of office starting July 1, 2022 and concluding on June 30, 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 35 SFO Tagged With: election results, officer elections

        May 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

        May 25, 2022 17:00

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, May 24 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
        • As part of the meeting, our MEC joined the May 24th Negotiating Committee Listening Session to hear directly from our Flight Attendants about experiences, thoughts, and ideas for upcoming contract negotiations.
        • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.

        The May 2022 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, May 24.  The meeting consisted of updates provided by 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.  In addition, the proposed 2022-23 fiscal year MEC budget was approved at the meeting by the voting members of our MEC (LEC Presidents).

        Negotiating Committee Listening Session

        Our MEC joined the scheduled May 24th Negotiating Committee Listening Session to directly hear some of the thoughts, ideas, and challenges that are being shared with our Negotiating Committee as they gather feedback from our Flight Attendant group.  Thank you to everyone who has gotten involved in the process and participated in or is planning to attend a listening session.  If you’re interested in signing up for one of the remaining listening sessions, you can find more information on our Contract 2022 website.     

        No Meeting with Management This Month

        With the AFA Board of Directors Meeting having been held earlier in the month, this month’s MEC Meeting was scheduled as a one-day event.  Given the shortened meeting length and full schedule, it was not possible for our MEC to meet with management as part of this month’s MEC Meeting.  Our MEC will resume standing meetings with management during the June 2022 Regular MEC Meeting. 

        Questions?

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

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: MEC Meeting

        AFA Council 15 (SAN) Election Results

        May 25, 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 San Diego:

        LEC President: Brice McGee
        LEC Vice President: Melanie Buker
        LEC Secretary: Stephen Couckuyt

        View the certified election results here >>

        These officers will serve a term of office starting July 1, 2022 and concluding on June 30, 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 15 SAN Tagged With: election results, officer elections

        Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2022

        May 25, 2022 09:00

        Scheduling Committee

        • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
        • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
        • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

        On Tuesday, May 24, our AFA Scheduling 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Virginia Fritz (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Adam Clarey, MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative Kiara O’Bryant, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton. The committee met with representatives from inflight base management and other management representatives from Crew Planning.

        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:

        • Reassignments for line holders and reserves – avoiding cancellations.
        • Long wait times for hotels/transportation and concerns with API (the company’s hotel sourcing vendor).  When these situations occur, continue to file CrewCare reports and remain in contact with Crew Scheduling. 
        • Pre-cancellations and the ability to email in order to waive pay.
        • Flight schedule changes and cancellations (reduction in planned schedule) for June, July, and August.  Management indicated that reserve percentages will remain high. 
        • Possibility of allowing Personal Drops and/or raising the threshold sequence number (TSN).
        • Line averages and Reserve coverage.  Management is planning to lower averages to 75 TFP and increase reserve coverage to above 20% in all bases.
        • Pay Protection is compared on a day-by-day basis and excluded from the Spring Incentive Premium.
        • Crew Access queues were explained in recent bulletin 2022-0046 Bulletin Bundle April 18, 2022 (AAG sign-on required).
        • Irregular operations quick reference information.  Our AFA Scheduling Committee has put together a quick reference guide that can be accessed here: https://afaalaska.org/scheduling/irops.
        • Flight Attendants who are experiencing fatigue should report or call in fatigued if unable to perform duties or safely operate.  Refer to the Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) Letter of Agreement for more information.
        • Expecting an update to Crew Access on June 6, 2022.
        • Crew Access/NAVBLUE/T-Mobile/Block2Block – data, statistics, pending updates and requests to improve. 
        • Commuting while on reserve and being in base at the start of reserve availability period.  Not being available in base at the start of the availability period is considered by management to be time card fraud, even if a Flight Attendant has self-assigned a trip or APSB with a later report time.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. PBS Base Sits.  Conducting virtual meetings, trainings, and in-person meetings in preparation for the sunsetting of NAVBLUE ClassBid PBS.  
        2. Reassignment Flow Chart.  Scheduling Committee Members reviewed a draft of the reassignment flow chart and it has been moved forward to the final stages of review and approval.  Refer to sections 10.R and 10.R.5 of our CBA.
        3. Scheduling Quality of Life Improvements.  Reviewing ways to improve Trip Length Distribution (TLD) and other quality of life options.  Working with management to develop a quality of life survey to determine Flight Attendant scheduling priorities. 
        4. Review of user guides and links of Flight Attendant website.  Ensuring information is still accurate in existing resource materials, links are still active and working, etc.
        5. Updating Crew Access videos.  Working with management and ITS to update the Crew Access instructional videos to reflect updates and changes to the user interface.

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling 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 Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

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

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