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Human Trafficking Awareness and Updated Training

Human Rights Committee

  • Human trafficking is a crime that occurs when force, fraud, or coercion is used to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act from another person.
  • AFA has partnered with the Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security to bring Blue Lightning human trafficking awareness training to thousands of Flight Attendants.
  • The Blue Lightning Initiative has recently released updated training on human trafficking based on feedback from airline employees and human trafficking survivors.  You can access the training through the AFA Online Learning Academy.

In 2013, AFA formally started efforts to educate Flight Attendants about human trafficking and ensure that airlines provided such training.  Those efforts grew in 2015 when AFA launched a major campaign to support the Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Department of Transportation (DOT).  The goal of BLI is to train airline personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement.  This support expanded into an official partnership in 2017, when AFA became the first labor union to secure a memorandum of understanding to bring the Blue Lightning Training to thousands of Flight Attendants.

As Flight Attendants, we are uniquely positioned to identify human traffickers and assist their victims.  Flight crews are skilled observers, and with the appropriate training, they can be the frontline against trafficking, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  Indicators of human trafficking can include: physical control of travel documents of an adult traveler by a co-traveler; restricting the movement and social interaction of an adult traveler by a co-traveler; an adult traveler who is unclear on details of his/her final destination or point of contact; or a child traveler who appears to be accompanied by someone claiming to be the parent or guardian who is in fact not related to the child.

Updated Blue Lightning Initiative Training

The new Blue Lighting Initiative training, led by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Transportation, is an element of the DHS Blue Campaign. The training is 17 minutes in length, and is comprised of four lessons that include:

  • What is Human Trafficking?
  • Indicators of Human Trafficking Activity
  • Reporting Suspected Human Trafficking
  • Indicator Challenge

You can access the updated training through the AFA-CWA Online Learning Academy.  If it’s your first time visiting the AFA-CWA Online Learning Academy, you’ll need to register for an account using your personal email address in order to access the training.

More Information

You can find more information about efforts to end human trafficking on the Blue Lightning Initiative or the DHS Blue Campaign website pages. 

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2022

Scheduling Committee

  • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, March 22 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, March 22, 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, and MEC Reserve Chairperson Julie Thornton. The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Crew Scheduling Duty Manager Sara Cook, Manager of Crew Planning Mac Patterson, and other management representatives from Crew Scheduling and 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:

  • Pairing construction including concerns about high line averages, reserve utilization, and fatigue.
  • Concerns about reassignments, conversion of deadheads, sick calls, and the number of trips consistently in Premium Open Time.
  • Review of PBS Base Sits including training video views and level of participation at the base sits and on conference calls.
  • Spring Incentive Premium including both negative and positive feedback received from Flight Attendants.
  • Concerns about PBS bid groups causing issues with bidding and raising the low line average higher.
  • Inclusion of scheduled charter flying in bid packets and PBS pairing search.
  • Feedback about the Jeppesen Crew Access core system for the vendor.
  • Discussion about the company’s network planning strategy and how flying is assigned to Alaska, Horizon, and/or Skywest.

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.  Developing an easy-to-follow flow chart to help explain how reassignments work, similar to the pre-cancellation flow chart.  A rough draft is expected next month for further review by the Scheduling Committee.
  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.

COVID Exposure: Differences in Company and CDC Guidance

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • Management has developed guidance on how to deal with COVID-19 exposure that uses different terminology, definitions, and recommendations than the guidance currently offered by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
  • To most effectively manage your personal risk in the event of an exposure, it’s helpful to understand how management’s definitions and guidance compare to the CDC guidance.
  • More information about CDC guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals can be found on the CDC website.

Fortunately, we are in a period of relatively low COVID-19 transmission and reported hospitalizations and deaths continue to trend downward. Despite low case counts, there is the possibility that another spike in COVID-19 cases could occur if new variants emerge and precautions like mask mandates and social distancing are reduced.

To help understand and manage your personal risk as we enter this next phase of the pandemic, it is helpful to know how the Company handles and communicates known COVID-19 exposures and how that differs from current CDC guidance.  The Company has created two categories of exposure, “low risk” and “high risk”. 

Company Defined “Low Risk Exposure” – It is AFA’s understanding that the Company’s “low risk exposure” is essentially the same as the CDC’s “close contact”.  This occurs when you were less than 6 feet away from an infectious person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.  A person is considered infectious starting 2 days before they have any symptoms, or if asymptomatic 2 days before taking a test which came back positive for COVID-19.

Company Defined “High Risk Exposure” – This differs significantly from the CDC’s definition of “close contact”.  To qualify as “high risk exposure”, the person you were less than 6 feet away from for a cumulative 15 minutes over a 24-hour period must also have symptoms of COVID-19 while (or within two days of the time that) you were with them. One of you must also have been without a mask.  If the exposure was to an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive individual or you were both wearing a mask, it will not be classified as “high risk”. As you can see, this greatly reduces the chance of an exposure being categorized as “high risk”.

To manage risk, we recommend that you treat notifications of “low risk” exposure from the Company as “close contact” as defined by the CDC.

If you are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations or have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 90 days, it is not necessary to quarantine.  However, the CDC still recommends that you take certain precautions.  Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had CDC defined “close contact” with (or Company defined “high risk” or “low risk” exposure to) someone with COVID-19. Until 10 days after that contact/exposure you should also watch for symptoms, isolate if you develop symptoms, wear a well-fitted mask any time you are around others, and avoid being around people who are at high risk.

Check out this link for additional CDC guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals who have had “close contact”.

Spring 2022 Incentive Premium & Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 Backpay

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • AFA and management have agreed to a temporary incentive program designed to encourage Flight Attendants to pick up additional flying over the next several months.
  • For the bid months of March, April, and May 2022, qualifying TFP greater than or equal to 100.1 TFP in that bid month will be paid at two times (2.0x) your trip rate.  Certain exceptions and restrictions apply.
  • At AFA request, management also agreed to include an additional payout for Flight Attendants who reported to work during the Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 eligibility period between December 23, 2021, and January 2, 2022; experienced a flight cancellation; and were previously pay protected at 1.0x.

Late Wednesday afternoon, management approached the MEC with a proposal for an incentive premium to encourage Flight Attendants to pick up additional flying over the next several months. After several proposals back and forth over the past few days, the parties reached an agreement late this Friday afternoon. You can read the Spring 2022 Incentive Premium Letter of Agreement that provides more details by clicking here.

Key Details

  • The Spring 2022 Incentive Premium will be in effect for the March, April, and May 2022 bid periods (March 2 through May 31, 2022).  Each month will be considered individually.
  • All qualifying “Spring Incentive 2022 TFP” (based on Worked TFP) greater than or equal to (≥) 100.1 TFP in a bid month will be paid at two times (2.0x) the applicable trip rate.  Some exclusions apply (see below).
  • Spring 2022 Incentive Premium pyramids on Premium Open Time premium(s) but is capped at two times (2.0x) the applicable trip rate.

FAQs

What is Worked TFP?  All paid TFP excluding vacation/Longevity PTO and sick leave. This includes sit pay, minimum pay rules (MPRs), stranded pay, delay pay, training pay, and any other compensation that is paid in TFP.

What else is excluded from Worked TFP to define the qualifying Spring 2022 Incentive TFP?  Pay protection and initial training (RQ3) pay is specifically excluded and will not count toward the 100.1 TFP Spring 2022 Incentive Premium threshold.

Does the Spring 2022 Incentive Premium affect other contractual premiums?  The Spring 2022 Incentive Premium has no effect on all contractual premiums except for Premium Open Time premium(s).  If a Flight Attendant picks up Premium Open Time at one and one-half times (1.5x) the trip rate and is also eligible for the Spring 2022 Incentive Premium of two times (2.0x) the trip rate, the Premium Open Time premiums pyramids up to a maximum of two times (2.0x) the trip rate; Premium Open Time premium rates of two times (2.0x) the trip rate or higher will remain the same.

Will I be able to see my Spring 2022 Incentive Premium pay in Rainmaker?  Management has indicated that it is not likely that incentive premium pay will be reflected in Rainmaker quickly, if at all. Management believes this will be processed directly through Peoplesoft, so the applicable pay will be visible on your paystub.

Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 Backpay

AFA initially asked management about this back in January, but we were not able to reach an agreement on the concept at that time. As part of the negotiations for this incentive program, the parties agreed to provide an additional payout to Flight Attendants who reported to work and experienced a flight cancellation between December 23, 2021, and January 2, 2022.  Affected Flight Attendants who reported for work during the above dates, scanned in or checked in for duty, experienced a flight cancellation, and were pay protected at 1.0x pay will be eligible for an additional payout of $250 each. The $250 backpay is a flat amount per person and is not per sequence or per flight.

Flight Attendants who are eligible must self-identify by completing a Company payout request form no later than April 10, 2022.  Flight Attendants with scheduled vacation days during this time and those on a leave of absence will have the deadline extended accordingly. Please see management’s communication for specific information about how to submit the payout request form. You can read the Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 Backpay Letter of Agreement that provides more details by clicking here.

Questions?

If you have questions about the Spring 2022 Incentive Premium, please contact your LEC President for more information.

Management Eliminates Remaining Pay Protection and Points Reduction Related to COVID-19 Effective Today

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Management eliminated all remaining COVID pay protection and attendance points forgiveness, effective today.
  • Going forward, Flight Attendants who experience COVID-related illnesses–even if attributed to workplace exposure—will be forced to use sick leave to replace lost income during Company-directed quarantine and will be subject to attendance points in accordance with Section 32 of our contract.
  • AFA leadership attempted to work with management to enter into an agreement for continued attendance points forgiveness related to COVID-19, but management declined to engage.

As indicated in “Further COVID Policy Changes” which was emailed to all employees on March 10th, Alaska Airlines management eliminated all remaining pay protection and Attendance Policy points reduction related to COVID-19, effective today. Management cited employee rates of infection having dropped “to only a handful of cases this week,” “vaccinated employees…staying out of the hospital even if they get infected,” and overall “lower risk to our employees” as justification for this most recent policy change.

Although those statements are currently true—and we hope that they remain true, AFA Alaska leadership strongly disagrees with management’s decision. Until the World Health Organization (WHO) or the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) officially reclassifies COVID-19 from a pandemic to an endemic disease, then pushing financial and work performance ‘liability’ for this disease to employees is, in the MEC’s opinion, premature.

AFA leadership would be remiss if we overlooked the other commercial factors that management did not acknowledge:

  • Shifting pay replacement for absences related to COVID-19 from the Company to employees’ respective personal sick (or PTO) banks minimizes the Company’s pandemic-related financial burden; and
  • Assessing attendance points (or similar work performance ‘demerits’) to employees for absences related to COVID-19 may lead to increased reluctance by employees to call out sick for other issues, which potentially minimizes pandemic-related operational challenges and inefficiencies—and ultimately improves the bottom line in a roundabout way.

Management advised AFA leadership of the plan to return to situation normal some weeks ago, and we lodged our pandemic vs. endemic objections at that time. Whether it was because of pushback from union leadership or perhaps other factors, management temporarily delayed rollout. However, management was unwilling to wait any longer.

The MEC also requested that the parties bargain on another temporary agreement for point reduction related to COVID-19 absences similar to AFA MOU “§32 Attendance Policy Points Related to COVID-19” that expired on September 30, 2021. Unfortunately, management declined to engage.

Stay tuned for more details about that drama in a forthcoming update!

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, […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews—October 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants The integration of our Master Executive Councils (MECs) is progressing steadily. Our first group of committees successfully merged on June 1, and we are now planning for another group of committees to merge on November 1. As part of the committee merging process, our […]

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