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Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022

Reserve Committee

  • Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, June 9 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants.
  • The Committee also met with management to review a number of specific concerns that were brought forward by Flight Attendants.
  • Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any reserve related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Thursday, June 9, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants.  Representing you at the meeting were Haley Hirsch (ANC), Conner Gallagher (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Camile Caldwell (SFO), Meg Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Joe Coneglio (SAN).  Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill, and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer.  The committee also met with Inflight Crew Scheduling Duty Manager Nyxalyse Paul 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:

  • Ongoing concerns about low morale within our work group.
  • Review of upcoming update to Crew Access software and associated fixes to current issues and other improvements.
  • Update on topics of interest that were reviewed at the monthly Scheduling Committee meeting.
  • Review of reserve-related issues that have been escalated to the Scheduling Review Board (SRB) and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
  • Update on probationary and new hire Flight Attendant concerns.  MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill has been in regular contact with Inflight Probationary Support Supervisor Kaliko Howell to review issues.  Most frequent issues causing probationary occurrences are late to plane and forgetting to check-in on Block2Block.
  • Review of contractual issues and requests to be referred to the Negotiating Committee for consideration.
  • Possible project to create new easier-to-follow and more concise resources for new hire Flight Attendants to use to better understand the CBA and other job-related information.
  • Review of reserve utilization statistics.  Reserve coverage is anticipated to remain at approximately 24-26% for the remainder of summer and lineholder line averages will likely stay near the contractual minimum of 75 TFP.
  • Ongoing concerns about the need for relief for reserve Flight Attendants.  Many Flight Attendants who are on reserve outside of SEA have been on reserve for many years with no end in sight.  Management indicates that their plan is to adjust ARC numbers to allow for increased flexibility.  The Committee would like management to offer additional ways to provide relief.
  • Review of management’s planned upgraded telephone system in Crew Scheduling, currently planned for implementation later this year.
  • Review of reserve-related scheduling issues that have occurred recently.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 8.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Assisting Probationary Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program.   Answering questions from and providing support to probationary Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program.
  2. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns.  Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management is compliant with our contract. 
  3. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for New Flight Attendants.  Working to create a plan to provide more user friendly, easy-to-access resources about the CBA and other job-related information for new Flight Attendants.

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

Human Rights Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022

Human Rights Committee

  • Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 31 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 Tuesday, May 31, 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 Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Sejal Patel (SFO), Louise Borras (LAX), and Erika Daniel (SAN).  Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou. The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman and Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert 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:

  • Ongoing concerns about low morale within our work group.
  • Continued efforts to build relationships with the company’s Business Resource Groups (BRG) to ensure Flight Attendant representation in all areas.  The Committee would like to see BRG activities be more inclusive of Flight Attendant participation and made available in all bases.
  • Management is launching a new general email address for all employees to ask questions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The new email address will launch on June 15.
  • Ongoing request to make DEI information easily accessible to Flight Attendants on the Inflight Mobile Device (IMD), including a link to the AFA Human Rights Committee resources page.
  • Tragedies that have taken place recently in communities across the United States and around the world.  The Committee will work with the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee to request that resources be shared with Flight Attendants to help individuals cope with these events.
  • Ongoing issues related to the company’s use of Boxed Water as a supplier and concerns about ownership/investors whose values may be contradictory to those of Alaska Airlines.  The Committee met with management and Daryn Kuipers, CEO of Boxed Water to discuss these concerns.  Kuipers stated that Boxed Water fully supports human rights and treating people equally.  It was also shared that the company is an active supporter of LGBTQ events and has made both monetary and in-kind donations.
  • Management’s proposal to conduct DEI listening sessions with Flight Attendants in each base; discussion about involvement of the AFA Human Rights Committee.
  • Working to increase diversity and representation within the Flight Attendant Special Projects Pool.  

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Thursday, August 4, 2022.  

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.
  2. Working to Make Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Information More Accessible.  Encouraging management to make information about DEI events, activities, and programs more accessible and visible to Flight Attendants through links on the IMD and more regular and relevant communication.  Requesting that management include links to the Human Rights Committee’s resource page on afaalaska.org.
  3. 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.

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 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. 

AFA Alaska News in Review – June 3, 2022

In This Edition

Get Ready for Our Negotiations Survey—Update Your Contact Information Now!

Originally posted May 31, 2022

In just a few months, our Negotiating Committee will be conducting a Negotiations Survey of all Flight Attendants.  The results of the survey will be used to help our Negotiating Committee prepare our Opening Proposal.  When it’s ready to launch, the survey will be sent out to all Flight Attendants using contact information on file with AFA.  If your contact information has recently changed, make sure to update it as soon as possible so you’re able to receive your invitation to complete the survey.

Read More >

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Originally posted June 1, 2022

June 1st marks the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States.  The tradition recognizes the events of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a watershed moment in the LGBTQ rights movement.  Read more about LGBTQ Pride Month, learn about the history of the LGBTQ rights movement, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.  Join the celebration by wearing an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin during the month of June.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

Read More >

Introducing Our Negotiations Administrative Support Representative

Originally posted June 3, 2022

One of the key mandates of our Negotiating Committee is to prepare and present contractual documents that are thorough, accurate, and complete.  Our MEC recognizes the importance of this responsibility and has determined that it will be beneficial to appoint a dedicated individual to handle these duties.  Kristy Stratton will be taking on this role as our Negotiations Administrative Support Representative.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Monday, June 6AFA Presentation to Initial Training Class 2022-09
Thursday, June 9Quarterly Reserve Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 9Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Thursday, June 9Scheduling Review Board (SRB)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Human Rights Committee

  • June 1st marks the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States.  The tradition recognizes the events of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a watershed moment in the LGBTQ rights movement. 
  • Read more about LGBTQ Pride Month, learn about the history of the LGBTQ rights movement, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
  • Join the celebration by wearing an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin during the month of June.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

June 1st marks the first day of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month in the United States.  The celebration originated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.  The Stonewell Uprising is recognized as a major milestone in the LGBTQ civil rights movement.  On June 28, 1970, the first Pride March was held in New York City to commemorate the one-year anniversary on the Stonewall Uprising and the last Sunday in June continued to be celebrated as “Gay Pride Day”.  Over time, the single day event eventually grew to an entire month of events and activities.

Learn More About LGBTQ Pride Month

You can learn more about the history of LGBTQ Pride Month and the history of the LGBTQ rights movement through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

Celebrate with an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin

In 2018, the AFA Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution in recognition of June as LGBTQ Pride month.  A special commemorative pin was subsequently designed for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of June.

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.

AFA Alaska News in Review – May 27, 2022

In This Edition

AFA Council 18 (LAX) Election Results

Originally posted May 24, 2022

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

LEC President: Timothy Green
LEC Vice President: Kelese Richardson
LEC Secretary: Majo Tanco
Council Representative: Bryan Wall

Read More >

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2022

Originally posted May 25, 2022

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!

Read More >

AFA Council 15 (SAN) Election Results

Originally posted May 25, 2022

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

Read More >

May 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted May 25, 2022

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.

Read More >

AFA Council 35 (SFO) Election Results

Originally posted May 26, 2022

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

Read More >

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022

Originally posted May 26, 2022

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!  

Read More >

Negotiating Committee Listening Sessions Conclude

Originally posted May 27, 2022

Our Negotiating Committee just wrapped up a week-long series of listening sessions.  The Committee will now shift their focus to the upcoming Negotiations Survey, which will allow all Flight Attendants the opportunity to provide input and feedback about priorities for our upcoming contract negotiations.  You can also provide direct feedback to our Negotiating Committee at any time by email or online feedback form.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Over 4000 Letters Sent 

Over 4000 letters sent to management telling them to Make it Right! Has management responded back to anyone directly?

Just in case you haven’t sent your letter yet or need the link to share with your friends and flying partners: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-management-its-time-to-make-it-right?source=direct_link&

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, May 31Quarterly Human Rights Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 2PDX Base Safety Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention: What You Need To Know

Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and several other LEC Officers, Committee Chairpersons, and Committee Members will attend the 53rd Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Convention in Portland, Oregon. They will join representatives from other AFA airlines to address our Union’s business at the international level. Watch […]

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Negotiations – March 2026 Update

Management currently requires Flight Attendants to provide proof of relocation to receive the flat-rate moving expense, a policy that the AFA is formally challenging through the grievance process. While this dispute is ongoing, Flight Attendants able to submit proof of relocation must submit two forms of documentation, such as a lease or updated driver’s license, within 60 days of transfer if they wish to be paid under management’s terms. The union continues to advocate for a fairer process and encourages members to keep records of all related interactions.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 12 – February 2026

During this negotiation session, we made progress on Sections 15 (Leaves of Absence) and 22 (Expenses). The JNC advocated for positive developments from the Hawaiian CBA to strengthen our proposals. We also introduced our initial proposal for Section 28 (Domiciles) and remain committed to meaningful improvements in all areas of discussion.

Reminder: Don’t Miss Next Week’s MEC Town Hall!

Mark your calendar—Tuesday, March 3, is almost here! There’s still time to register for our Alaska + Hawaiian Town Hall and hear directly from your MEC Officers: MEC President Tim Green, MEC Vice President Brice McGee, and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Ikioka. Join us for the latest updates and get answers to your questions. The Details What […]

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, February 19, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes […]

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