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AFA Update – August 28, 2020

In This Edition

  • Disaster Relief Assistance Information for California Wildfires
  • Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS
  • Update on Our PSP Extension Fight
  • Managing the Uncertainty of 2020

Disaster Relief Assistance Information for California Wildfires

Our hearts are with everyone who has been affected by the devastating wildfires that continue to affect the state of California. For any Flight Attendants who reside in the declared disaster area who have been directly impacted, several resources are available to provide assistance.

AFA Disaster Relief Fund

The AFA Disaster Relief Fund provides a means for AFA members to assist other members and retirees who have suffered significant damage and/or relocation as a result of a disaster. Since its beginning in the fall of 2001, the AFA Disaster Relief Fund has provided support in the aftermath of many large-scale disasters including the September 11th terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and other natural and/or man-made disasters.

To request assistance from or make a donation to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund, please visit https://www.afacwa.org/disaster_relief_fund.

CWA District 9 Disaster Wildfire Relief Fund

As a CWA member, affected by the California Wildfires, you may be eligible for emergency financial assistance from the CWA District 9 Disaster Wildfire Relief Fund. This emergency assistance is based on availability of funds and need. 

Please review the application for assistance on the CWA website and return the completed application to your LEC President.

AFA Employee Assistance Program

As always, members of the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee are also available to provide assistance.  You can find AFA EAP contact information at https://afaalaska.org/eap.

Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS

Scheduling Committee

It is with sadness that we announce that Steve Poynter, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS, will be retiring from both his AFA position and Alaska Airlines, effective October 1, 2020.  Throughout his career, Steve has been involved in AFA in various roles including Negotiating Committee Member.  Steve was instrumental as a key AFA representative during the transition from paper line bidding to the preferential bidding system (PBS) in 2007 and since 2013 has served as the Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson for the PBS Subcommittee.  His contributions have benefitted countless Flight Attendants and he will certainly be missed. Steve wants to thank all of you for your support and kind words over the years and looks forward to seeing you from a passenger seat!

Effective October 1, Adam Clarey will assume the role of MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS for the duration of the term of appointment.  Adam currently serves as a PBS Subcommittee Member and is the Alternate PBS Subcommittee Chairperson.  He will continue to work with PBS Subcommittee Members Sheri Rochel and Virginia Fritz to oversee the bidding and bid award processes on behalf of AFA.

Update on Our PSP Extension Fight

AFA International

Flight Attendants and other aviation workers will not accept inaction from Congress. Even though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has recessed the Senate, both he and Speaker Pelosi have stated they will bring Congress back to vote if an overall COVID-19 relief deal is reached. Congressional staff is still working and leadership is still able to meet.

We have to continue to demand a relief package now. “When you say Congress does nothing, you give them permission to do nothing and that’s not okay.”

WATCH AFA on The Today Show: Flight Attendant Jobs are in Jeopardy, Congress Needs to Take Action Now >

Your calls, emails, and tweets have worked. We have built broad bipartisan support for our Payroll Support Program (PSP) Extension from the House of Representatives, to the Senate, and even the President. Read this summary >

But our PSP extension won’t happen unless an overall deal is reached. We must keep pushing on a PSP Extension. Regardless, we’ve got to get the extension locked in because it is the best way to protect our jobs, keep our airlines intact, continue serving all of our communities, and have the ability to recover once the virus is contained.

Flight Attendants have seen crises before and this time we know the importance of preventing bankruptcies and other fallout. That is why we will not stop.  

Take Action

SENATE: 888-848-4824
HOUSE: 888-907-9365

Sample Script:

"Hello, I am a constituent calling to ask my Senator/Representative to save my job as an essential worker and airline employee. An overwhelming majority of Congress supports an extension to the Payroll Support Program for aviation workers to avoid massive job loss in October and also to ensure there’s no cancellation of service to small communities. We need a COVID-19 relief package with our payroll support passed TODAY. Our jobs are on the line right now and millions are hurting without this relief! Keep us connected to our jobs, paychecks, & healthcare. We are counting on you. Thank you.”

After you call, sign this letter to your Representative and Senators >

Managing the Uncertainty of 2020

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Life is filled with uncertainty, especially at times like this. While many things remain outside your control, your mindset is key to coping with difficult circumstances and facing the unknown.

The Role Of Uncertainty In Life

Uncertainty is all around us, never more so than today. The current COVID-19 pandemic has heightened uncertainty over the economy, employment, finances, relationships, and of course, physical and mental health. Yet as human beings, we crave security. We want to feel safe and have a sense of control over our lives and well-being. Fear and uncertainty can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and powerless over the direction of your life. It can drain you emotionally and trap you in a downward spiral of endless “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios about what tomorrow may bring.

We’re all different in how much uncertainty we can tolerate in life. Some people seem to enjoy taking risks and living unpredictable lives, while others find the randomness of life deeply distressing. But all of us have a limit. If you feel overwhelmed by uncertainty and worry, it’s important to know that you’re not alone; many of us are in the same situation at this time. It’s also important to realize that no matter how helpless and hopeless you feel, there are steps you can take to better deal with uncontrollable circumstances, alleviate your anxiety, and face the unknown with more confidence.

Learning To Cope With Uncertainty

To cope with all this uncertainty, many of us use worrying as a tool for trying to predict the future and avoid nasty surprises. Worrying can make it seem like you have some control over uncertain circumstances. You may believe that it will help you find a solution to your problems or prepare you for the worst. Unfortunately, chronic worrying can’t give you more control over uncontrollable events; it just robs you of enjoyment in the present, saps your energy, and keeps you up at night. Below are few tips to consider in developing healthier ways to cope with uncertainty. 

Tip 1: Take Action Over The Things You Can Control

Much about life is uncertain at the moment—and many things remain outside of your control. But while you can’t control the spread of a virus, the recovery of the economy, or whether you’ll have a pay check next week, you’re not totally powerless. Whatever your fears or personal circumstances, instead of worrying about the uncontrollable, try to refocus your mind on taking action over the aspects that are within your control.

By focusing on the aspects of a problem that you can control in this way, you’ll switch from ineffective worrying and ruminating into active problem-solving. Of course, all circumstances are different and you may find that in some situations all you can control is your attitude and emotional response.

Tip 2: Actively Deal With Your Emotions

When circumstances are out of your control, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by fear and negative emotions. When you can do nothing else about a situation, you can still actively face your emotions—even the most negative and fearful ones. If you allow yourself to feel fear and uncertainty, they will eventually pass. Focus on the present moment and your breathing and allow yourself to simply feel and observe the uncertainty you’re experiencing. Take some slow, deep breaths or try a meditation to keep you anchored in the present.

Tip 3: Identify Your Uncertainty Triggers

Some uncertainty can be generated by external sources, especially at times like this. Reading media stories that focus on worst-case scenarios, spending time on social media amid rumors and half-truths, or simply communicating with anxious friends can all fuel your own fears and uncertainties. Notice what scenarios or people raise your anxiety levels and try to reduce your exposure to them. 

Tip 4: Focus On The Present

Uncertainty is often centered on worries about the future and all the bad things you can anticipate happening. It can leave you feeling hopeless and depressed about the days ahead, exaggerate the scope of the problems you face, and even paralyze you from taking action to overcome a problem.

One of the surest ways to avoid worrying about the future is to focus on the present. Instead of trying to predict what might happen, switch your attention to what’s happening right now. By being fully connected to the present, you can interrupt the negative assumptions and catastrophic predictions running through your mind.

Tip 5: Seek Assistance 

The uncertainties of our time are new to all of us.  There is no ready template to instruct us how to navigate them.  Be open to asking for help.  Your AFA EAP is just a phone call away.  We are ready to help and we are confidential.  You can access your Local EAP Committee Members by calling (949) 470-0493 or afaalaska.org/eap .

Reduction in Force Part 7

This is the seventh in a series of “Reduction in Force” (RIF) communications from the Master Executive Council (MEC). See RIF Part 1, RIF Part 2, RIF Part 3, RIF Part 4, RIF Part 5, and RIF Part 6 for the previous editions.

In This Edition

  • COVID-19 Pandemic Impact to Staffing
  • Early Out and Other Furlough Mitigation Awards
  • Involuntary Furloughs
  • Systemwide Vacancy Bid?
  • Payroll Support Program Extension

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact to Staffing

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on staffing. Over the past several months, approximately 70% (~4200 out of 5968) of Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants have been on some form of pandemic-related leave of absence or reduced hours line. This includes school/childcare closure leaves; high-risk or self-isolation leaves; directed isolation or quarantine leaves; work-related exposure leaves; capacity reduction leaves; and voluntary low bid (reduced hours) lines. That is over 70% of Flight Attendants whose paychecks and livelihoods have been directly affected by this pandemic, which is not even factoring in the impact to the entire group through reduction of the line average to the contractual minimum.

Early Out and Other Furlough Mitigation Awards

With regard to Early Outs (EOs), Extended Leaves of Absence (ELOAs) and Enhanced Voluntary Furloughs (EVFs):

  • Total bids: ~2,900
  • Total awards: ~2,500
  • EOs awarded: 200
  • ELOAs awarded: 50
  • EVFs awarded: 2,250
  • Total denied: ~400

Management has stated that the denied furlough mitigation bid requests are to prevent excessively imbalanced staffing between the domiciles. The Master Executive Council (MEC) has reviewed numerous iterations of potential awards, and we can validate that the complex interplay between occupational seniority, domicile assignment, leave duration and base guarantee requirements lead to vastly different outcomes depending on how many of each type of furlough mitigation are awarded. Candidly, there was no potential award that felt good to the MEC for various reasons. Although we are extremely disappointed that not all furlough mitigation bids were awarded, this final award is the least objectionable—call it the best of a really, really bad situation.

Involuntary Furloughs

We regret to inform you that management intends to involuntarily furlough approximately 400 Flight Attendants effective October 1, 2020. This affects the junior quarter of the April 16, 2018 Initial Training class and all Flight Attendants junior to them. Management will begin involuntary furlough (IVF) notifications starting next week via certified mail at current mailing addresses on file with the Company and via Company email. Management will also host an online IVF information session the week after, and MEC representatives will participate.

Management also intends to recall many IVFs in October after a very short furlough—on the order of a few days. The MEC understands these October recalls will be based most likely in Seattle, Anchorage or Portland in order to “right size” the operation. We are already working with management to develop a domicile preference bid form for IVF recalls as soon as possible. Involuntary furloughs will have access to all reduction in force contractual provisions, including severance pay and relocation benefits as applicable. Management is not committing to this, but the MEC believes there is a very good chance that all IVFs will be recalled by March 2021 based on the staffing projections we have seen; however, these projections are subject to change.

Systemwide Vacancy Bid?

Will there be a systemwide vacancy bid (sometimes called a “master re-bid” on the line) in which everyone rebids for a domicile? Management seems to believe that recalling the involuntary furloughs to specific domiciles will adequately balance the operation for now, but they have not ruled out a systemwide vacancy bid in the future. AFA disputes management’s position that it may unilaterally impose a systemwide vacancy bid under these circumstances, and we fully intend to file a contractual grievance and push for expedited arbitration if management decides to move forward with such a bid.

For some historical perspective, there have been only two systemwide vacancy bids: once in the mid-90s to correct seniority violations as a result of imposed work rules during contract negotiations and again in 2011 to correct seniority violations and to right size LAX as a result of a preceding reduction in force. Both scenarios involved discussion and concurrence from AFA and management prior to proceeding.

Payroll Support Program Extension

Although Congress has technically recessed for now, work to extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP) continues in earnest during the recess. If PSP were to be extended at any point and involuntary furloughs subsequently prohibited, AFA and management would meet and confer over any necessary changes to furlough mitigations and involuntary furloughs pursuant to the October 2020 Involuntary Furlough Mitigations Letter of Agreement. Realistically, that would likely lead to discussion regarding voluntary leave programs similar to those offered over the last five months.

These are extremely difficult and stressful times. Please remember that your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee is always available as a support resource. As your direct representative on the MEC, your LEC president is available to answer questions or concerns that you may have about all the information presented here. Contact information for your respective LEC president can be found by clicking here.

MEC Response To Delay In Furlough Mitigation Awards

With today’s announcement from management that the awarding of Extended Leaves of Absence (ELOA) and Enhanced Voluntary Furloughs (EVF) will be additionally delayed, the MEC knows that Flight Attendants will be greatly disappointed. Though it is certainly understandable that there are complexities around the process of determining staffing levels, many of us are eager to have some definite news during this period of relative uncertainty. It is unfortunate that this delay may add to feelings of apprehension and unease.

Despite the delay in furlough mitigation awards, management’s intention to review all of the information available to them and make a decision that minimizes the disruption to the lives of Flight Attendants is a rational course of action.  The situation is further complicated by the ongoing discussions within Congress for a clean extension to the Payroll Support Program (PSP).  Should Congress pass an extension to the PSP, it would be further frustrating to everyone if management had to adjust or roll back any decisions that had already made and communicated. 

Payroll Support Program (PSP) Extension

Our Union is working around the clock at all levels to extend the PSP to keep Flight Attendants and aviation workers in our jobs, connected to our healthcare and providing essential service to our country, as it has over the last five months.  It was anticipated that there would have been a definite outcome on the extension by last Friday. However, that is not the case and the discussions in Washington, D.C. are ongoing.  The PSP Extension the best solution for our jobs, our airline, our communities, and our country. 

Our focus as an entire Union and industry is focused on pressuring Congress to get to the table and negotiate a COVID-19 relief bill.  Every Flight Attendant can make a difference. 

SENATE: (888) 848-4824

Sample Script:

I am a constituent calling on Senator [NAME] to save my job as an essential worker and airline employee. An overwhelming majority of Congress supports an extension to the Payroll Support Program for aviation workers to avoid massive job loss and to ensure there’s no cancellation of service to small communities. The Executive Orders signed over the weekend will not save my job. We need a COVID-19 relief package with our payroll support passed TODAY. Our jobs are on the line right now and millions are hurting without this relief!  Keep us connected to our jobs, paychecks, & healthcare. We are counting on you. Thank you.

EAP Assistance

These are extremely difficult and stressful times. Please remember that your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee is always available as a support resource.  Contact information for your Local EAP Committee can be found by clicking here.

Reduction in Force Part 6 – WARN Notices

This is the sixth in a series of “Reduction in Force” (RIF) communications from the Master Executive Council (MEC). See RIF Part 1, RIF Part 2, RIF Part 3, RIF Part 4 and RIF Part 5 for the previous editions.

In This Edition

  • WARN Notices

WARN Notices

WARN Act Requirements

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act compels advance notice in cases of qualified mass layoffs. Management is required by law to provide “WARN notices” to employees who may be laid off (i.e. involuntarily furloughed). In all the states in which there are Flight Attendant domiciles (AK, WA, OR and CA), those notices must be sent no less than 60 days prior to the date of the involuntary furlough, or no later than August 1st for involuntary furloughs effective on October 1st. WARN notices provided to the union on behalf of affected employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement satisfies the WARN Act requirements except for in California, which also requires notices to be sent directly to the employee.

WARN Notices Served to 2089 FAs

AFA has now received WARN notices on behalf of the approximately* 2089 most junior Flight Attendants, affecting all domiciles: Anchorage (ANC), Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Diego (SAN). (* Master Executive Council representatives have not yet physically counted the names to validate the expected number, but we wanted to get the list out to the Membership as soon as possible.) The 2089 is inclusive of a significant buffer above the number of potential involuntary furloughs (IVFs), which is to assure the Company is in compliance with the WARN Act.

Affected California-based Flight Attendants received personalized WARN notices via Company email earlier today (Friday, July 31, 2020); such Flight Attendants will also receive a personalized hard copy of the WARN notice at their respective mailing addresses on file with the Company. Although the WARN notices sent to affected California-based Flight Attendants say (in part), “[W]e deeply regret to inform you that you are being furloughed,” the actual number of involuntary furloughs is still being determined.

WARN Notice List

The WARN notice list is password protected and is restricted from being printed or edited. Please respect the security of the document and do not share the password.

Click here for the AFA Alaska WARN Notice List for October 2020 Furloughs >

Password: [Check the personal email address that you have on file with AFA Alaska for the email version of this newsletter, which contains the confidential password. Otherwise, please contact your LEC president for assistance.]

AFA Alaska Statement to the Media Regarding WARN Notices

“COVID-19 is an unprecedented threat to aviation workers and the entire U.S. aviation industry. This crisis dwarfs all others in aviation history and there’s no end in sight. Demand was just barely climbing back to 20 percent of last year and even those minimal gains evaporated over the last month due to surging COVID-19 cases across the country.

The projected furlough numbers at Alaska are difficult and we are working with management on possible furlough mitigations. Right now, our focus is fighting to extend the Payroll Support Program to keep Alaska Flight Attendants on the job and connected to our healthcare during COVID-19.”

Coming Soon

  • Early Out and Other Furlough Mitigation Awards

These are extremely difficult and stressful times. Please remember that your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee is always available as a support resource. As your direct representative on the MEC, your LEC president is available to answer questions or concerns that you may have about all the information presented here. Contact information for your respective LEC president can be found by clicking here.

Reduction in Force Part 5

This is the fifth in a series of “Reduction in Force” (RIF) communications from the Master Executive Council (MEC). See RIF Part 1, RIF Part 2, RIF Part 3 and RIF Part 4 for the previous editions.

In This Edition

  • Voluntary Permanent Transfers and Temporary Base Trades
  • Furlough Mitigation Clarifications
  • Dues Obligation

Voluntary Permanent Transfers and Temporary Base Trades

Voluntary Permanent Transfers

Flight Attendants may voluntarily transfer to a new domicile while on an Extended Leave of Absence (ELOA) or Enhanced Voluntary Furlough (EVF) by participating in vacancy bids pursuant to §28.C [Vacancy Bids] and §28.D [Standing Bid Awards…]. See also “October 2020 Involuntary Furlough Mitigations LOA” §II.A.3 and §II.B.4 for more information.

Temporary Base Trades (“Swaps”)

Flight Attendants on ELOA retain the ability to temporarily trade (“swap”) bases pursuant to §28.A.9 [Rules Governing Multiple Domiciles]. Flight Attendants on an EVF may finish out the term of an existing swap but may not renew the swap or enter into a new swap. A base swap is terminated if either of the Flight Attendants are involuntarily furloughed, and both are returned to their respective domiciles; however, Flight Attendants on involuntary furlough are not guaranteed to return to their domicile when recalled.

Furlough Mitigation Clarifications

Master Executive Council (MEC) representatives have been working with management to identify some lingering furlough mitigation questions. The following topics are being addressed by management in a communication issued tonight.

  • Maternity and Other Medical Leaves
  • Medical Coverage if 480 TFP is Met While on a Leave of Absence
  • Reciprocal Alaska & Horizon Jumpseat Privileges

Dues Obligation

In accordance with the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws every Flight attendant on a leave of absence owes dues for the first three months of their leave of absence after their compensation from the airline ends. This obligation includes Extended Leaves of Absence and Enhanced Voluntary Furloughs. However, Flight attendants on involuntary furlough (or a military leave) do not owe this amount.

Article XI A.6. Payment of dues shall be required of all members that are on active status during a month or any portion thereof. After the first ninety (90) days of removal from service and no longer receiving compensation through a carrier for disability leave, payment of dues shall not be required.

AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws

Example: Voluntary furlough begins on October 1. You would owe dues for October, November and December. If dues are payroll deducted for any of these months, it will be applied to this 90-day leave obligation.

Click here for AFA-CWA Membership Services >

Coming Soon

  • WARN Notices

These are extremely difficult and stressful times. Please remember that your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee is always available as a support resource. As your direct representative on the MEC, your LEC president is available to answer questions or concerns that you may have about all the information presented here. Contact information for your respective LEC president can be found by clicking here.

Sick Leave Survey Closing Soon

There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the Sick Leave Survey that will help shape future provisions. Our JNC is eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of our paid sick leave policy are most meaningful to you, as we strive to improve our support for your needs. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT.

Council 30 (ANC) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 30 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Anchorage. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: LeiLauni ScheidemanLEC Vice President: Heather ReierLEC Secretary: Anne Madsen View the certified election results here >> These newly elected officers […]

Apps To Help You Save Money On Food

Our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee recognizes that Flight Attendants may be facing increasing challenges when it comes to accessing affordable food, whether on the road or at home. We want you to know that you are not alone. In response to these difficulties, we have compiled a list of apps to help […]

What You Need To Know About The FAA Capacity Cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans for a 10% reduction in flight capacity across 40 markets, starting this Friday. According to news reports, these schedule reductions will begin on Friday and will gradually increase throughout the weekend until they reach the full 10% by the following week. Reports also suggest that all Alaska […]

Council 47 (LAX pmHA) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 47 LEC Officers, representing Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants based in Los Angeles. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Joshua AokiLEC Vice President: Paul IkiokaLEC Secretary: Beth Hayes View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

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