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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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April PBS Training

APRIL PBS SUPPORT

Your Seattle PBS, Scheduling & Reserve Committee are offering support for the transition to the new PBS webpage. The cutover to using ONLY the new website is May 1st.  When bidding in May for your June schedule you will be required to use the new PBS website. 

There will be support offered in May, however April will be the most robust support schedule. Classes will fill up quickly if March was any indicator. Base sits are on a first-come, first served basis. Bring the device you plan on using to bid if possible (if attending a class you must bring your own device.). Please click here to watch the training videos. We ask that you watch them prior to attending a class or base sit.  

Seattle

April 5th: SeaTac Office Center (same complex as 13 Coins) Click here to Sign Up. There will also be a base sit in the Inflight Office from 5:00am – 7:00pm

April 6th: SeaTac Office Center (same complex as 13 Coins) Click here to Sign Up. There will also be a base sit in the Inflight Office from 5:00am – 7:00pm

April 7th: Base Sit (Inflight Office) from 5:00am – 7:00pm

April 8th: SeaTac Office Center (same complex as 13 coins) Click here to Sign up. There will also be a base sit in the Inflight Office from 5:00am – 7:00pm

April 9th: Base Sit (Inflight Office) from 5:00am – 7:00pm

In Solidarity, 

Your Council #19 PBS, Scheduling & Reserve Committees and Council #19 Officers

Outside Employment Request Form

Management just released a new requirement that Flight Attendants who are being compensated for outside employment must fill out an outside employment request form. This must be done within 30 days of the publication of Bulletin Bundle 2019-0027, which occurred on February 28, 2019. This new requirement is regardless of whether or not the outside employment is a conflict of interest to the Company. Many AFA members have raised concerns that the form is an invasion of privacy and violates the contract. Although management has an arguable right to ensure an employee’s outside employment does not create a conflict of interest for the Company, the Master Executive Council (MEC) believes the form goes too far.

The MEC has formally expressed our concerns and objections to management. Management has been responsive and active conversations continue between AFA and Inflight, Labor Relations, People and Legal departments. Realistically, an understanding or resolution will not occur before next week. In the meantime, the MEC recommends that affected Flight Attendants should hold off on filling out the form until you hear an update from us. If you have already filled out the form, that is okay.

Be assured that AFA is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring contractual compliance. Stay tuned for more soon!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

ASAP Event Review Committee Alternate Representative Position

Background

The Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Alternate Representative is responsible for serving as the AFA representative on the ASAP ERC.  As the alternate representative, this position participates in ERC meetings in the absence of the ASAP ERC Primary Representative.

Qualifications

  • Robust working knowledge of the Flight Attendant Manual, applicable Flight Attendant CFRs, and ASAP letters of agreement (LOAs) and memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
  • Ability to attend ERC meetings in Seattle as necessary.
  • Strong computer skills. Working knowledge of Google email and Microsoft Office preferred.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, track issues, and prepare reports.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on assigned tasks.
  • Previous Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) experience strongly preferred.

Duties

  • Serve as the AFA representative on the ASAP ERC in the absence of the ASAP ERC Primary Representative. 
  • Attend ERC meetings as scheduled.  Perform pre-meeting work in ETQ/Report It!.   Review events and add comments/suggestions to be discussed at ERC meeting.  
  • Assist Flight Attendants as needed with questions related to ASAP procedures, reporting requirements, and other program information. 
  • Make recommendations for safety improvements to the ASHSC. 
  • Assist the MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Aviation Safety Action Program to develop, maintain, and update membership education materials about ASAP. 
  • Regularly communicate with and receive briefings from the designated AFA ERC Primary Representative on the activities of the ERC. 
  • Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Aviation Safety Action Program on all activities, meetings, and work being performed. 
  • Attend ASAP and other ASHSC-related meetings and training, as requested. 
  • Assist the MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Aviation Safety Action Program as needed.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

  • This position will receive company business (CB) Flight Pay Loss (FPL) for meetings attended per section 27.P of the Flight Attendant collective bargaining agreement. This includes “A” pay, 5% override, and travel pay to/from domicile to meeting location.  
  • Time commitment is variable as this position will only be active when the ASAP ERC Primary Representative is not available.
  • The ASAP ERC Alternate Representative will have pre-arranged, pre-planned absences (at 6.0 TFP credit per day) loaded into her/his schedule as needed to attend scheduled meetings.

Working Relationships

With The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Frequent interaction with the MEC ASHSC Chairperson and Local ASHSC Chairpersons. Occasional interaction with Local ASHSC Members.

With The Master Executive Council

This position reports to the Master Executive Council through the MEC ASHSC Chairperson. The MEC executive sponsor for the committee is the MEC Vice President.

With Alaska Airlines Management

Constant interaction with management, particularly the Manager of Inflight Safety Reporting & Records (Claudia Modl), ASAP Manager (Chris Benson), and ASAP Specialist (Brandon Rudolph). Occasional interaction with the Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance (Anne Shaw) and Manager of Inflight Safety & Compliance (Monica Grant).

With Government Agencies

Constant interaction with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives in conjunction with ERC meetings.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

  • Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, March 29, 2019. 
  • Linda will contact qualified candidates to schedule an interview and provide additional information regarding transportation and booking of flights if necessary.
  • In-person interviews will take place at the AFA Office in Seattle on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

Questions?

Please direct any questions about the position to MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—ASAP Brad Young at bradley.young@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple and MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—ASAP Brad Young

Commuter Boarding Priority Arbitration

On October 25, 2018, the Company and AFA arbitrated Grievance 36-99-2-29-15 (Section 28.G.6 Commuter Boarding Priority). This grievance alleged the Company’s violation of the collective bargaining agreement when management allowed Company employees (and their dependents) on pleasure travel to be given higher boarding priority than commuting Flight Attendants. AFA is very pleased to inform you that a neutral arbitrator has found in favor of AFA’s position. 

Background

In 2015, AFA became aware that management had made changes to the employee travel program giving management employees at the director level and certain IT employees a boarding priority of D2 for space-available pleasure travel. D2 is above the boarding priority of D8 for space-available registered commuter travel and well above the boarding priority of E1 that most employees receive for space-available pleasure travel. Contract 2014-2019 Section 28.G [Commuter Policy] states that registered commuters will be given boarding priority over Company employees (and dependents) on pleasure travel and over all employees of other airlines on Alaska Airlines mainline flights. 

The Award

The parties recently received the final award, which specifies:

  1. The grievance was timely filed.
  2. The Company violated Section 28.G.6 of the 2014-2019 Agreement when it allowed Company employees and their dependents on non-revenue pleasure travel to be given higher boarding priority than commuting Flight Attendants.
  3. The Company is prohibited from granting Company employees and their dependents on non-revenue pleasure travel to be given higher boarding priority than commuting Flight Attendants.

The Remedy

Management estimates it will take approximately eight weeks to implement the required changes to Fly in order to become contractually compliant. When the changes are complete, the D2 boarding priority will be deactivated for Directors (and their dependents), and they will use the E1Y space-available pleasure travel boarding priority instead. This award decision is a very satisfying resolution for AFA. This award decision is a very satisfying resolution for AFA. The award restores the proper boarding priority for space-available registered commuter travel relative to all other employees on space-available pleasure travel. It also sends a clear message to management that proper notice must be given to the union for changes to Company Policy and that unilateral changes to policy in conflict with contract language doesn’t fly!  

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

Introducing Your SFO Co-Terminal Special Negotiating Committee

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews last week for three Special Negotiating Committee (SNC) Member positions related to negotiation of a possible San Francisco co-terminal agreement. The MEC thanks the candidates for demonstrating their willingness to represent our Flight Attendants.

After thorough deliberation, the voting members of your MEC, consisting of the six directly-elected LEC presidents, have appointed Virginia Fritz, Justin Wetherell and Ashley Toles to the positions.

About the SNC Members

Virginia Fritz

Virginia became a Flight Attendant with Virgin America in 2015, and she has been the Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson for AFA Council 35 in San Francisco since August 2018.  She has supported Legacy Virgin America Flight Attendants during the transition to the JCBA by training Flight Attendants on NAVBLUE and Crew Access. Virginia is a former resident of the Bay Area and currently commutes to SFO.

Justin Wetherell

Justin Wetherell currently serves as Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson for AFA Council 30 in Anchorage, a role he began in January 2017.  He has also been an inflight instructor since April 2017.  Previously, Justin served as Local Communications Committee Chairperson in Anchorage and a member of the Inflight Service Committee. Justin has been Anchorage-based since he was hired in July 2015. Prior to being hired at Alaska, he was an Anchorage-based Flight Attendant for Horizon Air. In his spare time, Justin volunteers at local schools to share his joy for aviation.

Ashley Toles

Ashley became a Flight Attendant with Virgin America in 2015 and has been at the SFO base ever since then. Ashley completed her undergraduate education at University of California, Santa Barbara and earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Early Modern British Literature. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Ashley is a licensed attorney and enjoys doing pro bono work for those who would not otherwise be able to afford legal representation.

About the SNC Chief Negotiator

AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput

Kimberley Chaput has been an AFA attorney and negotiator since 2000.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois-Urbana and her law degree from the University of Oregon.  Kimberley has negotiated contracts at several carriers including Horizon, Mesa, American Eagle (now Envoy) and Alaska, along with sideletters at several other airlines.  She lives on the Oregon coast with her daughter, Josie.

About the SNC Chairperson

MEC President Jeffrey Peterson

Jeffrey Peterson grew up in Anchorage, AK, and graduated from A.J. Dimond High in south Anchorage.  Jeff achieved a Presidential Scholar Award in 1991 and went on to attain a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.  Prior to becoming a Flight Attendant, he spent several years in hotel management working in San Diego and San Francisco for Marriott International and a Marriott hotels franchise company.  He started out his Flight Attendant career in 1999 in the Los Angeles domicile.  Jeff has also been based in Seattle and now San Diego.  He has served as AFA-CWA Alaska MEC President since July 1, 2011.  Jeff currently splits his time between his family’s condo in Puerto Vallarta and the AFA office in Seattle.

About the SNC

The Special Negotiating Committee will be responsible for entering into discussions with Alaska Airlines management to negotiate a possible co-terminal agreement for the SFO domicile.  Currently, a co-terminal agreement is in place for the LAX domicile, where Flight Attendants can, in addition to LAX, start and end trips at Burbank (BUR), Ontario (ONT), Orange County (SNA) and theoretically Long Beach (LGB) if Alaska Airlines ever resumes service to that airport. Section 28.F.7 of the collective bargaining agreement requires that the parties will negotiate provisions similar to those in 28.F (to cover the new co-terminals) if the Company were to open co-terminals at any other domicile.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

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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