AFA Update – January 22, 2021

January 22, 2021 12:00

In This Edition

Letters of Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding
REMINDER: Reserve Availability & Commuting
College Scholarship Opportunities

Letters of Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding

Grievance Committee

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) occasionally enters into letters of agreement (LOAs) with management to address situations that were not anticipated or did not exist during contract negotiations. The MEC also enters into memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with management in order to clarify existing contractual language. Both LOAs and MOUs are binding agreements and are fully enforceable documents.

LOAs and MOUs are accessible on the current contract page of the AFA Alaska website and can also be accessed on the IMD through the Goodreader app (ASFA Supplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Recent LOAs and MOUs

Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) – outlines how the company’s FRMP will be structured, including how reports will be coded and handled as well as disciplinary protections. Also guarantees AFA representation on the Fatigue Review Board (FRB).

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) – renews the ASAP program (FAA requires that the ASAP MOU be renewed every two years).

COVID-19 Agreements Extension – Through March 2021 – extends the Temporary Waiver of Discipline Delivery Confirmation MOU (04/14/2020) and Commuter Policy and Utilizing Other Airline (OAL) Carriers During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions LOA (04/07/2020). Both will remain in effect through March 31, 2021.

Boeing 737 MAX 9 Proving Activities – outlines Flight Attendant involvement in FAA-required proving activities for the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and ensures AFA participation in the process.

Questions?

If you have questions about LOAs or MOUs, please contact your LEC President or Local Grievance Committee.

REMINDER: Reserve Availability & Commuting

Reserve Committee

There have recently been some instances where Reserve Flight Attendants were disciplined for not being physically present in their domicile during their entire availability period. Contractually, reserve availability periods run from 00:00 to 14:00 for AM reserve, 10:00 to 23:59 for PM reserve, and 00:00 to 23:59 for ER reserve. During these times, a Reserve Flight Attendant must be present in their domicile, contactable, and available to report for an assignment within two hours.

Even if a Reserve Flight Attendant has self-assigned or otherwise already been given an assignment, this does not relieve them of the requirement to be in their domicile during their entire reserve availability period. There are certain circumstances when they may be removed from the assignment and given another assignment as indicated in the CBA. Crew Scheduling has the right to utilize this contractual language and does so on a regular basis.

Example: Reserve Flight Attendant has a 4-day block of PM reserve days starting on the 20^th of the month. On the 19^th, they self-assign a 4-day trip with a report time of 21:00 on the 20^th. The Reserve Flight Attendant is still required to be contactable starting at 10:00 on the 20^th and be able to accept an assignment and report within two hours. Even though the F/A has self-assigned a trip, Crew Scheduling retains the right to contact the F/A at or after 10:00, remove the self-assignment as indicated in the CBA, and give the F/A another legal assignment.

Release on Last Day of Reserve Block

Section 11.C.5 of the CBA provides Reserve Flight Attendants with the right to request release from the remainder of their reserve obligation on the last day of a reserve block after the last Company-operated flight that the Reserve would be legal to fly has departed the domicile. In order to take advantage of this contractual provision, a Reserve Flight Attendant must call Crew Scheduling and request to be released from the remainder of their reserve availability period. Once released by Crew Scheduling, the Reserve Flight Attendant is free from further duty and may commute home. If a Reserve Flight Attendant does not request release, they are still considered on duty and are obligated to physically remain in domicile until the end of their reserve availability period.

Questions?

If you have questions about commuting while on reserve, please contact your Local Reserve Committee.

College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International

As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least three different scholarships, and the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees, and e-books. The time for applying is now!

Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with members. Please see the respective links for detailed information, and good luck in obtaining financial assistance.

AFA Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university. The deadline for applications is April 10. Details are available on the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships.

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship is offered by CWA. The deadline for applications is April 30. Details on this scholarship are on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne.

Union Plus Scholarship Program

Union Plus provides a suite of scholarships, educational discounts, and loans available for union members. You can find information at https://www.unionplus.org/college-education-financing. One additional “click” brings up the scholarship applications that may be submitted online by the deadline of January 31.

Union Plus Free College Benefit

In addition, there is a free college benefit available through Union Plus for active and retired Members and their families with the opportunity to earn an associate degree completely online – for FREE. Details and an application are online at https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org. This benefit can save you thousands of dollars.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your LEC Officers

Safety of Our Crews, Our Flights and Our Country

January 19, 2021 19:00

Safety of Our Crews, Our Flights and Our Country

Safety Of Our Crews

Recent events are potentially negatively impacting effective Crew Resource Management

The Master Executive Council (MEC) feels compelled to address the potentially negative impact to effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) resulting from the events most affecting the country over the past year: the COVID-19 pandemic, racial unrest and the election. We are a nation more polarized than ever, so there is no realistic way for the MEC to discuss the issues themselves without eliciting a strong response from our membership one way or the other. Nonetheless, AFA Alaska leadership has seen a very demonstrable uptick in issues between crewmembers (Flight Attendants and pilots) resulting from such polarization. These issues degrade effective CRM and lead to a net negative impact to the safety of our crews.

Avoid the subjects of politics, religion and money in mixed company

It would be fantastic if everyone could avoid the “taboo” subjects of politics, religion and money in mixed company such as while at work (including layovers). The disappearing separation between our work and private lives due to the proliferation of social media platforms makes doing so more challenging than ever. The MEC has no illusions that everybody will ever share the same religious, political and economic views or that doing so is even desirable. However, the MEC sincerely hopes that all crewmembers can at least attempt to reach common ground with each other on these challenging topics.

As safety professionals we are expected to maintain a working relationship with each other at all times

Regardless of the outcome of those conversations, as safety professionals we are expected to maintain a working relationship with each other at all times and to always have each other’s backs when it comes to ensuring mutual safety. The AFA Alaska and ALPA Alaska Professional Standards Committees work together to assist you with crew conflict resolution. Your Local Executive Council (LEC) officers are also available as resources.

Suggested points of commonality regardless of our individual views

We all have at least some degree of collective responsibility as a society to safeguard the wellbeing of more than just the individual.
All people are created equal; have certain inalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and no person(s) may infringe on the rights of others to enjoy those same rights.
All Americans have the First Amendment right to freedom of expression (free speech, free press and peaceful assembly) without interference from the government, provided the act of doing so is not itself illegal.
All Americans have the collective right to make changes to the administration of our government via the legislative, judicial and executive branches through the democratic processes set forth by the Constitution and other laws.
All crewmembers universally desire to safely return home to our family and friends.

COVID-19 pandemic risk mitigations

Flight Attendants have brought forward concerns that not all crewmembers appear to be complying with various risk mitigations that are mandatory in certain localities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The perception is that due care is not being taken to adequately minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission prior to operating as a crewmember or traveling non-rev.

The MEC asks that all Flight Attendants be mindful of how social media posts showing crewmembers present in large groups and gathering in close quarters is upsetting to at least some of your fellow Flight Attendants. This is especially true when there are pictures and/or videos in which masks are not being worn—even if the reality is that the masks were taken off only briefly in order to memorialize the moment.

Be advised that you should adhere to any mandatory orders regarding masks, gatherings and quarantines. AFA believes that substantiated evidence of failure to do so may put you in jeopardy of disciplinary action by management.

Safety of Our Flights

Increased security measures ahead of Inauguration Day

Alaska Airlines management has worked with the unions to significantly step up security ahead of Inauguration Day, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will crack down on unruly passengers with a zero-tolerance policy. Sensitive security information regarding the details of such security measures can be found in the most recent Special Edition Bulletin Bundle (January 15, 2021) as well as in communications from Alaska Airlines COO Gary Beck (“Our Approach to Keeping Employees and Crew Safe” – January 14, 2021) and Interim Vice President of Inflight Carmen Williams (“Enhanced safety processes through the Presidential Inauguration” – January 16, 2021). At this point in time, the MEC is satisfied with the coordinated risk management response.

AFA Recommendations

Work hard to keep problems on the ground.
Ensure strict mask compliance before pushback.
Work as one crew, communicate, and take your concerns to the pilots and supervisors.
You have the right and duty to assert concern for your safety and that of the passengers in our care.
Have pre-flight briefings with your pilots to identify how they will cooperatively work together to address disruptive and interfering passengers (boarding refusal, LEO response, diversion, etc.).
Walk with your flying partners in teams through terminals and to the hotels.
If anyone is in need of AFA Alaska EAP assistance, call 949-470-0493 or email eap@afaalaska.org.
Report an issue to AFA by opening a ticket or contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) leadership if you need immediate assistance.

Safety of Our Country

Freedom of speech and of peaceful assembly

Flight Attendants have reported concerns about crewmembers attending the “Save America” rally on January 6^th at the Ellipse in Washington, DC. Attending the event was a protected First Amendment activity no different than attending any other protest. The future security of our constitutional liberties, such as the freedom of speech and of peaceful assembly, depends on all of us to collectively safeguard the exercise of such rights irrespective of political differences.

Crimes against the state

Any effort to interfere with, rise up against or actively overthrow the government is almost certainly a crime—especially if violence or even the mere threat of force is involved. As we have seen in recent weeks, federal agencies are aggressively investigating anyone who heeded the call to “Occupy the Capitol” too literally, and charges are starting to roll in. Federal authorities have been assisted by thousands upon thousands of tips supplied by cooperative patriots who have taken It upon themselves to mine the photographic and video evidence for clues to the interlopers’ identities. Additionally, reports are plentiful of employers preemptively terminating employees who were recorded engaging in suspected criminal activity.

The subsequent fallout resulting from the storming of the U.S. Capitol building should serve as a cautionary tale. Sedition, insurrection and, of course, outright treason will not be tolerated in our United States of America.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Matt Cook, Terry Taylor, Steve Maller, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Recurrent Training 2021

January 13, 2021 17:00

Recurrent Training 2021

Master Executive Council (MEC) + Inflight Training Committee + Air, Safety, Health and Security Committee (ASHSC)

In This Edition

Early Success Rates Look Promising
COVID-19 Risk Mitigations
Written Exam Practice Questions and Answers
Adequate “Hands-On” Time Prior to Emergency Evacuation Evaluations
Acceptable Deviations to Emergency Evacuation Commands
Requalification Training (RQ)

Early Success Rates Look Promising

This is the second week of Recurrent Training 2021, and early success rates for passing the various drill evaluations are looking promising in comparison to success rates for Recurrent Training 2020. We hope the trend continues.

COVID-19 Risk Mitigations

AFA Alaska’s concerns

Mask usage and social distancing during evaluations
Sanitization of shared emergency equipment.

Inflight Training management’s response

Inflight Training management agreed to make several changes in response and posted the updated safety and sanitization guidelines.

Click here for the ”Welcome to Recurrent Training 2021 Letter” > (AAG SSO required)

Written Exam Practice Questions and Answers

AFA Alaska’s concerns

There is no comprehensive list of all potential written exam questions and answers provided like in past years.
The random practice test must be taken too many times in order to successfully view all underlying questions. (If ever?)

Inflight Training management’s response

“Learning and building confidence is our goal. With that in mind, we will be turning off the randomizer on practice exams to allow FAs to run through all available questions. We will add a note to remind FAs that questions do change regularly so they always need to refer to the practice exam on the website for most up to date questions.”
Management reports the randomizer function will be turned off by the end of the week.

Adequate “Hands-On” Time Prior to Emergency Evacuation Evaluations

AFA Alaska’s concerns

Adequate hands-on refamiliarization time should be provided during paid training hours prior to emergency evacuation evaluations.
Flight Attendants should not have to attend voluntary unpaid sessions in order to be successful during their evaluations.
There were not enough Open House sessions at each training center to accommodate the need in 2020 and several of those sessions were canceled, which only made the situation worse. More Open House sessions are needed in 2021.

Inflight Training management’s response

Schedule reworked to maintain the same 90 minutes of refamiliarization time as in RT 2020. (Hands-on time was initially going to be reduced in RT 2021, but AFA advocated for more time.)
Hands-on sessions prior to the start of RT 2021 are not an effective use of limited Training resources and will be eliminated in order to potentially reallocate the resources to additional Open House sessions around the system.
Management will review the ratio of the number of Open House slots in each training location compared to base size and restructure the sessions to allow for more options (e.g., dates, AM/PM, different times of the month). Additional dates will be added in March.

Acceptable Deviations to Emergency Evacuation Commands

Click here (password required) >

Password: See the emailed version of this newsletter sent to the personal email address that you have on file with AFA Alaska for the confidential password. Contact your LEC president if you need additional assistance.

Please respect the security of the document and do not share the password on an open forum.

Requalification Training (RQ)

RT 2021 is scheduled for one and a half days, but RQ 2021 (Level 1) is scheduled for two full days. There were only a few differences between RT and RQ in years past, but there are significantly more evaluations in RQ compared to RT this year. Flight Attendants should budget ample preparation time if attending RQ.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact your LEC president or the MEC Inflight Training Committee.

AFA Alaska Negotiations Update – December 17, 2020

December 17, 2020 20:00

AFA Alaska Negotiations Update – December 17, 2020

Master Executive Council

In This Edition

Updated Contract Negotiations Timeline
Negotiations Delayed Until September 1, 2021
Overview of the Railway Labor Act

Updated Contract Negotiations Timeline

1^st round Negotiating Committee interviews – March & April 2020

Full pay scale increase of 2.5% – December 17, 2020 – This is the final full pay scale increase under this contract. A confirmation email from Employee Records to all Flight Attendants is expected in the next few days.

Revised “Early Opener” date – September 1, 2021 – Original Early Opener date: December 17, 2020. Negotiations may start on or after this date if notice is served by either AFA or management at least 60 days prior.

Amendable date – December 17, 2021 – Under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), the amendable date of a contract is generally the date on which the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement may be changed. Unlike under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), contracts under the RLA do not automatically expire and instead generally remain in force throughout negotiations and the amendable period.

Negotiations Delayed Until September 1, 2021

AFA leadership and Alaska Airlines management have agreed to hold off on engaging in negotiations until September 1, 2021. Both parties recognize that entering into negotiations during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic would not be productive for either party. Consequently, the parties have executed a side letter of agreement amending the Early Opener date from December 17, 2020 to September 1, 2021 in Section 35 [Duration] of the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA).

Click here for the “Amendment to JCBA Section 35 [Duration]” Sideletter of Agreement >

Overview of the Railway Labor Act

Credit to “The Railway Labor Act Simplified” by the Pennsylvania Division of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division – IBT

Historical Background

The Railway Labor Act (RLA) was passed in 1926 to allow railroad union workers to resolve disputes with management while minimizing the potential for interstate commerce disruptions. The airline industry was folded into the RLA under Title II in 1936. The RLA was the first federal law guaranteeing the right of workers to organize and join unions and elect representatives without employer coercion or interference. The RLA makes it the duty of all carriers and their employees to exert every reasonable effort to voluntarily settle disputes. Negotiations procedures were historically contained in Section 6 of the RLA, which is why one often hears “Section 6” as a catch-all phrase for everything having to do with negotiations under the RLA. The RLA is currently located in 45 USC Chapter 8 Sections 151 – 188.

Who is Covered?

The RLA applies to freight and commuter railroads, airlines, companies directly or indirectly controlled by carriers who perform services related to transportation of freight or passengers and the employees of these railroads, airlines and companies.

Basic Purposes

Avoid any interruption to commerce.
Assist in the prompt and orderly settlement of disputes covering rates of pay, work rules, or working conditions.
Assist in the prompt and orderly settlement of disputes growing out of grievances or out of the interpretation or application of existing contracts covering the rates of pay, work rules or working conditions.
Ensure an unhindered right of employees to join a labor union (added in 1934).
Provide complete independence of organization by both parties to carry out the purposes of the RLA.

“Minor” vs. Major” Disputes

Disputes are divided into two categories under the Railway Labor Act: “minor” (resolved via the grievance and arbitration process) and “major” (resolved via the negotiations process).

Minor Disputes: Grievances growing out of the interpretation or application of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). – System boards of adjustment (often administered by a neutral third-party arbitrator) have exclusive jurisdiction over grievance disputes. A system board’s findings are conclusive, and any awards through this process are binding on the parties. Self-help (e.g., work slowdowns or stoppages, worker strikes or management imposed work rules) not allowed. (See “Arbitration in the Airlines Industry: System Boards of Adjustment” by Thomas J. Kassin and Sarah L. Fuson for more information.)

Major Disputes: Matters affecting rates of pay, rules and working conditions; and the creation or modification of the collective bargaining agreement between the parties. – There is almost total reliance upon collective bargaining for major dispute settlement. Self-help (e.g., strikes and imposed work rules) are permitted after negotiation and mediation procedures have been exhausted.

Next Up

(Order is subject to change)

Negotiations Under the Railway Labor Act
Negotiating for Our Future
Block hours vs. TFP
Block or Better vs. Block Delay
Incentive Pay vs. Productivity Premium Program (PPP)
Inflight Team Leader (ITL) Pay vs. “A” Pay

AFA Update – December 11, 2020

December 11, 2020 12:00

In This Edition

MEC Resolution on Gender Equality
CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before
Georgia Senate Runoff Election
Community Resources for Those in Need

MEC Resolution on Gender Equality

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA has long been a champion of equality both in and out of the workplace. Over the course of many years, we have made achievements in our struggle to realize fair treatment for all. There is still much work to be done, however, and we continue with our efforts to achieve workplace equality almost daily.

The Master Executive Council (MEC) recently adopted a resolution in support of gender equality, specifically in regard to the right to recognition, acceptance, and inclusion of people of all gender identities and gender expressions. As a part of the resolution, the MEC is calling upon Alaska Airlines management to make much needed changes to company policies in order to recognize, accept, and include non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals. You can view the complete language of the resolution on the AFA Alaska website by clicking here.

What Are Gender Identity and Gender Expression?

Gender identity refers to how you view your gender internally (e.g., man, woman, or another gender). Gender expression refers to how you present your gender on the outside through your behavior, mannerisms, the clothing you wear, your voice, and other characteristics. Gender non-conforming is a broader term that describes people who do not follow other people’s ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth.

In our society, many people identify and express themselves as either male or female. This is often referred to as the “gender binary”, meaning that it has two parts—male and female. People who are non-binary have a gender that doesn’t fall into one of these two categories. They may have a gender that blends both male and female elements, is different than male or female, or they may not identify with any gender.

If you’d like to read more to further understand non-binary and gender non-conforming people, you can find additional information using the links below:

A Request for Immediate Action

Earlier this week, the MEC sent a formal letter to management requesting an immediate meeting to discuss the resolution and begin the process of working to study, review, and update company policies as quickly as possible. We have requested that the frontline employee uniform and appearance standards be reviewed first as they are one of the most significantly impactful areas of inequality for those who are non-binary and/or gender non-conforming.

Questions?

Please contact your LEC President with any questions about the MEC Resolution.

CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before

Government Affairs Committee

We’ve rallied, marched, called, emailed, tweeted, and more to demand our members of Congress extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP). Our activism is forcing lawmakers to publicly come out to support #ReliefNow for Flight Attendants and essential aviation workers and urge their colleagues to take action.

Throughout the next 7 days, we have to be louder than we’ve ever been before

The $908 billion bipartisan proposal on emergency relief has significant support across Congress, but there are a few outstanding issues unrelated to PSP. Our action and voices are critical to getting this legislation over the finish line.

Congress is gearing up to depart Washington, D.C. for the holidays and before they leave, they must pass a government funding bill by Friday, December 11th, to avert a government shutdown. Congress is expected to extend that deadline to December 18th. That is unfortunate because every day counts for those out of work and all the disruption and suffering caused for people without relief – and even those on the job under these conditions. We need to continue to demand #ReliefNow. Every day counts! This is a bridge of emergency relief for the whole country for four month. Stimulus discussions for recovery would be renewed in the New Year. More relief will be needed for our country to recover.

Our members of Congress must hear from us, our family members and friends, every day

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

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to tell my (Senator/Representative) that we need emergency relief and an extension of the Payroll Support Program TODAY. We are out of work and without healthcare. Do not leave Washington, D.C. without passing emergency relief for our families. Do your job. Thank you.”

Georgia Senate Runoff Election

Government Affairs Committee

On January 5, voters in Georgia will have the opportunity to vote in an election to determine who will represent them in the United States Senate. Georgia voters will have the opportunity to send two candidates to Washington who support working Americans through the right to organize and bargain collectively. This election is critical as the outcome has the ability to affect the balance of power in the Senate.

With judicial nominees, a stimulus deal, infrastructure and health care measures, and tax and spending policies all on the line, the Senate races in Georgia are likely to take on an intensity that mirrors the presidential race that just ended. We need to do everything possible to encourage Georgia voters to vote and get the word out about pro-worker candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Our fellow AFA and CWA members will be working to reach out to Georgia voters through phone banking activities every Tuesday until the election as well for several days prior to the election itself. You can help make a difference and get the word out by signing up for a shift and joining the phone bank! Available shifts are:

Tuesday, December 15th	2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, December 22nd	2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, December 29th	2 to 5 PM PST
Sunday, January 3rd	9 AM to 5 PM PST
Monday, January 4th	2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, January 5th (Election Day)	9 AM to 3:30 PM PST

Click here to sign up for a shift

Signing up for just one shift can make a difference and you’re welcome to sign up for as many shifts as you’d like. After you sign up for shifts, you’ll receive Zoom information about how to connect to the phone bank.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local Government Affairs Committee.

Community Resources for Those in Need

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Your AFA EAP Committee has compiled the below list of websites that may prove helpful with the financial strains of our times.

Food Banks, Housing and Utility Assistance, Clothing Closets, Veteran Services etc.

United Way and Local Assistance Resources in your Area www.211.org
State by state resources and benefits to replace lost wages, housing and food assistance, resources to assist workers impacted by COVID https://aflcio.org/covid-19/state-resources

Health Care

Low-cost/no cost local health care services for adults and children: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Insurance for children if parents don’t have coverage for them. www.insurekidsnow.gov
Open Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act – (open Season 11/1-12/15) www.healthcare.gov
Hill-Burton free or low cost hospitals/medical facilities. https://www.hrsa.gov/get-health-care/affordable/hill-burton/facilities.html
Join a Study/Trial- Find a study by disease, country, state that is actively recruiting participants. www.clinicaltrials.gov

Behavioral Health Care

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Website for sliding fee or no cost mental health services. https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

Prescription Assistance Programs

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: A program sponsored by drug companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations, and civic groups. It helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or low-cost, brand-name medications. http://www.pparx.org Ph: 888-477-2669
NeedyMeds: A nonprofit group that has an extensive database of information about patient assistance programs, state assistance, drug discount programs, and free or low-cost medical care. You can search the database for free on its website. The site also has information on thousands of programs to help consumers through the application process. www.needymeds.org
RxAssist: An online database of drug company programs that provide free or affordable drugs and copay assistance. www.rxassist.org
RxHope: A web-based resource where you can search by medication to find assistance programs. It also offers help with the application process. www.rxhope.com
RxOutreach: A mail-order pharmacy for people with little to no health insurance coverage. www.rxoutreach.org

Questions?

Contact your Local EAP Committee if you’d like more personalized assistance in understanding and accessing these or other resources.

In This Edition

Letters of Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding

Recent LOAs and MOUs

Questions?

REMINDER: Reserve Availability & Commuting

Release on Last Day of Reserve Block

Questions?

College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA Scholarship Fund

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

Union Plus Scholarship Program

Union Plus Free College Benefit

Questions?

Safety of Our Crews, Our Flights and Our Country

Safety Of Our Crews

Recent events are potentially negatively impacting effective Crew Resource Management

Avoid the subjects of politics, religion and money in mixed company

As safety professionals we are expected to maintain a working relationship with each other at all times

Suggested points of commonality regardless of our individual views

COVID-19 pandemic risk mitigations

Safety of Our Flights

Increased security measures ahead of Inauguration Day

AFA Recommendations

Safety of Our Country

Freedom of speech and of peaceful assembly

Crimes against the state

Recurrent Training 2021

In This Edition

Early Success Rates Look Promising

COVID-19 Risk Mitigations

AFA Alaska’s concerns

Inflight Training management’s response

Written Exam Practice Questions and Answers

AFA Alaska’s concerns

Inflight Training management’s response

Adequate “Hands-On” Time Prior to Emergency Evacuation Evaluations

AFA Alaska’s concerns

Inflight Training management’s response

Acceptable Deviations to Emergency Evacuation Commands

Requalification Training (RQ)

AFA Alaska Negotiations Update – December 17, 2020

In This Edition

Updated Contract Negotiations Timeline

Negotiations Delayed Until September 1, 2021

Overview of the Railway Labor Act

Historical Background

Who is Covered?

Basic Purposes

“Minor” vs. Major” Disputes

Next Up

In This Edition

MEC Resolution on Gender Equality

What Are Gender Identity and Gender Expression?

A Request for Immediate Action

Questions?

CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before

Throughout the next 7 days, we have to be louder than we’ve ever been before

Our members of Congress must hear from us, our family members and friends, every day

Georgia Senate Runoff Election

Questions?

Community Resources for Those in Need

Food Banks, Housing and Utility Assistance, Clothing Closets, Veteran Services etc.

Health Care

Behavioral Health Care

Prescription Assistance Programs

Questions?

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Master Executive Council

Contract

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