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[L-AS] Transition Training Bidding Re-Open

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants

AFA has been advised of a processing error involving the time that Transition Training bidding was closed within the bidding system.  According to the Airbus Transition Training Letter of Agreement, bidding was supposed to close on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 5 PM Pacific time.  In actuality, bidding closed at 9 AM Pacific time.

As a result of this error, Transition Training bidding has been reopened to allow additional time to enter and modify bids.  Bidding will now close tomorrow, May 9, 2018, at 5 PM Pacific time.  If you have already submitted a Transition Training bid, your original bid has been saved and will remain on file.  If you submit a new bid at this point in time, any new bid will override your previously submitted bid.

As a reminder, it is important that you bid enough dates for Transition Training to ensure that you are awarded one of your preferred slots.  If you do not bid or do not bid enough dates, you will be assigned a Transition Training date by Crew Planning.

In Solidarity,

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

[L-AS] JCTE Contractual 48/7 and Out of Base Waivers

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants

AFA was advised that JCTE will be receiving an update on the evening of May 8, 2018, that will include the contractual 48/7 waiver (Section 8.L) and out of base warnings that previously existed in eMaestro.  It is important to remember when picking up or trading, you may be required to waive or accept provisions.  If you waive a provision when processing a direct trade, you will also be waiving the contractual protections for the Flight Attendant receiving the trip.   Prior to processing a trade, it is important that you discuss any contractual waivers with the Flight Attendant who will be receiving the trip and determine whether s/he agrees to any contractual waivers.  If you choose to accept the waivers when processing a trade, this acceptance will be noted in the system and pay protection and/or rest requirements may not apply.  Refer to Section 8.N of the CBA for waiver of contractual rest.

If you have any questions about JCTE contractual waivers, please contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

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 Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones

Summary of the 46th AFA Board of Directors Meeting

Last month, your MEC attended the 46th AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting in Atlantic City, NJ.  As part of the meeting, your LEC President and the other LEC Presidents from throughout AFA took action on 25 agenda items, including approval of the annual AFA budget.  A complete summary of actions taken on the agenda items as well as resolutions can be found on the AFA BOD website at http://afa-bod.org.

International Officer Elections

At this year’s BOD meeting, LEC Presidents voted on your behalf for candidates for International President, International Vice President, and International Secretary-Treasurer.  Incumbent International President Sara Nelson, International Vice President Debora Sutor, and International Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Creighan were all re-elected to another 4-year term of office.  More information about the International Officer Election can be found by clicking here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the BOD Meeting or any action taken at the meeting, please contact your LEC President.

In Solidarity,

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

[L-AS] Maternity Grievance Settlement

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants

This information applies to Legacy Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants who were on a maternity leave of absence any time from December 2014 to approximately December 2017.

Most, if not all affected Flight Attendants, have received an email from AFA requesting information related to their maternity leave of absence.  Based on information received from the Company and these surveys, the MEC Grievance Committee has put together documentation containing proposed restitution affected Flight Attendants may be entitled to, if any.

Affected Flight Attendants may be entitled to restitution if:

  • They were forced to maximum coordinate (use 70 TFP) when they requested minimum coordination (9 TFP); or
  • They were removed from active payroll/paid leave status which also barred them from continuing to purchase active employee rate health insurance.

If an affected Flight Attendant purchased COBRA or other outside insurance, the last day to provide full documentation is Monday, May 28, 2018.

If you are an affected Flight Attendant and are curious to what AFA determined your personal proposed restitution to be or if you have any questions, please contact MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams at stephanie.adams@afaalaska.org.

Updated JCBA Implementation Quick Reference Guide

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) has updated this implementation quick reference guide. The list below is separated into L-AS and L-VX provisions to easily distinguish the changes for each Flight Attendant group.

Pre-Merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants (L-AS)

Provisions Retroactive to January 1, 2018

  • New Pay Rates. Across-the-board 4.5% increase effective at DOR and retroactive to January 1, 2018. May 5th paycheck will still reflect the old pay rates due to the seniority synch-up process. New rates based on seniority dates including credit for time spent in initial training will be reflected on May 20th paycheck for April flying. Retro for January through March flying will also be paid on May 20, 2018.
  • Elimination of 1/12thvacation accrual reduction. [Section 14.A.1-2.] Any reduction s of vacation accrual under the former provision will be corrected by October 2018 in time for 2019 vacation bidding.

Provisions Effective Date of Ratification (DOR) or soon after (as noted)

  • 401(k) Match Increase. 401(k) employer match increased to 7.5%. (If you are not currently contributing at least 7.5% you should increase your contribution as soon as possible to achieve full matching!) Flight Attendants may make changes to their contribution up until May 10, 2018, to apply to their April 2018 flying, which will be paid on May 20, 2018.
  • Seniority “Sync-Up” Date.Includes credit for initial training. Will apply to pass travel, vacation accrual and bidding (no change in relative seniority). Contractual 30-day protest period ends and Integrated Seniority List (ISL) will be final on May 3, 2018.
    • New badges will be issued to all Flight Attendants
    • Will not change your RT base month
  • Bank Point Award (2 bank points). One time reduction and/or credit of two (2) total points to his/her attendance points balance. The manual process of reducing or crediting each Flight Attendant’s point total has begun. If a FA reaches any level of discipline prior to the completion of manual adjustments, s/he will have her/his two points reduction applied prior to discipline being issued.
  • Might Be Late (MBL) Grace Period. 5 minute grace period [Section 32.C & E]. Flight Attendants must call Crew Scheduling and advise of MBL prior to scheduled check in time. The duty supervisor will send a report to the FA’s performance supervisor, who will check the actual scan-in time. If scan-in is not within the 5 minute grace period, attendance points will apply.
  • Ground Commuting Provision.[Section 28.G]
  • Holiday Pay Scheduled or Actual Provision. The new provision for scheduled or actual holiday pay will be in effect for the next contractual holiday: July 4, 2018. [Section 21.H.2]
  • Holiday Pay “Show No-Go” Premium. The new provision for holiday “Show No-Go” pay will be in effect for the next contractual holiday: July 4, 2018 [Section 21.H.3]
  • Medical Leave of Absence Provision. Minimum of 4 years without company approval: immediate halt to terminations in progress under former 1-year maximum duration without company approval. [Section 15.C.2]
  • Vacation Coordination Bank. To maintain insurance while on a leave of absence. [Section 15.M.2.c]
  • $75 Parking Stipend. Inflight sent an email communication to all Flight Attendants (Ron Calvin: “New Options with FA Parking” – April 11, 2018) with a link to the sign-up form. Due to many questions about the form and the tight deadline for May, management will honor requests made after the April 15 deadline to begin the stipend in May. Please note this is a monthly option, so it can be elected at any time; however, it must be submitted by the 15thof the month prior. A link to the form will be published on the Flight Attendant webpage. A Flight Attendant needs to submit a new form only when s/he wishes to change her/his parking election. [Section 28.H.2]

Pre-Merger Virgin America Flight Attendants (L-VX)

Provisions Retroactive to January 1, 2018

  • New Pay Rates.Across-the-board pay increase effective at DOR and retroactive to January 1, 2018. New pay rates for April 2018 flying will be reflected on April 30, 2018, paychecks. Retro pay for January through March flying will be paid on May 15, 2018.
  • Greater of Scheduled or Actual Block Time.Calculated on a segment-by-segment basis beginning January 1. Programming changes are required, so management anticipates paying this retroactively on May 31.
  • Reserve Premium. Greater of Reserve Premium or $2.83/block hour flown while on reserve. This requires a software change, so management anticipates July flying will be paid on August 15, and January through June retro will also be paid on August 15.
  • Per Diem Increase. Increased to $2.50 per hour. Will be reflected on May 15 paychecks for April flying, and January through March retro will also be paid on May 15.
  • Holiday Premium (2x pay).Retroactive to include New Year’s Day and will be paid on May 15 if applicable.

Provisions Effective Date of Ratification (DOR) or soon after (as noted)

  • New Pay Rates.Red Circle provision in effect for eligible Flight Attendants.
  • Trade Below 70. Ability to trade down to 50 block hours to another Flight Attendant – please see management email for instructions on trading.
  • Reserve Minimum Day. Increased to 4.3 credit hours/day of reserve. Increase will be reflected on May 15 paychecks for April flying.
  • Reserve Premium. Greater of $100 or $2.83/block hour flown while on reserve
  • Pre-Board Pay. Twenty-six block minutes (0:26) or (0.5 TFP equivalent) when asked to pre-board a flight (does not apply to RRR). Flight Attendants must currently submit via Crew Comment field in Rainmaker. Management is working on an automated process.
  • Greater of Scheduled or Actual Block Time.Calculated on a segment-by-segment basis.
  • Full Deadhead Pay. 100% pay for deadheading, retro to 4/1/2018. Increased pay will be reflected on May 15 paychecks for April flying.
  • Show-No-Go Pay Increase. Increased to 2:39 credit hours. This is an automated pay process and is tracked on the Flight Attendant’s line by CSS.
  • Charter Pay. Increased to 2x pay. Pay will be automated and applied by CSS if charters operate.
  • Sit Pay. If “sit” in excess of 2:00 (scheduled or actual) between flights, Flight Attendants receive pay of fifty-three block minutes (0:53) (above guarantee for reserves).  “First fight of day” sit pay:  Sit pay, above, applies to the first flight if there is an actual delay in excess of 2:00 in addition to ground holding pay. This provision requires a software change, so management anticipates July flying will be paid on August 15, and January through June retro will also be paid on August 15.
  • International Pay.Increased to $1.13/block hour, applies when customs is not pre-cleared. This will be reflected on May 15 paychecks for April flying. This must be manually added to paychecks, so International Pay will not be visible in Rainmaker.
  • ITL Program Transition. Flight Attendants will begin bidding to be in the “A” pool at the end of April for June. “A” pay will start in the June bid month and will first appear on the July 15 paycheck, if applicable.
  • Premium Open Time. Increased to 1.5x pay for trips picked up. This pay is automated.
  • Operational Assignment Premium. Increased to 1.5x pay. This pay is automated.
  • Holiday Pay Premium.Increased to 2x pay; new holiday: July 4th.
  • Might Be Late (MBL) Grace Period.5 minute grace period [§32.C&E]. A Flight Attendant must call CSS and advise of MBL prior to scheduled check in. A MBL code will be placed on the schedule, and a supervisor will check the FA’s line to verify the scan-in time. If check-in is not within the 5 minute grace period, attendance points will apply.
  • Extended Maternity Leave. L-AS policy available to L-VX Flight Attendants. Any Flight Attendant who returned to work from a Maternity Leave after January 1 who would like to take Extended Maternity Leave should contact her leave analyst.
  • Base Swaps. Minimum 3-month base swapsavailable between LAX and SFO-based L-VX Flight Attendants. Notification required May 1st for swap effective June 1st.
  • Management Seniority Accrual. Supervisors/management on seniority list may not accrue seniority for longer than they have been a line Flight Attendant.

All Flight Attendants

No furlough protection for all Flight Attendants effective April 3, 2018 through December 31, 2019.

* * *

All the relevant documents describing the negotiated changes can be accessed on the Merger TA & Information Page.

In Solidarity,

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

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 […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

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