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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Seniority Merger Update – January 2018

The Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) met in Washington, DC at the AFA International Headquarters from January 8-11, 2018. The purpose of the meeting was to make progress on merging the Flight Attendant seniority lists per the AFA Constitution and Bylaws (C&B).

The SMIC made significant progress this week. The committee was able to accomplish the following:

  • Reviewed, researched and responded to Seniority Verification Letter (SVL) challenges. If you submitted a challenge, you will be receiving a response via U.S. mail.
  • Prepared to certify both the AS and VX seniority lists for flight attendants.
  • Answered frequently asked questions (FAQ), which we highly encourage you to review.

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about seniority integration >

The committee will continue to meet over the coming weeks to complete the following:

  • Continue to obtain Initial Training dates, which are needed to make the training adjustment for AS flight attendants.
  • Merge the AS and VX flight attendant seniority lists. This process is running parallel to the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) work and will not be finalized and published until after a single collective bargaining agreement has been ratified. This process follows the AFA C&B.
  • Continue to update the FAQ on the AFA website.

If you have any additional questions, send them to seniority@afacwa.org.

We thank you for your patience in this process. We want to ensure the process is accurate and in compliance with the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws. We will keep you posted on our work and any key developments as they unfold.

In Solidarity,

Your SMIC – Sandra Morrow, Rolando Teran, Lynne Voigtsberger and Marie Maxwell

[URGENT] ***False Alarm*** re: Ballistic Missile Threat to Hawaiian Islands

The Master Executive Council understands that the entire Hawaiian Island chain was issued a false emergency alert (pushed to all mobile phones) that there was a ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii and to seek immediate shelter. The alert falsely indicated that the message was not a drill. However, Alaska Airlines management confirmed that the domestic events network in Hawaii pushed a message that was supposed to go out as a practice drill but was incorrectly send out as a live issue. To the best of AFA’s knowledge, there is no ballistic missile threat to Hawaii at this time.

Please reach out to your AFA resources such as EAP if you need any additional support.

In Solidarity,

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

Merger Negotiations Session #8 Update – January 2018

The AFA Alaska-Virgin America Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) just wrapped up our eighth merger negotiations session. We met with management from Tuesday, January 9th through Thursday, January 11th in Seattle, WA.

Representing management: Vice President of Labor Relations Greg Mays, Vice President of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America Inflight & Call Center/Guest Services Jeff Butler, Managing Director of Labor Relations Elizabeth Ryan, Virgin America Manager of Labor Emily Kimmel and Alaska Airlines Financial Planning & Analysis Manager Brittany Schaub.

AFA Director of Collective Bargaining Joe Burns joined the JNC to support our efforts this week.

The parties exchanged several comprehensive proposals, and talks will continue in Seattle next Wednesday, January 17th.

In Solidarity,

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

 

Keep in mind that merger negotiations are a different process than regular negotiations. Discussions are focusing on a limited list of Flight Attendant priorities. All the provisions in the AFA Alaska contract (scheduled pay raises, etc.) will continue in force for pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants; all the provisions in the Virgin America work rules will remain in effect for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants unless modified and/or superseded by the AFA Virgin America letters of agreement.

Harvard Flight Attendant Health Study – Third Wave

Researches from Harvard University are continuing their Flight Attendant health study and are seeking additional participants for the next wave of the study.  All current and former Flight Attendants are welcome to participate in the confidential survey regardless of whether or not you have participated previously.  You can access the survey by clicking here.  Additional information about the study can be found below.

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 ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Update

New FAA Memorandum of Understanding outlines program for both pre-merger Alaska and Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA is pleased to announce that a new Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by management, the FAA, and AFA, renewing the ASAP program for another two years.  The new MOU includes a provision to roll out an ASAP program to pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants in the near future and then integrate the pre-merger Virgin America ASAP program into the pre-merger Alaska ASAP program once a single collective bargaining agreement and integrated seniority list have been achieved.

Click here to view the new ASAP MOU

Along with the ASAP MOU, an accompanying letter of agreement (LOA) has been signed that specifically apply to the Flight Attendants at each specific pre-merger airline.  The LOAs spell out additional protective provisions of the program that complement the MOU.

Click here to view the ASAP additional provisions LOA for pre-merger Alaska F/As
Click here to view the ASAP additional provisions LOA for pre-merger Virgin America F/As

IMPORTANT: ASAP Reporting Timeline Change for Pre-Merger Alaska Flight Attendants

One important change to the ASAP program involves the timeframe for filing a report under the protective provisions of the program.  Previously, ASAP reports needed to be filed no later than 24 hours after the end of the sequence during which the event occurred.  Recently, the FAA has moved to a new standard template MOU that changes that timeline; this template was used to renew the AS ASAP program.  Under the new ASAP MOU, reports must be submitted no later than 24 hours after the end of the duty period during which the event has occurred in order to qualify for the protective provisions of the ASAP program.

Coming Soon: ASAP for Pre-Merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA and management have also agreed to establish an ASAP program for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants.  Please note that even though the ASAP MOU and LOA have been signed, the ASAP Program for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants is not yet in effect.  A timeline for implementation is currently being discussed with management and more information will be communicated regarding training as well as the date the program will be effective.

Questions?

Pre-Merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants

If you have questions about the ASAP program, please contact AFA ASAP ERC Representative Ronda Ruderman or a member of your Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC).

Pre-Merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

If you have questions about the upcoming ASAP program, please contact your Local Council Officers.

In Solidarity,

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

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, September 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present […]

Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

September 15 marks the start of Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month in the United States, a vibrant celebration dedicated to honoring the rich contributions and diverse cultures of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Spanning a full month, this observance—also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month—has its roots in Hispanic Heritage Week, which was established by legislation signed into law by […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary […]

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

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