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Reserve Contractual Violations in Jeppesen Crew Access

The cutover to Jeppesen Crew Access has not been very kind to Reserves

The Master Executive Council (MEC) is very frustrated that the cutover from Jeppesen Maestro/eMaestro to Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) has not been very kind to Reserves. Although self-assignment has finally been implemented after a long delay (the original estimate was by the end of 2nd quarter 2016), there are numerous other reserve-specific contractual violations due to JCA. For the life of a Reserve, it has been one step forward and at least two steps back.

Reserve contractual grievances recently filed

AFA has recently filed the following Reserve-specific contractual grievances on your behalf:

  • 36-99-2-43-16 Violation of CBA §11.H.8 Reserve Exchange of Days, Pick-ups and Trades (January 4, 2017)
  • 36-99-2-6-17 Violation of §11.E Low Time First Available (LTFA) Out of Order Assignments January 31 to February 2, 2017 (February 10, 2017)
  • 36-99-2-7-17 Violation of §11.E Low Time First Available (LTFA) Out of Order Assignments Post Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) Cutover (February 10, 2017)
  • 36-99-2-10-17 Violation of §11.F.15, §11.H.7 & §11.H.8 Failure to Provide Automated Ability for Reserve Flight Attendants to Self-assign and Trade APSB (February 10, 2017)

Reserve-specific JCA updates

Management has been developing an interim reserve trade board to provide a platform for posting and trading reserve blocks/days until the function can be programmed in JCA. The MEC has been pushing management to get the interim trade board up and running as soon as possible. Based on recent progress, we are hopeful it will be available for use sometime this coming week.

Management has provided a disturbing estimate to AFA regarding implementation of the permanent reserve trade board. Right now management is saying April or so, which is completely unacceptable of course.

In slightly better news, management has informed the MEC that the ability to post and trade Airport Standby (APSB) may be functional by next week.

Scheduling notifications are active for Reserves

The MEC has received feedback that there may be confusion about whether or not the scheduling notifications are active for Reserves. They definitely are. That means if you accept the scheduling notification, Crew Scheduling has officially notified you of the scheduling event (e.g. reserve assignment, change to report time, et cetera). If you wish to decline the scheduling notification, you must click the little “X” in the corner of the notification window; then Crew Scheduling will contact you using the traditional methods (e.g. calling your number(s) on file, et cetera).

AFA will continue to push management to make the situation right

AFA will continue to advocate on behalf of the Reserves and push management to make the situation right as soon as possible. If the parties cannot reach an acceptable resolution to these violations, AFA is fully prepared to go to arbitration if necessary in order to defend our contract.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill; MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed – Part 3

All trips in Open Time coded as premium and subsequently withheld

Yesterday morning, AFA became aware that all trips in Open Time across the entire system were coded with premium pay, then withheld and placed back in OT with the premium removed. AFA subsequently filed a grievance on the issue. Check out “All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed” and “All Open Time Trips Withheld…Part 2” for more information.

System glitch was responsible for the “blanket premium”

It has now been confirmed that the “blanket premium” was the result of a glitch with Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA). A system patch is scheduled for early next week to permanently resolve the problem. Jeppesen has developed a short-term strategy for reversing blanket premium in case it happens again prior to the patch. However, AFA will take the same contractual position if the blanket premium recurs.

Management is resolved to not restore premium across the board but will pay premium for trips picked up while the system issue existed

Management is resolved to not restore premium across the board due to concerns over operational reliability but will pay premium for trips picked up while the system issue existed. Crew Scheduling management reportedly has now ensured that all who picked up during this error can see the premium reflected in their roster view.

Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider sent the MEC the following statement:

At the present time I’ve committed to pay 1.5 to any FA who picked up a trip in Open Time at that rate while the system issue existed. However, I’m not planning to reinstate the rest of the trips that were in Open Time at the 1.5 rate, as those only exist due to a system issue and not as a result of any operational need. I also worry that putting the 1.5 back on those trips would cause additional operational hardships. Putting them back in at 1.5 would make us more vulnerable to staffing shortages as it is likely that many trips would be dropped in order to pick up at 1.5. While I understand AFA’s position on this issue and I will let the grievance work through the process.

Management has clarified that they are committed to pay premium on any trips that were picked up at double time (2.0x) as well.

Forward to arbitration…

At this point, it looks like the parties will be resolving this dispute via arbitration unless we are able to reach a settlement that the MEC believes is favorable for our members. Thank you in advance for your patience!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

2016 Performance Based Pay

Performance Based Pay is 8.73% of 2016 eligible earnings

Pursuant to CBA §29.A [Profit Sharing and Retirement: Performance Based Pay], all Flight Attendants will receive a Performance Based Pay (PBP) payout today on all eligible earnings described in the Alaska Airlines, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan. This year, line employees are receiving about a month’s pay or 8.73% of their 2016 eligible earnings. This is the eighth consecutive year Alaska has exceeded the 5% payout target, and PBP has averaged 9.14% over 5 years. Prior to 2009 Flight attendants participated in the Variable Pay Plan (VPP), which had a maximum payout of 7.0% of eligible earnings.

PBP eligible earnings

What are PBP eligible earnings? In general, it should be everything except for the prior year’s PBP payout, the Quarterly Productivity Premium (QPP), Operational Performance Rewards (OPR), per diem, expense reimbursements and imputed income.

Some of you have been doing your own calculations and questioning why your PBP payout is not consistent with eligible earnings. Well, the most probable reason is that the Company has likely been calculating PBP incorrectly for Flight Attendants since at least date of signing for this contract in December 2014. At a minimum, we believe that Sit Pay and Longevity Premium have not been included in the calculation for PBP 2014-2016.

PBP grievance

Consequently, AFA has filed Grievance 36-99-2-8-17 Violation §29.A Failure of Company to Include All Eligible Earnings in Calculation of Performance Based Pay (PBP). AFA believes the remedy would be a “make whole” recalculation and payout for the excluded eligible earnings. Management is currently in the early stages of research, which may take awhile due to the complexities of the issue. In the meantime, enjoy your 2016 PBP payout, and congratulations to all!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

2017.02.10 Grievance 36-99-2-8-17 Violation §29.A Failure of Company to Include All Eligible Earnings in Calculation of Performance Based Pay (PBP)

AFA Requests Attendance Points Review – Part 2

As AFA indicated in “AFA Requests Attendance Points Review” (February 7, 2017), representatives from the Master Executive Council (MEC) met with management this past Wednesday morning to address several topics of concern for AFA. The parties focused mostly on the continuing fallout from the Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) cutover as well as points accrued as a result of Winter Storm Maya and the inability to reach Crew Scheduling due to busy phone lines.

AFA and management agreed to a separate meeting to review accrual of points resulting from those circumstances. However, the MEC has also received feedback from Council 39 members that the December snow and ice storms in Portland should also receive the same consideration, and we agree with you. The MEC has also heard from some of our members that they believe their attendance record is inaccurate because their JCA cutover points credit was not applied correctly.

How do you find your attendance points?

Inflight web page (log-in required) -> Scheduling & Bidding -> My Schedule & Trading (Jeppesen Crew Access) (log-in required if using a direct hyperlink) -> Reports -> Reports on Demand -> Attendance Points -> Generate -> Download

The MEC wants to hear from anyone who believes their attendance record is inaccurate or who received points due to circumstances beyond their control as a consequence of the following situations:

  • Portland snow and ice storms (Portland metro area – December 2016/January 2017)
  • JCA cutover points credit incorrectly applied (January 30th)
  • Winter Storm Maya (Pacific NW – on or about February 5-7)
  • Inability to reach Crew Scheduling (entire system – on or about February 6-7)

Send an email to points.review@afaalaska.org, with your name, Arctic and/or Peoplesoft number and supporting information. Include as much specific documentation as possible. The deadline for submitting an attendance points review request is Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at 5pm Pacific Time.

If you have already submitted a request to points.review@afaalaska.org, it is not necessary to re-submit your information unless you have additional documentation for us. There is no guarantee that your points will be reduced, but as always AFA will do our very best to advocate on your behalf!

The attendance points review meeting with management is scheduled for Wednesday, February 22nd after the conclusion of our February MEC meeting. The MEC will update you as soon as possible following that meeting—most likely the next business day.

If you have any questions, contact your LEC president.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC Grievance Chairperson Stephanie Adams

Jeppesen Crew Access Update – February 9, 2017

[Note: It has been an incredibly challenging and chaotic week for all AFA representatives since the Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) cutover. We have been working non-stop defending our contract and fielding scheduling, reserve, attendance points and pay issues–and more. Based on all that has happened, the MEC will be sending out several separate communications in a row over the next few days. We apologize in advance for flooding your inbox and/or social media newsfeeds, but we want you to have timely information.]

As AFA indicated in “AFA Requests Attendance Points Review” (February 7, 2017), representatives from the Master Executive Council (MEC) met with management yesterday morning (Wednesday, February 8, 2017) to address several topics of concern for AFA. The parties focused mostly on the continuing fallout from the Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) cutover as well as points accrued as a result of Winter Storm Maya and the inability to reach Crew Scheduling due to busy phone lines.

AFA and management agreed to a review process for accrual of points resulting from these circumstances, which AFA will detail in a separate communication to follow.

JCA cutover points review

Pursuant to the provisions of the Jeppesen Crew Access Trade Suspension Letter of Agreement (LOA), AFA and Management reviewed each situation on a case by case basis in which points were assessed for a Management Drop (MD) between January 31 and February 3, 2017, to determine if the event(s) leading to the Management Drop met the agreed-upon parameters. The LOA established points forgiveness if the parameters were met. Click here for more details >

AFA is pleased to announce that management agreed to forgive points for all MDs that were granted during that period. Management will be following up directly with the affected Flight Attendants to advise of the points adjustment.

Growing list of JCA issues

The parties reviewed a growing list of JCA issues that AFA is tracking, including recent feedback from the AFA Reserve Committee. AFA and management walked away from the productive meeting with ‘homework’ and an agreement to prioritize fixes to the system.

Help AFA in the effort to fix JCA

[Note: AFA previously published this information in “AFA’s Response to Jeppesen Crew Access Cutover” (February 7, 2017), but we errantly provided the wrong email address to communicate JCA suggestions/concerns to management (we accidentally switched the order of two letters). The correct address is CSS_SC@alaskaair.com, which has now also been corrected in the original post. We apologize for any confusion!]

How can you help fix JCA?

For troubleshooting problems:

  • Open a ticket with the IT Help Desk (877-238-1077 or desk@alaskaair.com) whenever you have a JCA problem.
  • If you emailed the IT Help Desk, then copy in (i.e. use the “cc:” line) your local Scheduling Committee rather than sending a separate email. If you called the IT Help Desk, then also email your local Scheduling Committee (ANC: scheduling@afaalaska.org, SEA: sea.scheduling@afaalaska.org, PDX: pdx.scheduling@afaalaska.org, LAX: lax.scheduling@afaalaska.org and SAN: san.scheduling@afaalaska.org) to advise them of the same problem for tracking purposes. Emails sent to these addresses are routed to the base-specific Scheduling Committee chairperson(s) and the respective LEC president.
  • Email MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill (mcneill@afaalaska.org) for reserve-specific issues.

For suggestions/concerns only:

* This email address is for sharing JCA issues and suggestions. AFA is hoping responses to this address will improve our chances of action and future improvements. The JCA project group is compiling a “wish list” and keeping track of how many Flight Attendants send in the same suggestion. If there is an obvious error then allegedly it will be addressed “immediately.” If a suggestion/concern is being submitted multiple times by many different F/As, it may improve our chances for a feature upgrade in the nearer future.  Reserve-specific JCA issues

Reserve advertising and trading

Unfortunately, the ability to advertise (post) and trade reserve days/blocks has not been programmed in JCA. Additionally, the “Reserve Trade Board” in First Class cannot be viewed in the web version–only in the discontinued “classic” version that many can no longer access. AFA and management are aware of the issue, and management is actively working on an interim trade board and a longer-term fix. AFA has already filed a grievance on this issue and will continue to push management to restore the ability to post reserve blocks/days as soon as possible.

Self-assignment and trading of Airport Standby

The ability for automated self-assignment of airport standby has been “temporarily” suspended due to a programming error. However, eligible Reserves may call Crew Scheduling to self-assign APSB during the appropriate time period until the function has been restored. AFA will also be filing a separate grievance on this issue.

AFA believes that yesterday’s meeting allowed us to address serious concerns regarding the JCA cutover directly with executive Inflight management and the necessity for Inflight to advocate for swift action on high priority issues. This meeting also allowed AFA and management to establish expectations regarding communication on a go-forward basis that ensures issues are noted and addressed.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones; MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

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

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Vacation Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

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