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        You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News

        Alaska Airlines-Virgin America Merger Update: July 28, 2016

        July 28, 2016 21:00

        Initial Meeting Between AFA Joint Negotiating Committee and TWU Negotiating Committee

        Members of your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) joined the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Virgin America Negotiating Committee for a casual dinnertime “meet and greet” on Tuesday night in Burlingame, California. The JNC members present were MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jen Wise MacColl and Lindsey Steele. Council 18 LAX President Tim Green accompanied the JNC as an additional representative of the MEC. Tim participated because he is LEC president of the only Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant domicile that overlaps with Virgin America’s operation: Los Angeles. The entire MEC did not attend because we believe it was best to keep the number of participants limited for this first unofficial meeting. However, the full MEC very much looks forward to additional opportunities to get to know the Virgin America Inflight Team Mates (ITMs) in the future.

        The TWU Virgin America (VX) Negotiating Committee was negotiating in San Francisco this week as they continue their efforts to reach a first contract. The TWU VX Negotiating Committee is TWU International Vice President Thom McDaniel, Negotiating Team Members Armando Fierros, Aladrian Hillmon, Daniel “DJ” Martinez, Jansen Nichols, Danielle Pappert, Jeremy Schoggins and Didi Sindelar. The JNC and Tim found their team to be professional, intelligent and committed. They also very much appreciated their willingness to meet up after a long day of negotiations with Virgin American management! There is nothing else significant to report from this informal dinnertime meeting except to say that the parties used the occasion to get better acquainted.

        Recap of merger-related information so far

        The MEC and JNC have heard frustration from the membership that there is not enough information about the acquisition of Virgin America by Alaska Air Group and the intent to merge Alaska Airlines and Virgin America under a single operating certificate (“the merger”). In case you missed any of the several previous membership releases about the merger, you can find them archived here: http://afaalaska.org/merger. Keep in mind the merger is still very much in the extremely early stages, so there are few developments at this time.

        >>> Click here for all archived merger-related information. <<<

        Following the merger announcement in early April, we have selected our Merger Representatives for seniority integration and our Joint Negotiating Committee for joint contract negotiations in addition to following the other provisions in Section X [Merger Policy…] of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws. Consequently, AFA is very well positioned to move forward with the process as soon as all parties (AFA, TWU, Alaska Airlines management and Virgin America management) are willing and able to do so. However, there is not likely to be any further progress until the transaction receives official regulatory approval, which is expected in late September or early October. In the meantime, keep up the good work in welcoming our soon-to-be brothers and sisters at Virgin America by striking up a conversation if the opportunity presents itself.

        Merger Rumors

        There have been no formal discussions about what joint contract negotiations would look like. TWU VX has not yet achieved a first contract, so any details about joint contractual provisions would be pure speculation and are almost certainly rumor. AFA is committed to being transparent with you about any merger developments.

        * * *

        If you have any questions at this time, contact your LEC president.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

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

        Your Merger Representatives – Sandra Morrow and Marie Maxwell

        Filed Under: AS/VX Merger, Latest News

        Introducing Your MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson

        July 25, 2016 08:00

        Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews last week for the position of MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson.  We would like to thank the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the position.  After thorough consideration, the MEC has appointed Krystle Cook to the position.

        Krystle’s career with Alaska began in February 2007 in Anchorage.  It was here she called home for seven years.  Three of those years she was extremely active volunteering her time on various committees.  In 2014, Krystle made the move and transferred, back home, to the greater Seattle area and was appointed the SEA Local Government Affairs Chairperson.

        Together with AFA activists, she has worked tirelessly to prevent knives from being allowed in the cabin of our aircrafts, lobbied to stop voice calls by passengers in flight, and is pushing members of Congress to enact 10-hour minimum rest rules and a fatigue risk management plan for all Flight Attendants.

        She is the first and only representative of the Association of Flight Attendants to sit on two different young worker committees.  Krystle is the AFA Lead Activist for the CWA Next Generation Program and a committee member of the AFL-CIO Young Worker Advisory Council.  Both of these committees focus on issues that are directly affecting workers under the age of 36.  These committees focus on issues such as student debt, economic struggles, racial injustices, and leadership development and trainings.

        Krystle says, “”I am beyond honored to continue to fight for Alaska flight attendants, and all AFA members, as well as working people across the country.  My passion for social and economic justice will be a driving force in ensuring we have the safest and best work environment possible.”

        In her role as MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson, Krystle will work closely with the Local Government Affairs Committee Chairpersons and the AFA International Government Affairs department to represent and advocate for Flight Attendants.  Her term of appointment is concurrent with the term of the MEC Officers and she reports directly to the MEC

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

        Filed Under: Committees, Government Affairs Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2016, chairperson appointments, Government Affairs, MEC Committee Chairperson

        Open Time Trial Cancellation

        July 21, 2016 17:00

        The Master Executive Council (MEC) has surveyed Flight Attendants’ satisfaction with Open Time for several months (May, June and July), and it is very clear from the survey results that the new system is strongly disfavored. (See “Open Time Trial Survey Results – July 2016” for the latest results.) In our opinion, dissatisfaction with Open Time has been made worse by the disappointing programming challenges leading up to full implementation of the new system combined with the continuing connectivity problems in eMaestro.

        Consequently, the MEC has notified management that we are cancelling the Open Time Trial pursuant to CBA §12.F.9 [Exchange of Sequences: Open Time Trial: Cancellation of Open Time Trial].

        As outlined in §12.F.9.a., Open Time will revert “back to book,” which was the system in place in the 2006-2010 contract as modified by the “Withholding Open Time” arbitration award (AFA No. 6-99-2-18-11 [“Withholding Open Time”]). The roll back will occur when Jeppesen is able to program the new Jeppesen Crew Tracking Enterprise (JCTE) Crew Exchange with the old Open Time trading rules.

        Management’s estimate for going “back to book” is sometime between February and July 2017. We are anticipating a specific estimate from management in the near future. In the meantime, Open Time trading will remain under the new system.

        Based on overwhelming feedback from the members, the MEC is requesting that we begin negotiations on a successor Open Time system as soon as possible. Negotiations will proceed with your current Negotiating Committee: MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston and Christina Frees. The MEC sincerely thanks Jake Jones for his service on the past two Negotiating Committees. Jake recused himself from the committee. AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput will join the committee for Open Time negotiations.

        Keep in mind the recently selected Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is a different committee that will negotiate a combined contract pursuant to the Alaska Airlines-Virgin America merger.

        “It’s painfully obvious the Open Time Trial is not working for the Membership,” said MEC President Jeff Peterson. “Let’s keep in mind this new system was always designed as a trial, which is why the parties agreed to an ‘opt out’ clause. The MEC sincerely thanks everyone for taking part in the surveys and sharing their comments, which has given us a lot of material for upcoming negotiations. Flight Attendants want a simplified system without all the confusing codes and a much-improved ability to trade day-for-day or greater that is not necessarily tied to day-of-departure. AFA is committed to delivering a workable Open Time system to our Flight Attendants that is supported by a comfortable majority of our group.”

        You will be hearing a lot more about Open Time in the coming months as negotiations progress.

        If you have any questions or concerns, contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) president.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

        Filed Under: Latest News, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: 2016, History of Open Time, Open Time, OT

        Open Time Trial Survey Results – July 2016

        July 21, 2016 16:59

        The Open Time Trial survey results for July 2016 are now available.

        Survey completion information

        458 surveys were completed and 7 were partially completed. If a Flight Attendant submitted more than one survey, only the last submission was counted. This is a substantial reduction in the number of participants compared to past surveys.

        Survey overview

        The results continue to show a clear need to improve general understanding of the Open Time Trial and a strong dissatisfaction for the current system.

        Understanding of the Open Time trading codes

        62.5% of respondents do not understand or are still learning the Open Time trading codes (TO/DD/CP/TX/no code) and how to trade sequences in Open Time based on those codes. This is a significant drop from past months.

        AFA Alaska has produced an Open Time trading codes quick reference guide (see “Understanding Open Time Trading with the Codes” for additional information.)

        >>> Click here to view the “Open Time Trading with the Codes” quick reference guide in a Portable Document Format (pdf). <<<

        Understanding of the estimated time frame for making any programming changes to Open Time

        A majority (57.7%) reported they understand the time frame involved for making any programming changes to the Open Time system.

        Based on membership feedback the MEC has made a determination to go “back to book”:

        • Reverting to the former Open Time system could take approximately one year. This is because the new JCTE crew management system would need to be reprogrammed with the rules for the former OT system. (It is currently programmed with the new OT rules.)
        • AFA will start negotiating a new system as outlined in CBA§12.F.9 [Exchange of Sequences: Open Time Trial: Cancellation of Open Time Trial]. Implementation of a replacement OT system would likely take a minimum of nine months after reaching an agreement with management.

        Strong dissatisfaction with the Open Time Trial

        74.5% indicated they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the Open Time Trial. 81.6% of respondents would prefer to revert “back to book” to the old Open Time system (based on IT limitations) and begin negotiations on a new system; whereas 18.4% would prefer to keep the current system.

        Detailed survey results

        >>> Click here to view the detailed AFA Alaska Open Time Trial Survey Results for July 2016. <<<

        AFA Alaska has informed management of our intent to go “back to book.” More information to follow!

        In solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

        AFA Alaska Open Time Trial Survey for July 2016 Results Summary

        Filed Under: Latest News, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: 2016, Open Time, OT

        Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson Interviews – Deadline Extended

        July 18, 2016 20:00

        The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) has extended the deadline for interviews for the ASHSC Vice Chairperson position.  Interviews will now be conducted at the August MEC meeting on August 15 and 16.

        With the continued growth of the company and corresponding increase in work for the ASHSC, the MEC has elected to establish a Vice Chairperson position for the ASHSC.  The former responsibilities of the Air Quality Subcommittee will become part of the duties of the new ASHSC Vice Chairperson.

        Background

        The Vice Chairperson of the ASHSC will assist the MEC Chairperson as needed with the work of the committee.  S/he will also have responsibility for overseeing all AFA and ASHSC efforts pertaining to aircraft air quality including responding to complaints or incidents involving possible contaminated air.

        Additional Information from the MEC Policy Manual

        1. SCOPE

        a. The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) shall work with the Company on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health.

        2. POLICY/RESPONSIBILITIES

        a. The MEC ASHSC shall consist of the MEC ASHSC Chairperson, MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson, and the Local ASHSC Chairperson from each council.

        …

        d. The MEC Vice Chairperson shall:

        (i) Perform the duties of the MEC Chairperson in her/his absence

        (ii) Assist the MEC Chairperson as needed

        (iii) Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC ASHSC Chairperson on all activities, meetings, and work being performed

        (iv) Work on all matters pertaining to the quality of air onboard the aircraft.  Coordinate ASHSC response to any incidents or complaints involving air quality, specifically:

        (A) Handle any air quality or contamination issues as they arise

        (B) Work with the company to investigate and address the source of air quality or contamination when it occurs

        (C) Assist Flight Attendants in obtaining proper care, treatment, and testing when involved in an air quality or contamination incident

        (D) Follow up with the Flight Attendant(s) involved to ensure they have received proper care, treatment, and testing

        (E) Keep members informed of air quality incidents and developments through the MEC Communications Committee

        (F) Attend Cabin Air Review Team (CART) meetings and other air quality-related meetings

        (G) Develop, distribute, maintain, and update membership education materials about air quality, contamination, symptoms, and follow up procedures

        (H) In conjunction with the International Office, develop and provide initial and ongoing training to the ASHSC of each Local Council

        Qualifications

        • Previous ASHSC experience required
        • Knowledge of contaminated cabin air exposure protocols
        • Ability to attend meetings as required, including being present in Seattle regularly
        • Ability to attend AFA International and other required training as needed
        • Strong computer skills. Excellent working knowledge of Inflight Mobile Device, Google email, and Microsoft Office.
        • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and take meeting minutes.
        • Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on assigned tasks

        Duties

        • Fulfill the duties of the MEC Chairperson when s/he is absent or otherwise committed
        • Perform tasks as assigned by the MEC Chairperson. Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC Chairperson on all activities.  Assist the MEC Chairperson in preparing the monthly committee report to the MEC.
        • Actively respond to any incidents involving aircraft air quality. Provide assistance to the affected Flight Attendants.  Work with management to determine the root cause.
        • Represent AFA and the ASHSC at bi-monthly Cabin Air Review Team (CART) meetings in Seattle
        • Assist the MEC Chairperson in planning and conducting bi-monthly meetings of the committee and other meetings and conference calls as needed. Attend and actively participate in all meetings and conference calls in coordination with the MEC Chairperson.

        Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

        • This position is eligible for Flight Pay Loss (FPL) reimbursement by the Company under §27.P Company Business (CB) Flight Pay Loss with a 5% override and “A” pay. CB is compensated at 0.75 TFP per hour of work.
        • Estimated 4-6 hours per week (12 to 18 TFP per month).  This amount is highly variable and may be higher or lower depending on the amount of work to be completed each week and month.  Some work may be accomplished remotely.  Regularly required to be in Seattle to work on projects and attend meetings.

        Working Relationships

        With The ASHSC

        Frequent interaction with Local ASHSC Chairpersons and Committee Members

        With The MEC ASHSC Chairperson

        Constant interaction; this position reports to the MEC ASHSC Chairperson

        With Alaska Airlines Management

        Constant interaction with inflight management, particularly the Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance, Manager of Inflight Policy, and Inflight Safety & Policy Specialists

        Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

        • The MEC will hold interviews during the August MEC meeting on Monday, August 15 or Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
        • Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Satterlee at yvette.satterlee@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, August 5, 2016. Yvette will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

        Questions About the Position

        If you have questions about the position, please contact MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple at seth.heiple@afaalaska.org.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple

        Filed Under: Air Quality, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Committees, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2016, air quality, ASHSC, MEC Committee Vice Chairperson, safety, volunteer

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