961 Total Votes cast
31.2% of total eligible voters
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council
961 Total Votes cast
31.2% of total eligible voters
Here is our third weekly update highlighting posts on the Negotiations blog from November 23rd through November 30th. We apologize for its delay in release.
This past week was quiet as we are sure you were all reviewing the full TA2 text. We are currently mid-week of our first week of Roadshows. You can find a daily Q&A of each morning and afternoon session on the blog as well. At the end of the week we will send out another update including all of this week’s happenings.
As you review TA2, if you’ve missed any of this week’s daily posts, you will find them titled below. We continue to use the format of “Q&A”, “Get the Facts”, “Did you know?” and “Hot Topics” for the various blog posts. You can also search the blog via key words you have an interest in and it will bring up all applicable posts (e.g. 4K).
Nov 23rd –
Get the Facts: Sick Leave Cash Out 25% Upon Retirement
Weekly Negotiations Blog Update November 15th – 22nd
Nov 24th –
No posts
Nov 25th –
Q&A: Is there a loop hole for 4k reassignments?
Q&A: Do I have to vote if I am voting yes?
Q&A: Is there any protection for new aircraft orders in our current agreement or TA2
A Message From Your SAN LEC President
Nov 26th –
Q&A: Did We Lose VJA in TA2 and Are We Only Subject to JA under TA2?
Q&A: What happens if deplaning exceeds the 15 minute debrief at domicile?
Nov 27th –
Nov 28th –
It’s getting a little crazy out there!
Q&A: Why is management “guest starring” in some of the TA2 videos?
Nov 29th –
No Posts
Nov 30th –
Q&A: Are we waiting for a letter for SC/SF from management?
In solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
PDX Roadshow Q&A 12/3/14
Section 3 – Scope
Q: How many supervisors would that allow?
A: There are currently 42 on the list. The TA allows for 2% of the FA population so this would be a total of 66 maximum with 3300 FAs.
Q: If they come on as an extra are they working just a leg?
A: They are working a trip, the entire sequence.
Q: What percentage of trips will supervisors be flying as an extra?
A: Unknown, there is no contractual limitation.
Q: What do you think Company reason is behind this?
A: Ben and Brad believe this will help relationships and environment. This is partly due to the results of the Employee survey.
Q: Will supervisors appear randomly?
A: We expect advanced notice. Will confirm.
Section 8 – Hours of Service
Q: Is the debrief adjustment all or nothing
A: Yes
Section 9 – Junior Availability
Q: Will it still not cover trips into the next month? Say I had a 3 day trip on the 30th that went into the 1st and 2nd.
A: For JA you are protected.
Q: Am I protected for the 1st and 2nd if my subsequent bid award adds flying onto my line on the day I gave away from the month end overlap?
A: No, the flying was replaced on the days you are now working in the subsequent month. In order to be protected you would additionally need to drop the 1st and 2nd.
Q: If I pick up days outside of my original line and subsequently give those days away am I protected from JA?
A: No, the days protected must be off of your original line.
Section 10 – Scheduling
Q: What is our maximum scheduled duty day if I don’t opt into 4k flying?
A: Scheduled duty is 10 hours 30 minutes.
Q: Does the debrief take into consideration Customs and Immigration?
A: No, this is the current practice.
Q: Can you opt 4k for a turn and not for multiday?
A: You would opt into 4k, bid by pairing number or how you would bid for turn. If worried about unstacking create new bid group.
Q: Could I put 4k in my default bid?
A: Yes.
Q: Projection of changes in layover for 4k?
A: The 4k affects only a few routes. Look at the 4k and 15 debrief maps specific to your base. This could affect future destinations and schedules.
Q: All 2 carts, except DTW, was service addressed with 4k turns?
A: No, service is managerial right.
Section 11 – Reserve
Q: If lineholder picks up reserve day do they have to opt into LTFA?
A: Yes. They must actively opt in if they choose. Default opts out.
Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences
Q: After contract is ratified when will OT trial start?
A: August 2015, based on the implementation.
Q: If a day is limited (closed) and I pick up a TO/CP trip what happens?
A: If you pick up the day without replacing flying then the day will reopen to allow for another trip drop.
Q: What happens if OT system is not ready by August 2015?
A: We would file a grievance.
Q: Did the Company come to AFA and say we have this great system for OT trial?
A: No. It was a joint effort in creating a functioning OT system.
Section 14 – Vacation
Q: Does vacation accrual count for the 960 flown to achieve the Longevity PTO?
A: Yes
Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury
Q: Why only age 62 – 65 for utilizing my sick leave for insurance?
A: The provision is current book, with sunset provision.
Q: If I call in sick and receive points does sick leave make up allow for point reduction?
A: No. Sick Leave Make Up is available to restore your sick leave bank, not mitigate points.
Q: If I call in sick for 10 TFP, I would have to work 100 TFP to restore, so this offers a 1 for 1 accrual?
A: Yes.
Q: If I call in sick using Sick Family or FMLA can I participate in Sick Leave Make Up.
A: Yes. If you are receiving pay from your sick leave bank you are eligible to restore using Sick Leave Make Up. As a side note if you call in FMLA, you may contact your payroll analyst and ask not to receive compensation, however, the federal law requires they give you the time off.
Section 21 – Compensation
Q: If I SIP or Jet Bridge trade what Minimum Pay Rules will apply?
A: Duty period minimum and sit pay in non-affected duty periods (at the SIP/Jet Bridge Trade split).
Q: Is the Quarterly Productivity Premium based on the base line average or your personal award?
A: Personal Award
Q: Do pre-planned absences count?
A: No. You must exceed your PBS line award.
Q: Does recurrent count towards my PBS award for QPP?
A: Recurrent does not count towards the PBS award, but will count towards the QPP threshold.
Section 22 – Expenses
No questions
Section 23 – Insurance
Q: What is management’s posturing or position on insurance?
A: 20% cost sharing and no cap. But we didn’t agree to those terms and conditions. They wanted us to share in higher cost of premiums with other employees.
Section 27 – General Association
No Questions
Section 32 – Attendance
Q: Is there a limitation on the number of medical leaves I can take?
A: No.
Q: Will we get bank points retro active for the maximum credit of 6?
A: No. It will start in Jan 2015 if TA is ratified.
Random Q & A:
Q: Where can I find the AFA Videos?
A: http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta/ta2-videos
Q: Could you be off on Worker’s Comp for a year a get a 12 month look back?
A: Yes. If you were out for 12 months, you would have to have a look back equal to 12 months.
Q: If I take a staffing leave do I get a credit, same as in the current agreement?
A: 1.333 TFP credit, just like today.
Q: If contract is ratified will we have availability to view our 480 TFP calculations?
A: Yes. You will have calculators for each category.
Q: Is there retro on minimum pay rules?
A: No. We attempted to have minimum pay rules paid but were not successful in agreeing on a provision.
Q: If there a professional negotiator on the team?
A: Yes, Paula Mastrangelo, Staff negotiator since 1988. She has long standing list of negotiating many contracts for legacy and regional carriers. There is an entire legal and bargaining unit at AFA International. We also used Dan Akins, an airline economist and advocate for AFA, he graduated from London School of Economics and assisted us at the bargaining table.
Q: Could management in the future ask for a longer duty day?
A: Yes management could ask, but the membership would have to ratify an agreement with the provision in order for a extended duty day to take affect.
Q: If this does get voted down will all the members of the committee stay on?
A:
Jeff Peterson – In my discussions with our committee the next committee will look very different.
Jake Jones – Will not continue to serve on NC
Lisa Pinkston – Will not continue to serve on NC
Kristy Stratton – Will not continue to serve on NC
Christina Frees – Will not continue to serve on NC
Paula Mastrangelo – Recommend a different staff negotiator take over Alaska Property
Jeff Peterson – I have other responsibilities to consider and no intent of leaving AFA in difficult position. I’m not comfortable making a statement at this time. After two failed agreements I agree with Paula, our staff negotiator, it may be time to let someone else look at the overall context of our negotiations.
Q: If assigned a like sequence can I be assigned more than one sequence?
A: No, it is one sequence.
Q: Why was duty day adjustments included in TA2?
A: This was brought forward and negotiated as a package. 4k, 15 debrief and management flying contingent on length of scale, step rates and overall compensation package.
Q: Did we achieve many of the things we wanted on the survey?
A: Yes, the committee was successful in recapturing many provisions, not all.
Q: Do you think we would get retro pay in a subsequent agreement?
A: In our professional opinion, no.
We had AFA International Research Management Flying at other carriers. We have included links to information and documentation for comparison and consideration. Please click on the links above to access this information.
As a side note: At SWA a manager can fly to prevent a cancellation if there is absolutely no FA available.
PDX Roadshow Q&A 12/3/14
Section 3 – Scope
Q: Does there have to be no reserve available within the 2 hour call out?
A: The flight would have to cancel if they couldn’t get a flight attendant to airport. Any time a manager flies the Company must notify AFA and there will be follow up.
Q: Why don’t they have to wear a uniform?
A: Not all of them have uniforms and they are not required. No contractual requirement that they wear uniform.
Q: How are the supervisors paid for flying, TFP? Why don’t they pay union dues?
A: They are paid their salary. AFA doesn’t represent them. They don’t receive the perks of the collective bargaining. They don’t get per diem, no minimum pay rules.
Q: Do they have to be trained FAA certified as a flight attendant?
A: Yes. There are currently 42 approved.
Q: Must the flying managers have a Flight Attendant manual?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a percentage or a limit? Cap in writing?
A: There is no cap.
Q: When will we know if they are on our aircraft?
A: We will clarify, but there is no contractual notification requirement.
Q: What is single source discipline?
A: Just originates with one person. Refers to one information source, the person who sees it.
Q: Is it one of the functions of the Scheduling Chair to oversee this?
A: Yes, a full time scheduling chair position. S/he is an AFA Alaska Flight Attendant.
Q: May trips be held from bidding or Open Time for management?
A: No.
Q: Supervisors on board, we may have to train them, do we receive extra pay?
A: No extra pay.
Q: Was this a priority for the company in TA1 and TA2?
A: Yes.
Q: As most junior FA on a crew as an extra can managers be tagged?
A: They could only be reassigned if to avoid a cancellation. If not to prevent a cancellation they would not be eligible as they can only fly as an extra.
Q: Is there restriction for IOE or check rides today?
A: No. They have the ability to come onboard during special circumstances.
Section 8 – Hours of Service
Q: For getting through customs can we call and adjust our debrief?
A: No, it is not counted, just as application today.
Q: If Pilots give you ACARs during flight do I have to call?
A: Yes.
Q: Do we get paid for updating manual, bulletins? In future updating new devices off the a/c?
A: No. This will be on your own time.
Q: Could the company arbitrarily adjust my debrief?
A: No. Debrief is coordinated by the crew.
Q: If on separate pairings do we have to call separately?
A: Yes, until we settle into the new procedure.
Q: Is Scheduling going to staff appropriately for our ability to adjust our debrief?
A: I do think they have underestimated how much this is happening. Think they will be overwhelmed at first with the adjustments.
Q: Does the night rule supersede irregular operations?
A: Yes. See Section 8.I..
Section 9 – Junior Availability and Premium Opentime
Q: Could I receive ACARs and be JA’d
A: Yes.
Q: Could they be standing there at your plane to JA you?
A: Yes, within your 15 minute debrief?
Q: Could the company adjust my debrief to JA me?
A: No, the flight attendant(s) may adjust their debrief by calling CS.
Q: Can Crew Scheduling still call me at home to JA?
A: No.
Q: If you do have 2.5X JA trip and drops into OT does that remove the JA premium?
A: If you trade into OT the premium goes away. If traded to FAs premium will stay.
Q: How will you know if JA’d out of order?
A: Strictly by who is on duty and who is legal. You can look at the list to see who was JA’d. The Scheduling Chair must be consulted prior to JA. If the Company JAs out of order there premium pay penalty.
Section 10 – Scheduling
Q: What are the three 4k destinations that would be affected with todays route structure?
A: SEA-DTW, SEA-IAH, PDX – PVR
Q: Can I preference 4k day and 4k night, either or both?
A: Yes. It is instruction command required to opt in to these pairings.
Q: Do you have a list of the new turns, cities affected by 15 minute debrief?
A: We have a list of the 4k, will get a list of the city pairings affected.
Q: Are we opening the door?
A: It doesn’t stop management from requesting a longer duty day in the future. We are governed by the majority. It is a fair assessment.
Q: How I am guaranteed I am not going to fly them?
A: From PBS perspective, if you do not select one or both of the 4k instructions you will NOT be awarded 4k sequence via coverage award, unstacking and secondary line generation. It you do not select instruction you can NOT get the trip.
Q: What do they do with pairings if no one bids the 4k?
A: They will go into OT and will NOT count towards the threshold sequence number for closure of OT unless subsequently traded.
Q: How will LA and ANC be impacted?
A: There will be impact on the flying. There are not many pairings that will fit in turns in LAX, ANC, SAN. With new flying would change flying. Line averages and Minimum Pay Rules will provide protections for unproductive flying.
Q: So a 4K is in the box, they are desperate and out of reserves. Can line holders refuse?
A: Yes you can refuse. Company would have ability to offer with premium OT, break up the sequence to make legal with the 10 hours and 30 minutes or in lieu of cancellation assign to a manager.
Section 11 – Reserve
Q: If line holder picks up single day, does it convert to ER?
A: Yes
Q: Is there a change to crew quarters or sitting area when sitting APSB?
A: No change.
Q: Any protections for turning a turn into a 5 day trip?
A: No
Section 12 – Exchange of Sequences
Q: When will Jet Bridge trades be available?
A: Immediately. It is a manual process.
Q: So if we love new OT system, but Company hates it, they cancel trial period?
A: Go back to todays practice and start negotiating a new system.
Q: Are personal drops and coupon drops going away or being replaced?
A: No.
Q: Can FAs Jet Bridge trade with another FA who is not in their domicile?
A: No. FAs must be in the same domicile to Jet Bridge trade. There may be ability in future to expand program.
Section 14 – Vacation
Q: Today I only fly 260TFP annually what is difference between CBA and TA2?
A: Under current agreement if you do not meet 480 TFP (including vacation and sick leave) you are entitled to full vacation accrual unpaid. In TA2 if you fly the 260 TFP (excluding vacation and sick leave) you are entitled to half vacation accrual unpaid.
Q: I have questions about the 480 TFP and going on maternity, is that covered?
A: If you are coordinating your leave there is a lookback to help you meet your 480. We have a presentation later in the roadshow to walk you through this.
Section 16 – Sick Leave and On the Job Injury
Q: Can you still call in well?
A: Yes
Q: You can still make up the first day of your sick call after calling in well?
A: Yes
Q: Where I will find the Reserve Sick Leave Make Up days?
A: They will be posted. Not sure where they will be posted but FAs will have notification.
Q: Is there point mitigation for sick leave make up?
A: No.
Q: How long do I have to make up sick leave and restore my bank?
A: The current bid month and the two subsequent bid months.
Q: Are lineholders required to opt in to LFTA for sick leave make up?
A: No.
Q: If I only fly turns is it possible to have my options limited for sick leave make up?
A: Yes. Crew Scheduling builds the blocks. At their discretion they could offer one day or more blocks.
Q: If I don’t fly on the reserve make up day how much credit do I receive?
A: 5 TFP per day not used. With a minimum guarantee of 5 TFP per day averaged over the number of days in the reserve make up block.
Section 21 – Compensation
Q: If I am top of scale when do I receive my increases?
A: Every Dec 17th for the duration of the agreement you will receive 1.5% pay increases.
Q: Are CB and UB included in the QPP?
A: Yes
Q: What is the Company benefit of the QPP?
A: On average the hard time flown per flight attendant is 68 TFP. If you can move the average hard time 1 TFP to 69 TFP hard time averaged for all Flight Attendants then the Company would receive the cost savings of 50 full time employees (FTE) in the future for each 1 TFP. This benefit is only received if flying behaviors change.
Q: Is there a blog post to assist with QPP questions?
A: Yes. http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/get-the-facts-productivity-premium
Section 22 – Expenses
No Questions
Section 23 – Insurance
Q: Is there a slide show on the insurance? What is difference between the cost sharing and the year over year cap?
A: Yes. Watch the insurance video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BivL964KYak&feature=youtu.be .
One is sharing of cost that moves each year contractual up to a maximum of 20/80. The year over year cap ensures the employee paid portion does not exceed 15% increase year over year. We receive the more favorable of the two applications.
Q: Is Kaiser still an option and will there be 15% year over year cap?
A: Yes.
Section 27 – General Association
No questions
Section 32 – Attendance Policy
Q: Would the points be removed for the additional ½ point for sick online at check in be removed with a quarterly point reduction form?
A: Yes. That is our position. All points when using a quarterly point reduction form will be removed associated with that occurrence. The language does not specifically say that it will but it is the practice.
Random Q&A:
Q: Is the 480 look back a huge improvement?
A: Yes. We don’t know of any other carrier that has this provision.
Q: Why is implementation taking so long?
A: There are programming and vendor delays. Nothing we can do to get it to happen faster. There is a limitation of programming. Management was even will to pay more to had expedited but money is not the issue.
Q: Why was there a rush to get TA2 done with these implementation issues?
A: They want to have agreement in place. We don’t believe implementation factors into the timeline of coming to agreement.
Q: Is there a minimum bid option?
A: That is removed from TA2. It wasn’t delivering what was promised. Minimum bid was not doing what we expected. Now use bid groups. Contact PBS Scheduling Committee for assistance.
Q: Do we know how FAs will interact with our Scheduling Chair?
A: The position will report to AFA MEC. Will be available to assist if TA2 is ratified.
Q: PBS parameters are 78 – 85 for line construction, plus or minus 10 TFP. Did that change?
A: Yes. In TA2 it is 75 – 85, plus or minus 10 TFP for individual award.
Q: Is Longevity PTO bid with my vacation?
A: Yes
Q: For years of service I came from QX does that count towards longevity PTO and premium?
A: No. It is service as AS Flight Attendant.
Q: Is our PBP bonus going away?
A: No.
Q: The Quarterly Productivity Premium is earned income?
A: Yes
Q: Why are you not confident we will gain more ground?
A: Company says they are over extended. The NMB board is not rushed to give us additional dates. After voting 2 TAs down they are not inclined to spend limited resources on our property. This is based on conversations and signing remorse of specific provisions. They want you to be paid well, not the best. Company feels they over spent in the agreement. Just passing along the information we have. Concerned we roll the dice and get stuck in negotiations for a long time. There is risk involved and this is part of your consideration.
Q: Do you have to present an entire TA versus pieces?
A: Correct. An entire TA is presented for your consideration.
Q: Like trips definition changed, does that include pre-cancellation?
A: Like trip is for reassignment at check in. Pre-cancellation there is no change in application.
Human Rights Committee On Monday, May 6, our AFA Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to build awareness and effect change within our workplace and community. Representing you at the meeting were Annie Madsen (ANC),Erika Daniel (SAN), Freddy Vega (SEA), and Louise Borras (LAX). Also present was MEC Human Rights […]
Human Rights Committee May 1st marks the first day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States. The celebration originated when Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1978 to honor the first ten days of May in 1979 as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week”. It was expanded to an entire month by Congress in […]
Master Executive Council (MEC) On April 26, 2024, our International President convened a virtual meeting with the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MEC). This includes the directly elected Local Council Presidents and MEC officers at each airline. Our AFA professionals from Legal, Collective Bargaining, Government Affairs, and Communications were in attendance to support the […]
Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, April 23, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kamako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]
Our Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for one (1) Member to serve on the AFA System Board of Adjustment. Members are to serve on the System Board of Adjustment for the purpose of arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise under the terms of the Agreement between Alaska Airlines and its Flight Attendants.