This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants
On Thursday, February 19, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN). Horizon AFA MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Norann Mann and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson David Jelinek were also present.
The committee also met with SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis, SEA Fit Center Manager Ashley Sentner, Director of Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Director of Operations Supply Chain Management Christine Wakayama, Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Megan Low, and Brand Partnerships & Uniform Manager Janelle Bayne.
The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5.
Topics of Discussion
The committee reviewed several topics both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:
- Because of changes in state laws, management and the Committee have not been able to get Occfit tights and shoes covered by insurance. Management is now working to add compression tights to the PerkSpot website so you can buy them at a discount. There has been some progress, and we hope to have an update by the next meeting.
- You can now buy a selection of compliant shoes at a discount on the Zappos for Work page. The Fit Center is also working to add hosiery to Zappos soon. Flight Attendants can access the Zappos for Work page through the Uniform Subsite on Team AAG and use their AAG SSO to create an account.
- The Committee discussed the discontinuation of the ¼ Zip Cardigan and Aura Ponte Knit Dress with management.
- The ¼-zip cardigan and gilet were brought back as limited, one-time items. They were not meant to be permanent because of the existing large inventory. Since the ¼-zip is now gender neutral, it sold out faster than expected. Management knows this item is popular, but producing more would take about 10 months. With a new uniform expected in late 2028, management does not want to cover the cost of an item that would be used for only about a year.
- The same reasoning applies to the Aura knit dress. Order history shows the dress is not as popular as it might seem. Making more would mean ordering 3,000 to 5,000 dresses, which would leave a lot of extra inventory when we switch to the new uniform. Because the manufacturing process takes a long time, the dresses would arrive close to the new uniform launch. While the Committee thinks the dress was discontinued too soon, management does not want to take on the cost or extra inventory right now.
- As we move toward the new merged uniform, management is starting to reduce inventory on some items. Once stock runs out, those items will not be restocked. Right now, this only affects the Aura Ponte Dress, Gilet, and Aura Blazer. The Committee has asked management to keep us updated on any more changes so we can help keep Flight Attendants informed.
- Flight Attendants can wear the Patriotic Tie and Scarf on Honor Flights. The uniform policy guide will be updated soon.
- The Committee has requested better descriptions for items like pants on the Unisync website. The Fit Center will work with Unisync to add these descriptions.
- For Aura pants, the Classic fit is roomier in the hips and thighs, while the Modern Fit is slimmer.
- For Atlas pants, the Classic fit is roomier in the hips and thighs and has pleats. The Modern Fit is slimmer with a flat front.
- The Committee has raised concerns about the quality of the wings, as some are arriving broken at a weak point. Flight Attendants should inspect their wings when they receive them and fill out a quality report if they are damaged. You can order up to four sets of each type (such as committed to kindness or language speaker) each year through your base supervisor.
What The Committee Is Working On
1. Easier Reporting of Quality Concerns. Management is working to add the ability to report quality concerns directly from your IMD in Comply365. We are getting closer, and hopefully, this feature will be available in the next couple of months.
To ensure issues are addressed until the new IMD feature is available, please submit quality concerns using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [AAG SSO required]. This will enable Unisync and the AFA Uniform Committee to track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and evidence of quality concerns.
2. Policy and Standards Expectations of the New Uniform. The Committee and management are aware of the challenges ahead as we move forward with the new uniform and a global look. The Committee raised concerns about the expectation that a single workgroup will represent two brands. It was suggested that the design team for the new uniform meet with Crew Planning to discuss how our pairings are currently built and how Reserves are used for last-minute flights.
Management will begin exploring ways to engage Flight Attendants as we approach the launch of the new uniform. Management talked about things they have tried that have not worked and is asking for ideas as we move forward. It was agreed that it would be easier to get Flight Attendants engaged with changes once the design of the new uniform is officially revealed.
3. SEA Fit Center has moved to the new Global Training Center (GTC). The Fit Center Website has been updated with the new location, hours, and transportation information. Appointments are encouraged. Drop-ins may not be accommodated if Fit Center employees are working with a new-hire class.
4. New Uniform Wear Testing. The Committee is working with management to develop the wear testing process for the new uniform. The Committee shared what has worked and what has not in previous wear tests, as well as contractual requirements.
Management has not yet provided information on how many wear testers will be needed. The Committee appreciates the enthusiasm of the Flight Attendants who have reached out asking to be wear testers. Until we have the details, we cannot anticipate the number of volunteers we will be able to use. Unfortunately, we cannot use everyone who has contacted us, but we will be reaching out in the coming months.
We Want to Hear From You!
Please fill out the Quality Concern Form on the Uniform subsite on TeamAAG with any quality issues. Additionally, you may email your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson.
Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.
