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Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

June 5, 2026 13:00

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Our JNC met with management this week on June 2 to June 4 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for June 30 to July 3
A Tentative Agreement has been reached for Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments)
Our JNC made progress on vacation and staffing provisions, having discussions with both Alaska and Hawaiian stakeholders

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management from June 2 to June 4 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants	Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee Chairperson	Allen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Joe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Carmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Brittany Audette, Managing Director, Operations Staffing and Resource Management, Alaska
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee Member	Kalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff Negotiator	Mike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
	Karen Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

Prior to this week’s session, the JNC held a small group meeting with Alaska and Hawaiian crew-planning stakeholders to explore vacation and staffing options in preparation for our joint session. This week, the JNC continued the conversation with management to review the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems. We discussed how the Alaska vacation provisions are currently applied and how the different Hawaiian vacation provisions are used. Brittany Audette, Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management, joined us for this discussion.

The JNC also continued to work through Section 14 (Vacations). Recognizing that Hawaiian Flight Attendants currently have more flexibility with their vacation benefits, we are exploring ways to incorporate those benefits into the JCBA for the combined workgroup.

The JNC reached a tentative agreement on the new Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignment). This new section primarily incorporated language from the Hawaiian CBA and added protections from other airlines’ Flight Attendant contracts. TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment) allows the company to establish a temporary base at a non-domicile location or to supplement staffing at an existing base temporarily. This section ensures Flight Attendants financial protection, including around-the-clock per diem, hotel stays for the duration of the TDY period, space-positive travel, and improved expense reimbursement. The goal is to ensure assignments are fair and Flight Attendants are supported, while also meeting operational and staffing needs.

We exchanged proposals for Section 35 (Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges) and Letter of Agreement 9 (Flight Attendant Jumpseat Occupancy). We are working to codify our travel benefits, including priority access to Flight Attendant jumpseats.

We also continued to exchange proposals on Section 16 (Sick Leave), but there are still significant differences between the two parties.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA is being used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Sections discussed in this session:

Vacations (AS CBA Section 14 and HA CBA Section 18)
Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges (AS CBA Section 35 and HA CBA Section 30)
🆕 Temporary Duty Assignments (AS CBA does not address these provisions and HA CBA Section 15)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
Domiciles (AS CBA Section 28 and HA CBA Section 5, 14, and 27)
Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)
Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 36 and HA CBA Section 34-28)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

Crew Meal Survey

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Crew Meal Survey. We received 3,323 completed surveys from Flight Attendants, along with 509 partial responses. The JNC will review all feedback, including the partial surveys, as we evaluate the results. Your input helps us keep advocating for you.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for June 30 to July 3.

To get things started, the JNC met with our MEC Reserve Chairpersons to talk about current reserve rules and possible improvements for our combined workgroup. We are finalizing a Reserve survey that will go out to the Membership later this month. Thank you to pre-merger Alaska MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson, Julie Thornton and pre-merger Hawaiian MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson, Kela Chong for sharing their expertise.

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

June 1, 2026 09:00

Every June, we come together to honor LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the remarkable resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ community. Pride Month began as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The inaugural Pride March, held on June 28, 1970, marked the first anniversary of Stonewall and set a powerful precedent for advocacy and visibility. Today, Pride Month is recognized globally, with communities, organizations, and allies hosting vibrant parades, educational events, and meaningful conversations that foster inclusion, understanding, and progress.

Discover the History and Significance of Pride Month

If you’d like to learn more about the rich history of LGBTQ Pride Month and the ongoing pursuit of equality, consider exploring these resources:

Get Involved: Pride Month Events in 2026

Celebrate with an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin

In 2018, the AFA Board of Directors adopted a resolution to officially recognize June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution included the introduction of a special commemorative pin created for AFA Members to proudly wear throughout June. Each year since, AFA Members have worn the commemorative AFA Pride Pin as a visible sign of solidarity, inclusion, and our ongoing commitment to equality for all.

If you’d like to learn more about the AFA Pride Pin and its significance, please reach out to your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee. If you need a pin, keep an eye out for updates from your Local Council or connect directly with your LEC Officers for information on how to get one. Your participation matters, and together we create a more inclusive and supportive community.

AFA News in Review – May 29, 2026

May 29, 2026 17:00

In This Edition

Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon
Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.
Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026
Next Week’s Events

Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon

Originally posted May 25, 2026

There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the Crew Meal Survey that will help shape future provisions. Our JNC is eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of crew meals are most meaningful to you, as we strive to improve our support for your needs. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Tuesday, May 26 at Noon PT.

Read More >

Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.

Originally posted May 27, 2026

When workplace tensions rise, there are confidential and supportive alternatives to going to management. Discover how AFA Professional Standards empowers Flight Attendants to resolve issues respectfully—before they escalate.

Read More >

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

Originally posted May 29, 2026 | Pre-Merger Alaska

Crew Scheduling and operational topics took center stage at this month’s pre-merger Alaska Scheduling Committee meeting with management. Discussions included bid protests, fatigue concerns, and strategies to improve our work environment.

Read More >

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

Originally posted May 29, 2026

Concerns about extreme cabin heat, onboard use of Meta smart glasses, and cold-weather evacuations were among the topics addressed at the May 2026 Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting. The Committee also weighed in on adding Narcan to emergency kits and improving hotel van safety—read on to find out more about upcoming policies and ongoing projects that affect our safety on the job.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, June 2 – Thursday, June 4	Joint Contract Negotiations
Thursday, June 4	Quarterly Reserve Committee Meeting (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

May 29, 2026 13:00

On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX pmHA), Eva Gatus (SAN), Randy Rivera (HNL), and Kerri Ruiz (MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson).

The Committee met with several members of Inflight leadership and Safety management, including Heidi Stiley (Cabin Safety & Compliance Manager), Nicky Sagum (Manager of Safety Compliance), Randy Katz (Managing Director of Inflight Safety Standards & Training), Benito Pasia-Garcia (Director of Inflight Base Operations), Lavesh Bhatia (Inflight Policy & Procedure Specialist), Shari Hinshaw (Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedures), and base management representatives Anu Lippert and Laurel Padure.

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting will take place in virtually on Wednesday, July 15.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several items when meeting with management. Some items discussed include (items which are Security Sensitive Information are not included):

Cabin Heat Events and APU Operations: The Committee discussed recent incidents of prolonged aircraft ground delays due to inoperative APUs during extreme heat. Concerns were raised regarding unsafe cabin temperatures, passenger comfort, and operational delays in returning to the gate. Management confirmed that APUs are expected to be running by D-10, and Flight Attendants were encouraged to use operational pauses and to submit FAIR/SHR reports whenever cabin temperatures become unsafe.
Meta Smart Glasses and Privacy Concerns: The Committee discussed concerns about the use of Meta smart glasses while on duty, including passenger privacy, recording capabilities, and operational distractions. Management advised that Revision 75 will prohibit Flight Attendant use of Meta glasses while working.
Emergency Equipment Accessibility: Several concerns were raised regarding retrofitted overhead emergency equipment locations on the 737-800 fleet. Flight Attendants reported difficulty accessing halon and water extinguishers, challenges viewing gauges during preflight checks, and improper bracket positioning impacting accessibility. Additional concerns included demo kits and carry-on baggage obstructing emergency equipment. Management requested continued FAIR reporting to establish trend data.
Extreme Cold Weather Evacuation Concerns: ANC representatives raised concerns regarding insufficient cold-weather uniform options during potential evacuations in extreme winter conditions. Discussion included FAA limitations on wearing bulky outerwear in jumpseats, lack of galley stowage space, and the need for additional guidance or training regarding cold-weather evacuation scenarios.
Hotel Van Safety Procedures: The Committee discussed safety concerns involving hotel transportation vendors requesting crew members to provide flight information before identifying themselves. Particular concern was raised for individual Flight Attendants arriving late at night. Management will coordinate follow-up discussions with hotel transportation providers regarding security expectations and procedures.
MAX 9 Trash Bin Design and Galley Trash Procedures: Representatives continued discussions regarding the MAX9 trash bin design, which allows trash and liquids to fall behind bins and creates sanitation concerns. Maintenance & Engineering advised that a retrofit project is planned for later this year. Additional discussion focused on current galley trash-handling procedures, including the operational practice of hanging trash bags in galleys, as well as concerns related to fire suppression and monitoring requirements.
Inoperative Seatbelt Sign MEL Events: The Committee reviewed recent events involving inoperative seatbelt sign switches and discussed alternate procedures when signs cannot be activated. Management reiterated that announcements currently serve as the approved mitigation procedure under MEL guidance.
Inaudible Flight Deck Announcements: Representatives discussed ongoing concerns about inaudible pilot PA announcements and difficulties hearing critical information while in the cabin. Management noted that this may primarily be a CRM issue, but agreed that additional review may be appropriate.
Safety Card Type Placards: Discussion continued regarding inconsistencies and missing safety card type placards onboard aircraft. Management reminded Flight Attendants to report missing placards through standard reporting channels so corrective action can be tracked.
Narcan and Overdose Response Discussions: The Committee discussed modernization of EMK/EEMK kits to potentially include nasal Narcan. Management acknowledged that many carriers are moving in this direction and confirmed the topic remains under review with MedAire and Safety leadership. Discussion also included training considerations, accessibility, storage, and maintenance requirements.
A330 Lavatory Flush Noise Concerns: Representatives raised concerns regarding excessive lavatory flush noise levels onboard the A330 fleet. Discussion included OSHA exposure thresholds, custom hearing protection programs, and possible reimbursement or support options for hearing protection devices.
PPE Use During Fume Events: The Committee discussed Flight Attendant concerns regarding the use of PPE, including carbon-layered masks, during fume events. Management stated there should be no issue with Flight Attendants utilizing appropriate PPE during qualifying exposure events and agreed additional follow-up may be necessary regarding onboard PPE availability and policy clarification.

Things The Committee Is Working On

New Power Bank Procedures: There were several instances last year of power banks going into thermal runaway on Asian carriers. Additionally, UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory), which tracks thermal runaway events on commercial aircraft, has documented an increase in events attributable to power banks. As a result, there are updates to regulatory guidance on how they should be limited, stowed, and used onboard the aircraft. The Committee has been gathering information and working with the company to develop new procedures, which will be rolled out soon at AAG.
MAX 10 Galleys: In coordination with the Inflight Service Committee, we have been working with management and the galley manufacturer on the MAX 10 galley designs. Our focus has been on safety, optimizing workflow, crew stowage location, which can be accessed without being visible to passengers, and easily accessible emergency equipment
Demo Kit Stowage: We are gathering pictures of demo kits that are in overhead bins without dividers, along with tail numbers, and are making a case to have dividers for all demo kit stowage in first class on the 737.

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve encountered any safety-related issues at work, you can help the Committee advocate for improvement and change by submitting a report:

pmHA: Use INTELEX to submit In-Flight Incident Reports (including fatigue and injury) and Hawaiian Safety Action Program (HSAP) reports.
pmAS: Use ReportIt! to submit FAIRs (including Fatigue reports), ASAP reports, and Employee Injury Reports (EIR).

If you need clarification or assistance on what type of report to file, please get in touch with a member of your Local ASHSC.

Your Local ASHSC is always ready to represent your voice to management. Please don’t hesitate to let us know about any issues or concerns you want us to bring forward. We would also love to hear any other feedback you may have for the Committee. You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

May 29, 2026 09:00

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, May 26, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Colin Beard, ITS Technical Product Owner Nathan McFerren and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 23.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

Local Committee Chairperson Discussions

Pairings Concern: Ongoing issues with pairings.
Block2Block (B2B)- suggested implementing an audible alarm system for check-in to assist Flight Attendants.
Charter Operations: Charter timing issues are causing passenger frustration. Recommendations include timely scheduling and rebidding, with a commitment to improve pre-boarding processes. Communication with charter coordinators is planned.
Redeye Flights: Mention of numerous redeye flights affecting flight schedules.
D Position Flying: Noted aircraft downgrades affecting pairing operations, leading to reassignments rather than pre-cancellations. The contract had an incorrect citation, and our MEC and management are reviewing examples to determine a path forward.
Crew Rest Areas: Concerns about long sits at PAE field; questioning the availability of adequate rest areas for crews.
Reassignment Pay Denial: Issues with reassignment pay being denied for specific city pairings. The Committee continues to discuss these issues with payroll.
NAVBLUE Issues: Password reset issues were reported, and the PBS Subcommittee has been designated to assist Flight Attendants.
Pairing Preferences: Desire for more turns, specifically one-day trips with only two legs.

PBS Subcommittee Update

Bidding Overview June Bidding: High activity was noted even before the bidding period opened. Concerns over high line averages and reserve percentages.
Bid Awards: Smooth process despite needing to adjust minimums for reserve coverage. Technical issues with the inflight website caused accessibility problems for Flight Attendants, requiring workarounds.
Bid Protests: Record high of over 200 protests regarding bid awards, primarily due to perceived errors linked to website issues and high line averages.
Meetings: Multiple meetings held throughout April and May, including low bid research and PBS focus groups.
Other Updates: Testing of software updates (26.1-MX-UAT) commenced with plans for implementation in July or August.

Pairing Construction and Crew Planning

July Pairing Selection: Discussions around payroll, hotel, and transportation costs. Flexibility in trip distribution and lengths noted, with management using the optimizer for pairing construction.
Crew Planning Analysis: July block hours are up to 365K from 347K in June. 20% reserve ratio, 81.1 average line value. Offering no staffing adjustments for July. Pairings are red-eye: ANC 36%, SEA 30%, SAN 27%; lowest is SFO at 12%, LAX/PDX at 20%. The July trip distribution was reviewed for actual and percentages. Commuting SEA/SAN/ANC for 3 days is best; SEA/ANC/PDX for 4 days. PDX/SFO/LAX are the most challenging.
RAVE Language: Discussion on improving four-day trips and TFP in the optimizer through computer data programming.

IRROPS (Irregular Operations)

Updates on various duty starts and operational requests due to construction delays and ATC issues, affecting multiple airports.
Crew connections increased due to delays, with specific minimum rest requirements for certain routes.
Current IRROPS:
- SAN start of duty for JFK/BOS/IAD/MCO/DCA – construction delays
- EWR is still at 12 hours for ATC delays
- End of duty AM departures for EWR to LAX/PDX/SEA/SFO
- Increased crew connections due to delays
- Required duty start for LAS-ANC – Operational request.
- PHX star flights have 11:30 minimum rest
- 0500 departure GEG-PDX when operating increased to 12 hours rest
- End of duty for DLG-ANC and AKN-ANC for summer TSA mitigation.
- Flight Attendant teaming is still in effect.

Crew Scheduling Report

Absence Rates: Sick leave at 12.1%, trending down, with lineholders slightly higher than reserves.
Reserve Utilization: System-wide utilization at 92.4%, with SEA highest at 98%.
Fatigue Reports: Noted fatigue incidents for both AS and HA, with overall trends of concern.
Reassignments and Deadhead Conversions: System-wide reassignments noted, with significant numbers in specific bases.
Specific Data:
- Sick Leave – Absent rate for May is trending about 12.1%. Trending down in the overall count. Lineholder are 12.5%, and reserves are 10.5%.
- Sick online 80 Flight Attendants and canceled 20 flights
- Reserve Utilization – System is 92.4%, SEA is highest for May at 98%.
- Premium Pay – Awarded: 85%; contractual: 15%. Significant days were Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Memorial Day. For June, we have 24% reserve coverage. Management moved people to reserves instead of offering SALs. They are looking at cost-saving tips for contractual premiums, conversions, premiums, daily last flights, adding more personal drops, increasing TSN, and providing flexibility. They need to perform well in sick leave to help staff the operation. Launching initiatives to reduce over-duty premium. The high cost of fuel and the need for greater efficiency are driving these cost initiatives across all departments.
- Personal Drops/TSN/Flexibility – Creating goals and incentives to produce flexibility.
- Reassignments 10.R.4 – System-wide in May was 478, SEA was 191 compared to the other bases.
- Deadhead conversions 10.X.7 – system-wide at 219
- Fatigue – Total is 18 for the month. 12 reserves and 6 lineholders. We ended with 21 in April 2026.
- Crew Schedulers – 2 in July, 1 in August, 3 in late August. 6 awarded positions are on hold due to a 120-day hiring freeze.

Information Technology (ITS) Updates

Friendly reminder: Please ask Flight Attendants and AFA Representatives to create Cherwell tickets for all ITS-related issues so we can track them. Use the ITS help desk to file the concerns.
NAVBLUE/PBS:
- Release 26.1.883 UAT Testing – In Progress.
- Automation Updates:
  - 261 Test cases automated out of 269 [97% completed] – Web automation.
  - 234 Test Cases automated out of 269 [86% completed] – iOS automation.
Open Time Trade Analysis:
- 93,696 total trades, both legal and illegal
- 91,940 (98.1%) of the total trades (illegal + legal) had a response time less than 10 seconds
- 1756 (1.9%) completed in a response time greater than 10 seconds
- May’s trade volume was higher than April’s.
- Transaction times remained steady.
JCTE Releases:
- Upcoming Releases
- JCTE 10.0 MR24 – 6/2
  - FER bug fixes
  - Bid Period Drop Down Menu Selection Replaces Calendar Date Selection for Published Roster.
  - Published Roster for another crew member pulling the current bid period + 2 bid periods in the past.
  - Alert for schedulers to add when a Flight Attendant is contacted more than once during their rest period, and did not receive 10 hours rest prior to the second call, and has not received 10 hours rest since the second call
  - Fix for min/max TFP text messages and min/max duty period text messages.

What The Committee Is Working On

Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. These discussions are still ongoing with Labor Relations management.
Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2. We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. We have additional meetings to discuss implementation and buddy bidding. We are currently testing and reviewing the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment.
Flow Charts: These are posted on the AFA website to help guide you through contractual understanding and irregular ops here: 2025-2028 AFA Alaska CBA Reference Documents 01.26.2026
Block2Block (B2B) Contactability: Implemented on February 1, 2026. Please familiarize yourself with the contractual language and bulletin bundle. Every Flight Attendant must check B2B at the end of every duty period (not trip) and make positive contact if a message is sent prior to block-in of the last flight of the duty period per §8.Q.2.e.
Chime (Microsoft Teams): Implemented on February 9, 2026. This will allow Flight Attendants to contact Crew Scheduling for additional resources. Please refer to the letter of agreement and the bulletin bundle.
Compensation: Follow up on crew pay issues and reassignment policies.
Pairings: Continue to address pairing and scheduling concerns with management.
Software: Monitor upcoming software implementations and their impacts on operations.

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month