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Good to Know: Tips from Your Grievance Committee

Passport Renewal

When it’s time to renew your passport, the contract has a process outlined to ensure that you only fly domestic trips while your passport is out of your possession.  If your passport is in the renewal process and you have international flying on your line, the pre-cancellation language outlined in section 10.S.12 will be used to find alternative flying.  If no flying is available that meets this language, pay protection as outlined in section 10.S applies as long as your attempt to renew your passport was initiated at least 15 days before the expiration date of your passport (see section 22.D [expenses/passport renewals] and the addendum to section 22 #1).

Inflight bulletin #2014-0218 also has information about expediting passport renewals.

Union Representation

You are entitled to AFA representation when you have a discussion or meeting with management and the possibility of discipline exists for you, another Flight Attendant or another employee. If a supervisor contacts you, you have a right to ask, “Could this conversation result in discipline?”  If so, we recommend that you tell the supervisor that you would like an AFA representative before having any further discussion.  The supervisor should provide you with the name and phone number for your Local Executive Council (LEC) President.  Regardless of whether there is a possibility of discipline, you can always contact your Local Grievance Committee for AFA representation.  You can find contact information for your Local Grievance Committee on the AFA Alaska website.

Probationary Flight Attendants may also ask for an AFA representative to be present in a supportive (non-representational) role.  Again, if you are asked to provide a written statement or account of events, you are always entitled to confer with an AFA representative prior to doing so; this is also true for probationary Flight Attendants.

Disciplinary Issues

The Grievance Committee has recently noticed an increase in discipline for using profanity, making discriminatory statements, and sitting in passenger seats playing games or watching movies.  Management is taking a hard line on these issues regardless of intent or seniority.  In many instances, they are skipping steps of progressive discipline and going straight to suspension without pay or even termination.  Management says this increase in discipline is coming from the Legal department and upper management. We will continue to dispute inappropriate and/or inconsistent discipline and are available to represent all members regardless of circumstance.

Medical/Maternity/Workers’ Compensation/LTD/STD Leaves

If you are contemplating taking a leave, be sure to contact your Local Benefits Committee for assistance.  Members of the Benefits Committee have specialized expertise involving leaves of absence and can help to guide you through the complicated leave process.

Sick Leave and Attendance Points

Management takes the following position regarding short sick calls and the associated 2.5 attendance points: even if management can back date a medical leave, they will not remove short sick call points associated with the dates of the leave.  This can be an issue if you are struggling with an illness. The following is a recap of contractual provisions regarding sick leave.

“Short Sick Call” or FS2 (formerly S2 in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.5

If a Flight Attendant calls in sick less than two 2 hours prior to scheduled check in, then s/he will be given 2.5 points with no option for quarterly point reduction.

“Sick Leave on Line at Scheduled Check-in” or FSB (formerly SB in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.6

If a Flight Attendant scans in on time and subsequently calls in sick later than scheduled check-in time, then s/he will be given 0.5 points in addition to the points value of the trip, e.g., 1-day is 1.0 points (0.5 points + 0.5 points), 2 day is 1.5 points (0.5 points + 1.0 points), et cetera. If the Flight Attendant is on FMLA then s/he will receive no points.

“Sick Leave on Line” or FSO (formerly SO in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.7

If a Flight Attendant calls in sick after flying one leg, then s/he will be given only points for the value of the trip, e.g., 1-day trip is 0.5 points, 2-day trip is 1.0 points, etc.

Please make sure you are familiar with the above provisions, especially if you are struggling with an illness and point accumulation.

Questions?

For further questions, contact one of your LEC Officers.  Contact information for your LEC Officers can be found on your Local Council page of the AFA Alaska website.

 

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

AFA and CWA Scholarships

Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.

Applications will not be considered unless they are complete with the following:

  1. Applications must be postmarked by April 10
  2. Three (3) written references attached
  3. Transcripts, grades, and SAT scores must be included

Who Qualifies?

A dependent of an active AFA member in good standing who is seeking to further her/his education at an accredited college or university.

A recipient of this scholarship will receive the cost of tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 for one year.  Any recipient may reapply for this scholarship each year until graduation up to a maximum of four years.

What Are the Guidelines and Application Requirements?

The Scholarship Fund has established some guidelines to be used by students when deciding whether or not to apply for this award.  Applicants should:

  1. Be ranked in the top 15% of their high school class;
  2. Have, or expect to have, excellent SAT or ACT scores;
  3. Be able to demonstrate financial need;
  4. Write a 300-word essay; and
  5. Provide all information required on the application form.

Due to the highly competitive nature of the program and the large number of applicants, students should carefully consider these criteria before submitting an application.

Who Distributes the Scholarship?

The Scholarship is managed and distributed through the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund Committee.  AFA is the largest union in the United States representing flight attendants.

What Is the Purpose of the Scholarship?

To further the education of promising young men and women who are dependents of AFA members in good standing who otherwise would not have the opportunity for higher education.

When Is the Scholarship Given?

The money for tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 per year is sent directly to the college or university upon verification of enrollment in a degree program.  The college or university must send invoices to AFA, which will then be paid by the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund.  No funds shall be distributed directly to the recipient.

Where Do I Get an Application?

Click here to download an application. You can always request a paper application by writing to the address below.

How Do I Find My AFA Member Number?

You can find your AFA member number on your AFA membership card.  Alternately, you can email your Local Membership Committee for assistance.

When Do I Apply?

Your application must be postmarked by April 10.  Applications must be returned to the following address:

Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund
PO Box 56
Hartwood, VA  22471-0056

CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship

The CWA Joe Beirne Foundation was established in October 1974 by the Communications Workers of America Executive Board to honor the name and memory of the founding President of CWA, who served for more than 30 years. In his capacity as the first CWA President, Joe Beirne took great pride in the roles he played in the fields of education and learning and other areas of social concern.

Click here for more information about this scholarship.

 

In Solidarity,

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

Interim Reserve Trade Board Now Active

Management launched an online trade board as an interim solution to facilitate reserve trading as Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) does not support reserve trading at this time.  The trade board can be accessed from the Inflight website > Scheduling & Bidding > Reserve Trading Board.  Instructions for use of the reserve trade board were posted earlier today by management in informational bulletin #2017-0030 (Reserve Trading Board).

Though the interim reserve trade board will help reserve Flight Attendants to exercise their contractual right to trade, it does not solve the greater issue of a fully automated reserve trading system as required by the contract (section 11.H.7).  AFA will continue to take necessary steps through the grievance process to compel management to comply with this requirement and the remainder of our contract.

Questions?

If you have questions about the reserve trade board, please contact your Local Reserve Committee.  Contact information can be found on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill

All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed AGAIN!

This morning, AFA became aware that all trips in Open Time across the entire system were again coded with premium pay, then withheld and placed back in OT with the premium removed.  The system glitch with Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) that was previously communicated by AFA last week was again responsible for the recurrence (see All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed – Part 3).

AFA is preparing to file yet another grievance on management’s violation of our contract.  (Updated 2/17/2017: Instead of filing a new grievance on the same issue, we amended the original grievance to include the circumstances of this most recent contractual violation and any ongoing violations of the same nature. ^jtp) We will continue to work to defend our contract despite management’s failure to live up to their contractual obligations.

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

Violation of CBA §12.C.2-3 [Exchange of Sequences: Trading Procedures]

Late this afternoon AFA was made aware of yet another contractual violation that will occur over the next few days in regards to out of domicile pick ups, trades, drops, giveaways. We also have additional information to share with you about trading Recurrent Training dates.

Currently, AFA and management agree to the following posted schedule:

Posting of Trips
All bases: 14th @ 2000 Pacific Time (PT)

FA-to-FA trading

  • SAN – 15th @ 0900 PT
  • PDX – 15th @ 1000 PT
  • ANC – 15th @ 1100 PT (1000 AKT)
  • LAX – 15th @ 1200 PT
  • SEA – 15th @ 1300 PT

Open Time trading

  • SAN – 16th @ 0900 PT
  • PDX – 16th @ 1000 PT
  • ANC – 16th @ 1100 PT (1000 AKT)
  • LAX – 16th @ 1200 PT
  • SEA – 17th @ 0900 PT

Recurrent Training trading

All bases 18th @ 0900 PT (0800 AKT)

Out of domicile FA to FA & OT

18th @ 0900 PT (0800 AKT)

However, Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) was programed incorrectly, and beginning today the following schedule will occur:

Posting of Trips

February 14th – Already began earlier (prior to 8pm PT) for all bases.

FA-to-FA trading

Same as current schedule in “FA-to-FA trading” above.

Open Time trading

Same as current schedule in “Open Time trading” above.

Recurrent Training trading

Recurrent Training trading will start at the agreed-upon time on the 18th at 0900 PT (0800 AKT). Open Recurrent Training slots are already visible in JCA (the graduation cap icon), but you will not be able to trade into them until the 18th at 0900 PT (0800 AKT).

Out of domicile FA-to-FA

Out of domicile Flight Attendant-to-Flight Attendant pick-ups, trades and giveaways will start on February 15th for all bases at the respective start time for Flight Attendant trades in each domicile.

Example 1: All F/As regardless of where they are based may pick up out of SAN on the 15th starting at 0900 PT.

Example 2: All F/As may pick up out of SEA on the 15th starting at 1300 PT.

Out of domicile OT

Out of domicile Open Time pick-ups, trades and drops will start when Open Time opens for the domicile in which the sequence operates.

Example: A SEAFA picked up a SAN OOD sequence on the 15th at 0900 PT. S/he must wait until the 16th at 0900 PT to trade that sequence with SAN Open Time.

In our continuing effort to defend our contract, AFA has filed Grievance 36-99-2-12-17 Violation §12.C.2-3 Trades, Pick-Ups, Drops and Give-Aways on Incorrect Dates.

Reminder: Change to Trading Timeline in March for April Schedules

Effective next bid month (March 2017), both Open Time and Flight Attendant-to-Flight Attendant trading begins on the 15th of the month.

Read more >

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

2017.02.14 Grievance 36-99-2-12-17 Violation §12.C.2-3 Trades, Pick-Ups, Drops and Give-Aways on Incorrect Dates

Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your nutrition during the work day through our crew meal provisions. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of crew meals are most meaningful to you, as we continue to advocate for […]

Council 43 (HNL) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 43 LEC Officers, representing Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants based in Honolulu. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Kela Chong IVLEC Vice President: Martin GusmanLEC Secretary: Soon Kim View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Council 39 (PDX) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 11 AM PT today for the election of Council 39 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Portland. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Krystle Shae BerryLEC Vice President: Melodie AnderesLEC Secretary: Kevin Sharp View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

On Monday, May 11, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met virtually 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), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), with MEC Hotel Committee […]

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