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Open Time Negotiations Session 2 Update – December 7-8, 2016

The AFA Negotiating Committee and Alaska Airlines management met for the second time to negotiate a new Open Time system, with the session taking place in Seattle this past Wednesday and Thursday.

Background

As you may recall, our current Open Time system was implemented on a trial basis. AFA chose to end the trial, which put us into negotiations for a new system. Our contract states that our old system (the one in effect under the previous contract) will be reinstated while we negotiate a new system; however, this cannot be accomplished until some computer programming is done, which will take several months. Until then, the current system remains in effect.

Overview

Negotiating an open time system is always challenging. AFA wants to maximize Flight Attendants’ scheduling flexibility—the ability to trade trips, to get certain days off or even to straight drop trips. Management believes that every flexibility gain for us increases “liability” for the Company by negatively impacting the staffing and therefore the overall operation, which ultimately leads to higher costs. AFA recognizes that the entire workgroup cannot work only when we choose. In turn management understands, at least to some extent, that Flight Attendant morale is important and ultimately benefits the Company.

Details

With those competing interests in mind, the parties engaged in very spirited discussions. Both sides are supportive of the ability to do multiple trades (e.g., trade a 4-day for two 2-days), which we know is very important to Flight Attendants. The parties did not reach actual agreement on any specific provisions, but we did emerge with what we hope will be a framework for a new system. AFA’s last proposal of the session will require management to do some data crunching. If management believes our proposal will create too much liability in the form of uncovered trips, then AFA will need to know how management reached that conclusion. We want facts and numbers.

Next session

Based on the parties’ limited availability, our next session is scheduled for late February. Our plan is to see management’s data in advance of the session so that we can ask any questions and get clarifying information in the interim. The Negotiating Committee expects the session to start off with management passing its next proposal.

“Back to book”

AFA has asked for updates from management with respect to programming the old (“back to book” Open Time system). Although we recognize it may take some time, the process needs to begin. We will pass along management’s response when we receive it.

Thanks as always for your support. If you have comments or other feedback, you may email the Negotiating Committee at negotiations@afaalaska.org or else contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) president.

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput

MEC Committee Chair Interviews

In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the term of appointment for the MEC Committee Chairpersons is concurrent with those of the MEC Officers.  As the current MEC Officer term of office will end on December 31, 2016, the MEC will be conducting a review of the MEC Committee Chairperson positions in early 2017.

During this review process, the MEC will be interviewing for the following MEC-level chairperson positions:

  • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson
  • Benefits Committee Chairperson
  • EAP Committee Chairperson (2 positions)
  • Hotel Committee Chairperson
  • Hotel Committee Vice Chairperson
  • Reserve Committee Chairperson
  • Retirement Committee Chairperson
  • Scheduling Committee Chairperson
  • Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson (PBS Subcommittee Chairperson)
  • PBS Subcommittee Member (though not a chairperson position, this position is appointed at the MEC level)
  • Uniform Committee Chairperson

Appointments for the ASHSC Vice Chairperson, Government Affairs Committee Chairperson, Grievance Committee Chairperson, and Inflight Service Committee Chairperson positions were all made within the last several months.  As a result, these positions will not be reviewed and will continue their term until the end of the next MEC Officer election cycle.

General Qualifications

The following qualifications apply to all MEC-level Chairperson positions:

  • Previous experience as a Committee Member or Chairperson preferred (required for EAP)
  • Previous committee-specific training preferred (required for EAP)
  • Ability to attend meetings as required, including being present in Seattle on occasion
  • Strong computer skills. Good working knowledge of Inflight Mobile Device, Google email, and Microsoft Office.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and plan meetings agendas and take minutes.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks

Duties and Responsibilities

Information about the duties and responsibilities of each specific committee can be found in article VII of the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss for each position will be discussed during the screening interview.

Interview and Selection Timeline

Qualified candidates will be invited to a screening interview with the MEC by video conference on Wednesday, January 4.

Finalists will be invited to an in-person interview at the AFA Alaska MEC office in Seattle at regularly scheduled February MEC meeting on February 21 and 22.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary Treasurer-Elect Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

Questions

Any questions about MEC Committee Chairperson positon duties and responsibilities can be directed to MEC Vice President Brian Palmer at brian.palmer@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Secretary Treasurer-Elect Linda Christou

Useful Contractual Provisions During Irregular Operations

Weather in the Pacific Northwest is impacting the operation across the system this week. Your Master Executive Council (MEC) reminds you that the contract stays in full force during irregular operations. Here are a few useful contractual provisions that are often invoked during irregular ops:

  1. Assignment cannot be built over 10.5 hours. – §8.E. (Except 4k – §10.DD.)
  2. Re-assignments cannot be built over 12.5 hours. – §8.E/§10.R. A minimum of 10 hours rest must be built into any remain over night (RON) at the time that the new trip is given. – §8.J.
  3. If you are unable to fly your sequence as scheduled for more than two hours due to weather, mechanical or to suit Company convenience, you may be eligible for Stranded Pay. – §21.N. If stranded to a RON with a duty period commencing on a scheduled day off see also §9.D.1.d.
  4. Unscheduled overnights – §10.R.7.
  5. Minimum days off – §10.E.1.a.
  6. General block and ground delays are generally paid automatically at 0.5 TFP per hour. You must manually submit for block delays that exceed one hour, that cross midnight or if you are deadheading. – §21.J.
  7. If your duty day exceeds 12.5 hours you will receive “double out” rest at the end of your sequence. If you choose to waive “double out” rest and complete the scheduling obligation that would have been dropped by such rest, you receive 1.5x the rate of pay. – §8.H.
  8. If you are on a multi-day sequence and receive less than 9:30 rest at RON as measured from release to report, you will receive 2.5x premium for flights flown for the entire sequence. However, if your sequence has a Sequence Interruption Point (SIP) and Crew Scheduling (CSKD) removes you at the SIP, you will be pay protected for the remainder of the sequence at straight time. If CSKD attempts to contact you after your debrief and prior to your next report in order to adjust your report time, you are not required to be contactable pursuant to §8.Q until your scheduled report time.  If you contact CSKD and your layover is adjusted so that you receive 9:30 rest or greater, the 2.5x premium does not apply. – §8.K.
  9. You cannot be required to work a trip that has a duty day projected over 14 hours while you are at a Flight Attendant domicile or co-terminal. – §8.G
  10. If you are on duty at 4:29 AM local time you cannot be required to remain on duty past 8:30 AM initial departure station time of that duty period (wherever your pairing started that duty period)–except for APSB. Other “Night Rule” provisions may also apply if you are on duty at 4:29 AM local time. – §8.I.
  11. If you are pay protected due to weather, mechanical or to suit Company convenience, you may pick up additional flying on the day(s) you were pay protected, and you will receive both pay protection and the value of the additional scheduling obligation. – §21.M.
  12. If you are unable to make it to work due to impassable weather conditions, you may request a management drop, which is without pay and attendance points are assessed if the drop is granted. – §32.C.14.

If you have any questions contact one of your Local Executive Council (LEC) officers or Scheduling Committee members.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC S/T-Elect Linda Christou; and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones

Department of Justice Approves the Virgin America Acquisition

Today the Department of Justice (DOJ) approved the acquisition of Virgin America by Alaska Air Group (AAG) after AAG agreed to certain modifications of its codeshare agreement with American Airlines.  This approval removes one of the final hurdles to the acquisition and officially starts the journey towards merging Alaska Airlines and Virgin America. AFA expects the transaction (hereafter also referred to as the “merger”) to be completed within the next few weeks following resolution of pending litigation. The Master Executive Council (MEC) looks forward to representing Flight Attendant members at both carriers in the near future as we begin our journey towards merging into one carrier.

What is the timeline for the merger to close?

Although the court filings refer to a 60-day public comment period required by the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act (Tunney Act), this waiting period is routinely waived by the Department of Justice.   Alaska Air Group management has indicated the merger will close shortly—subject to resolving an anti-trust lawsuit scheduled to be heard in court next week. Therefore the deal will likely be consummated within the next few weeks.

What happens next after the merger closes?

After the merger closes, the next step in the process is for the National Mediation Board (NMB) to issue a single carrier ruling. To facilitate that process we anticipate Alaska Airlines will supply the NMB with an outline of its plans to merge the operations. Once that is filed shortly after closure of the merger, AFA will promptly file with the NMB for the single carrier ruling. The NMB’s single carrier ruling will trigger a determination that AFA is the representative of all Flight Attendants at the combined carrier.

When will AFA negotiate a merged agreement?

We can negotiate with Alaska management for a merged agreement once the NMB has issued a single carrier ruling that AFA is the representative of all Flight Attendants at the merged carrier. If all goes according to plan, AFA hopes we can be at the bargaining table during late first quarter or early second quarter 2017.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC S/T-Elect Linda Christou

Good Jobs Nation Rally in Washington, DC Tomorrow

#DenyNAI is all about making sure we are a “Good Jobs Nation.” The Master Executive Council (MEC) has received permission for any AFA Alaska members who are in the DC area to show up to the rally in uniform—please make sure to wear your union pin. RSVP by contacting MEC Government Affairs Chairperson Krystle Berry at krystle.berry@afaalaska.org.

 

Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 7, Bernie Sanders, Keith Ellison and Danny Glover are coming to speak at a rally in D.C. held by Good Jobs Nation. We need to raise awareness on the dangers of Norwegian Air International (NAI) every way we can, and this is the perfect opportunity. Don’t allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to double-cross EU and US aviation workers without a fight!

TIME:

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 1000-1100 EST

LOCATION:

Freedom Plaza (Washington, DC)

13th St and Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20004

Join in and help protest the DOT’s decision regarding NAI!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC S/T-elect Linda Christou; and MEC Government Affairs Chairperson Krystle Berry

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – April 2026

On Monday, April 13, 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), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Barry Spitzer (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), […]

Single PSS Is Coming: What It Means For You

Tonight, the Alaska and Hawaiian merger will reach another major milestone—the integration of both airlines into a single passenger service computer system (PSS). While this change will affect Flight Attendants less than other groups—like Customer Service Agents and airport staff—there are still important updates you should know. Block2Block App and Onboard Service Pre-merger Hawaiian Flight […]

Navigating Acute & Delayed Stress As A Flight Attendant

Stress is an inherent aspect of the Flight Attendant profession, often stemming from the demanding nature of responsibilities and the unpredictable nature of air travel. It’s essential for Flight Attendants not only to understand the different types of stress they may encounter but also to recognize the warning signs of acute and delayed stress for […]

Protect Yourself From Potential Discipline on Social Media

Our Grievance Committee would like to provide background on social media, protected classes, and discipline. Federal protected classes include race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.  Alaska’s People Policy says: Personal Conduct22. Threatening, intimidating, or discourteous behavior, including abusive, profane, or obscene language, acts, […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Nyachan Chuar (ANC), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). MEC Human […]

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