Pursuant to Section X.D [Merger Policy and Related Employee Protective Provisions: Contractual Protection] of the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws (C&B), the AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) is seeking two members in good standing (dues current) to serve on the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for merged contract negotiations.
As of today, the Virgin America Inflight Team Members (ITMs), who are represented by the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), do not have a first contract. However, they have achieved several tentative agreements on individual sections, so it is very possible they will have a ratified contract by the time the acquisition/merger receives regulatory approval from the Department of Justice. Even if the Virgin America ITMs do not have a first contract, management will still need to negotiate with AFA to address the merger/integration of the work force. Although there is no statutory oversight of contract bargaining in a merger like there is in Section 6 negotiations under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), this can be an opportunity for Flight Attendants to achieve improvements.
Purpose of the JNC
The purpose of the JNC is to obtain interim safeguards, including a fence agreement with management (which maintains separate Inflight operations for a specified period of time), and merging the collective bargaining agreement(s) and/or respective work rules. Many issues will need to be decided in order to provide for a smooth transition into one, combined carrier.
Scope of the JNC
From AFA-CWA C&B Section X.D.4: “The members of the negotiating committee shall have complete and full authority to resolve any and all trackage* disputes between the flight attendant groups including those arising from the interpretation or implementation of any agreement embodying interim safeguards.” *Trackage is a somewhat antiquated term originally associated with the railroad industry.
Duties of the JNC
- Fully prepare for merged contract negotiations.
- Attend initial training of new JNC members.
- Survey/poll the membership regarding bargaining objectives.
- Conduct a review of the respective agreements (or work rules) to identify commonalities, differences, areas of cultural preference, benefits of each agreement (or work rules), and unique issues associated with specific air service.
- Review collective bargaining agreements and employment terms at comparable airlines.
- Create the union’s opening position (“opener”) for joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA) negotiations utilizing the work of the JNC, industry comparisons and membership feedback/polling results.
- Interface with counterparts at Virgin America and engage in discussions to reach mutually acceptable provisions on merging the two Flight Attendant groups.
Expectations/Qualifications
- Appointed by the AFA Alaska MEC and terms are served to completion at the approved of the MEC. Takes direction from the chairperson of the JNC (i.e. in this case the AFA Alaska MEC president) with input from the AFA Int’l Collective Bargaining Department (i.e. staff negotiator) and Legal Department (i.e. staff attorney). After successful ratification of the JCBA will continue to serve as a contract interpretation resource for the JCBA.
- Maintain a complete record of negotiations including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA.
- Public interactions (including social media) must reflect favorably on AFA Alaska. If requested by AFA Alaska, JNC members must be willing to reasonably limit social media interactions for the duration of JCBA preparation, negotiations and implementation.
- Ability to tolerate controversy amongst one’s peers.
- Willing to travel for training, preparation, negotiations, roadshows and other meetings as needed.
- Must be willing to adjust her/his schedule as needed, sometimes with very little notice.
Compensation/Expenses
- 6 TFP for each 8 hours of work (0.75 TFP per hour)
- 5% override on TFP in lieu of per diem
- Travel time is unpaid; exceptions will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
- Meal & incidentals and other expenses to be reimbursed according to AFA Alaska Policy Manual and AFA-CWA C&B.
Application Process
- Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Satterlee at satterlee@afaalaska.org. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 17th at 5 PM PDT.
- Yvette will contact applicants to coordinate an interview with the MEC. Interviews will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.
- The MEC president is an ex-officio (i.e. “by right of holding another office”) member of the JNC.
* * *
Any questions regarding Joint Negotiating Committee members should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow, Stephen Couckuyt; LEC Presidents-elect Tim Green and Brice McGee
