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        You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News

        Open Time Trial Survey Results – July 2016

        July 21, 2016 16:59

        The Open Time Trial survey results for July 2016 are now available.

        Survey completion information

        458 surveys were completed and 7 were partially completed. If a Flight Attendant submitted more than one survey, only the last submission was counted. This is a substantial reduction in the number of participants compared to past surveys.

        Survey overview

        The results continue to show a clear need to improve general understanding of the Open Time Trial and a strong dissatisfaction for the current system.

        Understanding of the Open Time trading codes

        62.5% of respondents do not understand or are still learning the Open Time trading codes (TO/DD/CP/TX/no code) and how to trade sequences in Open Time based on those codes. This is a significant drop from past months.

        AFA Alaska has produced an Open Time trading codes quick reference guide (see “Understanding Open Time Trading with the Codes” for additional information.)

        >>> Click here to view the “Open Time Trading with the Codes” quick reference guide in a Portable Document Format (pdf). <<<

        Understanding of the estimated time frame for making any programming changes to Open Time

        A majority (57.7%) reported they understand the time frame involved for making any programming changes to the Open Time system.

        Based on membership feedback the MEC has made a determination to go “back to book”:

        • Reverting to the former Open Time system could take approximately one year. This is because the new JCTE crew management system would need to be reprogrammed with the rules for the former OT system. (It is currently programmed with the new OT rules.)
        • AFA will start negotiating a new system as outlined in CBA§12.F.9 [Exchange of Sequences: Open Time Trial: Cancellation of Open Time Trial]. Implementation of a replacement OT system would likely take a minimum of nine months after reaching an agreement with management.

        Strong dissatisfaction with the Open Time Trial

        74.5% indicated they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the Open Time Trial. 81.6% of respondents would prefer to revert “back to book” to the old Open Time system (based on IT limitations) and begin negotiations on a new system; whereas 18.4% would prefer to keep the current system.

        Detailed survey results

        >>> Click here to view the detailed AFA Alaska Open Time Trial Survey Results for July 2016. <<<

        AFA Alaska has informed management of our intent to go “back to book.” More information to follow!

        In solidarity,

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

        AFA Alaska Open Time Trial Survey for July 2016 Results Summary

        Filed Under: Latest News, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: 2016, Open Time, OT

        Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson Interviews – Deadline Extended

        July 18, 2016 20:00

        The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) has extended the deadline for interviews for the ASHSC Vice Chairperson position.  Interviews will now be conducted at the August MEC meeting on August 15 and 16.

        With the continued growth of the company and corresponding increase in work for the ASHSC, the MEC has elected to establish a Vice Chairperson position for the ASHSC.  The former responsibilities of the Air Quality Subcommittee will become part of the duties of the new ASHSC Vice Chairperson.

        Background

        The Vice Chairperson of the ASHSC will assist the MEC Chairperson as needed with the work of the committee.  S/he will also have responsibility for overseeing all AFA and ASHSC efforts pertaining to aircraft air quality including responding to complaints or incidents involving possible contaminated air.

        Additional Information from the MEC Policy Manual

        1. SCOPE

        a. The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) shall work with the Company on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health.

        2. POLICY/RESPONSIBILITIES

        a. The MEC ASHSC shall consist of the MEC ASHSC Chairperson, MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson, and the Local ASHSC Chairperson from each council.

        …

        d. The MEC Vice Chairperson shall:

        (i) Perform the duties of the MEC Chairperson in her/his absence

        (ii) Assist the MEC Chairperson as needed

        (iii) Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC ASHSC Chairperson on all activities, meetings, and work being performed

        (iv) Work on all matters pertaining to the quality of air onboard the aircraft.  Coordinate ASHSC response to any incidents or complaints involving air quality, specifically:

        (A) Handle any air quality or contamination issues as they arise

        (B) Work with the company to investigate and address the source of air quality or contamination when it occurs

        (C) Assist Flight Attendants in obtaining proper care, treatment, and testing when involved in an air quality or contamination incident

        (D) Follow up with the Flight Attendant(s) involved to ensure they have received proper care, treatment, and testing

        (E) Keep members informed of air quality incidents and developments through the MEC Communications Committee

        (F) Attend Cabin Air Review Team (CART) meetings and other air quality-related meetings

        (G) Develop, distribute, maintain, and update membership education materials about air quality, contamination, symptoms, and follow up procedures

        (H) In conjunction with the International Office, develop and provide initial and ongoing training to the ASHSC of each Local Council

        Qualifications

        • Previous ASHSC experience required
        • Knowledge of contaminated cabin air exposure protocols
        • Ability to attend meetings as required, including being present in Seattle regularly
        • Ability to attend AFA International and other required training as needed
        • Strong computer skills. Excellent working knowledge of Inflight Mobile Device, Google email, and Microsoft Office.
        • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and take meeting minutes.
        • Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on assigned tasks

        Duties

        • Fulfill the duties of the MEC Chairperson when s/he is absent or otherwise committed
        • Perform tasks as assigned by the MEC Chairperson. Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC Chairperson on all activities.  Assist the MEC Chairperson in preparing the monthly committee report to the MEC.
        • Actively respond to any incidents involving aircraft air quality. Provide assistance to the affected Flight Attendants.  Work with management to determine the root cause.
        • Represent AFA and the ASHSC at bi-monthly Cabin Air Review Team (CART) meetings in Seattle
        • Assist the MEC Chairperson in planning and conducting bi-monthly meetings of the committee and other meetings and conference calls as needed. Attend and actively participate in all meetings and conference calls in coordination with the MEC Chairperson.

        Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

        • This position is eligible for Flight Pay Loss (FPL) reimbursement by the Company under §27.P Company Business (CB) Flight Pay Loss with a 5% override and “A” pay. CB is compensated at 0.75 TFP per hour of work.
        • Estimated 4-6 hours per week (12 to 18 TFP per month).  This amount is highly variable and may be higher or lower depending on the amount of work to be completed each week and month.  Some work may be accomplished remotely.  Regularly required to be in Seattle to work on projects and attend meetings.

        Working Relationships

        With The ASHSC

        Frequent interaction with Local ASHSC Chairpersons and Committee Members

        With The MEC ASHSC Chairperson

        Constant interaction; this position reports to the MEC ASHSC Chairperson

        With Alaska Airlines Management

        Constant interaction with inflight management, particularly the Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance, Manager of Inflight Policy, and Inflight Safety & Policy Specialists

        Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

        • The MEC will hold interviews during the August MEC meeting on Monday, August 15 or Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
        • Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Satterlee at yvette.satterlee@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, August 5, 2016. Yvette will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

        Questions About the Position

        If you have questions about the position, please contact MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple at seth.heiple@afaalaska.org.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple

        Filed Under: Air Quality, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Committees, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2016, air quality, ASHSC, MEC Committee Vice Chairperson, safety, volunteer

        Trip Trading Freeze

        July 13, 2016 15:00

        As you probably have heard by now, Alaska Airlines management is planning to phase out the old Jeppesen Maestro/eMaestro system and switch to the new Jeppesen Crew Tracking Enterprise on the evening of September 30th. Management recently announced all trip trading will be “temporarily” suspended for up to 78 hours during the cutover. Yes, you read that correctly: more than 3 days! (Full disclosure: Management plans to open up trading as soon as they believe it is safe to do so.)

        The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) and management have been discussing the impending transition in detail for many months now. The parties have thoroughly explored alternative options for trip trading during the cutover—including manual trading—and we’re all in agreement there is no viable method of keeping trip trading open during this period. That is where our agreement on the issue ends.

        Although the MEC recognizes that Maestro/eMaestro is antiquated, the MEC also knows that having trading completely suspended for that length of time is unacceptable to our members—and unprecedented. It is also a contractual violation: CBA §12.C.1. [Exchange of Sequences: Trading Procedures] “The Company will provide and maintain a real-time electronic system for processing sequence trades, pick-ups, drops and give-aways.” Additionally, your AFA leadership anticipates the transition has the potential to significantly and very negatively impact the operation.

        The MEC has spent months attempting to negotiate provisions that would help take the sting out of such a major contractual violation and benefit the operation. As of this writing, the MEC regrets to inform you that the parties have been unable to reach an agreement on the cutover. In the MEC’s opinion, the tentatively agreed to provisions do not go far enough to acknowledge such a significant contractual violation, nor to make up for the disruption to Flight Attendant’s flexibility of schedule (which has been lacking these days anyway). Consequently, negotiations have stalled.

        Your AFA leaders are sure you will agree that a simple “We apologize for the inconvenience” from management is not nearly enough. Although management is taking steps to minimize the impact, the MEC is also concerned the cutover could easily become an operational nightmare—unless additional measures are negotiated to supplement the existing staffing. Therefore, AFA Alaska calls upon Alaska Airlines management to renew negotiations with us as soon as possible.

        Be assured the MEC is continuing to passionately advocate for your interests, and we will not let this issue rest. Stay tuned for further developments!

        In Solidarity,

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

        Filed Under: Latest News, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: 2016, eMaestro, JCTE, trading

        AFA Alaska Open Time Trial Survey July 2016

        July 13, 2016 13:24

        [Note: The Open Time Trial survey is out slightly late this month. In order to keep the survey results “clean” from month to month, the survey will close prior to Open Time for August trading opens this coming Saturday morning. That means the survey will be live for a little bit less than three days, so it is important that you do not delay taking it. Going forward the MEC will be taking additional steps to ensure the survey opens just after PBS bids are due on the 10th and close on the 16th at 9am PT.]

         

        Pursuant to AFA Alaska Collective Bargaining Agreement §12.F.8.D.5 [Exchange of Sequences: Open Time Trial], the Master Executive Council (MEC) is conducting a monthly poll of membership regarding your satisfaction with Open Time. Your candid responses will help the MEC determine the course of the Open Time trial.

         

        It is important to focus on Open Time functionality, not the technical issues with logging into the system, when answering the questions.

         

        You must enter your Arctic number in order to take the survey. We’re asking for your Arctic number to ensure each Flight Attendant receives one vote per month and is not for tracking purposes. If a survey is submitted more than once with the same Arctic number, all responses using that Arctic number will be excluded for this month.

         

        > > > To take the AFA Alaska Open Time Trial Survey for July 2016 click here. < < <

         

        The survey will close on Saturday, July 16th at 9am Pacific Time. Once again, there is a free form comments field at the end of the survey, and the LEC presidents will review the comments.

         

        Thank you in advance for your feedback. The MEC will publish a summary of results once the responses have been tallied on Monday, July 18th.

         

        In Solidarity,

         

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

        Filed Under: Latest News, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: 2016, Open Time, OT, ot trial

        Introducing Your AFA Alaska Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC)

        July 8, 2016 05:00

        Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews last week for the two open Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) member positions. The MEC would like to thank the 15 candidates who demonstrated a willingness to represent our Flight Attendants in joint contract negotiations. After thorough deliberation, the MEC has appointed Jennifer Wise MacColl and Lindsey Steele to the positions. Your full AFA Alaska JNC is MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jen Wise MacColl, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo.

        MEC President Jeffrey Peterson

        Jeffrey Peterson grew up in Anchorage, AK, and graduated from A.J. Dimond High in south Anchorage. Jeff achieved a Presidential Scholar Award in 1991 and went on to attain a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. Prior to becoming a Flight Attendant, he spent several years in hotel management working for Marriott International and a franchise company associated with Marriott Hotels. He started out his Flight Attendant career 15 years ago in Los Angeles. Jeff has also been based in Seattle and now San Diego. Jeff’s term as AFA-CWA Alaska MEC president began on July 1, 2011, and he is in his second term of office, which ends December 31, 2016. Jeff currently splits his time between his apartment in San Diego, his family’s condo in Puerto Vallarta and the AFA office in Seattle.

        Jennifer Wise MacColl

        Jen Wise MacColl started flying in July of 1996 and was based in Anchorage for her first year.  The rest of her career has been spent in the Seattle base.  She is the current MEC Grievance Chairperson and has held that position since 2010. Jen has participated in many AFA committees over her career including Government Affairs, EAP/CIRP and Voice. She earned her BA in Political Science from the University of Washington and is supported through all her endeavors by her husband Scott and two kids Landon and Riley.

        Lindsey Steele

        Lindsey Steele has been an Alaska Airlines flight attendant since 2012. She chose to start out her career in Anchorage in order to fully embrace the Alaska culture, much to the surprise to her classmates and trainers. Lindsey later transferred to Los Angeles to reside with her family in the suburbs of Azusa She comes from a family with strong union roots dating back to the 1940’s with her grandfather. Lindsey’s mother has been a Union member all of Lindsey’s life, and now Lindsey continues the tradition as a proud AFA member. Her goal for the forthcoming merger between Alaska Airlines and Virgin America is to instill a renewed faith and unity in the membership through a strong contract.

        Paula Mastrangelo

        Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff Negotiator, was the bargaining representative and chief spokesperson for AFA at Alaska Airlines in the 1990s.  She resumed that role after taking time off, and has been involved in negotiating contracts with Alaska, including the current agreement.  She has started her career with the F.A.S.T. division of the AFL-CIO and has negotiated many international union agreements.

         

        The Joint Negotiating Committee works to obtain interim safeguards including a fence agreement with management (which maintains separate Inflight operations for a specified period of time) and merge the collective bargaining agreement(s) and/or respective work rules into a collective bargaining agreement for the combined airline. Additional information about the JNC can be found at http://afaalaska.org/merger/jnc.

         

        Current news from AFA Alaska about the Alaska Airlines/Virgin America merger can be found at http://afaalaska.org/merger.

         

        In Solidarity,

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

        Your Joint Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

        Filed Under: AS/VX Merger, Latest News Tagged With: 2016, AS/VX Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), merger

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