AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News

Updated Contract Implementation Schedule

The Contract Implementation Schedule has been updated to reflect the latest clarifications as well as to capture some of the items missed in the TA2 print version. Please use this version going forward.

 

The Negotiating Committee will be meeting next week with management to begin the preparations for publication of the finalized document.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

MEC 5B Logo (Email)

Waiver of Limitation on Out of Domicile Pick-ups for Sequences Reporting in December 2014

As part of a strategy to improve critical staffing, AFA and Alaska Airlines management have agreed to remove the limitation on the number of out of domicile pick-ups allowed for each Flight Attendant on all sequences that report in the remainder of the December 2014 bid month. The waiver also extends to all Voluntary Junior Available (VJA) and Premium VJA sequences. Because eMaestro will not process more than two out of domicile pick-ups in a bid month, such trades will need to be handled manually by Crew Scheduling.

 

The relevant contract language that is temporarily negated is 12.H. of the 2006/2010 Contract: “Flight Attendants are limited to two (2) out-of-domicile pick-ups in a bid month.” The relevant language temporarily negated in the 2014 Contract is also 12.H.: “Flight Attendants are limited to a combined total of two (2) out-of-domicile pick-ups (including charters) in a bid month.”

 

This temporary agreement is effective at midnight Pacific Time on Sunday, December 21, 2014, and will remain in force through the end of the December 2014 bid month.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

MEC 5B Logo (Email)

Premium Voluntary Junior Available

Premium Open Time is scheduled to go into effect along with the other changes to Junior Available (JA) on January 31, 2015. In the interim, AFA has agreed to implement “Premium Voluntary Junior Available” (“Premium VJA”). Flight Attendants will be compensated a minimum of twice the trip rate (2x) on all eligible TFP (e.g. flights flown, etc.) in a VJA sequence departing on a Premium VJA day. This is a win-win for all parties in that Flight Attendants who volunteer to assist with critical staffing will receive additional compensation and the operation benefits from the improved coverage.

 

AFA anticipates that management will likely utilize Premium VJA on at least some of the coming days. Premium VJA may be offered on one day, not the next and then once again on the following day. VJA will be processed and awarded using normal procedures, so there is nothing for you to do differently. Management or Crew Scheduling will notify Flight Attendants of Premium VJA via Inflight bulletins, messages on the Inflight splash page, et cetera.

 

The increased premium should be paid automatically but just in case AFA recommends you also submit an Activity Claim Form once you fly the sequence. This is really just a backup to ensure proper payment. A Flight Attendant who works a regular VJA sequence on a premium holiday such as Christmas will receive two and a half times (2.5x) the trip rate on eligible TFP that day. A Flight Attendant who works a Premium VJA sequence on a premium holiday such as Christmas will receive a minimum of three times (3x) the trip rate on eligible TFP that day.

 

Further details are in the Premium VJA Memorandum of Understanding.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

More Contract 2014 Implementation Information for the Next Two Weeks

Junior Available And Voluntary Junior Available

 

Junior Available (JA) and Voluntary Junior Available (VJA) are covered under the provisions of the former contract through January 2015. The only exceptions are the increased premiums—at 2.5x pay for JA—and the ability to trade or jet bridge trade a JA to another Flight Attendant. The premium follows the trade and JA trades must be processed manually until automated.

Sick Leave Make Up

 

Sick Leave Make Up is now up and running. Sick Leave Make Up (SLMU) reserve days have already been placed into OT in at least one domicile (Seattle) and should be expanded soon. The SLMU reserve days are listed in Open Time coded as “AU” for AM and “PU” for PM. They are listed as individual one-day blocks that may be picked up on consecutive days and merged into a single mutl-day block. Keep in mind that Sick Leave Make Up reserve days are just like being on regular reserve days—and the new options for the Low Time First Assigned LTFA) lists are not yet in effect.

 

Section 32 Attendance Policy – General

 

Most provisions of the new Section 32 Attendance Policy are effective on January 1, 2015.

[Note: The original post incorrectly reported that “Most provisions of the new Section 32 Attendance Policy are now in effect.” AFA regrets the error.]

 

Section 32 Attendance Policy – Quarterly and Annual Record Improvement, Bank Points

 

Quarterly and annual record improvement as well as bank points adjustments will be based on the former agreement through the end of 2014.

 

480 TFP Thresholds and Benefits Qualifications

 

All 480 TFP thresholds in 2014 for the purposes of benefits qualifications in 2015 will be calculated under the provisions of the former agreement. That is, achieving a “soft” 480 TFP credit in 2014 inclusive of sick leave and vacation pay will satisfy eligibility for all benefits (e.g. uniform allotment, vacation accrual and Company-subsidized healthcare). Those benefits may be reduced based on other existing provisions in the former contract—such as the 1/12 reduction to vacation entitlement for each month in which the Flight Attendant is not on the active payroll.

 

* * *

 

That’s all for this latest update—stand by for more in the coming days and weeks.

 

 

In solidarity,

 

 

Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

 

MEC 5B Logo

TA2 Ballot Results by Council

Local Voted Count Voted % Particpated Eligible Voters Base Participation %
19 SEA FOR 885 55.56 1593 1756 90.71
AGAINST 708 44.44
30 ANC FOR 160 64.52 248 287 86.41
AGAINST 88 35.48
39 PDX FOR 214 55.73 385 418 92.1
AGAINST 167 43.49
15 SAN FOR 141 66.51 213 233 91.41
AGAINST 70 33.02
18 LAX FOR 168 42.11 399 430 92.79
AGAINST 231 57.89
2832 2838 3124

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 […]

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026

Editor’s Note: Our MEC Inflight Service Committee now represents both pre-merger airlines, but management still makes service decisions that affect each group of Flight Attendants differently. This update covers changes for both Hawaiian- and Alaska-branded flying, but is specific to aircraft flown by pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines crews. As the work of the merger progresses, we […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026

Our JNC met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC focused on clarifying questions about moving expenses and presented a proposal for Sick Leave, using feedback from Flight Attendants to guide improvements. The Committee is working to incorporate the strongest elements from both contracts to ensure better support for all members.

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX (pmAS) Council 19 SEA (pmAS) Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX Council 43 HNL Council 47 LAX/SEA (pmHA) EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska + Hawaiian news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates