If TA2 is ratified there will be a trial period of 12 months.  Section 12 “Exchange of Sequences” discusses many provisions but most importantly the Open Time Trial.  The 12-month trial period with AFA and management will evaluate whether the new system works and becomes permanent.  If either party determines the new OT system is not working, we will go back to current book as amended by the OT arbitration award and will immediately begin renegotiating a new OT system.

If the OT trial is canceled, Section 12, “Back to Book” will take effect while a new OT system is negotiated.  For your convenience we have included the OT Arbitration Award in the back of TA2 titled AFA Grievance No 36-99-02-18-11, “Withholding Open Time”.

We hope this information is helpful.  In the back of TA2 you will find the implementation side letter of agreement that discusses when the OT system will be available.

Do you have questions about the T/A?  Would you like us to post a specific blog post? Is there language you would like clarified or need more information about?  Email the Negotiating Committee at negotiations@afaalaska.org to get your answers from the source and give us suggestions!

In solidarity,

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

Flight Attendants who do not receive their voting instructions with the 16 digit activation code must call the AFA Ballot Helpline at (800) 424-2401, option 1 then extension 706.

Flight Attendants who have dues or membership issues must call AFA Membership Services at (800) 424-2401,  option 7.

The office is staffed Monday through Friday 930AM EST to 5PM EST.

Voting Instructions: Flight Attendants will receive a ballot packet containing the voting instructions including a 16-digit activation code and the voting guide. These will be mailed from the mail house in Maryland on 11-18-14. The activation code is specific to each Member therefore new instruction or voting guides will not and cannot be mailed. If a Flight Attendant did not receive their ballot packet they must contact the AFA Ballot Helpline. A new activation code with instructions will be emailed from the voting system directly to the member.

No.  The JA provisions will not take effect until 2015.  We understand that changing the provisions immediately would not allow you the ability to adjust your schedules.  We are looking at an implementation of the new JA rules after January 1st, 2015.  Once we have an exact date of JA implementation we will communicate that for your consideration.

It is extremely challenging to beneficially channel social media without allocating significant resources

Social media is an extremely powerful communication tool. As such the Negotiating Committee has attempted to acknowledge the importance of social media by interacting on various outlets in order to reach the greatest number of our members. However, it is also extremely challenging for an institution such as AFA Alaska to beneficially channel social media without allocating significant resources. Some may have agreed or disagreed with our approach at times but our intent has always been to use social media simply as a supplementary source of information. Any controversies that have resulted from our presence on social media have been unintentional.

Recent changes to secret Facebook groups

Earlier today, administrators of one of the private secret Facebook groups called “Voice the Vote” announced a name change to “Voice the Yes Vote.” Obviously the name change is indicative of taking a particular stance on TA2, a position that AFA cannot support. Our understanding is that the name may have been changed back to “Voice the Vote” and with new administrators.

Negotiating Committee will no longer be redirecting from private social media outlets

Rather than taking sides or continuing to navigate the rapidly shifting sands of social media, the Negotiating Committee will no longer be redirecting to the official channels from “Voice the Yes Vote,” “TA Talk,” “Almost Open,” or any other social media outlet not officially sanctioned by AFA. We are taking this unilateral action on all private social media outlets out of fairness to all their members and administrators. We sincerely regret if this will cause misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

Going forward the Negotiating Committee will be posting exclusively on the AFA outlets

Going forward, the Negotiating Committee will be posting exclusively on the Negotiations blog or on the AFA Alaska Facebook page or the individual council Facebook pages. You can also contact the Negotiating Committee via email at negotiations@afaalaska.org.

Roadshows

The Negotiating Committee will continue to focus on our preparations for the upcoming Roadshows starting December 1^st (see http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta for the full Roadshow schedule). We hope to see you soon!

In solidarity,

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

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