May 1, 2013

Dear Flight Attendants,

Your Negotiating Committee filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) today and asked for assistance in our talks with management

After consultation with the AFA International Office and the Negotiating Committee, the Master Executive Council (MEC) decided it was in our best interest to file for mediation.  Given how far apart we are and our disagreements on fundamental items in the Tentative Agreement, we do not feel confident that it is possible for the parties to reach agreement absent the assistance of an objective mediator.

The application was sent in today.  The decision was made after receiving management’s last off the record comprehensive proposal and realizing that they had not addressed some of our essential items. Additionally, they are still deciding whether to honor the signed Section 12 TA in regards to Open Time. The time has come to add an objective and independent voice to negotiations.

More information on mediation – what it means and how it works – will be forthcoming shortly.

In solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

“Five Bases, One Voice”

www.alaskamec.org

References:

Alaska mediation filing: http://alaskamec.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Alaska-Mediation-Filing.pdf

Alaska Mediation Filing

http://www.afanet.org/alaska-airlines-flight-attendants-file-for-mediation.htm

For Immediate Release: May 1, 2013 Contact: Corey Caldwell, 202-434-0586

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants File For Mediation

Washington, DC – Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB).  Today is the one-year anniversary of the contract’s amendable date.

“For the last three contracts, Flight Attendants responded to management’s plea to keep costs low while the airline created a winning strategy,” said Jeffrey Peterson, AFA president at Alaska Airlines. “We partnered with them in good faith.  As a result, we have fallen far behind our airline peers in compensation in most pay steps and pay rules.”

“Now, in part due to the Flight Attendants’ hard work, sacrifice and dedication, Alaska Airlines is hugely profitable and positioned to successfully navigate the future.  It is time for the over 3,100 Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants to participate in that success and be adequately compensated.  Management must sit down with us and negotiate a contract that reflects the award-winning Flight Attendants of this airline,” added Peterson.

Negotiations started in November 2011, and have been on-going for the past 18 months.  Talks stalled over compensation as the parties were exchanging comprehensive proposals. “Management’s failure to effectively address past employee sacrifices and essential compensation items that are at the heart of our contract demands became roadblocks to progress,” stated Peterson.

“Our Flight Attendants want a contract.  Their contributions to the success of this airline cannot be ignored,” said Peterson.

Under the NMB guidelines, either party may request mediation.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 67 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions.  Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

April 30, 2013

Dear Flight Attendants,

The Master Executive Council (MEC) would like each and every one of our members to complete a very brief survey. We are interested in gathering information about our Flight Attendants in preparation for participation at the upcoming Alaska Air Group Annual Shareholders Meeting.

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1225933/Alaska-Airlines-AFA-Survey-Upcoming-Annual-Meeting-of-Shareholders

As the Negotiating Committee continues to negotiate for a contract that appropriately recognizes our contributions to Alaska Airlines, it is extremely important that everybody take the time to fill out this four question survey. No matter whether you are an ALK shareholder or not, please join us for informational picketing at the upcoming meeting at 1pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center at Pier 66 in downtown Seattle (2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121). More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

In solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

“Five Bases, One Voice”

www.alaskamec.org