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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Supplemental Ditching Training

Grievance Committee

  • AFA has not agreed to any extra-contractual terms for the newly announced supplemental ditching training; discussions with management just started.
  • Many management decision-makers are away at contract negotiations, delaying progress toward any sort of agreement.
  • Our AFA Committees are committed to advocating for your rights and will address unresolved issues through the contractual grievance process if necessary.

AFA Representatives have recently been receiving a lot of questions about the supplemental ditching training announced by management. We want to make it clear that AFA has not agreed to any extra-contractual terms for this training. Management just began substantive discussions yesterday with our Grievance, Scheduling, Inflight Training, and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committees to work out the administrative and logistical details of the training, but those details are still undetermined. Progress has been slow because many of the primary management decision-makers are currently involved in contract negotiations in Washington, DC, this week and are unavailable to discuss the supplemental ditching training issues.

While the situation is not ideal, we must meet the regulatory training requirements and address the remaining details later. We don’t yet know what management intends to propose, nor do we know if we can successfully reach an agreement on which contractual provisions AFA believes apply. If we can’t agree, it may come down to addressing the unresolved provisions (particularly contract sections 30.C.3-5) through the contractual grievance process and arbitration afterward, which can be time-consuming.  

We have clearly communicated your concerns to management and have asked them to provide responses to numerous unanswered questions. Our AFA Committees are actively advocating for your contractual rights. We are dedicated to fighting for those rights, even if it takes time, rather than providing an instant fix.

June 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
  • The MEC was supposed to meet with executive management and union leaders from other company workgroups but chose to skip the meeting in support of our Negotiating Committee.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 10.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for June 2024 on Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, and Grievance Committee. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Meeting with Management

This month, our MEC was supposed to meet with company executive management and Union leaders from the other union-represented workgroups within the company. These meetings generally occur once every quarter to receive management updates and discuss issues and concerns faced by all employees. However, since we are entering another summer without a tentative agreement and in solidarity with our Negotiating Committee, the MEC decided to send a strong message by skipping the meeting.

Our absence spoke volumes: We won’t wait any longer for the contract we deserve. We stand firmly with our Negotiating Committee in their efforts to negotiate a deal that works for all Alaska Flight Attendants. If management doesn’t step up, we’re prepared to take the necessary actions under the Railway Labor Act.

Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action Debrief

Our MEC reviewed and discussed last week’s Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action informational picketing events. Alaska Flight Attendants from all six bases (including the SNA and ONT co-terminals) and several other airports nationwide participated in the events. These picketing events, along with our other awareness-building efforts and the strong support from Flight Attendants across the industry, are helping to bring more public attention to our collective contract fights. You can read more about the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action by clicking here.

MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson Interviews

During the meeting, our MEC interviewed candidates for the MEC Employee Assistance Program (EAP) / Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson position that was previously posted in April. The MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson works in collaboration with the MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson to assist Members, their families, and partners with personal and work-related issues that may impact their health and well-being. Our MEC would like to thank all the candidates who applied and interviewed for the position.

After thorough consideration, Rex Hampton has been appointed to the position by the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents). Rex’s term will begin immediately and end on December 31, 2025.

System Board of Adjustment Interviews

Our MEC spent part of the meeting interviewing candidates for the System Board of Adjustment position that was previously posted in April. Members of the System Board of Adjustment are responsible for arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Alaska Airlines and its Flight Attendants. Our MEC would like to thank all the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the positions.

After extensive discussion and thorough consideration, the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) have re-appointed Sandra Morrow to the position. Sandra’s term of appointment will begin on July 1, 2024, and conclude on June 30, 2026.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

Crew Access Open Time Performance – June 16, 2024

Scheduling Committee

  • Flight Attendants are facing technical issues with Crew Access and Open Time trading/dropping, causing stress and frustration.
  • Management plans to resolve these issues with server upgrades in June and July and will monitor the system closely during July Open Time.
  • Our Scheduling Committee has requested a meeting with management to discuss long-term solutions for the ongoing Crew Access challenges.

Recently, many Flight Attendants have been experiencing technical issues with Crew Access and Open Time trading/dropping. These problems have been causing growing frustration and stress, both professionally and personally. Our Scheduling Committee acknowledges the significant impact and is committed to finding effective solutions while holding management accountable for maintaining systems that operate effectively and reliably.

Management has acknowledged the problems and expressed their commitment to tackling them head-on. As a first step, the JCTE servers are scheduled to undergo an upgrade. New firmware is set to be installed by June 24, followed by upgraded hardware by July 10, or possibly sooner. These enhancements are anticipated to enhance performance and overall system capacity significantly.

To ensure proactive oversight, the Information Technology Services (ITS) team will work closely with Jeppesen to monitor the JCTE platform during the upcoming Flight Attendant Open Time on July 16. This initiative is a step towards resolving the current issues and improving the operational experience for all Flight Attendants.

Furthermore, we expect management to deliver thorough and detailed updates on the measures taken to resolve the server load issues. Clear communication and a comprehensive breakdown of the implemented solutions and improvements are essential to ensure transparency. This will help our Scheduling Committee monitor progress and provide Flight Attendants with accurate, up-to-date information.

To address the more extensive and systemic ongoing challenges with Crew Access, our Scheduling Committee has formally requested a meeting with management to discuss the issues further. This meeting is a critical opportunity for dialogue and exploring concrete solutions to ensure an uninterrupted and contractually compliant experience for Flight Attendants.

Our Scheduling Committee is fully dedicated to actively addressing JCTE-related issues in order to restore operational normalcy and alleviate the challenges faced by Flight Attendants. We appreciate your continued patience and support throughout this process. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

AFA Alaska News in Review – June 14, 2024

In This Edition

Negotiation Session 22

Originally posted June 13, 2024

Next week, we take our fight to Washington, DC! Our Negotiating Committee will fly to Washington, DC for our 5th mediation session. Typically, when negotiations get to final stages, the NMB will want to meet with the parties before progressing to any next steps under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Convening mediation in DC continues the process toward a tentative agreement Flight Attendants can ratify. We said, “We Won’t Wait,” and we mean it! Today, we are kicking off this Red Hot Solidarity Summer with the second Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action, to show we are more united than ever!

Read More >

Our Day Of Action Sends A Clear Message To Management: We Won’t Wait!

Originally posted June 14, 2024

What a day yesterday was! We all came together yet again – thousands of Flight Attendants from across the industry showing strength and unity on an unprecedented scale. We made it crystal clear that we refuse to be undervalued any longer. Our voices were strong and unwavering, sending a powerful message to management across the industry that we are determined to secure the contracts and improvements we rightfully deserve.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Our Day of Action Is Tomorrow!

Originally posted June 12, 2024 – for reference only

Join us on the picket line tomorrow as Flight Attendants worldwide are standing strong against corporate greed. Together, 80,000 flight attendants are uniting in a historic fight against airline management to demand respect for aviation’s first responders.

Flight Attendants cannot afford to wait any longer for these agreements and neither can the airlines. While airlines have boasted record passenger numbers and revenue, contract negotiations for Flight Attendants have been ongoing for years! Tell airline management, it’s time to get this done, NOW!

June 13 Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action – Day of Event Information

Originally posted June 13, 2024 – for reference only

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants won’t wait for the contract we are due. And we’re taking our fight to the picket line to show management we’ll do whatever it takes! 🪧📢💪

Today is our Day of Action, and Flight Attendants from across the industry are coming together for informational picketing events at over 30 airports worldwide. Dive into this post for all the important details, including meeting points, times, and contact information for Alaska bases. Swipe through to learn more about the virtual picket and grab resources to join in.

Still have questions or need more info? Hop over to the Day of Action event page at https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/june-13-action/ to get all the answers you need. Let’s come together and make our voices heard – we’ve got this!

June 13 Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action Recap

Today was an incredible day of solidarity at SNA and over 30 airports worldwide! Flight Attendants, together with our families, friends, and allies, stood together to make history once again. We raised our voices against corporate greed and demanded the contracts we have rightfully earned. Our collective strength and unwavering unity sent a clear message to management: we won’t wait for what’s rightfully ours. We demonstrated the incredible force of our collective power and showed that we will do whatever it takes to secure our careers and our futures!

See The Post From: ANC | LAX | ONT | PDX | SAN | SEA | SFO | SNA

Next Week’s Events

Monday, June 17 – Tuesday, June 18Regular MEC Meeting
Tuesday, June 18 – Thursday, June 20Contract Negotiations (Mediation)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

AFA Alaska News in Review – June 7, 2024

In This Edition

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Originally posted June 1, 2024

June 1 marks the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States. The tradition recognizes the events of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a watershed moment in the LGBTQ rights movement. You can use the resource links below to explore more about LGBTQ Pride Month, delve into the history of the LGBTQ rights movement, and discover events you can take part in. Join the celebration by wearing an LGBTQ Pride Month AFA Pin during June. Contact your Local Council for more information on obtaining a pin.

Read More >

We Won’t Wait!

Originally posted June 5, 2024

We’ve started another summer flying season without a tentative agreement. Alaska Flight Attendants can’t afford to wait! And we won’t wait for the contract we are due.  

Management has said, “we remain focused on closing existing gaps swiftly to reach an improved agreement you can begin working under as soon as possible.” It’s time to make good on this promise. 

We’re ready to push forward over the next two weeks during our negotiations sessions to reach a tentative agreement that Alaska Flight Attendants can ratify. And if management won’t make the deal, we’re preparing for next steps under the Railway Labor Act. 

Read More >

One Week To Go – Worldwide Day of Action, Thursday, June 13

Originally posted June 6, 2024

Don’t forget to RSVP for our Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action informational picketing events next week on Thursday, June 13. Encourage your family, friends, and other allies to join us on the picket line! As a reminder, Flight Attendants scheduled to work during the events must refrain from participating. If you’re not able to attend in person, you can join our virtual picket using the resources on the contract website.

Read More >

Shared on Social

We Won’t Wait!

We’ve started another summer flying season without a tentative agreement. Alaska Flight Attendants can’t afford to wait! And we won’t wait for the contract we are due. We need your action to back up our Negotiating Committee and push management to get this done.

Get out on the picket line next Thursday, June 13! RSVP here!

Be sure to wear your Red AFA Pin and Contract Now lanyard on every flight. Call your Senators and ask them to sign on to the letter to the NMB for our right to strike. 

See the Post >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, June 11 – Wednesday, June 12Contract Negotiations
Thursday, June 13Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action
Thursday, June 13Quarterly Reserve Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 13Scheduling Review Board (SRB)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, October 28, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), […]

Sick Leave Survey Now Open

Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) prioritizes your health and well-being and seeks to understand which aspects of our paid sick leave policy matter most to you. We encourage you to participate in the survey, which is open until Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT, to ensure your voice is heard in shaping our support for your healthcare needs.

SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025 Update #2

This session was marked by the Negotiating Committee’s strong advocacy for protections and enhancements that would support the Seattle base as a viable option for transferring Flight Attendants. With insights from Ryan St. John, the Vice President of Finance, Planning, and Investor Relations for Alaska Airlines, the Negotiating Committee highlighted the necessity of combining data-driven strategies with hands-on experience and sufficient resources for long-term success.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 8 – October 2025

During our recent negotiations, the Joint Negotiation Committee focused on key sections, particularly reaching a Tentative Agreement on Lodging and Transportation, which improves food availability and transportation safety. We also engaged with Council 19 to clarify negotiation processes and differences between contracts. Stay tuned for our upcoming session with management from November 18 to 20.

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

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