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        You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News

        EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

        March 15, 2023 17:00

        EAP/Professional Standards Committee

        Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee (Members helping Members) seeks to assist Members, their families, and partners experiencing personal and work-related problems that could or are affecting their health and well-being on and off the job. Our EAP committee is a Union-sponsored support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, and partners. EAP Peer Representatives are trained to provide three distinct but interrelated services: Assessment, Support, and Referral Services; Professional Standards; and Critical Incident Response.

        AFA EAP is a confidential resource available to Members, demonstrating care and concern for its Members individually and collectively.

        EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairpersons

        ANCBonnie Waltersanc.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(907) 230-7208
        LAXJeanne McCleave  lax.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(949) 922-1606
        PDXContesa Nicolaidis  pdx.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(503) 970-6873
        SANMelanie Buker   san.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(208) 890-1849
        SEAAndrea Koricansea.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(206) 419-2637  
        SFOZarah Cummings  sfo.eap.chair@afaalaska.org(925) 577-5733
        MECElizabeth Dillon (Chairperson)
        Lisa Haugen (Vice Chairperson)
        eap@afaalaska.org(949) 470-0493 

        DID YOU KNOW: There’s a New Program Called FAAS?

        What is FAAS?

        FAAS stands for Flight Attendant Addiction Support. It’s a new assistance program developed and run jointly by AFA EAP and management. Any non-probationary Flight Attendant is eligible to use the program.

        What does FAAS offer?

        • FAAS is structured to encourage Flight Attendants to seek help before on-the-job misconduct occurs.
        • Those who self-disclose to the company before a work-related performance issue occurs will have access to 30 days of residential treatment at a facility fully paid for by the company,  whether you have Kaiser Insurance, Premera Blue Cross/Blue Shield, or NO Insurance.
        • AFA EAP and your Base Director/Manager will be part of your recovery support team during the treatment period.
        • Should a Flight Attendant’s substance use progress to the point that they show up at work under the influence, the Flight Attendant will have access to company-funded treatment IF the Flight Attendant self-discloses before boarding the first flight of the day and before a reasonable suspicion test is requested. 
        • Should a Flight Attendant’s on-the-job impairment result in a test positive, a pathway to return to flying for Alaska has been developed under the FAAS program following their separation.
        • FAAS is also designed to encourage co-workers to feel comfortable approaching or identifying a Flight Attendant whose impairment risks flight safety. Under FAAS, only the struggling Flight Attendant can jeopardize their job by failing to self-disclose before boarding their first flight of the day or before being identified for testing. Even then, the Flight Attendant will have a pathway for reinstatement.

        Does FAAS replace AFA EAP or the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP)?

        No. AFA EAP/FADAP offers confidential assistance without company knowledge or involvement.  AFA EAP can confidentially help you decide which of these assistance programs is best for you and your work circumstances.  Unlike FAAS, AFA EAP can also work with probationary Flight Attendants and their family members.  Don’t hesitate to call any of your EAP Committee Members in a safe, confidential setting.

        FADAP Contact Information

        https://www.fadap.org 
        Phone: (855) 33-FADAP / (855) 333-2327
        Direct Line: (202) 355-6337

        Did You Know: Wings of Sobriety Telephonic Meetings

        Meetings are open to all Flight Attendants exploring their need for or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. Meeting times are scheduled every Wednesday at 12 PM Pacific time and Sunday at 2 PM Pacific time. Meetings generally last between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The conference call number to join is (855) 544-2320.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: FAAS, Wings of Sobriety

        Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

        March 13, 2023 09:00

        Reserve Committee

        • Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, March 9 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants.
        • The Committee also met with management to review a number of specific concerns that were brought forward by Flight Attendants.
        • Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any reserve related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

        On Thursday, March 9, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Teran Eason (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN).  Also present was MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton. The committee also met with Inflight Crew Scheduling Director Sara Cook and Inflight Crew Scheduling Manager Matthew Trujilo.

        The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 8th.

        Topics of Discussion

        The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

        • Planned Initial Training classes for the remainder of the year. Class 3 and Class 5 were canceled, however management still intends to hire additional Flight Attendants. The number of classes and specific number of students in each class is dependent on delivery of new aircraft.
        • Increase in requests for assistance with PBS and bidding from new hires. Exploring ways to provide additional training and support in this area.
        • Crew Scheduling management changes. Sara Cook was promoted to Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling and four new Crew Scheduling Supervisors are onboarded. Management is in the process of hiring an additional manager to support operations. 
        • Issues and glitches with Crew Access affecting Reserve Flight Attendants. Reviewed where known issues are documented and newly added/fixed issues. 
        • Review of upcoming update to Crew Access software. Includes associated fixes to current issues and other improvements, and prioritization for programming fixes.
        • Probationary Flight Attendant support through the Probationary Buddy Program. Buddies are very busy supporting new Flight Attendants. Reminder to refer Probationary Flight Attendants to their Buddy for contractual questions.
        • Increase in lineholders picking up reserve days. This resulted in some increased flexibility for Reserve Flight Attendants.
        • Review of reserve utilization statistics. Reserve utilization is approximately 82% in all bases. Reserve coverage is anticipated to be approximately 21-20% for the remainder of Quarter 1 and Quarter 2.
        • Request for management to decrease the Adequate Reserve Coverage (ARC) maximum. Goal of providing additional flexibility for shifting reserve days. Management agreed to review possible changes.
        • Review of contractual language related to Reserve Flight Attendants calling in well.
        • Reminder of the AFA Alaska Online Support Center. New hire Flight Attendants can report issues, raise concerns, or ask questions.

        What The Committee Is Working On

        1. Assisting Probationary Flight Attendants Through the Probationary Buddy Program.   Answering questions from and providing support to probationary Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Probationary Buddy program.
        2. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns.  Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring management is complying with our contract.
        3. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for New Flight Attendants.  Working to create documents to provide user friendly, easy-to-digest resources about the Collective Bargaining Agreement and other job-related information for new Flight Attendants.

        We Want to Hear From You!

        Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Reserve Committee is your voice to management.  You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Reserve Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        AFA Alaska News in Review – March 10, 2023

        March 10, 2023 17:00

        In This Edition

        • March 2023 MEC Meeting Recap
        • Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!
        • Next Week’s Events

        March 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

        Originally posted March 9, 2023

        Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants. The MEC also met with executive management and a group of union leaders from other company workgroups to receive updates and discuss concerns affecting employees company-wide. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, and Wednesday, April 12. Please don’t hesitate to contact your LEC President if you have any questions.

        Read More >


        Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!

        Originally posted March 10, 2023

        SkyWest Flight Attendants are organizing to form their Union and join AFA-CWA! Help support their efforts by joining in an upcoming SkyWest AFA “Concourse Chats” visibility event. The goal of the events is to engage 1-on-1, in-person and have conversations with SkyWest Flight Attendants to learn their issues and priorities and invite them to be a part of the campaign by signing a card, wearing a pin, and/or getting more involved.

        Read More >


        Next Week’s Events

        Wednesday, March 15Council 19 SEA Local Council Meeting
        Wednesday, March 15Council 39 PDX Local Council Meeting
        Thursday, March 16Council 15 SAN/Council 18 LAX Joint Local Council Meeting
        Thursday, March 16Council 35 SFO Local Council Meeting
        Thursday, March 16Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

        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!

        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • Instagram

        Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: AFA News in Review

        Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!

        March 10, 2023 16:00

        AFA International

        SkyWest Flight Attendants are organizing to form their Union and join AFA-CWA! Help support their efforts by joining in an upcoming SkyWest AFA “Concourse Chats” visibility event. The goal of the events is to engage 1-on-1, in-person and have conversations with SkyWest Flight Attendants to learn their issues and priorities and invite them to be a part of the campaign by signing a card, wearing a pin, and/or getting more involved.

        Upcoming visibility events in LAX and SAN are next week! Here are the details:

        LAXMonday, March 13, 202312 to 4 PM PTMeet Up Location TBD
        SANWednesday, March 15, 202312 to 4 PM PTMeet Up Location TBD

        For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact AFA Campaign Representative Gailen David at gdavid@afacwa.org.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now Tagged With: organizing, SkyWest

        March 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

        March 9, 2023 17:00

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
        • The MEC also met with executive management and a group of union leaders from other company workgroups to receive updates and discuss concerns affecting employees company-wide.
        • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, and Wednesday, April 12. Please don’t hesitate to contact your LEC President if you have any questions.

        The March 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7.  The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee.  Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work. 

        Meeting with Management

        As part of this meeting, the MEC met with company executive management and a group of union leaders from the other union-represented workgroups within the company.  The intent of these meetings, usually held once per quarter, is to receive updates from management and allow for a broader discussion of issues and concerns facing all company employees.  Some of the items that our MEC brought forward include the following:

        • Recent winter weather issues throughout the system. These weather issues resulted in a significant disruption to employees and operations in general. Management needs to anticipate problems, react sooner, and create an environment that recovers faster than before. There is also a need to resolve issues with throughput in Seattle during irregular operations and severe weather. Management states they are working on a plan to address these points.
        • Uptick in weight and balance restrictions. There has been a noticeable uptick recently in weight and balance restrictions in certain stations due to winds and other weather conditions. The restrictions are impacting non-rev and commuter travel as employees need to make plans based on information in FLY and cannot do so. Management needs to be more transparent when weight and balance restrictions are anticipated in specific cities or on particular flights and adjust inventory accordingly.
        • Lack of Positive Space Travel (PST) availability. Despite changes by management to how PST inventory is allocated, there needs to be more availability of PST seats for desirable destinations during vacation and other peak travel periods. The lack of availability devalues the benefit of PST for employees. Management indicated they would again review how PST inventory is allocated and internally discuss options for the current program.
        • Issues with transition to new leave/absence management vendor. Numerous employee reports have revealed that management’s transition to a new vendor for leave and absence management has been full of issues. Employees have reported not being paid correctly, a lack of responsiveness from the vendor, and other issues. Management says they are working with the vendor to address and resolve problems as they come up.

        Action on Agenda Items

        The MEC took action on two agenda items that were submitted in advance of the meeting.

        • An update to the MEC Policy & Procedure Manual was approved to expand the scope of the Inflight Training Committee to include Flight Attendants conducting Probationary Observation Flights and Initial Operating Experiences (IOEs).  The amended language can be found in Article VII.J [MEC Committees: Inflight Training Committee]
        • An updated version of the AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines was approved.  The updated guidelines have been posted on the AFA Alaska website.

        Questions?

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

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: MEC Meeting

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