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AFA Alaska News in Review – February 17, 2023

In This Edition

February 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted February 17, 2023

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, February 14, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants. As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, crew planning, and marketing management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7. Please don’t hesitate to contact your LEC President if you have any questions. 

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Next Week’s Events

Wednesday, February 22Quarterly Inflight Service Committee Meeting

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!

February 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, February 14, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
  • As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, crew planning, and marketing management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7. Please don’t hesitate to contact your LEC President if you have any questions.

The February 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, February 14.  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 most Regular MEC Meetings, our MEC meets with management to review current issues and challenges that Flight Attendants are facing.  Attendees from management this month included Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Services Gloria Chow, Director of Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience Sangita Woerner, Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising Eric Edge, Associate Vice President of Finance and Resource Planning Ryan St. John, Managing Director of Operation Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, and Vice President of Labor Relations Jenny Wetzel.

Some of the topics that were discussed include:

  • Current company marketing and advertising. Management provided an update on current marketing efforts and media campaigns in key growth markets. Our MEC brought forward questions seeking more information about why management selected some of the talent and characters they did in recent advertising.
  • Timing of upcoming uniform wear tests. Our MEC asked about the timing of the upcoming wear test of the new gender-neutral mock turtleneck and why it was scheduled to take place during the summer months.  Management indicated they wanted to complete the wear testing process quickly to allow the new piece to be introduced as soon as possible.
  • Staffing and growth.  Management provided a review of staffing plans for the year.  The projections are constantly shifting based on anticipated aircraft deliveries and market conditions.
  • iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) distribution. Management provided an update on the rollout of the new iPhone 13 IMDs. Our MEC brought forward Flight Attendant concerns about long wait times, even for those who have pre-scheduled appointments for pickup. There are also reports of supervisors not offering to make separate arrangements for pickup, including direct shipping, as provided in the iPhone 13 IMD Distribution Letter of Agreement.
  • Longevity PTO assignments. Our MEC shared frustration from Flight Attendants about how longevity PTO has been awarded during the vacation bidding process for those with eligible seniority and then subsequently removed if the 960 TFP threshold wasn’t met. Management was asked to consider a different approach that better honors seniority and preferred awarded vacation dates.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please contact your LEC President.

AFA Alaska News in Review – February 10, 2023

In This Edition

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Originally posted February 10, 2023

Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 7 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability. If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible.  Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

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Negotiation Session 9

Originally posted February 10, 2023

Our Negotiating Committee tentatively agreed to Section 28: Domiciles, for a current total of 28 sections. Steady progress continues, with discussion ongoing on 10 sections. The next negotiation session is scheduled from February 27 to March 1.

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Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, February 14 – Wednesday, February 15Regular MEC Meeting
Thursday, February 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!

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 7 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability.
  • If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible.  Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

On Tuesday, February 7, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace.  Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), and JP Perina (SAN, and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.  The committee met with Interim Uniform Programs Manager Eric Phillipson, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Day of Travel Experience Manager Kelly Cuthill, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford. 

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:

  • Updated wear test protocol and approved new processes and timelines.
  • Reviewed AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) recommendation sheet and made a commitment to develop a similar wear-test specific recommendation sheet that will be provided to management.
  • Ongoing uniform quality issues (i.e., name bars falling off of wings, pilling, holes in sweaters, seams coming undone).
  • Examined the need for a more diverse pool of wear testers.
  • Unisync sourced a possible option for a packable parka. AFA will review quality and packability and provide recommendations to management.
  • Requested a more robust survey and feedback form after the completion of wear testing.
  • Suggested a checklist sheet for wear testers.
  • Discussed the new “no heel” policy (sole height requirements still exist) reflected in the latest Uniform Policy Guide[AAG sign-in required] update in November 2022.
  • Dismissed rumors about the discontinuation of skirts and the Aura dress. These are core pieces and will remain part of the basic uniform.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Wear Testing. Wear testing for the feminine cardigan and button up shirt began on Monday, February 6th, and will run for 30 days. Wear testing for the feminine vest begins on April 26th and will run for 30 days. Wear testing for a gender neutral mock neck cardigan and a gender neutral “Aura vest” will also take place on a yet-to-be-determined timeframe. Advocating for a uniform that suits all body types requires available wear testers. The Committee is seeking volunteers who have gender neutral, petite, tall, and/or plus sizes to test uniform redesigns and additions.
  2. Pride Scarf Redesign. Redesign is in the works and will hopefully roll out by Summer of 2024.
  3. Warm Weather Shirt. Still in production. More information will be provided once the shirts are shipped from the manufacturer.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync directly at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include photos, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please also consider opening a ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the uniform wear test pool? Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

AFA Alaska News in Review – February 3, 2023

In This Edition

LOSA Observations Are Underway

Originally posted January 27, 2023

The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28. Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data. If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.

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Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000

Originally posted January 31, 2023

Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California.

We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; Captain Ted Thompson; First Officer William Tansky; Sheri Christensen, Rachel Janosik, Ileana Ost, Sarah Pearson, Anjesh Prasad, James Ryan and Stacy Schuyler.

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Celebrating Black History Month

Originally posted February 1, 2023

February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals. Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below. Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

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Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, February 7 – Thursday, February 9Contract Negotiations
Tuesday, February 7Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting

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 News in Review – September 19, 2025

In This Edition Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month Originally posted September 15, 2025 Join us in celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, a time dedicated to honoring the vibrant cultures and significant contributions of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Discover the history, participate in special events, and grab your commemorative Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pin […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have […]

Election Notice: Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Officer Elections

The term of office for our current Alaska + Hawaiian Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2025. The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the November Regular MEC meeting. This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual. […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement […]

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