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AFA Alaska News in Review – August 23, 2024

In This Edition

Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines Merger Moves Forward

Originally posted August 19, 2024

Alaska and Hawaiian management have satisfied any questions raised during the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) review of the proposed merger. This means DOJ will not take further actions and has essentially approved the merger. 

Read More >

Employee Assistance Program Resources in Uncertain Times

Originally posted August 20, 2024

Between the stress and uncertainty of a merger and the collective bargaining process, it’s essential to remember to take the time you need to care for yourselves. That might mean leaning on your flying partners, taking a moment to recharge, or seeking support from your AFA EAP. Your well-being remains our top priority. We’re just a phone call away.

Read More >

TA2 Negotiations Update – August 22, 2024

Originally posted August 22, 2024

Our Negotiating Committee has heard you loud and clear. We are amped up and ready to return to negotiations to fight for a TA2. The TA2 Survey is on schedule to be released this Tuesday, August 27 at 9 AM PT. We need all of our Flight Attendants to relay to their flying partners the importance of completing the TA2 Survey.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, August 27Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 29Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Friday, August 30Quarterly Human Rights 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!

Employee Assistance Program Resources in Uncertain Times

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Between the stress and uncertainty of a merger and the collective bargaining process, it’s essential to remember to take the time you need to care for yourselves. That might mean leaning on your flying partners, taking a moment to recharge, or seeking support from your AFA EAP. Your well-being remains our top priority. We’re just a phone call away.  

Options for Flight Attendants to meet with a counselor: 

  • Flight Attendants each receive 10 free sessions per year through Lyra, the new Company EAP provider. Visit aag.lyrahealth.com for more information.                                                                                                                  
  • Inflight management + Lyra provides 12 virtual sessions each month. The sessions are confidential and virtual. You are able to reserve one by emailing talia.samuelson@alaskaair.com

More Resources to Consider: 

AFA Alaska EAP is available 24 hours a day at: (949) 470-0493

The AFA InternationalEAP helpline is available 24 hours a day at: (800) 424-2406 or (202) 434-0560.

If you have any questions or are looking for support, please get in touch with our AFA EAP Committee. You can also find your Local EAP Committee at afaalaska.org/eap.

Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines Merger Moves Forward

Alaska and Hawaiian management have satisfied any questions raised during the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) review of the proposed merger. This means DOJ will not take further actions and has essentially approved the merger. 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has the authority to review international routes and general compliance with DOT requirements as it relates to the merged carrier. This has typically been a perfunctory approval. 

Mergers take time — this first hurdle only relates to the financial closing of the merger which can now proceed. DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration will play a significant role in the operational merger.

As a reminder, the transition period includes specific protections for Flight Attendants as negotiated between our union, and both Alaska and Hawaiian management. Review last week’s communication on the Merger Transition Agreement (MTA). Negotiations for a contract at Alaska will continue separately according to the Railway Labor Act. Improvements for Alaska Flight Attendants will set a higher starting point for JCBA negotiations.

We will all do better through our solidarity. Stay close to union communications, fly safe, and as always look out for each other. We are stronger and better together.

Impact on AFA Alaska Negotiations 

AFA will continue to work on negotiating a second Tentative Agreement (TA2) for Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants. Alaska Airlines has a legal obligation to continue negotiations with AFA Alaska. 

The Negotiating Committee (NC) is drafting a survey to determine the targeted goals for TA2. Following MEC approval, we tentatively plan to release the survey on Tuesday, August 27 and close the survey on Wednesday, September 4. The NC will analyze the results and continue through the steps listed here, including drafting a TA2 proposal.

The status of our mediation has no impact on the merger transaction with Hawaiian.

AFA Alaska News in Review – August 16, 2024

In This Edition

Tentative Agreement Not Ratified

Originally posted August 14, 2024

The ratification vote for the 2024 Tentative Agreement (TA) closed at 12 PM PT today with a 92.4% participation rate of eligible voters. Thank you for participating in the ratification vote. We will post the certified results later this evening. Results:

68% voted AGAINST the agreement
32% voted FOR the agreement

Read More >

August 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted August 16, 2024

The August 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was scheduled to take place this week on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. The meeting was extended by an additional day to allow the MEC to discuss the path forward with negotiations following the TA ratification vote results. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

No scheduled events

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!

August 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • The August 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was scheduled to take place this week on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. 
  • The meeting was extended by an additional day to allow the MEC to discuss the path forward with negotiations following the TA ratification vote results.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for August 2024 on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. 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 and LEC Presidents. Additionally, the MEC received committee reports from the Grievance, Benefits, and Retirement Committees and reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

TA Ratification Vote Results

Our MEC was joined by our Negotiating Committee and various AFA Representatives who support the Negotiating Committee in anticipation of the close of the TA ratification vote on Wednesday, August 14, and the announcement of the results. As previously communicated, the TA was not ratified, with 32% voting for the agreement and 68% voting against it. This decision came with 92.4% of eligible voters participating. We appreciate everyone who took the time to vote and have their voice heard through the democratic process!

Next Steps With Negotiations

The MEC Meeting was extended an additional day into Thursday to allow the MEC to have an initial discussion about the path forward with contract negotiations. The first step will involve surveying Members to understand our collective priorities for the negotiations ahead. The survey results will be crucial in shaping the opening proposal and determining the Negotiating Committee’s focus at the bargaining table.

In addition to the survey, our MEC and Negotiating Committee will be working diligently in the upcoming weeks to solidify a strategic plan as we gear up for the next phase of negotiations and resume mediation. Further details about the survey, process, and timeline will be shared through AFA Alaska email and social media channels and posted on the negotiations website when they become available.

Questions?

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

That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month comes to a close, we want to sincerely thank everyone who tuned in, asked insightful questions, and shared resources throughout September. Whether you watched a quick video on the van or started a conversation about voting in the crew lounge, your engagement made a difference. We started this month […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met for their regular quarterly meeting to advance ongoing activism, promote workplace equity, and champion meaningful policy improvements across our workplace. Your representatives attending the meeting were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Soon Kim (HNL), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (pmHA LAX/SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel […]

MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – September 23, 2026

Whether you joined us live or are ready to watch on your own schedule, the full recording of our September 23 MEC Town Hall is now available! Catch up on the discussions and hear directly from our MEC Officers and AFA panelists. Watch the video anytime on our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian YouTube channel using the link below. (Note: […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

In September, our Hotel Committee participated in two meetings: the standing monthly meeting with Crew Hotels on September 14, and a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) with the company’s hotel procurement vendor, API, on September 23 (pmAS) and September 24 (pmHA) in Seattle.  Representing you at these meetings were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), […]

Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Wednesday, October 21

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants When Crew Scheduling calls at 3 AM with a change to the trip you self-assigned, do you know your contractual rights? Understanding what management can—and cannot—do on reserve is your strongest line of defense. Join our Reserve Committee for “Is This Legal?”, the second installment in our three-part pre-merger […]

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