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AFA Alaska News in Review – September 22, 2023

In This Edition

  • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023
  • Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023
  • Negotiation Session 19
  • September 2023 MEC Meeting Recap
  • Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023
  • Shared on Social
  • Next Week’s Events

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Originally posted September 18, 2023

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, September 13, to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants face onboard the aircraft. The Inflight Service Committee continues to work with management to continuously address onboard catering concerns and engage in discussions leading to future improved processes. Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!  

Read More >

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Originally posted September 19, 2023

Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, September 14, to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants. The Committee also met with management to review specific concerns that Flight Attendants brought forward. Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, clarify contractual language, or help resolve reserve-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Negotiation Session 19

Originally posted September 20, 2023

We continued discussing Section 10.R-S: Scheduling and MPRs/RIGs this session, but progress has slowed considerably since June. We have been assigned a Mediator, who we anticipate joining our negotiation sessions starting in November. We are planning additional Mobilization activities in the coming months and expect to share additional details next week.

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September 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted September 20, 2023

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19, 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, October 10, and Wednesday, October 11.

Read More >

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Originally posted September 22, 2023

Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, August 8 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.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Reminder: Red Hot Milestone Anniversary Celebration

This year’s company milestone anniversary celebration is coming up on Saturday, September 23, and we’re ready to turn the party into a RED HOT event! If you’re planning to attend as someone being recognized for a milestone anniversary (10 years of service and every five years after that) or joining someone who is as a guest, don’t forget to wear red (including your red AFA pin) to the event. Let’s show management our solidarity and turn out a sea of red to demonstrate that we’re fired up about a contract recognizing our contributions to the company’s success over our many years of service! 

If you attend, upload your pictures from the event and post them to social media. Tag or mention @afaalaska and include tags #AFAAlaska and #RedHotSummer so we can feature you!

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, September 26Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 26Alternate 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 – 3rd Quarter 2023

Uniform Committee

  • Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, August 8 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, August 8th, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee met with Director – Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford, and SFO Base Manager Cierra Lewis.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023.  

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Reported quality issues including wings/pins causing injury and holes in uniform, name bar falling off wings, hems and seams running/tearing, zipper tabs falling off cardigans, holes in sweaters, and sleeves on cardigans splitting at cuff. 
  • Clarified there is no desire for management to remove the requirement for company-issued lanyard due to safety concerns. Current lanyards have a “snap away” feature that prevents injury.
  • Management will consider moving from the current approved list to “boot guidelines and requirements” for the seasonal navy boots. Updates will be made as soon as internal discussions conclude.
  • The committee requested management review seasonal neckwear policy to allow for year-round wear for Pride, Patriotic, and Breast Cancer Awareness themes. Marketing’s initial concern is this would lose the cohesive look of the brand with so many different styles. It also lessens the impact of the seasonal neckwear during those specific months/days. We will continue discussing.
  • There will be an update on Gender Neutral Collections and the Unisync Website in late October. It will link back to Uniform Subsite to provide more information. 
  • Management is not inclined to remove the hosiery requirement for dresses/skirts.
  • Unisync has a preferred vendor list which has limited the ability to source a transition jacket. The committee has requested a list of the preferred vendors and will continue to actively assist in sourcing the best possible fit and quality. 
  • The feminine vest wear test was a success and the redesign will be used in the site relaunch in October.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Wear Testing. Wear testing for the Pride neckwear began on Monday, August 7th, and ran for 14 days. Wear testing for a gender neutral “Aura vest” has been suspended. Advocating for a uniform that suits all body types requires available wear testers. Seeking volunteers who have gender neutral, petite, tall, and/or plus sizes to test uniform redesigns and additions.
  2. Mockneck Sweater. This piece will be added to the uniform collection, available for preorder in October and shipping in Q1.
  3. Warm Weather Shirt. Added to uniform collection and currently available for order. The shirt does not have alteration guidelines, however Flight Attendants may hem the shirt halfway up their bicep. Flight Attendants may not fold or cuff the shirts more than once.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the 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.

September 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19, 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, October 10, and Wednesday, October 11.

The September 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19. 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. Several members of management who usually attend these meetings were missing as they were involved in negotiations that were taking place simultaneously.

Like the June meeting, our MEC arrived at the meeting with a full display of solidarity, dressed in red with red AFA pins. Their message to management and the group was straightforward: management’s efforts must focus on delivering a contract that includes real, meaningful work rule improvements and industry-leading pay increases. Our mobilization activities have demonstrated that we are united, and Flight Attendants demand a contract NOW!

Meeting With Negotiating Committee

On Tuesday, our MEC met with our Negotiating Committee and MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson to review our Red Hot Summer campaign and discuss future mobilization activities. Our Pop-Up Pickets and Day of Solidarity informational picketing were hugely successful, and management has definitely taken notice. But these events were just the beginning. Our Mobilization Committee is working on more activities, and we will only get louder from here. More to come!

Action on Agenda Items

The MEC took action on one agenda item that was submitted in advance of the meeting.

  • An extension to a current letter of agreement (LOA) providing additional pay for Flight Attendants in Requalification Level III status who are required to attend Initial Training class outside of the contractual hours outlined in Section 30.A.2 of the contract was approved. The additional pay also applies to Flight Attendant Instructors who are required to teach outside of the hours in Section 30.A.2 as well. The extension will remain in effect through the end of 2025.

Questions?

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

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Reserve Committee

  • Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, September 14 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, September 14, 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 Brandi Urban (ANC), Conner Gallagher (SEA), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeil.

The committee met with Inflight Crew Scheduling Manager Goose Hlaingmyint and Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Derrick Bernard.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 7.

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:

  • Plans for Initial Training classes for 2024. Number of classes and specific numbers of students in each class are dependent on delivery of new aircraft.
  • Issues and glitches with Crew Access that are affecting Reserve Flight Attendants.  Review of where known issues are documented and newly added/ fixed issues. 
  • Review of upcoming update to Crew Access software and associated fixes to current issues and other improvements prioritization for programming fixes.
  • Support for probationary Flight Attendants through the Probationary Buddy Program. Buddies are very busy supporting new Flight Attendants. Reminder to refer Probationary Flight Attendants to their Buddy for answers to questions about contract and work rules.
  • Reminder to new hire Flight Attendants about the AFA Alaska Online Support Center to report issues, raise concerns, or ask questions.
  • Ongoing concerns with ISA coded trips that are not labeled as premium. Please reference bulletin #2023-074. If you have any issues please report through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so AFA representatives can follow up with management. 
  • Review of reserve-related scheduling issues that have occurred recently.
  • Review of reserve-related issues that have been escalated to the Scheduling Review Board (SRB) and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.

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.

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.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, September 13 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
  • The Inflight Service Committee continues to work with management to continuously improve onboard catering and engage in discussions leading to future improved processes. Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Wednesday, September 13, our AFA Inflight Service 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 Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). Also present was MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett.

The committee met with MD Inflight Services and Inflight Administration Gloria Chang- Vanderwell, MD Guest Products and Passenger Food and Beverage Todd Traynor-Corey, GM Catering Operations and Passenger Food and Beverage Service Jenny Connett-Schreiber,  Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Inflight Product and Experience Director David Scotland, Principal Cabin Prod & Exp Mgr. Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Onboard Food and Beverage Dean Courtelis, SR Food and Beverage Product Mgr. Jessica Johnston, Mgr. F&B Planning and Programs David Rodriquez, and other management representatives from the food & beverage and catering operations.

The next scheduled Inflight Service Committee meeting is November 29, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Cabin refresh for our AC to include convenience features for our passengers. We were pleased to hear that the 3 aft lavatories will remain on refurbished AC. 
  • Streamlining the service was discussed to improve consistency for passenger experience. Catering concerns were brough forward and their impact on flight attendants and passengers was discussed.
  • Marketing/Catering appreciates ISC feedback regarding timing service increments. This helps determine the amount of service that can be safely accomplished.
  • Product changes will start being available on our AC in the fall. ISC attendees were treated to tasting teas that we will see on our flights. We look forward to serving these options. 
  • New containers were discussed for hot meals in the MC. There will be testing to determine if they meet our serving and disposal needs.
  • Catering Ops has faced many difficulties with the performance of the kitchens. They are instituting practices to help improve the situation. Catering Ops provided a demonstration of the FAC system which collates B2B entered comments.
  • The new Onboard Service Handbook, one location for all service offered, was discussed. An overview of the 2024 Service Refresh training was also presented.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt!  Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

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

2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention: What You Need To Know

Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and several other LEC Officers, Committee Chairpersons, and Committee Members will attend the 53rd Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Convention in Portland, Oregon. They will join representatives from other AFA airlines to address our Union’s business at the international level. Watch […]

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Negotiations – March 2026 Update

Management currently requires Flight Attendants to provide proof of relocation to receive the flat-rate moving expense, a policy that the AFA is formally challenging through the grievance process. While this dispute is ongoing, Flight Attendants able to submit proof of relocation must submit two forms of documentation, such as a lease or updated driver’s license, within 60 days of transfer if they wish to be paid under management’s terms. The union continues to advocate for a fairer process and encourages members to keep records of all related interactions.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 12 – February 2026

During this negotiation session, we made progress on Sections 15 (Leaves of Absence) and 22 (Expenses). The JNC advocated for positive developments from the Hawaiian CBA to strengthen our proposals. We also introduced our initial proposal for Section 28 (Domiciles) and remain committed to meaningful improvements in all areas of discussion.

Reminder: Don’t Miss Next Week’s MEC Town Hall!

Mark your calendar—Tuesday, March 3, is almost here! There’s still time to register for our Alaska + Hawaiian Town Hall and hear directly from your MEC Officers: MEC President Tim Green, MEC Vice President Brice McGee, and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Ikioka. Join us for the latest updates and get answers to your questions. The Details What […]

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, February 19, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Bob Moore (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes […]

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