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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Council 30 – RED HOT Week of Solidarity

Our Red-Hot Summer is Heating Up!

Week of Solidarity – Red AFA Pins! 


This week, there are activities happening at all bases encouraging solidarity. Some bases, as you may have heard, are having “Pop-Up Pickets”. Unlike our System-Wide planned picket on August 15th, these are smaller events and planned to be more of a “surprise”. In ANC, we did not have ample time to obtain the necessary permits to allow an event such as this to happen. However, we will be participating in this Week of Solidarity in a different way.

What will that look like? 

Your Local Officers and members of the Mobilization Committee will be in the airport throughout the day on July 21st to:

  • Distribute Red Pins!
  • Provide guidance on how FAs can best support negotiations in the months ahead
  • Encourage Engagement and Solidarity
  • Provide live sign-up assistance for the August 15 picket
  • Answer questions from FAs about what to expect at the picket

August 15th – Show Your Solidarity!

Remember to mark your calendars for August 15th!  We will be picketing from 2pm-3pm (AKST) on the departure level of the airport. We will be gathering everyone and staging at 1:30pm. All FAs should be in a compliant uniform with RED PINS! Any family joining should show support by wearing RED shirts!  RAIN or SHINE, we will all need to SHOW UP to send a loud message to management! Obtaining an Industry Leading Contract MUST be worth an hour of your time! Thank you to ALL who bid this day off, looking forward to walking that picket with each and every one of YOU!

Get Involved!

Become a Mobilization Volunteer!  

Share reliable information and help promote solidarity and mobilization events!
Learn more here.  

Wear your RED AFA pin proudly while flying and at all company events, including training and special events.

Stay Informed!


**RED HOT SUMMER  (stay up to date with all activities)

**Picketing FAQs

Bookmark the official AFA Alaska Negotiations website https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/

Update your newsletter subscription at afanewsletters.org.

In Red-Hot Solidarity,

LeiLauni, Heather and Annie

AFA Alaska News in Review – July 14, 2023

In This Edition

Tell Management: We Deserve Better!

Originally posted July 10, 2023

It’s time to let management know we won’t accept a contract that doesn’t respect and value our contributions to the company’s success. Take action now and send a letter to executive management telling them to deliver a proposal that puts Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants at the top of the industry. Keep track of our progress on the campaign page and encourage your flying partners to join in!

Read More >

Protect Our Contract – Don’t Perform Duties Belonging to Other Work Groups

Originally posted July 12, 2023

In order to protect our contract and show respect for other employee groups’ scope of work, Flight Attendants must not perform work belonging to other work groups. Support other work groups by reporting staffing issues through a Flight Attendant Irregularity Report (FAIR) so management knows changes need to be made. Similarly, only Flight Attendants may perform Flight Attendant duties; report any instances of supervisors or other employees performing Flight Attendant work to AFA.

Read More >

Pop-Up Pickets Start Next Week!

Originally posted July 14, 2023

As our Red Hot Summer continues, we’re putting pressure on management to return to the negotiating table with a deal recognizing our contributions to Alaska Airlines’ success. Our next activity will do just that! Starting next week, our Mobilization Committee will launch a series of pop-up picketing events!

Read More >

“Summer of CARE” Employee Events

Originally posted July 14, 2023

Management has a long tradition of hosting summer events for company employees, family members, and friends. This year is no different; management sent an all-employee email earlier this week with information about this year’s “Summer of CARE” events. Many people have asked our Negotiating Committee about participating in these events. 

Read More >

Shared on Social

Almost 6000 Letters Sent!

Originally posted July 11, 2023

Almost 6000 letters sent in a little over one day?!? 🤯

Let’s keep this momentum going and hit 7000 today! Check in with your crew to see if everyone has sent their letter!

Over 7000 Letters Sent!

Originally posted July 12, 2023

Our solidarity is strong! Over 7000 letters have been sent in just a little over two days. Check with your flying partners and other Flight Attendant friends to see if they’ve sent their letter. If not, now is the time!

#AFAAlaska #RedHotSummer

Next Week’s Events

Monday, July 17Pop-Up Pickets Begin
Thursday, July 20Alternate 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!

Protect Our Contract – Don’t Perform Duties Belonging to Other Work Groups

Grievance Committee

  • In order to protect our contract and show respect for other employee groups’ scope of work, Flight Attendants must not perform work belonging to other work groups.
  • Support other work groups by reporting staffing issues through a Flight Attendant Irregularity Report (FAIR) so management knows changes need to be made.
  • Only Flight Attendants may perform Flight Attendant duties; report any instances of supervisors or other employees performing Flight Attendant work to AFA.

Note: this is an updated version of a post previously published in an AFA Alaska Update on July 30, 2021.

Over many decades, we have all worked hard to improve our working conditions and strengthen our collective bargaining agreement (CBA). These improvements have been achieved through several avenues, including demonstrating solidarity during contract negotiations, lobbying management to make changes that benefit our profession, and rigorously enforcing the contractual language we have already achieved. We must continue to protect and defend our contract and hold management accountable for what has been agreed upon between our Flight Attendants and the company.

Over the past few years, management has made it known they’ve had challenges recruiting and retaining frontline employees in various locations throughout the route network. This includes staff who the company directly employs, those employed by company subsidiaries (e.g., McGee Air Services), and contract vendors who provide above- and/or below-the-wing services at various stations. The situation has caused a noticeable impact on the company’s operations and resulted in some on-the-ground functions being adjusted or modified due to staffing in some cases. 

We all know Alaska Airlines focuses on hiring Flight Attendants who exhibit kindness and are willing to help. Because these traits are such a pervasive part of our culture, it may be tempting to want to jump in and assist our coworkers from other work groups when we see that they are short-staffed. Unfortunately, this causes more harm than good for several reasons. 

As previously mentioned, it’s up to each of us to protect the provisions of our collective bargaining agreement. Section 24.D of the CBA says in part, “A Flight Attendant will not be required to perform work normally assigned to a cleaner, provisioner, ramp or operations agent.” Just as we expect other work groups to honor our contractual language by not performing Flight Attendant duties and responsibilities, it’s similarly important that we respect other work groups and their typically assigned scope of work. Doing so protects the security of both Flight Attendant jobs and the jobs of our coworkers in other departments.

Customer service, ramp, mechanics, pilots, fleet service, catering, and other work groups receive specific training to perform their duties that Flight Attendants don’t have. We must allow our colleagues to do the work they’ve been trained to do to ensure it complies with applicable regulations and company standards. If there are concerns with staffing in a particular department, management needs to receive the corresponding reports of flight delays, complaints from passengers, and performance audit results. These are all indicators management uses to make adjustments and ensure our colleagues in other departments have the support they need. If this data is skewed to show no problems exist, management will make no changes to ensure proper staffing and service levels.

The best way Flight Attendants can show support for other work groups who may be experiencing short or inadequate staffing is by reporting the issue to ensure it gets attention from the proper levels of management. This can be accomplished by submitting a Flight Attendant Irregularity Report (FAIR) detailing the date, flight number, and specifics of the situation (e.g., areas that were skipped/missed, etc.).

Only Flight Attendants May Perform Flight Attendant Duties

Closing the overhead bins, confirming luggage is stowed correctly, and making passenger announcements during boarding are all duties that traditionally define our work but are only a fraction of what we are ultimately responsible for. When supervisors* or other employees perform this undisputed Flight Attendant work, it violates our contract.

If someone who isn’t a Flight Attendant assigned to pre-board or work the flight begins to perform Flight Attendant duties, calmly advise them the work will be completed before the aircraft door is closed, consistent with all applicable policies and regulations. Reassure them that the crew is aware of their duties and responsibilities that need to be accomplished. If this approach is ineffective, advise them they’re violating our contract and respectfully ask them to stop.

If you encounter a supervisor or another employee performing Flight Attendant work onboard the aircraft, please report the situation by opening a ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center. The purpose of this isn’t to get anyone in trouble but to ensure that any misunderstanding is promptly corrected. Quickly addressing the issue helps protect our jobs and prevent management from assigning our work to other work groups or vendors simply because it’s easier or less expensive for them to do so.

*Inflight management who hold an FAA Flight Attendant certificate may perform Flight Attendant duties only during a check-ride or IOE, when assigned to pre-board a flight if minimum crew is not available, or if assigned to work the flight as a Flight Attendant consistent with the limits of our contract.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local Grievance Committee.

AFA Alaska News in Review – July 7, 2023

In This Edition

Bidding Reminder: Day of Solidarity – August 15

Originally posted July 6, 2023

Remember to bid Tuesday, August 15 off for our Day of Solidarity informational picketing! If you can’t bid the day off, you can also bid around the picketing time for your base. Our Negotiating Committee is counting on your support to demonstrate our solidarity during the first negotiation session since the expiration of management’s promise of industry-leading pay. More information, including meet-up locations for each base, will be coming soon!

Read More >

Shared on Social

Red AFA Pins Are Red HOT!

Red AFA pins are spreading like fire throughout the system! Once you receive your red AFA pin, wear it whenever you fly, attend training, or participate in a company event. Tag #SelfiesForSolidarity when you post pictures of you or your crew with red AFA pins on so we can feature you!

Do you need a red AFA pin? Mobilization Volunteers are working hard to get pins into everyone’s hands ASAP. Want to know when Mobilization Volunteers will be out at your base? Check your Local Council’s Facebook page for information, or contact your Local Mobilization Committee Chairperson.

#AFAAlaska #RedHotSummer

Next Week’s Events

Monday, July 10 – Wednesday, July 12CWA Convention
Thursday, July 13Quarterly Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Meeting
Thursday, July 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!

AFA Alaska News in Review – June 30, 2023

In This Edition

Harvard Flight Attendant Health Study – Fourth Wave

Originally posted June 26, 2023

The Flight Attendant Health Study, launched in 2007, aims to advance knowledge that can improve working conditions for flight crew in the U.S. and internationally.

Flight Attendants are some of the most understudied workers, yet flight crew are exposed to many physical and psychosocial stressors, such as cosmic ionizing radiation, higher ozone levels, stressful interactions with passengers, hypoxia/reduced oxygenation, potentially severe circadian rhythm disruption, and other exposures.

Read More >

It’s Going To Be A Red Hot Summer!

Originally posted June 27, 2023

It’s time to turn the heat up on management. The official AFA pin at Alaska Airlines is now red. Mark your calendar for August 15 and plan to bid the day off for solidarity events in all bases.

Read More >

June 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted June 28, 2023

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, June 26, and Tuesday, June 27, 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, August 8, and Wednesday, August 9.

Read More >

Setting the Record Straight

Originally posted June 29, 2023

Our Negotiating Committee was asked to provide an official response to the statements management made last week about negotiations. We are committed to negotiating an industry-leading contract with many significant improvements. Our value does not diminish on June 30th – or any other arbitrary date!

Read More >

Shared on Social

Share The News!

As part of our mobilization efforts, use this statement for your social media profile picture and status:

Nearly 7,000 Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, the largest labor group at the company, are currently negotiating our first full contract since 2014. There are many essential changes needed to address how far behind the industry our contract has fallen in the past 9 years. Management initially agreed to place us at the top of the industry in pay, but they indicated their commitment has expired. 

We were instrumental in Alaska Airlines and the entire airline industry surviving the Covid-19 pandemic, and our airline is back to making record profits. Other labor groups have recently ratified contracts with vast improvements. Now is the right time for Alaska Airlines to Do the Right Thing and negotiate a Flight Attendant contract we deserve.

Based on their recent negotiations proposals, it’s clear Alaska Airlines management doesn’t value me or my fellow Flight Attendants. We are mobilizing for a “Red Hot Summer” to support our Negotiating Committee’s efforts to negotiate a contract equal to our value. Alaska Airlines – show us you CARE!

Next Week’s Events

Thursday, July 6Alternate 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!

SEA Domicile Negotiations Update – February 2026

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants SEA Domicile May Vacancy Posting The company has posted vacancies for the SEA domicile. There are 121 permanent vacancies available, effective May 1, 2026 for the May bid month. Bids will close at 11:59 PM HT on Monday, February 16. Awards will be posted by 12:00 PM […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

On Wednesday, January 28, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Brad Young (SFO & MEC ASHSC Vice […]

AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall: Join Us Tuesday, March 3

This is your opportunity to connect, share, and be heard! Join us at an AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall on Tuesday, March 3. Get the latest AFA news and connect directly with our MEC Officers. Bring your questions—this is your chance to get answers directly from AFA Representatives. The Details What: AFA Alaska + […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, January 27, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually 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), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Celebrating Black History Month

February 1 marks the start of Black History Month in the United States—a vibrant celebration with roots dating back to 1925, when acclaimed historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced “Negro History Week” to highlight the remarkable achievements of Black individuals. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded it to Black History Month, calling on all […]

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