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AFA Council 30 (ANC) Election Results

Master Executive Council (MEC)

The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Anchorage:

LEC President: LeiLauni Scheideman
LEC Vice President: Heather Reier
LEC Secretary: Anne Madsen

View the certified election results here >>

These officers will serve a term of office starting January 1, 2023 and concluding on December 31, 2025.

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.

AFA Alaska News in Review – November 4, 2022

In This Edition

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Originally posted November 1, 2022

November 1st marks the first day of Native American Heritage Month in the United States.  This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when proclamations were adopted by various organizations and state governments celebrating American Indian Day.  Read more about Native American Heritage Month, learn about the accomplishments of Native Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.  Join the celebration by wearing a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin during the month.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

Read More >

MEC Officer Election Results

Originally posted November 2, 2022

As the term of office for the current MEC Officers will end on December 31, 2022, our Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted elections this week for the upcoming MEC Officer term.  In accordance with the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws, each of the six Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents is afforded one vote for each officer position.  The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Master Executive Council (MEC) Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants:

MEC President: Jeffrey Peterson
MEC Vice President: Brian Palmer
MEC Secretary-Treasurer: Linda Christou

These officers will serve a term of office starting on January 1, 2023 and concluding on December 31, 2025.  More information about the duties and responsibilities of each officer position can be found in the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws and the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.

Read More >

November 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted November 3, 2022

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 2 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 payroll management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.  The MEC also conducted MEC Officer elections for the term scheduled to begin on January 1, 2023.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Monday, November 7 – Wednesday, November 9Contract Negotiations
Tuesday, November 8SEA Base Safety Meeting
Thursday, November 10Council 18 (LAX) Local Council 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!

 

November 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 2 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 payroll management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.
  • The MEC also conducted MEC Officer elections for the term scheduled to begin on January 1, 2023.

The November 2022 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 2.  The meeting consisted of updates provided by 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 Vice President of Inflight Matt Prainito, Associate Vice President of Finance and Resource Planning Ryan St. John, Managing Director of Labor Relations Carmen Williams, and Director of Payroll Leah Ables.

Some of the topics that were discussed include:

  • Pairing selection process.  Management indicated that they are open to greater collaboration with our AFA Pairing Construction Subcommittee in working to understand what is important to Flight Attendants when it comes to pairing quality.  An additional meeting between respective AFA and management representatives will be scheduled in the near future for further discussion.
  • NAVBLUE PBS performance concerns.  Flight Attendants are continuing to experience performance issues with NAVBLUE PBS.  Our AFA PBS Subcommittee, Scheduling Committee, and MEC have been bringing these issues forward continuously with every level of management and pushing for improvements and a resolution.  Management has in turn taken the issues to management at NAVBLUE and has escalated the issue to the executive level.  NAVBLUE indicates they are working to make improvements but our MEC is looking for tangible results to the ongoing problems.
  • Staffing and growth.  Management provided a review of staffing plans for next year.  The projections are constantly shifting based on anticipated aircraft deliveries and market conditions.  They are currently working to determine if staffing adjustment leaves will be offered in 2023.
  • Revised Initial Training program.  The Flight Attendant Initial Training program was recently increased in duration from 4 to 5 weeks.  Management reports that there has been a corresponding increase in student success rates.
  • IMD replacement project.  Our MEC shared Flight Attendant frustrations with the delay in replacing iPhone 8 IMDs.  The problem is compounded by a lack of replacement devices and accessories which is making it difficult for Flight Attendants to perform basic inflight service duties.  Management indicates that there are challenges in the supply chain and will follow up with more details as to when new devices can be expected.
  • California meal and rest break laws.  Our MEC again requested an update from management regarding their plan to comply with California meal and rest break laws in accordance with the decision in the Bernstein v. Virgin America case.  Management provided the same information that they did last month—they are continuing to lobby for a legislative resolution and did not have any further updates to offer.  

MEC Officer Elections

Elections for Alaska MEC Officers were conducted on first day of the meeting.  From among the eligible candidates, the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) elected an MEC President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer for a three year term that begins on January 1, 2023 and concludes on December 31, 2025.  The newly elected MEC Officers are:

President: Jeffrey Peterson
Vice President: Brian Palmer
Secretary-Treasurer: Linda Christou

For more information about the MEC Officer election results, click here.

Upcoming MEC Committee Position Interviews & Elections

In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the term of appointment for the MEC Committee Chairpersons is concurrent with those of the MEC Officers.  As the current MEC Officer term ends on December 31, 2022, the MEC will be conducting a review of all MEC Committee Chairperson and other MEC-level appointed positions at a Special MEC Meeting to be held November 29 through December 1, 2022.

If you’re interested in learning more about the upcoming interviews, click here.  To submit an expression of interest and resume for a position, click here.  The deadline for submissions is 9 AM Pacific time on Saturday, November 19.

Questions?

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

MEC Officer Election Results

Master Executive Council (MEC)

As the term of office for the current MEC Officers will end on December 31, 2022, our Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted elections this week for the upcoming MEC Officer term.  In accordance with the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws, each of the six Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents is afforded one vote for each officer position.  The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Master Executive Council (MEC) Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants:

MEC President: Jeffrey Peterson
MEC Vice President: Brian Palmer
MEC Secretary-Treasurer: Linda Christou

These officers will serve a term of office starting on January 1, 2023 and concluding on December 31, 2025.  More information about the duties and responsibilities of each officer position can be found in the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws and the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual.

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.

About Our MEC Officers

Jeffrey Peterson

Jeffrey Peterson grew up in Anchorage, AK, and graduated from A.J. Dimond High in south Anchorage.  Jeff achieved a Presidential Scholar Award in 1991 and went on to attain a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.  Prior to becoming a Flight Attendant, he spent several years in hotel management working in San Diego and San Francisco for Marriott International and a Marriott hotels franchise company.  He started out his Flight Attendant career in 1999 in the Los Angeles domicile.  Jeff has also been based in Seattle and now San Diego.  He has served as AFA-CWA Alaska MEC President since July 1, 2011.  Jeff currently splits his time between working remotely out of his family’s condo in Puerto Vallarta and the AFA Alaska office in Seattle.

Brian Palmer

Brian started his career with Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant in 2006.  Initially based in Anchorage, he also spent time based in Los Angeles and Portland, and is currently based in Seattle.  Brian first became involved in AFA work in 2009 as a member of the Council 39 Portland Reserve Committee when he became frustrated with the quality of life that he and other reserve Flight Attendants were experiencing.  He later served as Council 39 Reserve Chairperson and LEC Vice President.  Brian was first elected MEC Vice President in January 2014 and is honored to have been reelected.

Prior to his career as a Flight Attendant, Brian held various leadership positions in the hotel and retail banking industries.  He currently splits his time between the Philadelphia and Seattle areas.

Linda Christou

Linda has been with Alaska Airlines since 1980.  She started out as a Union volunteer and became more involved by joining the Council 19 Seattle Inflight Service Committee and was eventually appointed Local Chairperson of the committee. While serving on that committee, Linda had a desire to do more to help and subsequently ran for and was elected Council 19 LEC Secretary.  Linda served in that role, along with being a Grievance Representative, starting in July 2011.  She is very excited to continue serving as MEC Secretary-Treasurer and looks forward to serving all of our Members.

Prior to being with Alaska, Linda attended Green River Community College and had an emphasis in Political Science which is what drew her to get involved with Union work.  Outside of work, Linda enjoys spinning and gardening.  She also enjoys cooking, entertaining, and collecting wine with her husband.  Linda also enjoys volunteer work, focusing on raising money for The Eluna Foundation, which is a foundation for children in distress.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Human Rights Committee

  • November 1st marks the first day of Native American Heritage Month in the United States.  This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when proclamations were adopted by various organizations and state governments celebrating American Indian Day.
  • Read more about Native American Heritage Month, learn about the accomplishments of Native Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
  • Join the celebration by wearing a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin during the month.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

November 1 marks the first day of Native American Heritage Month in the United States.  The celebration, which is also referred to as National Native American Heritage Month, began with efforts to recognize an American Indian Day in the early 20th century.  In 1916, New York became the first state to proclaim American Indian Day after a declaration from the governor.  

The first national recognition came in 1976 when President Gerald Ford signed a proclamation designating Native American Awareness Week.  In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a resolution recognizing the first National American Indian Heritage Month.  This recognition has continued with similar proclamations issued each year under varying names (including Native American Heritage Month and National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month) since 1994.

Learn More About Native American History

You can learn more about the accomplishments of Native Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

Celebrate with a Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin

In 2021, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.   The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month.

For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee.  Also be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.

Questions?

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

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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