AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
Menu
  • Local Councils
    • Anchorage (Council 30)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Honolulu (Council 43)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Los Angeles (Council 18 pmAS)
      • Officers
      • Committees
      • Los Angeles/Seattle (Council 47 pmHA)
        • Officers
        • Committees
      • Portland (Council 39)
        • Officers
        • Committees
      • San Diego (Council 15)
        • Officers
        • Committees
        • Seattle (Council 19 pmAS)
          • Officers
          • Committees
        • San Francisco (Council 35)
          • Officers
          • Committees

        • More About Local Councils >>
        Close
      • Master Executive Council
        • Officers
        • Close
      • Committees
          • Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC)
            • Air Quality
          • Benefits
          • Communications
          • Employee Assistance Program & Professional Standards
          • Government Affairs
          • Grievance
          • Hotel
          • Human Rights & Equity
          • Inflight Service
          • Inflight Training
          • Membership
          • Membership Engagement
          • Reserve
          • Retirement
          • Scheduling
            • Pairing Construction
            • Preferential Bidding System (PBS)
          • Uniform

        • More About Committees >>
        Close
      • Contract
          • Contract Home
            • 2025 Alaska Contract
            • 2025 Hawaiian Contract Extension
            • Ask Contract Questions
          • Contract Resources
          • Alaska Contract Negotiations (2022-2025)
        • Close
      • Resources
          • What To Do If You Encounter Contaminated Cabin Air
          • Issues & Campaigns
          • Newsroom
            • AFA News Now
          • Event Calendar
          • Membership Services
          • New Members
          • About
          • Links
          Close
        • Merger
          • Joint Negotiating Committee
          • Close
        • Contact Us
        You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News

        September 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

        September 20, 2023 17:00

        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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: MEC Meeting

        Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

        September 19, 2023 18:13

        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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Reserve Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

        September 18, 2023 17:00

        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.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Inflight Service Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

        AFA Alaska News in Review – September 15, 2023

        September 15, 2023 17:00

        In This Edition

        • We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001
        • Grievance Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2023
        • Join The Picket Line: Support Southwest Flight Attendants
        • Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
        • Shared on Social
        • Next Week’s Events

        We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

        Originally posted September 11, 2023

        Read More >


        Grievance Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2023

        Originally posted September 12, 2023

        Our Grievance Committee protects all Flight Attendants from arbitrary and unjust disciplinary action and upholds our collective bargaining agreement. This update briefly summarizes the committee’s work over the past quarter. Management has issued discipline lately for a variety of reasons. Read on for more information about why management is disciplining and terminating Flight Attendants. If you’ve faced a situation that you believe might be a contractual violation, please report the issue through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center.

        Read More >


        Join The Picket Line: Support Southwest Flight Attendants

        Originally posted September 13, 2023

        It’s time to stand in solidarity with our Flight Attendant family at Southwest Airlines as they head to the picket line. Southwest Flight Attendants will be holding an informational picket in Denver on Wednesday, September 20, to address their ongoing fight for a fair contract. If you’re going to be in the Denver area, plan now to join the picket and sign up using the link below.

        Read More >


        Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

        Originally posted September 15, 2023

        September 15th marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1968 when legislation was signed into law first recognizing Hispanic Heritage Week. Read more about Hispanic Heritage Month, learn about the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans, and learn about events you can participate in using the resource links below. Join the celebration by wearing a Hispanic Heritage Month AFA Pin. Check with your Local Council if you need a pin.

        Read More >


        Shared on Social

        Surprise Pop-Up Picket At Alaska Airlines Event In Los Angeles

        Despite issuing a public statement that our Negotiating Committee’s financial proposals were “economically unfeasible,” Alaska Airlines management decided that it was economically feasible to hold a swanky reception at a Marina Del Rey luxury hotel for company executives, elite frequent flyers, and Los Angeles area civic leaders today [Wednesday, September 13]. Our Mobilization Volunteers crashed the party with a surprise pop-up picket outside the hotel to ensure CEO Ben Minicucci and others attending the event heard our message. This example of corporate greed is a slap in the face to hard-working Flight Attendants who are long overdue for pay and work rule improvements that we have earned!


        Next Week’s Events

        Monday, September 18 – Tuesday, September 19Contract Negotiations
        Monday, September 18 – Tuesday, September 19Regular MEC Meeting
        Wednesday, September 20TWU Local 556/Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Informational Picketing (Denver, CO)

        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!

        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • Instagram

        Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: AFA News in Review

        Join The Picket Line: Support Southwest Flight Attendants

        September 13, 2023 09:00

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        • It’s time to stand in solidarity with our Flight Attendant family at Southwest Airlines as they head to the picket line.
        • Southwest Flight Attendants will be holding an informational picket in Denver on Wednesday, September 20, to address their ongoing fight for a fair contract.
        • If you’re going to be in the Denver area, plan now to join the picket and sign up using the link below.

        This summer, the spirit of solidarity is thriving as Flight Attendants and workers all over the country unite against corporate greed and mismanagement. Our Day of Solidarity events received immense support from fellow Union Members who joined our picket lines. Their backing helped to make our message to management louder and clearer. It’s time to stand with our Flight Attendant family at Southwest as they escalate their fight for better pay and working conditions. Keep reading to find out how you can help!

        Flight Attendants at Southwest Airlines, part of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), have been working under a contract that became amendable in November 2018. They have been facing the brunt of operational failures and meltdowns, while Southwest executives have been receiving bonuses, and shareholders have been given dividends and stock buybacks. Management continues to drag their feet in negotiations and has failed to bring to the table a contract that honors the dedication of Flight Attendants with fair pay and working conditions.

        On September 20, Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants will hold an informational picketing event in Denver, CO, to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to fight for the contract they deserve. Plan now to stand with them in solidarity and demand that management at Southwest Airlines Make It Right for their Flight Attendants. Let’s come together and show management at Southwest that Flight Attendants and workers everywhere stand united in this fight and demand the pay and working conditions we have rightfully earned.

        TWU Local 556 Picketing Event Information

        Date: Wednesday, September 20
        Location: Denver, CO
        Check-In: Begins at 15:00 (local time)
        Picketing: 16:00 to 19:00 (local time)

        Click here to Register >

        Filed Under: AFA News Now Tagged With: picketing, solidarity, Southwest Airlines, TWU 556, United Airlines

        • « Previous Page
        • 1
        • …
        • 92
        • 93
        • 94
        • 95
        • 96
        • …
        • 333
        • Next Page »

        Need Help?

        Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

        Latest News

        • AFA News in Review – July 10, 2026
        • Go In-Depth with Our AFA Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson
        • Council 47 SEA Base Update – SEA Membership Meeting August 15, 2026
        • Local Committee Interviews – August 2026
        • Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6
        • Reserve Webinar – Special Collaboration Episode – July 8
        • AFA Committee Focus Month: Membership Engagement
        • Council 47 Update – July 6, 2026
        • AFA News in Review – July 3, 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 16 – July 2026

        Go In-Depth with Our AFA Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson

        July 10, 2026

        Building on the momentum of our Membership Engagement Committee introduction video and this week’s look at the committee’s history, we’re excited to introduce the next feature of our July Committee Focus Month. Today, we’re launching an in-depth interview that offers an inside look at the mission and people powering the Membership Engagement Committee. What You’ll […]

        Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6

        July 6, 2026

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants As a follow-up to our June 23 save-the-date announcement, we’re excited to share full details and open registration for our August pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar! If you’ve ever wondered, “Can they do that?” when Crew Scheduling calls with a reserve assignment or schedule change—whether you’re a Reserve Flight […]

        AFA Committee Focus Month: Membership Engagement

        July 6, 2026

        July marks our latest AFA Committee Focus Month, and we’re excited to spotlight our Membership Engagement Committee. In May, we kicked off this initiative by showcasing the exceptional work of our EAP/Professional Standards Committee—illustrating how our committees serve and support us every day. Our Membership Engagement Committee is here to make sure every Member feels genuinely […]

        Joint Contract Negotiations Session 16 – July 2026

        July 3, 2026

        The JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all members.

        Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

        June 30, 2026

        On Wednesday, June 24, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Trista Vanta (SFO), Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), […]

        Recent Posts

        • AFA News in Review – July 10, 2026
        • Go In-Depth with Our AFA Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson
        • Council 47 SEA Base Update – SEA Membership Meeting August 15, 2026
        • Local Committee Interviews – August 2026
        • Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6
        • Reserve Webinar – Special Collaboration Episode – July 8
        • AFA Committee Focus Month: Membership Engagement
        • Council 47 Update – July 6, 2026
        • AFA News in Review – July 3, 2026
        • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 16 – July 2026
        • Council 43 Update – July 1, 2026
        • Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – June 30, 2026
        • Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026
        • Council 47 Committee Report – June 2026
        • Reserve Webinar – Special Collaboration Episode

        Local Councils

        • Anchorage
        • Honolulu
        • Los Angeles (pre-merger Alaska)
        • Los Angeles/Seattle (pre-merger Hawaiian)
        • Portland
        • San Diego
        • San Francisco
        • Seattle (pre-merger Alaska)

        Master Executive Council

        • MEC

        Contract

        • Contract Home

        Committees

        • Air Safety, Health, & Security
        • Benefits
        • Communications
        • EAP/Professional Standards
        • Government Affairs
        • Grievance
        • Hotel
        • Human Rights
        • Inflight Service
        • Membership Engagement
        • Reserve
        • Retirement
        • Scheduling
        • Uniform

        News By Month

        News By Category

        AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX (pmAS) Council 19 SEA (pmAS) Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX Council 43 HNL Council 47 LAX/SEA (pmHA) EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee
        • Email
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • YouTube

        Want To Stay In The Loop?

        Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska + Hawaiian news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
        Sign Up for Emails
        Sign Up for Text Updates

        Connect With AFA

        • Contact Us
        • Online Support Center
        • AFA International
        • CWA
        • AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Social Media Guidelines
        • AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy

        Copyright © 2013-2026 Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Council, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO