Human Rights Committee

• Our AFA Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met on Friday, March 24, to discuss their ongoing program of work to advance human rights within our workplace and community.
• The Committee also met with management to receive updates on what progress has been made on concerns that had been previously brought forward and address new concerns that have come to light. 
• If you have ideas, thoughts, or feedback for the committee, your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson would love to hear from you!

On Friday, March 24, our AFA Local Human Rights Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to build awareness and effect change within our workplace and community. Representing you at the meeting were Sylvia Newbill (PDX), Erika Daniel (SAN), James Ikehara (SFO). Also present were MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle and MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou.

The committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Services Gloria Chow-Vanderwell, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion James Thomas, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist Sarah Keimig, and Access/Diversity Program Manager Steve Nelson from management.

The committee is next scheduled to meet with management on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Topics of Discussion

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

• Virtual Listening Sessions. Local Human Rights Chairs will facilitate virtual listening sessions in each base with management, allowing flight attendants to discuss diversity and inclusion topics and concerns. The next session is scheduled for April 20, 2023 with SAN Human Rights Committee Chairperson Erika Daniel and SAN Inflight Supervisor Saua Case. Management will communicate future dates and times to all Flight Attendants.
• Monthly Conference Calls. AFA International began monthly conference calls for Human Rights Committee Members from across our union to share information and coordinate activities.
• Hosiery/Socks Accessibility. The previous IMD alert with hosiery/socks resources will also be added to the uniform ordering site. The Zappos Shoes link is now located on the uniform ordering site as well.
• Volunteer Events. Members of the management Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team discussed the ability for Flight Attendants to volunteer at events throughout our system. Information can be found on Alaskasworld within the Employee Resources/Care Community Involvement link. This leads to the Benevity.org page where Flight Attendants can sign up to volunteer for events locally as well as throughout our system.
• Further Collaboration. The DE&I team will continue working along with inflight management and the Human Rights Committee on base visits, upcoming events, and activities sponsored by DEI or Business Resources Groups (BRGs).

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Exploring Collaboration and Shared Goals. Working with the DE&I department to build relationships with the company Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to find areas where we can join together to advance human rights within the scope of each group.
2. Base Newsletters. Publishing information in each base on monthly human rights activities and scheduled events.
3. Supporting Passengers. Discussing reports of some of passengers traveling between certain city pairs without a clear plan or assistance upon arrival at their destination. The Human Rights Committee and management are currently working on potential resources our Flight Attendants can use to help in these circumstances.

We Want to Hear From You!

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