Master Executive Council (MEC)

2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention Recap

March 13, 2026 15:00 Leave a Comment

The 2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention concluded on Wednesday, marking the end of an engaging and productive three days. Delegates participated in a full agenda: hearing from elected officials and union leaders, joining a spirited picketing event at PDX to support Horizon Flight Attendants in their contract fight, honoring the achievements of AFA award recipients, electing our International Officers, and—most importantly—actively shaping our Union’s future by debating and voting on changes to the AFA Constitution, Bylaws, and Policy Manual. Remember, your directly elected LEC President represents you on the AFA Board of Directors, ensuring every member’s voice is heard.

The first morning of the Convention was primarily devoted to the formalities of calling the meeting to order, followed by the roll call of delegates and remarks by guest speakers. Among the speakers were Richie Johnson, IAM General Vice President of the Air Transport Territory; Nick Daniels, President of NATCA; Dustin Roach, President of Teamsters Local 135; and Graham Trainor, President of the Oregon AFL-CIO. Also included were reports from the International President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer.

Throughout the convention, guest speakers underscored a powerful message: solidarity across the labor movement is more essential than ever. By uniting as working people nationwide, we can build real power and push back against the growing imbalance of wealth and unchecked corporate greed impacting us all.

Horizon Air Flight Attendant Day of Action

That afternoon, delegates and attendees headed to PDX for a high-energy informational picketing event, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Horizon Air Flight Attendants in their ongoing fight for a fair contract. They have been negotiating since November 2023 and in mediation since January 2025, yet management continues to stall at the bargaining table and has failed to offer the meaningful improvements that Horizon Air Flight Attendants have earned.

Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of Alaska Council 39 (PDX) LEC President Steve Maller and Council 39 Officers and Members—efforts that began during our recent pre-merger Alaska contract negotiations—the Port of Portland has expanded opportunities for the public to exercise free speech at the airport, including informational picketing. This event was among the largest ever permitted at PDX, with a strong Union presence both inside the terminal and along the outer roadway. Our message was loud and clear to both Horizon Air management and the traveling public: the time for a contract for Horizon Air Flight Attendants is NOW!

VIDEO: Flight Attendants Demand Fair Contract (KOIN 6) >

AFA International Award Recipients

Every year, our Union honors Members whose outstanding contributions have advanced our mission, amplified member voices, and exemplified AFA’s core values. This year, the first day of the Convention concluded with a celebration of these achievements—including recognition for four exceptional Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants.

EAP Lifetime Achievement Award: Melanie Buker, Council 15 (SAN)

Edith Lauterbach Merit Award: Beth Hayes, Council 47 (LAX/SEA pmHA)

Ada Brown Greenfield Lifetime Achievement Award: Terry Taylor, Council 19 (SEA pmAS) and Scott Henton, Council 43 (HNL)

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these award winners and thank them for their unwavering dedication and service to Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants. For more details about these awards, please refer to Section I.M of the AFA International Policy Manual.

AFA International Officer Elections

AFA International Officer elections took place on the second morning of the meeting. International Officer elections are conducted on a roll call basis, meaning that each LEC President can cast the number of votes equal to the number of Members in good standing that they represent. This year’s election is for a term beginning June 1, 2026, and concluding on May 31, 2030.

The following candidates were nominated and elected at this year’s Convention:

International President

Tim Kipka (Endeavor Air)
Sara Nelson* (United Airlines)

International Vice President

Keturah Johnson* (Piedmont Airlines)
Judy McParland (Endeavor Air)

International Secretary-Treasurer

Dante Harris* (United Airlines)

* Indicates the candidate who was elected to office.

Congratulations to our newly elected International Officers!

Action on Agenda Items

Prior to the Convention, twelve advanced agenda items were submitted for the Board of Directors to consider, including the AFA annual budget. Each Local Council held a meeting before the Convention to review these agenda items, answer questions, and hear feedback on your thoughts and perspectives on what was proposed.

We will share a more in-depth update on the outcomes of each agenda item next week, once AFA International finalizes the details.

AFA Annual Budget and Dues Adjustment

One thing to note is that the 2026-2027 AFA annual budget includes a dues increase to align AFA dues with the CWA dues average. Under the AFA-CWA merger agreement, found in Appendix A of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, AFA dues are required to be equal to the average monthly dues of CWA Members. The current average monthly dues for CWA Members are $65.36, and most CWA Members pay dues equivalent to 2.25 hours of their hourly pay.

Initially, the budget agenda item proposed implementing the dues increase over a three-year period, beginning with an increase to $55.12 on June 1, 2026. This methodology was recommended by both the AFA International Finance Committee and Strategic Planning Committee, and supported by the Alaska + Hawaiian LEC Presidents. The Board of Directors, however, voted to implement the monthly dues increase directly to $65.36 on June 1, 2026.

The AFA International Secretary-Treasurer’s Office is preparing more information about the implementation of the dues increase. Some details are still being finalized, but we are working to clarify the timeline and ways to reduce the impact. One option being considered is a rebate over the next two years, which our MEC will review as more information becomes available. To ensure we provide you with the most accurate answers, we kindly ask you to hold off on submitting questions until we have more complete information to share. We will provide updates as soon as they are available and make sure all your concerns are addressed.

Questions?

Please feel free to direct any other questions about the 2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention to your LEC President.

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

March 4, 2026 09:01

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 this short video to learn what happens at the BOD Convention and why your engagement matters.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, March 7	Regular MEC Meeting
Sunday, March 8	Executive Board Meeting (MEC Presidents from all airlines)
Monday, March 9	Board of Directors Convention begins Picketing in support of Horizon Flight Attendants @ PDX Awards presentation
Tuesday, March 10	Board of Directors Convention continues International Officer election
Wednesday, March 11	Board of Directors Convention continues

BOD Convention Agenda Items

Your LEC President represents you and other members of your Local Council on the BOD, casting votes on your behalf during the meeting. Our MEC Officers participate in an ex-officio capacity but do not have voting privileges.

Twelve advance agenda items were submitted for the Board’s consideration. In the weeks leading up to the Convention, each Local Council held meetings to discuss these items, providing your LEC President the opportunity to gather feedback from Members. You can review the full list and language of the agenda items on the BOD Convention page of the AFA International website.

Attending The Convention

If you’ll be in Portland, don’t miss the chance to see our Union’s democratic process in action! Attendance at the Convention is open to any AFA Member in good standing. Registration is required. You can find more information about the logistics of the Convention on the BOD Convention page and register by clicking here.

Learn More About The BOD Convention

Want to know more about the BOD Convention and its impact? Access the interactive module on the AFA Online Learning Academy. This resource provides valuable insights into the BOD’s role in conducting business and making decisions at the international level of our Union. Whether you’re interested in how AFA operates or looking to get more involved, this is a great opportunity to explore our democratic process and expand your knowledge.

Click here to access the “What is the AFA Board of Directors?” module >

Note: If it’s your first time using the AFA Online Learning Academy, you’ll need to register for a free account to access the module.

Feedback or Questions?

Your LEC President is your voice at the Board of Directors meeting, but they can only be as effective as the feedback they receive from you. Your input shapes the decisions made on our behalf—don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, questions, or concerns. Reach out to your LEC President today and make your voice heard.

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

February 27, 2026 11:00

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: AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall
When: Tuesday, March 3
Time: 11 AM – 12:30 PM PT
Where: Zoom

What We’ll Discuss

Here’s some of what you can expect:

State of the MEC: Updates on AFA at Alaska and Hawaiian, and our MEC Officers’ goals and plans for their new term of office.
Flying Schedule Changes: Addressing the Alaska flying reductions in SFO and LAX, and increases in SAN and PDX.
Hawaiian SEA Domicile: Information about the soon-to-open SEA domicile for Hawaiian Flight Attendants.
Negotiations: The latest on negotiations for a joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA).
Questions & Answers: Answers to your questions, whether submitted online in advance or live during the session.

How to Join: Registration Required

Click Here to Register Now >

Please use your personal email address when registering. Registrations from alaskaair.com or hawaiianair.com will be canceled. Membership status will be verified before the Town Hall.

Shape the Conversation: Submit Your Questions Now

Help shape the conversation—submit your questions in advance using our online form. Even if you can’t attend live, your input helps us focus on the topics that matter most to all Flight Attendants. Every question contributes to a stronger discussion.

Click Here to Submit a Question >

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, March 3, at the Town Hall!

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

February 3, 2026 17:00

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 + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall
When: Tuesday, March 3 – 11 AM to 12:30 PM PT
Where: Zoom

Register Now!

The Town Hall will take place on Zoom, so you can join from home or while on a layover. Advance registration is required and ensures you get a Zoom link to join the meeting and event reminders. As with all AFA meeting and activities, the AFA mutual respect policy applies during the Town Hall.

Click here to register >

When you register, use your personal email address. If you use an alaskaair.com or hawaiianair.com email, your registration will be canceled. Only Members in good standing can attend, and membership status will be verified before the event. If you’re unsure about your status, you can check anytime on the AFA Membership Hub.

After you register, you’ll get a unique Zoom joining link by email. This link is just for you and will only work on one device, so be sure to save it. Each person who wants to attend needs to register separately, since Zoom links can’t be shared.

More information about how to join a Zoom meeting, including system requirements, can be found on the Zoom support website.

Have Questions? Submit Them in Advance!

What’s on your mind? Tell us! Use our online form to submit your questions before the event. This helps us focus the Town Hall on your concerns—whether it’s negotiations, contract issues, or anything else you want to hear more about.

Click here to submit a question >

We look forward to seeing you at the Town Hall on March 3!

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson–New Hire & Probation

January 19, 2026 15:00

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

We’re excited to introduce our newly elected pre-merger Alaska MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation, Meghan Casey. Meg began her term immediately upon being elected last week. Below, you’ll find a brief biography highlighting her background and experience as she begins her work supporting our Flight Attendant group.

Meghan Casey, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation

Meg has been a Flight Attendant based in San Francisco since 2017, when she began her career at Virgin America. She grew up as an Army brat, moving every 2-3 years, which sparked her love of travel at a young age. Looking to pursue a career in service, she attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, earning a Bachelor’s degree in government, and subsequently served for 6 years as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Following the completion of her commitment, she earned a Master’s degree in early childhood education from Lewis and Clark College, worked as a 3rd-grade teacher, and served in civilian administrative roles for the U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy. Looking for a job that combined travel, meeting new people, and flexibility, Meg decided to pursue a job as a Flight Attendant and hasn’t looked back since. She’s currently due to earn her second Bachelor’s degree in anthropology/archaeology from Cal State East Bay in the summer of 2026.

For the first 4 years as a Flight Attendant, Meg bounced back and forth between being on reserve and holding a line. Knowing that being on reserve can be among the most challenging years as a Flight Attendant, she pursued a role as the Council 35 (SFO) Reserve Committee Chairperson, a position she has held since 2021. During this time, she worked to ensure reserves were being treated fairly per our contract and also served as a reserve buddy, welcoming the new reserves to SFO. She’s excited to step into this new role as the MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chair for New Hire and Probation and looks forward to serving as an advocate, resource, and supporter for Alaska’s newest Flight Attendants.

Meg lives outside Sacramento with her husband and young daughter, and when she’s not flying, she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and trying all the desserts.

2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention Recap