The recording of our March 3 MEC Town Hall is now available! Watch the video on the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian YouTube channel using the private link below. Please note that the video is accessible only through the link here and is not publicly posted on our channel.
We’ve also put together a summary of the questions Flight Attendants asked during the Town Hall, along with the answers from our MEC Officers and AFA panelists. You can find the Q&A below.
We’re excited to announce that planning for our next MEC Town Hall is already underway for June. We’ll share the exact date and time as soon as it’s set, closer to the beginning of May and prior to the start of June bidding. Thank you for your ongoing engagement and for staying informed!
MEC Town Hall Q&A
Q: Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant Solidarity
What is our MEC’s plan to build solidarity between Hawaiian and Alaska Flight Attendants, especially once we approach a vote on a Tentative Agreement (TA) for our Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA)?
A: Timothy Green, MEC President
Our MEC is currently allowing solidarity to develop organically while the dust settles from the merger. Interactions are increasing as Hawaiian and Alaska Flight Attendants begin sharing facilities in Los Angeles and the upcoming Seattle domicile. Solidarity is built at the personal, one-on-one level, which fosters trust and understanding. When the time is right, AFA will develop and implement activities, such as airport walks, to build solidarity and ensure Members are unified for the upcoming vote.
Q: Transition Training Schedule
When can we expect transition training to begin, and what schedule will it follow?
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President
The exact schedule for transition training is still being determined by management, as it will be a massive logistical lift. Our MEC’s absolute priority is ensuring contractual language is followed when the schedule is released. Management will provide the hard dates to our MEC as soon as they are finalized.
Q: Cost-of-Living/Domicile Wages
Given rising costs and the fact that all bases are located in expensive areas, could we consider a cost-of-living bonus or domicile wages for Flight Attendants who live closer to their bases?
A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer
The commuter protections that were negotiated did not incur an incremental cost. While our MEC will continue to fight for additional improvements in compensation under the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA), special cost-of-living compensation is not currently under consideration.
Q: MEC Election Governance
Do any LEC Presidents who participated in the last two MEC elections intend to bring forward an agenda item to the Board of Directors (BOD) to address the structural issue of candidates voting for themselves? Also, how will our MEC ensure that voting power remains proportionate, as Local Council distribution may differ during the merger environment?
A: Timothy Green, MEC President
Elections: The previous MEC Officer elections were held in accordance with AFA policy and constitutional language. I am unaware of any Local Presidents bringing forward an agenda item to address the specific concern. However, there is a BOD agenda item that would allow direct member elections at the MEC and international levels, making this issue moot if it passes. (Editor’s note: The 2026 AFA Board of Directors Convention agenda items proposing direct membership election of MEC and International Officers were not adopted.)
Voting Power: Under the current process, each Local Council President generally receives one vote when deciding an issue. In cases where voting is based on membership numbers, each Member in good standing within the Council counts as one vote, ensuring fair representation.
Q: Portland Widebody Hangar
Is the hangar for widebodies being built in Portland?
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President
The development of the widebody hangar in Portland has moved past the rumor stage and is in the company’s plans. Construction is slated to begin in 2028.
Q: Return to Original Base (pmHA Seattle Transfer)
If I choose to go to the Seattle base during the second wave of transfers, am I guaranteed a spot back in Honolulu should I decide to transfer back?
A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer
A return to the original base is not guaranteed. However, there are negotiated provisions. The first 500 Flight Attendants who transfer to the Seattle base will be eligible to bid for a return, but only 300 slots will be awarded. You must be part of the first 500 transfers to be eligible for the return bid.
Q: Horizon Transfer Travel Seniority
Why is Alaska not honoring Horizon transfer travel seniority?
A: Timothy Green, MEC President
The issue is due to company policy. The contractual language only requires Flight Attendants to have the same benefits as all other employees in accordance with company policy, which management dictates. Our MEC has limited avenues to challenge the policy. The last Alaska section 6 Negotiating Committee (JNC) negotiated language into the Alaska contract that would honor travel seniority if the company changes its policy from company seniority to Alaska Air Group (AAG) seniority. Until the company adopts AAG seniority, the policy will remain unchanged.
Q: Critical Incident Protections and Civil Unrest
Is our MEC planning to expand contractual critical incident protections to include civil unrest and similar safety-related events (to receive 7-day pay and point protection)? Will management also consider giving Flight Attendants more individual Lyra sessions when they experience a critical incident?
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President
Expanding the definition of a critical incident to include civil unrest is being noted by the JNC. Regarding Lyra sessions, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee is constantly working to expand mental health access, and real-world examples like civil unrest help make the case to management.
Q: Low Hiring on the Alaska Side
Why is hiring down so low and leaves up so high on the Alaska side?
A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer
The hiring needs are based on projected flying. For Alaska, the delays in the 737 deliveries are currently slowing down the hiring process. In contrast, Hawaiian recently received additional 787s and has increased staffing to support those routes. Hawaiian also started using the optimizer after joining the Alaska network, which increased aircraft utilization, leading to a staffing shortage on that side.
Q: Jump Seats and Weight/Balance
Is our MEC looking into a system that includes Flight Attendant jump seats in weight and balance, allowing self-assignment on a first-come, first-served basis within a specified window?
A: Timothy Green, MEC President
Our JNC has proposed language to protect jump seats from weight-and-balance restrictions, but management continues to push back, despite the JNC’s belief that helping Flight Attendants get to work benefits both the employee and the company. Neither Alaska nor Hawaiian policies currently allow reserving jump seats in advance, and our JNC is focused on keeping that policy unchanged to balance the demand from commuters and non-commuters.
Q: San Diego Base Transfers for Pre-Merger Alaska
With the growth of the San Diego base and a new pilot base opening, will there be base transfers for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants this year? If so, when and how many?
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President
Management is expected to need to open transfers due to increased flying in San Diego. The exact number of slots or dates is not available due to the fluid nature of the situation. Our SAN LEC Officers are actively pushing management for the headcount.
Q: Co-terminal Parking for Out-of-Base Trips
As LAX and SFO see a decrease in flying, many Flight Attendants will look to pick up trips out of domicile. Can management be required to allow parking at co-terminals?
A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer
A change is unlikely. Both the Hawaiian and Alaska contracts only require parking to be provided at the Flight Attendant’s domicile. Management would likely not agree to provide additional parking at other domiciles. To clarify, a Flight Attendant can generally park at a co-terminal when picking up a trip that originates there, but they must use their assigned LAX parking when commuting.
Q: Low-Bid/Line Job Sharing in JCBA
Is the Hawaiian contract’s provision for lower-built lines (e.g., stopping at 40 hours) something our JNC is looking at incorporating into the JCBA to address the desire for low-bid/line job sharing?
A: Timothy Green, MEC President
Our JNC recognizes the value of scheduling flexibility and is exploring a low-bid option in joint contract negotiations. The Hawaiian contract includes a dedicated number of low-time lines, ranging from roughly 37.5 to 55 hours per month. This is on the radar and is a priority for our JNC as they look to include the most beneficial language from each contract.
Q: San Francisco Base Future
With the flight schedule reduction in San Francisco, what are the plans for the base as a whole? Has management made any reassurances about the base?
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President
Management has explicitly assured our MEC that they are not looking at closing San Francisco or any other base. The flight schedule changes are an effort to compete in different markets. Our MEC agrees that a strong presence in San Francisco is necessary to be competitive and is advocating to ensure the base remains viable.
Q: Hawaiian Medical Stop-Loss Benefit
Is a medical stop-loss benefit with Hawaiian on the table for discussion?
A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer
Hawaiian Flight Attendants currently have a medical stop loss provision in the contract (on page 32-5). It covers anything out of pocket over $1,500. The submission deadline is April 1.
Q: Position Bidding Process
Will Flight Attendants be bidding for their positions on domestic or international trips upon checking in during the crew briefing?
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President
Pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian have different processes, and the status quo remains until a JCBA is reached. How positions are bid will be negotiated by the JNC based on Member feedback and polling.
Q: Purser Program
Will management be offering a purser program to be competitive in the industry, where Flight Attendants would apply and go through a purser training program?
A: Paul Ikioka, MEC Secretary-Treasurer
There is no official word, only rumors, about launching a purser program. Management’s current focus is on defining the new international service. Because the Hawaiian contract requires AFA to sign off on the proposed service, negotiating that hurdle must likely happen before management considers a purser program.
Q: Co-terminal/Satellite Bases in the Bay Area
Is there any discussion of co-terminal trips in the Bay Area (specifically satellite bases or a full new base) or opening satellite bases off the West Coast to alleviate operational stress?
A: Timothy Green, MEC President
This topic has not been brought up or touched on in any way by management during negotiations.
Q: Prescription Costs and Eliminations
Who negotiates the prescription costs and prescription eliminations? Some prescriptions (e.g., GLPs) are no longer covered.
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President
Our MEC does not negotiate prescription benefits because the company is self-insured, and responsibility for prescription coverage lies with management and the insurance provider.
Q: Hotel Gain Share Agreement
When can we expect to see movement on the hotel gain share agreement from the Alaska CBA?
A: Brice McGee, MEC Vice President & Timothy Green, MEC President
Negotiations are currently at a standstill due to tax implications raised by the company. AFA International’s legal department has consulted external tax attorneys, and our MEC is working through their initial response. Our MEC remains hopeful we can move the program forward once the tax issues are resolved.
Q: Seattle Employee Parking
I’m relocating from Honolulu to Seattle and am 1,200 on the waitlist for employee parking. Has this been discussed with management, and will there be enough room in an alternate lot?
A: Brian Palmer, MEC Communications Committee Chairperson
The main North Employee Parking Lot (NEPL), operated by the Port of Seattle, is full, and new cards are not being issued. Management is temporarily relocating those on the waitlist to a contracted secondary lot farther away. There is plenty of parking available in the alternate lots, and new transfers are asked to submit for the NEPL waitlist so they can be moved there when space becomes available.
Q: Meeting Attendance
How many people attended today’s meeting?
A: Brian Palmer, MEC Communications Committee Chairperson
About 100 participants were viewing live on average during most of the meeting.
