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It’s Time for a New Generation to Lead

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Master Executive Council President Jeffrey Peterson

  • MEC Elections Update: The MEC Officer elections for the merged MEC will occur on January 29th, effective March 1st. The candidate page is updated each workday by the Membership Department at afacwa.org/AlaskaHawaiian.
  • Leadership Transition: After five terms, MEC President Jeff Peterson will not seek reelection, planning to return to the line on February 28th. His focus remains on setting up the new MEC president for success in JCBA negotiations starting in March.
  • Contract Negotiation Goals: The ideal goal is to use a ratified TA2 as a foundation for further contractual improvements during JCBA negotiations.

As has been previously reported, the MEC Officer elections for the merged MEC will be conducted on January 29th with an effective date of March 1st. The Membership Department has been updating the candidate page at the end of each business day at afacwa.org/AlaskaHawaiian. 

Although I have previously posted my intentions on social media a few times in the past many months, I believe it’s important to communicate more broadly via official AFA Alaska channels. This is especially true now that the preferred deadline of January 15th for candidates to make themselves known is just days away. I would have made the announcement sooner, but I was holding off on doing so because my focus has been on bargaining.

After five consecutive terms as MEC president, it’s time for me to step aside and give a new generation the opportunity to lead. Therefore, I am not seeking reelection and plan on returning to the line. I sincerely thank all the candidates who step forward and are willing to serve, and I look forward to the interviews in a few weeks.  

However, this isn’t a goodbye from me quite yet as there is a lot of work to be done between now and my last day in office on February 28th. The next month and a half will be spent closing the books on TA2 and preparing for the new joint MEC administration. My primary goal is to set up the next MEC president to helm Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations starting in March from the most optimal position possible. 

I’ll leave you with this thought for your consideration: If the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) were able to use a ratified TA2 as a stepping stone to build upon in the JCBA, then we would all benefit from a proverbial second bite at the apple for additional contractual improvements. In the meantime, stay tuned for developments as we work through the TA2 ratification process. 

In Solidarity,

Jeff

Southern California Wildfires

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Master Executive Council (MEC)

The wildfires in the Los Angeles area are devastating, and the situation is rapidly evolving, including the spread of the fires and connectivity outages. If you are in the area, please stay safe and evacuate if authorities advise you to do so. For live updates, click here.

AFA EAP is on alert and available at 1-800-424-2406. To locate shelters near you, text “SHELTER” & your zip code to 43362.

If you have been affected by the fires or are helping family members evacuate, please contact Crew Scheduling if you need assistance with your schedule. Your AFA Local Councils are available to help if you encounter any difficulties.

Resources to protect you and your family before, during, and after a wildfire can be found at ready.gov/wildfires. 

Flight Attendants Outside of Los Angeles – Our AFA Siblings Need Our Help

One action you can take immediately to help is to donate to the AFA Disaster Relief Fund and share the donation link with family and friends. Together, we can help take care of our LAX Flight Attendant family.

Los Angeles Flight Attendants

If you have been evacuated and need a place to stay, LA 211 has partnered with Airbnb. Anyone evacuated due to the fires can stay in an Airbnb for one week at no charge. Just dial 2-1-1 or visit Airbnb.org for more information.

AFA Disaster Relief Fund

The AFA Disaster Relief Fund is actively monitoring messages for applications. Any AFA member and RAFA member in good standing who is involuntarily displaced from their primary residence for seven or more days because of a natural disaster is eligible for a one-time per calendar year gift of $500. If a member would like to apply for AFA Disaster Relief Funds, they can go to www.afacwa.org/drf and download the Disaster Relief Fund Application. Submission instructions are included on the site.

Additionally, members can apply for FEMA financial relief at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or 800-621-3362.  

FEMA disaster assistance may help with a range of needs including:  

  • Serious Needs Assistance. Money to help one pay for essential items such as food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies.
  • Displacement Assistance. Money to help with housing needs. If one cannot return to their home because of the disaster, this money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends, or other options while one looks for a rental unit.
  • Other eligible expenses. This includes expenses from things like rental assistance, basic home repairs and property losses.

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Foster (lfoster@afacwa.org) with the AFA EAP Department.

September 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17, 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 8, and Wednesday, October 9.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for September 2024 on Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, and Grievance Committee. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Meeting with Management

This month, our MEC met with company executive management and Union leaders from other union-represented workgroups within the company. These meetings typically occur once every quarter to receive management updates and discuss issues and concerns faced by all employees. Management provided updates during the meeting on the current financial state of the company and the industry, expected aircraft deliveries, and the upcoming merger with Hawaiian Airlines.

Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines Merger

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) discussed the final regulatory approval and subsequent financial transaction closing in the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Since AFA also represents Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants, these milestones mark the beginning of the process of merging AFA Master Executive Councils (MECs) for the two airlines. According to Section X of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, within 30 days of the merger’s financial closing, the AFA International President will convene a joint session of the MECs of both airlines to outline the process of merging them into a single MEC. More information about the merger of the Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will be shared as it becomes available.

Additionally, the MEC scheduled time to conduct interviews for the AFA Alaska members of the Seniority Merger Integration Committee and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) during the November Regular MEC Meeting. These committees, which will be made up of both Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants, will be responsible for providing representation in key areas of the merger process. More information about these roles, including the interview schedule and how to express interest in serving, can be found by clicking here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

August 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • The August 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was scheduled to take place this week on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. 
  • The meeting was extended by an additional day to allow the MEC to discuss the path forward with negotiations following the TA ratification vote results.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for August 2024 on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers and LEC Presidents. Additionally, the MEC received committee reports from the Grievance, Benefits, and Retirement Committees and reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

TA Ratification Vote Results

Our MEC was joined by our Negotiating Committee and various AFA Representatives who support the Negotiating Committee in anticipation of the close of the TA ratification vote on Wednesday, August 14, and the announcement of the results. As previously communicated, the TA was not ratified, with 32% voting for the agreement and 68% voting against it. This decision came with 92.4% of eligible voters participating. We appreciate everyone who took the time to vote and have their voice heard through the democratic process!

Next Steps With Negotiations

The MEC Meeting was extended an additional day into Thursday to allow the MEC to have an initial discussion about the path forward with contract negotiations. The first step will involve surveying Members to understand our collective priorities for the negotiations ahead. The survey results will be crucial in shaping the opening proposal and determining the Negotiating Committee’s focus at the bargaining table.

In addition to the survey, our MEC and Negotiating Committee will be working diligently in the upcoming weeks to solidify a strategic plan as we gear up for the next phase of negotiations and resume mediation. Further details about the survey, process, and timeline will be shared through AFA Alaska email and social media channels and posted on the negotiations website when they become available.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

June 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
  • The MEC was supposed to meet with executive management and union leaders from other company workgroups but chose to skip the meeting in support of our Negotiating Committee.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 10.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for June 2024 on Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, and Grievance Committee. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Meeting with Management

This month, our MEC was supposed to meet with company executive management and Union leaders from the other union-represented workgroups within the company. These meetings generally occur once every quarter to receive management updates and discuss issues and concerns faced by all employees. However, since we are entering another summer without a tentative agreement and in solidarity with our Negotiating Committee, the MEC decided to send a strong message by skipping the meeting.

Our absence spoke volumes: We won’t wait any longer for the contract we deserve. We stand firmly with our Negotiating Committee in their efforts to negotiate a deal that works for all Alaska Flight Attendants. If management doesn’t step up, we’re prepared to take the necessary actions under the Railway Labor Act.

Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action Debrief

Our MEC reviewed and discussed last week’s Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action informational picketing events. Alaska Flight Attendants from all six bases (including the SNA and ONT co-terminals) and several other airports nationwide participated in the events. These picketing events, along with our other awareness-building efforts and the strong support from Flight Attendants across the industry, are helping to bring more public attention to our collective contract fights. You can read more about the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action by clicking here.

MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson Interviews

During the meeting, our MEC interviewed candidates for the MEC Employee Assistance Program (EAP) / Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson position that was previously posted in April. The MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson works in collaboration with the MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson to assist Members, their families, and partners with personal and work-related issues that may impact their health and well-being. Our MEC would like to thank all the candidates who applied and interviewed for the position.

After thorough consideration, Rex Hampton has been appointed to the position by the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents). Rex’s term will begin immediately and end on December 31, 2025.

System Board of Adjustment Interviews

Our MEC spent part of the meeting interviewing candidates for the System Board of Adjustment position that was previously posted in April. Members of the System Board of Adjustment are responsible for arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Alaska Airlines and its Flight Attendants. Our MEC would like to thank all the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the positions.

After extensive discussion and thorough consideration, the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) have re-appointed Sandra Morrow to the position. Sandra’s term of appointment will begin on July 1, 2024, and conclude on June 30, 2026.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2025

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) On Wednesday, January 8, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Blair Kimball (PDX), […]

It’s Time for a New Generation to Lead

Master Executive Council President Jeffrey Peterson As has been previously reported, the MEC Officer elections for the merged MEC will be conducted on January 29th with an effective date of March 1st. The Membership Department has been updating the candidate page at the end of each business day at afacwa.org/AlaskaHawaiian.  Although I have previously posted my intentions […]

Southern California Wildfires

Master Executive Council (MEC) The wildfires in the Los Angeles area are devastating, and the situation is rapidly evolving, including the spread of the fires and connectivity outages. If you are in the area, please stay safe and evacuate if authorities advise you to do so. For live updates, click here. AFA EAP is on alert […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2024

Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, December 17, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

AFA Alaska Statement On Recent Severe Turbulence Incidents

Master Executive Council (MEC) AFA Representatives have been informed that several flights experienced severe turbulence yesterday, resulting in injuries to some Flight Attendants. Since then, various AFA officers and committee members have been actively working with inflight management to ensure that all affected Flight Attendants receive the necessary care and that all contractual provisions are […]

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