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February 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • The February 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was held last week on Wednesday, February 14.
  • Our MEC debriefed on the successful Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action, which received extensive media coverage and brought our fight further into the public eye.
  • The strike vote results were reviewed, where 99.48% of Flight Attendants voted in favor of authorizing a strike. Thank you to our Mobilization Volunteers for their hard work and contribution to achieving this outcome!

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for February 2024 on Wednesday, February 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, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action

Our MEC debriefed the previous day’s Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action informational picketing events. The events were wildly successful, with incredible participation by Alaska Flight Attendants at all six bases (including the SNA and ONT co-terminals) and several other participating airports around the country. Coupled with the announcement of our strike vote results, we gained significant local and national media coverage, bringing our fight further into the public eye. Read more about the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action, including a summary of media coverage, by clicking here.

Strike Vote Results & Mobilization Volunteer Thank You

Our MEC reviewed the results of our strike vote, where a resounding 99.48% of Flight Attendants voted in favor of authorizing a strike! This overwhelming mandate is a major milestone in our ongoing battle for an industry-leading agreement, and it empowers AFA leadership to request a release from the National Mediation Board if management fails to agree to significant improvements at the negotiating table. Thank you to everyone who voted and made their voices heard!

Additionally, our MEC would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering dedication and hard work of our Mobilization Volunteers. Their tireless efforts in encouraging and helping Flight Attendants to vote were critical to the success of our strike vote. From sharing voting information and resources, answering questions, joining airport outreach sits and terminal walks, and assisting with the text messaging campaign, they truly made a difference in achieving the incredible voter turnout. We are stronger together because of their commitment to our collective voice. A special thank you to all our Mobilization Volunteers!

Contract Now Lanyards

Last week at the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action picketing events, we introduced bright red AFA Contract Now lanyards to bring even more visibility to our fight for an industry-leading contract. A supply of lanyards has been provided to Mobilization Volunteers and others for distribution. Flight Attendants can expect to see Mobilization Volunteers at the airport in our six bases at varying times to hand out lanyards. Look for additional information from your Local Council about when and where to find Mobilization Volunteers with lanyards. As a reminder, if you face any attempt from management to interfere with our ability to wear a Union lanyard, report it immediately using the Management Interference Report form.

Contract Negotiations/Mediation

Our MEC was updated on the negotiation session that took place the previous week with the mediator assigned by the National Mediation Board (NMB). The update included a discussion about negotiation logistics and upcoming scheduling. You can find more information about the session here.

Questions?

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

Alaska & Hawaiian MECs Meet To Discuss Proposed Merger

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • On February 2, our AFA International President held a Constitutional Section X Merger meeting with the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MECs) in Los Angeles.
  • The Flight Attendant leadership from both airlines unanimously passed a resolution that sets clear demands to management for what is required if our Union is to support, rather than oppose, this merger.
  • The Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will reconvene on March 25 for a status update and again on April 26 to review management’s action/inaction to determine whether our Union will support or oppose the proposed merger.

On February 2, 2024, our International President convened the AFA-CWA Constitutional Section X Merger meeting with the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MEC) in Los Angeles. This includes the directly elected Local Council Presidents and MEC Officers at each airline. Our AFA professionals from Legal, Collective Bargaining, Government Affairs, and Communications were in attendance to support the elected Flight Attendant representatives, as well as AFA’s financial analyst/economist. 

The group met to thoroughly review the details of the proposed merger, our Union’s merger policy and protections for Flight Attendants as well as a legal review of the merger process. Finally, we had a discussion about our support or opposition of the proposed Alaska-Hawaiian merger. 

Together the Flight Attendant leadership from both airlines unanimously passed a resolution that sets clear demands to management for what is required if our Union is to support, rather than oppose, this merger. The demands include: 

  1. The AFA Alaska industry leading contract management has promised.
  2. A merger protocol agreement with detailed protections for all Flight Attendants such as
    • “no furlough” protections, 
    • no displacements (everyone maintains their base assignment), 
    • a fence/metal agreement to protect the respective flying prior to the operational merger, 
    • an “adopt and go” / “adopt and amend” expedited joint contract negotiations that yields improvements for all Flight Attendants just like management and shareholders, 
    • and other protections specific to this proposed merger including AFA Representative involvement in safety and service modifications.

Read the full resolution > 

The Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will reconvene on March 25th for a status update, and again on April 26th, to review management’s action/inaction to determine whether our Union will support or oppose the proposed merger.

Action: RSVP for the Worldwide Day of Action next Tuesday, February 13th! 

AFA Alaska Strike Vote: Our solidarity is our power. Every Alaska Flight Attendant has a chance to back up our negotiators and make your voice heard with your strike vote. VOTE NOW and/or make sure your friends and flying partners have cast their votes. Visit the AFA Alaska Strike Vote page to get more info.  

Mergers are a long process with many steps. If this merger happens, it will not happen tomorrow, next week, next month, or maybe this year . We will keep you closely updated and involved throughout the process. If you have questions, take a look at the FAQ we compiled based on common questions. If your question isn’t there, let us know what’s on your mind so we can address it. 

Update on the 737-9 MAX

Master Executive Council (MEC)

The FAA grounded 737-9 MAXs on January 6th, following the Alaska Flight 1282 accident. This week, the FAA issued required inspection and maintenance protocols for airlines to return the aircraft to service. Alaska will return the aircraft to service Friday and United will return the aircraft to regularly scheduled service on Sunday. 

FAA Administrator Whitaker’s leadership has been stellar through this process. Our union is confident in the FAA’s required action before returning these aircraft to service. It is clear that this isn’t where this issue ends though. We’re supportive of increased oversight and investigations into Boeing’s quality control.

Safety is our first priority always. We will continue to work with our airlines and the FAA to ensure the safety of crew and passengers, and participate in the NTSB’s investigation of Flight 1282. 

The grounding of the 737-9 MAX has also caused economic impact to Alaska and United Flight Attendants. While some of the economic harm is covered by pay protections included in our contracts, there remains losses due to decreased flying opportunities, less open time, increased commuting challenges and costs, and other loss of income. These losses are directly related to the initial accident on January 5, 2024 and the grounding of the 737-9 MAX that followed.

AFA sent letters to Alaska and United CEOs informing the airlines that “economic harm to Flight Attendants must be included in the Boeing settlement discussions, and we expect the company to seek redress of the economic harm to Flight Attendants in any settlement. The harm to Flight Attendants is every bit as real as other economic damage to the rest of the company and we are a beneficiary of the Boeing contract.”

Read the full letter here >

We continue to support the crew of Alaska 1282 and other Flight Attendants affected by this. AFA EAP is always available to Flight Attendants at (949) 470-0493.

January 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • The January 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was held last week on Wednesday, January 10.
  • Our MEC discussed mobilization efforts surrounding the ongoing strike vote and the upcoming Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on February 13.
  • Our Negotiating Committee will conduct Strike Vote Virtual Roadshows this week to share insights into the contract negotiations process and provide information about CHAOS™.

The January 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was held last week on Wednesday, January 10. 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.

No Meeting with Management This Month

There was no scheduled meeting with management during this month’s MEC meeting.

Contract Negotiations and Mobilization

Our MEC had a comprehensive discussion with MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Samantha Wolff regarding the mobilization efforts surrounding our ongoing strike vote and the upcoming Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on February 13. Flight Attendants can expect to see Mobilization Volunteers at the airport in our six bases at varying times throughout the week to encourage members to vote, answer questions, and provide resources to help with replacement activation codes and technical assistance.

This week, our Negotiating Committee will conduct Strike Vote Virtual Roadshows, where they will share insights into the contract negotiations process and provide valuable information about CHAOS™. Each roadshow session will offer a comprehensive review of our current negotiation status, the reason behind our decision to take a strike vote, and what members can expect in the future. A portion of each session will be dedicated to answering questions directly from those in attendance.

Questions?

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

December 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Wednesday, December 6, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
  • The MEC’s quarterly meeting with executive management and a group of union leaders from other company workgroups was postponed due to the merger announcement and other scheduling conflicts.
  • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9, and Wednesday, January 10.

The December 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Wednesday, December 6. 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 Delayed

In conjunction with this meeting, our MEC was supposed to meet with company executive management and a group of union leaders representing the other workgroups. These meetings, usually held once every quarter, provide an opportunity to receive updates from management and engage in a broader discussion of issues and concerns that impact all employees within the company. However, due to the recent merger announcement and other scheduling conflicts, management postponed the meeting until next week.

Contract Negotiations and Mobilization

Our MEC had a highly productive meeting with AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo regarding the recent Alaska-Hawaiian merger announcement, the status of negotiations and mediation, and upcoming mobilization activities. We are more than ready for our upcoming Day of Solidarity informational picketing, and our Negotiating Committee is counting on us to show up and join the picket lines with full force. Let’s send an unwavering message to management that we are strong, united, and fiercely committed to fighting for the contractual pay and work rule improvements we have rightfully earned.

Questions?

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

Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.

We all know flying can be demanding—long days, irregular hours, and fatigue are part of the job. It’s natural for tensions to rise. Before you head to management or vent on social media, consider Professional Standards. In this video, Ava McWilliams-Ellington, pre-merger Alaska LAX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson, shares how Professional Standards provides a confidential, […]

Crew Meal Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your nutrition during the work day through our crew meal provisions. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of crew meals are most meaningful to you, as we continue to advocate for […]

Council 43 (HNL) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 43 LEC Officers, representing Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants based in Honolulu. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Kela Chong IVLEC Vice President: Martin GusmanLEC Secretary: Soon Kim View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Council 39 (PDX) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 11 AM PT today for the election of Council 39 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Portland. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Krystle Shae BerryLEC Vice President: Melodie AnderesLEC Secretary: Kevin Sharp View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

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