Master Executive Council (MEC)

Introducing Your MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson

July 25, 2016 08:00

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews last week for the position of MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson. We would like to thank the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the position. After thorough consideration, the MEC has appointed Krystle Cook to the position.

Krystle’s career with Alaska began in February 2007 in Anchorage. It was here she called home for seven years. Three of those years she was extremely active volunteering her time on various committees. In 2014, Krystle made the move and transferred, back home, to the greater Seattle area and was appointed the SEA Local Government Affairs Chairperson.

Together with AFA activists, she has worked tirelessly to prevent knives from being allowed in the cabin of our aircrafts, lobbied to stop voice calls by passengers in flight, and is pushing members of Congress to enact 10-hour minimum rest rules and a fatigue risk management plan for all Flight Attendants.

She is the first and only representative of the Association of Flight Attendants to sit on two different young worker committees. Krystle is the AFA Lead Activist for the CWA Next Generation Program and a committee member of the AFL-CIO Young Worker Advisory Council. Both of these committees focus on issues that are directly affecting workers under the age of 36. These committees focus on issues such as student debt, economic struggles, racial injustices, and leadership development and trainings.

Krystle says, “”I am beyond honored to continue to fight for Alaska flight attendants, and all AFA members, as well as working people across the country. My passion for social and economic justice will be a driving force in ensuring we have the safest and best work environment possible.”

In her role as MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson, Krystle will work closely with the Local Government Affairs Committee Chairpersons and the AFA International Government Affairs department to represent and advocate for Flight Attendants. Her term of appointment is concurrent with the term of the MEC Officers and she reports directly to the MEC

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson Interviews – Deadline Extended

July 18, 2016 20:00

The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) has extended the deadline for interviews for the ASHSC Vice Chairperson position. Interviews will now be conducted at the August MEC meeting on August 15 and 16.

With the continued growth of the company and corresponding increase in work for the ASHSC, the MEC has elected to establish a Vice Chairperson position for the ASHSC. The former responsibilities of the Air Quality Subcommittee will become part of the duties of the new ASHSC Vice Chairperson.

Background

The Vice Chairperson of the ASHSC will assist the MEC Chairperson as needed with the work of the committee. S/he will also have responsibility for overseeing all AFA and ASHSC efforts pertaining to aircraft air quality including responding to complaints or incidents involving possible contaminated air.

Additional Information from the MEC Policy Manual

1. SCOPE

a. The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) shall work with the Company on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health.

2. POLICY/RESPONSIBILITIES

a. The MEC ASHSC shall consist of the MEC ASHSC Chairperson, MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson, and the Local ASHSC Chairperson from each council.

…

d. The MEC Vice Chairperson shall:

(i) Perform the duties of the MEC Chairperson in her/his absence

(ii) Assist the MEC Chairperson as needed

(iii) Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC ASHSC Chairperson on all activities, meetings, and work being performed

(iv) Work on all matters pertaining to the quality of air onboard the aircraft. Coordinate ASHSC response to any incidents or complaints involving air quality, specifically:

(A) Handle any air quality or contamination issues as they arise

(B) Work with the company to investigate and address the source of air quality or contamination when it occurs

(C) Assist Flight Attendants in obtaining proper care, treatment, and testing when involved in an air quality or contamination incident

(D) Follow up with the Flight Attendant(s) involved to ensure they have received proper care, treatment, and testing

(E) Keep members informed of air quality incidents and developments through the MEC Communications Committee

(F) Attend Cabin Air Review Team (CART) meetings and other air quality-related meetings

(G) Develop, distribute, maintain, and update membership education materials about air quality, contamination, symptoms, and follow up procedures

(H) In conjunction with the International Office, develop and provide initial and ongoing training to the ASHSC of each Local Council

Qualifications

Previous ASHSC experience required
Knowledge of contaminated cabin air exposure protocols
Ability to attend meetings as required, including being present in Seattle regularly
Ability to attend AFA International and other required training as needed
Strong computer skills. Excellent working knowledge of Inflight Mobile Device, Google email, and Microsoft Office.
Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and take meeting minutes.
Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on assigned tasks

Duties

Fulfill the duties of the MEC Chairperson when s/he is absent or otherwise committed
Perform tasks as assigned by the MEC Chairperson. Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC Chairperson on all activities. Assist the MEC Chairperson in preparing the monthly committee report to the MEC.
Actively respond to any incidents involving aircraft air quality. Provide assistance to the affected Flight Attendants. Work with management to determine the root cause.
Represent AFA and the ASHSC at bi-monthly Cabin Air Review Team (CART) meetings in Seattle
Assist the MEC Chairperson in planning and conducting bi-monthly meetings of the committee and other meetings and conference calls as needed. Attend and actively participate in all meetings and conference calls in coordination with the MEC Chairperson.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

This position is eligible for Flight Pay Loss (FPL) reimbursement by the Company under §27.P Company Business (CB) Flight Pay Loss with a 5% override and “A” pay. CB is compensated at 0.75 TFP per hour of work.
Estimated 4-6 hours per week (12 to 18 TFP per month). This amount is highly variable and may be higher or lower depending on the amount of work to be completed each week and month. Some work may be accomplished remotely. Regularly required to be in Seattle to work on projects and attend meetings.

Working Relationships

With The ASHSC

Frequent interaction with Local ASHSC Chairpersons and Committee Members

With The MEC ASHSC Chairperson

Constant interaction; this position reports to the MEC ASHSC Chairperson

With Alaska Airlines Management

Constant interaction with inflight management, particularly the Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance, Manager of Inflight Policy, and Inflight Safety & Policy Specialists

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews during the August MEC meeting on Monday, August 15 or Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Satterlee at yvette.satterlee@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, August 5, 2016. Yvette will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

Questions About the Position

If you have questions about the position, please contact MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple at seth.heiple@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple

New SAN and LAX Officers Begin Term of Office

July 1, 2016 05:00

Newly elected Council 15 (San Diego) and Council 18 (Los Angeles) Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers begin their term of office today. Nominations and elections for these positions were held this spring. These officers will serve a three-year term of office beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2019 consistent with AFA election cycle III.

Council 15 – San Diego

Incoming Council 15 LEC Officers are President Brice McGee, Vice President Melanie Buker, and Secretary Stephen Couckuyt. Biographies for each officer can be found on the Council 15 page of afaalaska.org.

The MEC would like to recognize outgoing LEC President Stephen Couckuyt and Secretary Brice McGee for their work in their previous officer roles and congratulates Melanie Buker on her reelection to the office of Vice President.

Council 18 – Los Angeles

Incoming Council 18 LEC Officers are President Tim Green, Vice President Melanie Seymour, Secretary Fady Shenouda, and Council Representative Bryan Wall. Biographies for each officer can be found on the Council 18 page of afaalaska.org.

The MEC would like to recognize outgoing officers Sandra Morrow, Kelly Johnson, Kelese Stallings, and David Lehman for their years of service to the members of Council 18 and AFA Alaska.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Interviews

June 6, 2016 05:00

The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) would like to thank Bev Bullock for her service as MEC Chairperson of the AFA Government Affairs Committee for over 15 years. Bev has been a tireless advocate for issues affecting our profession on Capitol Hill and has spearheaded countless campaigns on behalf of Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants. Her presence as MEC Committee Chairperson will truly be missed.

Background

The MEC Chairperson of the Government Affairs Committee is responsible for leading the committee’s effort to monitor and pursue legislative activities that relate to the AFA-CWA political agenda and to build positive relationships with candidates for office and elected officials.

Additional Information from the MEC Policy Manual

1. SCOPE

a. The Government Affairs Committee will keep members informed of legislative actions that could affect Flight Attendant income, working conditions, job security and safety.

b. The MEC Government Affairs Chairperson coordinates activity on all legislative issues with the MEC and AFA-CWA International, and shall interact with local, state and national legislatures, as appropriate, to advocate for AFA-CWA positions on relevant issues.

2. POLICY/RESPONSIBILITIES

a. The MEC Government Affairs Committee shall consist of the MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson and the Local Government Affairs Committee Chairperson from each council.

b. Committee Members should be registered to vote.

c. The MEC Chairperson shall:

(i) Administer the Committee and conduct activities to further the stated objectives of the AFA-CWA International Legislative Policy Committee

(ii) Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website

d. The Committee shall:

(i) Act in an advisory role to the MEC on political matters.

(ii) Maintain an involvement in the political activities sponsored by local and central Labor Councils with which the MEC is affiliated

Qualifications

Previous Government Affairs Committee or political/legislative activist experience preferred
Knowledge of current political climate and legislative issues affecting Flight Attendants
Ability to attend meetings as required, including occasionally being present in Seattle
Ability to participate in meetings with elected officials, including occasional travel to Washington, D.C.
Ability and willingness to participate in political and legislative action events
Ability to attend AFA International and other required training as needed
Strong computer skills. Excellent working knowledge of Google email and Microsoft Office.
Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and take meeting minutes.
Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on assigned tasks

Duties

Act on and follow through on directives as established in the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws and FlightPAC
Act on recommendations of the AFA-CWA Director of Government Affairs and AFA-CWA Legislative Policy Committee. Provide input, suggestions, and feedback as appropriate.
Represent the MEC with local and central Labor Councils
Coordinate FlightPAC program enrollment at the MEC level
Schedule and attend meetings with elected officials and key staff
Coordinate committee participation in AFA-CWA political and legislative action events
Correspond with the Local Government Affairs Committee Chairpersons and MEC regularly to provide status updates. Prepare and send a monthly committee report to the MEC.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

This position is eligible for Flight Pay Loss (FPL) reimbursement by AFA. Union Business (UB) FPL is compensated at 0.75 TFP per hour when participating in pre-approved meetings or activities.
Time commitment is highly variable depending on the work to be completed each week and month. Workload will likely be higher when campaigning for key legislative issues and during election periods. Most work can be accomplished remotely.

Working Relationships

With The Government Affairs Committee

Regular interaction with the Local Government Affairs Committee Chairpersons and Local Government Affairs Committee Members.

With The Master Executive Council

This position reports to the Master Executive Council. The MEC executive sponsor for the committee is the MEC Vice President.

With AFA International

Frequent interaction with the AFA-CWA Director of Government Affairs.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews during the July MEC meeting on Monday July 18 or Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Bid around the interview date or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.
Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Yvette Satterlee at yvette.satterlee@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, July 8, 2016. Yvette will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow, Stephen Couckuyt; and LEC Presidents-Elect Tim Green and Brice McGee

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson Interviews

May 27, 2016 05:00

The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) would like to thank Karyn Kobe her service as Chairperson of the AFA Air Quality Subcommittee and also as Council 18 LAX ASHSC Chairperson over the past several years. Karyn has helped numerous Flight Attendants through incidents of contaminated cabin air exposure and has relentlessly advocated for continued improvement to the way that the company handles air quality events.