AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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AFA Committee Focus Month: Membership Engagement

July marks our latest AFA Committee Focus Month, and we’re excited to spotlight our Membership Engagement Committee. In May, we kicked off this initiative by showcasing the exceptional work of our EAP/Professional Standards Committee—illustrating how our committees serve and support us every day.

Our Membership Engagement Committee is here to make sure every Member feels genuinely welcome and valued—from day one and throughout your career. We know there’s a common misconception that “the Union” is just a group of volunteers and officers, but the reality is, our Union is made up of all of us. Every Member plays a role, and our strength comes from the unique voices and experiences each person brings.

We’re committed to showing you how you can participate and get involved, no matter where you are in your journey. When every Member is engaged and empowered, our Union thrives. Participation isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. Whether you’re a new hire or a senior Flight Attendant, your perspective and voice matter. We want to help you shape your own AFA experience and discover ways to actively participate—whether as a Member, committee volunteer, or even an elected officer.

Supporting Every Member: The Role of Membership Engagement

Our committee is focused on building a strong, engaged community. Here’s how we make a difference together:

  • Building Connections: From your first day on the line and throughout your career, our committee ensures you feel welcomed and valued as part of our Union family.
  • Empowering Through Knowledge: We offer one-on-one support at every experience level, helping you discover AFA resources and use them confidently every day. Knowledge is power, and we’re here to ensure you know how to find the information you need to succeed—whether it’s contract details, benefits guidance, or news about our profession.
  • Amplifying Your Feedback: We listen to your concerns and ideas, turning them into meaningful suggestions that help guide our MEC’s direction. Your feedback is our compass. By sharing your thoughts, you help us identify opportunities for improvement and growth throughout our Union.
  • Building Our Union Family: Through events and networking, we strengthen relationships and camaraderie, creating a supportive, unified community. These connections go beyond work—they foster friendships, mentorships, and a sense of belonging that makes our Union stronger.
  • Opening Doors to Participation: We give you the tools and information you need to play an active role in shaping our future—from elections to a variety of volunteer opportunities. Getting involved is simple, and there’s a place for everyone, regardless of experience or background. If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’ll help you find the right path.

Discover Our Work: A Four-Week Focus

To help you learn more about the Membership Engagement Committee, we’ll spend the next four weeks highlighting key parts of our work:

  • This Week (General Overview): Meet our Membership Engagement Committee, discover its history, and explore the impact we’re working to achieve through Member-driven initiatives and outreach.
  • Week 2 (Town Hall & Building Connections): Go behind the scenes of our MEC Town Halls and see how the Committee keeps everyone informed, engaged, and involved.
  • Week 3 (Education & Outreach): Learn how the Committee ensures every Flight Attendant is in the know—familiar with AFA news, tools, and resources, and how to access them.
  • Week 4 (Getting Involved): Explore how you can learn more about our Union and its history and discover the different ways to get involved—no experience necessary!

Watch & Connect: Our Membership Engagement Committee

In the video below, MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson Mischelle Fielsch shares our committee’s mission and highlights how we collaborate daily to strengthen our collective voice through meaningful connections. We encourage you to watch, share your thoughts, and reach out with questions—let’s keep the conversation going!

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

Take the Next Step: Get Involved

Our Union’s strength is built on solidarity—and it starts with you. If you’re ready to make a difference and help shape our future, there’s no better time to get involved. Your involvement—no matter how big or small—makes our community stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to meet any challenge together.

Become a Volunteer: Explore the many ways you can get involved at afaalaska.org/volunteer.

Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons

We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on October 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils, ensuring that the voices of both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants are heard and advocated for. Below, you’ll find brief bios that showcase their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our combined Flight Attendant group.

James Bozanich, MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson

James began his aviation career in 2009 as a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant with Virgin America. Over the years, he has held a variety of leadership and instructional roles within Inflight, including Inflight Team Leader, Air Transportation Supervisor, and Inflight Instructor, a role he continues to serve in today. In addition to teaching Initial and Recurrent Training, James has co-developed numerous Inflight Training programs at both Virgin America and Alaska Airlines. One of his most memorable experiences was participating in the Virgin America / Virgin Australia Exchange Program, spending a year flying as a Sydney-based Flight Attendant.

James became active with AFA shortly after the ratification of the 2018 JCBA, first serving as the Council 35 (SFO) Hotel Committee Chairperson before transferring to the SAN base in 2021, a city he now proudly calls home. In 2023, he assumed the role of MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson and also joined the Inflight Training Committee. Guided by his belief that constructive action is a powerful driver of change, James applied for and was selected to join the 2022 Negotiating Committee. In this role, he contributed to the strategy and negotiations that led to the 2025–2028 CBA, a contract delivering significant economic gains and work rule improvements for Alaska’s Flight Attendants. He will soon begin his second term as MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson, where he will oversee the integration of the pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Hotel Committees while continuing to champion the highest standards of crew accommodations.

Outside of Union and inflight work, James holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from UC Davis. Before becoming a Flight Attendant, he worked as a Securities Licensed Banker and as a Trip Leader for a high-end active travel company. In his free time, he enjoys scuba diving, running, skiing, and experiencing the cuisines of the world while traveling.

Mischelle Fielsch, MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson

Mischelle Fielsch began her aviation career in 1997 as a Flight Attendant with Reno Air before flying with American Airlines, Virgin America, and ultimately Alaska Airlines. Throughout her career at these four airlines, she has held a variety of leadership and Union roles, including Team Leader, Union Representative, Inflight Supervisor, and Performance Supervisor. She has experience in performance management, investigations, and conflict resolution, and is known for building trust, fostering collaboration, and advocating for Flight Attendants in both operational and Union settings.

In her current role as AFA Council 35 (SFO) Vice Chairperson for the Grievance Committee and Chairperson for the Communications Committee, Mischelle has spearheaded innovative initiatives such as the Union Break podcast and Council 35’s social media channels, enhancing transparency and engagement among members. In her new position with the MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson, she looks forward to expanding opportunities for Flight Attendants to connect with their Union, share their voices, and feel supported in their execution of job duties. Her passion for engagement, coupled with integrity-driven leadership, will continue to strengthen the relationship between Members and Union leadership.  

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson: James Bozanich  
MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson: Mischelle Fielsch

These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons will coordinate the activities of their respective merged committees across both airlines. They’ll support the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils—both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian. Their official term will begin on October 1, 2025. They’ll serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), as well as for the upcoming cycle (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028).

If you have any questions about the MEC Committee Chairperson elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

Why Vote?

As we continue our Government Affairs Focus Month, our attention turns to civic engagement and the critical role voting plays in shaping our day-to-day work environment. While many of us associate workplace protections primarily with contract negotiations, the laws and regulations that govern our aviation career extend far beyond the bargaining table. Watch: Why Vote? […]

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

Mark your calendar: Wednesday, September 23, 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 […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, September 3, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Attending on your behalf were Ella Embree (ANC), Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). MEC […]

MEC Statement Regarding Management’s New California Timekeeping Policy

Management announced a major policy shift last night that, starting October 1, 2026, California-based pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants in SFO, LAX, and SAN will be required to take an additional and redundant step to record their time worked by punching in and out using a timekeeping system. According to management, this new procedure applies to […]

Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, the United States observes Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month, a vibrant and meaningful tribute to the remarkable contributions, history, and cultures of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. This celebration began as Hispanic Heritage Week, established in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson to recognize the impact and influence of Hispanic-Latinx communities across the […]

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