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    You are here: Home / Archives for Negotiations

    Negotiations News Archives

    AFA Alaska Contract and Negotiations Newsletter – May 22, 2021

    May 22, 2021 12:00

    AFA Alaska Contract and Negotiations Newsletter – May 22, 2021

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    In This Edition

    • Contract Extension 2021 Ratified and Associated Sideletter Executed
    • A Historic All-Time Low Voter Participation
    • Negotiating Committee Interviews Paused and Applicants Released for Now
    • Contract and Negotiations Education Efforts Resume

    Contract Extension 2021 Ratified and Associated Sideletter Executed

    Although it is less than ideal for a tentative agreement (TA) to be ratified by such a small margin, the Contract Extension 2021 did pass with a spread of 25 votes or 1.4% of active members in good standing casting votes.

    Click here for certified ballot results >

    The associated sideletter of agreement has now been executed and posted on the AFA Alaska website –> Contract Home –> Letters of Agreement (LOAs). It will also be uploaded to Inflight Mobile Devices soon.

    Click here for the One Year Contract Extension 2021-2022 Sideletter of Agreement >


    A Historic All-Time Low Voter Participation

    The Contract Extension 2021 TA voter participation was a historic all-time low for AFA Alaska with 37.7% of active members in good standing who cast votes. The MEC anticipated that voter turnout would be significantly impacted by the substantial number of Flight Attendants on leaves, many of whom may have understandably chosen to not convert themselves to “active” status by paying dues for every month they had been on leave through May 2021. We also know of a few who inadvertently barely missed the balloting window. Regardless, participation was much lower than anticipated.

    Many Flight Attendants posted on social media that they were largely ambivalent about the vote. Although this was “just” a one-year contract extension with a minimal raise, it is extremely important that we get our participation rate much higher for next time. Member participation sends a signal to management regarding our collective engagement. The silver lining to this cloud is that we will have plenty of time to prepare for negotiations in September 2022 and to build our solidarity in the meantime.


    Negotiating Committee Interviews Paused and Applicants Released for Now

    Negotiating Committee interviews have been paused and the Negotiating Committee applicants have been released for now. The MEC is planning to re-post Negotiating Committee positions this coming October 2021 and to resume interviews in January 2022.


    Contract and Negotiations Education Efforts Resume

    AFA Alaska will resume contract and negotiations education efforts via periodic newsletters such as this one.


    Next Up

    (New topics may be added and the order subject to change)

    • Updated Contract Negotiations Timeline
    • Preparatory Work to Improve the Efficiency of Negotiations
    • Negotiations Under the Railway Labor Act
    • Growing Reliance on Non-AFA Social Media Outlets as Sole Source of Information
    • Negotiating for Our Future
    • Block-Hours vs. TFP
    • Block or Better vs. §21.J Block Delays
    • L-VX Incentive Pay vs. Productivity Premium Program (PPP)
    • L-VX Inflight Team Leader (ITL) Pay vs. “A” Pay

    Filed Under: Latest News, Negotiations Tagged With: 2021, contract, Extension, negotiations

    AFA Alaska Contract Extension 2021 Tentative Agreement Ballot Results

    May 12, 2021 09:49

    AFA Alaska Contract Extension 2021 Tentative Agreement Ballot Results

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    Contract Extension Ratified

    The certified ballot results for the Contract Extension 2021 Tentative Agreement are in: The Contract Extension has been ratified with 870 (50.7%) voting “for” and 845 (49.3%) voting “against.” Participation was 37.7% of 4545 active members in good standing casting votes.

    Click here for certified ballot results >View / Download

    Stay tuned for a more detailed update later this week after the completion of our monthly MEC meeting (Tuesday-Wednesday) and the annual AFA Board of Directors meeting (Thursday-Friday).

    Filed Under: Latest News, Negotiations Tagged With: 2021, ballot, contract, Extension, TA, vote

    AFA Update – May 7, 2021

    May 7, 2021 12:00

    In This Edition

    • Contract Extension Voting through May 12
    • Take the Flight Attendant Vaccine Status Survey
    • Upcoming AFA Board of Directors Meeting
    • Reporting Missing Airbus Oven Inserts and Racks
    • Concerned About A Loved Who Is Struggling with Alcohol or Drugs?

    Contract Extension Voting through May 12

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    Voting continues on the contract extension tentative agreement and polls will remain open through Wednesday, May 12 at 9 AM PDT.  If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to review the tentative agreement, virtual roadshow recordings, and other resources in order to help you cast an informed vote. 

    Voting or Ballot Questions

    If you have not yet received your ballot (voting instructions and 16-digit activation code), please review the information on how to request a new activation code on the Contract Extension Voting Information page of afaalaska.org.

    Voting Eligibility Questions

    If you have received an error message when attempting to use your activation code to vote or need to verify that your membership status prior to voting, please contact AFA Membership Services for assistance.  AFA Membership Services may be reached at (800) 424-2401 and then choosing option 7. 

    Please note that the AFA International office is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so everyone is working from home. Please leave a voice message with your name, Peoplesoft number and a good callback number. Someone will return your call as soon as possible during regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM EDT).


    Take the Flight Attendant Vaccine Status Survey

    AFA International

    Have you gotten your vaccine yet? Since the first vaccines were approved, we’ve been advocating for Flight Attendants to be included with other essential workers in priority groups. The CDC announced that it’s safe for fully vaccinated (and masked!) people to travel, and we’re already seeing significantly higher passenger volumes. As we work to make sure our planes stay safe, it’s important for us to know whether members are able to receive the vaccine.

    All adults in all states are now eligible to receive the vaccine. We are keeping our afacwa.org/vaccine up to date with the latest information on access and Flight Attendant prioritization.

    Will you take our quick vaccine survey to help us track access? No personal information will be shared from the survey.


    Upcoming AFA Board of Directors Meeting

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    Our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 48th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting next week virtually using Zoom.  This annual meeting is where AFA conducts the business of our Union at the international level.

    Schedule of Events

    Tuesday, May 11 – Wednesday, May 12May Regular MEC Meeting
    Wednesday, May 12Executive Board Meeting (MEC President from each airline)
    Thursday, May 13 – Friday, May 14Board of Directors Meeting

    BOD Meeting Agenda Items

    Your LEC President represents you and the other members of your Local Council on the Board of Directors and will be casting votes on your behalf at the BOD meeting.  Your MEC Officers serve in an ex-officio capacity on the BOD but do not have voting privileges.

    Each LEC held a Local Council meeting over the past several weeks to discuss the proposed agenda items and gain your feedback.  You can find details about the proposed agenda by contacting your LEC President.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions or thoughts about the BOD meeting or the proposed AFA-CWA budget, please contact your LEC President.


    Reporting Missing Airbus Oven Inserts and Racks

    Inflight Service Committee

    The Inflight Service Committee has recently been working with management to attempt to resolve issues related to missing oven inserts and racks onboard Airbus aircraft.  The Committee has received numerous reports of Airbus ovens missing inserts and racks while at the same time management has not received corresponding reports.  Oven inserts and racks are considered standard catering equipment on Airbus aircraft and, if not present, should be reported in the same manner as other missing catering items. 

    To ensure that we have the necessary tools and equipment to safely perform our duties, the Inflight Service Committee is looking for your help in reporting missing Airbus oven inserts and racks.  The next time you fly on an Airbus aircraft, please ask the “A” Flight Attendant to check to oven to determine if there is an oven insert and racks present.  If not, please report the missing equipment using the catering reporting function within Block2Block.  The more reports that management receives on this issue, the more effective the Committee will be in advocating to resolve the equipment shortage.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions, please contact your Local Inflight Service Committee.


    Concerned About A Loved Who Is Struggling with Alcohol or Drugs?

    Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

    Watching a friend or family member struggle with alcohol or drugs use can be heartbreaking. But, with help, there is recovery.

    Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself about another person’s use of alcohol or drugs. If you answer yes to two or more questions, consider calling your AFA EAP for confidential support and next step options. Remember, many have been where you are.

    • Do you worry about how much your friend or loved one uses alcohol or drugs?
    • Do you lie or make excuses about their behavior when they drink or use drugs?
    • Do they get angry with you if you try to discuss their drinking or drug use?
    • Have you ever been hurt or embarrassed by their behavior when using drugs or alcohol?
    • Do you have concerns about how much time and money they spend on alcohol and drugs?
    • Do your resent having to pick up their responsibilities because they are drunk, high or hungover?
    • Do you ever get scared or nervous about their behavior when they’re drinking or using drugs?
    • Do you ever feel like you’re losing it–“going crazy”–just really stressed out?

    Here are some important suggestions: 

    • Learn all you can about substance use disorders.
    • Speak up and offer your support.  Talk to the person about your concerns and offer your help, including your willingness to go with them and get help. 
    • Don’t wait for them to “hit bottom.”  You may be met with excuses, denial or anger, but be prepared to respond with specific examples of behavior that have you worried.
    • Don’t expect the person to stop without help.  You have heard it before — promises to cut down, to stop — but it doesn’t work.  Treatment, support, and new coping skills are needed for recovery.  

    Contact your AFA EAP for peer support and treatment resources.  We have specialized programs that know how to work with Flight Attendants and their families. Call us at (949) 470-0493 or find your Local EAP Committee at https://afaalaska.org/eap.

    Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Inflight Service Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC), Negotiations Tagged With: 2021, BOD Meeting, COVID-19, EAP, Extension

    AFA Alaska Contract Extension 2021 Tentative Agreement Update – May 6, 2021

    May 6, 2021 18:00

    AFA Alaska Contract Extension 2021 Tentative Agreement Update – May 6, 2021

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    In This Edition

    • The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Flight Attendant Negotiations
    • Analysis of the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Alaska Airlines and Maximizing Bargaining Leverage in Upcoming Flight Attendant Contract Negotiations
    • Extension 2021 TA Blog Recap
    • Polls Are Open Through May 12th at 9 AM PT
    • Did Not Receive a Ballot and/or Need a New Activation Code?
    • Votes Cast Tracker

    The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Flight Attendant Negotiations

    Click here for a message from AFA Director of Collective Bargaining Joe Burns >


    Analysis of the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Alaska Airlines and Maximizing Bargaining Leverage in Upcoming Flight Attendant Contract Negotiations

    Click here for a message from Aviation Economist Dan Akins >


    Extension 2021 TA Blog Recap

    • Rising Stock Price (NYSE: ALK)
    • Does a Contract Extension Make Sense Right Now?
    • Does a Contract Extension Make Sense Right Now? (2)
    • If We Vote “No” on this TA…?
    • Pay Increases Under the Contract Extension TA?
    • Healthcare Premiums

    Polls Are Open Through May 12th at 9 AM PT

    Polls are now open through May 12, 2021, at 9 AM PT for active members in good standing.

    Click here to vote > (Activation Code required)


    Did Not Receive a Ballot and/or Need a New Activation Code?

    Flight Attendants who did not receive their voting instructions with the 16-digit activation code may request a new code and instructions by filling out an online form. Membership Services will process these requests and a new activation code with instructions will be emailed directly to the Member as soon as possible during regular business hours.

    Click here to request a new activation code > 

    Alternatively, you may call the AFA Ballot Helpline at (800) 424-2401, choose option 1, then enter extension 706. Flight Attendants who have dues or membership issues should call AFA Membership Services at (800) 424-2401 and choose option 7.

    AFA Membership Services and the AFA Ballot Helpline are staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM EDT. The AFA International office is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so everyone is working from home. Please leave a voice message with your name, Peoplesoft number and a good callback number. Someone will return your call as soon as possible during regular business hours.


    Votes Cast Tracker

    Click here for the percentage of eligible votes cast >


    Questions?

    Visit the Extension 2021 TA information page, the blog or email extension@afaalaska.org.

    Filed Under: Latest News, Negotiations Tagged With: 2021, contract, Extension, TA

    Healthcare Premiums

    April 29, 2021 11:45

    Healthcare Premiums

    Q Which healthcare premiums are frozen at the 2019 rates?

    A Please note the healthcare premiums are established in the 2018-2021 JCBA. The language would not change whether or not the contract extension TA is ratified.

    Only the PPO premiums are frozen at the 2019 rates pursuant to JCBA §23.A.1-2 [Flight Attendant Insurance Plan(s)].

    For the high deductible PPO premiums, Flight Attendants will pay no more than any other workgroup to participate in the plan pursuant to §23.A.3.

    For Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Flight Attendant will pay the greater of either the PPO rate or the difference between the entire cost of the HMO and the Company contribution for the PPO plan.

    Filed Under: Extension 2021 Blog, Latest News, Negotiations Tagged With: 2021, blog, contract, Extension, TA

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    February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals. Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below. Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.
    Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California.
    The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28. Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data. If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.
    Read details from our Negotiating Committee about Session 8 of contract negotiations, including a tentative agreement on Hotels and updates on current progress.
    AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event. The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation. Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).
    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Latest News

    • Celebrating Black History Month
    • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023
    • January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

    Celebrating Black History Month

    February 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Human Rights Committee February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the […]

    Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000

    January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Master Executive Council (MEC) Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California. We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; […]

    LOSA Observations Are Underway

    January 27, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) As previously communicated, AFA and management agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) to help improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.  The LOSA program is jointly administered by AFA and management as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The […]

    Operational Safety Debriefs

    January 26, 2023

    Master Executive Council (MEC) In 2019, AFA filed grievance number 36-99-2-170-19, which alleged management’s violation of section 19.A of the collective bargaining agreement. The violation was related to an incident where management conducted a debrief meeting with Flight Attendants while they were still on duty following a slide deployment incident. As there was no contractual […]

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023

    January 25, 2023

    Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, January 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

    RSS Negotiations News

    • Negotiation Session 8
    • Negotiation Session 7
    • What commuter improvements can we expect?
    • The commitment from management on industry leading pay is great news! However, pay rates are only part of the picture – are we sacrificing work rules and benefits for leading pay rates?
    • Can you clarify the pay components included in our Opening Proposal (Ground, Flight, Delay, Stranded)?
    • Negotiation Session 6
    • Negotiation Session 5
    • Can you clarify insurance premiums in the Insurance Benefits tentative agreement?
    • Why isn’t the Negotiating Committee publishing tentative agreements of each section?
    • Management has lawyers at the negotiating table – why don’t we?

    Recent Posts

    • Celebrating Black History Month
    • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023
    • January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

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