No.  The JA provisions will not take effect until 2015.  We understand that changing the provisions immediately would not allow you the ability to adjust your schedules.  We are looking at an implementation of the new JA rules after January 1st, 2015.  Once we have an exact date of JA implementation we will communicate that for your consideration.

It is extremely challenging to beneficially channel social media without allocating significant resources

Social media is an extremely powerful communication tool. As such the Negotiating Committee has attempted to acknowledge the importance of social media by interacting on various outlets in order to reach the greatest number of our members. However, it is also extremely challenging for an institution such as AFA Alaska to beneficially channel social media without allocating significant resources. Some may have agreed or disagreed with our approach at times but our intent has always been to use social media simply as a supplementary source of information. Any controversies that have resulted from our presence on social media have been unintentional.

Recent changes to secret Facebook groups

Earlier today, administrators of one of the private secret Facebook groups called “Voice the Vote” announced a name change to “Voice the Yes Vote.” Obviously the name change is indicative of taking a particular stance on TA2, a position that AFA cannot support. Our understanding is that the name may have been changed back to “Voice the Vote” and with new administrators.

Negotiating Committee will no longer be redirecting from private social media outlets

Rather than taking sides or continuing to navigate the rapidly shifting sands of social media, the Negotiating Committee will no longer be redirecting to the official channels from “Voice the Yes Vote,” “TA Talk,” “Almost Open,” or any other social media outlet not officially sanctioned by AFA. We are taking this unilateral action on all private social media outlets out of fairness to all their members and administrators. We sincerely regret if this will cause misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

Going forward the Negotiating Committee will be posting exclusively on the AFA outlets

Going forward, the Negotiating Committee will be posting exclusively on the Negotiations blog or on the AFA Alaska Facebook page or the individual council Facebook pages. You can also contact the Negotiating Committee via email at negotiations@afaalaska.org.

Roadshows

The Negotiating Committee will continue to focus on our preparations for the upcoming Roadshows starting December 1^st (see http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta for the full Roadshow schedule). We hope to see you soon!

In solidarity,

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and

Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

Click on this link to access TA2 Calculator

Thank you for your patience while there were enhancements to the TA2 calculator.  It is now available for your use once again.

In solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

A:  If you are on a leave of absence and coordinating with sick leave then that month is not counted as part of the calendar year look-back under TA2. The look-back would extend into the previous year to capture additional months of flying to count towards the 480 TFP. This provision is a more favorable application than what is in place today as you are currently credited with only the minimal amount of sick leave (11.3 today, 9.0 or 9.3 under TA2).

Example: FA is on MLOA in May 2015 and chooses to coordinate 9.3 TFP of SL in order to stay on payroll while on their leave.  If this same example happened in May 2014 under the current book, that FA would have received only the 11.3 TFP credit in May 2014 towards their 480 requirement in 2014.  However, under TA2, May 2015 would be excluded and thus would require a one month look back into the last full month on active duty in the previous calendar year (2014) in order to calculate the 480 requirement in 2015.

You are eligible to accrue vacation while on a leave but if you have no paid time in a month, you would receive a 1/12 reduction to your vacation entitlement, same as current book. On any unpaid leave you would receive a 1.333 credit towards the 480 TFP for each day of the leave.

Click here for the Agenda

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo