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Negotiations Update September 9-12, 2013: Mediation Session #3 DCA Recap

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

Your AFA Negotiating Committee just finished up a week of mediated talks with Alaska Airlines management at the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, DC. We are continuing our commitment to Mediator Victoria Gray and limiting comments to very general statements on progress at the table. (Well, we’re going to do our best anyway!) Industry economist Dan Akins once again joined the AFA Negotiating Committee as a subject matter expert to assist us in crafting our comprehensive proposals and responding to management.

 

The week started with Tentative Agreements (TAs) reached on the following items:

  • Section 14: Vacation
  • Section 16: Sick Leave/On the Job Injury
  • Section 32: Attendance Policy
  • OT Implementation LOA (and final affirmation of Section 12 TA: Exchange of Sequences)
  • Term Sheet for settlement on outstanding issues in the above three sections.

 

We captured some very important protections for Flight Attendants and feel that the agreements in the above sections reflect our commitment to you to make our work lives better.

 

BIG NEWS!

 

OK – we are going to slightly bend our “vow not to spill details…” The following information is really timely and goes a long way toward addressing a lot of your concerns with changes to Open Time.

 

We heard your concern about the drastic change in Section 12: Exchange of Sequences in regards to Open Time and most specifically to the Quartile System. There are a ton of changes in that section and with so many new interacting provisions neither party could be 100% certain that it would work as planned. Therefore, with mediator Gray’s assistance we worked with management to craft the “Open Time Implementation Letter of Agreement (LOA).” This LOA provides for the following:

 

  • Quartile System: AFA and management can mutually agree to alter the application. AFA can cancel after six months.
  • Quartile System: After 12 months, there will be an AFA membership vote on whether or not to keep the Quartile System (similar to how we voted on PBS several years back). If the result is “no,” then the system will revert to what it is today with Open Time opening at the same time for all seniorities in a domicile (but with the new trading rules).
  • International Jet Bridge Trades: With at least twelve hours notification, will be approved.
  • OT threshold numbers can be changed by mutual agreement. The parties spent several months resolving different interpretations of how the OT threshold number interacted with Open Time trading. The parties agreed that different OT threshold values must be tried. AFA’s interpretation of only “first day of a sequence” will count toward the threshold numbers for closing OT days will be applied. If OT liability is too great, management’s interpretation of “every day of a sequence” will apply toward the threshold will be tried. If that happens, negotiations will automatically begin on the sections specific to Open Time trading.
  • Monitoring of Open Time trading satisfaction by monthly surveys conducted by AFA in partnership with management during the trial phase.
  • AFA has the ability to cancel this program after a specified time and it will trigger automatic negotiations on the sections specific to Open Time trading.
  • An AFA Scheduling Chairperson position will be created with full access to crew systems and Crew Scheduling to monitor a specified set of metrics and work with management to evaluate this new system—as an equal. This position will act as AFA’s liaison with the Company to resolve all issues related to scheduling.

 

Your Negotiating Committee feels that this agreement is revolutionary and will ensure that Flight Attendant needs are met. The provisions allow for an agile response if an unforeseen problem crops up and for a true monitoring of scheduling issues in partnership with management.

 

That was the good news…

 

Compensation: The Negotiating Committee worked very hard to considerably pare down our compensation proposal while preserving the most critical and reasonable elements. We are committed to bringing Alaska Flight Attendants the overall compensation package that they deserve. We presented our proposal to management’s team and were informed that while they appreciated our movement, we are still too far apart on money for them to seriously consider addressing what we have on the table. However, management did vow to thoughtfully consider our proposal in the coming weeks between now and the next session.

 

Management believes that when combined with the other improvements we have already achieved, accepting our compensation proposal is not a wise long-term business strategy. We find this extremely disappointing in the light of the fact that the past several years have seen us tempering our expectations and accepting below-industry increases to improve the Company’s financial position. Now that Alaska Airlines is well-positioned for the future and making significant profits, we expect recognition for our past sacrifices. Please send the message to management that, “Flight Attendants will be appropriately recognized for their contribution to this Company’s success by achieving the Contract they deserve!”

 

We meet again in mediation the week of October 28th and will be changing venues from Austin, TX, to Washington, DC.

 

 

In Solidarity,

 

Your AFA Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetter, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

 

“Five Bases, One Voice”

alaskamec.org

Voice Comment Card Report- August 2103

VOICE Comment Card Report August 2013

Your Negotiating Committee reviews all comment cards submitted by members and posts those each month for transparency. Please know that we appreciate all comments, concerns and feedback. Some of the comments submitted maybe in Sections that have not yet been discussed, they may be included in our opening proposal (posted on AFA website http://www.alaskamec.org), our previous survey or may have already been addressed. Your opinions do count and we will continue to respond to concerns and comments not previously addressed or as sections become available.

Please note we will continue to post comments and questions with contact information, however, questions/comments without contact information will no longer be posted due to ensuring member involvement.  Your information is always kept confidential and we appreciate open communication.

Comment Card Topics:

Reserve: 0

Pay: 22

Scheduling/hours of service: 9

Sick Leave/attendance: 2

Commuter: 0

Benefits/Vacation/Insurance: 8

Hotel/Crew Meals: 0

Contract Language: 16

Clarifications/Rumors: 6

Questions

L, ANCFA

Just concerned about these leaves right now and our pairings are trash and can they vote if on a leave and all the VJA and JA and leaves–??

For those of you who might be considering a 30/60/90 day staffing adjustment leave, be advised that you must be a member in good standing in order to vote on a tentative agreement. Therefore, it’s important that you stay current on your dues payments. If you have questions about dues currency and payment options, you may contact the AFA-CWA Membership Services Department (http://www.afacwa.org/membership/) or one of your Local Executive Council (LEC) officers.

K, ANCFA

How are we paying stock holders dividends and not compensating our front line employees, who have sacrificed to make this company successful? We need to be having base meetings RIGHT NOW about the current standings of our negotiations, motives, where are we going from here? We need to be on the same page BEFORE a TA’d contract is presented. Why are we hiring FA’s if we’re not hiring pilots? Are we hiring FA’s so they have the majority vote of a TA’d contract?

so…are we any closer to a TA? when is our next skdl ‘mediation? haven’t heard anything in a long while…talking to fellow FA’s, we’re all getting frustrated–this whole situation is so shameful for AS! We should be holding base meetings with our union reps right now to ‘boost morale/’share’ views/expectations, as a way to get everyone on the same page re: what we expect, at this point–ie…a $10/hr raise, at least! any ideas…?? Where are we with mediation?

Why are we not having base sits with union reps/negotiators explaining the process and where we stand?

This lack of communication is leaving a really negative feeling for many people. The emotions were running strong for a long time. They are starting to wane,

 The Company reserves the right to allocate money to shareholders through the Board of Directors.  The negotiating committee is working to solidify a contract that will recognize our Flight Attendants contributions.  The committee is working through the economic and non-economic pieces which are very time consuming.  Without going into detail over a raise we are looking at more of a percentage based approach versus an exact dollar figure.  Mediation dates are scheduled through December of 2013, typically meeting one week each month in a location other than Seattle.  There is a difference between base sits, base meetings and road shows.  Base sits are typical of AFA Committees such as Reserve, Benefits, ISC and so on.  Base meetings are determined by your Local President and must commence during specific times of the year consistent with the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.  A copy of the AFA Constitution and Bylaws is available online at www.afanet.org.  Road shows will be scheduled in conjunction with an entire contract TA being presented to the membership where the negotiating committee will be available to assist in walking you through the contract.  It is important for each member to know the existing contract prior to attending the road shows so we may have a informative and productive meeting. 

R, LAXFA

A lot of FAs asking question about TA’d opentime section. I’ve asked them to wait for the roadshows but, here are the questions:  Where’d the quartile system originate? Is there an airline that uses it? How does it work for them (details)?

People think that this was TA’d without the usual communication to membership. Why weren’t we walked thru this before it was TA’d?

The quartile system originated from membership feedback in the Negotiations Survey and concerns as well as internal discussion amongst your Local Presidents and the Negotiating Committee. 

The Committee looked at the current Open Time issues, including the frustration of undesirable trips, down trading and the other pros and cons of contractual provisions specific to OT.  Today, the system is broken and does not work for the majority of Flight Attendants.  At the bargaining table, AFA and the Company teams felt the stagnation created by the current system was untenable and could not continue.

The changes in our Open Time System tentative agreement are comprehensive and sweeping.   Many carriers in our industry (Hawaiian, US Airways East, AA, Piedmont, American Eagle, to name some) incorporate seniority in processing OT transactions somewhere in their OT process, if not throughout it. 

Neither we nor the Company want to be locked into a new system that causes more problems than it solves and are exploring “opt out” provisions.  We are talking about a “trial” period in which either side could opt out or if certain benchmarks are not met both sides would renegotiate based on the information gained from the experience.

But it is important to understand how the negotiations process works.  The negotiators work from the FA survey and input from both the members and the LEC Ps. If the team was to come back to the members with every piece of new language the process would take twice as long. Therefore, the team works closely with the LEC Ps when new language comes up and seeks feedback. The FAs have an option whether to vote for or against a TA when it is completed. Many sections of the TA are tied together, which is why the entire document is presented together at the end.

This Negotiating Committee and MEC made a conscious decision early on to have open negotiations and share as much information as feasible with members.  Obviously, this can be a liability because as information comes out during the process we run the risk of members “making up their minds” on single provisions without seeing the entire package.

Comments:

K, ANCFA

We need to remember:
 
“We are the company”
“We are the union”
 
Management is corporate greed

After 9/11 we had fear mongering from management about what we needed to do to survive. Contract 2006 we as front line employees we made huge concessions. Then there was the 2010 plan to keep us viable. Then we have them a 2 year extension. Which expires may 1, 2012. We are currently on contract going 7.5 years; 18 months of negotiations. That is shameful, pathetic. After 5 years of record profits and the FA’s bringing 750 million $$$ in profits we need to be in the top of the industry standards for pay and work rules.

Can we please send out a message to the membership about the need to stay current on all union dues in order to vote. Lets just say we get a TA’d contract by the end of December, I hope everyone knows they must still pay their union dues, on time, and on their own dime, to be eligible to vote! Everyone I have spoken to in the 2 days had NO IDEA it was a necessity. Please, please, please.
 
Afanet.org/payment
That’s the website I have directed people too and it seems to be spot in!

A, LAX,

We want retro pay negotiated in please. Thank you.

B, LAX

We want retro-pay negotiated on this contract.

D, LAX

We want retro pay negotiated in please. Thanks!

I, LAX

I would like retro pay to be negotiated into the contract.

S, LAX, Retroactive pay in the new contract.

C, LAX

We want retroactive pay negotiated in our new contract!

J, LAX

Retroactive pay negotiated into new contract.

M, LAX

Please negotiate back pay for our next contract. Do not let our health benefits increase like the pilot contract. Thanks very much.

J, LAX

Retro Pay or Signing Bonus (We have waited for over 2 years without pay increase).

K, LAX, We want retroactive pay negotiated, please.

D, PDXFA

Needs to change (JN) for no-show.  If you no-show for a flight then you’re in (JN) for the next month.  Plus cannot trade with open time or another flight attendant. That needs to change. Should not be held responsible for whole month, maybe one trip., or 1 week, but not whole month.

FYI: Trade Jail is eliminated in the new agreement, if ratified.

H,  PDXFA

VERY disappointed that none of the new routes just announced (pdx – rno/tus & Sea – cos/oma) are actually Alaska Flights. Skywest & Horizon are NOT Alaska!

S, PDXFA

Very concerned about the company’s decision to launch new service using Skywest.

This is concerning considering the length of the flights. (Sea-oma and Pdx-tus) being comparable to existing flying done on the 737 (pdx/sea –orb and sea-tus.)

This is unprecedented at Alaska…we need SCOPE!

S, SEAFA

It would be great is “multiple trades” on emastro could recognize “open days.” It makes it impossible for those with overlapping trips on the same day to utilize the open day.  Thanks!!!

Negotiations Update September 6, 2013: Upcoming Mediation Session #3 in Washington, DC

September 6, 2013

 

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

Your entire Negotiation Committee along with AFA staff negotiator Paula Mastrangelo are heading to our nation’s capital next week to meet with Alaska Airlines management at the National Mediation Board offices. We anticipate our first task at hand will be to sign tentative agreements on Section 14 (Vacation), Section 16 (Sick Leave), and Section 32 (Attendance). We believe you will be pleased with the enhancements in these sections.

 

Once those sections are TA’d we plan to immediately dive back into the few sections remaining which are of high interest to flight attendants: Sec.3 (Scope), Sec.5 (Definitions), Sec.21 (Compensation), Sec.22 (Expenses), Sec.23 (Insurance), and Sec.29 (Profit Sharing & Retirement). We recognize you are anxiously waiting for an update on the progress of these sections. These sections will amount to hours of work between both AFA and the Company, and your patience is appreciated as our assigned federal mediator Victoria Gray has requested a limited communication policy while these sections are being proposed back and forth. Likely offers in these proposed sections will change and adjust frequently so we have been advised to limit communication during this time until more concrete information is available.

 

In the meantime feel confident that your Negotiating Committee has your best interest in mind as we negotiate these important economic sections. We are your voice in the negotiation room but you are the power source behind us. Now more than ever it is important we all remain strong and united.

 

 

In solidarity,

 

 

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

 

“Five Bases, One Voice”

alaskamec.org

Negotiations Update August 20-22, 2013: Mediation Session #2 Recap

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

 

As we have said in prior communications, our federal mediator from the National Mediation Board (NMB) Victoria Gray has imposed a “limited communication” policy on both AFA’s and management’s teams. As a result, this update does not contain the same level of detail as during direct negotiations and prior to mediation.

 

However, we want you to know that much progress was made in our session at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower in the beautiful City of Roses. Although no tentative agreements (TAs) were reached this session, we are extremely close on three sections and fully anticipate signing off on them right out of the gate during our next mediation session:

 

Section 14 – Vacation,

Section 16 – Sick Leave/On the Job Injury, and

Section 32 – Attendance Policy.

 

Mediator Gray was extremely effective in getting the parties to discuss compromises and “think outside of the box.” She facilitated full committee and small group sessions and helped us navigate some pretty thorny areas.

 

Our next meeting is in Washington, DC, from September 9th through 12th at the NMB headquarters. Until our next communication, stay informed and stay strong.

 

 

In solidarity,

 

 

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

 

“Five Bases, One Voice”

alaskamec.org

Negotiations Update August 20, 2013: Mediation Session #2 Begins in Portland, OR

August 20, 2013

 

 

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

 

The second session of contract mediation begins Tuesday morning at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower in downtown Portland, OR, and lasts through Thursday. As you may recall, at the first mediation National Mediation Board (NMB) mediator Victoria Gray recommended that going forward both parties should pull back on the frequency and detail of communications in regards to negotiations. AFA and management agreed  we would communicate our progress at the conclusion of a negotiations session and discuss the content with the other party prior to sending the communication.

 

After everybody received the “Mediation Begins Again!” message from Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider earlier today, your Negotiating Committee has received feedback that our members would like to hear something from the Association. Although it’s not comfortable for your AFA Negotiating Committee to be less communicative than before mediation began,  we are committed to honoring the process agreement. Just know that your Negotiating Committee is ready to go for this session and expect an update at the end of the week!

 

p.s. For those of you who might be considering a 30/60/90 day staffing adjustment leave, be advised that you must be a member in good standing in order to vote on a tentative agreement. Therefore, it’s important that you stay current on your dues payments. If you have questions about dues currency and payment options, you may contact the AFA-CWA Membership Services Department (http://www.afacwa.org/membership/) or one of your Local Executive Council (LEC) officers.

 

 

In solidarity,

 

 

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jakes Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

 

“Five Bases, One Voice”

alaskamec.org

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

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Vacation Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews—October 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants The integration of our Master Executive Councils (MECs) is progressing steadily. Our first group of committees successfully merged on June 1, and we are now planning for another group of committees to merge on November 1. As part of the committee merging process, our […]

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