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Council #19 – Base Update

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October Base Update

Council #19 – Seattle

 

Local Council Meeting:

WHEN: November 12th, 1-5PM

WHERE: Sea Tac Office Complex – South Tower (the same building as 13 Coins), Lower Level, Earhart Room. Parking is behind the building. Bring your ticket with you and we will validate.

AGENDA: Officer and Committee Reports – bring your questions

 

Informational TidBits:

  • When will base transfers into/out of SFO be available? The latest (but not set in stone) information that we have is May 1st. Openings will be posted as they become available. 
  • Transition Training classes will be available after November for those who have been unable to attend. We do not yet have firm details.
  • There will be Flight Attendant hiring next year, tentatively 360. This number is of course subject to change.
  • The Seattle base Inflight Office will be moving into two new spaces, one with seating available next to the Spot On office, and another space in the former Virgin Village space behind Fireworks which will be largely administrative. The precise move dates have not yet been announced.
  • Need assistance after the base closes? A new procedure is in place. You will no longer be able to reach a supervisor after the Inflight Offices close. Instead, management has created a system of duty managers in Crew Scheduling. This is a new procedure, we are not sure what to expect.
  • There is a significant shortage of IMD replacements. Some flight attendants who’s devices are no longer working have been told by IT support and by Spot On that there are no replacements available. They have been told that they must check out loaners before each trip, and return them after each trip. This is unacceptable. The latest information from Inflight management is that all IMD’s will be replaced by the first of the year.

Annual Benefits Enrollment:

Annual Enrollment will open for additions and changes on October 19, 2018, for changes to take effect on January 1, 2019. There are new benefits available. The AFA Benefits Committee will be conducting Base Sits in Inflight if you have questions, or need assistance. All changes and additions to your current benefits will be completed online through the Benefits Portal. As a reminder, since Short Term Disability coverage is offset by Social Security, if you are receiving your own Social Security benefits, it makes sense to discontinue supplemental Short Term Disability coverage. We will send out base sit schedules, later this week.

November Scheduling Issue:

Most of you are aware, or will undoubtedly hear about, the problem with some pairings not being entered by the company into the NavTech program for bidding. We did not find out about this until Friday, October 12th. Bids had already been awarded.

There were more than 1,200 single segments, which were to have been single positions (D positions). In addition to the segments not having been awarded, nor bid for, no hotels had been assigned for the pairings that were created after the fact. Since it was too late on Friday to reach out hotel vendor (API) we were made aware that it was likely that hotels would not be assigned until ‘some time’ on Monday, October 15th.

If a re-bid were to have occurred, it could not have begun prior to October 16th. This would mean that it would have been closed on October 21st, with awards final no earlier than October 23rd. It would have been October 25th before trading or open time pick-ups could begin.

In Seattle, there are 148 of these pairings (not bid lines, but individual pairings). All but a few only operate on one date. The pairings will be placed into open time for trading or pick up. If the stay in open time, they will be assigned to reserves or offered as premium trips.

Our current base size is 2,317 active Flight Attendants. After weighing all available information, Council 19 decided that due to the late notice and the fact that we’re bidding for a holiday month, this was a terrible time for delayed open time and trading to occur. Further, we considered the likelihood that there would be those who were unavailable and did not hear about the rebid. Since this is unprecedented, those on vacation would have had no idea that this was going on.

We were torn between the clear contractual violation, and the effect a delay of this magnitude would have on our base. After much discussion, the MEC voted NOT to have a re-bid. This was not an easy nor a unanimous decision. This was truly a ‘rock and a hard place’ situation for your officers. I am sure that this will be unpopular with some, just as a rebid with all associated delays would have been.

Are you “Connected”?

AFA Council 19 Website:  http://afaalaska.org/sea

AFA Council 19 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AFA-Council-19-Seattle-538630496190284/

AFA Text Alerts: https://www.remind.com/join/sea19

AFA Reserve only Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afacouncil19reserve/

 

 

In Solidarity,

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan

Congratulations We Did It!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2018
Contact: Taylor Garland, 202-550-5520

Flight Attendants Cheer 10 Hours Rest, No Calls or Knives on Planes, Air Quality Initiative, and Numerous Other Safety Priorities in FAA Reauthorization Bill

Washington, DC — The 50,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines represented by the Association of Flight Attendants–CWA, AFL-CIO (AFA), today cheered the passage of a five-year FAA Reauthorization Bill including a 10 hour minimum rest provision to combat Flight Attendant fatigue. The bill includes more Flight Attendant safety priorities including forever banning knives on planes, no voice calls on planes, and extending the smoking ban to e-cigarettes. AFA International President Sara Nelson issued the following statement:

“Flight Attendants cheer the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 with a provision to combat Flight Attendant fatigue by increasing minimum rest from 8 hours to 10 hours. This bill closes a safety loophole while improving Flight Attendant health and achieving equal minimum rest with our flight deck counterparts.”

“We applaud Chairman Shuster (R-PA), Ranking Member DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman LoBiondo (R-NJ), Ranking Member Larsen (D-WA), Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), for their leadership in writing this legislation so important for a safe and dependable U.S. aviation system.”

The final bill received overwhelming bipartisan support. AFA especially notes Congressional champions for Flight Attendant 10 hours minimum rest:

House – Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Mike Capuano (D-MA), Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Rep. Michael Bost (R-IL), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL).

Senate – Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) originally introduced the language when she was in the House and continued advocacy in the Senate. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) have all since worked hard to ensure the rest language would be included in a final FAA bill. We thank Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for weighing in when it especially counted to help us get our rest.

“Over 100,000 Flight Attendants from around the country made calls, signed postcards, rallied, repeatedly visited congressional offices and took other actions to achieve this outcome today. This bill lifts standards for Flight Attendants across the industry and addresses serious safety, health and security issues in our workplace – the passenger cabin,” Nelson concluded.

Summary of AFA safety priorities included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018:

  • 10-hours Minimum Rest and a FRMP for Flight Attendants
  • No Knives on Planes Ever Again
  • Ban of Voice Calls on Planes
  • Emotional Support and Service Animal Standards
  • Air Quality: Technologies to Combat Contaminated Bleed Air
  • Protect Customer Service agents from Assaults
  • Cabin Cyber Security Vulnerabilities
  • Secondary Cockpit Barriers
  • Safe Transport of Lithium Batteries
  • Study on Cabin Evacuation Certification (including cabin configuration)
  • Increase Civil Penalties for Crew Interference from $25,000 to $35,000
  • Banning Electronic Cigarette Smoking on Planes
  • Congressional Focus on Addressing Sexual Misconduct on Planes
  • Establish National Inflight Sexual Misconduct Task Force
  • Require DOJ to Establish Reporting Process for Sexual Misconduct
  • Prioritize Support for Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP)
  • Requiring Privacy for Nursing in the Airport
  • Evaluation and Update of Emergency Medical Kit Contents
  • Oxygen Mask Design Study
  • Develop Guidance for Non-Toxic Prevention of Transporting Insects
  • Exit Row Evaluation and Verification
  • Required Notification of Insecticide Use
  • Promoting Women in Aviation
  • TSA Authorization
  • Continue Crewmember Self-Defense Training
  • NTSB Reauthorization
  • Expanded Human Trafficking Training for Airline Personnel
  • Authorization of Essential Air Service

Issues with latest Crew Access Update

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On Wednesday night, Alaska performed a system update to Crew Access. When they did this, some “posted” trips were removed from the “grabs” or “trades” section. If you had a trip posted, we suggest you view Crew Access to make sure your trip is still showing as available for grab and/or trade.

Also, most of you saw the message on the FA Webpage, however if you didn’t, the system is defaulting to “open time” trips when you go to look at available trips to pick up. If you want to view “grabs and/or trades” (trips posted by other flight attendants), you will need to click on the correct button. They are working on a fix for this issue.

In Solidarity,

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan

Council #19 Summer Update

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Council #19 SEA

Summer Newsletter

 

Summer has officially begun.  We have a number of updates for our SEA F/As.

Transition Training began this week.  In spite of recent updates to the Cornerstone Training program, we are still receiving reports of technical difficulties with both the app and the desktop version.  If you experience trouble, go to https://support.afaalaska.org, and open a ticket.  We would encourage you to start early, to avoid problems. Many of you have expressed disappointment that hotels will not be provided for this two-day training.  Despite repeated requests, Inflight Management has declined to provide hotels.  We recognize that this is difficult for commuters, as well as those with lengthy drives to the airport.  However, there is no contractual requirement for provision of hotels for training that is available in your base.

The most recent CBT training, was due May 11, 2018.  More than 90 Flight Attendants were issued discipline as a result of failure to complete the training.  Many of these have been rescinded after AFA was able to determine why the training had not been completed.  If you were issued discipline and have not responded to our attempts to reach you, please contact Jarod.McNeill@afaalaska.org.

In a recent bulletin, Inflight Performance announced that forgotten required items will result in steps of discipline.  We have had several recent instances of expired badges, as well as reporting without an IMD.  Make certain that you have all required items prior to report for your flight.

We have been notified that TSA will be implementing more random searches at KCM checkpoints.  Make sure to allow sufficient time prior to report, since this may result in secondary screening.

We recently posted openings for two EAP representatives.  We were overwhelmed by the number of interested Flight Attendants who expressed interest.  Interviews are upcoming, but we’d like to take a moment to thank those who have volunteered.

Supplemental Insurance Enrollment, through National Group Protection, will take place during the week of 7/23-27, in SEA.  The premiums for these coverages can be payroll deducted.  If SEA isn’t a convenient location, drop into any base during scheduled visits.

· Seattle                July 23rd—27th  

· Anchorage         July 30th–August 1st

· Los Angeles       August 6th—8th

· San Diego          August 14th—16th

· Portland              August 20th—22nd

 

Keep in touch with us!!

All up to date information is posted on our website: afaalaska.org/sea

Have you liked us on Facebook?  https://www.facebook.com/AFA-Council-19-Seattle-538630496190284/

We send text notifications regarding the most important information: https://www.remind.com/join/sea19

 

In Solidarity,

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda & Megan

Flight Attendant Union Statement on Janus Supreme Court Decision

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afa-media-release-blue-new.png
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2018 Contact: Taylor Garland, 202-550-5520 Flight Attendant Union Statement on Janus Supreme Court Decision
Washington, DC (June 27, 2018) — In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court today ruled that public sector unions cannot charge fair-share fees to non-members, citing a violation of their First Amendment right. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson released the following statement on the decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31: “The majority opinion of the Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 is a blow to our freedoms as citizens of the United States. Citing Free Speech to undo decades of legal precedent that supports the freedom of working people to join together is counter to the spirit of the First Amendment and the moral fiber of our country. The fact is that without a union, employees have no voice in their workplace. “Protecting free speech is essential to our democracy, and that requires a balance of powers. In the workplace, the only way working people have the right to speak up against safety and health dangers or to collectively bargain for fair wages and benefits is to join together in a union. “Our Constitution gives voice to those who otherwise have none when standing or working alone. While the employer has rights within the workplace to curtail individual freedom of speech, workers’ rights to join together is an essential balance of power if our country is to remain free. The first three words of the Constitution demands this basic workplace right. ‘We the People’ is inherently descriptive of the collective and the basis for which our nation escaped tyranny. “Today’s majority Court ruling is a calling to We the People to fight together for the freedom promised by our forefathers, rightfully claimed by our mothers, sisters and brothers of color, and protected with incredible sacrifice by our fallen soldiers, veterans and active service men and women. “We the People will rise up just like the teachers are doing all over our country, in opposition to the attempt to silence our individual voices by attacking our freedom to join together. We will stand together for our freedoms, our right to a safe workplace with decent pay, and respect for our hard work that contributes to our economy. We will vote, sign our union cards, and encourage Flight Attendants to talk with their family, friends, and neighbors about the importance of joining together in unions. We the People will form our ‘more perfect union.’”
 
View Online ### The Association of Flight Attendants is the Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 72 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

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