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Council #19 – February Base Update

Council #19 – Seattle

February Update

AFA Council #19 will be joining industry-wide work groups in calling for an end to using government workers, upon whom we and the traveling public depend for our safety, as pawns in political debates. We will be conducting leafleting during the week of February 11th – 15th at SeaTac. 

If you can spare a bit of time next week, please contact Bev Bullock at blkbullock@gmail.com. We would prefer that you leaflet in uniform, if possible. 

AFA-CWA is scheduling a webcast for members on Monday, February 11th at 5PM EST to explain the dangers of a continued government shutdown. Further information will be sent out soon!!

Why are we doing this? 

The longest running government shutdown in history has ended, at least temporarily. Workers who were deemed ‘essential’ by their agencies were forced to come back to work without pay for 35 days. The end of that shutdown was only temporary, however. It is important to note that not all furloughed employees have been paid yet!

AFA has been crucial in calling for an end to this dangerous gambit. Industry leaders, including our Alaska Air Group management and leaders from other airlines have called for an end to the practice. 

TSA agents were working without pay, and at one point, KCM in Seattle was closed. Air Traffic Control nation-wide is currently 30% below optimum staffing levels. Nationwide, 20% of the Controllers are approaching mandatory retirement age at 56. In New York, 40% are nearing retirement. It takes 3-5 years to fully train these workers, upon whom we rely for our safety. 

Runway incursion mitigation studies and remediation have stopped, as has the Next Gen upgrading of our nationwide systems, which is designed to improve our safety. Restarting both of these essential programs is very time consuming. Some of the contractors involved have not yet been paid, and it is uncertain when and if they WILL be. 

The FAA Reauthorization bill which contained our minimum irreducible 10-hour rest has not been implemented, and it is unclear when that will take place. In addition, operations into Paine Field have been delayed until March 4, 2019. 

These are just a few of the impacts on our Safety. This simply cannot occur again. 

Rescheduled Joint Local Council Meeting:

Due to the predicted snow storm that is supposed to begin this weekend, which is predicted to be worse than the one this week, we felt it was in our best interest to postpone the meeting. 

We have rescheduled the meeting, to March 15th, from 11:30AM – 2:30PM. It will be in the Earhart Room on the LP (Lower Plaza) level, South Tower of the SeaTac Office Tower (the same building as 13 Coins. Free parking is available in front of the building, or we can validate your parking ticket if you park in the rear. 

This will be a joint council meeting, with Compass and Horizon Airlines joining us. This is the annual pre-Board of Directors meeting. This year is a one-day meeting, and the agenda will consist solely of the AFA-CWA Annual Budget. 

Council #19 Base Meeting Reminder

Bidding opened today. As a reminder, if you want to attend the Council #19 base meeting, you will want to bid for the time off!

Date: March 11th

Time: 1pm-4pm

Location: SeaTac Towers Office Complex, 18000 International Blvd. (same tower as 13 Coins across from airport); LP Level, Earhart Room

Parking: Free out front for up to 3 hours, no ticket required. If you park behind the building it is still free, take a ticket and bring it with you to the meeting for validation. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

In Solidarity, 

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan

March PBS Cutover Training

March PBS Cutover Training

The PBS Committee wants to remind you that only two bid months remain before we cut over to using ONLY the ‘new’ PBS platform.  In May, you must bid using solely the new PBS website.  If you’re struggling with learning the new website, time is running short to get help. 

Click here to watch the PBS instructional videos.  That might be all you need to get started with transitioning to the new website. 

More support material is found at the PBS QA SharePoint site, including the PBS Program Guide. You can save it on your computer. The PBS QA is accessed via the Inflight webpage or by clicking here. 

Everyone was paid on  November 20th, 2018 to read/watch the training material designed for you by the PBS Committee. Thousands of your co-workers have already cut over to the new website and are having no problems. Airbus FA’s are bidding using only the new website. It’s time for the remainder of our group to get on board!

SEA Base Sits

March 5th, 6th and 8th from 5am – 7pm in the Inflight Office.

SEA Classroom Training

March 9th: 8:30am – 4:30pm; There is limited space in the classroom sessions. Sign up soon by clicking here! 

Location information can be found on the above sign up sheet. 

We will hold additional trainings and base sits during the bidding period in April and May. 

Council #19 – Base Update

Council #19 – Seattle

January Base Update

Washington Paid Family Leave Law – UPDATED INFORMATION

Last fall prior to Annual Benefits Open Enrollment, we asked about this law during a meeting to discuss impending changes to Benefits. We specifically asked whether Alaska intended to sue the State to deny these benefits to Flight Crews, as well. We were told that this law would apply to all Washington employees. We were told that employees would receive specific information close to the end of the year. The law requires that premiums be deducted from employee paychecks, beginning 1/1/2019. 

Since no information had been provided, and since it was after the implementation date, we sent out information to Seattle Flight Attendants so that they would be aware of the new deductions. On January 3rd, we were informed that Alaska management had decided that the law will only apply to ‘ground employees.’ We asked for an explanation, and waited. Late in the afternoon on January 7th, we were advised that we would not be provided with a written explanation. 

Without direct answers to our questions, we can only guess that the same logic is being used in this instance that prompted Alaska management along with Airlines for America to sue Washington State last year, when the Paid Sick Leave Law went into effect. AFA-CWA has joined the State of Washington in defending our right to coverage under the Paid Sick Leave Law, and will do so again with the Paid Family Leave Act should that be necessary. 

We do not believe that this is fair or equitable. It seems to fly in the face of the ‘Do the Right Thing’, and ‘Committed to Kindness.’ California-based Flight Attendants have been eligible to apply for and receive Paid Family Leave benefits since 2004.  Oregon is working on a Paid Family Leave Act, as well. Will management file suit against each state that provides Paid Family Leave?

Traffic Alerts

With the Viaduct dismantling last weekend, traffic is predicted to be horrendous. We do now have a ground commuter policy with options. Read Section 28 G.2 of the contract to become familiar with this new provision. The company has put out several alerts, suggesting that we all plan to allow sufficient time to get to the airport. While that is a great idea, we don’t yet know how bad it will be or what sufficient time will actually be. Make certain that you do plan ahead, but if there is an unforeseen development (an accident, freeway closure, etc.) it’s good to know your options. 

Local Council Meeting

This meeting will be a Joint Council Meeting, with Horizon and Compass officers and members attending. 

Date:  February 11, 2019

Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Location: SeaTac Office Complex (same building as 13 Coins across from the airport), Earhart Room, Lower Plaza Level-South Tower, 18000 International Blvd. Parking up to 3 hours is free in the front parking lot. You can also park for free in the rear, bring your ticket into the meeting for validation. 

In Solidarity, 

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan

Year End Reminder!

Year End Reminder!

As the end of the year approaches anyone concerned about achieving the required 480 tfp for full vacation and health benefits eligibility should take a few moments to double check. The simplest way is to compare each Flight Crew Paysheet to the calculators on the Inflight Webpage.
If you find a discrepancy, or need an explanation, email your payroll analyst.

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

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Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

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Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Letter of Agreement Roadshow Information

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants The Hawaiian Seattle Domicile Negotiating Committee is hosting three virtual roadshows to share information about the newly negotiated Seattle Domicile Letter of Agreement (SEA LOA). Here are a few reminders: Mark Your Calendar If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local leadership or email […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – November 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, November 25, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually 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), […]

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