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Government Affairs Special Edition 

In This Edition…

  • Election Day
  • Washington State Labor Council 
  • Why Voting Matters
  • Washington State Voters Guide

Election Day

This November 7th is Election Day. For those of you who live in, or are new to Washington, this is a vote-by-mail state. The website https://www.vote411.org/washington is a great site that provides all of your voter information including how to register to vote for new residents. This site also provides links to other states for those who live outside of Washington. 

Voting Endorsements

We all have different political beliefs, and nobody should tell someone else how to vote, but one thing stands strong…. we all want to propel our professions, and our workplace rights. Supporting candidates that support our professions, our unions, and who are “pro-labor” is essential. If you would like information on what candidates are endorsed and/or supported by the Washington State Labor Council, you can visit: https://www.wslc.org/union-members-only-election-information/

Why Voting Matters

​​At its core, voting is the cornerstone of democracy. It’s a mechanism through which we, as citizens, actively participate in the decision making process Here are some key reasons why voting matters:

  • By casting your vote, you contribute to the selection of leaders who will represent your interests and values in government. 
  • Voting allows us to hold elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions. It’s a way to voice approval or dissatisfaction with their performance.
  • Your vote directly influences the development of policies on issues that affect your daily life, from education and healthcare to the economy and environment.
  • Voting fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility, as it brings people together to collectively decide on the direction of their society.

The above was taken from www.caprw.org

Washington State Voters Guide

You may not have received your voters guide via mail, but they can all be accessed online. Select your county to view local candidates at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/data-research/election-results-and-voters-pamphlets/2023-primary-election-voters-guide

In the end, the most important thing is that you exercise your right to vote. 

If you have any questions about the process, current events, or any of the candidates, please reach out to your Council 19 Government Affairs Chairperson, Melinda Jorge at melinda.jorge@afaalaska.org or any member of the Council 19 Government Affairs Committee.

In Solidarity, 

Your Council 19 Government Affairs Committee

See Below to view a PDF version with graphics

Government-Affairs-UpdateDownload

AFA Council 19 Seattle October Newsletter

In this Edition

  • Workplace Wellness
  • Spotlight on the Contract
  • CBT Reminder
  • Council 19 Meeting Recap
  • FlightPAC
  • Text Notifications
  • AFA International HRE Committee
  • Membership Dues
  • Human Rights Chair Position
  • Uniforms
  • Native American Heritage Pins
  • Social Media

Workplace Wellness

Being healthy at work is extremely important. If you are not feeling well, it lowers your focus and can lead to accidents and/or mistakes. There are many ways to be “healthy”. When we talk about being healthy, it is important to remember that we need to focus on both mental and physical health.

Research shows that just 30 minutes of regular activity 5 days a week will help strengthen and boost your immune system, increase energy and endurance, improve sleep, reduce the risk of many diseases, as well as reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. 

Did you know that being on the airplane is drier than being in the Sahara Desert? There are many benefits to drinking at least 8–10 glasses of water a day. Some of those benefits included an increase in energy, relief of fatigue, weight loss, flushing of toxins, improved skin complexion, maintaining your regularity, it boosts your immune system, and is a natural headache remedy. Drinking those 8–10 glasses is what is recommended on the ground, so with the dryness of the plane you should increase that amount. Try to drink at least a large “box” of water per flight and remember to take your opened box with you on your layover.

It is also important to try to eat healthy. We realize that this can be difficult when flying but try to choose more fruits and vegetables. Most people should aim for at least 9 (4.5 cups) servings a day. Look for different kinds and colors to give your body a mix of nutrients. Best bets? Dark leafy greens, cooked tomatoes, and anything that’s rich orange, red and yellow in color. It helps lower blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. 

Part of the above was taken from “Understanding Reserve: An informational series by the Council 39 Reserve Committee.”

Spotlight On the Contract

This month we will be focusing this section to our Reserve Flight Attendants, specifically to Reserve Flight Flight Attendants who commute.

Commuting on Reserve 

You must be physically in domicile during your reserve availability period (AM: 00:00 – 14:00, PM: 10:00 – 23:59, ER: 00:00 – 23:59) This includes the beginning and end of your reserve availability period. 

For example: At the beginning of your block, you have a 4-day PM reserve block starting on the 20th. On the 19th between 10:00 -14:00 you self-assign a 4-day trip with a 21:00 report on the 20th. You still must be in domicile prior to 10:00 on the 20th. You cannot commute in a few hours before your report of 21:00. Even though you have self-assigned a trip, scheduling can still contact you at 10:00 and under certain circumstances they can even remove your self-assigned trip and give you a new assignment. 

Also, on the last day of your Reserve block, if the last Company-operated flight that you would be legal to work (per the last flight of the day report) has departed the domicile you must call scheduling and ask to be released from the remainder of your reserve availability period before you commute home. Failure to do so can result in an attendance issue up to termination even on first offense.

CBT Reminder

Do not forget to complete your CBT (Annual Compliance Training) by the end of the year deadline. It is important to remember if you do not complete the required training, the discipline is progressive. If you are already in steps of discipline, failure to complete your CBT will move you up the steps, up to and including discharge. If you encounter any technical issues, please contact the ITS Help desk. To verify your CBT is complete, check that your Cornerstone transcript lists under “Completed” and check your email for a confirmation. 

Council 19 Meeting Recap

On October 3rd, we held our Council 19 membership meeting, which was open to all council members. In addition to our Council 19 Officers and Committee Chairs, several members attended. We discussed current issues, committee updates, and got a negotiations update from our MEC President, Jeff Peterson. If you would like to view the minutes from the meeting, you can visit: https://afaalaska.org/sea/10-3-member-meeting

FlightPAC

Did you know that none of your Union Dues goes to support a political candidate? With elections around the corner, it is more important than ever to support candidates that support OUR UNION. 

In order for AFA-CWA to maintain our influence in the legislative arena, it is essential to support political programs which complement our legislative activity, and that’s why we have FlightPAC. Dues from our members are never contributed to campaigns. FlightPAC contributions are voluntary. FlightPAC provides financial support to our federal candidates in office who are committed to helping us accomplish our goals. 

FlightPAC is non-partisan. We give to candidates who help Flight Attendants. AFA understands that not all members have the same political/social beliefs. The fact remains that there are issues that affect all members. These include 10-hour rest, human trafficking awareness, the fight to collective bargaining, air quality and a host of other workplace issues. 

In these difficult and uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that we have a strong and powerful voice in Washington, DC. We must stand together to protect ourselves and our flying partners. Please join us in supporting FlightPAC today. You can visit this link to sign up: http://legislative.afacwa.org/docs/COPE-FPAC_brochure.pdf.  You can also automatically set donations up through Peoplesoft (peoplesoft, payroll, voluntary deductions, add deduction, search AFA Political Action Committee, make your choices, submit). 

Every dollar helps our agenda, so any amount is great!

If you have any questions about FlightPAC, please contact our LEC Government Affairs Chairperson, Melinda Jorge at melinda.jorge@afaalaska.org.

Text Notification System for MEC Messages

We are excited to announce a new way to receive messages from the MEC. You can now sign up for text message updates from AFA Alaska. Initially, these will only be messages being sent from the MEC level. We are looking at ways to utilize this from the local level, and more information will come soon. We will not flood your phones with messages. AFA Alaska text messages will only be sent for significant events and time-sensitive alerts. You can visit the sign-up page to enroll. 

AFA International HRE Committee

The AFA Human Rights and Equity Committee is committed to providing the broadest possible representation of our members regardless of age, disability, marital status, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression. We honor and celebrate the shared humanity of the members in our care. We shall at all times endeavor to promote the principles of tolerance, fairness, equity, justice, respect and inclusion within our Union. It is only when we all work together we can tear down the walls of division and create a progressive culture that values social & economic justice for all working people. 

Click Here to view the latest HRE Committee Newsletter 

Membership Dues

We will be planning solidarity events soon, so it is important to make sure that you are up to date on your membership dues. Also, please remember that when a tentative agreement is reached with the company, you must be up to date in order to vote! If you have questions about your dues status, please reach out to our LEC Secretary, Adam Clarey at adam.clarey@afaalaska.org. 

Human Rights Committee Chair Opening

To ensure we have an equitable process in selecting a new Chairperson, the SEA LEC will hold interviews for eligible candidates during the week of December 4, 2023. If you are interested, please plan to bid around that week. All interviews will be conducted using Google Meet video conferencing. 

Visit our AFA Alaska Human Rights Committee page to learn more and download roles and responsibilities of the committee. Interested candidates should submit a resume along with a cover letter outlining your interest to sea@afaalaska.org, no later than November 1, 2023.

Uniforms

We have a few Uniform Committee reminders. The first is to make sure to login to our uniform website and check your remaining allotment amount. Please remember to spend this prior to the end of the year, or you will lose it. This amount will NOT rollover. This is a great time to buy those pieces you have been wanting and use the funds that were negotiated for you. 

Also, all active employees should have received the uniform survey from Management to their Alaska Airlines email by now. If you have not received it, make sure to check the “other” box on your outlook email. This is the time to share your feelings on the uniform with management. As always, you can reach out to our Council 19 Chairperson at sea.uniform.chair@afaalaska.org.

Native American Heritage Pins

For those of you who would like to wear a Native American Heritage pin, there will be a supply available in the inflight office by November! Please remember, it is approved to wear this pin for the month of November.

 

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up to date information on our Council 19 Facebook Group. Click below to join our group and stay connected. We have also launched a new Council 19 Instagram page, which you will find a link for below as well. Our communication team is researching other social media platforms, more information will come soon!

There are times in our lives of whole-hearted inspiration. All of you together, is nothing short of inspiration. We endeavor to provide our very best, every moment, of every day, to each other and our guests. We simply are the best in the industry. Presently, we once again are shining, as our unity has never been stronger. Our resolve has never been more ignited. Our passion for a true industry leading contract has never been more laser focused. Thank you for this moment in history, of once again whole-hearted inspiration in unity as we endeavor to bring change as a collective, in solidarity. Keep the resolve, keep the fire ignited and the inspiration in unity as a beacon that continues on…..

In Solidarity,

Your Council 19 Officers and Committees

SEE BELOW FOR A PDF VERSION OF NEWSLETTER WITTH GRAPHICS

Council19October2023NewsletterFINALDownload

October Committee Update

In this Edition

  • ASHSC Committee Update
  • Benefits Committee Update
  • Communications Committee Update
  • EAP Committee Update
  • Grievance Committee Update
  • Hotel Committee Update
  • Human Rights Committee Update

ASHSC Committee

The Seattle Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee has continued working towards creating a safer work environment for our workgroup. We have participated in discussions around changing processes and announcements as we continue to grow and change. The Flight Attendants that conduct our Cabin LOSA observations had their annual recurrent training and are getting ready for the audits that will begin again in October.

This year, the switch from Summer to Fall seems to have happened overnight. With this change, we are starting to see the fall storms and the days are getting shorter. It’s important to remember to review and adjust some of our habits to stay safe. With more darkness, be aware of your surroundings, especially in parking lots, on layovers, and other places that aren’t well lit. While driving during this transition period, be aware that there are still lots of people out and often they aren’t wearing clothing that’s geared towards the dark. We also deal with a lot more wind which requires additional attention while driving. 

Both NOAA and the national Weather Service have lots of good information on their websites. A couple of links follow:

https://www.weather.gov/

Click to access fall_2020_presentation.pdf

https://www.noaa.gov/

https://www.noaa.gov/stories/4-safety-tips-for-fall-hazards-small-actions-can-have-big-impacts

Benefits, Retirement & Maternity

Our Benefits Committee is always very busy assisting Flight Attendants with planning their medical, maternity, and workers comp leaves. 

When a staffing leave is offered, many calls are generated regarding benefits while on a staffing leave. We had many SEA based Flight Attendants that are on the October staffing leave. It is very important to double check your benefit enrollment when you return. An email will be sent from our benefits department with a link to your benefits enrollment. 

The 2024 annual enrollment period is right around the corner. This year, the dates are 10/24/2023 – 11/17/2023. This is your once per year time to review your benefits and make any changes for plan year 2024. Our Benefits Committee will be doing base sits 11/9, 11/10, 11/16 & 11/17. Watch for detailed information regarding annual enrollment. 

Our Benefits, Retirement and Maternity committee are committed to helping our SEA based Flight Attendants in any way we can.

Communications Committee

We launched our first newsletter since bringing on new committee members. As with any change, there will be some growing pains, and we are working to streamline our processes. 

Moving forward, you will receive two regular email communications from us each month. The first will be our monthly committee update (like the one you are reading now) containing information/updates on a portion of our committees, being sent the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The second will be a monthly newsletter, coming the 4th Wednesday of each month. 

In addition to the above communications, we will send out emails when we need to get important information out to the membership. 

We are also going to focus on social media. We have already launched our new Council 19 Facebook group, and we will be launching our Instagram page soon. Moving forward, we will continue to evaluate other social media platforms to keep our members informed. As always, we will continue to make posts on our Council 19 webpage https://afaalaska.org/sea.

EAP Committee

Are you looking for a counselor? Alaska is in the process of switching to a new provider for company sponsored EAP benefits, which will be available in early 2024. In the meantime, we want to ensure that you have access to timely and quality counseling services. EAP has compiled a comprehensive list of providers that you can choose from if you need extra support. We can also assist you in finding someone who matches your needs and preferences, especially if this is your first time seeking professional help. Please visit the AFA EAP website for resources or email Andrea Korican at andrea.k@me.com or Lisa Haugen at skylis@hotmail.com and share your personal email for an updated list. 

We continue to see professional standards concerns with social media misuse, unauthorized trip trades, bullying, and unprofessional behaviors on the airplane. We urge you to resolve any conflicts or issues through respectful dialogue and mutual understanding. Remember that everyone may be facing different challenges and stressors at work or in their personal lives. If you encounter a situation that you are unsure about or that makes you uncomfortable, you can always seek confidential guidance and support from an EAP Professional Standards representative or chairperson. They can help you with strategies and solutions to address or cope with your concerns. 

Joint Meetup with AFA and ALPA Professional Standards Committees

Your AFA Professional Standards Committee, in coordination with ALPA’s Professional Standards Committee, invites you to coffee and snacks in the Seattle Village (i.e., the crew lounge on the first floor of the North Satellite) on October 19 from 0800 – 1100.

AFA and ALPA are making a joint effort to provide information about the committees and how they can support you on the line. The AFA and ALPA Professional Standards Committees are each part of their respective Assistance Programs available to all union members.

Your Professional Standards Committees goal is to provide you with a better understanding of who we are and how our two committees work individually and together to assist our fellow flight attendants and pilots. This is an opportunity to ask any questions you may have and gain a better understanding of how the professional standards process works. We are committed to assisting our fellow crew members by resolving situations that arise at the lowest level possible so they can continue to perform their duties professionally and safely in an increasingly challenging work environment. Please take a few minutes to stop by for coffee and snacks and meet our committee volunteers! We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!

Grievance

On September 12, 2023, there was a Grievance Committee Update published for the 3rd quarter of 2023. Items discussed included:

  • Steps of Discipline
  • Subjects of most recent discipline
  • Recent Arbitration/Mediation
  • Recent grievance Settlements
  • Grievances recently filed, denied by management and currently awaiting arbitration dates

Steps of Discipline

As stated in the update, the steps of discipline are:

  1. Confirmation of Oral Warning (COW)
  2. Written Warning (WW)
  3. Suspension – the number of days varies
  4. Termination

These disciplines remain in your file for 18 months and then are eligible for removal. It’s important to understand that each violation builds on another, regardless of if they are related or of a different nature. So, if a Flight Attendant is still within the 18-month period of a previous discipline, then a subsequent violation will be the next step and the 18 months starts again.

For example, a Flight Attendant receives a COW for being late to plane and causing a delay. Twelve months later, the Flight Attendant loses their IMD and is issued a WW. Eight months later, the Flight Attendant forgets to do their CBT and is suspended. Even though it’s been 20 months since the first violation and the COW will have been removed from their file, they are still in the steps of discipline for the WW, so the next step is still suspension.

For more information regarding the removal of discipline, refer to the CBA, §19.D:

DISCIPLINARY EIGHTEEN (18) MONTH REMOVAL

All letters of discipline (warning or suspension) will be expunged after eighteen (18) months after the date of issuance and, at the request of the Flight Attendant, will be removed from the Flight Attendant’s personnel file.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all violations follow the steps of discipline. Some violations, including but not limited to, theft or sick leave abuse is cause for termination, even if the Flight Attendant is not already in a step of discipline.

Attendance Discipline

Unlike other violations, attendance disciplines follow a separate track and are dependent on point accumulation. Refer to the CBA, §32.E.1 to learn more about the steps of discipline related to occurrences of absenteeism. It is up to the Flight Attendant to be aware of the status of their own point accumulation. Make sure that you are utilizing your Quarterly Point Reduction form to help mitigate your point accrual. You have until the end of your next sequence to designate the sequence for your point reduction form. If you don’t submit your form in time, it will be denied, and your points will stay. In other words, a Flight Attendant can’t wait until the end of the quarter and try to use their form for a sequence weeks prior if they had already returned to work and flown subsequent trips since.

For example, a Flight Attendant calls out for a 4-day trip. They are off for 3 days and then report to work for their next 4-day trip. The Flight Attendant has to submit their Quarterly Point Reduction Form prior to their release on Day 4 of their trip. 

Hotel Committee

Your hotel committee continues to advocate for the best hotels possible, while maintaining the language in our CBA.

We have seen an increased number of Crew Care reports coming through which is great. Please remember to continue to send the reports for both complaints and compliments. These reports are essential when we are evaluating markets. The Crew Care reports can be accessed directly on your IMD by clicking the API Icon, or on the Inflight Website, Hotels, Hotel Links, My Crew Care. 

Our committee has been busy doing site inspections the last couple of months. Members of the committee have recently conducted inspections in CUN, BWI, DEN, SJC, ONT, EWR & PIT. Upcoming inspections include NAS, RDU, GUA, ZIH, IAH, and BNA. 

We have seen recent new hotels in Downtown Seattle, and Downtown Chicago, we hope you are enjoying these great new locations and properties!

We hope you have been utilizing the API quick link on your IMD for all your hotel information and needs. Important information like shuttle pick-up times/locations, hotel amenities, and more can be found via the link.  The quick link will be replaced with a stand-alone app in the next couple of months. We are currently testing the app and are happy with what we see so far. More information will come on this as we get closer to the launch. We are also planning a base sit in Seattle to highlight the functions!

Human Rights

A note from Yan Yan Teague, Local Human Rights Chairperson:

Hello Council 19,

After four years as your LEC Human Rights Chairperson, I have decided to step down at the end of the year. 

To quote Chris Jackson as Washington in Hamilton:

“If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on, it outlives me when I’m gone”

While I by no means am comparing my position to that of the nation, I do believe that it is important to get a fresh new perspective in this position. I know there is still so much to tackle, but I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in the past four years.

To ensure we have an equitable process in selecting a new Chairperson, the SEA LEC will hold interviews for eligible candidates during the week of December 4, 2023. If you are interested, please plan to bid around that week. All interviews will be conducted using Google Meet video conferencing.

Visit our AFA Alaska Human Rights Committee page to learn more and download roles and responsibilities of the committee. Interested candidates should submit a resume along with a cover letter outlining your interest to sea@afaalaska.org, no later than November 1, 2023.

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up to date information on our Council #19 Facebook Group. Click below to join our group and stay connected. Also, our communication team is researching other social media platforms, more information will come soon!

Council 19 Base Meeting

Please remember that tomorrow (October 3rd) is our Council 19 base membership meeting and we are looking forward to seeing as many of our members as possible. During the meeting, we will cover our scheduled agenda items, and will be available to answer all of our members questions. 

Parking is available free of charge in front of the building, or if you are parking in the rear, take a ticket when entering the lot and bring it to the meeting for validation. 

Please REGISTER HERE if you plan on attending, and we look forward to seeing you!

Date: October 3, 2023

Time: 1 PM – 4 PM

Location:  Earhart Room at the International Plaza (same building as 13 Coins) across from the airport.

Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Management has recently informed our Master Executive Council (MEC) that they are distributing new Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) to Flight Attendants with devices nearing the end of their lifecycle. The specific schedule for this distribution will be communicated by management separately. Flight Attendants with the oldest devices […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 23, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters 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), […]

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

On Thursday, September 18, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing efforts to represent our Flight Attendants and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular meeting was centered […]

Vacation Survey Closing Soon

There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the crucial vacation survey that will help shape future provisions—your insights are essential for advocating the best outcomes for all Flight Attendants. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Wednesday, September 24 at 12 PM PT.

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