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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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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

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

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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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.

Pride Month

June is Pride Month! AFA-CWA supports all LGBTQ Flight Attendants and workers in their fight for protections on the job and their communities.

Stop by the Seattle base and pick up your PRIDE AFA pin and wear it through the end of June! As a reminder, you will need to switch back to the regular AFA pin on July 1st.

 

 

 

That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month comes to a close, we want to sincerely thank everyone who tuned in, asked insightful questions, and shared resources throughout September. Whether you watched a quick video on the van or started a conversation about voting in the crew lounge, your engagement made a difference. We started this month […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met for their regular quarterly meeting to advance ongoing activism, promote workplace equity, and champion meaningful policy improvements across our workplace. Your representatives attending the meeting were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Soon Kim (HNL), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (pmHA LAX/SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel […]

MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – September 23, 2026

Whether you joined us live or are ready to watch on your own schedule, the full recording of our September 23 MEC Town Hall is now available! Catch up on the discussions and hear directly from our MEC Officers and AFA panelists. Watch the video anytime on our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian YouTube channel using the link below. (Note: […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

In September, our Hotel Committee participated in two meetings: the standing monthly meeting with Crew Hotels on September 14, and a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) with the company’s hotel procurement vendor, API, on September 23 (pmAS) and September 24 (pmHA) in Seattle.  Representing you at these meetings were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), […]

Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Wednesday, October 21

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants When Crew Scheduling calls at 3 AM with a change to the trip you self-assigned, do you know your contractual rights? Understanding what management can—and cannot—do on reserve is your strongest line of defense. Join our Reserve Committee for “Is This Legal?”, the second installment in our three-part pre-merger […]

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