AFA Council #19-Seattle

Spring Update

Base Update

First, let me say that we are very sorry to hear that our Base Director, Robbi Burton, will be leaving us for Los Angeles.  She will be missed!  Supervisor Audrey Mulloy will be returning to the line on June 01.  New hours have been posted for the Ready Room.

AFA has been provided with plans for a new Inflight Ready Room, inside security near the Spot-On office.  We don’t yet have a completion date, but the plans look exciting.

Committee Updates

We’d like to welcome Julie Pinson to her new position as Council #19 Reserve Chair.  In addition, Conner Gallagher has joined the Reserve Committee.  Julie has spent several years as a Committee member, and Conner brings a background with PBS to the Committee.

Martin Monteblanco and Ian Haywood have joined the Government Affairs Committee.

During the next few weeks we’ll be sending out intermittent requests for volunteers to serve on various committees.  As our base continues to grow, so does the work load.

CBT Training

The most recent CBT training had a required completion date of May 11.  Over 100 F/As in our council did not complete the training timely.  One problem we’re aware of is that it wasn’t terribly clear that there were two videos that were required.  The performance supervisors will be reaching out to those who did not complete the training.

Transition Training

We have heard from many, many F/As who are unhappy that hotels will not be provided for transition training.  We have discussed this repeatedly with Management, and they are unwilling to provide hotels due to the expense.

Pairing Changes

As we move toward fleet integration, flying is being shifted from Boeing to Airbus, and from Airbus to Boeing.  Our pairings are changing more than they typically do as a result of seasonal flying changes.  We expect more changes in the future.

We’ve heard from many F/As who are unhappy with these changes, and who are upset that their preferred pairings are no longer available.  This is not limited solely to Seattle. Unfortunately, it is likely to continue.  We’ve all seen the ‘network realignment’ articles on Alaskasworld.

Please know that your officers and the SEA Scheduling Committee continue to advocate for improved pairings, but ultimately the company’s decisions are based on cost. Both our Scheduling Chairs and Crew Planning are very aware that these changes are unpopular.  We have been told that a communication from Crew Planning on this subject is forthcoming, but do not have a specific date.

Retroactive Pay

We received many questions regarding the confusion regarding the emails that were sent out by the company.  All F/As hired prior to date of ratification should have received two May 20^th (paid on 5/18) paychecks.  One was paid at the new pay scale, and the other should have covered retroactive pay back to January 01.  The company has posted the pay codes eligible for retroactive pay in an informational bulletin, #2018-0053,

There has been much confusion regarding those who had step increases during this period based on the Date of Hire adjustment process.  Anyone who is affected should receive this additional retroactive pay no later than June 29^th.

Need help?

If you have a question, please go to https://support.afaalaska.org, and ‘open a ticket.’  We now have more than 2500 F/As in Seattle, alone.  We particularly ask that you use this resource for scheduling, pay and reserve concerns.  We need the information requested on the form to research your concern.  If you would like to talk to an officer or committee chair, please go to afaalaska.org, and look through the officer and/or committee lists for contact information for your local representatives.

Keeping current with information?

There are several ways to keep up to date with your Council #19 news! In addition to your regular email updates, the information can be found at: afaalaska.org/sea

Are you on Facebook? Like the Council #19 page at: https://www.facebook.com/AFA-Council-19-Seattle-538630496190284/

Are you a Reserve FA in Seattle? There is a Reserve Only Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afacouncil19reserve/

Receive the most important information via text (we do not send out all communications via text, just the ones that are the most important!). Register for texts at: https://remind.com/join/sea19

Click the link below to read minutes from the Council #19 base meeting held on 3/27/18.

Council 19 Minutes 3-27-18

A joint Local Council #19 meeting with Horizon Council #16 will be held on March 27th. The focus of the meeting will be Advanced Board of Director’s meeting agenda items, as this is required by the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.

We will devote the last hour of the meeting to taking questions regarding the TA, but they will be structured and time limited. We will have a JNC Committee member in attendance to assist in answering questions.

What:  Council #19 Base Meeting

When:  March 27, 2018, 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: Sea Tac Office Towers, South Tower, Earhart room (Lower Plaza)

Parking: Parking is provided. There is a large lot behind the building, tell the guard you are attending an Alaska Airlines AFA meeting.

If you did not have a chance to attend one of the Seattle Roadshows, you still have a chance!

Are you on a layover in SFO, LAX or SAN in the next few days? Come see us at a roadshow and get your TA questions answered! The SFO location is a 10 minute walk from the Hilton and about 20 minutes from the Hyatt. Los Angeles location is just a few minutes away via UBER or LYFT, or you can take the shuttle from the airport and San Diego location is the same as our layover!

Do you commute from the SAN, LA or SFO area? Parking validated!

Do you have a lot of questions and just want to fly in for one? Hotel shuttles are provided from the airport!

Tuesday March 13th at the San Francisco Airport Doubletree. 835 Airport Blvd., Burlingame CA 94010. Sessions from 9-12 & 1-4.

Wednesday March 14th at the Embassy Suites Airport North. 9801 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90045. Sessions from 9-12 & 1-4.

Friday March 16th at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown (our layover hotel). 1646 Front St., San Diego CA 92101. Sessions from 9-12 & 1-4.

We would love to see you there!