Introducing Council 19’s Newest Committee Chairpersons!

We would like to take this opportunity and welcome three new Committee Chairpersons to Council 19…..

Erik Velez – Council 19 LEC Scheduling Chairperson

Erik started his career with Alaska Airlines in 2004 as a CSA in LAX, later transferring to SNA as a Lead CSA. After meeting Nick, his now husband, he moved to Seattle and transferred to Crew Scheduling in 2007, where he worked for 4.5 years. While in Scheduling, he got his feet wet with union involvement and became a shop steward for the IAM Union. As an IAM shop steward he helped his fellow brothers and sisters feel fairly represented and filed grievances as needed. 

In 2011 he made the jump to the Flight Attendant position. As soon as Erik completed his probationary period he joined the Seattle Reserve Committee, later becoming the LEC Reserve Chairperson. 

Recently, Erik and his husband Nick bought a house in Fife where they live together along with their 13 year old cat Trouble and 9 year old dog Scooby. When not working, he enjoys working in the yard, baking and spending time with his family!

Eriks background in scheduling is going to make him a huge asset to the Scheduling Committee and we are excited to have him!

Dena Heath – Council 19 LEC Uniform Committee Chairperson

Dena started her career with Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant almost 3 years ago. 

Prior to coming to Alaska Airlines she spent 15 years in Retail Management and holds her degree in Visual Communications from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Dena is excited to represent and be a voice for our Flight Attendant group in obtaining a uniform that fits the new brand vision while still being fashionable, functional and something we are proud to wear!

Dena lives in Kennydale with her boyfriend of 5 years and their 4 year old Australian Shepard Brody (who is so spoiled he thinks he is a person).

Carole Babcock – Council 19 LEC Reserve Chairperson

Carole has been a Flight Attendant for Alaska Airlines for 10.5 years, however has worked for Alaska for years longer in many different roles. She has been doing AFA work for almost the entire time here as a Flight Attendant with roles on the Reserve Committee as well as with Professional Standards and EAP.

Carole is very passionate about her AFA work and helping both long time and new Flight Attendants be successful in their jobs. When not at work she loves spending time with her family and loved ones. 

April 8th, 2015 Council 19 Local Base Meeting

Please remember to attend the upcoming base meeting on Wednesday, April 8th!

The first part of the meeting Horizon Council 16 will be joining us to reveiw the agenda items and budget for the upcoming AFA Board of Directors Meeting.

Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm

Where: Hampton Inn and Suites- Across from the Alaska Flight Ops Building

The second part of the your LEC Officers are hosting a local council meeting!

Time:1:30pm – 4:00pm

Where: Hampton Inn and Suites- Across from the Alaska Flight Ops Building

Please find the attached link for the BOD agenda items. It is important that you take the time to reveiw the agenda items and the proposed budget. If you have comments or questions direct them to Laura Masserant before April 26. As your LEC President, Laura votes on your behalf on these agenda items and the budget. It is imperative that your officers have your feedback when we are placing these votes!

http://afa-bod.org/index-of-agenda-items/

We look forward to seeing on Wednesday!

In solidarity,

Laura Masserant, Council 19 LEC President

Dear Flight Attendant,

This week we are starting the “Put on Your Pin” Campaign. Our AFA pin represents our voice and the conviction that through solidarity, we will achieve our goals. It’s more than just a “pin”.

We would love to have photos of you wearing your AFA pin. We ask that the photos are while in uniform, however, if you would like to take some fun photos while on layovers and wearing your AFA pin, you can send those as well. Just remember that the pin should be clearly visible.

Please note that all photos will be used on social media!

Please send all photos to SEA Council 19 Communications Chairperson, Jarod McNeill at jarod.mcneill@afaalaska.org or text to 206.852.4558.

If you don’t have a white AFA pin, please help yourself to one from Laura Masserant or Jake Jones mailbox in Seattle Inflight. We kindly request you only take one for yourself, as we are very limited on supply.

Also remember, the red AFA Pins were for negotiations, the approved AFA pin for uniforms is once again the white one!

Dear Seattle Flight Attendant,

Seattle City Council is considering a resolution opposing Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  It just passed out of committee, and will be considered by the full Council in the coming days.  

Leaked texts reveal that beyond threatening to offshore jobs, drive down wages and increase income inequality, the TPP also contains a chapter that would allow transnational corporations to challenge city, state and federal policies that reduce their expectation of profits as “indirect expropriations.”  This is a serious threat to democratic sovereignty in Seattle and throughout the world — and it’s something that is opposed by everyone from Senator Elizabeth Warren to the Cato Institute. 

International trade is obviously a key part of Seattle’s economy — but these and other heinous TPP provisions are not so much about trade as they are about handcuffing public policy space.  This pact should not receive a Fast Track rubber stamp. 

Once again, we realize that trade is HUGE to Seattle’s economy, but we do not want to accept the TPP through fast track in its entirety. We must be able to go in and change what is needed!

Please help out and contact the Seattle City Council now urging them to pass a strong resolution!

Sincerely,

AFA Council 19

Through its Next Generation program, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) is connecting members aged 35 and under with seasoned member-mentors over the age of 35 to form a network of committed union activists across the country. Next Gen activists bring youthful energy and unique insights to the task of advancing economic and social justice. We are fighting for:

• Good Jobs
• Healthcare for All
• Bargaining and Organizing Rights
• Retirement Security
• Democracy and Economic Justice

Next Gen members embrace creative organizing approaches and new media in order to mobilize and empower workers. And we are building strong alliances with progressive allies, including students, immigrant rights advocates, LGBTQ activists, and environmentalists. We know we’re all in this together.

If you’re a CWA member who is 35 or under and want to learn and lead, you belong in Next Gen.

If you’re a CWA member who is over 35 and willing to share your experience as a Member-Mentor, Next Gen needs you.

Be part of CWA’s future.

Join us.

If you are interested, please contact Seattle FA & Council 19 Government Affairs Chairperson Krystle Cook, who is also a Next Gen Lead Activist. She can be reached at 206.218.7480 or at kcook907@gmail.com. You can also text “NEXTGEN” to 69866.

Below you will find a link for the Next Generation Leaflet.

Click Here for Next Generation Leaflet