The yearly in-person Board of Directors meeting which was to have taken place in Cleveland in early June has been cancelled. To replace the Board of Directors meeting, a special virtual meeting will take place on 5/20, to approve the proposed AFA 2020/2021 Budget. No other agenda items will be considered.

You may recall that each year, prior to the Board of Director’s meeting, we hold an in-person Joint Local Council meeting with Horizon, and United (when they have flight attendants based in Seattle) to review the Advanced Agenda items for this meeting.  We answer questions about the proposed Agenda items, and review the proposed budget. We had scheduled this Local Council Meeting, but due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, this meeting has also been cancelled.

The Finance and Budget Committees have been holding virtual meetings to assess and revise the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. As a member of the Finance Committee, Terry Taylor has been very involved in this process.  If you have questions about this process, or other budget related questions, please feel free to contact her at Terry.Taylor@afaalaska.org, or by phone at 425-941-7579.

In solidarity,

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan

Council 19 April Base Update 2

SEA Reserve Buddy Program 

Due to the unprecedented number of traditional line-holders who are now holding reserve lines, the Council 19 Reserve Committee will be offering reserve buddies to those who might desire extra support as they navigate the reserve system for the first time in years.

 A reserve buddy is an AFA representative who is knowledgeable about reserve issues and has volunteered to be contactable via text/email/phone to answer questions you may have about the contract, reserve trading and reserve life in general. They are a fabulous resource and we hope having a reserve buddy will provide greater peace of mind to those who have not been on reserve recently.

 If you would like a reserve buddy simply e-mail conner.gallagher@afaalaska.org and one will be assigned to you. In your email please include: 

1.     Name

2.     Base

3.     Peoplesoft number

4.     Your personal e-mail (please, no @alaskaair.com emails)

5.     Your phone number 

As an additional resource check out the Reserve 101 Quick Reference Guide. You will also find the Reserve Survival Guide on the IMD: Goodreader, ASFASupplmental, Collective Bargaining Agreement, AFA Alaska Reserve Survival Guide 2020 or on the Inflight webpage.

Election Information

MAIL DATE: 4-28-20      

Voting Notice and Voting Guide are mailed containing your personal 16-digit activation code

POLLS OPEN: 5-1-20 12:00 PM ET 

Polls Open and voting begins

POLLS CLOSE: 5-22-20 3:00 PM ET 

Polls close and the election count takes place.

Are you eligible to vote?

Ballots will be mailed to the address you have on file with AFA, you can update your address online.

Union Dues 

Please make sure you are dues current to be eligible to vote in the upcoming local officer election. Flight Attendants are required to pay dues every month unless they are on an unpaid leave beyond the first 90 days of dues obligation. If you are on an unpaid leave beyond the first 90 days dues obligation please read below if you wish to vote in the upcoming election.  If there isn’t enough money on your 20^th paycheck to auto deduct dues, they must be manually paid online or by mail. Past month’s dues owed will not be taken out of a future 20^th paycheck.

The C&B considers those on an unpaid leave of absence active with AFA during the 90-day period: Article II C.1.b(1) & (2). Active members are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the Union including the right to vote. Article II C.1.a. The C&B allows a member to remain active after the 90-days dues obligation. Remaining active requires the Flight Attendant to notify AFA of their desire to remain active beyond the 90-days and continue to pay dues.   

This is the only way a Flight Attendant beyond the 90-day dues obligation can vote and participate in AFA activities.

Each of us has an obligation to ensure that our AFA dues payments are current and up-to-date. Section 26 of our collective bargaining agreement outlines the requirement for each of us to pay dues as a condition of employment. If you receive a notice that dues are past due, it is important to remedy the past due amount immediately. Failure to remedy a past due amount may result in termination of employment.

If you receive a statement indicating that you owe dues, the easiest way to make a payment is through the AFA Membership Services website. You can also contact the Membership Services Department to discuss options for a payment plan if you are unable to pay the owed amount immediately. More information about payment options can be found here.  

After Polls Have Opened 

If you have not received your Voting Instructions for this ballot please contact the AFA Ballot Helpline at 1-800-424-2401 EXT 706 (press 1 then 706). If the call is not answered please leave a message. All calls received by 5 pm ET will be returned the same day.

The AFA Ballot Helpline can provide you with a new 16-digit activation code. This will allow you to enter the voting system and cast your vote. The 16-digit code will be sent via email along with instructions for voting via the internet or telephone. 

When calling to obtain a new 16-digit activation code please verify your email address and current status with AFA. If you must leave a message, please make sure you leave your name, airline, employee ID & telephone number along with your email address. The email should be in your inbox however be sure to check your spam/junk folder just in case.

Go to the AFA-CWA elections page for more information. 

In Solidarity,

Terry, Jake, Adam, Megan and Melinda

“Face of Anxiety” by Amy Rhodes

Moderated by Lori Paul-retired Flight Attendant

Incorporating meditation and DBT as it relates to anxiety

Wednesday, April 22 and 29, 2020-12:00 pm EDT-1:00 pm EDT

Join Zoom Meeting–ZOOM MEETING    Meeting ID: 168 058 984/Password: 309272

“Stress and Health: What Actually Gets Injured? The Impact of Stress on Our Daily Lives and Building Resilience” by Kevin McCauley

In this lecture, we will explore the physiology and pathophysiology of stress and trauma, how this science translates into effective strategies to minimize the impact of stress on our lives, avoid turning stress into trauma, and build resilience in order to live a long life.

Thursday, April 23, 2020-4:00 pm-5:00 pm EDT

You must register before the lecture: https://catalog.pesi.com/item/59173

Peaceful Landings” by Sabrina N’Diaye

Virtual healing on managing emotional, spiritual, stress, and physical challenges during uncertain times 

Thursday, April 30, 2020-11:00 am-1:00 pm EDTEmail for registration-https://forms.gle/LsAdxkMWZoC6QTG98

In Solidarity,

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan

Union Plus – New COVID-19 Resource Update

Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program

Because of the current economic and health uncertainty facing many union members, students who enroll in the Union Plus Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program, in partnership with Central State University, in the summer 2020 term will complete their entire degree for free.

There will be no out-of-pocket cost for tuition, fees, or e-books until graduation, not just the summer term. Students may enroll part-time, but continuous enrollment is required.  Students must complete the FAFSA and the financial aid process.

Summer classes begin May 18, 2020.

Unemployed, furloughed or laid off union members and their extended families are still eligible to enroll in the Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program.

Members can learn more by calling 888-897-9671 or get started online https://bachelorsdegree.unionplus.org/

Council #19

Local Council Election Information

Council #19 elections for all Local Officers will begin soon, for a three-year term of office from 7/1/2020-2023. Make sure that AFA-CWA has your current mailing address to make sure you receive your ballot and voting information. You can update this information at: https://www.afacwa.org/change_of_address.

MAIL DATE: 4/28/2020

Voting Notice and Voting guide are mailed containing your person 16-digit activation code.

POLLS OPEN: 5/1/2020.   12:00PM ET

Polls open and voting begins.

POLLS CLOSE:  5/22/20.  3:00PM ET

Polls close and the election count takes place. 

Important Election Clarification: The link below contains the correct eligibility information.

http://afacwa-elections.org/am-i-eligible-to-vote-in-an-election/

The site has been updated with a clarification. Active was referring to being active with AFA, not their company. 

The C&B considers those on an unpaid leave of absence active with AFA during the 90-day period: Article II C.1.b(1)& (2).

Active members are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the Union including the right to vote. Article II C.1.a.

The C&B allows a member to remain active after the 90-days dues obligation.  Remaining active requires the Flight Attendant to notify AFA of their desire to remain active beyond the 90-days and continue to pay dues.   

This is the only way a Flight Attendant beyond the 90-day dues obligation can vote and participate in AFA activities.

As always, if you have an issue, please file at ticket at support.afaalaska.org and someone will contact you. 

Fly safe. 

In Solidarity, 

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan