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

https://www.afacwa.org/update_on_our_payroll_grants

AFACWA International has posted the following information:

https://www.afacwa.org/increased_unemployment_covid19

In addition, the AFL-CIO has provided a State by State resource page, which can be accessed via this link:

https://aflcio.org/covid-19/state-resources

For those based in Seattle, the information below is specific to Washington and is current as of April 10^th. Remember that, regardless of where you live, claims for unemployment compensation (Washington refers to it as UI) should be filed in the state where you are based.

The CARES Act additional payment of $600 per week is available to eligible employees from March 29 through the last full unemployment week in July, 2020.  The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) anticipates that those funds will begin to be distributed during the week of April 18^th.  The additional funds will be paid retroactively to the date of the original application for UC. In addition, the Act extends the period of UI from the usual Washington term of 26 weeks by an additional term of 13 weeks for a maximum duration of 39 weeks.  After 08/01/2020, the usual state formula will determine the UI to which a claimant is entitled.

The ESD website is being updated to reflect the eligibility and benefit amount changes required by the CARES Act. When this necessary system update will be completed can’t be stated as of this date. 

The ESD advises that any Flight Attendant whose UC claim initially was denied due to lack of hours (the pre-Covid19 “680 hours of work requirement”) should re-submit a claim as of the date of the original application or appeal the denial. The CARES Act specifically reduces the hours worked requirement.  Once the ESD.WA.GOV website application process has been updated to incorporate the correct hours worked requirement, resubmitting applications and/or appeals should no longer be necessary. But, until that these online corrections are made, please continue to submit weekly claims.

Any Flight Attendant who was on a Worker’s Compensation Leave of Absence during the previous 5 quarters, must report that information.  Eberle Vivian income (EV Income) can be included as wages.  Once you enter EV income, the form should self-populate with the information needed.

The proper response for employment status for those on COVID-related leaves and staffing adjustment leaves should be ‘STANDBY’.  However, the current programming of the ESD.WA.GOV website may not consistently approve that status in some cases. This problem should be resolved with the programming update. It is possible to attach documentation to your application or to send additional information when requested.  

When Staffing Adjustment Leaves begin on 5/01, we expect these issues will to be resolved.  You can attach the letter you will receive via Outlook stating that you are on a voluntary leave because of the capacity reduction caused by COVID either when you apply or if asked for additional information.

For those on Low-bid status for May and beyond, in Washington a reduction in hours/income of more than 25% may result in a partial UI payment.  You may apply, citing reduction in hours due to COVID.  If you receive at least $1.00 in UC from the state, you are eligible for the additional $600/week Cares Act funding, according to recent guidance issued by the Department of Labor.

If you are currently on EDLOA (school closure) or VQLOA (self-isolation) leaves, you can attach information substantiating those situations at the time of application or later, if it is requested.  Please review the Eligibility Checker, especially page 2 to determine likely eligibility.  https://esdorchardstorage.blob.core.windows.net/esdwa/Default/ESDWAGOV/Unemployment/UIEligibilityChecker.pdf

Please remember that UI benefits are taxable, both the state component and the federal $600/week. You may be able to elect withholding of taxes on these amounts. You do not have to pay it back, unless you have incorrectly stated your status (such as laid off, when you have not been laid off or furloughed) or misrepresented current income. Please make certain that you are truthful.

If you receive a paycheck during a period while you are on a leave, you must report the gross wages as income for the week that you receive the payment.

The more prepared you are when you file for UI, the more quickly you will receive the funds. ESD has a goal to issue payments within 5 to 7 days. In order to prepare, please follow the recommendations below:

Stay up-to-date on new unemployment policies

• Sign up for ESD covid-19 updates – get updates on the program launch for new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which will help some folks left out of the state’s Unemployment Insurance program: contractors, small business owners, people who don’t have enough hours and some gig worker
•  Check out ESD’s grid on state benefits – it is updated as benefits are expanded/clarified to help workers dealing with covid-19
•  ESD has a FAQ for workers and FAQ on the federal CARES Act

Webinars will be available on the EDS site soon. Please sign up for the Secure Access Washington (SAW) app. There are benefits estimate and eligibility tools available on the site.

If you have additional questions, please contact us and we will try to get the most reliable information we can. We are passing on this information from other sources, relying especially on information provided by ESD.

Please remember that neither AFA nor Alaska Airlines can guarantee that UI will be awarded to any individual. UI determinations are made solely by ESD applying state law and complying with federal law and guidance.