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    You are here: Home / Archives for Council 35 SFO

    AFA Council 35 (SFO) Election Results

    May 26, 2022 13:00 Leave a Comment

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in San Francisco:

    LEC President: Melissa Osborne
    LEC Vice President: Virginia Fritz
    LEC Secretary: James Ikehara
    Council Representative: Brad Young

    View the certified election results here >>

    These officers will serve a term of office starting July 1, 2022 and concluding on June 30, 2025.

    Our Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Council 35 SFO Tagged With: election results, officer elections

    Council 35 News – April 2022

    May 9, 2022 15:52


    Topics

    Important Dates | CA Membership Meeting | Officer Elections | Committee Openings | Spring Incentive | Section 6 | Solidarity | Pilot Strike | TSA Self Defense | Scholarships.


    Important Dates

    • April 30: CWA Scholarship Application Due
    • May 10: CA Membership Meeting
    • May 26: C35 Officer Election Polls Close

    CA Membership Meeting

    Hosted by Councils 35, 18, and 15

    The next membership meeting for Council 35 members will be Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1100 via Zoom. The purpose will be to discuss the upcoming AFA-CWA Annual Board of Directors Meeting.  This meeting will be a combined council meeting and open to all Council 35 (SFO), 18 (LAX) and 15 (SAN) members in good standing (up-to-date on dues). Agenda can be found here.  Deadline to submit advanced agenda items is 5/6/22.  To attend, please register here.

    Officer Election Coming Soon!

    It’s election time for SFO and members will have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for Council 35 officers.  All Council 35 voting instructions and guidelines can be found on the AFA Elections Page. The AFA-CWA Membership Services Department handles all voter questions and issues new activation codes if ballots are misplaced or never received.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.  If you have a question or need a new 16-digit activation code, you may contact the Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, then press 1 and dial extension 706.

    Council 35 Election Dates

    Ballots Mailed:  4/27/22
    Polls Open:  5/5/22
    Polls Close/Results:  5/26/22, 1200 PST
    Term Date Start: 7/1/22
    Term Date End:  6/30/25

    New Council 35 Committee Openings

    Government Affairs Committee Chair

    The Government Affairs (GA) committee promotes the AFA-CWA agenda by supporting legislative efforts that benefit our members or lobbying to discourage laws that will negatively impact members.  What can be achieved in legislation takes away the need for negotiation.  If you have an interest in government issues, please visit the GA webpage on the AFA Alaska website. Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.

    Government Affairs Committee Chair

    Council 35 is looking to fill the chair position for upcoming Section 6 negotiations.  The chairs from each base will compose the committee with the goal to help motivate and provide assistance to members during the negotiations process.  If you are passionate about improvements to our contract and understand the power of solidarity, please apply!  Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.  For more information, please see the recent MEC communication announcing the role.

    Interested in another committee position?  Please review the duties and responsibilities on the AFA Alaska Committee website.  Please submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.

    Spring Incentive: Love it or Hate it?

    Section 6 negotiations are getting ready to launch, but did you know the MEC is regularly “negotiating” with management? A great example of this is the Spring Incentive.  Management couldn’t just compel us to participate, as we already have a defined incentive program (PPP) outlined in JCBA§21.R.  They approached us with the idea to help alleviate the staffing issue and the “negotiations” began.  This particular program, developed exclusively by management, was not received well by the MEC at first glance.  Right away we rejected some of the most contentious issues: threshold way too high, not enough people will benefit, won’t motivate regular flyers, not including enough pay codes (i.e. vacation).  Pretty much everything that members have expressed after launch as the unsavory aspects of the program.  In response we offered several suggestions to improve the program’s benefit and effectiveness to which the company declined and only agreed to a few of our suggestions.  We weren’t given much time to work out the details and within a couple of days the MEC had to make a decision to either support the program, or reject it altogether.  Some may disagree with the choice we made, but I can share with you why I was a reluctant yes.  

    When considering SFO specifically (the members that elected me), I came to the conclusion that the Spring Incentive would potentially benefit the SFO F/As more than not.  The program rewards high-time flyers (always been an SFO trend) and brings a little extra pay to overworked reserves.  With this in mind, I decided that it was better to say yes to the program than say no.  I made my decision based on my understanding of the base and what my members want.  The best way for me to know what members want is to hear from you!  If this program is good for you, let me know!  If you hate it, let me know!  I can make better decisions in the future if my members share with me how they feel about issues that affect their work environment. If members are curious about how I voted on a particular issue, please reach out and ask!  I am happy to share my decisions and receive feedback to better support SFO FAs.

    TSA Crew Member Self Defense Training Program – Reinstated

    The TSA Crew Member Self Defense Training Program has been reinstated and is available for all US-based flight attendants free of charge. There are 2 classes scheduled for their South San Francisco location on May 19th and June 16th, from 0800-1200. If you cannot attend these dates, additional classes for 2022 may be offered at a later date. Use this link for more information and to sign up for one of their classes.

    Scholarship Opportunities

    Provided by AFA International

    The Joe Beirne Scholarship offered by CWA is available to AFA Members and dependents. The deadline for applications is April 30.   For more information please visit the CWA website.

    Member Questions: Negotiations

    Why Do We Call Contract Negotiations “Section 6?”

    The term “Section 6” refers to the part of the Railway Labor Act (RLA) that defines the negotiations process.  In many industries, collective bargaining agreements (CBA) have an expiration date, and until a new one is negotiated, the benefits of the old contract are no longer available.  The industries that fall under the RLA have contracts that become amendable, meaning they open up for changes but don’t officially expire (unless specifically defined), and it stays in effect until a new one is ratified (voted in by members).  This was to prevent a transportation shutdown in the early days of the RLA’s existence, as it would have had (and still does have) a devastating effect on the infrastructure of the nation.  What can F/As do now to help?  Get educated and follow the progress of the Negotiating Committee!  Many SFO members haven’t experienced full Section 6 negotiations and understanding the process is crucial to our success.  For more information about negotiations please visit the AFA Alaska Negotiations website. 

    Solidarity and Why We Need It

    The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines solidarity as: unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives, and standards. Many members are frustrated with management’s decisions and policies that have rolled out recently.  It’s been rough and your Council 35 officers and committee members are united in the frustration! Going to social media to vent is a great way to chat with other members and share experiences and frustrations, however it can also hinder our progress at the negotiations table.  Please see the recent MEC communication on this topic.  Social media campaigns as well as individual emails to management expressing displeasure only show that we are a divided work group.  As your elected leaders, that is literally our job-to confront management on your behalf.  If we don’t hear from you, we can’t stand up to ask for change.  Tell us!  The best way to let them know we mean business is to stand together in solidarity.

    Alaska Pilot Strike Vote

    Council 35 has received several emails from members concerned about the pilot strike vote and how it will impact F/As lives. One of the issues that has raised the most concern is the strike vote planned for May.   Although the vote is scheduled soon, it does not mean the actual strike, if it happens, will follow immediately.  ALPA (pilot Union for AS pilots) and the company have just recently entered the mediation phase of negotiations, which could last an indefinite amount of time:  weeks, months, maybe even years.  If mediation is unsuccessful,  there will be an appeal to the National Mediation Board (NMB) to release the parties from mediation, which is followed by a cooling off period of 30 days.  The pilots follow the same process for negotiations under the RLA as we do at AFA-CWA.  To see a breakdown of steps, please visit our Negotiations website where you will find a helpful chart and breakdown of the different phases of the process. Flight Attendants can also follow ALPA’s progress by visiting the ALPA website.  

    Got a question?

    Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website.  You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.

    In solidarity,

    Melissa, James and Brad


    Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
    James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
    Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

    Filed Under: Council 35 SFO Tagged With: April, BOD Meeting, committees, Council 35, elections, Newsletter, scholarships

    Council 35 News – March 2022

    April 8, 2022 13:37


    Important Dates

    . March 31: KCM Barcode Requirement Begins-Today!
    . April 1: Q1 CBT Due Tomorrow!
    . April 10: AFA Scholarship Application Due
    . April 27: Council 35 Officer Elections Polls Open
    . April 30:
     CWA Scholarship Application Due
    . May 10: CA Membership Meeting


    CA Membership Meeting

    Hosted by Councils 35, 18 and 15

    The next membership meeting for Council 35 members will be Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1100 via Zoom. The purpose will be to discuss the upcoming AFA-CWA Annual Board of Directors Meeting.  This meeting will be a combined council meeting and open to all Council 35 (SFO), 18 (LAX) and 15 (SAN) members in good standing (up-to-date on dues).  Deadline to submit agenda items is 5/6/22.  To attend, please register here.

    Officer Election Coming Soon!

    It’s election time for SFO and members will have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for Council 35 officers.  All Council 35 voting instructions and guidelines can be found on the AFA Elections Page. The AFA-CWA Membership Services Department handles all voter questions and issues new activation codes if ballots are misplaced or never received.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.  If you have a question or need a new 16-digit activation code, you may contact the Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, then press 1 and dial extension 706.

    Council 35 Election Dates

    . Ballots Mailed:  4/27/22
    . Polls Open:  5/5/22
    . Polls Close/Results:  5/26/22, 1200 PST
    . Term Date Start:  7/1/22
    . Term Date End:  6/30/25

    Trending Discipline

    Information provided by the Grievance Committee

    The SFO Grievance Committee has experienced a busy first quarter!  We’ve seen a record number of terminations and suspensions in such a short period of time. Here’s a brief summary of our most recent cases:

    Sick Leave Abuse

    Sick leave abuse meetings are still trending high on our list.   During a recent meeting with management the investigation process was discussed.  Your Council 35 Grievance committee would like members to be aware of the steps management takes whenever an F/A calls in sick.  Every sick leave call that is recorded in a day will be investigated by base supervisors and managers the following day.  How deep the “look” goes is dependent on the Flight Attendant’s history, or information that may be discovered through social media or conversation between management and the F/A.  Every absence is reported in a log that management keeps to track trends.  Depending on how many entries an F/A has in the log, or if the supervisor is aware of any other information will determine whether the log entry is enough or if more needs to be discovered.  Some of the Flight Attendants history may be viewed at this point:

    • Leave status
    • Employee travel with a special focus on the following:
    • Social media accounts
    • Line management: attempted drops with comments and/or money on trade requests
    • Previous years absences on same days

    This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a sample of F/A activity that can be seen by management.  In the event that this search indicates abuse, the Flight Attendant will be asked to attend a performance meeting to answer to the pattern discovered.  If the performance supervisor confirms the suspected abuse, the F/A is discharged on first offense.  As a reminder, our contract provides Flight Attendants with the benefit of paid sick leave to care for ourselves and loved ones when ill.  It is a conditional benefit and is only to be used for the purpose of treating an illness.  Flight Attendants that use the benefit in any other way are considered to have committed timecard fraud.  In the event abuse is suspected, the burden of proof is on the F/A who needs to prove to the company that they used the benefit appropriately.


    Job Abandonment/Points

    Sadly we are witnessing a large amount of Job Abandonment cases.  Many of these cases are Flight Attendants that run out of leave options and stop contacting the company about the status of their leaves.  Additionally a record number of terminations have been occurring due to points at high levels.

    Personal Conduct

    Personal Conduct can include a variety of violations.  Recent ones have included violation of company directed quarantine, crewmember disputes, and layover incidents.

    Commuter Violations

    This continues to be the number one violation.  The most common reason for a commuter violation is dropping a deadhead and commuting to/from another base.  Also we’ve seen many accidental listings, where the F/A lists as D8Y rather than E1Y for travel.

    Scholarship Opportunities

    Provided by AFA International

    AFA Scholarship

    For eligibility guidelines, information and application, please visit the AFA-CWA website.
    Applications must be postmarked by April 10, and sent to the following address:

    AFA Scholarship Fund

    P.O. Box 56

    Hartwood, VA 22471-0056

    CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

    The Joe Beirne Scholarship offered by CWA is available to AFA Members and dependents. The deadline for applications is April 30.   For more information please visit the CWA website.

    Barcode Required for KCM Checkpoints

    Provided by AFA International

    Effective today March 31, 2022, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require the Known Crewmember (KCM) Program eligible crewmembers to scan a KCM-issued barcode card when utilizing a KCM access point. Crewmembers will no longer be permitted to manually enter their KCM data.

    Crewmembers who do not have a KCM barcode card, have a worn/unreadable barcode card, or have not completed the registration process will be referred to the passenger screening checkpoint for entry into the airport sterile area. If a crewmember does not present an active KCM barcode card and is referred for screening, then they must follow the TSO’s instructions and complete the screening process at the passenger screening checkpoint. Failure to submit to screening at the passenger screening checkpoint (e.g., using a SIDA badge to avoid screening), is considered circumvention of screening and TSA may take enforcement action in accordance with the KCM Disqualification Protocols (KCMDP). Crewmembers may request a new or replacement KCM barcode card from their airline management. For more information, please refer to the article on the AFA-CWA website.

    SFO Employee COVID Vaccines

    Information provided by FlySFO

    Flight Attendants looking for a vaccine location, SFO Airport has convenient options. Please visit the SFO website for more information:
    Vaccinations at SFO | San Francisco International Airport

    AFA Membership Links for Payment or Personal Contact Updates 

    by James Ikehara, Secretary and Membership Committee Chair

    If you are coming back from an LOA and need to catch up on dues payments, this link will take you directly to AFA’s Membership Services website to schedule an on-line payment. Should you need to update your personal contact information (e.g., address, phone number, email, etc.), use this link

    Got a question?

    Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website.  You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.

    In solidarity,

    Melissa, James and Brad


    Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
    James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
    Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

    Filed Under: Council 35 SFO Tagged With: college scholarships, Council 35, election, elections, Membership meeting, Newsletter, points, scholarships, sick leave abuse, trends

    Council 35 News – January 2022

    January 31, 2022 11:45


    Important Dates

    • Jan 31:Temporary NavBlue Outage at 06:00 PST for 2 Hours for Programming Update
    • Feb 5-9: PBS Base Sits SFO Village
    • Feb 10: ACT CBT Due

    SFO Employee COVID Testing

    Information provided by FlySFO

    As a result of new CA State legislation, one of SFO’s COVID-19 testing sites will now accept insurance (including Kaiser) and has set up a dedicated Employee Testing portal for all Airport workers. Links to the portal for employee registration at this site offering molecular testing is below. Advance registration is required via the Employee Portal. Employees who are symptomatic or are known to be in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should use Worksite Labs if possible.

    Location: Adjacent to the Long-Term Parking Lot and Cell Phone Waiting Lot by San Bruno Avenue

    Testing Offered: Drive-Thru Only, RT-PCR with results in 12 or 24 hours

    Employee Testing Hours: Daily 0700-1900 

    Note: Operating hours and location are subject to change. 


    Sunsetting of NavBlue Classbid After the March 5-12, 2002 Bid Period

    by Virginia Fritz, Scheduling Committee Chair

    NavBlue is sunsetting the old Classbid interface and FAs will need to use the updated WebApp interface for the March 5-12 bid period. Base Sits for SFO are scheduled on the dates below, and will be held in the SFO Village.  

    • Feb 5th 0900-1700
    • Feb 6th 1000-1800
    • Feb 7th 0700-1800
    • Feb 8th 0700-1700
    • Feb 9th 0900-1700 

    Representatives from our Scheduling, Benefits, and Reserve committees will be on hand to assist and answer any questions. If you are unable to attend any of these sessions, please contact pbs.qa@alaskaair.com for assistance. WebApp virtual training dates are expected to be announced next month.

    To get the most out of your time with a trainer at a Base Sit, you should have some familiarity with WebApp. If you have not already done so, please review the links below.  We strongly suggest beginning with the WebApp Tutorial.

    •  WebApp Tutorial Video
    •  WebApp Program Guide
    •  WebApp Quick Reference
    •  Basic Line Bidding Video
    •  Basic Reserve Bidding Video 
    •  Additional WebApp Videos

    Pairing Update for March 2022

    by Virginia Fritz, Scheduling Committee Chair, PBS Subcommittee Member

    The company has been trying to find ways to mitigate their operational risk of cancellations due to crew staffing shortages. They have found that the average sick call on a 4 day can take 2 or 3 reserve flight attendants to staff because of reserve legalities and days-on availability. This has led the company to significantly reduce 4 days in all bases for March. 

    We have let crew planning know that we are very unhappy with this as it relates to the SFO base, and stressed that the quality of pairings is an issue, not quantity. If you have any feedback please reach out to sfo.scheduling@afaalaska.org so that we can relay any feedback to management.

    Many in our base rely on longer trips. There are some tips to try and create your own longer pairings should you want to attempt it. You can attach one trip to another by adding a base turn (JCBA 8.T) to the beginning or end of another trip. A base turn isn’t necessarily a ‘turn’ but is “two (2) sequences combined in the same duty period that contain no less than one hour and forty-five minutes (1:45) block-to-block between the last flight of the previous sequence and the first flight of the subsequent sequence. The scheduled ‘base turn duty period’ cannot exceed fourteen (14) hours on duty according to CFRs.” Additionally, some trips have a SIP (JCBA 12.G),(a Sequence Interruption Point [SIP] will be any arrival of the aircraft at the Sequence Home Domicile). You can pick up a trip out of open time that in its entirety may not be legal to add, but with a SIP in base could create a legal combination. With many of the pairings we have, these tools may not always be applicable but we wanted to make sure that this information was available to you should you want and be able to use it.

    Inflight Service Committee (ISC) Reminders

    by Raymond Ramirez, ISC Chair

    Create Success

    Please help your fellow crew members by returning items to their originally catered galley positions.

    Current Substitutions

    Canned OJ replaces boxes-please pour.  SEA will cater Fruit & Cheese with 2 slices each of cheddar and Beechers due to a shortage of Brie cheese.          

    F/A Feedback

    Your comments have brought back mixer drawers to the FC beverage cart–coming March 02.  Current focus: carafes and lids are missing on many flights so please use B2B to report. THANK YOU!

    Service

    Feb 07, will see the reinstatement of many service items.  This service increase will be monitored and adjusted as necessary in partnership with AFA leadership.  Please reach out to your AFA SFO Inflight Service Committee, Raymond Ramirez (chair), Matt Voges and Renee Waggener with your service comments. 

    Grievance Summary 2021

    The following chart summarizes grievances filed for SFO for the year 2021.  This does not represent all of the performance meetings (investigations) that occurred and mitigated disciplines from Grievance Reps with management.  These numbers strictly represent grievances filed after discipline had been issued.  Of grievances filed, 3 of them were mitigated through the grievance process which resulted in either disciplines reduced and/or dropped.

    ViolationCases% Total
    Appearance of Sleeping12%
    Intentional Flying with COVID12%
    Breaking Quarantine/Insubordination12%
    Lost IMD12%
    Mask Non-compliance12%
    Comping Non-Revs12%
    Theft from Aircraft12%
    Uniform12%
    Last Chance Agreement12%
    12+ Points12%
    Reserve Out of Base24%
    Late to Plane/Delay/Missing Required Item611%
    CBT Missed Deadline1426%
    Commuter Policy2139%
    Total Grievances54100%

    Calling in Sick and Wellness Calls

    As everyone knows, thanks to the many reminders from management, sick leave usage is at an all time high.  Considering there’s a world-wide pandemic occurring this is not surprising.  One way management has taken steps to attempt to curb sick leave usage is to carefully monitor sick calls.  Many of the “suspect” cases are brought to the performance team for investigation from Crew Scheduling.  When an FA calls in sick and offers more information than what is needed, this often will trigger a “red flag” and get passed along for an investigation.  Best practice is to say only what is necessary to crew scheduling when calling in to report an absence.  “Hi this is FA (name)  Peoplesoft number (1234567) calling in sick for (trip number or reserve day).”  Nothing more is needed.  If schedulers are asking for more information, you are not required to divulge any health information.  

    The same guidance is also true for Wellness calls.  Management has a process in place to follow up with Flight Attendants when they reach certain absence point levels.  Normally each discipline level triggers a wellness call and/or email from base supervisors. Wellness calls with management do not require a response, however it is recommended that the FA provide a confirmation of the message.  In recent investigations with FAs with high point levels, one of the questions from the performance supervisor is “did you receive the wellness calls from base leadership?  And did you respond?”  Best practice would be to respond via email only to any wellness calls and/or emails to avoid having a conversation with management without Union representation.

    Member Question: How to use sick family

    Flight Attendants can use sick leave to tend to a serious or emergency health condition of a family member.  If you report sick for a qualified family member and do not have enough sick leave to cover the entire sequence or reserve day(s), the absence(s) will be converted to a Management Drop and attendance points will be assessed at a half-point per day. To see your sick leave balance log into Rainmaker for the most current balance. If you need time away from work to care for a sick family member and you do not have sufficient sick leave available, contact an Inflight Supervisor to request a Management Drop. For more information please review Bulletin 2021-0059.

    Membership Links for Payment or Personal Contact Updates

    by James Ikehara, Secretary and Membership Committee Chair

    If you are coming back from a leave of absence and need to catch up on dues payments, this link will take you directly to AFA’s Membership Services website to schedule an on-line payment. Should you need to update your personal contact information (e.g., address, phone number, email, etc.), use this link.

    Fly safe and stay healthy!

    Melissa, James and Brad


    Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
    James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
    Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

    Filed Under: Council 35 SFO Tagged With: bidding, COVID, COVID-19, grievance, Grievance Committee, New Members, Newsletter, Scheduling Committee, sick leave, sick leave abuse

    Council 35 – News November

    December 8, 2021 13:35


    Important Dates

    • Dec 1-15:  Travel Open Enrollment
    • Dec 31:   Dependent Verification
    • Dec 31:  Current Uniform Allotment ends
    • Dec 31:  Annual Compliance Training (ACT) CBT due
    • Jan 1:  Contractual Uniform Allotment added

    COVID-19 Points Forgiveness

    Per the new agreement with management, Flight Attendants can once again submit for points forgiveness for COVID-19 related absences with corresponding documentation.  The time limits for submitting have been suspended.  If you’ve had a previous submission denied due to timeliness, please resubmit for points removal.  This process is manual, so allow some time for the adjustment to show on the attendance record. To request a points review, visit:

    Alaskasworld>>Inflight >>Administration>>Performance>>COVID-19 Absence Reporting Form

    Reporting Service Safety Hazards

    by Brad Young, Council 35 ASHSC Chair/Council Rep

    Please remember to report any safety hazards that you experience while performing the expanded onboard service.  This could include examples of increased exposure to passengers (e.g. passenger removing their mask to speak to you, etc.) or other hazards related to service.  Please also report any trash stowage concerns or issues (e.g. trash was stowed under the last row, in the LAV or in the O/H bin) due to the lack of dedicated ‘trash cart’ space or lack of galley trash bin space in the aircraft.    Please fill out both an FAIR and ASAP report in those events.  You can report these hazards through Block2Block and/or ReportIt! by submitting either a FAIR and/or ASAP for each flight on which they occur.  It is important to include the terms “COVID-19″ and “service” in your narrative to ensure they are correctly categorized by management.  This data will help our AFA representatives (Inflight Service and Safety Committees) to advocate for safe levels of service and/or further reduce onboard service again. 

    Dependent Verification

    If you were in the group of selected employees in the dependent audit, the deadline to provide documentation for dependents receiving health care coverage is 12/31/21.

    New Reserve Committee Members

    Council 35 is happy to announce and welcome not only one new committee member, but two!  Meg Casey and Camile Caldwell have stepped forward to co-chair the Council 35 Reserve Committee and the timing couldn’t be more perfect with all the hiring expected next year.  Get to know these wonderful volunteers by reading their bios in their own words:


    Meg Casey

    Meg grew up as an Army brat and served for several years in the Coast Guard which ultimately led to her love of travel and meeting new people.  It was with this in mind that she decided to pursue a career as a flight attendant with Virgin America in 2017 and now she’s not sure why she didn’t become a flight attendant sooner.  She has been SFO based since she started flying and has bounced back and forth between reserve and having a line for the last 4 years.  Meg knows how tough it can be to be on reserve, especially now, and she wants to serve as an advocate for our SFO reserves.  She’s excited to serve in her new role and would like to invite you to reach out with any questions or concerns about reserve life or the reserve portion of the contract.  Meg lives in the North Bay, and when she’s not flying, she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and trying all the food.

    Camile Caldwell

    Camile began her Flight Attendant career in October of 2017 with Virgin America, and quickly discovered her love of travel and the airline industry as a whole. She has been on and off reserve for her entire career, adapting to whatever crew scheduling throws her way, and holds a reserve line currently. With the drop off in flying due to COVID she took a voluntary furlough, which only made her realize how much she missed working and, upon returning to work, how much she wanted to get more involved within the FA workgroup. Camile is extremely eager to become a resource for all SFO reserves, work to help them better understand their contract, and be a voice for reserves within the union and to management. Before becoming a Flight Attendant Camile graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a BS in Geology. She currently lives in Sacramento and enjoys spending time with friends and family whenever she can.

    Have a question for SFO Reserve?  Both Meg and Camile can be reached at sfo.reserve@afaalaska.org.

    Year End Reminders

    Uniform Allotment-Use it or Lose it

    In January 2022 a new set of funds will be allotted to all Flight Attendant that meet the criteria (JCBA §13.D.6), however none of the funds from this year will roll-over (JCBA §13.D.1).  If you want to make any last minute orders (even for backordered items), now is the time to do it.

    Record Improvement

    JCBA § 32.G.4. Flight Attendants meeting the following conditions will have attendance points reduced to zero:

    • 4 or less attendance points at the end of the year
    • achieves 480 TFP for the year
    • does not accumulate any attendance points for the months of November and December

    The manual adjustment occurs mid-January which will be reflected on FAs attendance point records.

    480

    Flight Attendants must achieve 480 TFP for the year to maintain the following benefits:

    • Uniforms §13.D.6
    • Vacation §16.L.4
    • Health Insurance §33.B.1-4
    • Attendance year-end record improvement §32.G.4 

    To see your TFP accruals for the year, please visit:


    Alaskasworld>>Inflight Page>>Administration>>Calculators

    We’re Here to Help:  Online Support Center

    The best way to contact us for support is by submitting an online support ticket.  By selecting the type of concern you have, the best rep for your situation can assist you.  The online support ticket system is for AFA use (not management) and is confidential, so please use a personal email address to open a request.  Direct emails and contact info can also be found on the SFO Committee Page.

    Want More News?  
    The Alaska MEC (of which Council 35 is a part) is proud to announce a new communication strategy called “AFA Alaska News Now,” which can be found on popular social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Additionally a recap of the news will be published in an “AFA Alaska News In Review” weekly digest.  Don’t like social media?  No problem!   “AFA Alaska News in Review” will be sent to personal email addresses on file, so those of you who do not have social media and do not check the AFA Alaska websites regularly will still receive the information.  Use this link if you need to make a change or update to your personal email address.

    Happy Holidays and Fly Safe!

    In solidarity,

    Melissa, James and Brad


    Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
    James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
    Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

    Filed Under: Council 35 SFO Tagged With: ASHSC, Council 35, COVID, COVID-19, Inflight Service, Newsletter, points, Reserve Committee, uniform

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    Our Negotiating Committee just wrapped up a week-long series of listening sessions. The Committee will now shift their focus to the upcoming Negotiations Survey, which will allow all Flight Attendants the opportunity to provide input and feedback about priorities for our upcoming contract negotiations. You can also provide direct feedback to our Negotiating Committee at any time by email or online feedback form.
    Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, May 25 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft. Management continues to experience challenges in many locations that are affecting the correct loading on onboard catering supplies and retail products. Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!
    The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in San Francisco:
    Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, May 24 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants. As part of the meeting, our MEC joined the May 24th Negotiating Committee Listening Session to hear directly from our Flight Attendants about experiences, thoughts, and ideas for upcoming contract negotiations. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.
    The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in San Diego:
    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Latest News

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 27, 2022
    • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022
    • AFA Council 35 (SFO) Election Results
    • May 2022 MEC Meeting Recap
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    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2022
    • AFA Council 18 (LAX) Election Results
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 20, 2022
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    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 13, 2022

    Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022

    May 26, 2022 Leave a Comment

    Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, May 25 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft. Management continues to experience challenges in many locations that are affecting the correct loading on onboard catering supplies and retail products.  Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!  

    AFA Council 35 (SFO) Election Results

    May 26, 2022 Leave a Comment

    Master Executive Council (MEC) The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in San Francisco: LEC President: Melissa OsborneLEC Vice President: Virginia FritzLEC Secretary: James IkeharaCouncil Representative: Brad Young View the certified election results here >> These officers will serve a term of office starting July 1, 2022 and […]

    May 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

    May 25, 2022 Leave a Comment

    Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, May 24 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants. As part of the meeting, our MEC joined the May 24th Negotiating Committee Listening Session to hear directly from our Flight Attendants about experiences, thoughts, and ideas for upcoming contract negotiations. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.

    AFA Council 15 (SAN) Election Results

    May 25, 2022 Leave a Comment

    Master Executive Council (MEC) The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in San Diego: LEC President: Brice McGeeLEC Vice President: Melanie BukerLEC Secretary: Stephen Couckuyt View the certified election results here >> These officers will serve a term of office starting July 1, 2022 and concluding on […]

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2022

    May 25, 2022 4 Comments

    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, May 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

    December 2021 MEC Meeting Recap

    December 8, 2021 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    December 2021 MEC Meeting Recap Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson Just wrapped up chairing our monthly MEC meeting yesterday and today. As usual, your AFA committee chairs and reps provided written reports to the MEC about the latest developments in their areas, and we received live briefings regarding dispute resolution & grievances, scheduling, […]

    Inflight Leadership Change and the Path Forward

    December 6, 2021 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson Now that is has been officially announced that Travis will be stepping away as leader of the Inflight division, I thought Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants might want to hear from their MEC president. I may not always be at liberty to communicate the details of every conversation advocating […]

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    Recent Posts

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 27, 2022
    • Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2022
    • AFA Council 35 (SFO) Election Results
    • May 2022 MEC Meeting Recap
    • AFA Council 15 (SAN) Election Results
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2022
    • AFA Council 18 (LAX) Election Results
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 20, 2022
    • Tell Management: It’s Time To Make it Right!
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – May 13, 2022

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