Are You an AFA Member?

Council 35 has been flooded with requests for verification of membership since the release of the Tentative Agreement (TA). In order to streamline the process, your Council 35 officers would like to request that all verification inquiries be sent to vx@afaalaska.org.  You may also verify your status directly with AFA International Membership Services.  When submitting inquiries via email, please allow one business day for a reply.

As a reminder, every “Legacy” (pre-merger ) Virgin America Flight Attendant must complete and submit a membership application to become an official member.  Please be aware that this form cannot be completed online.  The hard copy paper form must be submitted directly to an AFA representative or mailed to the AFA International Office in D.C. You can download and print an application, or pick one up from the bag/file rooms the next time you pass through either SFO or LAX Villages.

Please note, that only AFA members may:

·       Vote on Tentative Agreements (TAs)

·       Attend Membership Meetings and Roadshows

·       Vote for Officers

·       Hold a position as an AFA officer or committee member

AFA will be available in SFO and LAX during the next several weeks to assist with applications and verification of membership.  Please visit our Council 35 Facebook page for times and locations

In Solidarity,

Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & Jamie

Commuter Policy Update

With the trial period complete, AFA would like to thank all of the members who provided valuable feedback regarding the VX Commuter Policy.  It became apparent during the trial period that it was necessary to clarify one of the provisions. As a result, a minor amendment to the Commuter Policy was made that to specify how a Flight Attendant would be paid in the event they are not given a flying assignment.

AFA and management agreed that the intent of the provision was for Flight Attendants to receive 3.5 hours per day when they are designated LCC and not given a flying assignment pursuant to the Commuter Policy. AFA has also encouraged management to ensure that Crew Scheduling (CSS) is provided with adequate training of the program in order to help facilitate its effective use by VX Flight Attendants with commuting challenges.

As a reminder, the VX Commuter Policy will remain in effect until VX Flight Attendants are covered under a merged agreement with Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants and the VX Commuter Policy has been retired.

Please view and/or download the full text version of the Commuter Policy Clarification Letter of Agreement  and the amended VX Commuter Policy for your reference.

Please let us know if you have any questions. You can reach us at vx@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & Jamie

Become A Member and Have the Right to Vote!

Although the National Mediation Board has ruled that AFA is our collective bargaining representative, you are not automatically considered an AFA member.  Every pre-merger VX Flight Attendant must complete and submit a membership application to become an official member.  Please be aware that this form cannot be completed online.  The hard copy paper form must be submitted directly to an AFA representative or mailed to the AFA International Office in D.C. You can download and print an application, or pick one up from the bag/file rooms the next time you pass through either SFO or LAX Villages.

Only AFA members may:

• Vote on Tentative Agreements (TAs)
• Attend Membership Meetings and Roadshows
• Vote for Officers
• Hold a position as an AFA officer or committee member

AFA will be available in SFO and LAX during the next several weeks to assist with applications and verification of membership.  Please visit our Council 35 Facebook page for times and locations.

If you believe you have already submitted your form and want to verify your status, or you have additional questions, please inquire at vx@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & Jamie

AFA Online Issue Reporting Is Now Available for Pre-merger VX!

Last June, the AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) introduced the new AFA Alaska online support center to Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants.  It has been a huge success and is now available to pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants.  This system is designed for you to document and report scheduling and reserve concerns, situations where you might be facing discipline, potential contractual grievances, and any other issue where you might need AFA support.  The system will also allow AFA representatives to better track issues that are occurring, identify trends, and address and resolve issues with management.

You can access the system using the following link:

http://support.afaalaska.org/

Reporting New Issues

You can report a new issue in the system by opening a ticket, just follow these steps:

1.     Visit http://support.afaalaska.org/

2.     Click the blue “Open a New Ticket” button

3.     Fill in your personal information (including a non-company email address)

4.     Select the help topic that relates to the issue

5.     Fill in the issue-specific information and provide details

From this screen, you’ll also be able to attach pictures, PDF files, screenshots, and other information that will help your AFA representatives to have more information available about the issue.

Once you’ve opened a ticket, you’ll receive a confirmation email and with a ticket number.  Behind the scenes, your ticket will be assigned to an AFA representative who will assist you with the issue.  Please allow at least 24 business hours for a timely response.

Checking on Open Issues 

With your ticket number, you’ll be able to track the status of the ticket online, add additional information and attachments for your AFA representative to have available.  To check on your ticket:

1.     Visit http://support.afaalaska.org

2.     Click the green “Check Ticket Status” button

3.     Enter your email address and ticket number

4.     Click the “View Ticket” button

Questions?

If you have any questions about the AFA online support center or need assistance with an issue, you can always contact your Council 35 officers at vx@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Melissa & Jamie

Have You Been Assigned an Illegal Red Eye?  Let AFA Know!

It has come to the attention of Council 35 that crew scheduling has violated the Virgin America Interim Improvements Letter of Agreement regarding red-eye procedures.  Many reserves, lineholders, commuter policy users, and those re-scheduled from DRA procedures have been assigned pairings that violate the language and intent of the LOA created last spring.  Management has acknowledged the error and has agreed to compensate those that have been forced to fly an illegal pairing involving a red-eye.  If you have been assigned an illegal red-eye pairing, (i.e. red-eye turns, red-eyes after a transcon, or 3 legs prior to a red-eye) retroactive to May 1, 2017, please provide AFA with a copy of your pairing and a description of the circumstances.  AFA has requested compensation in the form of premium pay for all those affected and for the practice to cease moving forward.

If you have a violation to report, please send all supporting documents and information to vx@afaalaska.org.  Deadline to provide documentation is January 31, 2018.

In Solidarity,

Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & Jamie