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[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Trial Commuter Policy Survey

This message is for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA and the Virgin America (VX) leadership team (management) have agreed to test a commuter policy for VX Flight Attendants. The trial commuter policy is paired with a third Short Call Reserve (SCR) reserve availability period for the duration of the Commuter Policy and a sunset clause for the Stuff Happens Pass (SHP) if the Commuter Policy is extended beyond the four-month trial period of October 2017 through January 2018. (A sunset clause for the SHP means the SHP would be phased out if the Commuter Policy extends beyond January 2017.) See the VX F/A Commuter Policy LOA Final Draft for details.

Prior to implementing the trial commuter policy, AFA is polling the Virgin America Flight Attendants to determine if there is sufficient interest in proceeding with such a test. For security reasons, the survey link will be included only in the emailed version of this communication and distributed to personal email addresses on file in the AFA Newsletter Sending System. The survey link will not be available on the afaalaska.org website nor on social media, and AFA requests that you do not repost the link.

The survey is now open to VX F/As only and will close on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at 9am Pacific Time.

(Survey link is located here in the emailed version of this communication.)

If AFA goes forward with the trial, we will again poll the VX F/As in November to gauge membership satisfaction with the trial and interest in continuing the Commuter Policy beyond January 2017. AFA will then have an opportunity to end or extend the trial depending on the survey results.

If you have any questions or if you need the survey link sent to you, email your Local Council 35 officers or the Joint Negotiating Committee from a personal email address. If you are requesting a survey link, please provide the following for verification purposes: your name, employee number and current domicile.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[VX] Proposed Virgin America Flight Attendant Commuter Policy Letter of Agreement

This message is for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

As previously reported, AFA and the Virgin America (VX) leadership team (management) have agreed to test a commuter policy for VX Flight Attendants. It took a little longer than anticipated for the parties to finalize the proposed letter of agreement (LOA), so AFA apologizes for the slight delay.

Prior to implementing the trial commuter policy, AFA will be polling the Virgin America Flight Attendants to determine if there is sufficient interest in proceeding with such a test. Realistically, AFA now anticipates that poll to be released early next week. In the meantime, AFA is publishing the final draft of the proposed Commuter Policy LOA for your review.

AFA VX F/A Commuter Policy LOA FINAL DRAFT (August 2017) >

If you have any questions, contact your Local Council 35 officers or the Joint Negotiating Committee. Be on the lookout for the membership poll regarding implementation of the trial commuter policy early next week!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

JFK Virgin America Base Closure Announcement

Earlier today, Virgin America (VX) management announced that the JFK Flight Attendant base would close effective November 1, 2017. The announcement of this closure will have a significant impact on the lives of our JFK-based Flight Attendants. At the same time, this will also have a ripple effect throughout the system on the way VX pairings are built in the near term and will impact downline Alaska pairings as well.

AFA and management have been in discussions to reduce the impact of the base closure on the JFK-based Flight Attendants and to implement accommodations that will make the transition easier. Paid moving expenses, positive-space travel for commuters, commuting stipends and other provisions will help to facilitate the transfer to new bases. No one will be furloughed and management has assured us that they will do their best to ensure that each JFK Flight Attendant will be accommodated at the VX base of her or his choice.

Management has established a timeline for transitioning JFK-based Flight Attendants to either SFO or LAX. Management and AFA worked on a packet of information that includes this timeline and relocation/commuter provisions. This packet has been sent via FedEx to each JFK-based Flight Attendant.

Click here for the Q&A document included in the packet >>

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) officers, your Local Council 35 officers and the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) members are working together to offer support and assistance. JFK-based Flight Attendants should feel free to contact your Local Council 35 officers at vx@afaalaska.org or call them at (206) 457-2010, extension 10 with any questions or if you need assistance navigating this process.

We understand how disruptive this announcement is for JFK Flight Attendants, and we are here for you in this difficult time.

In Solidarity,

Your Council 35 officers – Melissa & James

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osbourne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

 

 

[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements – Part 3

This message is for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA met with the Virgin America leadership team (management) and Alaska Airlines management on Thursday, August 3rd in Seattle, WA as follow up to the past two Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements discussions over the last several months (click here and here for more information). Representing the Virgin America (VX) leadership team: Vice President of Inflight & Guest Services Jeff Butler, Managing Director of Inflight Valerie Jenkins, Inflight Project Manager John Maze and CSS Supervisor Andrew Barnes; representing Alaska Airlines: Vice President of Inflight & Call Center Services Andy Schneider; representing both carriers: Managing Director of Labor Relations-Air Elizabeth Ryan; and representing the Association of Flight Attendants: MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Council 35 VX President Melissa Osborne and Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo. It turned out to be a very productive session.

Commuter Policy

AFA is happy to report that the parties successfully negotiated a long-anticipated commuter policy. AFA and management agreed to a 4-month trial period to see how the policy affects the operation and to observe whether Flight Attendants are benefitting from the program. To ‘fund’ this policy, management required changes to the reserve program. We believe the changes could potentially enhance reserve life, however we would like members’ input prior to entering into a letter of agreement (LOA) that would change your work rules.

Consequently, we will be asking for you to participate in a brief survey regarding your interest in implementing the commuter policy. Once AFA publishes the full text language of the proposed LOA next week, please review the LOA and provide your feedback in the survey that will follow. Time is of the essence because we would like to have the policy in place by October 1st, which means CSS will need to complete the programming changes before September 1st. Stay tuned for an update very soon.

Relaxing Hair Standards

Management has agreed to allow current Alaska Flight Attendant hair standards to be adopted at VX. With the manual revision due on Oct 21st, VX Flight Attendants will be able to enjoy more relaxed hair standards.

Pass Travel and Jumpseats

Additionally, with the manual revision due on Oct 21st, you will see improvements to the VX jumpseating policy. VX Flight Attendants will be able to pass ride in the jumpseat out of uniform. You will also be able to nap and to use the InFlight Entertainment (IFE) and personal electronic devices while commuting or deadheading in uniform while sitting in a guest seat.

Crossing Seatbelts

Management continues to affirm the requirement to cross and clean seatbelts will change by the end of the year.

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for VX

The ASAP program is a self-reporting program administered in partnership with the FAA in order to provide flight crews the ability to self-report incidents without fear of discipline. AFA and management have been discussing an ASAP program for VX since the last interim work rule improvements meeting on June 2nd, and the parties progressed further towards making it a reality this time. Programming is the biggest challenge causing the delay, but with the new IMDs arriving we are seeing ASAP implementation as a definite possibility in the near future. Look for updates on this important program.

Pelesys E-learning Pay

Management agreed to pay for recently unpaid Pelesys modules, including security and OPL, but advised AFA that changes will be forthcoming. In the meantime, check your mid-month ADP pay statements for your e-learning pay.

Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy Update

In only a few more weeks, VX Flight Attendants will be under the AS PED policy. As you know, the policy lives in the manual and is tied into the revision cycle. With the distribution of the new IMDs, VX will be given a special PED bulletin, which will include the AS PED policy. Until then, please keep in mind that the VX PED policy regarding personal use is still very much in effect.

If you have any questions, contact your Local Council 35 officers.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & James

Council 35 News

Agenda for Meeting with Management on August 3

AFA is scheduled to conduct another round of discussions with management later this week regarding further work rule improvements.  The focus of this meeting is to make additional progress to the previously discussed interim improvements for VX Flight Attendants as we move towards integration.  The commuter policy is on top of the priority list among other issues.  For details on the topics to be discussed, please see the June 8 MEC communication for more information.

Grievance Update

The new VX Grievance Procedure Letter of Agreement (LOA) has been a great benefit to Virgin America and Council 35 has already filed ten grievances on behalf of individual Flight Attendants and for contractual violations.  Please stay tuned for updates on the progress of currently filed contractual grievances. If you have any questions about the grievance process, please review the LOA that defines the process as well as the July 5 Council 35 News that defines  “at will” vs. “just cause” employment relationships.  If you need assistance or have questions regarding a potential grievance, please reach out to your Council 35 officers for assistance.

Upcoming Inaugural Flights

It was brought to the attention of Council 35 officers that some positions of the Philadelphia (PHL) re-launch pairing was held out of the bid packet and reserved for promo team assignment. As most know, VX typically makes a big deal of launch events and assigns the promo team as crews for launch flights. Council 35 believes this practice does not respect seniority nor does it align with current Alaska policy, and advocated for a change. Management agreed and made the decision that all future launch flights will be included in the monthly bid packet and available to anyone who would like to bid for them.

Upcoming Elections for Transitional President and Secretary

Please don’t miss your opportunity to vote for your candidates for Council 35 Local Council president and Local Council secretary. Ballots will be mailed August 1 and polls will be open from August 4 through August 24. For more detailed information, please refer to the AFA Membership Election Information page for the most updated information. You must complete an AFA membership application in order to vote in the officer elections.

Become A Member and Have the Right to Vote!

To become an official member, every VX Flight Attendant must complete and submit a membership application.  Please be aware that this form cannot be completed online.  The 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 one by clicking here. Completing an application ensures that you have the right to vote in officer elections and on tentative agreements.

Don’t Forget to Wear Your AFA Pin

The AFA pin is an approved uniform piece and should be worn on the left collar.  If wearing both your AFA pin and anniversary pin, the anniversary pin should be placed closest to the tip of the collar.

Your AFA pin represents our combined strength and unity as we work toward achieving improvements for all of us and should always be worn with your uniform.  If you have completed a membership application and didn’t receive an AFA pin, you can request one from an AFA representative or by contacting your Council 35 officers at vx@afaalaska.org.

FAQs and Rumor Control

I heard we can’t serve non-revs alcohol in First Class.  Is this true?

No.  Management has confirmed that all guest seated in First Class, whether full-fare or non-rev, are eligible to receive all the amenities offered in our standard First Class service, to include alcoholic beverages.

Is there any truth to the story on the news about our IT system being hacked?

Managing Director of IT Jake McClean confirmed that a breach did take place in March, but believes no serious threat to anyone’s personal security occurred.  He confirmed that as a precaution, management required everyone to change their passwords back at that time of the incident. Inflight management will be sending out a communication this week with the details. AFA has expressed its concern to management that the situation was addressed only after the news was leaked through an outside source and that the company waited so long to inform its employees of the incident.

I heard many VX ITMs did not receive a ballot for the nomination of candidates.  What happened?

AFA International handles all election related activities and confirmed that approximately 25 ballots were returned due to bad addresses, which have subsequently been updated.  The return rate is a typical percentage for the number of members we have at Virgin America. If you do not receive a ballot to vote in the upcoming officer elections, please contact the AFA Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, press 1 and dial extension 706.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.

I have questions for Melissa and James.  How can I reach them?

Please refrain from sending messages to VX email accounts and/or via Facebook messenger.  Your questions will be answered faster if you send them to the Council 35 email vx@afaalaska.org.  Being available to you is important to your AFA leadership team and by following the prescribed methods of communication, your leaders can better assist with your questions, suggestions and concerns.  Thank you for understanding!

I am not getting any emails from AFA Alaska Council 35. What can I do?

Please be sure to subscribe to Council 35 emails using a non-Virgin America email account.  You can subscribe online at http://afanewsletters.org/subscribe/.  If you encounter any problems with the online subscription page, please email us at vx@afaalaska.org.

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

In Solidarity,

Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & James

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, December 16, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, December 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

On Thursday, December 4, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work in representing our Flight Attendants and advocating for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management this week to continue bargaining sessions in Seattle, WA. Discussions focused on narrowing issues in Leaves of Absence, Association General, and reviewing vacation provisions as part of the joint contract process.

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