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Council 35 News – May 8, 2017

Joint Negotiating Committee and Merger Representative Positions

Thanks to everyone who applied for the JNC and Merger Representative positions.  The applications will now be reviewed by the MEC and interviews will be conducted over the next several weeks.  Once the positions have been appointed, an announcement will be sent out by AFA email and will also be posted on the Council 35 page of the AFA Alaska website.

Become A Member, Have Your Voice Heard!

Completing an application ensures that you have the right to vote in officer elections and on tentative agreements.  If you haven’t already had the chance to complete an AFA membership application, you can download and print one by clicking here.  The AFA membership application is not a form that can be completed online; it must be filled out, signed in ink, and returned to an AFA representative or mailed to AFA.  Signing up to receive AFA email communications is not the same as completing a membership application.

Village Visits

For several days last week, Local Council President Melissa Osborne, Local Council Secretary James Ikehara, and several other AFA Alaska leaders visited the Villages in JFK, LAX and SFO to share information about AFA, answer questions, and provide AFA membership applications.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by!  Additional Village Visits will be held over the next few weeks. You can also find this information on the Council 35 Facebook page.

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 don’t already have an AFA pin, you can pick one up from an AFA representative during an upcoming Village Visit.  Visit the Council 35 Facebook page for “pin pics” of the day.

Have your own pin pics to share?  Send them to us (along with the name of everyone in the picture) at vx@afaalaska.org.

Seniority Integration

Seniority will be integrated based on competitive (bidding) seniority date in accordance with the AFA Constitution & Bylaws. Competitive seniority date is often referred to as “date of hire” although the actual application is more complicated than that. A previous communication on the AFA seniority integration policy can be found here.

FAQs

I just renewed my passport last month. Am I eligible for passport reimbursement?

Management has agreed to offer passport reimbursements retroactive to Jan 1, 2017.

How do I request a passport reimbursement?

Like taxi reimbursement requests, Flight Attendants requesting passport renewal reimbursement should submit their receipt to an inflight base admin, who will coordinate with accounts payable to process these requests.

Will I be eligible for the retroactive pay increase if I was on special assignment?

Any pay category tied to the step scale will be applicable for the new rates and retro pay. Additionally, sick and catastrophic sick hours will be counted in the calculation for retro pay.  Disability benefits as well as worker’s compensation are paid through a third party.  AFA is investigating how the pay raise will affect those individuals.

How will we receive our retroactive pay?

The retro pay will be included on the 5/31 payroll, and will be applied as lump sum payment itemized as “Retro” on ADP earnings statement. ​

When and where will we see our new pay rates?

The new pay rates will be posted in earnings statements in ADP.  The first paycheck accounting for the new rates will be 5/31.  The 5/15 payroll (remaining payment for April bid period) will still show the old rates.

When will the new PED policy be implemented?

This week, AFA will meet with management to discuss a timeline and process for implementation of the PED policy.  In the meantime, the current VX PED policy remains in effect.  Stay tuned for an update soon.

I tried to swap a trip and it was denied due to “18-hour rule.”  I thought this was changed to 12 hours?

Management has stated that implementation of this provision in the LOA will be on the deadline date of 6/1/17.

How many more initial training classes are planned for this year?  Will they all be hired as VX Flight Attendants or will they be hired by AS?

Management has confirmed that there will be 4 more initial Flight Attendant training classes for the year 2017 at VX.  AS and VX will need to continue to hire and train individuals to meet their respective operational needs through 2019.  AS F/As and VX ITMs will not be able to work on one another’s aircraft until differences training is complete and we have a joint seniority list.

Is it true that Alaska is planning to close the JFK base due to sick calls?

Alaska management has stated they do not have any plans to make immediate changes to the JFK base.  However, they have also said that they are concerned with the high volume of sick calls at JFK and they are evaluating the long-term viability of the base.

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://www.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

REMINDER: Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and Merger Representative Positions

Last Friday (April 28), an AFA email was sent out soliciting interest in two merger-related positons: Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Member and Merger Representative.  These are two very important roles in the integration process.  You can review the April 28 communication, which contains detailed information about the positions, by clicking here.

Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Member

The JNC Member will be responsible for working with the Alaska JNC Members to negotiate a merged agreement with management.  Once a merged agreement is ratified and in place, the JNC Member will continue to serve as part of the contract interpretation committee.  We will be appointing one Virgin America AFA Member to this position.

Merger Representative

The Merger Representatives will be responsible for verifying key employment dates with all Virgin America Flight Attendants and reconciling the Virgin America seniority list.  Once that process is complete, the Merger Representatives will work with the Alaska Merger Representatives to compile the integrated seniority list.  There are two Virgin America Merger Representative positions that will be appointed.

How to Express Interest

  • Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest letter and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org.  The deadline for applications is Friday, May 5, 2017 at 5 PM PDT.
  • Linda will contact applicants to coordinate an interview with the MEC.  Depending on the number of applicants for each positions, telephone interviews may be conducted.  If needed, telephone interviews will be conducted on Tuesday, May 9.
  • Interviews for finalist candidates will be held at the MEC meeting on Tuesday, May 16 or Wednesday, May 17.

Questions

Any questions regarding JNC or merger representative positions should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,
Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & James

[VX] Seeking a Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Member and Merger Representatives

The next step in the integration process is to appoint a Joint Negotiating Committee Member and two Merger Representatives.   Information about each of the positions as well as how to express interest can be found below.

Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Member (1 position)

Pursuant to Section X.D [Merger Policy and Related Employee Protective Provisions: Contractual Protection] of the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws (C&B), the AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) is seeking one Virgin America AFA member to serve on the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for merged contract negotiations.

Purpose of the JNC

The purpose of the JNC is to obtain interim safeguards, including a fence agreement with management (which maintains separate Inflight operations for a specified period of time), and merging the collective bargaining agreement(s) and/or respective work rules.  Many issues will need to be decided in order to provide for a smooth transition into one, combined carrier.

Scope of the JNC

From AFA-CWA C&B Section X.D.4: “The members of the negotiating committee shall have complete and full authority to resolve any and all trackage* disputes between the flight attendant groups including those arising from the interpretation or implementation of any agreement embodying interim safeguards.”

*Trackage is a somewhat antiquated term originally associated with the railroad industry.

Duties of the JNC

  • Attend initial training of new JNC members.
  • Conduct a review of the respective agreements (or work rules) to identify commonalities, differences, areas of cultural preference, benefits of each agreement (or work rules), and unique issues associated with specific air service.
  • Review collective bargaining agreements and employment terms at comparable airlines.
  • Create the Union’s opening position (“opener”) for merger negotiations.
  • Interface with counterparts at Alaska Airlines and engage in discussions to reach mutually acceptable provisions on merging the two Flight Attendant groups.
  • The MEC President is an ex-officio (i.e. “by right of holding another office”) member of the JNC.

Expectations/Qualifications

  • Appointed by the AFA Alaska MEC and terms are served to completion at the approved of the MEC. Takes direction from the chairperson of the JNC (i.e. in this case the AFA Alaska MEC President) with input from the AFA International Collective Bargaining Department (i.e. staff negotiator) and Legal Department (i.e. staff attorney). After successful ratification of the JCBA will continue to serve as a contract interpretation resource for the JCBA.
  • Maintain a complete record of negotiations including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA.
  • Public interactions (including social media) must reflect favorably on AFA Alaska. If requested by AFA Alaska, JNC members must be willing to reasonably limit social media interactions for the duration of JCBA preparation, negotiations and implementation.
  • Ability to tolerate controversy amongst one’s peers.
  • Willing to travel for training, preparation, negotiations, roadshows and other meetings as needed.
  • Must be willing to adjust her/his schedule as needed, sometimes with very little notice.

Flight Pay Loss/Expenses

  • 6 block-hours for each 8 hours of work.
  • Travel time is unpaid; exceptions will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
  • Meal & incidentals and other expenses to be reimbursed according to AFA Alaska Policy Manual and AFA-CWA C&B.

Merger Representative (2 positions)

One of the most important aspects of any merger of airlines is the integration of the seniority list.   The AFA Constitution and Bylaws provides for the Master Executive Council (MEC) to appoint two merger representatives from each airline.  Merger representatives have complete and full authority to act on behalf of the Flight Attendants of their respective airline for the purpose of compiling necessary employment data and a single flight attendant seniority list.  More information about duties and responsibilities of merger representatives are spelled out in Section X.C of the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Determine seniority numbers for each Flight Attendant by reviewing and determining date of bidding for seniority, initial training date, number of days of initial training, and if seniority was accrued for training (and if so, how many days were accrued).
  • Evaluate all protests to determined seniority, determine validity, and adjudge accordingly.
  • Compile and certify a combined system seniority list.

Qualifications

  • Must be a current Virgin America Flight Attendant and AFA member.
  • Ability to analyze written data and information with high attention to detail.
  • Ability to commit time necessary to complete assigned responsibilities, including flexibility to meet on short notice.  Some travel will be required.

How to Express Interest For the Positions

  • Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest letter and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org.  The deadline for applications is Friday, May 5, 2017 at 5 PM PDT.
  • Linda will contact applicants to coordinate an interview with the MEC. Depending on the number of applicants for each positions, telephone interviews may be conducted.  If needed, telephone interviews will be conducted on Tuesday, May 9.
  • Interviews for finalist candidates will be held on at the MEC meeting on Tuesday, May 16 or Wednesday, May 17.

Questions

Any questions regarding JNC or merger representative positions should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements

AFA and the Virgin America (VX) leadership team (management) met in Seattle, WA yesterday to discuss VX Flight Attendant wages, work rules and other concerns. After negotiating into the late evening, the parties reached agreements on several interim improvements to pay and work rules. Improvements to work rules will be detailed in this communication; pay was discussed in an earlier communication.

Summary of provisions in the “Interim Improvements” letter of agreement (LOA):

  • Adoption of the Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant personal electronic device policy
  • Reimbursement of expenses for passport renewal
  • Union Business provisions establishing a solid foundation for AFA Local Transitional Council 35 Virgin America
  • Walk/waive option reduced to 16 hours from the current 18 hours
  • Reserve pick up on days off
  • “Last resort” Red Eye tagging of Lineholders/Reserves
  • Window for Swaps and Drops reduced to 12 hours from the current 18 hours
  • Requirement of adequate notice to AFA regarding any proposed work rule changes and an opportunity for input to such changes
  • Commitment to discuss implementing a grievance procedure for disciplinary issues

AFA VX Interim Improvements Letter of Agreement (4/27/2017) >

AFA appreciates the Virgin America leadership team’s partnership in identifying and implementing these interim work rule improvements.

As stated in our previous communication, AFA would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the efforts of our sisters and brothers on the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) negotiating team. Although the improvements that AFA achieved this week are not directly connected to that committee’s negotiations, their foundational work is recognized and appreciated. Once again, AFA sincerely thanks the TWU negotiators for their service.

Contact your local president (AS) or your Council 35 VX officers if you have any questions or concerns.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Wage Increase

AFA and the Virgin America (VX) leadership team (management) met in Seattle, WA yesterday to discuss VX Flight Attendant wages, work rules and other concerns. AFA started out the conversation by requesting that the leadership team match the AFA Alaska pay rates. Disappointingly, the leadership team was unwilling to match the AFA Alaska pay rates without a fully merged agreement and an integrated seniority list (ISL). (More on those two points shortly.)

After negotiating into the late evening, the parties reached agreements on several interim improvements to pay and work rules. This communication will focus on the improvements to pay, and the following will focus on work rules.

Virgin America agreed to make up half the difference between the current VX InFlight Teammate (ITM) pay rates and the AFA Alaska Flight Attendant pay rates (converted to block-hours), effective immediately. Resulting increases to the base rate ranges between 8-17%. The parties also agreed to establish three new steps above Step 10. InFlight Team Leaders (ITLs) will continue to receive an additional 15% on top of the ITM base rate.

VX Wage Proposal Chart >

AFA VX LOA One Time Interim Wage Increase (4/27/2017) >

These new wage rates will be applied retroactively to the first of this year (January 1, 2017). The new pay rates and the retroactive credit will appear on the May 31st paycheck.

AFA believes the VX Flight Attendants are extremely deserving of the AFA Alaska rates, so we are obviously disheartened that Virgin America will not match the rates at this time. However, we are appreciative that the Virgin America leadership team worked with us to provide some immediate relief and to make the new rates retroactive through this year.

Virgin America has clearly stated the AFA Alaska rates are contingent on achieving a merged agreement and an Integrated Seniority List. Although AFA is not satisfied with that position, we are going to make this process as swift as possible so that we can achieve equal pay rates as soon as possible. Consequently, AFA will post vacancies for two VX Merger Representatives and one Joint Negotiating Committee member tomorrow morning; the Master Executive Council (MEC) plans to fill those positions during our MEC meeting in just three weeks. Once those positions are filled, the journey towards a merged agreement and an ISL will continue in earnest.

AFA would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the efforts of our sisters and brothers on the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) negotiating team. Although the improvements that AFA achieved this week are not directly connected to that committee’s negotiations, their foundational work is recognized and appreciated. AFA sincerely thanks the TWU negotiators for their service.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

 

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