In This Edition
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
- Staffing Adjustment Leave, Low Bid Option or …?
- Pre-Cancellations Due to COVID-19 Schedule Changes (Section 10.S)
- Long Stage Length Duty Period (“4k”) Sequences During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The AFA-CWA International Officers sent out an AFA Interactive message yesterday regarding the House of Representatives passing vote on the CARES Act, the hard work that went into achieving the relief package, and the upcoming work that will need to be done to implement the bill. You can read the entire message by clicking here.
What Happens Next?
Now that the CARES Act has been passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, the work begins to implement the bill. The language within the CARES Act is extensive and both AFA and management are conducting an extensive review to ensure that there is a full understanding of the contents.
AFA representatives have received many questions about how the relief package will apply to Flight Attendants, how management intends to manage staffing, how unemployment benefits might apply to the various leaves of absence available, and many more. It is critical that your AFA leaders understand how the CARES Act, our collective bargaining agreement (CBA), state and federal benefits and any other significant factors interact. We thank you in advance for your patience while we work through the answers to these and other questions over the coming week.
Staffing Adjustment Leave, Low Bid Option or …?
Many of you are looking to AFA for guidance whether to take one of the approximately 2700 (!) 30-day Staffing Adjustment Leaves or one of the approximately 205 Low Bid Options for May or to hold out for potentially something else. The Master Executive Council (MEC) completely understands. You have our commitment to be as transparent as possible and to keep you informed regarding the latest information and developments. There is a lot of material to absorb, so we are taking a few days to educate ourselves before we communicate more to the Membership.
In the meantime, management has agreed to extend the deadline for applying for a Staffing Adjustment Leave or Low Bid Option to Monday, April 6, 2020 at 0900 PT. This will give everyone more time to consider their options.
Additionally, management has agreed to work with AFA to potentially revisit the COVID-19 Staffing Adjustment Leaves and the other COVID-19 leaves already in effect in order to provide maximal benefit to Flight Attendants and to the Company depending on the implications of the CARES Act. Because of this commitment, we do not have concerns with Flight Attendants submitting an application for any of the leaves at this time.
Pre-Cancellations Due to COVID-19 Schedule Changes (Section 10.S)
Scheduling Committee
Due to the unprecedented number of flight cancellations on a daily basis, Flight Attendants have reported difficulty in achieving timely assistance from Crew Scheduling and receiving phone calls for non-urgent issues at all hours of the night. Crew Scheduling is overwhelmed with the sheer number of cancellations, pairing modifications and associated follow-up.
AFA and management have agreed to temporarily modify the notification procedures under Section 10.S [Pre-Cancellations] from Sunday, March 29, 2020 at midnight PT (Saturday night tonight) to April 30, 2020 at 2359 PT.
*** Crew Scheduling will continue to give notice of cancellation per contract but not until the departure date of the sequence is within 7days. ***
For sequences more than 7 days out:
- To waive pay protection: If FA wishes to waive pay protection for a sequence containing one or more legs of cancelled flying, please email CrewSked.FADesk@alaskaair.com. Crew Scheduling will process timely per the LOA but no more than 24 hours after submission.
- To not waive pay protection: If FA wishes to review alternative options and not waive pay protection, please wait to call Crew Scheduling until it is one day prior to the departure date of the sequence.
For sequences 2 to 7 days out:
- To waive pay protection: If FA wishes to waive pay protection for a sequence containing one or more legs of cancelled flying, please email CrewSked.FADesk@alaskaair.com. Crew Scheduling will process timely per the LOA but no more than 24 hours after submission.
- To not waive pay protection: If FA wishes to review alternative options and not waive pay protection, please wait to call until it is one day prior to the departure date of the sequence.
For sequences 1 day out: (i.e. the day prior to the departure date of the sequence):
- Call Crew Scheduling per contract
More details can be found in the Pre-Cancellations Due to COVID-19 Schedule Changes Letter of Agreement.
Long Stage Length Duty Period (“4k”) Sequences During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions (Section 10.DD)
Scheduling Committee
AFA and management would also like to reduce the number of unnecessary mid-continental (“mid-con”) remain overnights (RONs) for Flight Attendants resulting from schedule disruptions related to COVID-19.
AFA and management have agreed to temporarily allow Crew Scheduling to build additional Long Stage Length Duty Period (“4k”) sequences that are not already in the bid packet (i.e. following bid awards) under Section 10.DD.11 [Pre-Cancellations] from Sunday, March 29, 2020 at midnight PT (Saturday night tonight) to April 30, 2020 at 2359 PT.
More details can be found in the Long Stage Length Duty Period (“4k”) Sequences During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions Letter of Agreement.
Cheryl Graham says
I havent seen anything published (only hearing rumors) of how many AAG employees have tested positive for Corona Virus besides the CSA in SFO. Can you give us any updates?
Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President) says
The company has posted this information on the COVID-19 subsite of Alaska’s World. You can access it directly by clicking here (AAG sign-on required).
Kim Lundquist says
Thank you for all you are doing to protect our industry and our work group. I’m curious about the leaves. Why is it that QX is offered 30,60,90 day leaves and immediately granted for any of the 3 they choose yet we are only able to request 30?
Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President) says
Alaska Airlines management has indicated that they are continuing to evaluate staffing requirements and Flight Attendant interest in leaves and they have only chosen to offer 30 day leaves at this point in time.
Tracey Schneringer says
Has anyone with the AFA spoke with Washington State or any state’s unemployment office to get information wether or not a Flight Attendant who take a “voluntary staffing leave” would actually get paid in this circumstance. I have emailed the ESD for Washington and have not heard back yet.
Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President) says
AFA representatives are currently working to understand how unemployment insurance interacts with the various leaves of absence currently being offered by the Company. As each state is different and the various agencies that manage unemployment insurance are currently overwhelmed with inquiries, it will take some time to get answers. The MEC will communicate more information once we’re able to get further clarification.
Diane Scott says
Sorry my brain is mush (from flying 57.8 straight time in a prd. of 9 days [originally scheduled line with 48in7 being getting back early, having 1 day off & then checking in late]); I’ve read your post, the company’s email, and every word of the side letter, and I still don’t understand: If we want to get paid for our pairing with a pre-cancellation, do we now call any time, a.m. or p.m., the day before our pairing to find out if there’s a like trip for us or we’re pay protected and free, or do we still have to call only between 6-8p if we DON’T want the trip dropped without pay or to have to check in at our originally scheduled time the next day?
Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President) says
In order to be eligible for pay protection, you would still call Crew Scheduling between 6 and 8 PM the day prior.