Uniform Committee
- Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Friday, November 15, to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
- The Committee met with management to discuss uniform issues reported by Flight Attendants, including quality, wearability, and availability.
- If you encounter issues with uniform quality or construction, please report them to Unisync as soon as possible and include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson to help track any trends.
On Friday, November 15, our AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Dana Butchen (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara Jenkins.
The committee also met with Director of Procurement and Logistics Eric Phillipson, Senior Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, and SFO Inflight Base Manager Cierra Lewis.
The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting will be held on February 13, 2025.
Topics of Discussion
The committee reviewed several topics both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:
- The wear test for a more durable sweater is scheduled to begin in late December or early January.
- The new transition jacket wear test is set to start in March 2025.
- Management conducted uniform focus groups on November 4 and 8 to provide insights into merger uniforms.
- AFA representatives will be contacting Alaska HR to explore alternatives to Occfit.
- Management will improve efforts to ensure that marketing does not use photos in which employees do not comply with the uniform policy.
- Wear test items will be shipped to bases. If a tester cannot pick up the items during base hours, they should contact the supervisor to arrange an alternative pickup. This information will be included in the wear test email.
- The tote exchange program remains in effect for qualifying classes.
- SEA Fit Center limitations have been resolved through the grievance Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. Flight Attendants may bring worn or damaged items to the base, and supervisors will send them for repairs or alterations.
- Unisync has committed to expediting the ordering process for wings, and Base Admins will now place orders every two weeks instead of once a month.
- The chunky sole band applies to fashion boots; however, arctic boots are exempt as their tread is essential for effectiveness.
New Requests
- Stuff sack for the puffer parka.
- Consistent and sensible sizing, with model sizes displayed next to each piece—similar to Uniqlo, Gap, or Madewell websites.
- Black nylons.
- Allow pocket squares and scarves year-round for Patriotic and Breast Cancer Awareness.
- Add pockets to maternity pieces.
- Include reflectors on transition jackets for safety.
- Coordinate with HR and a pantyhose company to offer them on the Unisync site so flight attendants do not have to pay out of pocket.
- Create a uniform quality report on IMD or provide a link on Inflight.
Previous Requests That Were Denied By Management
- ¼ zip sweater (No new pieces will be considered prior to the merger).
- Allow brown handbags to be carried when wearing brown shoes or belts.
- Allow blazers to be worn with warm-weather shirts (per management, this does not fit the casual look).
- Have pocket squares unstitched for versatility (management states the stitch is meant for ease of use).
- Allow boots year-round.
- Allow boots to be worn with the aura dress.
- Permit black shoes and boots.
Quality Concerns
- Seams on wool pieces and holes in knitwear.
- Seams on the aura dress and skirt.
- Need for more stretch in pants and A-line dresses.
- Wings continue to create holes in sweaters.
What The Committee Is Working On
- Stuff Sack. Sourcing a stuff sack so the puffer parka can be packed easily.
- Wear Testing. Wear testing for a new/more durable cardigan less prone to hem and seam issues will begin late December/early January. The transition jacket will be wear tested after the completion of the cardigan testing (March 2025).
- Tote Exchange Program. Specific to the post-COVID classes who were not given the normal selection process for totes due to supply chain issues. Please see your supervisor if you would like to exchange your bags.
We Want to Hear From You!
Please fill out the Quality Concern Form on the Uniform subsite on TeamAAG with any quality issues. Additionally, you may email your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.
Would you like to join the wear test pool? Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.
