AFA Alaska

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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Tools & Resources

What Does This Committee Do?
The Grievance Committee’s primary responsibility is the protection of all Flight Attendants against arbitrary and unjust disciplinary action and to uphold the collective bargaining agreement.

Download the Grievance Committee Member duties and responsibilities
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
  • Enforce the contract
  • Represent all Flight Attendants when unjust discipline is issued
  • Collect evidence and establish that the alleged violation has occurred. Solicit documentation as needed.
  • Clearly and persuasively explain the union’s position concerning a grievance
  • Frankly explain to a grievant when there is little or no chance of winning a grievance
  • Ensure that time limits are met for filing
  • File grievances
  • Handle initial grievance hearings; report the results to the LEC Officers and the grievant
  • Keep complete files on assigned cases
  • Assist union attorneys in preparing grievances for System Board
  • Keep the grievant informed about the processing of his/her grievance
  • Review material, handle correspondence, and keep the LEC Officers well informed of current grievance developments
  • Communicate regularly with the membership about decisions on local grievances—promote wins and explain ramifications of a loss
  • Write grievance articles for local membership communications upon request by the LEC Officers
Why Would I Contact This Committee?

The Grievance Committee is available to help you with:

  • Guidance and assistance in situations where contractual violations have occurred
  • Representation in disciplinary meetings and hearings

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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Process

View the ADR log

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process is a bi-weekly meeting between the MEC Grievance Chairperson and management counterparts in Inflight management and the Labor Relations department.  The purpose of the meeting is to come together to attempt to work through issues that would otherwise be forced into the grievance process.  ADR is intended to help both parties come to an agreement more quickly and save the expenses related to processing a grievance. If an issue is not resolved using ADR, AFA retains the right to address the issue using the established grievance process and all timelines are preserved. If you think you have an issue to bring to ADR, contact any member of your Local Grievance Committee (see below).

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Who Do I Contact?

Think You Might Have a Grievance?

Click here to report an issue to AFA

If you have been subject to a situation that you believe might warrant filing a grievance, it is recommended that you report the issue through the AFA Alaska online support center.  When filing a report, the questionnaire will help you to determine whether your situation meets the qualifications of filing a grievance.  Members of the Grievance Committee review each report and follow up with the Flight Attendant to help determine options and a course of action.

General Assistance

For assistance, contact any member of your Local Grievance Committee.  You can find a list of Committee Members on your Local Council Committees page.  For your convenience, a list of Committee Chairs and links to the Local Committee lists are below.

ANC

Lisa Pinkston
anc.grievance.chair@afaalaska.org

View the ANC Committee List >>

LAX

Tim Green
lax.grievance.chair@afaalaska.org

View the LAX Committee List >>

PDX

Steve Maller
pdx.grievance.chair@afaalaska.org

View the PDX Committee List >>

SAN

Stephen Couckuyt
san.grievance.chair@afaalaska.org

View the SAN Committee List >>

SEA

Contact LEC Officers
sea.grievance.chair@afaalaska.org

View the SEA Committee List >>

SFO

Melissa Osborne
sfo.grievance.chair@afaalaska.org

View the SFO Committee List >>

MEC

Stephanie Adams, MEC Chairperson
grievance@afaalaska.org

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System Board of Adjustment (SBA)

Members are to serve on the System Board of Adjustment for the purpose of arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise under the terms of the Agreement between Alaska Airlines and its Flight Attendants.

SBA Members

Rene Celestin (term: 07/01/2023-06/30/2025)
Sandra Morrow (term: 07/01/2022-06/30/2024)

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Links

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Committee News

View the Grievance Committee news archives

Health Benefits Coverage & Staffing Adjustment Leaves

Posted: November 6, 2023

Benefits Committee Our Benefits Committee has been notified that there are multiple issues with health benefits coverage for those returning from staffing adjustment leaves (SAL). If you are on a staffing adjustment leave or have recently returned from one, please be aware of the following. Re-Enrolling After A Leave While we disagree that one should […]

Grievance Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2023

Posted: September 12, 2023

Grievance Committee Our Grievance Committee has been very hard at work ensuring disciplinary due process and contractual compliance on your behalf. Our contract requires a minimum of 13 arbitration dates yearly to dispute discipline/termination cases and contractual issues. Termination cases are usually prioritized to return a Flight Attendant to work as soon as possible; however, […]

Protect Our Contract – Don’t Perform Duties Belonging to Other Work Groups

Posted: July 12, 2023

Grievance Committee Note: this is an updated version of a post previously published in an AFA Alaska Update on July 30, 2021. Over many decades, we have all worked hard to improve our working conditions and strengthen our collective bargaining agreement (CBA). These improvements have been achieved through several avenues, including demonstrating solidarity during contract negotiations, […]

Grievance Committee Update – 3rd & 4th Quarters 2022, 1st Quarter 2023

Posted: June 2, 2023

Grievance Committee Our Grievance Committee has been very hard at work ensuring disciplinary due process and contractual compliance on your behalf. The contract requires a minimum of 13 arbitration dates yearly to dispute discipline/termination cases and contractual issues. Termination cases are usually given first priority in order to return a Flight Attendant back to work […]

COVID-19 Grievance Mediation & Settlement

Posted: May 9, 2023

Grievance Committee We are pleased to inform you that our MEC Grievance Committee has successfully resolved three COVID-19-related grievances with the Company through mediation with Arbitrator Symonette and management. We have settled Grievance 36-99-2-230-21 for violation of §16 Sick Leave/On the Job Injury, Grievance 36-99-2-234-21 for §21 Non-Negotiated Compensation, and Grievance 36-99-2-233-22 for violation of […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2023

Inflight Service Committee On Wednesday, November 29, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push 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), and Chase Vandergrift […]

December 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC) The December 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Wednesday, December 6. The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work. Meeting with […]

Join The Picket Line: Support United Flight Attendants on Thursday, December 14

Master Executive Council (MEC) On December 14, 2023, United Airlines Flight Attendants will take to the picket line – their holiday spirit of unity and solidarity burning brighter than ever. They are determined to strengthen their power and demonstrate their unwavering commitment to securing a contract that genuinely values their work and contributions to United […]

Housing & Food Assistance Resources

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Starting a career as a Flight Attendant is a significant and challenging life change, especially in today’s industry. The ever-increasing pace of inflation and lagging pay rates that haven’t kept up with the cost of living makes it difficult for many new hires to make ends meet. Finding affordable […]

Air Quality Quick Reminders

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) As Flight Attendants, our top priority is ensuring everyone onboard the aircraft has a safe and comfortable experience. However, despite our best efforts, unexpected situations can still arise. One such situation is a fume event, which can be caused by smoke, fumes, or a strong odor in the […]

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