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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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    You are here: Home / Latest News

    January 27, 2023 18:00 Leave a Comment

    Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

    • The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28.
    • Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data.
    • If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.

    As previously communicated, AFA and management agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) to help improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.  The LOSA program is jointly administered by AFA and management as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The information collected from LOSA observations will help us better understand how Flight Attendants manage threats and errors, evaluate compliance with standard operating procedures and gain valuable insight into our day-to-day line operations from a safety perspective.

    LOSA Observers are line Flight Attendants trained by an independent third party, the LOSA Collaborative. They are prohibited from recording Flight Attendant names, flight numbers, or dates, as confidentiality is critical to this process. Any data collected is sent directly to the LOSA Collaborative, which evaluates and analyzes the information. AFA and management will receive a final report outlining what went well and what can be better, identifying procedures that should be modified or re-emphasized.

    Over the next month, you may have a Flight Attendant LOSA Observer ask to join your flight to conduct an observation. Participation is entirely voluntary; however, we encourage you to participate in this valuable effort. You also will have the opportunity to submit any safety-related feedback in an anonymous questionnaire during the flight.

    Questions?

    More information about LOSA can be found in the January 16, 2023 bulletin bundle (AAG sign-on required). If you have any other questions about the LOSA program, please reach out to the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee at losa@afaalaska.org.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Tagged With: Line Operations Safety Audit, LOSA

    January 27, 2023 17:00 Leave a Comment

    In This Edition

    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Negotiation Session 8
    • Next Week’s Events

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023

    Originally posted January 25, 2023

    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Read More >


    Operational Safety Debriefs

    Originally posted January 26, 2023

    AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event. The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation. Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).

    Read More >


    Negotiation Session 8

    Originally posted January 27, 2023

    Our Negotiating Committee tentatively agreed to Section 34: Hotels, for a current total of 27 sections. Steady progress continues, with discussion ongoing on 9 sections. The next negotiation session is February 7th through 9th.

    Read More >


    Next Week’s Events

    Thursday, February 2Scheduling Review Board (SRB)
    Thursday, February 2Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

    See the MEC Event Calendar >


    Find Us on Social Media

    You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: AFA News in Review

    January 26, 2023 17:00 2 Comments

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    • AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event.
    • The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation.
    • Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).

    In 2019, AFA filed grievance number 36-99-2-170-19, which alleged management’s violation of section 19.A of the collective bargaining agreement. The violation was related to an incident where management conducted a debrief meeting with Flight Attendants while they were still on duty following a slide deployment incident. As there was no contractual basis for management to conduct a meeting to investigate a work-related event with Flight Attendants outside of the procedures outlined in 19.A, the grievance alleged that contractual rights to AFA representation and investigatory meeting pay were violated.

    The grievance was denied by management and subsequently scheduled for arbitration in June 2020. As the arbitration date approached, management indicated they were interested in settling the grievance in lieu of arbitration. Discussions between AFA and management ensued and a settlement-in-concept was reached, which the MEC approved at the time.

    Following the conceptual agreement, AFA proposed a letter of agreement (LOA) that codified the settlement in detail. Unfortunately, turnover in a number of key management positions resulted in setbacks as new managers needed to brought up to speed with the history of the settlement and background of what had been discussed. To compound the situation, the aircraft evacuation of flight 751 in Seattle on August 23, 2021 revealed some unforeseen issues with the debrief process that required further discussion and incorporation into the proposed settlement.

    Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA)

    AFA and management were recently able to reach consensus on the details of the LOA, which serves as final settlement of the original grievance.  AFA LOA 2023-01-17 (Operational Safety Debriefs) establishes a process for management to speak directly to Flight Attendants who have been involved in a significant safety-related event while providing benefits and protections to Flight Attendants, including:

    • Minimum pay of 4 TFP for participating in an Operational Safety Debrief, in addition to any Minimum Pay Rules and pay protection due. 
    • Limitations on how long Operational Safety Debriefs are, when they must begin, and maximum duty day.
    • Guarantee that any conversations are non-disciplinary in nature and any information obtained cannot be used in disciplinary actions (including protections under ASAP if an ASAP report is filed timely).
    • The right to AFA representation and involvement in conversations.
    • An established process to handle any follow-up training.

    For complete details, please click here to view the complete LOA.  You can also find the LOA on your IMD in GoodReader in the ASFA Supplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement folder.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions about the Operational Safety Debriefs LOA, please contact your LEC President.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Grievance Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: letter of agreement, LOA

    January 25, 2023 17:00 Leave a Comment

    Scheduling Committee

    • Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.
    • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.
    • Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    On Tuesday, January 24, our AFA Scheduling 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS Virginia Fritz, and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton. The committee met with Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Mike Ostler, Director of ITS Product Management Jacki Varela, Manager of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

    Topics of Discussion

    The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

    • A Winter Storm debrief meeting was held with management on January 9, 2023.  Most of the AFA Alaska Online Support Center tickets that were filed were resolved.  There are a few outstanding issues related to compensation that need to be reviewed.  Tickets included, but were not limited, to hotels/transportation, day rooms, over-duty, FDTY (FAR Flight Attendant on-duty time), reassignment, pre-cancelation, holiday pay, pyramiding premiums and long wait times on the phone. 
    • Stranded pay calculations and filing Rainmaker inquiries.  Many Flight Attendants do not realize there is compensation for stranding into days on and days off, but the pay applications are different.  If you need help understanding the pay, please open a ticket through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center and include screenshots of your inquiry, the response from payroll, your paystub and your Rainmaker detailed buckets.  
    • Issue with Crew Access filters still showing in UTC time.  The Committee addressed this with ITS and asked for expediting a fix.  The next Crew Access update is tentatively scheduled for February 28, 2023. 
    • Testing resources will be allocated to NavBlue to enhance future user experiences and accessibility. The Committee knows there are reports of slow logins and will continue to monitor progress. 
    • Crew Scheduling is reviewing with our phone vendor the artificial intelligence (AI) in relation to wait times.  The system was taking into consideration each phone call, even when the caller was disconnecting. There were also instances of multiple users asking for several callbacks and tying up the queue.  
    • Day Rooms will be provided in out stations if the ground time exceeds 4 hours. This is not automated.  Crew Schedulers will continue to monitor the alert system, but please be proactive in calling Crew Scheduling at the earliest opportunity if you require a day room when the ground time is showing in excess of 4 hours. It could take several minutes to hours to request a hotel depending on the location, events, and other mitigating factors. 
    • Crew Scheduling is adding three new Crew Schedulers next week who will start their training for the next several weeks. 
    • Sick leave is trending downward and per management this allows more personal drops, increasing the threshold sequence number (TSN) for dropping and flexibility.
    • Crew Planning wants to discuss alternatives to providing Flight Attendants with an application that provides hotel, transportation, van times and other pertinent information related to layovers. The Committee believes this will reduce calls to Crew Scheduling. 
    • Crew Planning is looking at the cost analysis of 3-position and 4-position pairings, versus the 3-position and 1-position pairings we currently operate. The change would have A/B/C positions paired together on 3-position aircraft and A/B/C/D positions paired together on 4-position aircraft. 
    • Crew Planning will be offering more staffing leaves in March. The winter storm pushed back pilot training and the number of block hours they planned to execute during this time of year.  We should continue to see increases as the training requirements to fly aircraft are fulfilled in the next few months. 
    • Internal audits of Crew Systems are being reviewed and management is researching continuity plans. Departments are ensuring the systems are strong, adequate and technology is advancing.  This is in light of the technology breakdowns that some other carriers experienced during the holiday season. 

    What The Committee Is Working On

    1. Scheduling a meeting with Network Planning.  The Committee would like to meet with Network Planning in 2023 to discuss our contract, legalities and suggestions. We want to provide management with the Flight Attendant perspective and in an effort to improve our quality of life. 
    2. Review of JCTE/Crew Access transaction performance.  Each month, ITS provides the Committee with data on performance and transactions within JCTE/Crew Access.  The Committee reviews these reports to ensure our service levels are maintained at the appropriate thresholds.
    3. Scheduling Quality of Life Improvements.  Reviewing ways to improve Trip Length Distribution (TLD) and other quality of life factors.  Working with management to develop a quality of life survey to determine Flight Attendant scheduling priorities. 
    4. Review of user guides and links of Flight Attendant website.  Ensuring information is still accurate in existing resource materials, links are still active and working, etc.
    5. Updating Crew Access videos.  Working with management and ITS to update the Crew Access instructional videos to reflect updates and changes to the user interface.

    We Want to Hear From You!

    Do you have feedback for the committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Scheduling Committee is your voice to management.  You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Scheduling Committee Tagged With: committee meeting

    January 20, 2023 17:00

    In This Edition

    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • Next Week’s Events

    AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms

    Originally posted January 18, 2023

    The recent severe weather in Northern California that caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides has destroyed property, damaged infrastructure, and forever changed countless people’s lives. A Presidential Declaration of Disaster has been issued for California’s Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties. Flight Attendants whose primary residences are in these counties and have been affected by the current disaster can request help from the AFA Disaster Relief Fund.

    Read More >


    Next Week’s Events

    Tuesday, January 24 – Thursday, January 26Contract Negotiations
    Tuesday, January 24Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting

    See the MEC Event Calendar >


    Find Us on Social Media

    You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: AFA News in Review

    January 18, 2023 09:00

    AFA International

    The recent severe weather in Northern California that caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides has destroyed property, damaged infrastructure, and forever changed countless people’s lives. A Presidential Declaration of Disaster has been issued for California’s Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties. Flight Attendants whose primary residences are in these counties and have been affected by the current disaster can request help from the AFA Disaster Relief Fund.

    About the AFA Disaster Relief Fund

    We know that disasters can change lives forever. While we can’t stop destructive events from happening, we can, as a Union, assist our members with their recovery. AFA established the Disaster Relief Fund after September 11th to assist our members whose lives were placed in harm’s way. AFA members and retirees whose primary residences are in the counties listed on the FEMA website are eligible for $200.00 from the AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Fund.  It is a gift made possible by the generosity of your fellow union siblings with AFA. (See the AFA website for links to the FEMA site: www.afacwa.org/drf.)

    If you would like to apply for AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Funds, visit www.afacwa.org/drf and download the Disaster Relief Fund Application. If you wish to contribute either by check or electronic payment, please visit www.afacwa.org/drf for more information on donating.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now Tagged With: AFA Disaster Relief Fund, severe weather

    January 13, 2023 17:00

    In This Edition

    • iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Device Distribution
    • January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap
    • Negotiation Session 7
    • Next Week’s Events

    iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Device Distribution

    Originally posted January 10, 2023

    Management will begin issuing new iPhone 13 IMDs next week to Flight Attendants who currently have an iPhone 7 or 8 Plus IMD. Flight Attendants will be paid 0.5 TFP for picking up the new device and performing the necessary setup tasks. If you’re not scheduled to work during the distribution period in your base, other pickup options, including direct shipping to the address of your choice at no cost to you, will be available.

    Read More >


    January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

    Originally posted January 13, 2023

    Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, January 10, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants. Due to contract negotiations taking place at the same time as the meeting, our MEC did not meet with management as part of this month’s meeting. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, and Wednesday, February 15. Please don’t hesitate to contact your LEC President if you have any questions.

    Read More >


    Negotiation Session 7

    Originally posted January 13, 2023

    Steady progress continues, with discussion ongoing on eight sections. To date, we have tentatively agreed on twenty-six sections. The next negotiation session is January 24-26.

    Read More >


    Next Week’s Events

    Thursday, January 19Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

    See the MEC Event Calendar >


    Find Us on Social Media

    You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: AFA News in Review

    January 13, 2023 09:00

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, January 10, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
    • Due to contract negotiations taking place at the same time as the meeting, our MEC did not meet with management as part of this month’s meeting.
    • The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, and Wednesday, February 15. Please don’t hesitate to contact your LEC President if you have any questions.

    The January 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, January 10.  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. 

    No Meeting With Management This Month

    As part of most Regular MEC Meetings, our MEC meets with management to review current issues and challenges that Flight Attendants are facing. This month, contract negotiations took place at the same time as the MEC Meeting. As most key management personnel from inflight and labor relations were at the bargaining table with our AFA Negotiating Committee, they could not meet simultaneously with our MEC. Several other meetings, including the bi-weekly Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Meeting, are still scheduled to take place with management to ensure issues are addressed promptly.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please reach out to your LEC President.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: MEC Meeting

    January 11, 2023 09:00

    Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

    • Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met on Thursday, January 5 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to safety, health, and security in our workplace.
    • The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
    • Reporting safety concerns is more important than ever given the challenges we are currently facing as a work group.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Reports (ASAP), and fatigue reports can all be filed through Report It!  Please contact a member of your Local ASHSC if you need assistance.

    On Thursday, January 5, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Debi Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Blair Kimball (PDX), Brad Young (SFO), Carin Meritt (LAX), and Eva Gatus (SAN).  Also present were MEC ASHSC Air Quality Representative Yvette Satterlee and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.  The committee met with Cabin Safety Manager Cari Smith-Allen, Director of Inflight Training & Standards Thomas Kaminski, Inflight Reporting Coordinator Kevin Weatherbie, Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance Corey Chestnut, Interim Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedure Johanna Giese, Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedure Kaliko Howell, and Senior Inflight Safety & Data Specialist Claudia Modl from management.

    Topics of Discussion

    The committee reviewed a number of items when meeting with management.  Some items discussed include:

    • Announcements changed from
      “must” to “should” when telling passengers to unplug from seat power. Management agreed to change this back to “must”.
    • Requested more timely notification of possible air quality events so AFA can provide timely support.
    • Location of the onboard wheelchair. The Company won’t be able to change the location of the onboard wheelchair, but management has agreed to look at the feasibility of moving liquid supplies out of the centerline overhead bin so possible leakage doesn’t damage other supplies and soak the onboard wheelchair case.
    • Boarding should be at D-40, but SEA boards at D-43. Inflight management has been working with the SEA station on this issue. Company policy is that boarding starts at D-40 at all stations and SEA is not an exception. The ASHSC has asked Inflight to change the prebuilt replies in Block2Block team messaging to the “Are you ready to board” question to state “we are ready to board at D-40”, so is no confusion about the intent responding.
    • Flying after an inflight emergency or medical. When a situation occurs where Section 15 of the contract applies, management who are in contact with Flight Attendants after the event should clearly communicate that a trip drop with pay protection, but without points, is available.  This allows Flight Attendants to make the safest choice for themselves and the operation without having to worry about personal consequences.
    • ANC Airport parking lot and ice removal. Inflight safety and compliance management will reach out to ANC base management to see if they can help address the issues.
    • Immediate assistance during irregular ops/emergencies. Inflight needs to utilize additional resources to help with hotels and transportation and other issues which can be handled outside of scheduling so Flight Attendants are not waiting in situations that may not be safe.
    • Trash odors in Galley 1 on the 737 MAX. The trash compartments are supposed to be cleaned on every RON. The Committee has asked for an audit of this process as there are still reports of issues with odors in trash areas caused by the design of the F/C trash opening/chute, which allows some waste placed in the receptacle to fall outside of the trash can.
    • Trays in Galley 4-2 continue to be in the wrong location. Trays can fall out and cause injury. A fix was implemented on December 6 by Catering, but it needs more attention since there are reports of the issue still occurring.
    • Tray tables on the A321 can block access to the B Flight Attendant jumpseat. Even if this is an allowable configuration, the Committee doesn’t believe it is safe and would like it addressed.
    • Ice cleats. Concerns with passengers wearing them onboard the aircraft as they could damage the aircraft interior.

    What the Committee is Working On

    1. Bed Bug Exposure Protocol.  Together with the Hotel Committee, working towards the adoption of an exposure protocol so Flight Attendants and management will know how to respond when bed bug exposure has been confirmed.
    2. Time for Equipment Checks and Briefings. The ASHSC continues to advocate for an adequate amount of time to complete checks and briefings prior to passenger boarding.
    3. Launching the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program.  Continuing to work with the other members of the LOSA Steering Committee to launch the LOSA Program.  A total of 36 peer LOSA Observers have been selected, representing all the bases. The first round of observations will occur from January 27 to February 28. We expect the deidentified data generated from the observations will result in improvements to policy and procedure, the safety of our work environment, and the quality of our training. 

    We Want to Hear From You!

    If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please help the committee to advocate for improvement and change by filing a report.  Flight Attendant Irregularity Reports (FAIR), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports, and fatigue reports can all be submitted using ReportIt!  If you’re not sure what type of report to file for a particular situation or need help, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of your Local ASHSC.

    Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local ASHSC is your voice to management.  You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska website. 

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Tagged With: committee meeting

    January 10, 2023 17:00

    Master Executive Council (MEC)

    • Management will begin issuing new iPhone 13 IMDs next week to Flight Attendants who currently have an iPhone 7 or 8 Plus IMD.
    • Flight Attendants will be paid 0.5 TFP for picking up the new device and performing the necessary setup tasks.
    • If you’re not scheduled to work during the distribution period in your base, other pickup options, including direct shipping to the address of your choice at no cost to you, will be available.

    Management recently notified AFA that they plan to begin distributing new iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) to Flight Attendants who are currently issued iPhone 7 or 8 Plus devices.  Distribution will take place in one base at a time over approximately six weeks.  The specific schedule will be communicated by management separately.  Flight Attendants who were hired in 2022 or have already been issued an iPhone 13 IMD will continue using their current device.

    iPhone 13 IMD Distribution Letter of Agreement (LOA)

    In anticipation of the distribution of new iPhone 13 IMDs, AFA and management have entered into a letter of agreement (LOA), further clarifying the process.  AFA LOA 2023-01-09 (Distribution of iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Devices to Flight Attendants Currently Issued an iPhone 7 or 8 Plus) provides benefits and protections to Flight Attendants, including:

    • Pay of 0.5 TFP for picking up the device and performing the necessary setup tasks (automatically paid on the April 20th paycheck).
    • Flexible pick-up options if not scheduled to work during the designated distribution period, including the option to have the device shipped to the address of your choice at no cost.
    • Specific limitations regarding what tasks Flight Attendants will be required to perform to set the device up.
    • A defined process (with the potential for additional compensation) to handle instances where Flight Attendants have to perform work over and above the limited setup tasks or standard maintenance requirements to make the IMD ready-to-use.

    For complete details, please click here to view the complete LOA.  You can also find the LOA on your IMD in GoodReader in the ASFA Supplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement folder.

    LAX Co-Terminal Support

    Through the continued advocacy of the AFA Council 18 LEC Officers, management has also agreed to provide on-site IT support to distribute IMDs at each of the LAX co-terminals.  On-site support at the LAX co-terminals will take place in March, and specific dates will be published by management in advance.  LAX-based Flight Attendants who primarily fly out of co-terminals can also pick up their IMD at LAX or any other domicile during the scheduled distribution period or make alternate arrangements as outlined in the LOA.

    Questions?

    If you have questions about the iPhone 13 IMD Distribution LOA, please contact your LEC Officers.

    Filed Under: AFA Alaska News Now, Contract, Grievance Committee, Inflight Service Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: IMD, inflight mobile device

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    The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28. Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data. If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.
    Read details from our Negotiating Committee about Session 8 of contract negotiations, including a tentative agreement on Hotels and updates on current progress.
    AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event. The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation. Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).
    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
    The recent severe weather in Northern California that caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides has destroyed property, damaged infrastructure, and forever changed countless people’s lives. A Presidential Declaration of Disaster has been issued for California’s Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties. Flight Attendants whose primary residences are in these counties and have been affected by the current disaster can request help from the AFA Disaster Relief Fund.
    Read details from our Negotiating Committee about Session 7 of contract negotiations, including updates on current progress and sections in discussion.

    Latest News

    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023
    • January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap
    • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023
    • iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Device Distribution

    LOSA Observations Are Underway

    January 27, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) As previously communicated, AFA and management agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) to help improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.  The LOSA program is jointly administered by AFA and management as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The […]

    Operational Safety Debriefs

    January 26, 2023 2 Comments

    Master Executive Council (MEC) In 2019, AFA filed grievance number 36-99-2-170-19, which alleged management’s violation of section 19.A of the collective bargaining agreement. The violation was related to an incident where management conducted a debrief meeting with Flight Attendants while they were still on duty following a slide deployment incident. As there was no contractual […]

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023

    January 25, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, January 24, our AFA Scheduling 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

    AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms

    January 18, 2023

    AFA International The recent severe weather in Northern California that caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides has destroyed property, damaged infrastructure, and forever changed countless people’s lives. A Presidential Declaration of Disaster has been issued for California’s Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties. Flight Attendants whose primary residences are in these counties and have been affected by […]

    January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

    January 13, 2023

    Master Executive Council (MEC) The January 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Tuesday, January 10.  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.  No Meeting With Management […]

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

    RSS Negotiations News

    • Negotiation Session 8
    • Negotiation Session 7
    • What commuter improvements can we expect?
    • The commitment from management on industry leading pay is great news! However, pay rates are only part of the picture – are we sacrificing work rules and benefits for leading pay rates?
    • Can you clarify the pay components included in our Opening Proposal (Ground, Flight, Delay, Stranded)?
    • Negotiation Session 6
    • Negotiation Session 5
    • Can you clarify insurance premiums in the Insurance Benefits tentative agreement?
    • Why isn’t the Negotiating Committee publishing tentative agreements of each section?
    • Management has lawyers at the negotiating table – why don’t we?

    Recent Posts

    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023
    • January 2023 MEC Meeting Recap
    • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023
    • iPhone 13 Inflight Mobile Device Distribution

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