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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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As part of Membership Engagement Committee Focus Month, we’re excited to spotlight one of our core missions: empowering you with knowledge and confidence to participate more fully in our Union. When we understand how our Union works, we strengthen our collective voice and create a more engaged community.

To help you on this journey, we’re excited to introduce a powerful resource: the AFA Online Learning Academy at afalearning.org. This platform is built to open doors for every Member by offering accessible education that lets you get involved on your own terms—wherever you are, whenever you’re ready.

What’s Available On The Academy

The AFA Online Learning Academy features a diverse course catalog where you can choose the topics that interest you most. You can explore subjects such as:

  • Union structure and history
  • Committee work and leadership
  • Labor history
  • Communications, safety, and much more

Real empowerment comes from making education truly accessible to everyone. The academy lays a strong foundation for you to build your knowledge and become a more active, confident participant in our Union. Some of the key benefits include:

  • No Experience Needed: Whether you’re curious about how our Union works or considering getting involved, this is the perfect place to start. You don’t need to be a committee volunteer or AFA officer—everyone is welcome.
  • Zero-Pressure Learning: Every course is self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed—no deadlines, no pressure.
  • Fits Your Schedule: Life on the line is unpredictable. Whether you have 15 minutes between flights or a little extra time at home, you can log in and learn whenever it’s convenient for you.

How To Access The Site

Getting started is simple and takes just a few clicks:

  1. Head over to afalearning.org.
  2. Create your account if you are a first-time user.
  3. Start exploring the course catalog and dive into the topics that interest you.

Watch Now: Discover The AFA Online Learning Academy

Curious to see the academy in action? Watch this short video with Nona Diaz and Meredith Havens, your Membership Engagement Chairpersons for Council 30 in Anchorage. They’ll walk you through how they found this resource, how easy it is to use, and why it’s such a valuable tool for all our Members. Take a few minutes, watch the video, and see what’s possible!

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

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This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, July 21, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Global Training Center to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, PBS Committee member —Krystal Kehrli, MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative Julie Thornton, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Managing Director of Ops Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Colin Beard, ITS Technical Product Owner Nathan McFerren, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), and payroll.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, August 25.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

Upcoming Meetings

  • Meeting Schedule: Regular meetings set for August 25, September 29, October 27, November 24, and December 29.
  • Scheduling Review Board (SRB) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) meetings scheduled through December 2026.
  • JCTE updates are expected in Q3 2026.
  • AI Crew Solutions: Meeting on November 4, 2025, to discuss vacation awards and slot processing. We are moving forward with the implementation process, hopefully this fall in the 4th quarter. 
  • Monitoring: Active monitoring of Flight Attendant OT every 16th of the month at designated times.

MEC Committee Chairperson Report

  • Crew Backlog: Review pending. Need to set up additional dates to review the items that require change requests and bug fixes. The list is short, as most of the items from the prior negotiations have been implemented. 
  • Fatigue Review Board: Scheduled meetings throughout the rest of 2026. This is a bi-weekly meeting. 
  • Pay Disputes: Ongoing discussions regarding pyramiding pay and specific grievances filed by AFA. We recently resolved a dispute with Section 8.F and 8.G and posted the MOU. 

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

  • PDX: Issues with ITS visibility and scheduling blocks for trips.
  • SAN: Concerns about redeye flights and parking fees; requests for a pay chart.
  • ANC: Issues with downgrades, reassignment processes, and hotel room rates.
  • LAX: Reliability of B2B contact and quality of trips under review.
  • SFO: Requests for presentations on open base flying and pay regulations regarding overpayments. .
  • SEA: Various pay and scheduling issues highlighted, including double out crew rest, reassignments and conversions from DHD to working and vice versa. 

PBS Subcommittee Update

  • Bidding Engagement: Good engagement noted for August. 
  • Bid Awards: Processed as expected; higher minimum windows needed to meet management’s desire for higher reserve percentages. 

Alaska ITS Update

  • NAVLBUE Testing: Completed testing of recent updates; ongoing issues with trip visibility.
  • Trading Volume: Notable increase in Open Time trades; stability in trading noted.
  • Jeppesen and Alaska management continue to monitor Flight Attendant trip postings that were reported to have an issue with being visible immediately in the system. 

Alaska Payroll Update

  • Query Counts: Increase in pay queries, with a focus on timely closure before payroll processing.
  • Audit Processes: Weekly audits are in place, but some issues remain unresolved. All inquiries must be closed prior to payroll being processed.  Please wait a week before filing your inquiries on trips, as most of the contractual items are resolved in the audit process. If you have inquiries after payroll processes, the pay analyst will review those as well. 

Alaska Crew Planning Update

  • Staffing Challenges: Anticipated higher absenteeism leading to a need for additional reserves.
  • Operational Changes: Ongoing discussions about schedule changes affecting Flight Attendants’ quality of life.
  • Trip Distribution: Reductions in red-eye duty for September; extensive review of trip pairings planned.
  • The Committee asked management about the 717/737 changes to Hawaii neighbor island flying, and we should see what those pairings will look like in the near future. Crew planning will work with the AFA Scheduling Committee Pairing Construction Subcommittee to determine how the pairings will appear in the system. 
  • Irregular Operations (IRROP) mitigation:
    • SAN start of duty JFK/BOS/IAD/MCO/DCA
    • EWR layovers 12 hours ATC
    • End of duty AM departures EWR to PDX/SEA
    • Increased crew connect times
    • Layover increase to 11 hours PHX/LAS
    • Rest before PHX 11:30 AM departures  – crew rest delays
    • Rest before GEG to PDX start flight increased to 12 hours – crew rest delays
    • End-of-duty DLG and AKN to ANC; summer TSA mitigation.
    • Flight Attendant teaming still in effect.

Alaska Crew Scheduling Update

  • Sick Leave Statistics: Increased sick leave noted; reserve utilization remains high on mainline Alaska.  Sick leave and fatigue are much lower on the Hawaiian operational side. 
  • Premium Compensation: Adjustments to premium compensation based on significant events and operational demands. We are seeing some premium posted a week in advance to help allow Flight Attendants to pick up earlier to assist with operational needs. 
  • New Leadership: Recent changes in management structure to enhance scheduling operations. Tiara Taulolo started as a temporary supervisor on June 20, and Jacob Fordham started as a new manager on July 20. Alaska crew scheduling plans to have approximately 48 crew schedulers in the department by the end of the year. A few new crew scheduler classes are planned in September (14 new hires) and October (5 new hires)
  • Statistics July MTD: There have been no personal drops or TSN adjustments. 10.R.4 reassignments for the system are at 553.  Deadhead conversions under 10.X.7 are at 287 system wide. Fatigue Reports are shown 24, with 18 of those reserves. Alaska reserve utilization for the system is 93.6%, while Hawaiian is 50.6%. Sick leave for Alaska, both lineholders and reserves, is at 12.4%, with some days having over 400 sick calls.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. These discussions are still ongoing with Labor Relations management. AFA has filed several grievances and still has not received a pyramiding pay chart from payroll or labor relations and our requests go unanswered. 
  2. Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2. We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. We have additional meetings to discuss implementation and buddy bidding. We are currently testing and reviewing the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment. This is scheduled for implementation in the 4th quarter of 2026. 
  3. Flow Charts: These are posted on the AFA website to help guide you through contractual understanding and irregular ops here: 2025-2028 AFA Alaska CBA Reference Documents 01.26.2026
  4. Block2Block (B2B) Contactability: Implemented on February 1, 2026. Please familiarize yourself with the contractual language and bulletin bundle. Every Flight Attendant must check B2B at the end of every duty period (not trip) and make positive contact if a message is sent prior to block-in of the last flight of the duty period per §8.Q.2.e. We are actively working with management to post an updated bulletin. 
  5. Compensation: Follow up on crew pay issues and reassignment policies. Please give Flight Attendant Crew Pay a minimum of a week to update compensation for irregular operations. 
  6. Pairings: Continue to address pairing and scheduling concerns with management.
  7. Software: Monitor upcoming software implementations and their impacts on operations. We will have another JCTE update in August 2026. 
  8. Sick Leave Tracking: Continue monitoring sick leave trends and review strategies to mitigate operational impacts. 
  9. Notifications: Addressing communication issues regarding flight changes and notifications. 
  10. AFA Alaska Online Support Center Tickets: Local AFA Representatives do not have access to your schedules, Rainmaker, or pay stubs. When filing a ticket, please screenshot as much information as possible, such as trip details, reports, and Rainmaker buckets, to assist them in their research into your concerns. 

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

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Local Committee Appointments – July 2026

During this week’s LEC meeting, our LEC held interviews for our first group of Local Committee Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson positions. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest and willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been appointed:

  • Local Communications Chairperson: Kiersten Larson
  • Local Communications Vice-Chairperson: Jerry Sinclair
  • Local Government Affairs Chairperson: Andrew Stinson
  • Local Human Rights & Equity Chairperson: Andrew Stinson
  • Local Membership Engagement Chairperson: Tracy Pettit

These newly appointed Local Committee Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons will carry out their respective roles for Council 19. Over the next few weeks, they will transitions into their new roles with their official term beginning on September 1, 2026. They will serve for the current LEC Officer election cycle which began on July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your LEC President at sea.lecp@afaalaska.org. 

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In This Edition

  • Need Help? Let Us Show You Where To Find It!
  • Alaska Management Announces Plan To Operate Boeing 737 Aircraft on Neighbor Island Flights
  • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026
  • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026
  • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 17 – July 2026
  • Shared on Social
  • Next Week’s Events

Need Help? Let Us Show You Where To Find It!

Originally posted July 20, 2026

When you need AFA support, finding the right resources shouldn’t be a struggle—or a guessing game. Discover how to quickly connect with your Local Council, access our specialized AFA committees, and submit support tickets with ease, so you’re always empowered when challenges arise.

Read More >

Alaska Management Announces Plan To Operate Boeing 737 Aircraft on Neighbor Island Flights

Originally posted July 21, 2026

Management’s surprise announcement to introduce Alaska-branded 737s on neighbor island routes starting this October directly contradicts the foundational promises they made when this merger began. Our MEC is taking steps to protect the identity and legacy of the Hawaiian Airlines brand, and the integrity of the commitments management made to our combined Flight Attendant group.

Read More >

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

Originally posted July 22, 2026

Get ready for changes that may impact your next trip—guests are now allowed on crew shuttles for pmHA Flight Attendants, and new live tracking for some pmAS Flight Attendant ground transportation puts more control in your hands. Plus, information on upcoming site visits that are actively shaping the hotels and amenities that define your layover experience.

Read More >

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

Originally posted July 23, 2026

From reports of chemical fumes in the crew rest to new tools for safe glass cleanup, this month’s Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting tackled real, on-the-job challenges we face as Flight Attendants. Catch up on July’s updates—including onboard wheelchair stowage issues, burn risk concerns, and cargo odor problems—so you’re prepared and protected.

Read More >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 17 – July 2026

Originally posted July 24, 2026

This session, our JNC focused on refining the Reserve survey to ensure a comprehensive representation of Member concerns. Significant progress was also made on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits), with proposals aimed at enhancing Flight Attendant protections and securing tailored insurance provisions. Additionally, productive discussions continued on Section 30 (Training). Further improvements are anticipated pending management’s response to our latest proposal.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Check out this week’s highlights from our social media! Click on a graphic below to view the original post on Instagram. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and news as we share it!

Originally posted July 22, 2026

Originally posted July 24, 2026

Next Week’s Events

Thursday, July 30Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

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This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on July 21 to July 23 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for August 24 to August 26
  • Our JNC presented our response to the company’s initial proposal on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits), aiming to secure Flight Attendant specific provisions

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management from July 21 to July 23 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberRyan St. John, Vice President, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
 Karen Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

This week the JNC started off by meeting with our pre-merger Alaska MEC Reserve Chairperson, Julie Thornton, to continue to review Alaska Reserve concerns. Julie also weighed in on formulating the Reserve survey to ensure all relevant pre-merger Alaska questions were addressed. The JNC will be meeting with the pre-merger Hawaiian MEC Reserve Chairperson, Kela Chong, prior to the next negotiating session.

The JNC passed our initial proposal on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits) this week, incorporating many of the protections found in the Hawaiian agreement and cementing those already in the Alaska agreement. One of our goals is to secure Flight Attendant specific insurance plan provisions in our JCBA, examples being Flexible Spending Accounts, coverage of dependent children up to age 26 and company provided life insurance.

We continued to discuss the remaining outstanding issues in Section 30 (Training) and have made much progress in this section. We have already secured Buddy Bidding for Recurrent Training and are working to secure other improvements in this section. This proposal is currently in the company’s court and we are hopeful to receive a response from management at the next session.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA is being used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Insurance Benefits (AS CBA Section 23 and HA CBA Section 32)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Vacations (AS CBA Section 14 and HA CBA Section 18)
  • Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Domiciles (AS CBA Section 28 and HA CBA Section 5, 14, and 27)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 36 and HA CBA Section 34-28)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

JCBA Negotiations

As a reminder, here’s how JCBA bargaining differs from regular negotiations:

  • Not Section 6 Negotiations: Because our contracts are not amendable, we fall outside the regular Section 6 process.
  • Creating One Contract from Two: Instead of improving a single contract, JCBA talks are about building an entirely new agreement from two existing contracts.
  • Different Survey Process: The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) will send targeted “subject matter” surveys on specific contract sections.

For more information about the process please see Understanding JCBA Negotiations

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for August 24 to August 26.

On Wednesday, July 15, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO and MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson), Kahea Alvarez (LAX pmHA), Carin Merritt (LAX pmAS), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), Bri Shaw (LAX pmAS), Eva Gatus (SAN), Barron Lee (HNL), MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson Kerri Ruiz, and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple.

The Committee met with several members of Inflight leadership and Safety management, including Heidi Stiley (Cabin Safety & Compliance Manager), Matthew Coder (Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager), Wendy Kong (Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager), Ken Hawkins (Inflight Duty Program Manager), Nicky Sagum (Manager of Safety Compliance), Lavesh Bhatia (Inflight Policy & Procedure Specialist), Shari Hinshaw (Manager of Inflight Policy & Procedures) and base management representatives Aron Kahn (LAX Manager of Base Operations) and Benito Pasia-Garcia (Director of Inflight Base Operations).

The next scheduled Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee meeting will take place hosted by the SEA ASHSC on August 27

Topics of Discussion

The Committee reviewed several items when meeting with management. Some items discussed include (items which are Security Sensitive Information are not included):

  • Onboard Wheelchair Stowage: The Committee raised concerns that storing auxiliary supplies (gloves, soap, hand sanitizer) in the wheelchair compartment obstructs the space when the chair is removed, making re-storage difficult. Management is replacing the current wheelchair with a new design and will look at the stowage of other items in the 737 celling bins as part of this process.
  • Catering Consistency – Ice in G1: The Committee noted that ice stowed in the drawer in the G1 is leaking into the forward galley and flight deck during descent when no liner is used in the drawer. Management responded that this is a catering error and asked for Flight Attendant write-ups when liners are missing to support the case; a newsletter reminder was also issued recommending that ice be used first, as it causes issues when melted.
  • Broken Glass Disposal: With new glassware leading to increased breakage, the Committee discussed the need for a consistent, harmonized policy for safe disposal. Hawaiian carries a dustpan and whisk broom onboard; Alaska’s policy is less defined, though FAM language directs broken glass to be placed in a puncture-resistant bag. Management is working towards adding a dustpan and a whisk broom to the 737 fleet.
  • Required Briefings Communication: The Committee discussed instances of required briefings (CRS, UMs, 3-point) being missed prior to door closure. Management agreed to address cleaner cabin-ready communication and area-of-responsibility training through the cabin door closing working group.
  • Fumes in the LDMCR: A crew reported chemical fumes both during takeoff and later in flight in the lower crew rest area, with one crew member experiencing chest tightness and headache. Management is following up with Maintenance and Cargo to identify the source; Management emphasized that we can contact MedAire for assessment when we have symptoms.
  • Hot Beverage Temperature Safety: The Committee raised ongoing burn-risk concerns related to hot water and coffee temperatures. Management confirmed water temperature is regulated by a thermostatic switch, checked during scheduled overhaul inspections, and cannot be manually lowered without affecting brew quality. A new cup design compatible with tablet/cup holders is being launched; adding lids to cups was discussed, but will not be adopted at this time.
  • A321 Pneumatic Lav Door Closer: Reports indicate the pneumatic lav door closer, connected to the lav wall and folding door on the A321, may be being detached by cleaning crews and not reattached, causing the door to swing freely and creating a pinch/cut risk during reattachment. The fleet manager confirmed that cleaning staff should not be handling this mechanism and will send a reminder communication.
  • Fish Odor/Cargo Contamination Incident: There has been an uptick in the smell of rotting fish in aircraft cabins this summer, leading to air quality issues. The Committee asked for a standardized process for handling spills of this nature, better tools at all cargo-handling stations (not just HNL/SEA), and improved acceptance criteria for seafood when shipped.
  • Intelex Reporting System Issues: Multiple Flight Attendants reported login issues, lockouts, and app glitches, discouraging incident reporting. Management suggested utilizing the desktop version or emailing the crew can email inflightreports@alaskaair.com if the app doesn’t work.
  • Jumpseating Guidance (Boeing 737-700 Series Aircraft): The Committee identified unclear FAM language regarding jumpseater seat assignments on 737-700-series aircraft. Management agreed that clarification is needed and will work to update the manual with specific seating guidance.

Things The Committee Is Working On

  1. Cabin Secure Procedures: After the addition of the cabin-ready concept for boarding door closure and adding a cabin secure compliance check after door arming, there hasn’t been a clear indicator for the FFA / A Flight Attendant to know that the cabin is secure. We’ve been working with Inflight Policy and Procedure to develop a better system to ensure the cabin is ready for surface movement and to eliminate the current confusion around the process.
  2. Bulletins and Alerts Timing: Effective June 24, management changed when Flight Attendants must review bulletins and alerts. Per the manual, Flight Attendants must now ensure that all alerts, bulletins, and FAM revisions/EIBs are updated and read, and that required training is completed, after check-in but prior to boarding the aircraft. We are advocating that management restore the previous policy, requiring bulletins to be checked 24 hours prior to reporting for duty, which gave Flight Attendants adequate time to read and understand this information.

We Want to Hear From You!

If you’ve encountered any safety-related issues at work, you can help the Committee advocate for improvement and change by submitting a report:

  • pmHA: Use INTELEX to submit In-Flight Incident Reports (including fatigue and injury) and Hawaiian Safety Action Program (HSAP) reports.
  • pmAS: Use ReportIt! to submit FAIRs (including Fatigue reports), ASAP reports, and Employee Injury Reports (EIR).

If you need clarification or assistance on what type of report to file, please get in touch with a member of your Local ASHSC.

Your Local ASHSC is always ready to represent your voice to management. Please don’t hesitate to let us know about any issues or concerns you want us to bring forward. We would also love to hear any other feedback you may have for the Committee. You can find our contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

On Monday, July 13, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in-person to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotel and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner, and Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams.

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, August 10.

Topics of Discussion

  • Guests in Ground Transportation (pmHA): The Hotel Committee advocated for alignment on guest policies in ground transportation. Previously, pmHA Flight Attendants could not have guests accompany them in crew transportation, whereas pmAS Flight Attendants could. Effective immediately, guests of pmHA Flight Attendants are allowed to ride in crew shuttles, except in locations where only crew are permitted on the shuttles. Working crew remains the priority, and there must be room for them and their bags. Guests must never cause delay, inconvenience, or displace crew during transport. If there is insufficient room for your guest, please be prepared to make other transportation arrangements.
  • Ad Hoc List Update (pmAS): Management uses a list of Hotel Committee-approved properties for relocations from our contracted crew hotels when necessary. Maintaining the list is no small task. The list is constantly evolving as properties are added (after site visits) and deleted (labor disputes, crew feedback, etc.). Previously, a single list was shared by both AFA and ALPA, but it has now been separated so that each union can elect the order of hotels they prefer. The Committee will update the list to incorporate the markets that were visited this year, then have the list posted to the Flight Attendant Website, as called for in CBA §34.A.6.b  
  • Hotel Contractual Terms (pmAS): We continue to notice that items discussed with hotel management during on-site visits are not being incorporated into final hotel contracts. There are a variety of reasons why this has happened: the hotel overpromised during a site visit and didn’t follow through, API negotiated away offered amenities (free breakfast, F&B discount, etc.) to secure a lower rate for the company, etc. The Hotel Committee has been actively monitoring these discrepancies, as our final hotel decisions are based on what was presented as a complete package during the site visit. To put this into context, we recently conducted a JFK site visit to find a new short-stay hotel. A hotel was selected on the premise that the hotel-provided shuttle would run on demand for crew, instead of the published 30-minute schedule. The hotel backtracked on the on-demand shuttle, which caused us to break with that property and utilize an on-airport property instead. If you notice any discrepancy in a crew amenity that is published in MyCrewCare or the Hotel Hotline, please ensure you write a CrewCare report and contact your Local Hotel Committee if necessary.  
  • City-Specific Issues/Updates:
    • RDU: There have been several recent write-ups regarding HVAC, noise, and the property’s condition. This market is up for renewal next year, but the Committee has asked that sourcing be expedited to find a suitable replacement.
    • BOS: There have been numerous reports of rooms not being ready for redeye arrivals, resulting in excessive wait times. This is unacceptable, as rooms should be taken out of service the night prior.  This has been escalated to Crew Hotels for follow-up.
    • SJO: We are still waiting for a final hotel decision in SJO. We have been told an update will be coming soon.
    • LIR: We are still investigating viable solutions to cut down on the transit time. We conducted another site visit to the market in June, but our top choice withdrew their bid shortly after the visit.  
  • Ground Transportation Live Tracking (pmAS): Instructions for tracking ground transportation with participating providers have been posted in the July Informational Bulletin on TeamAAG. Additionally, it has been requested that this information be displayed in Crew Access and posted to Comply365 on the IMD. This should help Flight Attendants track their ride.    

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: Our Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  

  • Pre-Merger Alaska: The Committee is evaluating the need for additional site visits in 2026 and is getting a jump-start on the plan for 2027. The scheduled site visits through September 2026 are:
    • July: BZE, LGB (New Layover), BWI (Short), DEN (Short)
    • Aug: MCI (Short), CHS (Long)
    • Sept: YYC (New Layover), YEG (New Layover)
    • Oct: TUS (Short), OAK (Short/Long)
    • TBD: OGG
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through June 2026 are:
    • Aug: HNL, OGG
    • Sept: SMF

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): There continues to be no update on the Hotel Gainshare program, same as last month. Negotiations remain stalled due to management’s concerns about federal tax implications. AFA International has provided a legal counterargument, and we are still waiting for coordination between AFA International and Alaska Airlines Labor Relations management. Our goal remains to reach a consensus and finalize program negotiations. We know many Members are interested in this program and will continue to keep you informed.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

A Message from our LEC President: 737-800 Interisland Operations

Aloha nui kākou,

Earlier today, the Company publicly announced that the Boeing 737-800 will replace the 717-200 fleet in our interisland network. The Company’s decision to select the 737-800 is no surprise, as Alaska Airlines has operated this aircraft type for many years. While this announcement may have been anticipated for some time, Alaska Airlines has also decided to begin operating interisland flights under the Alaska brand between Honolulu and Maui beginning this October. This decision by the Company is both disheartening and disappointing to us at Hawaiian AFA.

The unfortunate reality of the situation stems from the reliability issues surrounding our aging 717 fleet which is something that we have all recognized throughout the years. Some of our 717s have been out of service much longer than anticipated due to on-going maintenance issues. This has left the Company with very little options to maintain our robust interisland network. While the decision to utilize the existing Alaska branded 737s and its crews is a near-term solution to maintaining our interisland network, it does come with near-term impacts to us as Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants.

Our Interisland flying represents more than just taking care of our local people. It represents the very core of our brand and who we are as Hawaiian Airlines. No matter how long each of us has been representing Pualani, or whether you still fly interisland flights or not, we all started out flying between the islands. The infancy of our careers as Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants is where we all began flying and so too did the brand itself. The legacy of Hawaiian Airlines from where we came from, to where we’ve gone and how we have grown, stems from our roots here in Hawai‘i. Bringing the Alaska branded 737s to do part of our interisland flying shakes us to our core, especially since it will not be our crews interacting and maintaining our long-standing relationships we have with our local communities throughout Hawai‘i. While there is no denying the factors of this situation, as President of our Honolulu base, I cannot support or stand behind this decision by the Company to bring in the Alaska branded 737s and its crews to do flying that ultimately belongs to us at Hawaiian.

I will be working closely with our HA MEC Grievance Committee as well as the Joint Alaska-Hawaiian MEC to consider all options available to us in our Contract. While I cannot make any promises that we will be able to ultimately prevent this from happening, it is important to know that we as the Hawaiian AFA Leadership will not be sitting idly by and will use the full force of our contract and everything that is available to us to push back. There will be on-going discussions both internally with AFA as well as the Company to ensure that we are protecting our bid lines, but most importantly our jobs as Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants in Hawai‘i.

I want to acknowledge that this news hits us hard, and in many ways is demoralizing because of the constant changes that we have been going through along with the reduction of our international flying. The constant taking away and giving to Alaska has pushed each of us to a place where it is starting to affect who we are as Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants. Everyone is fatigued from change with no end or relief in sight. The promise of a better future seems to get pushed back further and further as more of these changes continue to disconnect us from who we are as Hawaiian Airlines. The emotional toll that it is taking on each of us is sometimes unbearable and overwhelming. I ask that everyone take a moment to process this information as it will impact and affect everyone differently. Our EAP Committee is available should anyone need to reach out to them for assistance or resources. Remember that while this announcement will affect each of us differently, and at times we may feel alone, know that we are all in this together. The greatest strength that we have as a Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana is our ability to persevere and to holomua (move forward) in the face of uncertainty and difficulties.

We will continue to keep everyone updated on this developing situation and know that our top priority is to maintain our jobs and our bid lines as Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants in Hawai‘i.

E kūpa‘a kākou!
Let us stand firm together!

Me ka ha‘aha‘a,

Kela Chong
President
Hawaiian Airlines Local Executive Council 43 – HNL
Association of Flight Attendants – CWA, AFL-CIO

Earlier today, Alaska Airlines management announced plans to transition the neighbor island 717 fleet to Hawaiian-branded 737 aircraft by 2028. However, buried within that same announcement is a more immediate and concerning development: Alaska Airlines management intends to introduce Alaska-branded 737 aircraft, operated by Alaska Airlines crews, on neighbor island routes, with plans to operate three daily round-trip flights between Honolulu and Maui (HNL-OGG) beginning as early as this October.

This decision by Alaska Airlines management is a profound disappointment and marks a clear break from the core commitments made to Hawaiian Airlines employees and the people of Hawaiʻi at the outset of the merger. At that time, management underscored that preserving the Hawaiian Airlines brand—its unique identity and operational presence—was essential to the merger’s success.

Throughout the merger process, Alaska Airlines management gave unequivocal assurances about a true dual-brand strategy. They insisted there was “no other choice” but to honor the culture and legacy built by Hawaiian Airlines over the past 97 years. Management further justified the merger by pledging it would enable the company to accelerate investments in passenger experience and technology, all while protecting the Hawaiian Airlines brand and Hawaiʻi-based jobs.

By introducing Alaska-branded aircraft to the core of neighbor island service, Alaska Airlines management is abandoning those commitments. This move replaces the iconic Pualani livery—a symbol deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi’s heritage—with an operational shift that overlooks the essential need for a distinct Hawaiian identity. While management has indicated that the Pualani livery will eventually be on these replacement aircraft and that they will be crewed by HNL-based Flight Attendants, these future assurances do not change the here and now of the situation.

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants are familiar with the lifeline nature of Arctic flying and the “milk run” within Alaska—routes where isolated communities rely entirely on the consistency of air service for everything from medical care to essential commerce. Neighbor island flying in Hawaiʻi serves that same vital, infrastructure-level purpose. It’s not just a route; it’s the heartbeat of the state.

For Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants, this decision is fundamentally personal. The neighbor island operation is where our airline started, serving as the core of what has been built over the decades. It is our legacy—the place where we learned the unique standard of care that defines our service. Encroaching on this work is not just a business decision; it undermines the history and foundation of the neighbor island operation and jeopardizes the stability of the single-duty-period pairings that enable our Honolulu-based Flight Attendants to serve their communities and return home to their families the same day.

Our MEC is already taking action. Our pre-merger Hawaiian MEC Grievance Committee is actively reviewing all available options under our collective bargaining agreements. We are prepared to pursue every avenue to challenge this encroachment, including filing a formal grievance and seeking all remedies necessary to protect our work and uphold our contracts. We are also in close communication with both the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines ALPA MECs and are aligning our efforts in response to management’s announcement.We stand together in both our disappointment and our resolve. We will hold management accountable for the promises made to our Flight Attendants and the people of Hawaiʻi. Updates will follow as we move forward together.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Seattle Based Flight Attendants

🎟️ Registration Open 🎟️
SEA Membership Meeting

Aloha SEA ‘Ohana,

We’re excited to share a few additional details for our upcoming in-person Council 47 Seattle Membership Meeting! A virtual option will not be available. Official meeting minutes will be provided to the membership within one week after the meeting.

📅 Date
August 15, 2026 – Saturday
11AM – 2PM PT

📍 Meeting Location
Earhart Room (Lower Plaza Level)
18000 International Blvd.
SeaTac, WA 98188

🅿️ Parking
Complimentary parking validation will be provided for all registered attendees.

🍱 Lunch is on us!
Lunch will be catered by L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, so come hungry! We look forward to sharing ono food while discussing important Council 47 updates, Seattle-specific issues, and answering your questions.

📝 Registration Required
This is a closed meeting for Council 47 members only, and registration is required to attend.

Only register if you plan on attending so that we can accurately account for seating and catering.

On reserve that day? Go ahead and register if you plan to attend in the event you are not called out.

Register Here >>>

We look forward to seeing you there for a day of updates, discussion, and an opportunity to connect with your fellow Flight Attendants and Council 47 leadership.

Mahalo,

Council 47 Officers and Leadership

Discover The AFA Online Learning Academy

As part of Membership Engagement Committee Focus Month, we’re excited to spotlight one of our core missions: empowering you with knowledge and confidence to participate more fully in our Union. When we understand how our Union works, we strengthen our collective voice and create a more engaged community. To help you on this journey, we’re […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, July 21, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Global Training Center to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 17 – July 2026

This session, the JNC focused on refining the Reserve survey to ensure a comprehensive representation of member concerns. Significant progress was also made on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits), with proposals aimed at enhancing Flight Attendant protections and securing tailored insurance provisions. Additionally, productive discussions continued on Section 30 (Training). Further improvements are anticipated pending management’s response to our latest proposal.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

On Wednesday, July 15, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO and MEC ASHSC Vice […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

On Monday, July 13, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in-person to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and […]

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