The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) and AFA International are closely monitoring the proposed acquisition/merger with Virgin America while management navigates the various approval processes. On May 25, 2016, the MEC and your newly selected Merger Representatives are scheduled to attend a special meeting called by our AFA-CWA international president. Pursuant to Section X [Merger Policy and Related Employee Protective Provisions] of the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws, the purpose of this meeting is to review the merger, our constitutional protections and procedures, contract bargaining, representation and seniority integration. While preparations are already underway on these items, nothing can officially proceed until the financial transaction is final months from now.
AFA International President Nelson has met with the TWU International President Lombardo and confirmed that AFA will be the surviving union representing the unified group if the merger is finalized. There will be no representational election. In the meantime, TWU is continuing its regular representation activities as they work to secure a first contract for Virgin America Inflight Team Members (ITMs). We support their efforts to achieve a first contract.
In a merger, there is no statutory oversight of contract bargaining. Section 6 negotiations under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), the process we are familiar with under regular contract negotiations, does not apply in a merger. Management will need to negotiate with us to address the merger of the work force and this can be an opportunity for Flight Attendants to achieve improvements. It is important that we not speculate on this process – especially prior to our meeting with AFA Legal and Collective Bargaining on May 25th.
AFA-CWA has experience with dozens of mergers. AFA Alaska will leverage this opportunity to achieve the best possible conditions and improvements for all Flight Attendants.
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow, Stephen Couckuyt; LEC Presidents-elect Tim Green, Brice McGee; Merger Representatives Sandra Morrow, Marie Maxwell; AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput; and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
Kirk kalamar says
I don’t want to sound harsh but, this is not a merger by any stretch of the imagination. This is a straight-up acquisition. Please stop confusing employees and passengers by calling it a merger. That’s not to diminish the importance of trying to integrate the employee groups. It’s a colossal task and I’m glad we have your leadership to take on the challenge.
Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President) says
Kirk~ It is an acquisition by Alaska Air Group and a merger with Alaska Airlines under a single operating certificate. The MEC sees no discernible reason to refer to the transaction as an acquisition for the purposes of topics being discussed by AFA Alaska: representation, including seniority, collective bargaining, et cetera. AFA Alaska’s communications are not intended for distribution to our passengers, and we’re certainly not intending to confuse our members. However, we may have to agree to disagree because the MEC will continue to refer to the transaction as a merger except where it is logically necessary to draw a distinction between the acquisition by Air Group and the merging of the operating certificates under Alaska Airlines.