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        You are here: Home / Latest News / AFA News Now / Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

        Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

        May 1, 2026 13:00

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

        • Our JNC met with management this week on April 28 to April 30 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for June 2 to June 4
        • Our JNC is working to combine vacation provisions for Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants, presenting a vision for Section 14 (Vacation) as a starting point for negotiations
        • The Crew Meal Survey will be sent to your inbox on May 12 to collect feedback as the JNC evaluates Section 22 (Expenses)

        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 on April 28 to April 30 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 MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
        Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
        Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
        Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
        Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

        This session, the JNC continued to look closely at both the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems. At the start of the week, we had a helpful discussion about how Flight Attendant vacation is managed. Jake Jones, AFA’s MEC Scheduling Chairperson, joined us along with vacation administrators from both Alaska and Hawaiian: Manager of Crew Planning, Jefferey Hunt; Manager of Crew Staffing, Alex Mandus; Manager of Crew Planning, Colin Beard; Flight Crew Administration Manager, Laurie Shiira; Manager of Crew Pay, Debbie Bakke; Senior Crew Plan Analyst, Rich Nicklaw; and Senior Crew Plan Analyst, Choak O’Connell.


        As the JNC began discussing combining the elements of the vacation sections, we identified several important issues that would need close work with company stakeholders. We proposed a collaborative approach to management to tackle the complicated provisions, so both sides can work together to find solutions that meet everyone’s needs. With this in mind the JNC presented our vision for Section 14 (Vacation), which will be used as a starting point for discussion.


        The JNC also passed and received from management proposals on the new Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignment) and shared our first proposal for Section 35 (Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges). The committee also continued to trade proposals on Section 36 (Commuter Policy).

        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:

        • 🆕 Temporary Duty Assignments (AS CBA does not address these provisions and HA CBA Section 15)
        • Vacations (AS CBA Section 14 and HA CBA Section 18)
        • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 36 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
        • Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges (AS CBA Section 35 and HA CBA Section 30)

        Sections in ongoing discussion:

        • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
        • Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
        • 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)
        • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

        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)

        Crew Meal Survey

        Our JNC is in the process of reviewing Expenses (AS CBA Section 22 and HA CBA Section 4). We are looking for your feedback regarding Crew Meals. The survey is currently being finalized and will be sent to your inbox on May 12.

        • Survey opens Tuesday, May 12 at 9 AM PT
        • Survey closes on Tuesday, May 25 at Noon

        What’s Upcoming

        Our next session with management is scheduled for June 2 to June 4.

        Filed Under: AFA News Now, Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Tagged With: joint contract negotiations, Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), pmAS, pmHA

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        Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

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