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This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

The Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for one (1) member to serve on the AFA System Board of Adjustment.

Scope

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

Policy/Responsibilities

  • There shall be two members selected by the MEC from active members in good standing to represent the Association. Members will be selected at-large without regard to Local Council or domicile.
  • Any person seeking a position as a System Board of Adjustment Member must submit a resume. Candidates must interview with the MEC.
  • System Board Members shall be selected for a two (2) year appointment period in accordance with the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. At least one appointment will be reviewed in June of each year.  Selection shall be made, insofar as possible, to ensure that both members will not be new at the same time.
  • The System Board Members will act in the best interest of the membership and the Association and will be consistent with the Agreement between the Flight Attendants and Alaska Airlines.
  • The MEC President shall have the ability, in the event of an emergency, to appoint a qualified member in good standing to fill an ad hoc position on the Board, should the alternate not be available.
  • The MEC on an ad hoc basis, by majority vote, may appoint an expert as a substitute for one member of the System Board of Adjustment.

Qualifications

  • Current Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant
  • Willingness to attend the requisite grievance training(s)
  • In depth knowledge of the contract
  • Understanding of the principles of just cause
  • Adherence to Grievance Committee policies, procedures, and standards of ethical conduct
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and personal information
  • Maintenance of member-in-good-standing status
  • Ability to remain in good standing with the company
  • Ability to analyze written data and information with high attention to detail
  • Strong written and communication skills
  • Strong computer skills.

Expressing Interest and Interviewing Schedule

Interviews will be conducted during the July MEC meeting on Tuesday, July 25 at the AFA Alaska MEC office in Seattle.

To express interest for the position, please submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, July 14, 2017.  Linda will be able to provide additional information regarding transportation and booking of flights if necessary.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; LEC Presidents-Elect Terry Taylor and Mario de’Medici; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 45th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting this week in Phoenix, Arizona.  This annual meeting is where AFA conducts the business of our Union at the international level.

Schedule of Events

Friday June 23 Regular MEC Meeting
Saturday, June 24 Executive Board Meeting (MEC Presidents from each airline)
Board of Directors Meeting

BOD Meeting Agenda Items

Your LEC President represents you and the other members of your Local Council on the Board of Directors and will be casting votes on your behalf at the BOD meeting.  Your MEC Officers serve in an ex-officio capacity on the BOD but do not have voting privileges.

Last year, the BOD approved a change to the AFA constitution and bylaws (C&B) making the AFA annual budget the only advanced agenda item for the BOD meeting in odd numbered years.  As such, the only advance agenda item for consideration at this year’s BOD is the AFA annual budget.  Each LEC held a Local Council meeting over the past several weeks to discuss the proposed AFA budget and gain your feedback.  You can more information at http://afa-bod.org/index-of-agenda-items.

MEC Meeting

In conjunction with the BOD meeting, the regular June MEC meeting is being held on Friday, June 23.

Questions?

If you have any questions or thoughts about the BOD meeting or proposed AFA annual budget, please contact your LEC President.

 

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and LEC Presidents-Elect Terry Taylor and Mario de’Medici

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) concluded negotiations training followed by two days of discussions with management’s team this week. Representing management were Vice President of Inflight & Call Center Services Andy Schneider, Vice President of Labor Relations Greg Mays and Managing Director of Labor Relations Elizabeth Ryan. This week’s meetings focused solely on issues that must be addressed in order to integrate the two Flight Attendant groups. Improvements to the Alaska Contract will be addressed downline.

This first session focused on working with management to create an initial list of items that both sides agree will require further discussion in the months ahead. Representatives from the Human Resources department joined the meeting, bringing their expertise to the discussion. Some issues are complex and will require negotiations, such as integrating both groups into the 401(k) and medical plans, translating points for the Attendance Policy and working through the differences in vacation programs. This is not an exhaustive list by any means.

The JNC will hold an additional preparatory meeting in July just for the committee. Meeting dates with management have been scheduled through the end of the year, with meetings at least once per month starting in August.

We will update you further after the next meeting, August 8-10.

In Solidarity,

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

In accordance with the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, your new Local Council will soon nominate and elect Flight Attendants as your AFA Leaders.  The two (2) positions being elected for Council 35 (Virgin America–JFK/LAX/SFO) are Local Council President and Local Council Secretary.  The current Local Council Officers who were appointed when the Local Council was created will transition responsibilities to the Flight Attendants who are elected to these two positons.

The Council 35 Election page can be found at http://afacwa-elections.org/councils/ala-council-35-sfo-lax-jfk/.

Within AFA, Local Council Officer elections are a two-part process.  The first step is to nominate candidates for office from amongst the Flight Attendants at your Local Council and the second step is to elect officers from the nominated candidates.  This communication will focus on the first step, the upcoming nomination process.

Nomination Schedule

Mail Date 06/19/2017 Voting packets are mailed to each Flight Attendant. This contains your personal 16-digit activation code.
Polls Open 06/22/2017
12:00 PM EDT		 The polls are open and voting begins.
Polls Close 07/12/2017
12:00 PM EDT		 The polls close and the count takes place.

Electronic Balloting Information

Both the nomination process and election ballots are conducted through Votenet Solutions, a third-party vendor. The direct web address is https://eballotuv.votenet.com/afa/.  The AFA Election site at http://www.afacwa-elections.org/ will address additional questions and provide information regarding the ballot.

For the nomination ballot, the process is conducted completely online.  You will be nominating your elected leaders from a list of all Flight Attendants in your Local Council.  For the election process where you will be selecting leaders from those nominated, ballots may be cast either online or by telephone.

Voting Instructions for Nomination Ballots

All Council 35 Flight Attendants will receive a voting packet by mail. This packet contains the instructions for casting your ballot along with a 16-digit activation code which allows you to access the ballot. If you have already completed an AFA membership application, you will be able to log into the ballot, select your choices for the two positions and cast your vote.

If you have not completed an AFA membership application, you will not be able to cast your vote right away.  You will need to contact AFA Membership Services in order to complete your application and have your ballot activated.

The 16-Digit Authorization Code

The voting packet includes a 16-digit authorization code. This code allows you to obtain a username and password which is your voting credentials for that ballot only.  This ensures that no one at Votenet or AFA has access to your voting credentials. New activation codes are sent for each and every ballot.

To Activate

  1. Enter the 16-digit code you received on the front page of the Votenet website
  2. The site will generate a username and ask you to create a password.
  3. Write the username and password down

Once a Flight Attendant obtains their username and password they may proceed to vote.

Ballot Help Line

The AFA-CWA Membership Services Department handles all voter questions and issues new activation codes should you misplace yours.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.  If you have a question or need a new 16-digit activation code, you may contact the Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, then press 1 and dial extension 706.

If your call goes to voicemail, please leave a message and someone will call you back.

Count Day

The ballot will end and no additional votes may be cast after the end date and time listed on the Voting Instructions.  The time will always be listed as Eastern time, NOT your local time.  The opening and closing dates of the ballot are set in accordance with the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws.

The counting of the electronic ballots is conducted in accordance with the AFA Constitution & Bylaws by the Ballot Certification Committee.

Each person who has completed a Commitment to Serve and received at least 2 nominations will appear on the election ballot.

Commitment to Serve

Each Flight Attendant who wishes to run for office must complete a Commitment to Serve (http://afacwa-elections.org/commitment-to-serve-form/) in order to be eligible to appear on the election ballot.  If a Flight Attendant receives two nominations and has not completed a Commitment to Serve, AFA Membership Services will contact those people on the count day and allow them to complete the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who receives the Voting Notice and Instructions (Ballot Packet)?

A: All Flight Attendants in your Local Council will receive the voting packet including Flight Attendants who have not completed a membership application.

Q: If I change my mind after I cast my ballot, can I revote?

A: No, once you cast your ballot your credentials are separated from your vote. This way no one can see how anyone casts a ballot.

Q: Can a person who has not completed a membership application vote?

A: No. They will receive a voting packet but if their membership application is not on file then they will be stopped from casting a ballot.  However, you may contact AFA-CWA Membership Service to complete a membership application and once completed you will be eligible to vote.

Q: Who do Flight Attendants call if they did not receive the Voting Notice with the 16-digit authorization code?

A: The AFA Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, press 1 and dial extension 706.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.

 

The following is a message from your AFA Government Affairs Committee

The Senate is drafting their version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill and we need them to make combating Flight Attendant fatigue a top priority.

Tell Senators to include our 10 hours minimum rest provision along with a Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) in the base bill.

Call your Senator TODAY at (855) 534-1774 and tell them Flight Attendants need 10 hours minimum rest and not a minute less!

Congressional fatigue studies confirm we need more rest. This is about safety, health and equality – the flight deck has 10 hours minimum rest and so should we!

Call your Senator TODAY at (855) 534-1774! Calling is easy: When you dial the number, you will automatically be connected to one of your Senator’s offices after a brief message. It may take several attempts to reach both your Senators, so keep calling!

Here’s what you can say when you are connected:

“I’m your constituent and a Flight Attendant. Studies show I can become fatigued at work. I’m calling to urge the Commerce Committee to include 10-hour, non-reducible minimum rest for Flight Attendants and a Fatigue Risk Management Plan in the FAA Reauthorization Bill. Thank you.”

For more information on our #Fightfor10 Campaign visit afacwa.org.

 

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Krystle Berry

Seattle Local Base Meeting

Wednesday~June 21, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Hampton Inn 

(18850 28TH Ave South-across from Flight Ops Building)

SeaTac, WA

  Agenda

1:00 PM Andy Schneider (VP of Inflight) and Ron Moyer (Manager JCTE) – Q & A
2:00 PM Call Meeting to Order
2:05 PM Budget Review for AFA Board of Directors Meetings
2:30 PM LEC Officer Reports

§ LEC President

§ Introduction of your new Council 19 Local Officers

§ LEC Vice President

§ LEC Secretary-Treasurer
3:00 PM Committee Reports

§ ASHSC

§ Benefits

§ Communications

§ EAP

§ Government Affairs

§ Hotel

§ Inflight Service

§ Reserve

§ Retirement

§ Uniform
3:30 PM Final Call for Late Agenda Items
3:30 PM Unite Here “Fight for 15” Brian Mason
4:00 PM Adjourn

Members in Good Standing are invited to attend the meeting. Parking is free at the hotel and shuttle service is available from the airport via Hampton Inn or MVP Shuttle (to AS Flight Ops building only).

In solidarity,

Laura, Jake, Linda, Adam, and Stephanie

Your AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) is excited to introduce the new AFA Alaska online support center.  This new system is designed for you to document and report scheduling and reserve concerns, situations where you might be facing discipline, potential contractual grievances, and any other issue where you might need AFA support.  The system will also allow AFA representatives to better track issues that are occurring, identify trends, and address and resolve issues with management.

You can access the system using the following link:

http://support.afaalaska.org

Reporting New Issues

You can report a new issue in the system by opening a ticket, just follow these steps:

  1. Visit http://support.afaalaska.org/
  2. Click the blue “Open a New Ticket” button
  3. Fill in your personal information (including a non-company email address)
  4. Select the help topic that relates to the issue
  5. Fill in the issue-specific information and provide details

From this screen, you’ll also be able to attach pictures, PDF files, screenshots, and other information that will help your AFA representatives to have more information available about the issue.

Once you’ve opened a ticket, you’ll receive a confirmation email and with a ticket number.  Behind the scenes, your ticket will be assigned to an AFA representative who will assist you with the issue.

Checking on Open Issues 

With your ticket number, you’ll be able to track the status of the ticket online, add additional information and attachments for your AFA representative to have available.  To check on your ticket:

  1. Visit http://support.afaalaska.org
  2. Click the green “Check Ticket Status” button
  3. Enter your email address and ticket number
  4. Click the “View Ticket” button

Questions?

If you have any questions about the AFA online support center or need assistance with an issue, you can always contact your LEC Officers.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Your Council 35 Officers have received questions and feedback from Flight Attendants about the “ITM Sick Calls” email from Jeff and Val. In an attempt to manage what appears to be high usage of sick leave, management has opted to enforce their current policy with additional measures. Alaska management views the misuse of sick leave as time card fraud and has been historically vigilant in investigating suspected abuse. Regarding Virgin America teammates, the percentage of Flight Attendants that use sick leave is significantly higher than the percentage of sick leave used by Alaska Flight Attendants, and this causes management some concern. Granted, AFA acknowledges that this is not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison due to differing sick leave policies, however management is still alarmed by the disparity.

Additionally, management has revealed that they will be evaluating Flight Attendant sick leave patterns. Management has indicated that certain trends could indicate sick leave abuse, and they will be investigating these patterns. Although this appears to be a new policy, it has always been the right of management to follow these procedures.

It is apparent that the tone and style of this recent communication is different than the tone historically employed in past communications. Jeff Butler is very straight forward; this can be refreshing to some because it removes ambiguity while others may interpret his bluntness as being too aggressive. Many of you have expressed to us that you feel personally offended by the presentation of the information. If you find yourself feeling that way, we suggest that you respectfully write to Jeff and Val and explain how the email was perceived. If you are not comfortable communicating directly with management, you may write to us at vx@afaalaska.org​and we can forward the information to them anonymously.

Finally, if any Flight Attendant is notified by any member of management to attend a meeting regarding sick leave use, please contact your Council 35 Officers immediately at vx@afaalaska.org. You are entitled to have an AFA Representative present at any such meeting.

In Solidarity,
Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & James

This week will mark the start of merger negotiations with management. The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) will attend AFA negotiations training in Seattle at the beginning of the week. The JNC is comprised of three Flight Attendants appointed by the MEC: two Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, Jennifer Wise MacColl and Lindsey Steele, and one Virgin America Flight Attendant, Jamie Cogen. MEC President Jeffrey Peterson is chairperson of the committee and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo rounds out the committee as the professional negotiator. After training and preparation early in the week, the first meeting with management will occur on Wednesday and Thursday.

This initial session will be confined to discussing transition issues necessary to combine Flight Attendants at each carrier into one employee group and covered by a single collective bargaining agreement. The occasion will also provide an opportunity to get further details from management on merger plans and updated timelines and to reaffirm AFA’s position that we are looking for targeted improvements. However, discussing specific improvements will not be a subject for this first meeting and will be addressed later.

Keep in mind that merger negotiations are a different process than regular negotiations. These talks are not under the jurisdiction of the National Mediation Board or Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, and neither side believes that the entire contract is open for discussion. Discussions will focus on a short list of items, and all the provisions in our Contract (pay raises, etc) will continue in force.

What are some of the transition issues necessary to merge the two Flight Attendant groups?

  • How VX FAs will transition to the uniform and how uniform points will translate.
  • How sick leave will be converted.
  • How transition (aircraft differences) training will be accomplished for AS and VX FAs.
  • Attendance policy – how points will be handled for past occurrences for VX FAs.
  • Ensure that VX FAs get credit for “time served” on probation and are not subject to another probationary period on the Alaska side.
  • Confirm that the VX FAs will retain their vacation slots.
  • How 401(k) plans will be transitioned.
  • …and more.

There are many items that must be carefully considered so VX and AS Flight Attendants will be on equal footing in relation to the many provisions in the Alaska contract. The Joint Negotiating Committee and management will work to define the scope of transition issues that must be addressed. Again, the parties will take up this task before discussing improvements. We know you will be very interested in knowing more about AFA’s bargaining objectives and potential “improvements,” but it is too early in the process to discuss those in a meaningful way. Once the JNC completes talks this week and defines the strategy going forward, we will provide you with another update.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

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