Latest News

February 23, 2017 09:25

We will be hosting a Local Council Meeting and are asking you to save the date when bidding your December schedules. We would like to discuss our local committees as we need assistance on several of the committees. We are looking at the needs of each committee and seeking those with a commitment to serve our fellow co-workers as our new term in office begins January 1, 2017.

Date:	December 8, 2016
Time:	TBD
Location:	TBD
Agenda:	Officer Reports Review of Local Committees – We Need You Committee Reports

Please save the date and plan to join us for this meeting! Stay tuned for additional information! We look forward to connecting with each of you!

February 23, 2017 08:21

MEC Officer Interviews will be held during the MEC Meeting October 24th-26th. MEC Officers serve a three year term. We will be interviewing candidates who expressed interest in holding one of the MEC officer positions for the upcoming term of January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2019.

Position	Candidate(s)
MEC President	Jeffrey Peterson
MEC Vice President	Brian Palmer Kelly Letourneau
MEC Secretary/Treasurer	LInda Christou

The five Councils will be represented at the MEC Meeting and will each cast one vote for each position. LEC President, Lisa Pinkston will represent Council 30 at the October MEC Meeting. Please email anc@afaalaska.org with any comments.

February 22, 2017 18:00

The MEC conducted interviews for several MEC Committee Chairperson positions at the MEC Meeting that concluded this afternoon. We would like to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and a willingness to serve. After careful consideration and much deliberation, the following candidates were appointed:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards

Elizabeth Dillion
Jeanne McCleave

Scheduling

Zac Weeks

Preferential Bidding System (PBS)

Steve Poynter (Chairperson)
Rebecca Asbell (Committee Member)
Adam Clarey (Committee Member)

Uniform

Bob Moore

Reserve

Jarod McNeill

Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC)

Seth Heiple

Benefits

Terry Taylor

Retirement

Terry Taylor

Hotel

Laura Hinojosa (Chairperson)
Jodi Snow (Vice Chairperson)

Appointments are effective immediately. Terms of appointment coincide with those of the MEC Officers, concluding on December 31, 2019.

If you have any questions about MEC Committee Chairperson appointments, please contact your LEC President.

In Solidarity,

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

February 22, 2017 16:46

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Everyone experiences personal or work related problems from time to time. Sometimes our own resources or support systems just aren’t enough. We could all benefit from assistance from another source, one that you can trust and rely on for help.

Problems your EAP can help you with:

· Relationship issues

· Family concerns

· Emotional well-being

· Physical health concerns

· Stress

· Chemical dependency

· Other addictions

· Financial difficulties

· Legal matters

To do this, your EAP representative can help you with:

· Defusing the situation

· Thinking through the conflict or concern

· Exploring the outcome you seek

· Identifying who and how to best approach the issue

· Addressing the problem through another work group’s professional standards committee

Professional Standards– Problems can occur amongst coworkers. However, there is an alternative to making a report to management if you have a conflict with, or concern about, a flying partner.

Whenever you are involved in a professional standards matter, you are encouraged to address the issue in a reasonable and timely manner. If a resolution is not possible, your EAP Committee is an available resource to you. If you receive a call from Professional Standards, please know we are there to help and provide assistance to both parties involved in an objective and confidential manner.

Every concern brought to EAP/Professional Standards is addressed.

Our Local Work In Seattle- In Seattle, we are a group of trained Flight Attendants who assist our work group confidentially each and every day with difficult situations both personally and professionally. It is of utmost importance we remain confidential throughout our processes. If a Flight Attendant contacts Professional Standards about a concern with a flying partner, we will address the concern in a timely manner. It is important to understand that due to confidentiality laws, EAP/Professional Standards cannot give personal information or feedback to either party in regards to the matter. If both parties agree, EAP is always willing to bring parties together to discuss a concern for a positive outcome. EAP does not have authority to discipline another Flight Attendant. Lastly, to protect all parties involved, EAP does not keep documentation of casework.

Is EAP confidential?

Yes! EAP/Professional Standards is completely confidential and held under very strict guidelines set forth by the HIPAA Laws. Your local EAP/Professional Standards Team works under a license and must uphold all guidelines at all times.

Does EAP wait for three calls before addressing a concern?

No. EAP will address each and every complaint or concern in a timely manner. Our goal is to help all parties as soon as possible.

What should I do if EAP/Professional Standards calls me?

Answer! EAP is here to help you in an objective and confidential manner. Our goal is to address concerns and assist with all resources available to help Flight Attendants come to a resolution to the matter, concern or challenge. Remember, our calls are help completely confidential. We are a safe and reliable resource for you and are here to serve you.

Does Alaska Airlines encourage Flight Attendants to use EAP?

Yes! Alaska Airlines encourages our work each and every day by providing communication and encouragement in helping our work group. They understand the importance of EAP as a resource for employees to receive the assistance and guidance needed. This support is given to us without direct knowledge of our casework by understanding confidentiality is our responsibility.

What if I have concerns about EAP and their processes?

EAP has an open line of communication at all times. Please contact us with your concerns. We will address your concerns immediately. You can contact, LEC Chair, Lisa Haugen, or MEC Chairs, Jeanne McCleave or Elizabeth Dillion, at 949.470.0493.

SEA Employee Assistance/Professional Standards Committee:

February 20, 2017 05:00

The Master Executive Council (MEC) has been very hard at work ensuring disciplinary due process and contractual compliance on your behalf. In fact, we have filed an unprecedented number of contractual grievances due to the cutover to Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA).

Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) §20.N.2. [Board of Adjustment] allows for ten arbitration dates per year to argue discipline/termination cases and contractual issues. AFA typically prioritizes termination cases in order to return a Flight Attendant back to work as soon as possible, however we seek a balance between discipline and contractual cases. AFA and management mutually decide which cases to arbitrate next based on many factors.

The following is a list of open contractual grievances:

Grievance set for March arbitration:

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-10-16- Mandatory Attendance Counseling in Violation of Section 32. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 32.A. [Attendance Policy/Reporting Procedure], Section 32.E.1. [Attendance/Control Procedure/Attendance Policy Disciplinary Action], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Railway Labor Act when it required Flight Attendants to attend meetings to discuss sick leave under the guise of an investigation when in fact it was a counseling in violation of Section 32.E.1.

Grievances settled:

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-17-16- Violation of §30.C. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 30.C. [Training/Training Pay], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to compensate Flight Attendants at three-quarters (.75) TFP per hour additional pay when the Recurrent Training Computer Based Training App, CourseMill, experienced problems and required Flight Attendants to spend multiple hours of their personal time reinstalling the App.

Settlement details: The parties agreed that Flight Attendants who completed Recurrent Training in January 2016, February 2016 and January 2017 will receive 1.0 TFP and an Information Technology Review Process will be enacted, which any Flight Attendant may join who spent a significant amount of time attempting to fix RT/CBT issues.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-24-16- Suspension of Flight Attendant Trades and Denial of Related Contractual Provisions. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 12 [Exchange of Sequences] past practice and all related provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, specifically but not limited to: Section 12.A [Unlimited Trading], Section 12.B [Types of Trades], Section 12.C [Trading Procedures], Section 12.E [Open Time], Section 12.G [Sequence Interruption Point (Sip) Sequences], Section 12.H [Out of Domicile Trades, Pick-Ups, Drops or Give-Aways], Section 11.H [Exchange of Days, Pick-Ups and Trades], Section 11.E.2 [Flying Preferences], Section 10.DD [Long Stage Length Duty Period (“4k”)], Section 9.E [Premium Open Time], and Section 8.T [Base Turns], when it announced its intention to suspended the Flight Attendant electronic trading system on or around October 1, 2016, to implement the new JCTE crew tracking system.

Settlement details: The parties agreed that all Flight Attendants will receive a two (2) point credit to their Attendance Points balance in recognition of the challenges associated with having trip trading suspended for a prolonged period of time due to the JCA cutover and the impact to a Flight Attendant’s quality of life.

Grievances recently filed and awaiting an answer:

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-1-17. Violation of §32.C.5. Assessing Short Sick Call Points to Flight Attendant on FMLA. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §32.C.5 [Attendance Policy: Short Sick Call], past practice, all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Federal Law when it assessed short sick call points (2 ½) to Flight Attendants on qualified Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) status when they called in sick within two hours of scheduled check-in.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-4-17- Violation of §9.E. & §12.E. All Open Time Trips Withheld from Open Time and Premium Pay Removed. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 9.E. [Junior Available//and Premium Open Time/Premium Open Time] & 12.E. [Exchange of Sequences/Open Time], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when on or about February 9, 2017, all Open Time trips across the entire system were withheld from Open Time and premium pay was removed.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-6-17- Violation of §11.E. Low Time First Available (LTFA) Out of Order Assignments January 31 to February 2, 2017. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 11.E. [Reserve/Order of Assignment], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when on or about January 31, 2017, at 8:00pm PST to February 2, 2017, at 11:00am PST, Crew Scheduling assigned Reserve Flight Attendants out of order because of the inability for Crew Scheduling to accurately verify order of assignments due to the cutover to the new crew tracking and scheduling system, Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA).

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-7-17- Violation of §11.E. Low Time First Available (LTFA) Out of Order Assignments Post Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) Cutover. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 11.E. [Reserve/Order of Assignment], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when starting on or about February 2, 2017 at 11:00am PST, and including all subsequent violations, Crew Scheduling assigned Reserve Flight Attendants out of order because of the inability for Crew Scheduling to accurately verify order of assignments due to the cutover to the new crew tracking and scheduling system, Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA).

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-8-17- Violation of §29.A. Failure of Company to Include All Eligible Earnings in Calculation of Performance Based Pay (PBP). This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 29.A. [Profit Sharing and Retirement], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed, from December 2014 to present, to include all eligible earnings (as described in the Alaska Airlines, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan) in the PBP payout for Flight Attendants, including but not limited to: Longevity Premium (§21.C.) and Sit Pay (§21.T.).

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-9-17- Violation of §23.C.2.a Failure to Include all TFP Earnings in Monthly Long Term Disability (LTD) Benefit. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 23.C.2.a [Insurance Benefits: Long Term Disability Insurance Plan/Benefits], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to include all TFP earnings, including but not limited to: Longevity Premium (§21.C) and Sit Pay (§21.T) in Flight Attendants’ monthly Long Term Disability benefit.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-10-17- Violation of §11.F.15, §11.H.7 & §11.H.8 Failure to Provide Automated Ability for Reserve Flight Attendants to Self-Assign and Trade APSB. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §11.F.15 [Reserve: Airport Standby], §11.H.7 & §11.H.8 [Reserve: Reserve Exchange of Days, Pick-Ups and Trades], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to provide automated ability for Reserve Flight Attendants to self-assign and trade airport standby (APSB) assignments due to the cutover to the new crew tracking and scheduling system, Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA).

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-11-17- Violation of §21.V Failure to Compensate for Sit Pay on Pairings Adjusted by Winds Aloft Program. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §21.V [Compensation: “Scheduled” or “Actual” for Minimum Pay Rules (MPRs) and/or Sit Pay], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to compensate for sit pay (1.0 TFP) on pairings adjusted by Winds Aloft program which made them eligible for sit pay; and then the pairing was picked up by another Flight Attendant from one-way trades and/or open time; and the sit time on said pairing was subsequently adjusted below the required 2:01 time for sit pay.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-12-17- Violation of §12.C.2-3 Allowing Out of Domicile Trades, Pick-Ups, Drops and Give-Aways on Incorrect Dates. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §12.C.2-3 [Exchange of Sequences: Trading Procedures], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it allowed out of domicile trades, pick-ups, drops and give-aways on the fifteenth (15^th) and sixteenth (16^th) of the month rather than the required seventeenth (17^th) of the month.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-13-17- Violation of §11.H.7-8 Denial of Automated Trading of Reserve Flight Attendant Assignments. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §11.H.7-8 [Reserve: Reserve Exchange of Days, Pick-Ups and Trades], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it denied Reserve Flight Attendants the ability to trade assigned trips, automated and processed in real time, due to the Jeppesen Crew Access trading system cutover.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-14-17- Violation of §11.J.3 Reserve Repositioning Prior to Open Time Trading Day. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §11.J.3 [Reserve: Reserve Repositioning], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it allowed Reserve Flight Attendants to reposition their reserve days on a day prior to open time trading day.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-15-17- Violation of §11.E.1.a Incorrect Reserve Self-Assignment Start Time. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §11.E.1.a [Reserve: Order of Assignment/Reserve Self-Assignment], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it started reserve self-assignment at 10:01am PT rather than 10:00am.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-16-17-Violation of §11.E.1.a Incorrect Reserve Self-Assignment Start Time in ANC. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement §11.E.1.a [Reserve: Order of Assignment/Reserve Self-Assignment], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it started reserve self-assignment at 11:01am PT (10:01 AKT) rather than 10:00am PT (9:00am AKT).

Grievances granted by management:

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-19-15- Failing to Pay Flight Attendants for Reasonable Suspicion Drug/Alcohol Testing. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Addendum to Section 21 [Compensation], when it failed to pay Flight Attendants for reasonable suspicion drug & alcohol testing.

Details: The Company agrees that it violated the CBA when it failed to pay the contractually mandated $15 for each reasonable suspicion drug test.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-3-16- Association Consideration Pursuant to Uniform Change. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 13.G. [Association Consideration Pursuant to Uniform Change], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Railway Labor Act when it failed to: (1) Consult with the Flight Attendant Uniform Committee and consider their recommendations before making any change in the style, color or material of the uniform; and (2) Consider the recommendations of the Association Air Safety, Heath and Security chairperson in regard to materials available, including application FAA or NTSB flammability standards.

Details: The Company agreed it failed to comply with Section 13.G. of the CBA and has advised the division procuring the new uniform and inflight that they must comply with Section 13.G. in all changes to the uniform in the future. It believes that everyone involved with the uniform changes understands and in the future will give notice, consult with and consider the Flight Attendant Uniform Committee recommendations and will consider the recommendations of the Association Air Safety, Health and Security chairperson in regard to materials available, including applicable FAA or NTSB flammability standards.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-4-16- Order of Reserve Assignment. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 11.E. [Order of Reserve Assignment], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Railway Labor Act when it out of order assigned reserve Flight Attendants to pairing 1164 on June 12, 2015.

Details: The Company agrees based on the October 3, 2011, Quarterly Reserve Meeting minutes that were in violation of CBA §11.E.9 when [Flight Attendant name] was skipped on the Low Time First Available (LTFA) list and [second Flight Attendant name] was assigned out of order on Trip Number 1164, 12June15. Therefore [second Flight Attendant] is due an additional .5 of the 4.0 credit value for a total of 2.0 TFP.

Grievances recently filed and denied by management:

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-31-16- Benefit Re-enrollment-Failure to Provide Insurance. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 23 [Insurance Benefits], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it: Intended to deny insurance to Flight Attendants who fail to reenroll following any duration leave of absence; and failed to provide sufficient notice regarding insurance reenrollment following any leave of absence.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-32-16- Automation of Stranded and Delay Pay. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 21 [Compensation], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it continues to automate its payroll system yet failed to include automated stranded pay for the entire crew.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-40-16- Violation of Paternal Leave §15.E.2. & §15.M. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Sections 15.E.2. & 15.M. [Leaves of Absence/Parental Leaves of Absence], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to allow a Flight Attendant to utilize sick leave or vacation while on a paternal leave of absence.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-43-16- Violation of §11.H.8. Failing to Allow Trades. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 11.H.8. [Reserve/Reserve Exchange of Days, Pick-Ups and Trades], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to allow Reserve Flight Attendants, [Flight Attendant Names], to trade on December 18, 2016, and December 30, 2016, under its provisions; it failed to allow other Flight Attendants to do trades on other various dates as well.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-2-17- Violation of §11.H.7. Denial of Reserve Automated Posting and Trading of Assignments. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 11.H.7. [Reserve/Reserve Exchange of Days, Pick-Ups and Trades], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when its new Jeppesen Crew Access trading system denied Reserve Flight Attendants automated posting and trading of reserve assignments.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-3-17- Violation §30.A.3.c. Failure to Pay for Lodging for Recurrent Training. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 30.A.3.c. [Reserve/Reserve Exchange of Days, Pick-Ups and Trades], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to pay for a Flight Attendant’s lodging when she came to Seattle to attend required Recurrent Training.

Grievances previously filed and currently awaiting arbitration dates:

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-22-13-Failing to Allow Electronic Trading of Vacation Days. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 14, the Addendum to Section 14, Section 12, and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to allow Flight Attendants to make electronic, real time vacation open time trades. Long standing practice allows Flight Attendants to make real time electronic trades of vacation days with vacation open time, subject to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Due to an accounting issue those Flight Attendants who have “cashed out” their vacation and/or failed to attain 480 TFP per year to earn pay for their vacation days are blocked from electronic trading of vacation days.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-22-14-Violation of Required Maternity Leave. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 15.D. and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to require Flight Attendants to begin Maternity Leave after the 28^th week of pregnancy.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-6-15- Incorrect Assessment of a No Show. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 32 and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it incorrectly assessed a No Show to a Flight Attendant on November 30, 2014.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-15-15- Limiting Access to the SAN Domicile. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 28.I [Company Provided Computers and Printers at Domiciles], when it limited access to the SAN Domicile including contractually required resources to only those Flight Attendants based in SAN.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-20-15- Converting a Line Holding Flight Attendant to ER Reserve Outside of her/his Contactable Period. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 11.C.3.b.6 [Conversion of Reserves to ER] and 11.C.3.c [ER Contactability], when it converted a line holding Flight Attendant to ER Reserve outside of her/his contactable period.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-24-15- Ground Floor Lodging While on Company Business. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 34 [Hotels], when it failed to avoid ground floor lodging for Flight Attendants attending company required Beyond Service training.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-29-15-Commuter Boarding Priority. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 28.G.6. and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it allowed Company employees (and their dependents) on pleasure travel to be given higher boarding priority than commuting Flight Attendants.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-32-15- Concourse Uniform Shoe Standards. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 25.B. and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and past practice when it issued Revised Emergency Interim Bulletin 15-23 (Inflight Bulletin 2015-0179) requiring Flight Attendants to wear concourse shoes: With a defined heel between a half inch and three inches in height; with added restrictions, i.e., solid black in color, single functional strap with a plain silver or gold buckle, button, or snap smaller than a quarter, and no textured leather, suede, cloth fabric, color threading, or separate colored trim styles; and during boarding up until the aircraft door closes. These restrictions essentially limit Flight Attendants to wear a pump type shoe only, and unlike past practice eliminates many ‘healthy shoe styles’, e.g., Danskos, Naot, and makes them non-compliant.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-33-15- In-Flight Uniform Shoe Standards. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 25.B. and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and past practice when it issued Revised Emergency Interim Bulletin 15-23 (Inflight Bulletin 2015-0179) requiring Flight Attendants to wear in-flight shoes with all concourse shoe requirements except the defined heel (with at least half inch height) requirement until the aircraft door closes. Unlike past practice these restrictions eliminate many ‘healthy shoe styles’, e.g., Danskos and Naot, and makes them non-compliant.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-34-15- Uniform Luggage Standards. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Railway Labor Act when it issued Emergency Interim Bulletin 15-23 (Inflight Bulletin 2015-0179) which says: Designated “Crew” luggage tag and/or Company-approved recognition luggage strap is the only permitted accessory/adornment that may be attached on luggage items; recreational equipment must fit into company issued luggage; and individual or union lanyards with personal pins may not be worn.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-41-15- Section 34.C.3. Alternative Hotel Selection/Site Visit. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Section 34.C.3. and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to include the hotel committee in the selection of alternate hotels; and when it failed to provide site visits on alternate hotels.

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-2-16- Violation of ASAP and Discipline LOA. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Letter of Agreement: ASAP and Discipline July 2006 and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when it failed to allow the ASAP process to complete prior to disciplining and terminating a Flight Attendant. The Letter of Agreement specifically states, “Flight Attendants participating in the ASAP program, whether reporting or non-reporting as defined in the ASAP Memorandum of Understanding, will not be subject to discipline. Neither the written ASAP report nor the content of the written ASAP report will be used to initiate or support any company disciplinary action.”

Grievance No.: 36-99-2-5-16- Non-Negotiated Compensation. This grievance alleges the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 21 [Compensation] and Section 32 [Attendance Policy], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Railway Labor Act when it awarded, without prior consistent notice, policy and application, $5 gift cards to all Anchorage based Flight Attendants for meeting the daily attendance goal.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams; and AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput

February 18, 2017 09:30

We know filing for a Medical Leave or Worker’s Compensation can be challenging and we are working to make the process a little easier for you. For now, here are some tips.

When filing for a Medical Leave you have several ways to choose to file your claim.

Online at www.matrixabsence.com.
Matrix application, that once it is downloaded to your device allows you to use your camera to send documentation.
Phone Matrix at 888-205-2590 to file your intake claim. When calling, you will be given the option to have the forms emailed to you or sent by regular mail, the quickest option is to have it sent via email (you will need to print the documents). You have the option of using your Alaska email address and print them at work.

Once you have been assigned a claims examiner, you should ask for their phone number, extension, email address and their fax number. We do hear occasionally that phone calls are not returned in a timely manner, by sending an email you have proof of submitting required paperwork or answering pertinent information.

Matrix will need your doctor’s name and fax number so that they can send a medical certificate that he/she needs to complete and sign. Once your doctor has completed this form and faxes the information to Matrix we think it will be beneficial for the doctor to send you a copy also, they can do this by fax or by email. This gives you the heads up that the documents were sent and also gives you a copy to work from if there should be any questions or need for follow up. If for any reason Matrix should tell you they did not receive this form, please feel free to take it to our Inflight office and they will help you fax the form. Keep the fax receipt as proof it was sent!

For those with Kaiser, you would bypass having the doctor’s office fax and just use the other recommendations.

Our AFA benefits chair is Sonia Quackenbush and she can be reached at 951-252-5707 or Squack22@gmail.com and our AFA Workers Compensation chair is Jill Haller 760-524-6554 or hallers737@msn.com.

If a Medical absence or Workers Compensation claim should cause financial difficulties, the Employee Assistance Fund could be of some help. You will find them on Alaskasworld.com under the Employee Resources tab. Your EAP Representatives are a great resource, if you would like to make contact, give Jean Sharrock a call at 949-257-9663 and she will give you a list of available Representatives and you can always contact one of your Officers.

We are working on making Worker’s Compensation an easier process and will send a communication soon.

In solidarity,

February 17, 2017 05:00

Passport Renewal

When it’s time to renew your passport, the contract has a process outlined to ensure that you only fly domestic trips while your passport is out of your possession. If your passport is in the renewal process and you have international flying on your line, the pre-cancellation language outlined in section 10.S.12 will be used to find alternative flying. If no flying is available that meets this language, pay protection as outlined in section 10.S applies as long as your attempt to renew your passport was initiated at least 15 days before the expiration date of your passport (see section 22.D [expenses/passport renewals] and the addendum to section 22 #1).

Inflight bulletin #2014-0218 also has information about expediting passport renewals.

Union Representation

You are entitled to AFA representation when you have a discussion or meeting with management and the possibility of discipline exists for you, another Flight Attendant or another employee. If a supervisor contacts you, you have a right to ask, “Could this conversation result in discipline?” If so, we recommend that you tell the supervisor that you would like an AFA representative before having any further discussion. The supervisor should provide you with the name and phone number for your Local Executive Council (LEC) President. Regardless of whether there is a possibility of discipline, you can always contact your Local Grievance Committee for AFA representation. You can find contact information for your Local Grievance Committee on the AFA Alaska website.

Probationary Flight Attendants may also ask for an AFA representative to be present in a supportive (non-representational) role. Again, if you are asked to provide a written statement or account of events, you are always entitled to confer with an AFA representative prior to doing so; this is also true for probationary Flight Attendants.

Disciplinary Issues

The Grievance Committee has recently noticed an increase in discipline for using profanity, making discriminatory statements, and sitting in passenger seats playing games or watching movies. Management is taking a hard line on these issues regardless of intent or seniority. In many instances, they are skipping steps of progressive discipline and going straight to suspension without pay or even termination. Management says this increase in discipline is coming from the Legal department and upper management. We will continue to dispute inappropriate and/or inconsistent discipline and are available to represent all members regardless of circumstance.

Medical/Maternity/Workers’ Compensation/LTD/STD Leaves

If you are contemplating taking a leave, be sure to contact your Local Benefits Committee for assistance. Members of the Benefits Committee have specialized expertise involving leaves of absence and can help to guide you through the complicated leave process.

Sick Leave and Attendance Points

Management takes the following position regarding short sick calls and the associated 2.5 attendance points: even if management can back date a medical leave, they will not remove short sick call points associated with the dates of the leave. This can be an issue if you are struggling with an illness. The following is a recap of contractual provisions regarding sick leave.

“Short Sick Call” or FS2 (formerly S2 in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.5

If a Flight Attendant calls in sick less than two 2 hours prior to scheduled check in, then s/he will be given 2.5 points with no option for quarterly point reduction.

“Sick Leave on Line at Scheduled Check-in” or FSB (formerly SB in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.6

If a Flight Attendant scans in on time and subsequently calls in sick later than scheduled check-in time, then s/he will be given 0.5 points in addition to the points value of the trip, e.g., 1-day is 1.0 points (0.5 points + 0.5 points), 2 day is 1.5 points (0.5 points + 1.0 points), et cetera. If the Flight Attendant is on FMLA then s/he will receive no points.

“Sick Leave on Line” or FSO (formerly SO in eMaestro)

Contract section 30.C.7

If a Flight Attendant calls in sick after flying one leg, then s/he will be given only points for the value of the trip, e.g., 1-day trip is 0.5 points, 2-day trip is 1.0 points, etc.

Please make sure you are familiar with the above provisions, especially if you are struggling with an illness and point accumulation.

Questions?

For further questions, contact one of your LEC Officers. Contact information for your LEC Officers can be found on your Local Council page of the AFA Alaska website.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

February 16, 2017 20:00

Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.

Applications will not be considered unless they are complete with the following:

Applications must be postmarked by April 10
Three (3) written references attached
Transcripts, grades, and SAT scores must be included

Who Qualifies?

A dependent of an active AFA member in good standing who is seeking to further her/his education at an accredited college or university.

A recipient of this scholarship will receive the cost of tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 for one year. Any recipient may reapply for this scholarship each year until graduation up to a maximum of four years.

What Are the Guidelines and Application Requirements?

The Scholarship Fund has established some guidelines to be used by students when deciding whether or not to apply for this award. Applicants should:

Be ranked in the top 15% of their high school class;
Have, or expect to have, excellent SAT or ACT scores;
Be able to demonstrate financial need;
Write a 300-word essay; and
Provide all information required on the application form.

Due to the highly competitive nature of the program and the large number of applicants, students should carefully consider these criteria before submitting an application.

Who Distributes the Scholarship?

The Scholarship is managed and distributed through the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund Committee. AFA is the largest union in the United States representing flight attendants.

What Is the Purpose of the Scholarship?

To further the education of promising young men and women who are dependents of AFA members in good standing who otherwise would not have the opportunity for higher education.

When Is the Scholarship Given?

The money for tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 per year is sent directly to the college or university upon verification of enrollment in a degree program. The college or university must send invoices to AFA, which will then be paid by the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund. No funds shall be distributed directly to the recipient.

Where Do I Get an Application?

Click here to download an application. You can always request a paper application by writing to the address below.

How Do I Find My AFA Member Number?

You can find your AFA member number on your AFA membership card. Alternately, you can email your Local Membership Committee for assistance.

When Do I Apply?

Your application must be postmarked by April 10. Applications must be returned to the following address:

Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund
PO Box 56
Hartwood, VA 22471-0056

CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship

The CWA Joe Beirne Foundation was established in October 1974 by the Communications Workers of America Executive Board to honor the name and memory of the founding President of CWA, who served for more than 30 years. In his capacity as the first CWA President, Joe Beirne took great pride in the roles he played in the fields of education and learning and other areas of social concern.

Click here for more information about this scholarship.

In Solidarity,

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

February 16, 2017 18:00

Management launched an online trade board as an interim solution to facilitate reserve trading as Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) does not support reserve trading at this time. The trade board can be accessed from the Inflight website > Scheduling & Bidding > Reserve Trading Board. Instructions for use of the reserve trade board were posted earlier today by management in informational bulletin #2017-0030 (Reserve Trading Board).

Though the interim reserve trade board will help reserve Flight Attendants to exercise their contractual right to trade, it does not solve the greater issue of a fully automated reserve trading system as required by the contract (section 11.H.7). AFA will continue to take necessary steps through the grievance process to compel management to comply with this requirement and the remainder of our contract.

Questions?

If you have questions about the reserve trade board, please contact your Local Reserve Committee. Contact information can be found on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill

February 16, 2017 15:00

This morning, AFA became aware that all trips in Open Time across the entire system were again coded with premium pay, then withheld and placed back in OT with the premium removed. The system glitch with Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) that was previously communicated by AFA last week was again responsible for the recurrence (see All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed – Part 3).

AFA is preparing to file yet another grievance on management’s violation of our contract. (Updated 2/17/2017: Instead of filing a new grievance on the same issue, we amended the original grievance to include the circumstances of this most recent contractual violation and any ongoing violations of the same nature. ^jtp) We will continue to work to defend our contract despite management’s failure to live up to their contractual obligations.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee, MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

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Sick Leave and Attendance Points

“Short Sick Call” or FS2 (formerly S2 in eMaestro)

“Sick Leave on Line at Scheduled Check-in” or FSB (formerly SB in eMaestro)

“Sick Leave on Line” or FSO (formerly SO in eMaestro)

Questions?

Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund

Who Qualifies?

What Are the Guidelines and Application Requirements?

Who Distributes the Scholarship?

What Is the Purpose of the Scholarship?

When Is the Scholarship Given?

Where Do I Get an Application?

How Do I Find My AFA Member Number?

When Do I Apply?

CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship

Questions?

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