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All trips in Open Time coded as premium and subsequently withheld

Earlier this morning, AFA became aware that all trips in Open Time across the entire system were coded with premium pay, then withheld and placed back in OT with the premium removed. AFA subsequently filed a grievance on the issue. Check out “All Open Time Trips Withheld and Premium Pay Removed” for more information.

AFA met with management this afternoon to discuss the contractual violations

Master Executive Council (MEC) representatives met with management at 3pm PT today to discuss the situation. AFA reiterated to management our expectation that the more than 400 Premium Open Time trips across all domiciles must be restored with their applicable premium in order to be in contractual compliance. AFA requested that any Open Time trips previously coded as premium that were subsequently picked up should be paid at premium. (Contractually this would not include Open Time trades or Reserve self-assignment.)

Management is currently declining to restore premium across the board

Management is currently declining to restore premium across the board at this time due to concerns over operational reliability. However, you may see some Premium Open Time out there due to staffing concerns. Management believes the “blanket premium” might be the result of a programming glitch with Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) because the exact same thing happened for the pilots’ Open Time trips. Management is currently researching the issue with Jeppesen and our internal Information Technology (IT) department.

Follow-up meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning

The parties agreed to a follow-up meeting tomorrow morning to discuss their findings and next steps. AFA will continue to defend our contract and advocate to management for them to do the right thing. We will provide another update following that meeting.

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

All trips in Open Time coded as premium and then subsequently withheld

At approximately 9:15am Pacific Time this morning, AFA became aware that all trips in Open Time were coded with premium pay. MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones was notified shortly thereafter that all trips in Open Time were being pulled and recoded without the premium pay. That’s right—all trips in Open Time across the entire system were withheld and premium pay removed!

AFA has filed a grievance on the issue

AFA has already filed a grievance on the issue, and Master Executive Council (MEC) representatives have been in communication with management. Pursuant to clear contractual language in CBA §9.E [Premium Open Time] and §12.E [Open Time], AFA has informed management that the more than 400 Premium Open Time trips across all domiciles must be restored with their applicable premium in order to be in contractual compliance. Our understanding is that all trips were returned to Open Time without the associated premium by around 11am PT. AFA’s position is that premium must also be paid on any Open Time trips previously coded as premium that were or are subsequently picked up. (Contractually this would not not include Open Time trades or Reserve self-assignment.)

AFA and management have a follow-up meeting scheduled for later this afternoon

Management is currently considering AFA’s assertions, and we have a follow up meeting scheduled for later this afternoon. AFA will provide an update as soon as possible after the meeting concludes.

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

2017.02.09 Grievance 36-99-2-4-17 Violation §9.E. & §12.E Removing from Open Time Trips Posted with Premium Pay AMENDED 2nd

Between Winter Storm Maya and the inability to get through to Crew Scheduling in the past couple days, have you received attendance points that you believe are inappropriately assessed considering the challenging circumstances? If so, the Master Executive Council (MEC) would like to hear from you as soon as possible.

Send an email to points.review@afaalaska.org, with your name, Arctic and/or Peoplesoft number and supporting information. Include as much specific documentation as possible.

The MEC has a meeting set up with management tomorrow morning to address several topics of concern. We will use this as an opportunity to review points accrued under extenuating circumstances due to the inclement weather in the Pacific Northwest and the busy phone lines into Crew Scheduling.

It is not necessary that you submit something by tomorrow morning, but we will need it as soon as possible if you are planning on requesting a review of your points. However, it will definitely help the entire review process if we have a collection of compelling evidence to present to management by tomorrow morning.

In Solidarity,

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

 

As you all have experienced over the past few days, the cutover to Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) was less than seamless. In fact, the Master Executive Council (MEC) has received feedback from many of you that you believe the cutover has bordered on disastrous.

“Why did AFA allow this?”

Many of you have been asking on social media, “Why did AFA allow this?” AFA definitely did not support the roll out of the program (for more information, see “AFA Objects to January 30th Jeppesen Crew Exchange Cutover” and Inflight management’s “Crew Scheduling Follow-up” email from February 3, 2017). There were over 400 test scenarios that AFA wanted tested, which were not completed before the roll out. AFA stated to management many times prior to the cutover that Jeppesen Crew Access was not adequately tested for the Flight Attendants and therefore not ready.

AFA has been communicating our concerns with JCA to management for well over a year now. We even made our best effort to address the very issues you are now facing directly with the programmers last autumn in Sweden. As late as 7am PT this past Thursday (the day JCA was turned on for Flight Attendant trading), MEC Scheduling Chairperson Jake Jones once again told management that JCA was not ready for the Flight Attendants. However, management made the decision to go forward even though they knew AFA was gravely concerned about basic functionality. So now here we are!

AFA is pursuing every option

Your AFA officers, committee chairpersons and committee members have heard your frustrations, and we have been working non-stop since 11am Thursday (when the trade freeze ended) to address issues with JCA. We understand the exasperation growing within the group, and we very much share in that sentiment! Please know AFA is pursuing every option to get management to fix issues with JCA as they arise, but you can also help in the effort.

Help AFA in the effort to fix JCA

How can you help fix JCA?

For troubleshooting problems:

For suggestions/concerns:

* This email address is for sharing JCA issues and suggestions. AFA is hoping responses to this address will improve our chances of action and future improvements. The JCA project group is compiling a “wish list” and keeping track of how many Flight Attendants send in the same suggestion. If there is an obvious error then allegedly it will be addressed “immediately.” If a suggestion/concern is being submitted multiple times by many different F/As, it may improve our chances for a feature upgrade in the nearer future. 

>>> Click here for the most recently updated list of JCA issues that AFA is tracking. <<<

We need all Flight Attendants to follow the procedure outlined above, as it is the best way for AFA to track the issues and for management to become aware of and to fix the problems. Please do not rely on social media to resolve JCA issues; it is not logistically possible for AFA to follow posts for all 4,000 Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants across all social media outlets. It might seem a little old fashioned, but using centralized email is the best means to track JCA issues and concerns.

Thank you for your help in moving the new trip-trading platform forward as quickly as possible!

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; MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Jarod McNeill; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

As previously announced on December 9 by the MEC, and on December 31st by your LEC, the Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for the majority of the MEC Committee Chairperson positions at the next MEC meetings scheduled for February 21st and 22nd.

More Information About the Candidates

Below is a list of candidates for each position.  For positions with more than one candidate, resumes for those candidates who have opted in may be viewed below.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson

Seth Heiple

Benefits Committee Chairperson

Terry Taylor

EAP Chairpersons (2 positions)

Elizabeth Dillon

Jeanne McCleave

Hotel Committee Chairperson

Laura Hinojosa

Hotel Committee Vice Chairperson

Jodi Snow (click here to view resume)

Dori Marron (click here to view resume)

Reserve Committee Chairperson

Jarod McNeill

Retirement Committee Chairperson

Terry Taylor

Scheduling Committee Chairperson

Jake Jones (click here to view resume)

Erik Velez (click here to view resume)

Zac Weeks (click here to view resume)

Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson (PBS Subcommittee Chairperson)

Stephen Poynter (click here to view resume)

PBS Subcommittee Member

Rebecca Asbell (click here to view resume)

Adam Clarey (click here to view resume)

Sheri Rochel (click here to view resume)

Uniform Committee Chairperson

Bob Moore

Special Consideration for MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson

In accordance with §27.P.2.c.1 of the collective bargaining agreement, the MEC will be soliciting input from Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider regarding the selection of the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson position.  Though Andy is contractually entitled to provide feedback, final selection will be made by the voting members of the MEC.

Feedback

If you would like to provide feedback about the candidates or the MEC Committee Chairperson interview process, please contact your LEC President SEA Council 19 President Laura Masserant~ laura.masserant@afaalaska.org

As previously announced on December 9 by the MEC, and on December 31st by your LEC, the Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for the majority of the MEC Committee Chairperson positions at the next MEC meetings scheduled for February 21st and 22nd.

More Information About the Candidates

Below is a list of candidates for each position.  For positions with more than one candidate, resumes for those candidates who have opted in may be viewed below.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson

Seth Heiple

Benefits Committee Chairperson

Terry Taylor

EAP Chairpersons (2 positions)

Elizabeth Dillon

Jeanne McCleave

Hotel Committee Chairperson

Laura Hinojosa

Hotel Committee Vice Chairperson

Jodi Snow (click here to view resume)

Dori Marron (click here to view resume)

Reserve Committee Chairperson

Jarod McNeill

Retirement Committee Chairperson

Terry Taylor

Scheduling Committee Chairperson

Jake Jones (click here to view resume)

Erik Velez (click here to view resume)

Zac Weeks (click here to view resume)

Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson (PBS Subcommittee Chairperson)

Stephen Poynter (click here to view resume)

Sheri Rochel (click here to view resume)

PBS Subcommittee Member

Rebecca Asbell (click here to view resume)

Adam Clarey (click here to view resume)

Uniform Committee Chairperson

Bob Moore

Special Consideration for MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson

In accordance with §27.P.2.c.1 of the collective bargaining agreement, the MEC will be soliciting input from Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider regarding the selection of the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson position.  Though Andy is contractually entitled to provide feedback, final selection will be made by the voting members of the MEC.

Feedback

If you would like to provide feedback about the candidates or the MEC Committee Chairperson interview process, please contact your LEC President SAN Council 15 President Brice McGee – brice.mcgee@afaalaska.org

In Solidarity,

With the changeover to Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA), numerous expected and unexpected issues have popped up. This survival guide was developed in partnership with your AFA Council 30 Anchorage Scheduling Committee and contains frequently asked questions (FAQs) and tips to help you manage the new program. Please route any questions to your local Scheduling Committee members.

Voluntary Paid Video Tutorials

Use your resources! Please watch the video tutorials–they answer 90% of the questions asked by Flight Attendants in the past few days.

  • Take the three-question quiz in order to receive your 1 TFP pay.
  • You will receive a confirmation email after completing the quiz.

FAQs

Call or email IT (877-238-1077, help.desk@alaskaair.com) if you encounter any technical issues. Send the ticket number and all info to your local Scheduling Committee. Issues include, but are not limited to:

  • Incorrect TFP totals
  • Peoplesoft phone numbers not updated in JCA
  • Sit Pay, Pay Protection, or Sick Leave not showing up in trips or TFP totals
  • Rosters not syncing to Outlook calendar

If you have JCA concerns or requests that are not IT issues, email your local Scheduling Committee members.

Contact Info

IT: 877-238-1077 or help.desk@alaskaair.com
ANC: ANC.Scheduling@afaalaska.org
LAX: LAX.Scheduling@afaalaska.org
PDX: PDX.Scheduling@afaalaska.org
SAN: SAN.Scheduling@afaalaska.org
SEA: SEA.Scheduling@afaalaska.org

Reserve

Self-assignment

Please review CBA §11.E.1 [Reserve Self-Assignment].

The reserve self-assignment period for AM and PM Reserves is 10am-2pm PT the day prior to report (9am-1pm AKT). ER Reserves may not self assign.

If you self-assign a trip, you are still contactable during your normal availability.

  • Crew Scheduling can change/take your self-assigned trip if necessary pursuant to §11.E.1.e:
    • If you self-assign APSB, it does not count toward your 4 APSB per month as it relates to Section 11.F.14.
    • Only APSB assigned by Crew Scheduling counts toward your 4 per month
  • APSB cannot be self-assigned on JCA at this time – call CS to self-assign APSB.
  • You still receive the Reserve premium pay if you self-assign a trip.

Reserve trading, advertising and splitting blocks/days

Management has estimated it will be one month until reserve trading, advertising, and splitting blocks/days will be programmed.

  • Management is working on a message board for Reserves to advertise trades.
  • Until that time, email ReserveDesk@alaskaair.com for reserve trading.
  • AFA has filed a grievance due to this lack of programming.

Open Time Codes

TO/DD/CP codes in eMaestro are TO in JCA, TX/no code in eMaestro are no code in JCA. To view the code, click the trip info, then click the second drop-down menu. Trade codes are still subject to CBA §12.E.1.a.

Tips for Navigating JCA

Use “Homebase,” “Open time,” “Trade,” and “Grab” in the Trip Pool to look for certain trips

  • When looking for out-of-base trips, make sure your “Homebase” icon is not selected
  • LAX only: To find co-terminal trips only, deselect “Homebase” and filter for the desired co-term(s). (This is being addressed.)
  • The Filter will filter through any trips in the list you have selected
  • You may select multiple lists at the same time
  • FA trips have a green line or half line on the left, Open Time trips do not
  • Grab Only – a Present in the right corner
  • Trade Only – Arrows in the right corner

Premium will show up as a green number in the right corner of a trip, where the Present or Arrows are located. 1.5 = 1.5X pay, 2 = 2X pay, etc. However, once you pick up a premium trip there is no longer an indication it is a premium trip once it is on your roster (issue is identified and being worked on).

Open days on the calendar view will be white, closed days have diagonal gray stripes

To find the name of the FA who advertised a trip in the Trip Pool, use the Trip Info tool from above. If you advertise a trip, please post your name in the notes!

The automatic setting when advertising a trip is Trade and Grab. You must deselect an option if you do not want it

When you advertise a trip, you will not see it in the Trip Pool. You will see a green line on the side of the trip in your Roster (half a green line indicates a sipped portion is advertised)

Reports on Demand

Printable version of trip – Hamburger Menu, Reports, Reports on Demand, Trip Info

Printable version of line* – Hamburger Menu, Reports, Reports on Demand, Published Roster

* You may use this option to view previous months as well, just change the date

Attendance points – Hamburger Menu, Reports, Reports on Demand, Attendance Points

Open Time Notifications

  • To set up text notifications for your phone, go to FA Website, Scheduling & Bidding, Other Schedule Options, Open Trip Notifications. Click the first link and make sure “Crew Access Notifications” is selected
  • In Crew Access, go to Hamburger Menu, Settings, Allow SMS Notifications
  • Watch this video for help on setting up Filter Subscriptions

AFA is working hard behind the scenes to answer any questions and hold management accountable. The Master Executive Council is still working on a separate communication to address all the frustrations with JCA, but we wanted to get you this valuable information as soon as possible. We hope many positive changes will be made in the coming days and weeks so that JCA will be more user friendly. Thank you for your continued patience during this change!

Please send any questions, concerns, and ideas to your local Scheduling Committee members.

In Solidarity,

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

We have heard your feedback, some of you have expressed that you have felt out of the loop since you are not on the internet and or as social media savvy as others.

In an attempt to reach more of our base (including those who are not on social media or don’t check their email often), we are excited to announce that your LEC Officers are starting a new way of communicating with our members in San Diego through text message alerts. This program is completely optional. But we feel that it’s a great tool to get information out to everyone quickly. We will not overwhelm you with texts. And we do realize some people may have to pay for texts, so again this program is optional and the information will be available as always on the AFAalaska.org website, emails, and on our Facebook page.

We are borrowing this technology from school districts as to save costs from designing a system or paying a company to send mass texts.

The enrollment process is simple, all you need to do is send a text message from your personal phone.

Open your text messaging application. In the send to field enter 81010 and then enter @AFALEC15 in the body of the text and press send.

You will then receive a reply asking you to enter your full name. Once you send your name, your officers will receive notification and then you are all set to receive texts.

Please ignore the 3rd question where it asks if you are student or teacher since this software was mainly designed for schools so that teachers could reach their students and or parents of students quickly and easily.

We hope you like our new service. And as always, we welcome your feedback / questions Please help us spread the word and get your fellow crew signed up.

In Solidarity,

Your LEC Officers

Effective next bid month (March 2017), both Open Time and Flight Attendant-to-Flight Attendant trading begins on the 15th of the month. All bases will open on the same day (the 15th) with the times staggered by base (all indicated in Pacific Time):

SAN – 9AM PT

PDX – 10AM PT

ANC – 11AM PT (10AM AKT)

LAX – 12 PM PT

SEA – 2PM PT

Again, this will occur in March for April trading. Current timelines are in effect in February for March trading.

This returns the trading timeline to the schedule established in the contract, §12.C.3 [Exchange of Sequences…: Trading Procedures]. You may recall that Alaska Airlines management and the Master Executive Council (MEC) agreed to ‘temporarily” alter the trading timeline when it became clear that eMaestro could not handle trades opening at the same time. The MEC has been assured that Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA) has more than enough capacity to handle the contractually mandated trading timeline, so we are defaulting back to the contractual application.

The MEC is currently preparing a separate communication to address all the frustrations with JCA.

In Solidarity,

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

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