Each pdf is specific to each domicile and has range maps, 4K and 15 minute pairing examples separated out.
LAX map with 4k & 15 debrief pairing examples
SEA map with 4k & 15 debrief pairing examples
SAN map with 4k & 15 debrief pairing examples
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council
Each pdf is specific to each domicile and has range maps, 4K and 15 minute pairing examples separated out.
LAX map with 4k & 15 debrief pairing examples
SEA map with 4k & 15 debrief pairing examples
SAN map with 4k & 15 debrief pairing examples
Q: Why did the Negotiating Committee start at Step 3 in the TA2 “Progressing Through the Pay Steps” video? It seems like this video is more focused on the junior Flight Attendants and their pay raises.
A: The video is geared towards the lower seniority steps only in the sense that it was specifically designed to explain how to read the chart if one is moving through the pay scale. It is very confusing for some Flight Attendants to understand how their pay increases across the life of the agreement–particularly if they are receiving step increases on their anniversary date as well as the annual downline 1.5% increases to the entire pay scale.
The Negotiating Committee randomly picked a 3-year Flight Attendant for the example. However, we could have easily chosen any other step rate below Step 10 to start the walk through the scale. Why below Step 10? Because Step 10 or above is or would be topped out during the life of the agreement.
Reading the chart is a fairly straight forward task for a Flight Attendant who is already topped out. That is because the chart can be more simply read left to right on the same line all the way across at the top of scale rate. A Flight Attendant currently at Step 17 will receive an 18% increase over the life of the agreement based on increases to the step rates alone.
The intent of the video is not to highlight the specific pay rates at any particular step. The video is intended as a general educational piece on how to read the chart in the context of moving through the step rates and in combination with the downline increases. Hopefully that explains why the NC highlighted Step 3 as a starting point for the example in the video.
Q: Why is management guest starring in some of the TA2 videos?
A: The Negotiating Committee knew there would be concerns and questions about the implementation schedule as well as changes to management flying. The NC asked management to film a video explaining the challenges that prevent us from swiftly implementing various provisions requiring automation changes. We also asked management to film a video explaining the management flying provisions and why they are so important to upper management. Both of these provisions were extremely important to management so the NC thought it would be helpful for the Membership to hear directly from management regarding their perspective on implementation and management flying.
Whenever a Tentative Agreement is out for a ratification vote, passionate opinions are inevitably going to be expressed. In general it is a time of high stress for everybody. This is normal and expected.
Unfortunately, it’s getting a little crazy out there. The Master Executive Council (MEC) has been made aware of various messages, texts, emails and social media posts that could be construed as threatening, harassing, intimidating or even just plain mean. We know tensions are high but we just can’t have this happening. The MEC is not intending to be paternalistic, but we feel this is a good opportunity to remind everybody of the AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy and AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines.
Please remember that whether TA2 passes or fails, we’re all in this together and there is always the possibility that we’ll have to share the beverage cart someday. The AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy and the AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines are posted at afaalaska.org as resources. Here are a few relevant excerpts:
“The use of language that is libelous, discriminatory, threatening, or harassing is strictly prohibited. If you would not make the statement in person to someone you respect, modify it accordingly.” [AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines]
“AFA-CWA is committed to creating and maintaining a working environment based on dignity and mutual respect. This should apply to meetings, socializing and all the events around AFA-CWA activities. [Note from the MEC: this also applies to social media outlets.]
What we ask of you:
Regardless of your opinions of TA1 or TA2, be respectful of the hard work and countless long hours put in by our Negotiating Committees over the past few years. Although they are partially compensated for their time, this is simply to minimize the impact to their personal finances whenever they are off the line working on your behalf. Please be mindful that at the end of the day these are essentially volunteer positions and be thankful for their service.
As many of our Flight Attendants know, historically we have faced challenging negotiation periods. During those times the strain on all of our Members is significant. Just as we have persevered in the past, we will continue to do so in the future.
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt
Q: What happens to my per diem and duty hours if deplaning exceeds the 15 minute debrief at domicile?
A: If deplaning exceeds the 15 minute debrief at domicile, a Flight Attendant may call Crew Scheduling to have her or his debrief adjusted to end at the time when the last customer exited the aircraft. Your duty time and per diem will be automatically adjusted and credited accordingly once Crew Scheduling modifies the conclusion of debrief.
Q: If I’m a Reserve, what happens if deplaning exceeds the 15 minute debrief at domicile? Will I receive an “Unavailable for Contact” under the Attendance Policy in Section 32 for not calling Crew Scheduling or checking my email within the debrief time?
A: As long as you check your email or call Crew Scheduling as soon as possible after deplaning ends and prior exiting the secure area, you will not be assessed points under the Attendance Policy. However, remember you should call Crew Scheduling to have your debrief adjusted so you are appropriately credited for your duty time and per diem.
Q: Let’s say I return to domicile at the conclusion of my trip and I receive a message to contact a supervisor or Crew Scheduling. The contact occurs prior to the end of my debrief period but deplaning exceeds the 15 minutes. Am I required to contact them after deplaning?
A: Yes. If the contact is made prior to the end of the debrief period at domicile, then you must return the contact as soon as possible following the conclusion of deplaning. Remember to also have Crew Scheduling adjust your debrief time in order to appropriately credit your duty hours and per diem.
Q: Let’s say I return to domicile at the conclusion of my trip and deplaning exceeds 15 minutes by 3 minutes, so it takes 18 minutes. Deplaning is compete and I am off the plane walking up the jet bridge at 19 minutes after block in. Then a supervisor comes running down the jetbridge and tells me I am needed for a Junior Assignment or to pre-board a flight. Are either of these a legal assignment?
A: No. Any contact made for the purposes of JA or pre-boarding must occur prior to the conclusion of the debrief period. Remember to call Crew Scheduling to adjust your debrief time in order to appropriately credit your duty hours and per diem for the 3 minutes.
The Negotiating Committee filmed several informational videos regarding various topics in TA2. They have been posted on the AFA Alaska Negotiations YouTube channel, on the AFA Alaska website at afaalaska.org/negotiations/ta/ta2-videos and on the AFA Alaska Facebook page.
The videos are on the following topics:
Implementation (guest starring Manager of Inflight Labor and Work Performance Mike Link)
Management Flying (guest starring Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider)
Progressing through the Pay Steps
Quarterly Productivity Premium
TFP and Block Hours Conversion
*NOTE: AMFA insurance provisions are incorrect in the “Insurance Caps” video. The mechanics have a 20% cost share, a 15% annual increase cap and rates are frozen in 2016 until the next agreement is ratified.
The Negotiating Committee hopes you find this information helpful. Additional information can be found on our Negotiations blog. You can also submit questions directly to the Negotiating Committee by emailing us at negotiations@afaalaska.org.
In solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
Q: If we receive an acars, get contacted before landing or a supervisor meets our plane, can we be required to Pre-Board a different flight?
A: Pre-boarding under TA2 is the same application as current book, but will be a 15 minute debrief period rather than a 30 minute debrief period so only the time is changing. Under TA2, we are not required to stay past our debrief in order to pre-board a flight. Just like today, the company can ask if you will pre-board, but if it is outside your 15 minute debrief, you can decline.
Q: Is there a different application for JA?
A: If you receive an acars, get contacted before landing or if there is a supervisor in the jetway prior to the end of your debrief period, then you would be required to accept the JA assignment. However, if the last passenger has stepped off the plane and it is now 16 minutes, you are no longer on duty and can’t be JAd.
E. PREMIUM OPEN TIME (OT)
Crew Scheduling may declare periods of premium pay for OT and designate individual sequences as premium pay sequences. Once posted, it may not be revoked. However, if the sequence is assigned to a Reserve, the premium will not apply.
The Company will publish notification of Premium OT on the Flight Attendant webpage.
A Flight Attendant who picks up Premium OT will receive a minimum premium of one and one-half times (1.5x) the applicable rate of pay.
Premium OT trips may be traded; however, the premium pay will not follow the sequence. The Premium OT sequence will be converted to a regular sequence upon being traded and will be paid at straight time if flown. The same sequence may be converted back to Premium OT only if Crew Scheduling once again designates the sequence as Premium OT while the sequence is in Open Time.
A Flight Attendant who is on a Premium OT trip which changes when s/he arrives at the airport will be guaranteed no less than the number of TFP originally scheduled. S/he will be paid the premium attached to the originally-scheduled Premium OT sequence and paid that rate on all flights flown including surface deadhead in the revised sequence. If the revised sequence is worth less TFP than the originally-scheduled Premium OT sequence, the Flight Attendant will also be compensated the TFP value of the difference between the two paid at straight time.
Alaska Airlines management has directed that older-style B/E Aerospace coffee makers must not be used without a Brew Shield. The action follows months of advocacy by AFA ASHSC, Inflight Service Committee, and MEC, highlighting ongoing injuries to Flight Attendants from the coffee makers. Our Committees and MEC continue to call for a complete suspension of the older coffee makers until the issue is fully resolved to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and passengers.
The April 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Wednesday, April 10. Our MEC met with management to receive updates and review concerns, including DOT drug testing procedures, lack of meetings with the AFA Benefits Committee, coffee maker safety, and staffing adjustment leave administration. Our Negotiating Committee will return to the bargaining table next week in a scheduled mediation session, focusing on data from the Flight Attendant Financial Security Survey.
Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, March 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]
Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, March 18, and Tuesday, March 19, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants. The MEC also met with executive management and a group of union leaders from other company workgroups to receive updates and discuss concerns affecting employees company-wide. The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, and Wednesday, April 10.
Reserve Committee On Thursday, March 14, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Brandi Urban (ANC), Teran Eason (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present was MEC Reserve […]