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New “Pass” or “Fly” features go into effect at 2pm Pacific Time today

Good news for Reserves! AFA and Alaska Airlines management have agreed to improve the Reserve order of assignment preferences, specifically “Pass” or “Fly.” The Alaska Information Technology (IT) department was also able to expedite a change to the Low Time First Assigned (LTFA) list, so the LTFA has already been revised as of earlier today. The improved “Pass” or “Fly” features will go into effect when Crew Scheduling pulls the LTFA list around 2pm Pacific Time today for the purposes of assigning Reserves for tomorrow. That’s right—at 2pm PT today! We apologize for the extremely short notice.

 

Background

During the course of contract formatting, clarification and implementation discussions, it became apparent that Reserves and at times Crew Scheduling were confused about the LTFA. They were confused regarding the hierarchy of the new preferences, how the preferences interacted with each other and how those interactions affected the order of assignment. Most Reserves noticed several changes to the format of the LTFA list over the past few months as the parties made adjustments to get it “just right.” While those adjustments were occurring, some Reserves even brought forward concerns about order of assignment violations based on their reading of contractual language. Any confusion about the Reserve LTFA should be minimized going forward.

 

LTFA list

The LTFA list is generated based on call type (AM/PM/ER) and days of availability (1-6). The LTFA list has already been altered to have Pass or Fly at the beginning of the preferences, then Night Flying then 4k (then LAX co-term if applicable) with TFP at the end of the list. At the beginning of the month (everybody at 0 TFP), all Fly are listed in seniority order then all Pass in inverse seniority order – no change. Unequal TFP is listed in LTFA order (low time first) – no change. Lineholder opt out is listed at the end of each call type and days of availability in inverse seniority order – no change.

 

Improved Order of Assignment

Beginning around 2pm PT today, Reserve order of assignment will be as follows:

 

Crew Scheduling will assign by moving down the list in LTFA order (or in FLY/PASS order when TFP is 0 or equal) within the appropriate call type and days of availability. The first legal Reserve that has a FLY preference will be assigned. If applicable, Crew Scheduling will assign to the first legal Reserve that has a FLY preference and the appropriate matching sub preference (e.g. 4k, Night Flying or LAX co-term). If no such Reserve exists, Crew Scheduling will then move back to the top of the list within those days of availability and call type and repeat the process in order to assign the trip to the first legal Reserve that has a PASS preference and matching sub-preference (e.g. 4k, Night Flying or LAX co-term), if applicable. Lineholder opt out’s will be assigned after all legal Reserves with a PASS preference within the same call type and days of availability have been assigned.

 

All sub-preferences are assigned based on the following hierarchy: Night Flying then 4k then LAX co-term.

 

Essentially, the only change is that the PASS or FLY preference is being given more “power” over the other preferences.

 

Contractual language

Here is the contractual language that you will find in the finalized version of the printed contract. AFA and management are getting very close to moving to the next step in the process in preparation to get this document published as soon as possible.

 

11 – Reserve

E. Order of Assignment

3. Low Time First Available (LTFA):

Within each reserve classification and days of availability, the LTFA list will be ordered with Reserves with the least amount of TFP flown or credited as a Reserve in the bid month (low time) //.

a. “Low time” means the Reserve, within each classification and days of availability, with the lowest amount of TFP flown or credited to date as a Reserve, in the current bid month.

b. To balance flying among Reserves, by default the Reserve with the lowest time will receive the highest-time assignment from the available assignments that are within her/his Reserve classification and days of availability at the time of assignment. The order or assignment will be altered by the preferences listed in E.2., above, and assigned according to E.4., below.

c. When more than one (1) Reserve returns to domicile on the same day and is legal for an assignment, the Reserve with the least amount of TFP flown or credited, as a Reserve in the bid month, will be used first.

4.  Assignment of Open Sequences/Assignments

Crew Scheduling will generate the Reserve Assignment List (LTFA) and will assign Reserves who have not already self-assigned within the same classification (AM/PM/ER) and with the same number of days of availability in the following order:

a. Among Flight Attendants with equal TFP flown or credited in the bid month:

  1. Flight Attendants who have preferenced “Fly” (default preference) in seniority order (most senior first); then
  2. Flight Attendants who have preferenced “Pass” in inverse seniority order (most junior first).

b. Among Flight Attendants with unequal TFP flown or credited in the bid month:

  1. Flight Attendants who have preferenced “Fly” (default preference) in LTFA order; then
  2. Flight Attendants who have preferenced “Pass” in LTFA order.

c. Within “Fly” / “Pass” preferences in the following order:

  1. Night Flying
  2. 4k
  3. LAX co-term

d. Lineholders who have picked up Reserve day(s) and who have not opted into the LTFA, listed in inverse seniority order (11.H.3.d. [Exchange of Days…]) within the same classification (AM/PM/ER) and with the same number of days of availability.

 

* * *

 

Many thanks to Alaska Airlines management and to Crew Scheduling for accommodating this improvement for our Reserves!

 

Questions? Contact your local AFA officers or your local Reserve committee members.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and MEC Reserve chairperson Jarod McNeill

AFA Alaska

I. Call Meeting to Order – Meeting was called to order at 10:10

  A. Call for late agenda items – Air Quality Study done by Deanne DeWitt (discuss at LEC update)

  B. Announcements – During the Board of Directors (BOD) there could be discussion of raising union dues to $50.00, which is in line with CWA under the merger agreement that was made when they bailed us out.

  1. Laura introduce LEC President for Seattle Council 16 from Horizon, Heather Coleman from Horizon and MEC President, Lexie Graham
  2. There could be an initiative to try and recruit Skywest/Go Jet and Delta (Delta a little later) Flight Attendants into AFA in the coming year.

II. BOD Agenda Items

A. Laura and Heather went through all 24 agenda items that will be up for vote at the BOD

B. From the flight attendants that were in attendance during the meeting votes were taken and Laura will vote accordingly based on member feedback. Laura will also count all emails sent to her by members by Monday, April 27th.

III. LEC Update

A. Officer Update – Discussed the implementation schedule along with pulling schedules together.

May is going to be a very busy month with many items being implemented on May 1st.

B. Contract – printed version “hopefully” will be here by June. Right now you can download to phone go on line to the AFA website to download. It can also be put into iBook’s and it is available on the Company iPhone too.

C. Grievance Update – Tt’s been very slow and no terminations have occurred lately!

D. Budget Update – Council 19 is under budget $1100.00 and we should be under for the fiscal year $5000.00 to $7000.00 (which we will get 50% put back into our budget if we have excess        monies)

E. Committees – Erik Velez has moved from the LEC chair of Reserve to the LEC chair of Scheduling and Carole Babcock is now the new LEC chair of the Reserve Committee.

F. Defining the Scheduling Committee – The Company is planning on monthly meeting and these meetings are paid at the Company’s expense per contractual applications. SherriJohn is working hard on pairings and line construction. Please don’t hesitate to email her regarding “good” and “bad” pairings. Feedback to Jake and SherriJohn will help them to try and give us better sequences. If they can convince the company that the “optimizer lines” aren’t good they can go with what the committee feels is a better quality of life for the flight attendants…give them your feedback!

G. Membership – As of 4/7/15 we have a total of 1904 flight attendants at the Seattle base and we have a total amount due to our Seattle base of outstanding dues of $8279.00.

H. QPP – Is a hot issue and Company feels that you are the eligible if you were on a leave. The language clearly states that it goes off of your PBS bid and if you were on a leave your PBS bid award is “zero”. The MEC is waiting for the May 5th payout date to determine the next step.

I. “Shoegate” is still a growing concern, but the company has not distributed updated language. The current policy is in effect and until it is defined FAs just need to make sure that they are adhering to what is currently in the FAM.

J. Alcohol Policy “revised” – Jeff is trying to get a meeting with Ben, Andy and Ron to discuss this sudden change and we will file a grievance because there is disparaging alcohol policies   throughout the different work group. ***Update- Company reversed its decision, for now.

K. New Hire Orientation – Adam and Linda assisted Carole with the most recent new hire class that came to Seattle base.

L. ADR – Stephanie Adams has been assisting Jennifer with ADR notes and also is working with all of the other grievance reps. Adam is also easing into doing grievance work.

M. Calling/Emailing or Texting a Union Rep – If you are reaching out to an officer/council rep please be mindful that sometimes we are not available because we, too, are flying but will get back to you a.s.a.p. If you are going to email/text or us – it is helpful to include all officers so that we are   not individually working on the same issue.

N. Government Affairs Remember that any of your union dues is used to solicit or campaign for a particular person or Bill. Flight Pac is how things are paid for. You can donate as little as $1.00   or a set amount for the year. Go to our AFA International website and you can sign up. If you need any additional information contact Bev Bullock.

TPP and Fast Tracking – TPP is a Bill that many want passed that would allow over 600 corporations to trade in secret. Also Fast Tracking also is something that we want stopped but many in Congress want to give their authority to the Executive Branch to by pass voting. They need FA’s to send handwritten letters to your congressperson. You can see a sample letter at our org website.

O. Air Quality Funding/Dr. Furlong – Council member Deanne DeWitt asks to consider a late agenda item for the BOD. This agenda item would request that AFA International continue funding in the upcoming fiscal budget for Dr. Furlong and his on-going study of air quality issues. LM is working with International on the agenda item and will prepare a late agenda item for the BOD if necessary.                       

Meeting was adjourned at 2:30 PM and was seconded by Adam Clarey

Alaska Airlines management has postponed implementation of the “same calendar day cutoff” alcohol policy

 

In case you missed the big news in Bulletin 2015-0103 “Alcohol Policy Revisited,” Alaska Airlines Inflight management has postponed implementation of the recently announced “same calendar day cutoff” alcohol policy! The Master Executive Council (MEC) thanks management for taking the additional time to understand the impact of such a policy on our flight attendants. We are also so appreciative of our members’ efforts to engage management regarding this important issue.

AFA research indicates there is no FAA recommendation justifying the proposed policy

 

There are a few points of clarification that we would like to make in regards to the “same calendar day cutoff” policy. All along management has been referencing a nebulous FAA “recommendation” as justification for the same calendar day policy. AFA research indicates that no such recommendation exists.

 

Background on alcohol consumption CFRs and Company policy

 

It is true that at one point in history (prior to the mid-‘90s) Alaska flight attendants operated under such a rule, which currently is applied only to the Alaska pilots, Horizon flight attendants and Horizon pilots. However, 14 CFR 91.17 clearly indicates that pilots are prohibited from consuming alcohol within 8 hours of operating or attempting to operate an aircraft. Flight attendants and dispatchers are also prohibited from consuming alcohol within eight hours of duty. Mechanics may not consume alcohol within four hours of duty. (Yes, four!) You may find it interesting that current Company policy for pilots is the greater of same calendar day or ten hours, flight attendants and dispatchers is ten hours (two hours more than CFRs) and mechanics is eight hours (four hours more than CFRs).

 

FAA’s “suggestion” of 24 hours free from alcohol

 

Inflight writes in Bulletin 2015-0103 “the FAA suggests 24 hours free from alcohol.” This is the only reference that AFA could verify as actually coming from the FAA. Check out the pilot safety brochure entitled “Alcohol and Flying: A Deadly Combination.” This document in no way references flight attendants and also is not specifically targeted at commercial aviation. You will notice it is in the same list of brochures as “Sunglasses for Pilots: Beyond the Image.” The actual “recommendation” is as follows:

 

General Recommendations

As a minimum, adhere to all the guidelines of FAR 91.17:

  • 8 hours from “bottle to throttle”
  • do not fly while under the influence of alcohol
  • do not fly while using any drug that may adversely affect safety

A more conservative approach is to wait 24 hours from the last use of alcohol before flying. This is especially true if intoxication occurred or if you plan to fly IFR. Cold showers, drinking black coffee, or breathing 100% oxygen cannot speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.

 

As safety professionals, AFA supports the concept that pilots should err on the side of caution. However, we do not believe this “more conservative approach” is an official mandate from the FAA that all crewmembers in commercial aviation should abstain from alcohol use for 24 hours prior to duty. Taken in context, the FAA is simply telling pilots to adhere to the CFR and to use alcohol responsibly.

 

AFA is committed to developing a better reporting system for alcohol-related concerns and vehemently opposes further tightening of the current “10 hour cutoff”

 

Now you have all the facts, as we know them. Going forward, AFA is committed to working with management on developing a better reporting system for alcohol-related concerns that both maximizes our culture of safety and recognizes the modern understanding of substance abuse and addiction. We also remain vehemently opposed to any further tightening of the current “10 hour cutoff.” The MEC has reevaluated our initial conclusion that we cannot grieve a Company policy and AFA will definitely file a grievance on this issue if the situation warrants.

 

* * *

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and MEC EAP/CIRP/PS co-chairpersons Elizabeth Dillon and Jeanne McCleave

AFA Alaska

The MEC became aware of the 4k pairings trading issue once again directly from flight attendants

 

The Master Executive Council (MEC) has become aware of an extremely unfortunate development with regard to the Contract Implementation Schedule. Apparently Long Stage Length Duty Period (“4k”) pairings cannot be traded automatically in Maestro and this function will not be available until August. We initially learned about the issue once again directly from flight attendants rather than being given proper notice by management, which is entirely unacceptable. AFA became aware of the problem only when flight attendants were attempting to trade 4k pairings—pairings marked with a ‘K’ label—and received an “overduty” error message in eMaestro.

 

One teeny tiny mention of the issue was buried

 

AFA has been involved in numerous implementation meetings with management and so far we have been unable to find any evidence the 4k pairings trading issue was brought forward at any time. Honestly, your AFA representatives would have taken a keen notice that 4k pairings could not be traded automatically. As flight attendants we know how important flexibility of schedule is with regard to quality of life. One teeny tiny mention of the issue was buried in a long list of “Implementation Milestones.” That document was attached to the “Contract Implementation Newsletter: Issue 1” sent by Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider to all flight attendants via Outlook on March 1st. That’s it.

 

This development is not in keeping with the negotiated Contract Implementation Schedule

 

AFA strongly believes communication in such a fashion does not serve as official notice. Regardless of notice, this development is not in keeping with the negotiated Contract Implementation Schedule. Additionally, we can assure you the Contract Committee would have vehemently opposed 4k pairings going live in May if such pairings could not be traded via automation until August.

 

 

AFA advocated to management that an Inflight bulletin be issued and the splash page updated

 

Let’s talk about the short-term fixes. AFA has advocated to management that an Inflight bulletin be issued explaining how to trade 4k pairings and that the Inflight splash page be updated. Both have already been accomplished.

 

Post 4k pairings in eMaestro but trade using First Class ‘FA Trade Form’

 

Post the 4k pairings in eMaestro just like a normal trip but utilize the comments field to indicate “4k” as a courtesy so the person trading knows what to do next. Keep in mind that all 4k pairings are marked with “K” label as well.

 

You will need to submit the trade request through First Class –> World of Inflight –> FA Trading –> domicile trade box (e.g. “SEA box”) –> FA Trade form, fill it out with all the applicable information and then send to the appropriate trades box (BASE space TRADES space MONTH, e.g. “SEA TRADES MAY”). For those of you who remember trading this way back in the day, Crew Scheduling will not deny trades based on incomplete or missing comments; back then a trade would be denied if the comments were not perfectly formatted to the required standard. Trades will be processed in the order in which they are received. To recap:

 

  • Log into FirstClass,
  • Double click the icon “World of Inflight,”
  • Double click on “FA Trading,”
  • Double click on your base folder,
  • Double click “FA Trade Form,”
  • Fill out the form completely,
  • Address the form to “BASE TRADES MONTH” (e.g. “SEA TRADES MAY” but please change to whatever your base and the correct month is of course), and
  • Push “Send” (in the upper left corner of the form).

 

In the short term AFA will file a contractual grievance alleging violation of the Contract Implementation Schedule and looking forward…

 

In the short term AFA will file a contractual grievance alleging a violation of the Contract Implementation Schedule. Looking forward, AFA recommends all flight attendants carefully consider the implications of bidding 4k pairings for June and July if they cannot be automatically traded until August. Remember, nobody is required to bid for these pairings at all.

 

AFA is extremely disappointed in these most recent developments

 

Once again AFA is extremely disappointed in these most recent developments with regard to trading of 4k pairings.

 

* * *

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; MEC Grievance chairperson Jennnifer Wise MacColl; and

 

Your Contract Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

AFA Alaska

As of 6:30pm Pacific Time, the Master Executive Council (MEC) still has not heard any additional information from management in regards to paychecks possibly not being viewable in Peoplesoft on time. Many members of management have been reportedly tied up in Beyond Service Experience preparation. However, AFA has received word directly from flight attendants that at least some pay details are now available. We are hopeful this is a good sign that initial reports were overstated.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

AFA Alaska

The Master Executive Council (MEC) has learned upcoming paychecks may not be viewable in Peoplesoft due to some problem in payroll. So far management assures us that paychecks will be paid on time but they are working to confirm the details.

 

Unfortunately, rather than learning about this from management the MEC has received our intelligence from line flight attendants who flew with pilots who received text messages from the Company yesterday alerting them of the problem. For what it’s worth we believe the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the Alaska Airlines pilots, was not informed either. The text message allegedly indicated the problem affected pilots and flight attendants. We do not know why only some pilots were informed and the flight attendants were not. We also do not know why it took until today to confirm the issue.

 

AFA is extremely disappointed in the lack of communication by Alaska Airlines management with the flight attendants and the union representing them. That being said, we will continue to seek updates from management and AFA is advocating that management produce timely information as soon as possible.

 

In solidarity,

 

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

AFA Alaska

Have questions about PBS and the way your schedule is built? Steve Poynter and Rebecca Asbell from the PBS Committee as well as Kelly Yeager and Sabrina Blevins from Crew Planning will be available to answer all of your questions in the Seattle Base.

May 7th:  9:AM – 3:PM

May 8th:  5:AM – 1:PM

Please stop by and get all of your questions answered!

 

Dear San Diego Flight Attendants:

For those of you who are new to the AFA-CWA structure, our Constitution and Bylaws mandate that the Board of Directors convene once a year to conduct union business.  Brice and I will be attending the Board of Directors meeting from April 27th through 30th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Constitution and Bylaws also require all councils to bring forward the agenda items to their members.  You will have the opportunity to review and discuss each agenda item at a union meeting with the LEC officers.  We have scheduled our LEC meeting on April 16 from 1 to 3 PM in the Shipley Media Center, located in terminal two, at the San Diego airport.

As your LEC President, I vote on your behalf on these agenda items and the budget.  In order to best represent you, it is imperative that your LEC Officers have your feedback when placing these votes.

To review all agenda items please click on the link below. If you cannot attend the meeting, but would like to discuss any of the agenda items, please feel free to contact me.

For a full index of agenda items visit http://afa-bod.org/index-of-agenda-items/.

In solidarity,

Stephen Couckuyt
AFA SAN Council 15 President
san15pres@gmail.com
760-641-5664 (cell)

AFA Council 15 Logo

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