Dear Flight Attendants,
Hello Seattle Flight Attendants,
Please find the attached minutes from the April 16th base meeting. Also included with the minutes is the Next Generation Program resolution that was unanimously passed at the meeting.
The AFA Board of Directors meeting begins Sunday and the election of International Officers occurs on Tuesday morning. If you would like to direct your votes for these International Officer elections please email Laura Masserant at lmasserant@yahoo.com before 6am Tuesday morning.
Dear Flight Attendants,
Researches from Harvard University have contacted us seeking assistance in finding Flight Attendants to participate in a health study to help better understand the health implications of our profession. The researchers are ideally seeking candidates who, in addition to having a layover in Boston, will have approximately two weeks off during which the candidate is not planning to travel by air. The two weeks off may occur either immediately prior to or following the Boston layover. Having two weeks free of air travel is not a requirement of the study however and any Flight Attendant working a trip that includes a layover in Boston is encouraged to volunteer. A letter from the Harvard researchers and information about how to participate can found by clicking here.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
Resources
- Letter from Harvard Researchers: http://alaskamec.org/latest-news/harvard-flight-attendant-health-study-researchers-letter
- Flight Attendant Health Study Website: http://fahealth.org
Dear Flight Attendants,
The follow up AFA negotiations survey by Hart Research Associates will begin this evening. The first phase is a phone interview, which will be capped at a limited number of respondents. Calls will begin at approximately 5pm PDT and will continue until 9pm PDT. This will be repeated each evening for 4-5 days or until we have reached the cap–whichever occurs first. Only Flight Attendants for which we have already received an updated phone number will be eligible to participate in the limited phone interviews.
Important: Interviewers from Hart Research Associates will display as “blocked” or “restricted” on caller ID. Unfortunately there was no way around this. You must be prepared to answer a blocked or restricted call between 5pm and 9pm PDT. Hart will not leave a message and there is no call back number. If you are not able to participate in the phone survey, you will have the opportunity to take the Internet survey which will be live after completion of phase one phone interviews.
April-May Negotiations Timeline*
* Dates are approximate. Following Negotiating Committee appointments, negotiations training for the second round NC is anticipated sometime between the week of April 21 and the next mediation session on May 13.
Week of April 21: AFA negotiations phone survey conducted by Hart Research Associates to be live for 4-5 nights.
Week of April 28: AFA negotiations email survey conducted by Hart Research Associates to be released following completion of the phone survey. Email survey to be live for approximately one week.
Week of May 5: Survey results provided by Hart Research Associates to second round Negotiating Committee
Week of May 12: Round two of mediation begins in Tempe, AZ
May 20: System-wide solidarity action (details to follow)
Once the phone interviews have been completed, the Internet survey will begin shortly thereafter.
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow; and
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,
Below is the link to the minutes from our latest Local Council Meeting held on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in the Vancouver Room at PDX Airport. A special thanks to all of our Council 39 Officers, Committee Members and Chairs, and Members who attended!
Click here to see the Local Council Meeting Minutes >>
If you have any questions about the minutes or the meeting itself, please contact LEC President Cathy Gwynn at catgwynn@comcast.net.
In Solidarity,
Your LEC Officers – Cathy Gwynn and Brian
Dear Flight Attendants,
Harvard has been conducting flight attendant health studies since 2007. Many of you have already participated. Thank you for your participation—-only with your participation can we learn more about our health.
The Harvard team is committed to specifically investigating Flight Attendant health conditions over time, similar to the well-known Nurses’ Health Study research at Harvard.
For your information, some of the study results are posted on the website FAhealth.org.
In the next couple of months, Harvard researchers are inviting Flight Attendants bidding the Boston trip to participate in a study investigating exposure to chemical substances prevalent in the general environment, and specifically, in the aircraft cabin, by analyzing blood samples from flight attendants.
The Boston trip is an accessible location for Harvard researchers to take samples. Some Flight Attendants at Alaska have already participated in this study by meeting the Harvard team at the hotel after arrival in Boston and donating a serum sample and hand wipe sample. (Researchers use an alcohol swab to sweep any possible dust particles off the surfaces of the hands.)
To obtain a better picture of exposure, we need more Flight Attendants to participate. Participants are given a gift in appreciation when they arrive in Boston.
In addition, the researchers are looking for the rare occasion when Flight Attendants have time off—at least 2 weeks—in order to compare the blood level of chemicals during a time when the flight attendant is not working on the aircraft (and not flying as a passenger) with blood levels after flying again. This “wash out” period can occur either before or after a Flight Attendant comes to Boston (Harvard would use a mobile lab technician to take a blood sample at a location convenient for you). This “wash out” information is particularly important to separate aircraft exposures from other sources.
Even if you do not anticipate an upcoming leave, Harvard still wants you to consider participation. The investigators are interested to know whether specific chemical substances are at higher levels in Flight Attendants than the general population. Because some of these chemicals have been associated with endocrine disruption in a small group of animal and human studies, the research team is interested to know about the impact on flight attendants.
If you are willing to participate, please contact Dr. Eileen McNeely to let her know how and when to reach you. She will answer any further questions you have about the research: emcneely@hsph.harvard.edu.
Dear Flight Attendants,
The Master Executive Council (MEC) is pleased to pass along some additional information to help you get to know the second round Negotiating Committee a little better.
Jeffrey Peterson, AFA-CWA Alaska MEC president
Jeffrey Peterson hails from Anchorage, AK, and graduated from A.J. Dimond High in south Anchorage. Jeff was conferred a Presidential Scholar Award in 1991 and went on to achieve a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. Prior to being a Flight Attendant, he spent several years in hotel management working for Marriott International and a franchise company associated with Marriott Hotels. He started out his Flight Attendant career 15 years ago in Los Angeles. Jeff has also been based in Seattle and now San Diego. Jeff’s term as AFA-CWA Alaska MEC president began on July 1, 2011, and he is in his second term of office which expires December 31, 2016. Jeff currently commutes between his home in San Diego and the AFA office in Seattle, which he believes is a small price to pay for living even part-time in “America’s Finest City.”
“There was a lot of good work done in the previous Tentative Agreement that will provide a framework for the second round of negotiations. With their votes, the membership has communicated a very clear mandate to me as MEC president that the next TA must contain significant improvements. Please guide the bargaining objectives of the Negotiating Committee by completing the follow-up negotiations survey to be released shortly. I am re-energized by the high participation rate of our membership in the TA vote and the unambiguous result. With the assistance of this Negotiating Committee and “Five Bases Standing Strong” behind us, I am confident we will deliver a much-improved TA.”
Kristy Stratton, social media coordinator
Kristy Stratton has been a Los Angeles-based Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant since 2005. In addition to flying, Kristy is an entrepreneur, mother and artist. Her professional history and wide range of experience includes business development, project management and she has been a freelance executive consultant for more than 15 years.
“I am honored to represent our outstanding workgroup with expertise and fortitude to achieve a mutually beneficial and innovative contract which represents our commitment and contributions to the success of our great airline.”
Lisa Pinkston
Lisa Pinkston has been a Flight Attendant at Alaska Airlines since 2005. She is married to “my best friend, Brian,” and she has two daughters, Kinsley (6) and Keeley (3), both of whom she describes as “wonderful.” Lisa loves living in Alaska and enjoys everything that beautiful state has to offer. Prior to joining Alaska Airlines, she held a number of positions in the insurance industry, including writing medical policies for Aetna, adjusting claims at Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and assisting the General Counsel in handling mediation, arbitration, and litigation at State Farm. Lisa is currently serving as AFA-CWA Council 30 Anchorage vice president.
“I am very excited to be a part of the negotiating committee, and I look forward to working towards a contract that recognizes the great contribution and positive spirit our flight attendants bring to our customers and company.”
Jake Jones
Jake Jones is currently serving a second term as vice president of AFA-CWA Council 19 Seattle. Jake is a Seattle-based Flight Attendant and joined the company in 2006. He holds an AA in Business Administration and Management. Prior to working for Alaska Airlines, he was in the banking industry for seven (7) years. His partner Jeff is an Alaska CSA and they live in Auburn, WA with their two dogs Shanti and Houston.
“I’m excited to once again represent Alaska flight attendants in achieving a contract that truly recognizes our contributions and award winning service through increasing compensation, work rules and benefits while continuing to provide financial and long term success to Alaska Air Group.”
Christina Frees
Christina Frees started what she calls “my grown up life” working in the medical field stitching up wounds and what she describes as “poking small children with needles.” Since then, she has worked large scale events for Microsoft across the US. Christina has raised funds for children with cancer and their families with Ronald McDonald House Charities. She has also taught children computer tech skills and worked with children with disabilities in Northshore School District. Christina is a co-owner in a plumbing and contracting business in which her husband has carried on the family trade in Seattle dating back to the 1930s. She became a member of the Alaska family two years ago to “start a new adventure of travel with my family.” Christina has found this job to be more unique than any other she has done.
“In my life, I have always been drawn to advocate for others. I’m a mother of three–ages 20, 14 and 12–and couldn’t be more honored and excited to advocate on behalf of this wonderful and unique work group. Looking forward to the work ahead!”
Congratulations to your second round Negotiating Committee!
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
Dear Flight Attendants,
Your Master Executive Council (MEC) interviewed for the second round Negotiating Committee on April 17th and 18th at the AFA Alaska office in Seattle, WA. The MEC was joined by Council 39 Vice President-elect Steven Maller in addition to Council 39 President Cathy Gwynn. Since the Council 39 Portland presidency is in a run-off election for the next term of office, Steven is the highest confirmed officer-elect at present. Although not required by the AFA Constitution and Bylaws (C&B), Cathy extended the invitation for Steven to attend and provide input for Council 39. Council 18 LAX Vice President Kelly Johnson sat in as Local Executive Council (LEC) President Sandra Morrow’s designee on behalf of Council 18. Sandra Morrow was unavailable because she is at home expecting her first set of grandchildren any moment–twins, in fact!
As a reminder, under the AFA C&B the voting members of the MEC are the LEC presidents (LECPs) or their designees in accordance with the C&B. As the directly-elected representatives of membership, the LECPs are guided by the will of their membership. The MEC executive officers (president, vice president and secretary-treasurer) provide recommendations but do not have a vote except in the case of a tie amongst the LECPs, in which case the MEC president may break the tie.
The following candidates applied for the positions: Karina Cameron-Fetters, Christina Frees, Jake Jones, Kenny Kasel, Lisa Pinkston, Kristy Stratton, Bryan Wall and Erik Velez. There were many factors to consider in the decision-making process, including but not limited to membership feedback, previous experience, specific skills, demographics (i.e. seniority, domicile, etc.) and how individual personalities would affect the committee’s “chemistry.”
After much discussion, the MEC unanimously arrived at the same appointments. Keep in mind that per Article VII.C.2.a.(5) of the AFA C&B, the MEC president is automatically a member of the Negotiating Committee by virtue of holding the office.Your MEC is pleased to announce your second round Negotiating Committee:
- MEC President Jeffrey Peterson
- Kristy Stratton*, social media coordinator
- Lisa Pinkston
- Jake Jones
- Christina Frees
* The second round Negotiating Committee will not have an alternate like the first round committee. The MEC petitioned AFA-CWA International President Veda Shook for an additional committee member per Section VI.A.1.c of the C&B. Veda has verbally approved the request and given permission to communicate regarding the fourth member of the committee, Kristy Stratton.
The MEC recognizes the power that social media had on the previous Tentative Agreement. Kristy will be present as an additional set of eyes throughout the process. An agenda item in regard to social media is an agenda item for the upcoming AFA-CWA Board of Directors meeting next week. Following the BOD, the MEC will communicate a formal social media policy and Kristy will be working with us to maximize the power of social media in the second round negotiations.
There is much work to be done and the second round Negotiating Committee will be hitting the ground running in the coming weeks. However, let’s take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of the first round Negotiating Committee. The MEC sincerely thanks Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters and Jake Jones for their years of dedication and personal sacrifice. They built a solid foundation with their own blood, sweat and tears; that effort will not be forgotten!
The follow up negotiations survey will begin this coming week and the initial second round mediation session is scheduled for the week of May 12th in Tempe, AZ. A separate introduction to the second round Negotiating Committee will follow.
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
Come Join Us on May 8th in Seattle!
Hello Seattle Flight Attendants!
Many of you have expressed a desire to show your solidarity for the upcoming Alaska Airlines shareholders meeting on May 8th. Because the shareholder’s meeting is held in Anchorage, AK this year your LEC Officers would like to offer you a chance to “don your blue AFA t-shirt” and show your solidarity here in Seattle.
We need volunteers to be available between 5am and 11am on this day. If you are interested in participating in the Seattle solidarity event please meet us in the food court in the Sea-Tac airport between these times and we will assign you your post!
The Anchorage base is holding an informational picketing event for this event this year which will mirror the event Seattle hosted last year. Remember, we are not allowed to use pass privileges to fly to Anchorage and participate in an informational picketing event, but we can definitely show our solidarity here in Seattle!
If you have any questions please reach out to any of your Council 19 Officers!
We hope to see you there-
Laura, Jake, Linda, and Tonnette
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