Pick up begins in some localities beginning tomorrow, March 9th
Our new Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) the iPhone 6+ will be ready for pick up in some localities beginning tomorrow, March 9th. Distribution will continue through the system over the next six weeks or so. This is a very exciting development, as the iPhone 6+ will eventually replace our Flight Attendant Manual and it will also contain our contract. (Yes, a printed version of the contract will also be available and so far we’re looking on track for publication in middle to late spring.) Keep in mind that nobody is required to carry the IMD until Wednesday, May 6th. “Early Adopters” of the IPhone 6+ IMD are converted to the general policy starting tomorrow, which means many of the special protections of that program will no longer apply.
The IMD is a tool of convenience but exposes a flight attendant to many potential liabilities
The Inflight Mobile Device is an extremely adaptable tool of convenience. However by nature of its functionality, the IMD exposes a flight attendant to many potential personal liabilities. AFA was hoping to have ample opportunity to thoroughly vet all implications of the Company policy surrounding the IMD. Unfortunately, the policy itself and related materials were going through changes right up to the publication of Inflight bulletin 2015-0057 “Your iPhone 6+ Pick Up!” on Thursday, March 5th. Additionally, Management announced to AFA the official start of full distribution only very recently.
AFA cannot overstate the importance of exercising caution with the IMD
AFA cannot overstate the importance of exercising caution with how you use the Inflight Mobile Device. In our opinion, simply adhering to Company policy does not provide adequate protections. Just because the iPhone 6+ can be used in a more expansive manner does not mean you should use it that way.
Location, location, location
Although the location services can be manually turned off, by default the iPhone 6+ IMD is configured with the location function on. Between the required app “Airwatch” that comes pre-installed and the device’s pre-existing location features, the IMD could be used as a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker by Alaska Airlines management. So far AFA has not become aware of any intent by management to use it in such a manner. However, we believe management might go there if a flight attendant were under investigation for pending discipline and management thought the IMD would provide additional information in any way.
Utilize the IMD as a work tool only
AFA urges you to utilize the iPhone 6+ Inflight Mobile Device only as a work tool. Turn it on to ensure you’ve synced your IMD within 24 hours of check-in and to verify the battery’s charge level. Otherwise it should remain off until shortly before scheduled check-in. If you are coming off of a layover then turn on the IMD shortly before boarding. If you use the device in any capacity while at work then assume a supervisor is looking over your shoulder each and every time. Turn the IMD off after the last passenger steps off the aircraft at the conclusion of your sequence (or after you check your email if you’re on Reserve).
Maintain a clear separation between anything personal and the IMD
Do not sync the Inflight Mobile Device to any personal devices. Do not attach any personal accounts to the IMD (email, social media, etc.). Do not download personal media (e.g. photos, music, etc.) to the IMD. Do not purchase or access any apps for personal use. Essentially, you must maintain a clear separation between anything personal and the IMD or else you are exposed to unnecessary liability.
Summary of Initial Recommendation
In summary: use the Inflight Mobile Device at work (or minimally while off-duty) only for work-related purposes and adhere to Company policy. Then you will receive all the benefits of an extremely flexible work tool with none of the drawbacks of personal liability. Finally, the IMD should never leave the five “safe zones” while on duty: in the approved carrying pouch attached to the cart, in beverage cart drawers, in galley compartments (although be aware the device could be easily forgotten here), in a crew bag or on your person. While off duty, the IMD ideally should never leave your crew bag except briefly to charge and to sync the device at the appropriate time in preparation for duty.
More information will be forthcoming
More information will be forthcoming in regards to the iPhone 6+ Inflight Mobile Device.
* * *
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and MEC Grievance chairperson Jennifer Wise MacColl
Background
On May 1st, 2012, Alaska Airlines management unilaterally made a significant change to the employee travel pass policy. Effective that day, almost all Alaska Airlines employees who had previous service with Horizon Air had their year of hire adjusted to their Alaska Air Group (AAG) date of hire for the purposes of non-revenue travel priority. Over three hundred (300) employees had their travel seniority changed—approximately one hundred fifty (150) of them flight attendants. All former Horizon employees hired after July 1, 2012, have received their Alaska date of hire as their travel seniority.
AFA and ALPA filed grievances in response
AFA and ALPA filed grievances in response to that change. This was not something we undertook lightly, because many of our flight attendants are former Horizon employees. Ultimately, however, the Master Executive Council (MEC) filed the grievance because we felt—and still feel—that the Company’s actions abrogated our seniority. Seniority is the bedrock of our contract and the guiding principle governing our work rules. The grievance was intended to protect our contract and the workgroup as a whole, not to hurt a group of flight attendants.
Recent developments
ALPA recently settled its grievance, and now management has informed us that it will respond to our grievance by rolling back the travel seniority of Alaska flight attendants and pilots who are former Horizon employees. The Company is not rolling back the travel seniority of former Horizon employees in any other work group.
AFA believes the grievance is not resolved
AFA has told management that we do not believe that the grievance is fully resolved. The MEC is evaluating its options and determining its next steps. We will, of course, keep you informed of any developments. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact your local officers.
***
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; MEC Grievance Chairperson Jennifer Wise MacColl; and AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput
Council 19 Local Base Meeting
When: April 8, 2015
Where: Hampton Inn- across from Alaska Flight Ops
Time: 11am
It’s that time of the year when your AFA Officers are preparing for the annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting and we need to discuss the agenda items for the BOD and seek your input. We will be posting the agenda items for review and look forward to discussing them with you at the April meeting.
We welcome our Sisters and Brothers from Horizon Council 16 to this meeting!
LEC Scheduling Committee
Many of you have reached out expressing interest for the local scheduling committee. This is a new committee for Alaska AFA and we are working through the process of establishing the foundation of the committee. Currently, the LEC Presidents are seeking out their local chairs and your SEA Officers are proud to present your LEC Scheduling Chair, Erik Velez!
Erik will be working with the Seattle Officers over the next few months to select the local committee and we will be reaching out to everyone who had contacted us.
Contacting your LEC Officers and Committee Members
Your LEC Officers and Committee members would like to ask for you help on this issue- While we realize the importance of finding solutions to your issues as quick as possible we would like to ask that you only reach out to one person at a time. There are many times where several of us get the same email or phone call and we each begin the process of working through the issue and duplicate efforts. If you have not heard back from your first point of contact within 24 hours then feel free to reach out to another person on the list.
Your Committee members fly a full line of time and the majority of your officers also fly and there are times where it takes us a few hours to return a call.
We appreciate your help and understanding with this request!
Grievance Update
All 5 of your Council 19 Officers and Jarod McNeill, are grievance trained and ready to assist with any disciplinary meetings/questions. Remember, you have a right to bring in an AFA representative to any meeting with management. With that said, you also have an obligation to return phone calls from management. If you receive a call from management and have any questions please reach out one of the six grievance representatives and we will be happy to discuss the issue with you.
Uniform Guidelines
There is a lot of confusion over the changes to the uniform policy and each supervisor appears to have a different approach to the changes. Your MEC Grievance Chair, Jen Wise-MacColl is working with the MEC and the MEC Uniform Chair, Bob Moore, on the proposed changes and how these changes will affect our group. Once we have received the proposed language from the company we will be communicating with the members. In the mean time, if you have questions please reach out to one of your Officers for assistance.
Implementation Update
March 2nd, 2015 additional contractual provisions were put into place which include the following:
11.C.3.a. – b. – No pre-plotted ER days:
Flight Attendants who bid and are awarded a reserve line will have no pre-plotted ER days. Please be aware the company may convert a Reserve to ER a maximum of two (2) times per bid month, including a lineholder who has picked up reserve days. If you receive voluntary/involuntary conversions you will receive premium pay for the converted duty period, if flown, but no less than 1.0 TFP paid above the guarantee for ER conversions if not used.
LTFA preferences:
The LTFA preferences are live and being utilized by Crew Scheduling. There are many options available to Reserve Flight Attendants, which may assist in your quality of life. The fly/pass preferences refer to those Reserves who want to go First Out (fly) or Last Out (pass).
For example:
Pass/Fly 4k Night Flying
2 day PM FA1 preferences Fly Y N
2 day PM FA2 preferences Pass N Y
If Crew Scheduling is looking to award a 2-day sequence with night flying they will assign it to FA2. FA1 is asking to go out first, but does not want a night flying sequence, FA2 is asking to go out last but wants a night flying sequence. In an attempt to provide both FA1 and FA2 with their preferences, FA1 is bypassed and FA2 is awarded the sequence.
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Pass/Fly 4k Night Flying
3 day AM FA1 preferences Fly N N
3 day AM FA2 preferences Fly Y Y
If Crew Scheduling is looking to award a 3-day sequence with 4k flying they will assign it to FA2. FA1 is positioned to go out first, but does not want a 4k sequence, FA2 is positioned to go out first as well but below FA1 in the LTFA however s/he is willing to accept a 4k sequence. In an attempt to provide both FA1 and FA2 with their preferences, FA1 is bypassed and FA2 is awarded the sequence.
——————————————————————————-
In the past our LTFA list was based on days of availability, classification and TFP. With our new system there are preferences that may or may not change the way in which the order of assignment is awarded. With any change there are always challenges and opportunities. If you have concerns, comments or questions please feel free to bring those forward to your Local Reserve Committee. Providing us with both positive and negative feedback will assist your leadership in reviewing these newly implemented preferences.
Distribution begins on Monday
Alaska Airlines management will begin distributing the iPhone 6+ as our Inflight Mobile Device beginning on Monday, March 9, 2015. Distribution will continue over the next six weeks. There will be no less than twenty-one days available per domicile to pick up the device with additional accommodations made for the Los Angeles co-terminals. Management will provide dedicated staff to distribute the device.
Flight Attendants will be compensated 0.5 TFP for picking up the iPhone 6+
AFA and management have agreed to pay and credit flight attendants one-half (0.5) TFP for simply picking up the iPhone 6 Plus. The 0.5 TFP will serve as a “bonus” towards achieving the Quarterly Productivity Premium (QPP) in whatever quarter the device is picked up (Q1 for March, Q2 for April). The estimated amount of time to pick up the device is between five and fifteen minutes. However, flight attendants should allot up to a half-hour. The pay will be reflected in the flight attendant’s next adjustment check associated with the date of device pick up. “Early adopters” who have already received the iPhone 6+ will likewise be paid and credited one-half (0.5) TFP.
Arrangement for pick up
Flight attendants may pick up the iPhone 6+ either on or off duty. A Flight attendant who does not have scheduled flying or airport standby during the scheduled pick up dates must make arrangements with Inflight supervisor to receive her or his device at a mutually agreed-upon time and place. Nobody will be disciplined for not picking up the iPhone 6+ during the required period but everybody will be issued a device and are expected to make a good faith effort to facilitate this process.
Los Angeles co-terminal arrangements
For Los Angeles-based flight attendants who wish to pick up her or his iPhone 6+ in a co-terminal, she or he must pre-arrange to do so through a sign-up process. No less than two days will be available in Burbank (BUR), two days in Ontario (ONT) and five days in Orange County (SNA). Each co-terminal session will be no less than six hours and targeted around scheduled crew check-in times.
Pick up does not constitute training
This is not training. Nobody is expected to start using the Inflight Mobile Device for a couple months. For now, the iPhone 6+ is being issued simply in order to familiarize flight attendants with the device. Additional training will occur at a later date prior to any required use.
More information about the Inflight Mobile Device
A copy of the Inflight Mobile Devices Distribution Letter of Agreement is here. We know many of you will have additional questions. More information regarding the Inflight Mobile Device will be forthcoming in the next few days.
* * *
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt
Many of us are excited to soon resume service to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), but for the crew who are laying over there, their stay in suburban Virginia may not be so exciting. Despite an official recommendation by the AFA Hotel Committee for another property, management has selected an inferior hotel for crew accommodations.
How Hotel Selection Works
When a layover hotel in a new city needs to be selected or a hotel contract is up for renewal in an existing city, members of management and the AFA Hotel Committee visit the prospective hotels. Each hotel is evaluated for safety, cleanliness, quality, and to ensure it will meet the needs of our Flight Attendants. The Hotel Committee issues their official recommendation to management, who makes the final decision.
Management Isn’t Listening
The message that has been sent to our Flight Attendants is clear: sorry, you’re just not worth it.
Despite an official recommendation from the Hotel Committee and the urging of the MEC, management has decided to ignore the AFA recommendation for the IAD layover hotel. Under the new contract, when management selects a hotel that the Hotel Committee disagrees with, the MEC can request a written explanation from the division leader detailing the reason why the hotel was chosen (§34.A.1.c)
In an email from the MEC, Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider was asked to provide her detailed explanation in accordance with the contractual language. The response, provided by Director of Crew Strategy & Administration Chad Koehnke, cited cost savings, payment discounts, and contractual terms that favored the company as the reasons for choosing the selected hotel over the preferred hotel recommended by AFA. The message that has been sent to our Flight Attendants is clear: sorry, you’re just not worth it.
Have Hotel Problems? Write It Up!
If you happen to be flying an IAD trip and have feedback to provide about the new layover hotel (or any layover hotel in any city), be sure to share it by writing a feedback report in CrewCare. Reports submitted through CrewCare are automatically routed to the ALPA and AFA Hotel Committees as well as management—they will hear what you have to say. You can access CrewCare by following the link on the main page of the Flight Attendant website or by visiting http://www.alaskaaircrew.com.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt
Note: To protect crewmember privacy, hotel names are not mentioned in this post as this article is posted on the AFA Alaska website. Information about crew hotels is available in the FA Crew Hotel Info conference in FirstClass.
Researchers from Harvard University are continuing their study of Flight Attendant health and need your help in collecting information. You’ll find a letter below regarding the study and what you can do to help. Your participation matters; please take a moment to take the survey now if you haven’t already.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow, Stephen Couckuyt and MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Chairperson Seth Heiple
Dear Flight Attendant,
We keep climbing, but we are only 50% towards our goal for participation, so we extended our deadline to March 8th. Get your survey completed by 3/8/15 11:59 PM PST and you will automatically be entered into a raffle for an Apple Watch. We need YOU! We’ve doubled our numbers in the last few days, so we know you can do it.
Our results will only be as strong as our participation. The more flight attendants who tell us about their health, the better our knowledge will be. Have you retired or changed jobs? Have you participated in other flight attendant studies? Have you started the survey, but haven’t had time to complete it? Do you only have time to take it on your phone or tablet? Great, you’re still eligible to participate—the only requirement for participation is that you worked as a flight attendant in the past.
Take 15 to 20 minutes of your time to inform our understanding of flight attendant health for YEARS to come. Join us at Harvard University School of Public Health by
Following this link to the Survey: www.fahealth.org/harvard-study
Also, please let your friends know that ALL flight attendants are welcome to participate. We’ve heard some flight attendants have not received an email from us or maybe our email was caught in spam, so please spread the word that ANY former or current flight attendant can take the survey at www.fahealth.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Eileen McNeely, Principal Investigator, Flight Attendant Health Study
Dr. Sara Gale, Project Manager, Flight Attendant Health Study
Harvard School of Public Health
Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Research
Landmark Center, Room 3-098
401 Park Drive, P.O. Box 15697
Boston, MA 02115
617-384-8861
www.fahealth.org
With the recent ratification of our new contract, your Master Executive Council (MEC) has started the process of forming a Scheduling Committee as outlined in section 27.P.2. Many other carriers, both AFA and non-AFA, have a Scheduling Committee responsible for reviewing and discussing scheduling concerns with management. The Scheduling Committee will ensure that our Flight Attendants have strong representation when it comes to any scheduling-related concerns.
The Committee Structure
At Your Base (LEC Level)
Within each domicile, the Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers will be responsible for appointing a Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson and Committee Members. Your Local Scheduling Committee will be responsible for collecting and researching concerns related to scheduling, hours of service, and trading. They will work with management to resolve concerns and potential contractual violations presented by Flight Attendants. In addition, local committees will gather feedback regarding bidding and pairing construction from Flight Attendants and share this information with the PBS and Pairing Construction Subcommittees.
At the Airline (MEC Level)
The MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson will coordinate the activities of the Local Scheduling Committees across the airline. The MEC Chairperson is responsible for supporting the Local Committee Chairperson and Local Committee Members in their interactions with management and providing any necessary resources. In addition, the MEC Chairperson will coordinate and lead the Scheduling Review Board, a meeting between AFA and management to be held every two weeks to address and resolve scheduling related issues before referring them to the grievance process.
PBS and Pairings
The Scheduling Committee also contains the PBS Subcommittee and Pairing Construction Subcommittee. The two subcommittees, each led by an MEC Vice Chairperson, represent Flight Attendant interests in their areas of expertise. Each Local Scheduling Committee will work closely with the subcommittees to share Flight Attendant feedback and help improve these systems and our quality of life.
Who Will I Contact?
Once appointed by your LEC Officers, your Local Scheduling Committee will be your point of contact for any concerns you have. Each Local Scheduling Chairperson and Committee Member will help Flight Attendants to address and resolve concerns or potential contractual violations. Contact information will be posted at http://afaalaska.org/scheduling after committee appointments have been made.
How Do I Get Involved?
Local Scheduling Committees will soon be formed in each base. Within each base, the LEC Officers will appoint a Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson and Committee Members. If you’re interested in serving on the Scheduling Committee, please contact your LEC President. You can find contact information at http://afaalaska.org/locals, then by clicking on the link for your base.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt
At a meeting held earlier this week, your Master Executive Council (MEC) interviewed candidates for the position of MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson. In total, six candidates interviewed for the position (five Seattle-based Flight Attendants and one Anchorage-based Flight Attendant). The MEC would like to thank those candidates for stepping forward in the spirit of Union service. After much discussion, the MEC has appointed Jake Jones to the position.
About Jake
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. Recently, he served as a Negotiating Committee Member for the past three years on our new collective bargaining agreement. He holds an AA in Business Administration and Management. Prior to working for Alaska Airlines, he was in the banking industry for seven years. His partner Jeff is an Alaska CSA and they live in Auburn, WA with their two dogs Shanti and Houston.
Local Scheduling Committees Forming Soon
More opportunities for involvement are coming up, as Local Scheduling Committees will be forming soon within each domicile. If you are interested in serving on the Local Scheduling Committee, contact your LEC President. You can find contact information for your LEC President through the Local Councils page of the AFA Alaska website at http://afaalaska.org/locals.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt
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