July 17, 2014 12:08

Turn the Airport RED – Solidarity Activity on Tuesday, July 22^nd

The Negotiating Committee went back to the table with management last week and needs your support as they continue negotiating for the contractual improvements we deserve!

Let’s show management we’re serious about our contract negotiations!

Join us on Tuesday, July 22^nd for our next airport solidarity event. Volunteers are needed to demonstrate our strong presence at each of the five bases. We’ll also be distributing new RED solidarity items to Flight Attendants!

Can the Negotiating Committee count on you?

We still need volunteers in all five bases during the following time slots:

ANC – 1 to 4 PM

SEA – 5 to 9 AM, 11 AM to 4 PM, 5 to 10 PM

PDX – 5:30 to 8 AM, 8 to 10:30 AM

LAX – 5 to 8:30 AM, 8:30 AM to 12 PM, 1 to 4:30 PM

SAN – 8 to 11:30 AM

Click here to sign up for a time slot now

By volunteering just a few hours out of your day, you’ll help to solidify our strong presence at the airport and help management see RED in our five bases!

Already flying that day?

Be on the lookout for Mobilization Volunteers at each of the five bases throughout the day. They’ll be clearly visible in new RED AFA t-shirts. When you see them, ask them for your new RED solidarity items!

Questions?

Contact your Local Mobilization Committee Chairperson for more information. You can find contact information at alaskamec.org/mobilization.

In solidarity,

Your Master Executive Council, Negotiating Committee and Mobilization Committee

July 15, 2014 07:52

Hello Seattle Flight Attendants,

We want to remind you of the upcoming July 22 RED HOT MOBILIZATION event at SEA-TAC airport!

We will be handing out the new RED HOT BLING!

When: July 22, 2014

Where: Meet in the Central Annex Room, Mezzanine Level of the airport

Time: 5 to 9 am; 11 am to 4 pm; and 5 pm to 10 pm.

Parking is paid if you park on levels 3, 5, 6, 7 and stop by the Central Annex Room for a parking ticket from 5am-5pm.

We will also have refreshments available!

This is a system wide Mobilization event and if you cannot attend in Seattle try to attend in any of the bases:

Portland: 5:30 to 8:00 am and 8:00 to 10:30 am

Los Angeles: 5 to 8:30 am, 8:30 am to Noon and 1 to 4:30 pm

San Diego: 8 am to 11:30 am

Questions? Email Seattle LEC Mobilization Chair, Krystle Cook:

kcook907@gmail.com

Five Bases Standing Strong!

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Open Enrollment AFA Supplemental Benefits

Remember this week National Group Protection is visiting the Seattle Base! If you would like more information on what the program offers or if you want to sign up please stop by the Seattle Inflight Room:

Monday 7/14 thru Saturday 7/19 only!

*Must enroll in person *Payroll deductions start in October

*All plans go with you if you retire or separate from the company

1. Accident coverage on & off the job (covers spouse and children, too).

Get $60/person back each year for wellness screenings.

2. Critical illness coverage – Cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, organ transplant, guaranteed coverage – no health questions, spouse too!

Get $50/person back each year for wellness screenings

3. Whole life insurance – employee, spouse, children, or grandchildren. Builds cash value!

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Change in Flight Attendant Retirement Plan Account

Flight Attendants enrolled in the Flight Attendant Retirement Plan may have noticed a change to their account. Over the past few weeks Vanguard transferred your “frozen” Flight Attendant retirement account into your current 401(k) account. This consolidation combines both accounts under a single account number, your 401(k) account number.

Information was mailed to your home, but if you have questions about this change please reach out to Vanguard:

Online: https://personal.vanguard.com/us/JSP/RegLogOn/Regis/RegActivityContent.jsf to sign up for account access. You will need your plan number for this registration. If you already have an online account with Vanguard your current name and password will enable you to access your accounts.

By phone: Call the 24-hour interactive VOICE network at 800-523-1188. You will need a personal identification number (PIN) to use VOICE. To create a PIN follow the prompts.

With Personal Assistance: Vanguard Participant Services associates are available to assist you at 800-523-1188 Monday-Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., (PST).

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Save the dates for August!

August 20^th is the AFA-CWA RED HOT SUMMER PICNIC at Angle Lake Park.

Time: 1pm – 5pm

Bring the family and wear your RED HOT shirts!

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Salads, and Desserts!

Balloons, Games and Face Painting for the kids!

Council 19 is hosting the picnic and we are looking for volunteers to help set up, cook, bring salads, desserts and more!

Stay tuned for a volunteer sign up sheet!

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August 27^th is the next airport MOBILIZATION event during the week of mediation!

Stay tuned for more information of this fun-filled event!

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Remember to stay informed, stay connected, and show your SOLIDARITY by wearing your RED AFA pin!

In solidarity,

Laura, Jake, Linda, Stephanie, and Adam

July 10, 2014 00:25

Dear Flight Attendants,

AFA resumed mediation this week with Alaska Airlines management at the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, DC. Management was represented by Shane Tackett, vice president of Labor Relations; Andy Schneider, vice president of Inflight Services; Elizabeth Ryan, managing director of Labor Relations-Air; Mike Link, manager of Inflight Labor & Work Performance; and Patrick Sundaresan, division controller for Air, Maintenance & Engineering. Ben Minicucci, chief operating officer (COO), also joined us on the first day. Victoria Gray returned as our federal mediator from the NMB.

AFA presented our opening proposal (AFA Alaska 2014 TA-2 Opening Proposal) and engaged in productive discussions. Management was receptive to some aspects of our proposal and the parties reached an agreement in concept on several items:

Section 9 Junior Available,
Section 11 Reserve,
Section 12 Exchange of Sequences, and
Section 23 Insurance Benefits.

The parties confirmed our August 25^th-28^th session, which is tentatively scheduled for San Francisco, CA. We also scheduled additional dates in early October and November. Unfortunately, our mediator had no availability in September.

The latest negotiations video update recapping this session has been posted.

What can you do between now and our August negotiations? Wear your RED AFA pin, stay informed and stay engaged. More information about upcoming solidarity events in July and August is at alaskamec.org/mobilization.

Looking for more information or have questions/concerns about negotiations? Visit the negotiations page of the AFA Alaska website, fill out a Negotiations Feedback Form or send the Negotiating Committee an email. Look under our signature line below for all the links!

In solidarity,

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

alaskamec.org/negotiations | negotiations@alaskamec.org | Negotiations Feedback Form

July 10, 2014 00:17

July 3, 2014 20:10

Click here to view the Council 15 July Newsletter >>

In Solidarity,
Your LEC Officers – Stephen Couckuyt, Melanie Buker and Brice McGee

July 3, 2014 11:39

Dear Flight Attendants,

Your Master Executive Council (MEC), Negotiating Committee and Mobilization Committee have been busy planning more solidarity activities this summer. We wanted to get this information into your hands before the Independence Day holiday weekend and before bidding opens in PBS.

Join us at the RED Hot AFA Summer BBQ at Angle Lake Park in SeaTac, WA—right next to the Alaska Airline Corporate Headquarters! The picnic will be on Wednesday, August 20^th in the afternoon. Flight Attendants throughout the system are invited and may utilize non-revenue travel to attend this recreational—and educational—event!

AFA will also conduct a system-wide solidarity activity at each of the Flight Attendant domiciles on the following Wednesday, August 27^th, time TBD. For maximum impact, we are going to withhold the details for now.

Also, remember there is a system-wide solidarity event on Tuesday, July 22^nd. We will be doing another airport walk and handing out the latest swag. Do you think it’s time for a new AFA t-shirt? Come out and join us!

Here are the session times around the system:

ANC: 1pm-4pm
SEA: 5am-9am, 11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm
PDX: 5:30am-8:00am, 8:00am-10:30am
LAX: 5am-8:30am, 8:30am-12pm, 1pm-4:30pm
SAN: 8am-11:30am

Volunteers sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RAUYuw2muX7zk5g55YgWck6sIdXCPbQm_2HPlfm4sn4/viewform.

For more information regarding upcoming mobilization efforts, visit alaskamec.org/mobilization.

In solidarity,

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo; and
MEC Mobilization Chairperson Adam Clarey

July 2, 2014 14:18

Dear Flight Attendants,

This past week the Master Executive Council (MEC) voted to adopt the following resolution to support the continuing efforts of contract airport workers in the Alaska Air Group to organize: AFA Alaska MEC Resolution in Support of AAG Contracted Workers.

Council 19 Seattle President Laura Masserant and MEC Government Affairs Chairperson Bev Bullock have been working with Jonathan Rosenblum, the campaign director for Working Washington, to help promote awareness of contract workers’ plight and their desire to organize throughout our system. Many of you may have one of the bag tags, “AFA Says: Make every airport job a good job” that were handed out last summer in Seattle.

From Laura: “Last summer I had the privilege to speak at a local news conference in the Sea Tac airport where I explained what I see on a daily basis as a Flight Attendant who interacts with the airport workers: broken cleaning equipment, or no equipment; stories from the men and women who fuel the planes about safety and health hazards they experience every day in their jobs; and I witness the wheel chair attendants who push and pull wheelchairs with baggage up and down the jet bridges without assistance. I also shared the stories of how the cleaners cannot call in sick for themselves or for their children for fear of losing their job.”

As union members we enjoy the right to bargain for a contract that provides a safe work environment, duty day limitations, and the ability to bargain for job protections and higher wages. Unorganized workers at many of our airports do not have these rights. This is why the MEC voted to adopt this resolution and why we will continue to support airport workers around the Alaska Air Group system.

In Solidarity,

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

July 1, 2014 16:59

Happy 4th of July!

Dear Seattle Flight Attendants,

Today marks the first day of the new election cycle for your AFA LEC Officers! For the past three years Jake, Linda, Tonnette and I have had the pleasure of serving as your LEC Officers. We jumped into our term with goals to increase communication, reinvigorate committees, and mentor Flight Attendants who are interested in AFA work. It has been hard work, but we have loved every minute of it!
I want to thank Tonnette for her unwavering help and dedication over the past three years. Although she has decided not to continue as an LEC Officer we have managed to convince her to stay on as our Seattle Communication Chair. Tonnette will also work with MEC Vice-President Brian Palmer on helping to manage social media. It is more important than ever that we stay connected with out members and Tonnette is going to be invaluable as our communication chair to help us fulfill this goal!
I am very excited to introduce your new SEA LEC Council Representatives: Stephanie Adams and Adam Clarey!
Hello Seattle Flight Attendants! My name is Stephanie Adams, and I am one of the new Council Representatives in Seattle. Also, I am going to assist flight attendants by doing grievance work. I have been with Alaska Airlines for 19 years, flying for 17 of those years. I am a licensed attorney in Washington, and hope I can put my good education to use! I enjoy traveling and spending time with my two busy children. I can be reached at msadams44@comcast.net and 206-852-4750. I look forward to serving you.
Hello Seattle Flight Attendants- Thank you for electing me as your Council 19 Representative. I grew up in the Seattle area, and have spent most of my life in the state of Washington. I have been a Flight Attendant here at Alaska for over 10 years, spending the last 7 plus years here in Seattle. I’ve been involved with AFA Leadership since 2011 as MEC VOICE and Mobilization Chair. My previous career experience is in marketing and advertising. In my down time I enjoy rooting for my favorite teams “Go Cougs and Sounders,” as well as numerous outdoor adventures such as surfing, camping, golfing, and hiking. I’m excited to bring experience, leadership, and compassion to my role as your new Council 19 Representative. ~Adam Clarey
Stephanie and Adam both start their new terms already grievance trained! Your LEC Officers met in early June to start our transition and to get to know one another a little better. We have a great team in place and we are eager to have 5 grievance-trained officers to assist the Flight Attendants in Seattle. Stephanie and Adam started their grievance training in June and will continue to sharpen their skills with our own AFA Alaska grievance training in August 7. Jake, Linda and I will have Stephanie and Adam assist us in disciplinary meetings, as note takers, to help them understand the process and continue their education. Within six months they will be able to start taking meetings on their own!
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RED HOT SUMMER MOBILIZATION ACTIVITES
I want to thank everyone who came out to the June Seattle Summer Strategy Session. We had a great turn out and even better conversation! We are going to use some of the ideas that came out of this session- stay tuned for your chance to participate in RED HOT Summer activities!
July 22 is the next RED HOT Summer Mobilization activity at the SEA-TAC airport and we have obtained 2 sky bridges for our mobilizers who cannot come thru security! Fore more information on how you can join the fun contact:
Krystle Cook: kcook907@gmail.com
As we move into the next mediation session it is imperative that we show our solidarity- WE ARE FIVE BASES STANDING STRONG! Wear your RED AFA pin! Wear your RED lanyard! New hire Flight Attendants- you are allowed to wear the RED AFA pin and we encourage you to do so! This is our official AFA Alaska pin!
Remember: stay informed and stay connected at: alaskamec.org
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Last week the MEC met with the Negotiating committee for a 2-day training. All of us had a chance to learn what it takes to negotiate at the table with a mock negotiation! I had Lisa Pinkston on my team and I was able to negotiate with Christina Frees on the management team. Let me tell you that both of these ladies have tenacity! I did not get a chance to work with Kristy, but from what I hear she also took the management team to task! Add Paula, Jeff and Jake into this mix and I am hear to tell you that this team is tough, united, and ready to rumble!
During last week the MEC and the Negotiating committee met with Ben Minicucci, Andy Schneider, Elizabeth Ryan, and Mike Link to discuss the executive summary from the Flight Attendant survey. This summary was blasted to all the members last week and if you missed it you can find it at:
http://alaskamec.org/latest-news/negotiations-update-june-26-2014/
The team is flying to Washington DC next week for the first mediation session!
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SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS – 2014 ENROLLMENT

From July 14th—19th, National Group Protection (NGP) will be in the Seattle crew lounge to communicate the AFA supplemental benefit plans.

Please look for the benefit counselor during the on-site enrollment to enroll or make changes to your existing coverage. Note that you can enroll in any of the crew lounges, not just your base location (call NGP for other enrollment dates/locations)

·       Accident Insurance
·       Critical Illness Coverage
·       Whole Life Insurance

There are some benefit enhancements/upgrades this year, so please take the time to sit down with a benefit counselor and review your options. This is also an excellent time to make sure you have filed for your annual health screening benefits, which are part of the accident and critical illness benefit plans.

·       Supplemental – these plans supplement any existing coverage
·       Voluntary – members choose to participate
·       Limited Underwriting – no medical or physical exams required
·       Family Coverage – available with all of the plans
·       Portable – members can continue coverage if they leave the company
·       Payroll Deduction – premiums are paid through payroll deduction

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming enrollment, please contact National Group Protection (NGP) at 800-344-9016.
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Many of you have reached out to us to share your thoughts on negotiations and we continue to ask for your comments and thoughts! It’s important that we hear from you and stay connected to the issues that are important to you.
It is also very important that you reach out to your AFA committees for help with medical leaves, hotel issues, reserve concerns, and uniform issues. Your SEA LEC committee chairs volunteer many hours of their time for our benefit! But, they cannot address issues if they do not hear from you!
o   Benefits: Kathy O’Malley- benefitsassist@hotmail.com
o   EAP: Lisa Haugen- SEAeap@alaskamec.org
o   Hotel: Jodi Snow-   mksnwfm@comcast.net
o   ISC: Linda Christou- lschristou@comcast.net
o   Government Affairs: Bev Bullock- blkbullock@gmail.com
o   Maternity Co Chair: Beth Hogger- ltlkahuna@yahoo.com
o   Maternity Co Chair: Danni K Peterson- dannipeterson252@gmail.com
o   SHSC: Susan Lee- slee@alaskamec.org
o   Reserve: Erik Velez-   eriklvelez@gmail.com
o   Retirement: Tim Roddy-   timroddy@me.com
o   Uniform: Eric Tafoya-   erictafoya@hotmail.com

You can find a complete list of your Seattle AFA Committee members at:
http://alaskamec.org/council-19-committees/
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JA this weekend? At this point the company has no plans to JA. Flight Attendants have contacted me asking about this and I know this is a topic on social media. If there is a need to JA the company will reach out to AFA first and alert us. Once we hear this is a possibility we will communicate to you!
During this RED HOT Summer your Negotiating Committee and you MEC asks that you stay informed, stay connected, and show your solidarity! We are only as strong as our members and we need ALL of our members STANDING STRONG!

In solidarity,
Laura, Jake, Linda, Stephanie, and Adam
Laura Masserant, LEC President- laura.masserant@afaalaska.org- (360) 633-5905
Jake Jones, LEC Vice-President- jjones@alaskamec.org- (206) 617-7499
Linda Christou, LEC Secretary- lschristou@comcast.net- (206) 409-0354
Stephanie Adams, Council Representative- msadams44@comcast.net- (206) 852-4750
Adam Clarey, Council Representative- adamjclarey@gmail.com- (425) 269-3262

June 26, 2014 16:48

Dear Flight Attendants,

Your Negotiating Committee and Master Executive Council (MEC) are wrapping up a busy week. The MEC held its monthly meeting on Monday and Thursday and negotiations training on Tuesday and Wednesday in Seattle, WA.

The Negotiating Committee, the MEC and Mobilization Chair Adam Clarey attended the intensive negotiations training, facilitated by AFA Director of Collective Bargaining Clare Burt, International Staff Representative Guy Bosworth, Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput and Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo. In addition to training, the Negotiating Committee presented the opening proposal for a new contract to the MEC. The opener was unanimously approved by the MEC.

National Mediation Board (NMB) Chairperson Linda Puchala, Senior Mediator Pat Sims and Mediator Victoria Gray met with AFA for a presentation and discussion regarding the NMB and the Railway Labor Act. AFA presented an executive summary of the negotiations survey to management and the NMB in separate sessions.

AFA Hart Negotiations Survey Executive Summary

Negotiations Video Update June 25, 2014

What can you do in the meantime to strengthen our position at the table? We are on the countdown to 100% RED so make sure to wear your RED AFA pin on your uniform! Don’t have one yet? Contact your local Mobilization chairperson: alaskamec.org/mobilization.

In solidarity,

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

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

Negotiations Calendar

July 8-9: Negotiations – NMB, Washington, DC

July 22: Solidarity Event (details TBA) [see alaskamec.org/mobilization]

Week of August 25 (tentative): Negotiations – location TBD

June 26, 2014 16:26

Turn the Airport RED – Solidarity Activity on Tuesday, July 22^nd

Let’s show management we’re serious about our contract negotiations!

Can the Negotiating Committee count on you?

Already flying that day?

Questions?

Click here to view the Council 15 July Newsletter >>

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Turn the Airport RED – Solidarity Activity on Tuesday, July 22nd

Let’s show management we’re serious about our contract negotiations!

Can the Negotiating Committee count on you?

Already flying that day?

Questions?

Click here to view the Council 15 July Newsletter >>

Recent Posts

Local Councils

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Negotiations

Contract

Committees

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Want To Stay In The Loop?

Connect With AFA

Turn the Airport RED – Solidarity Activity on Tuesday, July 22^nd