Latest News – Page 2

August 7, 2026 17:00

In This Edition

Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026
Wrapping Up Membership Engagement Focus Month: Stronger Together
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Next Week’s Events

Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

Originally posted August 3, 2026

Pre-Merger Alaska

From navigating complex leave scenarios to advocating for policy improvements, our pre-merger Alaska Benefits Committee is dedicated to supporting Flight Attendants through every step of the process. Read on for a look at the key highlights from the Committee’s July meeting.

Read More >

Wrapping Up Membership Engagement Focus Month: Stronger Together

Originally posted August 4, 2026

Our Membership Engagement Focus Month has come to a close, and we want to thank you for taking the time to learn about our Committee, explore the work that we’re doing, and discover ways that you can get involved. To wrap up this month of connection, we invite you to watch a special video message from MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson Mischelle Fielsch and our Local Committee Chairpersons highlighting how your engagement is strengthening our AFA family.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Check out this week’s highlights from our social media! Click on a graphic below to view the original post on Instagram. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and news as we share it!

Originally posted August 4, 2026

Next Week’s Events

Monday, August 10	Monthly Hotel Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 13	Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting (pmAS)
Thursday, August 13	Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

August 5, 2026 08:00

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Seattle Based Flight Attendants

SEA Membership Meeting Reminder

A reminder that our first Council 47 Seattle Membership Meeting is just around the corner! If you haven’t already, be sure to register to reserve your seat.

This meeting is your opportunity to hear directly from your Council 47 leadership, receive important updates affecting Seattle Flight Attendants, ask questions, and connect with fellow members as we continue building our new domicile together.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026

⏰ Time: 11AM – 2PM PT

📍 Location: 18000 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 98188
🚗 Parking validation will be provided.
🍱 Lunch will be catered by L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.

Meeting Agenda

Call to Order
Leadership Introductions
Officer Reports and Base Updates
Inflight Service Update w/ guest Bianca McKee — MEC Inflight Service Chair
Seattle Letter of Agreement
Return to Base Letter of Agreement
Committee Reports
Membership Questions & Comments

If you are on Reserve that day and plan to attend if you are not assigned a trip, we encourage you to register.

Registration is required, and attendance is limited to Council 47 members. We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your questions and feedback.

August 4, 2026 18:00

July was a remarkable month for our Membership Engagement Committee. We set out with a clear purpose: to bring our Flight Attendant community closer together, share valuable resources, and build authentic connections throughout our system.

Over the past four weeks, we explored what it means to be engaged in our AFA family. We kicked things off with the campaign launch and a look back at our Committee’s history, then offered behind-the-scenes insights from our MEC Town Halls. We interviewed our MEC Committee Chairperson to deepen our understanding of the Committee’s mission. We spotlighted how your feedback shapes our work, pointed you to resources like the AFA Membership Hub, and showed how to get the most out of the AFA Online Learning Academy. We wrapped up by outlining practical ways you can take that next step and become an AFA volunteer.

Key Takeaways from Our Focus Month

Engagement is Peer-to-Peer: Our Committee Members are fellow Flight Attendants here to support you. Together, we’re committed to creating a strong, Member-driven community where we lift each other up and grow together.
Your Voice Drives Our Union: Your input shapes our direction. Whether you participate in Town Halls or connect with us directly, your perspectives are the driving force behind meaningful change.
Keep The Momentum Going: The campaign ends, but the work doesn’t. Whether you visit afaalaska.org to stay up to date on the latest news or get involved with volunteer opportunities, there are countless ways to stay engaged and help shape our Union’s future.

Watch: A Special Closing Message

To celebrate the conclusion of our Membership Engagement Committee Focus Month, we’ve created a special video featuring MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson Mischelle Fielsch and our Local Membership Engagement Committee Chairpersons. We invite you to take a few moments to watch and hear firsthand how the connections we’re building are shaping the future of our Flight Attendant community.

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

Thank you to everyone who watched our videos, checked out our posts, engaged on social media, and shared your feedback. Your participation is what makes our Union strong.

If you missed any content or want to revisit a resource, please visit the Membership Engagement Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website, check out our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian social media channels, or reach out to your Local Membership Engagement Committee. Let’s keep this momentum going!

August 4, 2026 12:00

The SEA LEC Officers will be conducting interviews for Local Chairpersons for the final round of local committees. During the upcoming September LEC Meeting, interviews will be conducted for the following positions:

Please note: Vice-Chairperson positions will also be appointed from the pool of candidates interviewed at the discretion of the SEA LEC. We encourage all those interested to submit their resume and Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered.

General Qualifications

Qualifications for all Local Chairperson positions include:

Current Alaska AFA Member in good standing
Previous experience as a Committee Member is preferred.
Previous committee-specific training preferred.
Strong ability to lead and coordinate a diverse team in a collaborative environment.
Ability to attend meetings as required, both via videoconference and in person.
Strong computer skills, including a good working knowledge of Google Workspace (email, calendar, Drive, and other applications) and Microsoft 365.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external emails, prepare reports, plan meetings (including scheduling, logistics, and agenda preparation), and take minutes.
Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks.

Qualifications for Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee positions include all of the above, plus:

Current Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Member or Chairperson.

Duties and Responsibilities

Details about each committee’s duties and responsibilities are available on the respective committee pages of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Volunteers page. Additional information regarding Local Committee Chairperson duties and responsibilities is available in the link below:

Duties and Responsibilities

Term of Service

Successful candidates will serve for the upcoming LEC Officer election cycle. Their official term will begin on November 1, 2026 and conclude June 30, 2029.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The LEC will interview eligible candidates during the September regular LEC meeting on Monday, September 21. If you are interested in interviewing, please plan to bid around this date and adjust your schedule accordingly. All interviews will be virtual via Google Meet videoconferencing.

Please submit an expression of interest and your resume using the online form below. The submission deadline is 5pm Pacific Time on Monday, September 7. After the submission deadline, an LEC representative will contact eligible candidates for next steps.

>> Click here to submit an expression of interest form <<

Please note that a Google account is required to submit the expression of interest form. If you don’t have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

August 3, 2026 17:00

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Wednesday, July 22, our pre-merger Alaska Benefits Committee Chairpersons met for their regular monthly meeting. This meeting was an internal AFA-only meeting and did not involve management.

Representing you at the meeting were Ava McWilliams Ellington (LAX), Linda Gunselman (PDX), Sonia Quackenbush (SAN), Kathy O’Malley (SEA), and Julie Pearson (SFO). MEC Benefits Committee Chairperson Dianna Ripley also attended and facilitated the discussion.

The next Benefits Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19.

Discussion Topics

The Committee reviewed challenges in leave processing and discussed administrative protocols to improve Member communication, documentation, and consistency. These included:

Google Workspace Training: The Committee was joined by MEC Communications Committee Chairperson Brian Palmer, who conducted a training session on best practices for use of Google Workspace. Information was shared to improve the Committee’s use of Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and Chat to better coordinate work and more effectively represent Members.
June Committee Metrics: The Committee addressed a high volume of cases, particularly those related to medical and on-the-job injuries. The group raised concerns about systemic issues such as Kaiser benefit terminations for employees returning from leave and payroll deduction errors. We encourage all members to verify their benefit enrollment status promptly upon returning from leave.
Policy Advocacy: The Committee discussed the challenges caused by management’s practice of running Workers’ Compensation and FMLA leave concurrently, which forces Flight Attendants to use personal sick leave for appointments. Advocacy to change this policy is currently being pursued through the Joint Negotiating Committee.

What The Committee Is Working On

Committee Resource Development: We are building a central resource hub for Benefits Committee Members on the internal AFA representative website. By organizing tools and resources in one location, we will be able to assist Flight Attendants more efficiently and effectively.
Maternity Benefits Gap: The Committee is actively pursuing solutions to the potential gap in maternity benefits that can arise when a Flight Attendant begins leave at 29 weeks, especially when coordinating Short-Term Disability and state-paid leave benefits in Washington.
ILOA Handbook Update: The Committee has submitted recommendations for the ILOA Handbook and is awaiting management’s final review.

We Want To Hear From You!

We’re focused on ensuring every Flight Attendant receives accurate information, timely support, and clear guidance when navigating complex benefit and leave situations. If you have questions about the leave process, please connect with your Local Benefits Committee as early as possible. Reaching out before issues arise helps us provide timely guidance and ensures you can make informed, confident decisions about your benefits.

Every question, concern, or suggestion you share helps us advocate more effectively with management and ensures that we focus on what matters most to you. If you have questions or ideas, we encourage you to contact your Local Benefits Committee. Our contact information is always available on the Benefits Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

August 3, 2026 08:00

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

🗣️🦺Communication and Safety Committee Vacancies

Aloha Council 47 Members,

Council 47 is accepting applications for one Committee Chair position and one Committee Member Position.

🗣️ Communications Chair (LAX/SEA) 🗣️

This position works closely with the Council Officers and Committees to develop communications for the membership, including newsletters, flyers, meeting announcements, social media content, and other informational materials.

We’re looking for someone who is:

Comfortable with technology and digital communication tools.
Familiar with Canva and Google Workspace
Organized, dependable, and able to meet deadlines.
Interested in helping improve how we communicate with our members.

Read committee description here.

🦺 Safety Committee Members (SEA) 🦺

We are looking for a Seattle-based Flight Attendant(s) to serve as the Council 47 representative(s) for the Air Safety, Health & Security (ASHS) Committee.

This is a low-commitment role. The primary responsibility is to gather safety, health, and security concerns from Seattle-based Flight Attendants and communicate those issues to our ASHS Chair, Kahea Alvarez, who will coordinate follow-up and work with the appropriate departments.

If safety is something you’re interested in and you’d like to help ensure concerns from the Seattle domicile are heard, we encourage you to apply.

Read committee description here.

How To Apply

If you’re interested in either position, please fill out the Willingness to Serve form.

Applications will be accepted until August 17, 2026.

August 2, 2026 20:35

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

We invite you to join us for our next webinar on August 12 at 11:00 AM HST, hosted by our LEC 43 Benefits Chairs, Rachel Fernandez & Calyn Rosehill alongside our MEC HA Benefits Chair, Chasity Theno. This will be a great opportunity to engage and come with any questions you may have. You may pre-submit any questions during registration.

Benefits Webinar
August 12, 2026
11:00 AM HST

Please be sure to register using your personal email address on file with the union. Company emails will not be accepted. All members in good standing are invited to attend. Registration closes 1 Hour prior to the start of the webinar. Click here to register.

Mahalo for all that you do, and we hope to see you there.

In Solidarity,
LEC 43 Communications Committee

August 1, 2026 12:15

We’re excited to introduce our first group of SEA Local Committee Chairpersons for the current LEC Officer term. They will be transitioning into their roles over the next few weeks and officially start their terms on September 1, 2026. Below you’ll find brief biographies that highlight their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our Members at Council 19.

Kiersten Larson | Local Communications Chairperson

Kiersten began her career as a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines in 2008. Over the last few years, she’s been involved with Government Affairs, Mobilization, and Communications. In addition to Union work, Kiersten is an active children’s rights advocate, reflecting her ongoing commitment to standing up for those who need a voice.

Kiersten was motivated to step into the role of Council 19 Seattle Council Representative because of her passion for advocating for her fellow Flight Attendants and ensuring their voices are heard at every level. She aims to build on her advocacy background by keeping Members informed, engaged, and empowered. Outside of work, Kiersten loves spending time with her husband, two cats, and lovingly harassing her adult children.

Jerry Sinclair | Local Communications Vice-Chairperson

Jerry was born and raised in the Burien-Tukwila area and began his airline career with Air Cal Airlines, later American Airlines, in 1984. He joined Horizon Air in 1995, transferred to Alaska Airlines in 2001, and became a Flight Attendant in 2003. Since 2012, he has served in various Union roles, including committee work and two terms as Local Executive Council Representative for Council 19.

In his free time, Jerry enjoys the outdoors, caring for his dogs and rescue cats, and working in the yard.

Andrew Stinson | Local Government Affairs/Human Rights & Equity Chairperson

Andrew has been a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines since 2015. Before coming to Alaska, Andrew graduated with a bachelor’s degree in restaurant and hotel management and worked as a chef at Snoqualmie Casino in the banquets and catering department. Andrew’s goals in his new role as Council Representative are to engage with our Members by continuing to fly and to continue to build solidarity with other labor organizations.

Andrew is heavily involved in many local labor organizations, such as the Pierce County Central Labor Council, the Washington State Labor Council, and Pride at Work Pierce County. When Andrew isn’t advocating for Flight Attendants, he keeps busy by spending time with his and his partners’ families.

Tracy Pettit | Local Membership Engagement Chairperson

Tracy started flying for a different airline that was shut down because of Covid (and probably other industry-related issues). Along with other AFA Government Affairs volunteers, she fought to get the Payroll Protection Program into law. That bill allowed folks to keep their jobs, and those who became unemployed, like Tracy, to stay above water. This experience cemented for her the importance of Union power and solidarity.

In 2022, Tracy started flying for Alaska and started doing Union work as soon as she could. Her goal for Membership Engagement and our local council is to participate more frequently in the larger labor movement, to hold management accountable to their promises, and to ensure every Flight Attendant has the resources to be informed, supported and empowered to advocate for themselves.

Outside of Union work, Tracy has a dog who just turned 10! She spends a lot of time in Juneau, Alaska with her partner and his cat. Tracy likes to read, play games, and make art.

July 31, 2026 17:00

In This Edition

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026
Discover The AFA Online Learning Academy
Shared on Social
Next Week’s Events

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

Originally posted July 28, 2026

Pre-Merger Alaska

This month, our pre-merger Alaska Scheduling Committee Chairpersons challenged management on operational concerns, including high reserve utilization, persistent staffing challenges, and localized base issues ranging from hotel usage to trip visibility. Read more about how the Committee is pushing for accountability on outstanding pay grievances and irregular operations mitigations to protect our schedules and improve the daily quality of life for Flight Attendants.

Read More >

Discover The AFA Online Learning Academy

Originally posted July 29, 2026

Strengthening our collective voice begins with understanding how our Union operates, and we’re excited to empower you with that knowledge through the AFA Online Learning Academy. Designed to fit into our unpredictable schedules, this platform offers self-paced courses on everything from labor history to the AFA structure, ensuring you can learn whenever it’s convenient for you.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Check out this week’s highlights from our social media! Click on a graphic below to view the original post on Instagram. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and news as we share it!

Originally posted July 27, 2026

Next Week’s Events

Thursday, August 6

pmAS Reserve Webinar (Register Here)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

July 31, 2026 14:01

In This Edition:

Membership Engagement
Council 39 Committee Updates
Follow Us On Socials
WEBINAR: Can They Do That?
VIDEO: Filing A Union Ticket
CBA Hardcopies
Upcoming I-5 Closure
HR&E Dates Of Interest

From Our Socials:

CMAP in Portland
Portland Pride 2026
September Low Bid Option

Membership Engagement

This month, AFA has focused on our new Membership Engagement Committee. This committee is here to ensure that every Flight Attendant feels genuinely welcomed and valued throughout their career.

Council 39 Committee Updates

Benefits Committee

We would like to thank Ann Larue for her years of service on our local Benefits Committee.

Stepping in as Council 39 Interim Benefits Chairperson is Linda Gunselman. Linda will spend the coming months building her knowledge of our benefits, having already become a vital source of support to Flight Attendants through her work with our local Employee Assistance Program. She has a long history of supporting our Members through some very challenging moments, and we thank her for her willingness to serve in her new role.

Linda started her career as an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant 29 years ago, having always found a calling in helping her fellow Flight Attendants. When she was asked to step into this new role, she knew it would be a big responsibility, but also knew that her experience with EAP and taking her own leave gave her the knowledge and ideas needed to streamline the process.

In this role, she hopes to create a committee that reaches everyone where they are in life, making the leave process more manageable and not as overwhelming.

Jenny Cortez has been a Flight Attendant since 2013 and joined the Portland base in 2019. She helped qualify the Airbus A321 into the fleet in 2017 and later taught transition and recurrent training. Having experienced two maternity leaves of her own, she understands the questions, challenges, and excitement that come with the process. She is passionate about helping fellow Flight Attendants feel informed and supported, whether they are preparing for their first or adding another little one to their family.

Scheduling Committee

Joining our Council 39 Scheduling Committee is Aaron Lucich. Aaron has been with Alaska Airlines for 3 years, beginning his aviation career at Horizon as a Flight Attendant while also serving in a small capacity on their Scheduling Committee. That experience helped build a strong work ethic and laid the foundation for a deeper understanding of how the airline industry operates.

Since joining Alaska in October 2024, Aaron has dedicated his time to flying a variety of trips while listening to Flight Attendants’ experiences, accomplishments, and challenges. He is committed to knowing the contract, reading a section each week to stay current, and has a passion for scheduling, pairing construction, and helping Flight Attendants understand their contractual rights to create a better work-life balance. Flying with all seniority groups has given him an appreciation for the experiences of those who came before him, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge to help fellow Flight Attendants navigate operational challenges.

Before joining Air Group, Aaron spent three and a half years at Starbucks in Tacoma as a barista and barista trainer. Originally from Puyallup, he later moved to Portland and now lives in downtown Vancouver. Outside of flying, Aaron enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling when he can, and cooking.

Reserve Committee

The newest member of our Reserve Committee is Thomas Schwall. He has been with Air Group for three years this August and wants to help reserves understand their role and rights under our CBA. He comes to us after 20 years in hospitality where he learned to address issues with a smile, and four years in real estate that taught him to pay close attention to details in contracts. His broken sleep schedule makes him very accessible. When he isn’t working, you can find him spending time with his daughters at their many extracurricular activities, working on remodeling projects, or taking care of his animals.

Contact information for all Council 39 Committee Chairpersons and Committee Members can be found on our Linktree.

Follow Us On Socials

Have you heard? Council 39 has our very own Instagram! Follow us for important updates, news and timely reminders. You can find us here here on Instagram and here on Facebook.

WEBINAR: Can They Do That?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can they do that?”, when Crew Scheduling calls with a reserve assignment or schedule change—whether you’re a Reserve Flight Attendant or a lineholder flying with a Reserve—this series is designed for you. Our Reserve Committee will host a limited-run series of webinars starting in August, focused on your most pressing questions and providing clear, actionable guidance on the topics that matter most.

Mark your calendar for our kickoff session: Thursday, August 6, at 1 PM Pacific. Our first Reserve Webinar, “Can They Do That?”, will offer practical, contractual insights for both everyday scheduling scenarios and those unexpected curveballs. This session is open to all, Reserve Flight Attendants and lineholders alike. Come ready to engage, learn, and ask anything on your mind.

Submit A Question

VIDEO: Filing A Union Ticket

Have you ever heard a Flight Attendant tell you to “file a ticket” and had no idea what they meant? In this video you will learn how and when to use AFA’s Online Support System to get solutions to questions or concerns you are having trouble finding the answers to on your own.

CBA Hardcopies

Printed copies of the 2025-2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement are available in the PDX crew room downstairs. Please feel free to pick up a copy at your convenience.

Upcoming I-5 Closure

AFA has been made aware of a major closure of all southbound lanes of I-5 starting on September 11, 2026, and lasting up to five weeks. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) predicts that these closures may cause the worst traffic in our region’s history.

Flight Attendants will be urged to plan ahead, leave home earlier than usual and consider options like carpooling or public transit. More reminders will be posted as the time draws nearer, and you can sign up for travel alerts from ODOT here.

CMAP in Portland

KCM is continuing its transition to a new program called Crewmember Access Point (CMAP), which is expected to fully replace KCM by New Year’s Eve 2026.

CMAP may be available for your use in Portland now, but continue carrying your KCM card and use KCM checkpoints if needed.

Keep in mind that opting out of CMAP means that you will forego the opportunity for crew-specific screening at TSA checkpoints once KCM sunsets and will be required to use passenger screening checkpoints instead.

Portland Pride 2026

Our Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Commitee, chaired by Portland-based Flight Attendant Aaron Miller, was proud to partner with Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO for Portland Pride 2026.

It was a beautiful day in downtown Portland, and while we may have been few this year, we made our presence known and had a great time representing Council 39 at Pride!

For information about our HR&E Committee and the vital work they do, reach out to Aaron directly.

September Low Bid Option

Bidding for September Low Bid Options (LBOs) opened on July 23 and closed on July 30. §10.Q of the CBA covers eligibility requirements, rules and restrictions.

No staffing adjustment leaves (SALs) will be offered for September.
While AFA advocated for more, only a small number of LBOs were offered for each base.
Everyone who wanted an LBO was encouraged to bid, even if they felt it was unlikely they would be awarded one. Collecting this data is important to gauge interest in possible future LBO offerings.

In Solidarity,

Krystle, Melodie and Kevin

In This Edition

Benefits Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

Wrapping Up Membership Engagement Focus Month: Stronger Together

Shared on Social