August 6, 2014 10:39

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new AFA Alaska website! The new site features more content, features, and an easier-to-navigate layout including a mobile layout optimized for use on smartphones. You’ll find the new site at http://afaalaska.org. Please be sure to update your bookmarks and favorites, as this is a new address for the site.

If you have any feedback or ideas to help improve the new website, please let us know by emailing them to communications@afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

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

July 28, 2014 11:00

Social media, websites, and online communication have grown incredibly more important over the past decade and are now an integral part of our daily lives. Many companies and organizations have embraced these new communication mediums and use them to interact with others. AFA Alaska recognizes how important social media and online communications are and are taking steps to improve the online experience for our members.

Keeping Things Respectful

In order to help ensure that AFA Alaska social media accounts and websites remain an interactive and productive place for all of our members, the Master Executive Council (MEC) has adopted a set of Social Media Guidelines. These guidelines contain two sections—one for users of AFA Alaska social media accounts and websites and another for your AFA representatives. These guidelines, coupled with the AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy, are in place to help make sure that everyone’s voices are heard in an environment driven by solidarity and respect. Please take a few moments to review the Social Media Guidelines and AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy when you have the opportunity.

Where You’ll Find Us

Getting accurate and up-to-date information from your AFA officers and Negotiating Committee is easy! You’ll find us on our official AFA Alaska social media channels and website. On these sites, you can interact with your AFA leaders and Negotiating Committee members, ask questions, and get the answers you need in order to stay informed.

afaalaska.org • facebook.com/alaskamec • twitter.com/afaalaska

Negotiations and Social Media

Soon, you’ll have the ability to interact with your Negotiating Committee via the new Negotiations Blog. Hosted by Negotiating Committee Member Kristy Stratton and the other members of the Negotiating Committee, the blog will be your opportunity to have insight into how your Negotiating Committee is hard at work to bring you a tentative agreement with hard earned and well-deserved improvements! Look for more information about the Negotiations Blog in August.

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

July 26, 2014 11:27

It’s time to turn up the heat and show our support to the Negotiating Committee when they go back to the table August 25th through 28th. Your Master Executive Council (MEC), in coordination with the Mobilization and Negotiating Committees, are planning to share our message with the public at each of our five bases. Be on the lookout for more information from your Local Council about the details of our August 27th informational picketing events.

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

July 25, 2014 20:27

Dear Flight Attendants,

The Negotiating Committee has developed a Frequently Asked Questions forum, which is now posted here.

If you have additional questions about negotiations, see our contact information below.

In solidarity,

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

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

July 24, 2014 10:56

SECTION 9 – JUNIOR AVAILABLE

Q Can we have “limited immunity for trips traded off of FA’s original line” from the opener specified more thoroughly?

Sure. We are proposing that if a Flight Attendant trades away – with Open Time or another Flight Attendant – a trip and does not replace flying on those days, then any days on which s/he does not replace flying (i.e. pick up new flying) would be immune from JA. Today, a Flight Attendant could trade around her/his entire line and be immune from JA for the entire month (extreme case) even though s/he was flying a full schedule. This happens today and it sometimes forces JA very senior.

In the survey, members were very adamant that immunity from JA should still remain for days on which a trip was dropped for a special event or to extend vacation/ holiday time off.

SECTION 11 – RESERVE

Q Being on reserve for two years I feel like I can speak for the majority of reserves that ER days are not wanted. The last tentative agreement that was proposed had a lot of great changes for reserves, most importantly getting rid of awarding reserve days on lines, but still being able to convert. The biggest thing I didn’t like about the reserve portion of the contract was getting rid of the reserve premium.

Based on feedback, we are reviewing ER days vs conversions in the overall context of the TA. We have already added discussion of ER days/ conversions back onto the agenda for the next meeting. Additionally, we have secured the reinstatement of the Reserve Premium from management.

Q Another issue for reserves is not having transparency in open time for trading reserve days. My previous airline used a system for trading and reserve coverage which gave a lot of information. Each day showed the reserve coverage if it was open for drops was listed in green. The number of reserves available each day was shown as well as the threshold. Is this possible?

That is pretty much exactly what was negotiated in TA1. The OT system was completely transparent with all open/closed days, reserve thresholds, reserve usage, etc. listed. For reserves, if the reserve trade board listed the day open, you would be allowed to trade – through automation. No more submitting a request and waiting for a response. We have proposed retaining that system from TA1 and so far, management is on the same page.

SECTION 12 – EXCHANGE OF SEQUENCES (and Open Time)

Q Why would we be going back to current practice instead of what was negotiated in Sec 12 of TA1?

In the survey, Flight Attendants overwhelmingly conveyed that reverting to the current OT system would be preferential to changing to another system that they did not know. However, it is important to remember that if either party cancels the OT ‘Test’ system, AFA and management would immediately sit down to negotiate a new system – using all the information from the ‘Test.’ During that time, the OT system would revert to the current practice. Once a new system is negotiated, that new procedure would be submitted for membership vote and put in place once ratified. So the “going back to current practice” part would only last as long as negotiations for new system- which FAs would vote on.

NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE RAILWAY LABOR ACT (RLA) (including policy/procedures, solidarity activities, the National Mediation Board, etc.)

Q Why are the full survey results not being published?

The actual results of negotiations surveys done by AFA are never published to the membership. In 2011, before the opening proposals were written, the Negotiating Committee sent out the negotiations survey to all members. Those results were used by the Committee to learn your bargaining objectives and priorities. If AFA had published those results, then management would know which provision was more important than another and that would be detrimental to our bargaining strategy.

The Hart Survey was basically another negotiations survey, one scientifically done with a much lower margin of error by a very highly regarded professional polling company. Because we do not want management to know your exact priorities in negotiations, we will not be publishing those results either.

Q How was the opener for this second round of negotiations derived?

The opener was created using the priorities in the Hart Survey. When a tentative agreement fails to ratify, the subsequent negotiations for a new agreement focus on ‘fixing’ the provisions which were not acceptable. It is not about going back to the beginning and starting all over.

July 21, 2014 21:01

Dear Flight Attendants,

As we continue negotiations, the Negotiating Committee is interested in gathering important data from our workgroup. The negotiations survey was a huge success and provided us with clear objectives. Now, we are looking to collect information of a more personal nature. Please know we would never ask for this if we didn’t believe it was vital information to assist us in fighting for fair compensation in our contract.

Many of our Flight Attendants have voiced their concern about the growing number of those who qualify for or are receiving financial assistance. For statistical purposes, we are collecting data on Flight Attendants who require a second job; and/or are currently receiving, or in the past five years have received any of the following types of financial assistance:

Government (Food Stamps, WIC, housing, low income housing, medical, school lunches, cash, other)

Local (low- cost, subsidized or reduced housing, rent, mortgage, utilities, phone, water, electric, trash, food bank, local charity, non-profits, other)

Third-party (family, friend, church, EAF, car payment, free or reduced rent, mortgage assistance, cash, other)

Student Loan Deferment/Forgiveness Program

All information will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality. Your name will not be shared outside the Negotiating Committee. The information collected is strictly for negotiations and statistical purposes. Individual Flight Attendant names will be removed and kept confidential.

This information could have a huge impact for negotiations. If you are willing to participate, email one of the Negotiating Committee members listed below who is coordinating information for your base. Please use a personal, non-company email address when communicating with a Negotiating Committee member.

If you prefer to reach out personally to one of these members—even if she is not coordinating for your base—please feel free to do so. Once contacted, one of your Negotiating Committee members will email you a questionnaire to complete.

ANC – Lisa Pinkston – lvarner22@mac.com

SEA & PDX – Christina Frees – freesitintime@gmail.com

LAX & SAN – Kristy Stratton – stratton.kristy@gmail.com

Thank you in advance to those who are willing to help the Negotiating Committee by sharing your story. Your experience will assist us in addressing the financial needs of all Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants.

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 21, 2014 08:45

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 am 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 event allows Flight Attendants with children and/or who are on a leave of absence a chance to participate!

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

Anchorage: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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!

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!

———————

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

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

——————-

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