Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian
Hello Seattle Flight Attendants!
Please remember to join your LEC Officers for the AFA Town Hall meeting on March 20th, 2014 from 1-5pm in the Central Annex of the Sea Tac Airport, mezzanine level. Parking is free on floors 3, 5, 6, 7, 8.
This is not a company town hall meeting- This is an AFA meeting where you will have a chance to sit down with your local officers and share your thoughts on the upcoming negotiation process.
We hope to see you there!
Dear Flight Attendants,
This has been a busy week for the Master Executive Council (MEC). On Monday, the MEC met with the members of the Negotiating Committee to conduct a debrief on the failed Tentative Agreement vote. Below is an update on upcoming activities related to negotiations.
A new negotiations survey is in the beginning stages of being written and will be released within the next several weeks. The survey will be open for approximately two weeks.
The results from the survey will be used by the Negotiating Committee to write the AFA opener for the second round of negotiations. At this time, negotiations are tentatively expected to resume during the second week of May. As we are still in the mediation process, all negotiations sessions will continue to be facilitated by National Mediation Board (NMB) Mediator Victoria Gray.
After thorough discussion, it has been determined that all Negotiating Committee positions will be up for interview and consideration of candidates. All qualified candidates who apply—including current Negotiating Committee members—will be considered. Interviews for the three positions will be held in Seattle at the AFA MEC Office on April 17.
If you are interested in applying for a Negotiating Committee position, please send your expression of interest as well as a resume listing your qualifications to candidate@alaskamec.org. After submitting your resume, you will be contacted to schedule an interview time on April 17.
Your MEC is very excited to announce some forthcoming changes with the VOICE Committee. VOICE, or Volunteer Organizers for Information, Communications, and Education, has been an integral part of communications between the Negotiating Committee and the Flight Attendants for the past several contract negotiations. The committee was first organized at a time when information was not as readily accessible as it is today, and we depended on VOICE committee members to provide us with the latest updates on the progress of the Negotiating Committee through the information they shared.
Today, many of us use email, social media, and the Internet to stay connected to current news and updates in the negotiating process. The original purpose of the VOICE Committee has essentially become obsolete. The MEC is currently working with MEC VOICE Chairperson Adam Clarey and your Local VOICE Chairs to harness the power of our VOICE Committee in new ways that will demonstrate our solidarity and unity as we go back to the negotiating table.
More information about the evolution of the VOICE Committee will be coming soon once these changes have been finalized. In the mean time, please ensure that you add info@alaskamec.org and negotiations@alaskamec.org to your address book or contacts to prevent AFA communications from being filtered out as spam. If you are not already subscribed to AFA Alaska email updates, visit http://alaskamec.org/signup to subscribe.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
The next LAX FA base meeting is set for Thursday, April 10th, 2014, from 11am-2pm
@BJ’s Restaurant, 16060 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92647.
Bring your questions and also get the latest information regarding contract negotiations.
The more FAs in attendance the better!
In Solidarity,
Your LEC Council 18,
Sandra, Kelly, Kelese, and David
Dear Flight Attendants:
Each year, the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship to a dependent of an active AFA member in good standing who is seeking to further her/his education at an accredited college or university. The recipient of this scholarship will receive the cost of tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 for one year. Any recipient may reapply for this scholarship each year until graduation up to a maximum of four years.
More information about the scholarship fund including the required application form and instructions are available from the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships. The postmark deadline for applications for this year’s scholarship is April 10.
The CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship is also available to dependents of AFA-CWA members. Information and the application form for this scholarship can be found on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne. The deadline for this year’s Beirne Scholarship is April 30.
Any questions regarding the AFA Scholarship Fund can be directed to your LEC Officers. Contact information for your LEC Officers can be found on alaskamec.org then by selecting your base from the local council menu.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
Crew Planner John Bumanglag’s D position pairings and the AFA 3 position pairings were selected for April.
There is a schedule change on April 6th and also Mexico Daylight Saving Time starts on that day. You may note minor flight time changes on this date. Another Schedule change happens April 27th. Some seasonal warm destination flights end for the season on these dates. More detail below.
Here are comments specific to each base.
SEA– High time turns continue to MSP/MCI/TUS/ and DFW. Also STL goes back to a turn starting April 6th. Popular two day trips to PHL/FLL/EWR/BOS and DCA continue daily. SJD and PVR nonstops run through April 26 before ending for the season. Long MCO layovers are frequent. Long KOA layovers 3 days/week as well.
PDX– Two day trips to BOS and DCA operate daily. AM LAS turn, mid AM PHX and DFW turn run daily as well. PDX loses KOA and LIH nonstops April 27th until next November. OGG all nighter goes from daily to 3 days/week April 27th.
ANC– HNL and ORD nonstops continue daily. Overall TFP looks good. ANC loses OGG and KOA nonstops April 5th for the season.
LAX– BUR has a nice variety of trip lengths and Hawaii layovers are frequent. LAX-YVR turn 703/702 is back daily! DCA two day and high time Mexico turns continue. SNA turns continue as well.
SAN– BOS two days run daily. OGG will really be a two day starting April 6th. HNL continues to release after midnight so is one day longer than it appears.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Please see attached April pairing stats.
Your Crew Planning Team,
Jeff Stein
AFA Pairing Analyst
Kelly Yeager
Crew Planner
John Bumanglag
Crew Planner
Crew Planner John Bumanglag’s D position pairings and the AFA 3 position pairings were selected for March.
Here are comments specific to each base.
SEA- Two day pairings continue daily to DCA(2x)/PHL/PVR and SJD nonstop and FLL. High time turns continue daily to MCI/TUS/DFW and MSP(2x).
PDX- Two day pairings continue daily to KOA and DCA. They resume daily to BOS March 9th. AM LAS turns, mid AM PHX and DFW turns run daily as well.
ANC- ANC-ORD resumes daily March 9th. ANC-HNL nonstop continues daily.
LAX- DCA two day and high value Mexico turns continue daily. TFP overall looks better than previous months. ONT RON flight resumes March 9th so trips out of there should be more normal. SNA has frequent turns per FA feedback.
SAN- BOS two day operates daily. As a reminder OGG and HNL-SAN both currently duty off after midnight so the trip is actually one day longer. So though it may look like a two or three day…it’s really a three or four day for bidding purposes.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Please see attached March pairing stats.
Your Crew Planning Team
Jeff Stein
AFA Pairing Analyst
Kelly Yeager
Crew Planner
John Bumanglag
Crew Planner
Dear Seattle Flight Attendants,
Please note important upcoming events in your base! We hope to see you at one or both of the meetings!
March 20, 2014 Town Hall Meeting
On March 20, 2014 Council 19 LEC Officers will host a “Town Hall” meeting. The intent of this forum is to discuss your thoughts on the upcoming negotiation process and provide you an opportunity to learn more about the roles that each of your elected officers performs.
This is a great opportunity for you to connect with your leaders and share your thoughts.
All candidates for the upcoming election are invited to attend this forum and meet with the members and the local officers.
When: March 20, 2014
Where: Central Annex Room, Mezzanine Level Sea Tac Airport
Time: 1pm to 5pm
Parking paid for on all levels except Level 4
April 16, 2014 AFA-CWA Base Meeting
On April 16, 2014 Council 19 is hosting an AFA-CWA Base Meeting to discuss the upcoming Board of Director’s Meeting (BOD). The BOD is a yearly meeting where all members of the MEC attend to discuss the business of the union. This year International Officer Elections are taking place and it will be important to gain your input on the candidates so I can vote for a candidate that best represents your interest.
In addition to International Officer Election the BOD will be discussing the financial future of our Union and making necessary fiduciary decisions on the budget. Please come to this meeting to review the important agenda items and offer your feedback.
When: April 16, 2014
Where: Central Annex Room, Mezzanine Level Sea Tac Airport
Time: 1pm to 5pm
Parking paid for on all levels except Level 4
Council 19 SEA Election Schedule
The Council 19 Election window will soon open. Starting March 6th voting instructions and activation codes will be mailed to all Seattle Flight Attendants. If you do not receive this information from AFA International by March 11, 2014 please contact AFA International/Membership at 1-800-424-2401, press 1, ext 706.
In accordance with the Article VIII of the Constitution & Bylaws, all Councils in Category II must nominate and elect officers for the term beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2017. Local Council Officers to be elected will be LEC President, LEC Vice President, LEC Secretary, and 2 Council Representatives.
As a union member, you have the right to nominate candidates for office, to run for office and to cast a secret ballot.
Nominations and elections are governed by procedures outlined in the Association’s Constitution & Bylaws, Article VIII and the AFA Policy Manual.
All nominated candidates who have filed a Commitment to Serve, who received at least two (2) votes and are members in good standing at the time of the count will appear on the election ballot.
Nomination Results:
The following Flight Attendants received at least 2 nominations and will appear on the election ballot.
| LEC President | LEC Vice President | LEC Secretary | Council Representative |
| Laura Masserant | Jake Jones | Linda Christou | Stephanie Adams |
| Robert Napoleon | Vanessa Travis | Daphne Clarkson | Adam Clarey |
| Jarod Mc Neill |
Election Schedule:
Please join us in welcoming Seth Heiple to the position of Master Executive Council (MEC) chairperson of the Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC), effective March 1. As MEC chairperson, Seth will be responsible for working with the Local SHSC Chairs in each base to coordinate the activities of the SHSC for all Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants.
Seth joined Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant at the beginning of 2008. While at Alaska he has served on both the Inflight Service Committee and the SHSC and worked with the F/A team that developed the “D Check” program. Before joining Alaska Seth worked as a F/A for Northwest Airlines for close to 10 years, five of which he had the additional responsibilities of being an international purser. Seth graduated from George Fox University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Economics. He is pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the MEC SHSC chair and support the Committee’s efforts to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for F/As and cabin environment for our passengers.
The MEC would also like to thank current MEC SHSC Chairperson Barb Moynier for her hard work and accomplishments over the past several years that she has held the position. Barb has been a tireless advocate for our Flight Attendants and her efforts are greatly and sincerely appreciated.
The Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC) is responsible for working with management on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health. Contact information for each Local SHSC can be found at alaskamec.org, then by selecting your base from the Local Council menu.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
Please mark your calendar for our next Local Council Meeting, to be held Tuesday, April 15 from 8:30 to 12 PM. The meeting will be held in the Vancouver Room of the PDX Airport Conference Center. From the Oregon Market Food Court, take the stairs near the clock tower to the mezzanine level and turn left. The Vancouver Room is the first room down the hall on the left.
We will conduct Local Business from 8:30 AM to 10 AM and then will be a joined by members and officers from Horizon Air Council 17 (PDX/MFR) from 10 AM to 12 PM to discuss advanced agenda items for the AFA Board of Directors Meeting.
If you have an advance agenda item to submit, please email it to LEC President Cathy Gwynn at catgwynn@comcast.net. Submission deadline for advance agenda items is Tuesday, April 8 at 8:30 AM PDT. Please direct any other questions to LEC Vice President Brian Palmer at bpalmer@alaskamec.org.
Dear Flight Attendants,
You have spoken with a clear and unified vote: The Tentative Agreement (TA) was not sufficient and must be improved. An overwhelming majority of you voted to send a strong message to management that the offer did not measure up. The results from each base were nearly identical, so once again we prove that we are “Five Bases, One Voice.”
The Master Executive Council (MEC) and Negotiating Committee thank each and every one of you for your vote. Additional kudos to those who were able to make one of the 17 morning and afternoon roadshows around the system—34 sessions in all! You answered the call for a substantial turnout and your participation was commendable. Nearly 90% of you took part in determining our future! The result was unambiguous with approximately 30% “for” and 70% “against” the TA.
Voting Results by base below:
ALASKA 2014 TA Vote Count
Response Count Voted % Participated Eligible Participation %
SEA FOR 448 28.32% 1582 1777 89.03%
AGAINST 1134 71.68%
ANC FOR 87 34.66% 251 288 87.15%
AGAINST 164 65.34%
PDX FOR 101 29.62% 341 374 91.18%
AGAINST 240 70.38%
LAX/SAN FOR 188 34.18% 550 661 90.02%
AGAINST 362 65.82%
_______________________________________________
ALL FAs
FOR 824 30%
AGAINST1900 70%
TOTAL VOTES 2724
We should not dwell on who voted “no,” and who voted “yes,” but rather we must advance unified. Now that the decision has been made, we all have a lot of hard work ahead of us. In the coming months, AFA will prepare to return to mediation under the direction of the National Mediation Board (NMB). In the near future you will be called upon to participate in activities which will demonstrate our resolve. When we go back to the table and management looks across the table, they must see all 3,200 of us sitting there in solidarity!
In the coming weeks, your AFA leadership and negotiators will take time to review the process, reassess bargaining objectives and communication strategy. We have already started that work with a MEC meeting that wrapped up yesterday. Your Local Executive Council (LEC) presidents have very much appreciated the emails and phone calls offering feedback and suggestions as we move forward through this process. The MEC will be meeting with the Negotiating Committee on March 3 to continue discussions and cement plans.
A new negotiations survey will be put out to the group in a few weeks. We are also exploring the use of professional pollsters in conjunction with the regular survey to ensure the most accurate result possible. It is critical that everybody take the time to complete the negotiations survey because this will be used as our guide for representing the objectives of the entire membership. In the meantime, we are asking Flight Attendants to not engage in discussions with management regarding individual bargaining objectives.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
“Five Bases Standing Strong”
