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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

 

April Pairing Statistics

Apr 2014 Pairing Stats

Crew Planner John Bumanglag’s  D position pairings and the AFA 3 position pairings were selected for March.

  • The bid month begins March 2nd
  • Daylight savings time begins March 9th.  This coincides with a large schedule change where you will see many minor flight time changes as well as some flight number changes.
  • Some flights that have seen reductions for the winter months will resume or return to daily as of March 9th.  These include ANC-ORD and BOS-SEA and PDX and SEA-EWR market.  Also the 3rd ONT-SEA flight will come back which brings back the morning pairing out of ONT.
  • Horizon begins operating in Alaska March 3rd.  They primarily will fly ANC-FAI with one daily flight ANC-ADQ.  We have some D position pairings with deadhead on Horizon 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:

  • Mail date:                 3-06-2014  (Voting Instructions and Activation Code mailed)
  • Polls open:               3-11-2014  12:00 pm EST (Voting begins online and by telephone)
  • Polls close:               4-11-2014  2:00 pm EDT (Election ballots are tallied)

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

 

 

AFA Council 39 Logo

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.

 

Through your vote you have spoken loud and clear, and AFA is committed to taking your message to the bargaining table! Together, we can show management we are “Five Bases Standing Strong!”

 

In Solidarity,

 

 

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

“Five Bases Standing Strong”

Thank you!  The vote participation of 89.3% sends a strong and united message — Together, we will see this negotiation process through, as we continue to work toward achieving a contract that fully recognizes our part in the success of Alaska Airlines!

In Solidarity,

Becky Strachan, Lisa Pinkston and Jan Bottini-Strait

150px-AFA-CWA_logo

Dear Flight Attendants:

Polls closed today at 12 PM PST for voting on the Tentative Agreement (TA) reached by the Negotiating Committee on December 12, 2013.  The results of the vote are as follows:

Voting FOR the agreement 824 30%
Voting AGAINST the agreement 1900 70%
Total Votes 2724 100%
Participation Rate of Eligible Voters 89.3%

As indicated above, the TA has failed.

What’s Next?

More than ever, this is a time for all of us to come together and stand united.  You have spoken through your votes and the Negotiating Committee is prepared to go back to the table and send management a message that we demand more improvements!

Prior to the Negotiating Committee going back to the table, a new survey will be sent out to you to help the Committee to determine what areas of importance need more attention and focus.  You can expect to see an invitation to participate in the survey in your email within the next several weeks.  If you are receiving this email, we already have your email address on file for your survey invitation.  Please ensure that info@alaskamec.org is in your address book to prevent any potential spam filtering or bounce back from our email servers.

In Solidarity,

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

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

References

 

Washington, DC – Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today voted down a tentative agreement with management. Through the vote, Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants sent a strong message to management that they expect more for their award-winning contributions to the airline.

“Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants have collectively declared today that management’s proposal fails to address the needs of Flight Attendants and does not reflect our true worth. We remain unified as a group and focused on our future. Through tireless effort, we have helped create a successful strategy that has resulted in increased profits for our airline. It is well past time for management to hear us and negotiate an agreement that meets the priorities set by Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants and that can be ratified,” said Jeffrey Peterson, AFA President at Alaska Airlines.

Negotiations began two years ago and, in May 2013, AFA filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board. During negotiations, Alaska Airlines earned record-breaking profits and continued to earn top awards and accolades for customer satisfaction with the assistance of the Flight Attendants. Next, AFA will re-survey the over 3,100 Flight Attendants to determine their top priorities.  The National Mediation Board retains oversight of future negotiations.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 68 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

References

Council 30 (ANC) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 30 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Anchorage. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: LeiLauni ScheidemanLEC Vice President: Heather ReierLEC Secretary: Anne Madsen View the certified election results here >> These newly elected officers […]

Apps To Help You Save Money On Food

Our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee recognizes that Flight Attendants may be facing increasing challenges when it comes to accessing affordable food, whether on the road or at home. We want you to know that you are not alone. In response to these difficulties, we have compiled a list of apps to help […]

What You Need To Know About The FAA Capacity Cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans for a 10% reduction in flight capacity across 40 markets, starting this Friday. According to news reports, these schedule reductions will begin on Friday and will gradually increase throughout the weekend until they reach the full 10% by the following week. Reports also suggest that all Alaska […]

Council 47 (LAX pmHA) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 47 LEC Officers, representing Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants based in Los Angeles. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Joshua AokiLEC Vice President: Paul IkiokaLEC Secretary: Beth Hayes View the certified election results here >> These newly elected […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

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