Latest News

August 29, 2014 07:04

Your Negotiating Committee just wrapped up 4 days of mediation under the direction of NMB Mediator, Victoria Gray, at the La Jolla Marriott in San Diego, CA.

The days were long and stretched into the night as both teams were frustrated as we grappled with complex issues and tough decisions. We did reach some consensus.

Thank you to everybody who worked yesterday and who attended informational picketing system-wide. Your enthusiasm was a big encouragement to your NC. The SAN Flight Attendants stopped by our caucus room to show their support!

This session we did TA 3 Sections:

Section 9 JA
Sick Leave Make-up Program (which will end up in Section 16)
Section 23 Insurance Benefits
Section 32 Attendance Policy

Section 9 – JA

We retained protections from being JA’d when trading away days off one’s line provided you don’t replace those days with anything else and all the improvements from the TA. Additionally, a FA cannot be JA’d into or while on a vacation.

Sick Leave Make-up Program

This will allow F/As to restore their sick leave on a 1:1 basis under conditions of the program.

Section 23 Insurance Benefits

We achieved the 15% year on year cap on health care contributions and maintained the annual cost share caps from the TA.

Section 32 Attendance Policy

In the TA a FA does not have to complete one leg to avoid the 2.5 points when calling in sick-on-line.
For record improvement, we improved the flying requirements compared to TA1.
We retained the increased 6 bank points and negotiated that a FA will have the choice to use her/his Quarterly Point Reduction Form prior to having bank points apply.

Your Negotiating Committee will meet with management’s team in SEA in September to work on language clean-up for Section 12 and parameters for an automated Reserve Repositioning Calendar.

The next mediation session is scheduled for October 6-8 in Portland, OR. We also have a mediation session scheduled in Washington, DC, November 12-14.

Please check out the Negotiations Update video on our You Tube channel at http://youtu.be/GDX3CDjZZN8

Wear your RED pin, stay informed and stay engaged. Keep an eye out for more opportunities to show your spirit and voice your thoughts to management! More information can be found on our new website at afaalaska.org.

In solidarity,

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

August 28, 2014 19:40

August 27, 2014 22:12

Thank you!

Thank you to all of our Flight Attendants for your support today.

To those working and proudly wearing your red pin–thank you!

To those who helped organize and spread the word–thank you!

To those who showed up with signs and voices representing the entire work group–thank you!

Watching your solidarity shine today was encouraging and reenergizing. So many of you took the time to make this day a priority. We are proud and grateful.

We will continue to work hard to bring you what you’ve earned and deserve.

In solidarity,

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

August 26, 2014 18:30

Get ready to show your solidarity at tomorrow’s RED Hot informational picketing in all five bases! The Negotiating Committee is currently at the table with management during this week’s mediation session. Your support is critical to show management and the public that we stand behind our Negotiating Committee in their efforts to achieve the contractual improvements we deserve!

Click here to sign up to participate in tomorrow’s event

Information For Tomorrow

Picket times for each base are as follows:

ANC – 11 AM to 2 PM ▪︎ LAX – 8 AM to 10 AM ▪︎ PDX – 6 AM to 8 AM

SAN – 8 AM to 11 AM ▪︎ SEA – 4 PM to 6 PM

Already Working?

If you’re already working tomorrow, you can show your support from wherever you are! Take a picture with your RED AFA pin and share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with hashtag #afaalaska. Then check out our AFA Alaska tagboard at afaalaska.org/tagboard and watch our sea of RED online!

If you have any questions about tomorrow’s picketing event, contact your Local Mobilization Chairperson. You’ll find contact information at afaalaska.org/mobilization.

August 23, 2014 11:40

ANC RED HOT Summer Picket Event

August 21, 2014 17:33

Alaska Airlines has contracted a new third party vendor in Seattle to coordinate the return to work process for Flight Attendant worker’s compensation claims, as well as light or alternate duty. J. Donley Associates began administering Seattle-based worker’s compensation claims for our group on May 1, 2014. This has generated a lot of questions.

Please be aware that you may be contacted within the first 48 hours of filing a claim.

When representatives make contact, they are advising Flight Attendants they are calling to facilitate light duty and the return to work process. Again, this has caused a lot of concern and questions; in some cases the Flight Attendant contacted has not even had a chance to seek medical treatment. AFA leadership has brought forward concerns to inflight management regarding the timing of the communication and the premature discussion of alternate duty and return to work.

While worker’s compensation laws can be complicated and vary from state to state, it is important for Flight Attendants to know that there are contractual provisions that apply to all Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants. This is particularly true with respect to alternate duty, which is optional unless the leave exceeds 12 months.

A few important provisions to keep in mind if you are contacted

Section 16.K Alternate Duty

A Flight Attendant on worker’s compensations leave of absence will have the option of preforming alternate duty.
The maximum number of days that a Flight Attendant may work alternate duty in a month will be determined by taking the average number of days that the Flight Attendant worked per month during the twelve (12) months preceding her/his injury.
An alternate duty assignment may be made only when the Flight Attendant meets the skill level necessary for the position and her/his medical provider certifies that s/he is able to perform the job.
Alternate duty may be performed in any domicile, co-terminal or the Flight Attendant’s registered commuter city, at her/his option.

Please refer to entire Section 16 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Sick Leave/On The Job Injury for additional information.

There may be benefits to performing alternate duty, especially if you are unable to use sick leave to remain insured on your leave. However, we encourage Flight Attendants to reach out to their local AFA Worker’s Compensation/Benefit Committee member for information before making the decision. You can find contact information at afaalaska.org/benefits.

In addition as a reminder if you are injured while working please keep in mind it is critical that you:

Seek medical attention immediately. Time loss (or worker’s compensation pay) will not begin until you seek treatment for your injury. In addition, in each state there are waiting periods for time loss compensation, which do not begin until medical attention is sought. Remember that attendance points will apply under Section 32 until you seek treatment.
Call a supervisor or on-call supervisor via crew scheduling to obtain a worker’s compensation packet. They can fax pertinent documentation to your medical facility, if needed.
When you are able, call your local AFA worker’s compensation/benefits committee member for assistance with the process. You can find contact information at afaalaska.org/benefits.

In Solidarity,

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

August 21, 2014 16:26

August 27th RED HOT Summer Picket Event

Dear Seattle Flight Attendants,

I want to thank everyone who came out to the AFA RED HOT Summer Picnic yesterday! We had a great turnout and enjoyed the afternoon talking, eating, and showing our solidarity! VP of Inflight- Andy Schneider, VP of Labor Relations- Shane Tackett, Managing Director of Inflight- Ron Calvin, and Managing Director of Labor Relations- Elizabeth Ryan stopped by the picnic to visit with the attendees.

MEC President, Jeff Peterson, addressed the group and encouraged everyone to stay informed and show our solidarity. Jeff also reminded everyone about the upcoming picket on August 27^th and how important it is for anyone who has that day off to attend one of the system wide events. However, please remember that you are not allowed to use your non-revenue pass benefits to travel for the event.

As an added bonus we were able to help MEC President Jeff Peterson fulfill his ALS Ice Bucket Challenge! In fact, your AFA officers have been very involved this past week with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge:

Monday: Andy Schneider challenged LEC VP Jake Jones and me.

Tuesday: LEC Presidents Cathy Gwynn (PDX) and Sandra Morrow (LAX) joined me in completing my challenge after our MEC meeting where the three of us challenged CEO Brad Tilden and MEC President Jeff Peterson

Wednesday: Both Brad and Jeff completed their challenges on Wednesday.

Jeff Peterson challenged Sara Nelson, AFA International President; Shane Tackett, VP of Labor; Elizabeth Ryan, Managing Director of Labor Relations; and Mike Link, Manager of Inflight Labor and Work.

Thursday: Due to his busy flight schedule, LEC VP Jake Jones donated directly to the ALS fund. Way to go Jake!

You can see the videos on our Facebook page: afaalaska

https://www.facebook.com/alaskamec

August 27^th RED HOT Picketing Event

If you have not already signed up for the August Picketing event it is not too late:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WCSFABDbER6OijiGwutq–KsYHGcs-JFHzH0hISWg9s/viewform

Due to the high volume of turn out for this event we are now meeting at Angle Lake Park at 3:30pm.

We have 2 designated spots for the event that runs from 4:00pm- 6:00pm and will distribute people between the two locations: Outside of the airport on Highway 99 and in front of Alaska Corporate on Highway 99.
If you do not have a RED AFA t-shirt we will have them on hand at the park. If you park at the airport for that location- parking is not paid.
There are rules and regulations for picketing that must be adhered to and there will be picket captains in each location to assist with any questions that arise.
We have pre-made signs, but feel free to make your own: Subject to approval by the picket captains. Questions? Call or email any of your LEC Officers for clarification.
If you can meet at the park at 3:00pm your LEC Officers would appreciate your help with making the signs!

WE ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS OUR SOLIDARITY- IT’S TIME TO SHOW IT!!!

In solidarity,

Seattle LEC President- Laura Masserant

August 20, 2014 10:12

We are seeking Safety Committee Members and a Local Committee Chairperson for the Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC).

Responsibilities of our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Members include:

Acting in an advisory role to the LEC Officers on safety matters
Studying local air safety and health problems and prepare recommendations to be presented to the LEC Officers for consideration
Reviewing material, handling correspondence, and keeping the local members well informed of current  safety developments.
Attending management debriefings when safety related issues are discussed

If you are interested in serving, please express your interest by e-mailing LEC President Cathy Gwynn at catgwynn@comcast.net

August 15, 2014 08:07

Don’t forget that the AFA RED Hot Summer Picnic is coming up this Wednesday, August 20 from 1 to 4 PM at Angle Lake Park in SeaTac, WA. Alaska Airlines corporate headquarters, located next door, has a beautiful view of the park and Angle Lake. Let’s flood the park with a sea of RED and put our unity and solidarity on clear display!

The Details

Wear your RED AFA t-shirt to the event if you have one! We’ll have extra t-shirts available at the event if you haven’t received one.
Council 19 (SEA) will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, and soda
If you’re coming from the Seattle area, please bring along a side dish or dessert to share family-style
Lawn chairs and blankets will help make you more comfortable at the event
If you’re coming from out of town, you’re welcome to use regular non-revenue travel to get to and from the picnic

Let Us Know You’re Coming!

Questions?

Contact the Council 19 Seattle LEC Officers or email us at events@afaalaska.org

In Solidarity,

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

August 13, 2014 14:59

http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2014/08/13/virgin-america-attendants-vote-to-go-union/14010511/