AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Latest News

Dear Flight Attendants,

The second phase of the follow up AFA negotiations survey by Hart Research Associates is now underway and will open through Tuesday, April 29, 2014. A communication was sent out via social media on Friday but unfortunately the email system the Master Executive Council (MEC) uses has been sporadically unavailable over the past couple of days.
Important: An individual link to the online survey has been sent in an email invitation by Hart Research Associates. Do not share your link or else another Flight Attendant could take the survey on you behalf. The email address used by Hart for the invitations is FlightAttendantSurvey@hart-research.com. Check your spam/junk folder in case the invitation is there.
If you have NOT received a survey or if you completed the phone survey AND received an email invitation, contact survey@alaskamec.org.
It is extremely important that your voice be heard. Make sure to complete the survey!
As a reminder, your AFA leadership is currently at the 42nd Annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meeting in Orlando. We are responding to all inquiries during breaks between meetings.
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow; and
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
 MEC 5BSS Logo

Dear Seattle Flight Attendants,

First of all on behalf of Jake, Linda, and myself thank you for your continued support in the recent election! The votes in this election saw a 50% increase over the election 3 years ago and that speaks volumes to the fact that you are engaged, involved, and care about your union leaders.

Since the TA vote on February 14th I have been fielding phone calls, emails, and having great conversations with many of you. We have been discussing the pros and cons of the TA, moving forward with the next round of negotiations and what your officers do for you on a daily basis. What I have been learning from these conversations is that I can do a better job of communicating with you and explaining what your officers do on your behalf.

Let’s start with the recent vote on the TA. I want to take a minute to explain my support of the TA and what that statement means. As an LEC President my job is to review a TA when the negotiating committee reaches an agreement with management at the table. In reading the TA I must weigh all the good and some of the not so good that is contained in it. This is not an easy job and the MEC spent 13 hours reviewing the TA in December before we decided to send the TA out to the members for a vote. I supported sending the TA out to you because you are the only person who can decide if the TA is right for you. I also supported all the great improvements and pay increases in that TA. Were there some areas that gave me a little heartburn? Yes, there were.

However, the decision to accept this TA was yours to make, not mine. I did find that the TA provided many improvements which I knew you needed to review. That is why I supported the TA to come out for a vote. Had I denied the TA and sent the team back to the table I would have not been representing your rights to review the document and decide if it was the right direction for our group.

The MEC interviewed new candidates for the negotiating committee last week. During the day and a half interview process I kept one thought on my mind, “Who is going to best represent the members at the table?” All of the LEC Presidents had heard from their members and we kept your comments and insights in mind as we discussed the candidates. We had amazing candidates interview and the decision was very difficult. But, I feel confident that the selection represents the best interest of our Flight Attendants. For those of you who are concerned with the seniority level of the negotiating committee members know this; Jeff Peterson has 15 years seniority and the LEC Presidents have an average of 19 years or more of seniority. Rest assured your desires will be represented at the table and as a 22 year Flight Attendant I am looking out for the senior Flight Attendants in this area!

One positive aspect of the TA failing is that I have had an opportunity to talk directly with you. You may think this is crazy of me to say, but I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with all of you and hearing your thoughts and/or concerns. I have increased my understanding of the group and feel that I can accurately address your issues with management moving forward.

The Town Hall meeting in March was a huge success and I will be planning more of these events. The meeting covers more than negotiation updates- it allows your officers a chance to sit down and talk with you and listen to what is happening in your working world. These meetings also offer us a chance to share with you what we have been doing on your behalf and how we fight for your every day. It is important that we keep these levels of communication open and flowing to ensure that we are all on the same page. We may not always agree on the issues, but healthy debates are good and they help us find the collaborative solutions.

Speaking of communications have you seen the new AFA Alaska Facebook page? Please like this page and stay up to date on what we are doing: http://www.facebook.com/alaskamec or search for “AFA Alaska”

If you are not on social media remember that you can find all the updates on the MEC website: www.alaskamec.org. We are also looking to update the MEC website and enhance the MEC discussion forum. We want all of you to feel that you have access to the information that directly affects you.

The minutes from the April 16th AFA-CWA Base meeting are posted on the website:

http://alaskamec.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AFA-Base-Union-Meeting-4_16_14.pdf

Dates to Remember

v  Don’t forget to join us May 8th at 5am in the food court area of Sea-Tac airport for the Alaska Airlines Shareholders event. A couple of reminders:

1. Probationary Flight Attendants should not attend a solidarity event.

2. Wear your blue AFA t-shirt

3. Because the event is inside security wear your badge and no children are allowed.

Send me an email if you want more information.

v  May 12-15 the Negotiating Committee goes back to the table in Tempe, Az.

v  May 20th is the launch of the new AFA Mobilization Committee and we are planning an event on this day. The Seattle Mobilization training is May 13th, 8am-10am, 11am -1pm, and 2pm to 4pm. The link to sign up for one of these training sessions is: http:/alaskamec.org/mobilization/training/

If you are interested in the Mobilization committee please contact LEC Mobilization Chair Krystle Cook- Lcook907@icloud.com for more information.

The new term of office for your LEC Officers begins July 1, 2014. Council Representative- elect Adam Clarey is heading to Washington, D.C. in June for officer training. I look forward to training both Adam and Stephanie Adams in their roles as your newly elected council representatives. Mentoring is a top priority of mine during the next three years and I encourage anyone who is interested in AFA work to send me an email or call me. We have committees in need of volunteers and the best way to begin your education with AFA representation is by joining a committee!

Thank you, again, for the opportunity to serve as your LEC President. I am honored to represent an amazing group of Flight Attendants and humbled by your support.

In solidarity,

Laura, Jake, Linda, Tonnette

Officers-Elect: Adam Clarey and Stephanie Adams

Dear Flight Attendants,

The second phase of the follow up AFA negotiations survey by Hart Research Associates will begin this afternoon, Friday, April 25th. The first phase was a phone interview, which was capped at a limited number of respondants. The second phase is an online survey.
An email invitation from Hart Research Associates will be sent to all members for which the Master Executive Council (MEC) had an updated email address as of the beginning of the week. In order to prevent duplicate responses, Flight Attendants who completed the phone survey will be excluded.
Important: An individual link to the online survey will be sent in an email invitation by Hart Research Associates. The email address used by Hart for the invitations is FlightAttendantSurvey@hart-research.com. Please ensure this address is in your contact list so that your spam filter does not block the email or place it in your junk folder.
April-May Negotiations Timeline
* Dates are approximate. Following Negotiating Committee appointments, negotiations training for the second round NC is anticipated sometime between the week of April 21 and the next mediation session on May 13.
Week of April 28*: AFA negotiations email survey conducted by Hart Research Associates to be released following completion of the phone survey. Email survey to be live for approximately one week. (*The launch of the online survey was moved up a few days to the Friday of the previous week. However, the bulk of the survey will take place during the week of the 28th.)
Week of May 5: Survey results provided by Hart Research Associates to second round Negotiating Committee
Week of May 12: Round two of mediation begins in Tempe, AZ
May 20: System-wide solidarity action (details to follow)
It is extremely important that your voice be heard. Make sure to complete the survey!
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow; and
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
MEC 5BSS Logo

Hello Seattle Flight Attendants,

Please find the attached minutes from the April 16th base meeting. Also included with the minutes is the Next Generation Program resolution that was unanimously passed at the meeting.

The AFA Board of Directors meeting begins Sunday and the election of International Officers occurs on Tuesday morning. If you would like to direct your votes for these International Officer elections please email Laura Masserant at lmasserant@yahoo.com before 6am Tuesday morning.

AFA Base Union Meeting 4_16_14

Next Generation Resolution 2014

Dear Flight Attendants,

Researches from Harvard University have contacted us seeking assistance in finding Flight Attendants to participate in a health study to help better understand the health implications of our profession.  The researchers are ideally seeking candidates who, in addition to having a layover in Boston, will have approximately two weeks off during which the candidate is not planning to travel by air.  The two weeks off may occur either immediately prior to or following the Boston layover.  Having two weeks free of air travel is not a requirement of the study however and any Flight Attendant working a trip that includes a layover in Boston is encouraged to volunteer.  A letter from the Harvard researchers and information about how to participate can found by clicking here.

In Solidarity,

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

Resources

Dear Flight Attendants,

The follow up AFA negotiations survey by Hart Research Associates will begin this evening.  The first phase is a phone interview, which will be capped at a limited number of respondents.  Calls will begin at approximately 5pm PDT and will continue until 9pm PDT.  This will be repeated each evening for 4-5 days or until we have reached the cap–whichever occurs first.  Only Flight Attendants for which we have already received an updated phone number will be eligible to participate in the limited phone interviews.

Important: Interviewers from Hart Research Associates will display as “blocked” or “restricted” on caller ID.  Unfortunately there was no way around this.  You must be prepared to answer a blocked or restricted call between 5pm and 9pm PDT.  Hart will not leave a message and there is no call back number.  If you are not able to participate in the phone survey, you will have the opportunity to take the Internet survey which will be live after completion of phase one phone interviews.

April-May Negotiations Timeline*

* Dates are approximate.  Following Negotiating Committee appointments, negotiations training for the second round NC is anticipated sometime between the week of April 21 and the next mediation session on May 13.

Week of April 21: AFA negotiations phone survey conducted by Hart Research Associates to be live for 4-5 nights.

Week of April 28: AFA negotiations email survey conducted by Hart Research Associates to be released following completion of the phone survey.  Email survey to be live for approximately one week.

Week of May 5: Survey results provided by Hart Research Associates to second round Negotiating Committee

Week of May 12: Round two of mediation begins in Tempe, AZ

May 20: System-wide solidarity action (details to follow)

Once the phone interviews have been completed, the Internet survey will begin shortly thereafter.

In solidarity,

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

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

MEC 5BSS Logo

Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,

Below is the link to the minutes from our latest Local Council Meeting held on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in the Vancouver Room at PDX Airport.  A special thanks to all of our Council 39 Officers, Committee Members and Chairs, and Members who attended!

Click here to see the Local Council Meeting Minutes >>

If you have any questions about the minutes or the meeting itself, please contact LEC President Cathy Gwynn at catgwynn@comcast.net.

In Solidarity,

Your LEC Officers – Cathy Gwynn and Brian

AFA Council 39 Logo

Dear Flight Attendants,

Harvard has been conducting flight attendant health studies since 2007.  Many of you have already participated.  Thank you for your participation—-only with your participation can we learn more about our health.

The Harvard team is committed to specifically investigating Flight Attendant health conditions over time, similar to the well-known Nurses’ Health Study research at Harvard.

For your information, some of the study results are posted on the website FAhealth.org.

In the next couple of months, Harvard researchers are inviting Flight Attendants bidding the Boston trip to participate in a study investigating exposure to chemical substances prevalent in the general environment, and specifically, in the aircraft cabin, by analyzing blood samples from flight attendants.

The Boston trip is an accessible location for Harvard researchers to take samples. Some Flight Attendants at Alaska have already participated in this study by meeting the Harvard team at the hotel after arrival in Boston and donating a serum sample and hand wipe sample. (Researchers use an alcohol swab to sweep any possible dust particles off the surfaces of the hands.)

To obtain a better picture of exposure, we need more Flight Attendants to participate. Participants are given a gift in appreciation when they arrive in Boston.

In addition, the researchers are looking for the rare occasion when Flight Attendants have time off—at least 2 weeks—in order to compare the blood level of chemicals during a time when the flight attendant is not working on the aircraft (and not flying as a passenger) with blood levels after flying again. This “wash out” period can occur either before or after a Flight Attendant comes to Boston (Harvard would use a mobile lab technician to take a blood sample at a location convenient for you).  This “wash out” information is particularly important to separate aircraft exposures from other sources.

Even if you do not anticipate an upcoming leave, Harvard still wants you to consider participation. The investigators are interested to know whether specific chemical substances are at higher levels in Flight Attendants than the general population. Because some of these chemicals have been associated with endocrine disruption in a small group of animal and human studies, the research team is interested to know about the impact on flight attendants.

If you are willing to participate, please contact Dr. Eileen McNeely to let her know how and when to reach you.  She will answer any further questions you have about the research: emcneely@hsph.harvard.edu.

Dear Flight Attendants,

The Master Executive Council (MEC) is pleased to pass along some additional information to help you get to know the second round Negotiating Committee a little better.

Jeffrey Peterson, AFA-CWA Alaska MEC president

Jeffrey Peterson hails from Anchorage, AK, and graduated from A.J. Dimond High in south Anchorage. Jeff was conferred a Presidential Scholar Award in 1991 and went on to achieve a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. Prior to being a Flight Attendant, he spent several years in hotel management working for Marriott International and a franchise company associated with Marriott Hotels. He started out his Flight Attendant career 15 years ago in Los Angeles. Jeff has also been based in Seattle and now San Diego. Jeff’s term as AFA-CWA Alaska MEC president began on July 1, 2011, and he is in his second term of office which expires December 31, 2016. Jeff currently commutes between his home in San Diego and the AFA office in Seattle, which he believes is a small price to pay for living even part-time in “America’s Finest City.”

“There was a lot of good work done in the previous Tentative Agreement that will provide a framework for the second round of negotiations. With their votes, the membership has communicated a very clear mandate to me as MEC president that the next TA must contain significant improvements. Please guide the bargaining objectives of the Negotiating Committee by completing the follow-up negotiations survey to be released shortly. I am re-energized by the high participation rate of our membership in the TA vote and the unambiguous result. With the assistance of this Negotiating Committee and “Five Bases Standing Strong” behind us, I am confident we will deliver a much-improved TA.”

Kristy Stratton, social media coordinator

Kristy Stratton has been a Los Angeles-based Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant since 2005. In addition to flying, Kristy is an entrepreneur, mother and artist. Her professional history and wide range of experience includes business development, project management and she has been a freelance executive consultant for more than 15 years.

“I am honored to represent our outstanding workgroup with expertise and fortitude to achieve a mutually beneficial and innovative contract which represents our commitment and contributions to the success of our great airline.”

Lisa Pinkston

Lisa Pinkston has been a Flight Attendant at Alaska Airlines since 2005.  She is married to “my best friend, Brian,” and she has two daughters, Kinsley (6) and Keeley (3), both of whom she describes as “wonderful.”  Lisa loves living in Alaska and enjoys everything that beautiful state has to offer.  Prior to joining Alaska Airlines, she held a number of positions in the insurance industry, including writing medical policies for Aetna, adjusting claims at Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and assisting the General Counsel in handling mediation, arbitration, and litigation at State Farm. Lisa is currently serving as AFA-CWA Council 30 Anchorage vice president.

“I am very excited to be a part of the negotiating committee, and I look forward to working towards a contract that recognizes the great contribution and positive spirit our flight attendants bring to our customers and company.”

Jake Jones

Jake Jones is currently serving a second term as vice president of AFA-CWA Council 19 Seattle. Jake is a Seattle-based Flight Attendant and joined the company in 2006. He holds an AA in Business Administration and Management. Prior to working for Alaska Airlines, he was in the banking industry for seven (7) years.  His partner Jeff is an Alaska CSA and they live in Auburn, WA with their two dogs Shanti and Houston.

“I’m excited to once again represent Alaska flight attendants in achieving a contract that truly recognizes our contributions and award winning service through increasing compensation, work rules and benefits while continuing to provide financial and long term success to Alaska Air Group.”

Christina Frees

Christina Frees started what she calls “my grown up life” working in the medical field stitching up wounds and what she describes as “poking small children with needles.” Since then, she has worked large scale events for Microsoft across the US. Christina has raised funds for children with cancer and their families with Ronald McDonald House Charities. She has also taught children computer tech skills and worked with children with disabilities in Northshore School District. Christina is a co-owner in a plumbing and contracting business in which her husband has carried on the family trade in Seattle dating back to the 1930s. She became a member of the Alaska family two years ago to “start a new adventure of travel with my family.” Christina has found this job to be more unique than any other she has done.

“In my life, I have always been drawn to advocate for others. I’m a mother of three–ages 20, 14 and 12–and couldn’t be more honored and excited to advocate on behalf of this wonderful and unique work group. Looking forward to the work ahead!”

Congratulations to your second round Negotiating Committee!

In solidarity,

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

MEC 5BSS Logo

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

The JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all members.

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Every June, we come together to honor LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the remarkable resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ community. Pride Month began as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The inaugural Pride March, […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, May 26, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.

We all know flying can be demanding—long days, irregular hours, and fatigue are part of the job. It’s natural for tensions to rise. Before you head to management or vent on social media, consider Professional Standards. In this video, Ava McWilliams-Ellington, pre-merger Alaska LAX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson, shares how Professional Standards provides a confidential, […]

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX (pmAS) Council 19 SEA (pmAS) Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX Council 43 HNL Council 47 LAX/SEA (pmHA) EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Engagement Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska + Hawaiian news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates