Latest News – Page 223

September 19, 2014 11:42

What are some of the changes in Section 32 during the last session? I am hearing different things on the line…..

Do we still have to fly a leg prior to calling in sick online at domicile for check-in?

In the last negotiating session the committee told management that many changes were required to meet our Flight Attendants expectations. The committee brought forward concerns regarding the requirement to fly the first leg of a sequence to call out “sick online”. We were able to remove the requirement, however there is a .5 point associated with calling out sick online at domicile prior to flying the first leg of a sequence. An example is if you had a 4 day trip, it would be 2 points total for the sick call plus the .5 point for calling out sick at domicile prior to flying a leg for a total of 2.5 points. Points for the sick online could be mitigated by calling in well. If you have a FMLA on file or you are injured in the workplace (workers compensation) you will be exempt from the additional .5 point.

Do we still have black out dates attached with our quarterly doctors note?

No, the committee was able to remove all black out dates!

Is there a quarterly or year-end (annual) flying requirement to receive record improvement?

For quarterly improvement there is no flying requirement. In TA1 there was a 120 tfp requirement which is now eliminated.

Year-end record improvement does require on December 31st that you meet your 480 tfp (including vacation, excluding sick leave) for the calendar year. You must avoid any occurrences in the months of Nov/Dec as described in TA1 and if you have 4 points or under will have your points reduced back to zero.

How many bank points will I be able to accrue?

The committee was able to maintain the improvement of 6 bank points from TA1.

Under the current contract I am penalized when I call in sick using my doctors note because I have bank points, is anything being done about this?

Yes, under TA2 you will not be penalized. You will have the ability to choose whether you use your bank points for the occurrence or the quarterly note which will remove the points and continue to maintain your banked points.

With the provisions of TA2, what are the changes regarding a Single Continuous Occurrence?

A Single Continuous Occurrence will be valid for ten (10) consecutive days beginning from the day of the sick call. If you are going to be out for any length of time and qualify you should consider taking a medical leave. The medical leave handbook is currently being revised to reflect the current practice. If you have questions or concerns regarding medical leaves please contact your AFA Benefits Representatives by visiting us online at http://afaalaska.org/benefits.

September 19, 2014 10:45

Did the negotiating committee review Section 23 and achieve a cap on our insurance?

Yes, we achieved a 15% year on year cap on health care contribution and maintained the annual cost share caps from TA1.

September 19, 2014 09:52

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-17/southwest-airlines-plan-to-keep-costs-low-saying-no-to-pay-raises

September 17, 2014 05:00

Recently, we’ve become aware of inaccurate information contained in several Flight Attendant personnel files. It was discovered that several personnel files contained documents that were incorrect or out-of-date.

The information contained in your personnel file chronicles your career at Alaska Airlines. It contains routine administrative documents, kudos from customers and coworkers, and disciplinary records and reprimands. Though it is likely that the information contained in your personnel file is accurate, there’s always the slight possibility that information that is inaccurate or no longer applicable (in the case of discipline older than 18 months).

It’s Always a Good Idea to Look Inside

According to our collective bargaining agreement, you’re entitled to a complete copy of your personnel file with at least seven calendar days’ notice (section 24.G). We recommend that every Flight Attendant take advantage of this contractual right and review your personnel file on a regular basis.

Just Ask Your Performance Supervisor

To make a request for your copy of your personnel file, contact your performance supervisor. We recommend doing so in writing, using FirstClass email. You’ll find contact information for your performance supervisor below.

ANC

Natasha Kemp (natasha.kemp@alaskaair.com)

SEA

Last Name A-G: Michelle Kirschbaum (michelle.kirschbaum@alaskaair.com) and/or Rachael Mattioli (rachael.mattioli@alaskaair.com)
Last Name H-P: Candy Donaldson (candy.donaldson@alaskaair.com)
Last Name Q-Z: Natasha Kemp (natasha.kemp@alaskaair.com)

In Solidarity,

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

September 12, 2014 05:00

The Master Executive Council (MEC) has recently become aware of situations involving Inflight management discouraging new hires from exercising their contractual ability to trade, reposition, or give away trips or reserve days. This kind of pressure violates our contract.

Have You Been Pressured Not To Trade?

When you were on probation, did a member of Inflight management discourage you from exercising your contractual rights to trade? We’re looking for first-hand examples of Inflight supervisors or managers discouraging you from:

Asking for personal drops
Trading or giving away pairings (either on your line or picked up)
Repositioning, trading, or giving away reserve days or block

Share Your Example With Us

If you have a first-hand example of an Inflight supervisor or manager pressuring you not to exercise your contractual right, we’re looking for your feedback. Flight Attendants currently on probation: please participate! However, be assured that AFA will hold any responses from probationary Flight Attendants in strict confidence until the completion of probation.

Click here to complete a response form

Questions?

Send an email to probation@afaalaska.org

In Solidarity,

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

September 11, 2014 05:46

September 10, 2014 09:42

From Your AFA EAP

As we approach the thirteenth anniversary of September 11^th, many of us will begin to plan how we’ll recognize this day. Anniversaries offer an opportunity to acknowledge our memories and experiences, to connect with others who share in them, and to pay tribute to our individual and collective journeys. Anniversaries can also serve as personal and professional milestones of our healing and resiliency. For some, September 11th will be marked with private personal gestures such as observing a moment of silence, spending quiet time reflecting, or dedicating our flying to our profession. For others, it will be marked with collective activities such as ceremonies and memorial services.

There is no right way or better way to recognize the anniversary; but, there are some suggestions that may prove helpful as we approach the anniversary of September 11^th.

Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you. Say “no” to events or activities that you sense may flood you with too many feelings.

Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11^th

Acknowledge that we all heal at different rates, in different ways, and with different outcomes.

Give yourself permission and time to be affected. Though uncomfortable, anticipate and plan for having a stress reaction as the anniversary approaches. Trust that if you have moments of difficulty, you’ll be able to pull yourself back together.

Try not to isolate. Isolation can often amplify difficult feelings. Pre-plan now to be with family or friends if you know you have this tendency.

Think through in advance how much and the type of anniversary media coverage you can comfortably absorb. Actively monitor and control what news coverage enters your personal space.

If you are interested in attending scheduled anniversary events, check local community websites or voicesofsept11.org.

Ask for help, support, and opportunities to talk. Your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to listen. Telephone numbers of your local EAP committee members are listed at afanet.org under the EAP Section or at http://afaalaska.org/eap. You can also call the AFA International EAP at 1-800-424-2406 or the AFA Alaska EAP at 1-949-470-0493.

In solidarity,

Your AFA International and AFA Alaska EAP

September 7, 2014 15:37

AFA-CWA BASE MEETING

Council 19 – Seattle

September 9, 2014

11:00 Base Meeting

1:00 Town Hall

Meeting location will be at the SEOUL ROOM on the mezzanine level (south end) of SEA-TAC Airport at the Sea-Tac Conference Center

Parking provided at airport with the exception of the 4^th floor

I. Call meeting to order

Call for late agenda items
Announcements
Matt Isenhower (11:30)
Flight Pac – Bev Bullock
DEL Program – Laura Masserant

II. LEC Update

Officer Update
Committee Updates
Budget Review
Donation – Project Help

III. Update on Negotiations

September 6, 2014 21:08

For bidding purposes, please save the date for our first Council 15 San Diego Local Council Meeting!

San Diego Local Council Meeting
Monday, October 20, 2014
11 AM to 2 PM

Joining us at the meeting will be special guests Jeffrey Peterson, MEC President, to address Negotiations and Stephen Poynter, MEC Scheduling Vice Chairperson for PBS, to answer your PBS questions.

The meeting will be held in the Sharie D. Shipley Media Center at San Diego International Airport. The center is located in Terminal 2 on the Baggage Claim Level.

From the Commuter Terminal ride the Airport Loop Bus. Get off at the third stop. Walk into Terminal 2 Baggage Claim, take a left and walk to the very end. The Media Center is on the left side of the far end wall.

If you wish to submit an advance agenda item, please email it to LEC President Stephen Couckuyt at san15pres@gmail.com no later than October 16th.

September 5, 2014 14:26

Inflight management recently announced a voluntary training called “Making the Connection” via Inflight Bulletin 2014-0173, which seems to be visible to Seattle-based Flight Attendants only. The training is intended to provide Flight Attendants some familiarization with the duties of a Customer Service Agent and vice versa. AFA was informed of the program but it was rolled out without negotiating the terms of the training with the union.

Available for pick-up in Seattle Open Time

“Making the Connection” is currently being offered in Seattle only and may be picked up out of Seattle’s Open Time. It is available on Mondays through October and is a trial. If the class is successful, the program may be rolled out system-wide.

Flight Attendants in other domiciles are being allowed to pick up the training; however, be advised that management is not offering hotel accommodations in Seattle in order to position for the class. Compensation is quoted as 6 TFP, which is contractually consistent.

“Making the Connection” is not cross training!!!

The training is designed to foster a better understanding between the Flight Attendant and Customer Service Agent workgroups—nothing more. This is not cross training and AFA leadership and IAM leadership will pursue our respective dispute resolution processes if employees of one workgroup are required to perform duties of the other. However, we have no reason to believe this will happen.

AFA disputes the program “follows the same rules as Recurrent Training”

From the bulletin: “This program follows the same rules as Recurrent Training for rest requirements, date change requests and attendance (sick leave and Failure to Report to training would apply).” Through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, AFA is disputing that the program as described actually follows the contractual Recurrent Training rules for attendance, sick leave and to a certain extent date change requests.

Once AFA and management achieve agreement on the concerns, one or both parties will communicate the outcome. In the meantime, be aware that several aspects of this voluntary training class are in dispute.

In solidarity,

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