Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian
Dear Flight Attendants,
The Negotiating Committee has developed a Frequently Asked Questions forum, which is now posted here.
If you have additional questions about negotiations, see our contact information below.
In solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
afaalaska.org/negotiations | negotiations@afaalaska.org | Negotiations Feedback Form
Sure. We are proposing that if a Flight Attendant trades away – with Open Time or another Flight Attendant – a trip and does not replace flying on those days, then any days on which s/he does not replace flying (i.e. pick up new flying) would be immune from JA. Today, a Flight Attendant could trade around her/his entire line and be immune from JA for the entire month (extreme case) even though s/he was flying a full schedule. This happens today and it sometimes forces JA very senior.
In the survey, members were very adamant that immunity from JA should still remain for days on which a trip was dropped for a special event or to extend vacation/ holiday time off.
Based on feedback, we are reviewing ER days vs conversions in the overall context of the TA. We have already added discussion of ER days/ conversions back onto the agenda for the next meeting. Additionally, we have secured the reinstatement of the Reserve Premium from management.
That is pretty much exactly what was negotiated in TA1. The OT system was completely transparent with all open/closed days, reserve thresholds, reserve usage, etc. listed. For reserves, if the reserve trade board listed the day open, you would be allowed to trade – through automation. No more submitting a request and waiting for a response. We have proposed retaining that system from TA1 and so far, management is on the same page.
In the survey, Flight Attendants overwhelmingly conveyed that reverting to the current OT system would be preferential to changing to another system that they did not know. However, it is important to remember that if either party cancels the OT ‘Test’ system, AFA and management would immediately sit down to negotiate a new system – using all the information from the ‘Test.’ During that time, the OT system would revert to the current practice. Once a new system is negotiated, that new procedure would be submitted for membership vote and put in place once ratified. So the “going back to current practice” part would only last as long as negotiations for new system- which FAs would vote on.
The actual results of negotiations surveys done by AFA are never published to the membership. In 2011, before the opening proposals were written, the Negotiating Committee sent out the negotiations survey to all members. Those results were used by the Committee to learn your bargaining objectives and priorities. If AFA had published those results, then management would know which provision was more important than another and that would be detrimental to our bargaining strategy.
The Hart Survey was basically another negotiations survey, one scientifically done with a much lower margin of error by a very highly regarded professional polling company. Because we do not want management to know your exact priorities in negotiations, we will not be publishing those results either.
The opener was created using the priorities in the Hart Survey. When a tentative agreement fails to ratify, the subsequent negotiations for a new agreement focus on ‘fixing’ the provisions which were not acceptable. It is not about going back to the beginning and starting all over.
Dear Flight Attendants,
As we continue negotiations, the Negotiating Committee is interested in gathering important data from our workgroup. The negotiations survey was a huge success and provided us with clear objectives. Now, we are looking to collect information of a more personal nature. Please know we would never ask for this if we didn’t believe it was vital information to assist us in fighting for fair compensation in our contract.
Many of our Flight Attendants have voiced their concern about the growing number of those who qualify for or are receiving financial assistance. For statistical purposes, we are collecting data on Flight Attendants who require a second job; and/or are currently receiving, or in the past five years have received any of the following types of financial assistance:
All information will be handled with the utmost care and confidentiality. Your name will not be shared outside the Negotiating Committee. The information collected is strictly for negotiations and statistical purposes. Individual Flight Attendant names will be removed and kept confidential.
This information could have a huge impact for negotiations. If you are willing to participate, email one of the Negotiating Committee members listed below who is coordinating information for your base. Please use a personal, non-company email address when communicating with a Negotiating Committee member.
If you prefer to reach out personally to one of these members—even if she is not coordinating for your base—please feel free to do so. Once contacted, one of your Negotiating Committee members will email you a questionnaire to complete.
ANC – Lisa Pinkston – lvarner22@mac.com
SEA & PDX – Christina Frees – freesitintime@gmail.com
LAX & SAN – Kristy Stratton – stratton.kristy@gmail.com
Thank you in advance to those who are willing to help the Negotiating Committee by sharing your story. Your experience will assist us in addressing the financial needs of all Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants.
In Solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
alaskamec.org/negotiations | negotiations@alaskamec.org | Negotiations Feedback Form
We want to remind you of the upcoming July 22 RED HOT MOBILIZATION event at SEA-TAC airport!
We will be handing out the new RED HOT BLING!
When: July 22, 2014
Where: Meet in the Central Annex Room, Mezzanine Level of the airport
Time: 5 am to 9 am; 11 am to 4 pm; and 5 pm to 10 pm.
Parking is paid if you park on levels 3, 5, 6, 7 and stop by the Central Annex Room for a parking ticket from 5am-5pm.
We will also have refreshments available!
This event allows Flight Attendants with children and/or who are on a leave of absence a chance to participate!
This is a system wide Mobilization event and if you cannot attend in Seattle try to attend in any of our bases:
Anchorage: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Portland: 5:30 to 8:00 am and 8:00 to 10:30 am
Los Angeles: 5 to 8:30 am, 8:30 am to Noon and 1 to 4:30 pm
San Diego: 8 am to 11:30 am
Questions? Email Seattle LEC Mobilization Chair, Krystle Cook:
kcook907@gmail.com
Five Bases Standing Strong!
The Negotiating Committee went back to the table with management last week and needs your support as they continue negotiating for the contractual improvements we deserve!
Join us on Tuesday, July 22nd for our next airport solidarity event. Volunteers are needed to demonstrate our strong presence at each of the five bases. We’ll also be distributing new RED solidarity items to Flight Attendants!
We still need volunteers in all five bases during the following time slots:
ANC – 1 to 4 PM
SEA – 5 to 9 AM, 11 AM to 4 PM, 5 to 10 PM
PDX – 5:30 to 8 AM, 8 to 10:30 AM
LAX – 5 to 8:30 AM, 8:30 AM to 12 PM, 1 to 4:30 PM
SAN – 8 to 11:30 AM
Click here to sign up for a time slot now
By volunteering just a few hours out of your day, you’ll help to solidify our strong presence at the airport and help management see RED in our five bases!
Be on the lookout for Mobilization Volunteers at each of the five bases throughout the day. They’ll be clearly visible in new RED AFA t-shirts. When you see them, ask them for your new RED solidarity items!
Contact your Local Mobilization Committee Chairperson for more information. You can find contact information at alaskamec.org/mobilization.
In solidarity,
Your Master Executive Council, Negotiating Committee and Mobilization Committee
Hello Seattle Flight Attendants,
We want to remind you of the upcoming July 22 RED HOT MOBILIZATION event at SEA-TAC airport!
We will be handing out the new RED HOT BLING!
When: July 22, 2014
Where: Meet in the Central Annex Room, Mezzanine Level of the airport
Time: 5 to 9 am; 11 am to 4 pm; and 5 pm to 10 pm.
Parking is paid if you park on levels 3, 5, 6, 7 and stop by the Central Annex Room for a parking ticket from 5am-5pm.
We will also have refreshments available!
This is a system wide Mobilization event and if you cannot attend in Seattle try to attend in any of the bases:
Portland: 5:30 to 8:00 am and 8:00 to 10:30 am
Los Angeles: 5 to 8:30 am, 8:30 am to Noon and 1 to 4:30 pm
San Diego: 8 am to 11:30 am
Questions? Email Seattle LEC Mobilization Chair, Krystle Cook:
kcook907@gmail.com
Five Bases Standing Strong!
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Open Enrollment AFA Supplemental Benefits
Remember this week National Group Protection is visiting the Seattle Base! If you would like more information on what the program offers or if you want to sign up please stop by the Seattle Inflight Room:
Monday 7/14 thru Saturday 7/19 only!
*Must enroll in person *Payroll deductions start in October
*All plans go with you if you retire or separate from the company
1. Accident coverage on & off the job (covers spouse and children, too).
Get $60/person back each year for wellness screenings.
2. Critical illness coverage – Cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, organ transplant, guaranteed coverage – no health questions, spouse too!
Get $50/person back each year for wellness screenings
3. Whole life insurance – employee, spouse, children, or grandchildren. Builds cash value!
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Change in Flight Attendant Retirement Plan Account
Flight Attendants enrolled in the Flight Attendant Retirement Plan may have noticed a change to their account. Over the past few weeks Vanguard transferred your “frozen” Flight Attendant retirement account into your current 401(k) account. This consolidation combines both accounts under a single account number, your 401(k) account number.
Information was mailed to your home, but if you have questions about this change please reach out to Vanguard:
Online: https://personal.vanguard.com/us/JSP/RegLogOn/Regis/RegActivityContent.jsf to sign up for account access. You will need your plan number for this registration. If you already have an online account with Vanguard your current name and password will enable you to access your accounts.
By phone: Call the 24-hour interactive VOICE network at 800-523-1188. You will need a personal identification number (PIN) to use VOICE. To create a PIN follow the prompts.
With Personal Assistance: Vanguard Participant Services associates are available to assist you at 800-523-1188 Monday-Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., (PST).
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Save the dates for August!
August 20th is the AFA-CWA RED HOT SUMMER PICNIC at Angle Lake Park.
Time: 1pm – 5pm
Bring the family and wear your RED HOT shirts!
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Salads, and Desserts!
Balloons, Games and Face Painting for the kids!
Council 19 is hosting the picnic and we are looking for volunteers to help set up, cook, bring salads, desserts and more!
Stay tuned for a volunteer sign up sheet!
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August 27th is the next airport MOBILIZATION event during the week of mediation!
Stay tuned for more information of this fun-filled event!
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Remember to stay informed, stay connected, and show your SOLIDARITY by wearing your RED AFA pin!
In solidarity,
Laura, Jake, Linda, Stephanie, and Adam
Dear Flight Attendants,
AFA resumed mediation this week with Alaska Airlines management at the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, DC. Management was represented by Shane Tackett, vice president of Labor Relations; Andy Schneider, vice president of Inflight Services; Elizabeth Ryan, managing director of Labor Relations-Air; Mike Link, manager of Inflight Labor & Work Performance; and Patrick Sundaresan, division controller for Air, Maintenance & Engineering. Ben Minicucci, chief operating officer (COO), also joined us on the first day. Victoria Gray returned as our federal mediator from the NMB.
AFA presented our opening proposal (AFA Alaska 2014 TA-2 Opening Proposal) and engaged in productive discussions. Management was receptive to some aspects of our proposal and the parties reached an agreement in concept on several items:
The parties confirmed our August 25th-28th session, which is tentatively scheduled for San Francisco, CA. We also scheduled additional dates in early October and November. Unfortunately, our mediator had no availability in September.
The latest negotiations video update recapping this session has been posted.
What can you do between now and our August negotiations? Wear your RED AFA pin, stay informed and stay engaged. More information about upcoming solidarity events in July and August is at alaskamec.org/mobilization.
Looking for more information or have questions/concerns about negotiations? Visit the negotiations page of the AFA Alaska website, fill out a Negotiations Feedback Form or send the Negotiating Committee an email. Look under our signature line below for all the links!
In solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
alaskamec.org/negotiations | negotiations@alaskamec.org | Negotiations Feedback Form
In Solidarity,
Your LEC Officers – Stephen Couckuyt, Melanie Buker and Brice McGee
Dear Flight Attendants,
Your Master Executive Council (MEC), Negotiating Committee and Mobilization Committee have been busy planning more solidarity activities this summer. We wanted to get this information into your hands before the Independence Day holiday weekend and before bidding opens in PBS.
Join us at the RED Hot AFA Summer BBQ at Angle Lake Park in SeaTac, WA—right next to the Alaska Airline Corporate Headquarters! The picnic will be on Wednesday, August 20th in the afternoon. Flight Attendants throughout the system are invited and may utilize non-revenue travel to attend this recreational—and educational—event!
AFA will also conduct a system-wide solidarity activity at each of the Flight Attendant domiciles on the following Wednesday, August 27th, time TBD. For maximum impact, we are going to withhold the details for now.
Also, remember there is a system-wide solidarity event on Tuesday, July 22nd. We will be doing another airport walk and handing out the latest swag. Do you think it’s time for a new AFA t-shirt? Come out and join us!
Here are the session times around the system:
ANC: 1pm-4pm
SEA: 5am-9am, 11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm
PDX: 5:30am-8:00am, 8:00am-10:30am
LAX: 5am-8:30am, 8:30am-12pm, 1pm-4:30pm
SAN: 8am-11:30am
Volunteers sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RAUYuw2muX7zk5g55YgWck6sIdXCPbQm_2HPlfm4sn4/viewform.
For more information regarding upcoming mobilization efforts, visit alaskamec.org/mobilization.
In solidarity,
Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt; and
Your Negotiating Committee—MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Jake Jones, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo; and
MEC Mobilization Chairperson Adam Clarey
