Negotiations Update February 5-7, 2013

Dear Flight Attendants,

This week’s round of bargaining played out in fits and starts, but we ended the week positioned to proceed forward and to begin exchanging full comprehensive proposals. Yes, you heard it right—at our next session beginning March 18^th, we will receive the first compensation proposal from management. All along, they have been saying how much they value our contribution to Alaska’s success so we’re expecting a package that truly recognizes that contribution.

*

Section 11: Reserves. At our last session, we had TA’d and signed a term sheet outlining all provisions. This session, we finalized the language and “re-TA’d” the section.

*

Section 12: Exchange of Sequences. We finally TA’d this section after months of discussions. We gained jet bridge trades which will greatly increase flexibility and allow Flight Attendants to trade or giveaway whole or partial non-international sequences at the airport—including on RONs! Additionally, now Open Time will open with ALL days open. In an effort to drastically improve the functionality of OT for all Flight Attendants, we have made several changes to this system.

Members of the Negotiating Committee will be attending the AFA Board of Directors meeting February 9-13, so a comprehensive explanation will be put out after their return. Unfortunately, management has communicated a snippet of information regarding S12 in the “Grab n Go” posted on the Inflight webpage, which has already begun to generate a ton of concern and speculation out on the line. Flexibility of schedule is a hallmark of our job, so we understand the interest in any changes to this section. Again, a more comprehensive explanation is forthcoming, but we’ll give you a preview.

OT starts with no closed days. Only trips that have been traded into OT (code TR) or trips dropped for coupon drops (code CP) will count towards closing days. Pairings will have the trade code information viewable. The current system allows the Company (after the first 24 hours) to close the days subjectively based on a variety of factors: “reserve coverage, sick calls, and historical usage.” The TA’d language allows a particular day to be closed only after the threshold is reached. Smallest domiciles will close at three sequence departures per day and Seattle at nine sequence departures per day (based on current staffing), with transparent system in place. If a FA picks up a trip from OT with one of the codes, it will open OT if the day is at the threshold.

No more “pre-funding” of OT with 25% of TFP of number of FAs in the base. Rather, all trips are potentially assignable to FAs by PBS, which will lead to more Lineholders and less Reserves. Trips can simply be posted into OT if the day is open, which is how OT will be populated. Quartile (“stepped”) trading system of opening trading for each successive 25% of domicile for four 24 hour periods. OT is therefore “funded” with more senior trips than today at each seniority (because currently OT is made up of the PBS “cast offs” unwanted by all).

Eliminated three-leg difference restriction and day-for-day trade restriction. Provided the day is open, trips can simply be posted to OT with no pick up. (Again, if the day is open, one can simply post a turn to a 4-day trip on that day with no trip pick up.) Number of days in the sequence is irrelevant—only the start date of the sequence matters. Even if the day is closed, sequences can be exchanged if they are the same day of departure, e.g., a 4-day can be exchanged for a turn in OT and vice versa as long as they have the same initial departure date.

There is a lot more to this section, so stand by for more!

*

Section 15: Leaves of Absence. Even though this section had already been TA’d, the recent incident with flight #473 made it apparent that some further clarification of the language was needed to remove ambiguity concerning when a FA is removed from a pairing when a medical emergency occurs on the aircraft. We do appreciate management’s willingness to reopen this TA and clarify the language.

*

Section 3: Scope. We gave management our initial proposal on Scope. This proposal packages several important job-protection provisions which guard against the Company funneling our flying to other carriers. We included provisions to protect our flying against encroachment of CPA (capacity purchase agreement) flying. As Alaska Airlines expands, we want our members to participate in and benefit from that added flying. We addressed “Wet Leasing” (when another air carrier is contracted on a short-term basis to provide aircraft and crews to fly our flying) and put parameters limiting its duration. Additionally, we addressed the scope of our duties and stated that the terms and conditions of any additional “buy-on-board” activities (excluding items for consumption on the aircraft) would have to be negotiated

*

Crew Rooms – We can all agree that the SEA crew room is TOO SMALL. Happily it is about to more than double the size. The space has been identified and is adjacent to the current crew room. We look forward to construction beginning soon and I know we will all be happy when we can enjoy some more elbow room in SEA. An audit is ongoing at all other domiciles to assess the appropriateness of the current crew room size and identify larger spaces if warranted.

*

Our next session begins March 18^th in Seattle. We anticipate receiving management’s comprehensive proposal which will encompass compensation, sick leave, per diem, retirement and insurance, and all other open items. We have scheduled additional dates through August.

In the meantime, stay informed by checking out the latest negotiations video update on our You Tube channel and the other resources linked below in ‘References’. Please continue to show your support for your Negotiating Committee by wearing your AFA pin and/or your (soon to be vintage) “Four Bases, One Voice” bracelets. If you have a question or concern, fill out a VOICE Comment Card or email us at negotiations@alaskamec.org.

When management’s team hands us that comprehensive compensation proposal, they need to see the entire group of over 3,000 Flight Attendants behind us and know that we speak for everyone!

In Solidarity

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

 

AFA Alaska Negotiations channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AFAALANegotiations

Alaska Airlines Negotiations Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alaskaairlines.negotiations

“Four Bases, One Voice”

 VOICE Comment Card Report February 2013

 

Negotiations Update January 15 – 17, 2013

Dear Flight Attendants,

We just completed another week of talks at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations and Training Center in Seattle, WA, and are satisfied to report that we have reached a tentative agreement in Section 8 – Hours of Service and Section 10 – Scheduling. Our sincere thanks to Flight Attendant and former Crew Scheduler Erik Velez for once again joining us this session as our scheduling expert! Both sections contain some very nice improvements. Sections 11 – Reserve, 16 – Sick Leave/On the Job Injury, and 27 – Association Business were also discussed this session. The parties also agreed to devote an entire meeting to discuss looming IT issues which would arise as a result of the changes we are negotiating in our Contract, and that meeting was very informative and helpful. Below are some of the highlights from this week:

* * *

Section 8 – Hours of Service

[Like Sequence] In addition to all the changes we have already reported out, we finally reached accord on the definition of “like sequence.” As we all know, we are awarded a schedule and we plan our lives around it. The time we return to domicile important and the current contract provisions on reassignment, move-up and rescheduling were confusing and inconsistent. We achieved a uniform provision, “like sequence,” that will apply to all situations except 10.T Pre-Cancellation, which will remain unchanged. We also negotiated a pay penalty which will provide a disincentive for the Company from extending the “footprint” of your sequence. Under the “like sequence” provision, you may be reassigned and you have to be back to domicile by the end of the last calendar day of your original sequence—just like today. However, if you return to domicile 4 or more hours later, then you will receive a 1.5x premium for all flights into or exceeding 4 hours, prorated, with a minimum of 1 TFP at premium pay. Additionally, if the reassigned sequence contains 4 or more flights than the original assignment, the same premiums will apply for the TFP value of the 4 or more legs. Finally, the like sequence must be a single sequence—in comparison to the practice today in which you may be given multiple sequences on the same day or days as the original sequence.

 

[Contactability] Importantly, we reached agreement on “contactability” language. Flight Attendants cannot be denied boarding or exiting hotel vans, check-in at hotels, etc., pending contacting Crew Scheduling. Additionally, if you are contacted by Crew Scheduling while off duty on a layover, you may return the call or wait until the start of your next duty period – AT YOUR OPTION. However, if you choose to answer the call or call back, then you are required to accept the assignment. This is an important protection and should help curb some of the abuse we have all heard about or experienced. If you are contacted while on duty, you must return the call as soon as possible.

[RON Rest] While we did not succeed in our bid to increase our 10 hour remain over night (RON) rest, we did significantly improve the penalty provisions. Currently, almost all RONs are at or exceed 11 hours rest. However if your RON rest is reduced below 9:30, then you will be paid 2.5x for the remainder of the sequence. This is an improvement in the penalty start (currently it begins at 9:00) and also to the actual premium in terms of pay and duration (it is 2x pay until you receive legal crew rest today).

* * *

Section 10 – Scheduling. We eliminated the “Min Bid” preference. This option was causing confusion and setting false expectations for FAs. A very small number of FAs were actually receiving this award. Often senior FAs preferencing “Min Bid” would be awarded a higher time line than more junior FAs who had not had that preference. Senior FAs who bid appropriately will still be able to achieve the same result as preferencing for a “min bid” today.

We improved the provision for non-revving FAs to be asked (at their option) to work a flight if they are listed. If you accept, the flights will be paid at 1.5x and the Company will return you to your original destination if that is your desire. The Company has also agreed to publish the PBS Coverage Report (formerly known as the Unstacking Report) to ensure greater transparency.

* * *

While settling Sections 8 and 10 was significant progress in these talks, there remain items still unresolved in several open sections.

12: Exchange of Sequences – Parameters governing Open Time still remain to be resolved.

14: Vacation – We are seeking an extra week of vacation (42 days) at 25 years.

16: Sick Leave/ OJI – Determining how the two sick leave banks interact.

22: Expenses – We are seeking an annual bump in per diem that would happen automatically each year in addition to the increase we have already secured.

29: Profit Sharing and Retirement – 13.5% 401(k) match, similar to the pilots’ retirement plan.

30: Training – We are still fighting for a minimum 4TFP for travel days to training. This is important for FAs based in PDX, LAX and SAN, assuming such training is conducted in Seattle.

Section 27: Association Business – There are several items that are holding open this section.

Section 32: Attendance Policy – There are several items that are holding open this section.

Hotels: We are apart on the concept of short and long layover hotels being in different locations.

* * *

IT Meeting and Issues. Thursday morning was spent with management’s negotiating team and members of Alaska’s IT department to begin discussions on the programming and software changes necessitated by anticipated new contract provisions. This move was initiated by management, and it is a prudent step because in the TA’d sections to date, we have made some major changes which involve programming. Of course, none of that is implemented until AFA members ratify a full Tentative Agreement. But it is important to get ahead of the curve as implementation may take some time. A couple of hurdles we all face is the age and antiquated nature (!) of the current software systems and the fact that programmers are committed for the remainder of this year on making changes to accommodate the new pilot rest rules – FAR 117 (“flight time, duty time”) – which will become effective January 2014. We reviewed a list of changes that would be needed and worked on initial prioritization. These meetings will continue.

* * *

In the near term, we will get into the remaining sections: Section 21 Compensation, Section 23 Insurance, Section 3 Scope, and Duration. These are very important and contentious sections. They go to the very heart of the negotiations struggle: money. So far, negotiations have gone reasonably well and we have been able to get a lot of our issues addressed.

 

However, soon the intensity of the talks will ratchet up as we put money on the table. Alaska Airlines has been a very profitable carrier for years and Flight Attendants have significantly contributed to that profitability. Management has made smart decisions in guiding our Company in this very turbulent industry and economy. They should continue their smart moves by recognizing the value that Flight Attendants bring to the Company and reward that contribution appropriately.

As we move into this stage of negotiations, it is imperative that ALL of us stay informed and unified. Check out the latest negotiations video update on our You Tube channel (or www.alaskamec.org) and the other resources linked below in ‘References’. We are fighting for improvements for our nearly 3,000 Alaska Flight Attendants and we must speak with one VOICE. Our next session is February 5-7. We may add additional days at the end of February if schedules permit and progress warrants it. As always, if you have questions or comments, please fill out a VOICE Comment Card or you can send an email to negotiations@alaskamec.org.

In solidarity,

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

“Four Bases, One Voice”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_FI48jJoyTk

VOICE Comment Card Report January 2013