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Letter from your LEC President

Hello LAX,

I can’t believe that it is already the end of May! It has been a very busy year for all of us. Some of you in the last couple months may have noticed I have not been as visible. I ran my campaign on complete transparency, so I need you to know what’s been going on in my life. In early January my husband had a complete knee replacement. It was not the best timing, as it coincided with our first round of TA roadshows. His surgery had been planned for months and there was no way of changing it. Kelly, Kelese, and David stepped up and made sure that LAX/SAN was represented. Although I couldn’t travel I continued to do my daily union work: phone calls, conference calls, emails, and administrative duties. All seemed good by end of January and my life was back on track attending all meetings. However, at the beginning of April my daughter, who was pregnant with twins, went into pre-labor. I once again needed to stay local as she had a high-risk pregnancy. During that time VP Kelly Johnson attended meetings and the BOD in my place. My daughter delivered our long-awaited grand children, Jacob and Jordan on April 25, but on May 12th I got a call from my daughter. She was going to the ER. Without going into all the specifics, she had three surgeries within six days, and I needed to help take care of the twins during that time she and her husband spent in the hospital. Please know that the LEC team you elected stepped in and proudly represented you. I am so grateful to them.  Through it all, Kelly kept me updated. I appreciate the support of our LAX officers, MEC and the company during this time. I felt a tremendous amount of guilt by not being able to uphold all of my commitments, but knew it was in capable hands.

Now lets get into Local Union Business.

We heard you loud and clear with the results of the TA. We have put a strong Negotiating Committee (NC) in place. We are lucky to have LAX FA Kristy Stratton on the team. We have changed our VOICE Committee to Mobilization Committee, with Stacy Ubelehor as our committee chair. She did such an awesome job during the last round of negotiations and I am happy she agreed to continue. We have already had one event on May 20, which was a great success! If you missed it no worries as there will be many opportunities for you to get involved. Do you have the new AFA RED pin??? If not reach out to any officer or Stacy. Please wear it!

There is concern on line that we will not be going back to the table until July. Your NC has met and is working on the surveys that were conducted in April. I know it is frustrating, but it would be more frustrating to be sitting at the table without the Mediator and not getting anywhere. We all saw what happened last round of Negotiations when the Company came to the table and were not prepared. We can use these next 2 months to our advantage.

There is also great concern about our flying. We are addressing those concerns with Management. We are losing some Mexico flying in August and need to replace it with better flying.

Starting on June 1, SAN will have their own local council and officers. As much as I have enjoyed representing them, it will be nice to focus all my attention on our LAX base. Please welcome President Stephen Couckuyt, VP Melanie Buker, and Sec./Treas. Brice McGee for Council 15.

This is the time to GEAR up for some exciting months ahead in achieving a great contract that we all deserve and have earned. PAY IT FORWARD to every FA that you come into contact with by asking them if they are using the AlaskaMEC.org website to get correct information. Ask them to wear their AFA pin. Always remember WE ARE THESE PEOPLE because WE ARE AFA standing strong and united. We will get an industry leading contract because of our POWER(JD). I think its going to be a RED HOT summer!

As your elected President, I want you to know I will always listen to you. I will answer your questions and bring forward your ideas to the MEC. You are an amazing group of FAs and I am humbled that I can represent you. I learn from the past and look forward to the future.

Stand Strong, be United, be kind to each other because We are FIVE BASES STANDING STRONG!

Fly Safe!

In Solidarity,

Sandra

 

 

 

 

May 22, 2014

 

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

It has come to the attention of the Master Executive Council (MEC) that a video has been posted to social media. That video features a modified clip from Vice President of Inflight Services Andy Schneider’s interview with KTUU at the Alaska Air Group Shareholders Meeting on May 8th. It also contains one of AFA Alaska’s recent mobilization messages throughout and other statements about the interview and negotiations.

 

This video was not produced by AFA and is in no way sponsored or endorsed by AFA, your MEC or your Negotiating Committee. We believe the source video has since been taken down.

 

With the recent solidarity activities fresh on everyone’s mind and our RED Hot countdown underway, we understand that many of you are eager to engage in more collective action events. The Negotiating Committee has a strategic plan in place to leverage the power of our unified group as we return to negotiations in July.

 

Individual efforts that are conducted outside of our AFA mobilization campaigns could dilute our unified voice and have a detrimental effect on the success of the Negotiating Committee at the table. Additionally, discipline or perhaps even termination of employment could result from such activities.

 

Going forward if you have ideas for mobilization activities, email those suggestions to negotiations@alaskamec.org.

 

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

Our new RED AFA pins are a hot commodity!  Here’s how you can get yours:

  • Mobilization Volunteers have been provided with a supply of RED AFA pins, lanyards, and other giveaway items.  They will be available inside KCM checkpoints in conjunction with their flying schedules.
  • If you don’t have the chance to see a Mobilization Volunteer, email your Local Mobilization Chairperson.  They’ll have instructions on how to get a RED AFA pin at your base.  You can find contact information for your Local Mobilization Chairperson at alaskamec.org/mobilization.

Join the RED Hot Countdown – 60 days to 100% support!

MEC 5BSS Logo

We are turning up the heat. Now is the time to mobilize our workgroup for action. Solidarity is a powerful force, and we are calling on every flight attendant to STAND STRONG as we begin our second round of negotiations.

Here’s where we STAND:

  • February you voted with a CLEAR voice to send us back to negotiations on your behalf to fight for a better contract
  • May 8th you backed that vote with a LOUD voice during the shareholder meeting in Anchorage
  • May 20th you backed that vote with an INFORMATIVE voice by joining the mobilization efforts in ANC, SEA, PDX, LAX, & SAN

Now let’s continue to back that vote with a STRONG voice by:

  • Sending a clear message to management with a 100% participation in wearing your RED AFA pin
  • Sharing the message of UNITY to your fellow flight attendants
  • Participating in SOLIDARITY events, as your Negotiating Committee continues to stand for a contract you can believe in

Why RED?  RED signifies our strength & power!
­­Why NOW?  It’s time to send a unified message!
Why ME?  Each flight attendant is crucial to our success!

Management will literally be counting RED pins to get an understanding of our strength when coming back to the table. We need YOU, we need your VOICE, we need your SOLIDARITY, we need your STRENGTH.

This is OUR TIME! Each of you is valuable to your Negotiating Committee’s success. The countdown has begun. Send your Negotiating Committee to the table with 100% support as we represent YOUR VOICE to management.

RED Hot Countdown  –  60 days to 100% support:

  • Wear your RED AFA pin – Share a pin
  • Encourage each other to participate
  • Join the fun! Tweet & Instagram your photos
  • Look for your RED Hot rewards around the system
  • Participate in solidarity events

MEC 5BSS Logo

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

 

Cathy Gwynn was re-elected as Council 39 Portland president to the term of office beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2017. Certified Council 39 Election Results here: http://afacwa-elections.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Council-39-Certified-Results-Run-Off-2014.pdf.

 

The Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates Cathy and we sincerely thank John Cornelius for stepping forward to run in the election.

 

In solidarity,

 

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

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

Your Negotiating Committee is hard at work in Tempe, AZ, reviewing the negotiations survey results as we prepare for second round mediation. Joining us is AFA-CWA International Vice President and President-elect Sara Nelson. Thank you to Sara for all the great mobilization advice! We’re looking forward to working with her more in the future.

 

We would like to congratulate Alaska Airlines for receiving the highest ranking in the North American Airline Satisfaction Study amongst Traditional Network Carriers by JD Power and Associates. Further, we want to thank our Flight Attendants for their invaluable contributions resulting in this unprecedented seventh consecutive win.

 

Now, this is what your Negotiating Committee needs from you:

 

  • Join your Mobilization Team on Tuesday, May 20th, at Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles and San Diego. They will be greeting our Flight Attendants with our newest solidarity swag. (It’s a surprise!)
  • Use your $100 Company Store credit coming in June to purchase at least one logo item such as a bag tag or shirt (preferably cotton or cotton blend). Additional instructions will follow in June.
  • Stay tuned for the countdown…! 🙂

 

In solidarity,

 

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 Flight Attendants,

Your Mobilization Committee is hard at work conducting Mobilization Training sessions in our five base cities this week in preparation for support of the Negotiating Committee when mediation begins again.  Sessions were conducted yesterday in Anchorage and additional sessions are scheduled today in Seattle and later in the week in Portland, Los Angeles, and San Diego.  It’s not too late to sign up for training if you haven’t already done so.  Visit alaskamec.org/mobilization/training to register now.

In conjunction with Mobilization Training, a solidarity activity is planned on May 20th in all bases.  Even if you are unable to attend a Mobilization Training session, we invite and encourage as much participation as possible in the May 20th event.  Participation time slots for each base are as follows:

  • Anchorage: 13:30-16:30
  • Seattle: 05:00-07:00, 07:00-09:00, and 12:00-14:00
  • Portland: 06:00-09:00
  • Los Angeles (LAX): 09:00-11:00 and 14:00-16:00
  • San Diego: 08:00-11:00

Click here to access the volunteer signup form for the May 20th solidarity activity

Once you’ve signed up, your Local Mobilization Chairperson will be in contact with you to provide you with a briefing on the event including where to meet up.  If you attended or are planning on attending a Mobilization Training session this week, it is not necessary for you to complete the signup form—you will be signed up automatically at your training session.

If you have any questions about the Mobilization Committee or the May 20th solidarity event, please contact your Local Mobilization Chairperson.  Contact information can be found at alaskamec.org/mobilization.

Let’s send a resounding message on May 20th and demonstrate that we are FIVE BASES, STANDING STRONG!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gywnn, Sandra Morrow and MEC Mobilization Chairperson Adam Clarey

MEC 5BSS Logo

Dear Fellow Flight Attendants:

Polls are currently open and voting is underway in the Council 39 LEC President runoff election.  The two candidates on the runoff ballot for LEC President are John Cornelius and Cathy Gwynn.  If you haven’t already voted, please be sure to do so.  Polls close on Friday, May 16 at 12 PM PDT.  Results will be published after the ballots are certified.

For more information about the runoff election or to view the results after ballots are certified, visit the AFA-CWA elections website at http://afacwa-elections.org/councils/ala-council-39-pdx/.

In Solidarity,

Your LEC Officers – Cathy Gwynn and Brian Palmer

AFA Council 39 Logo

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

Several of you have requested access to the flier handed out at the Alaska Air Group Shareholders Meeting rally. An electronic version of the flier may be found here:

 

ALK Shareholders Mtg 2014 AFA Flier

 

In solidarity,

 

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

 

MEC 5BSS Logo

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