Negotiations Update March 18-21, 2013
Dear Flight Attendants,
This was a difficult and high-intensity week in negotiations. Right off the bat on Monday we received management’s initial compensation proposal. It was unsatisfying to say the least. Management’s proposal did almost nothing to recognize how low some of our rates are compared to the industry and despite the outstanding performance we deliver year after year.
There is a link below in ‘References’ to the proposed wage scale that shows management’s proposed rates and AFA’s proposed rates (just look at the SWA rates for our proposed rates as they are one and the same). Many if not all of you have already received this information via an email from Vice President of Inflight Andy Schneider sent earlier today, along with two other documents for your consideration. Although all the information in Andy’s email is factually accurate, we trust you will see there is a subtext to the communication. Stay strong and support your Negotiating Committee as we fight on your behalf to be appropriately compensated for our contributions! Just remember the phrase “My Negotiating Committee speaks for me!”
In addition to proposing the Southwest wage rates, AFA’s proposal provides for trip and duty rigs, increases to current premium pays, improved holiday pay and additional holidays, and other upgrades which will increase our take-home pay. Typically in negotiations, each side initially proposes pay positions which are very far apart. Then the parties attempt to get closer together over subsequent passes. We will see what happens in the next session. It is important to remember that rates are not the only components of compensation. Rigs, premium pays, international pay and other forms of compensation all add to our take-home pay.
Section 23: Insurance Benefits and Section 29: Profit Sharing and Retirement. Both of these sections are tied to compensation and we are still significantly apart in these areas.
On a brighter note, we did make significant progress in Sections 32: Attendance Policy, and Section 27: General-Association. We can report that we are a lot closer in those sections.
Section 3: Scope – the very important section which protects our jobs and our work. Management proposed a vastly expanded ability for supervisors and managers to fly our trips, which is clearly a concern for us. Management also rejected our proposed protections from engaging in future onboard product service or sales related to non-consumable items. However, we continue to fight for protections from having to sell duty free and rental cars or vacation packages onboard (just as a few examples) without the ability to negotiate the terms of such work. Discussions are still ongoing in regards to concerns with increased capacity purchase agreement (CPA) flying within Alaska Air Group. While many issues in scope are still hotly contested by us, AFA and management are close to agreeing on some protections for our flying related to who will serve as Flight Attendants on our current and future aircraft.
The bulk of our time was spent in caucus as each side worked separately on individual proposals. We will be back at the table next month on April 15-19th and April 29th –May 2nd.
Now is the time when we all must present a united front to management. As we move forward in this process, wear your AFA pin in solidarity. If you need another one, contact one of your local officers or VOICE committee chair.
Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-w0e0cUGis
https://www.facebook.com/alaskaairlines.negotiations
VOICE Comment Card Report March 2013
“Four Bases, One Voice”
LEC Elections
Your Vote is Your Voice for Local Representatives
——- VOTE NOW ——-
Ballot opens: 3/25/13 Ballot closes: 4/16/13
www.afacwa-elections.org
Cast your vote for AFA LEC Officers in LAX
Step-by-step instructions, for both the nomination and election process, can be found on the AFA-CWA Election website
www.afacwa-elections.org along with the Category III Election schedule.
The AFA-CWA Election Handbook and the Commitment to Serve form can also be found on the AFA Election website.
All active members, regardless of dues standing, with good addresses on file with AFA will be mailed the voting instructions and activation code. In addition, apprentice members who will be off probation on or before the count date will receive a ballot packet.
New for everyone is the electronic nomination process. AFA members will receive a notice for elections along with a 16-digit activation code at their home address. This code will allow you to create a login for that ballot. Once you are in the ballot you can search for the candidates by name (first or last) or AFA ID number.
It is important that everyone participate in this democratic process. Our Union and Local Council will be stronger with everyone’s voice and involvement.
Click on the link below for the Election Flyer and Candidate Information:
laxaelection
Minutes from the recent AFA base meeting:
March 19, 2013
Dear Flight Attendants,
We have received management’s comprehensive compensation package. At this time all we have to report is the proposal is extremely disappointing. We will continue to negotiate improvements and hope to have better news by the end of this week.
Remember to wear your AFA pin to show your support for the Negotiating Committee!
In solidarity,
Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Paula Mastrangelo
“Four Bases, One Voice”
www.alaskamec.org
March 17, 2013
Dear Flight Attendants,
In just a couple of weeks on April 1, 2013, Alaska Airlines will open a new Flight Attendant base in San Diego. The Master Executive Council (MEC) would like to give you an idea of when and how San Diego will become its own AFA council.
Once San Diego has a minimum of 100 active members in good standing, the MEC will petition the AFA Executive Board of Directors to become its own council. Working in conjunction with the MEC’s recommendations, the AFA International officers will then appoint temporary local officers in San Diego until an election can be held for permanent positions. We are hopeful that the election will take place by the end of this year.
In the interim AFA Council 18 Los Angeles will support the San Diego base. If you are a San Diego-based Flight Attendant and need any AFA assistance or have any interest to volunteer for an AFA committee, please contact LAX LEC President Sandra Morrow (sleemorrow@verizon.net, 951-532-3880) or LAX VP Kelly Johnson (laxvice@aol.com, 310-612-2259)
As time goes on we will update you with all relative information.
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
“Four Bases, One Voice”
February 8, 2013 @ 1430 PT
Dear Flight Attendants,
Due to severe weather on the East Coast, Alaska Airlines management and AFA have agreed to enact the “Natural Disasters and Acts of War” provision in section 8.S of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This agreement went into effect yesterday late afternoon and will remain in place through Monday, February 11, 2013, for all flights serving Boston (BOS) and Newark (EWR). Several flights have already been canceled: Feb. 8 – BOS flights 30 &12, EWR flights 8 & 14; Feb. 9 – BOS flight 30. DCA and PHL are in normal operation. Unfortunately, the decision to enact 8.S came a little too late to remove a crew from BOS yesterday early afternoon, so they will remain stranded there (with pay protection or stranded pay, as appropriate) until service resumes. All others have been returned to domicile or are on their way.
The provisions of 8.S will allow over-duty pairings to be built in order to “re-populate” those routes once service is restored. Double-out compensatory rest and premiums apply to these pairings. A link to the letter of agreement enacting 8.S can be found here:
AFA LOA 2012-02-07-A “Enacting 8.S Natural Disaster Language: Boston/Newark Snow Storm February 2013”:
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
February 8, 2013
Dear Flight Attendants,
Effective today, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air has implemented a six month test of a reciprocal jumpseat agreement. That is, Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants may now jumpseat on Horizon Air and Horizon Air Flight Attendants may now jumpseat on Alaska Airlines. This is different than the reciprocal cabin seat agreements we have with several carriers in which one must sit in a customer seat. Alaska Airlines has also implemented changes to the way we are cleared for the jumpseat, which are outlined in Inflight Bulletin 2013-0036 “QX/AS Jumpseat Procedures.”
Your AFA leadership would like to offer some helpful information that will ensure a smooth jumpseating experience on Horizon. Did you know that Horizon Flight Attendants are required to groom their aircraft after the completion of each flight? This includes emptying seat pockets and crossing seat belts. Consequently, there is a culture of expectation and courtesy at Horizon that non-revs stay behind and assist the Flight Attendants when possible.
When you jumpseat on Horizon please keep this culture in mind and if you have time after jumpseating on a flight, we know the Horizon Flight Attendants would appreciate it if you offered to assist them. However, if you find yourself deadheading on Horizon, be advised you are not under any obligation whatsoever to groom the aircraft per our Contract! The Alaska MEC is simply offering this information to you so that you can make an informed decision. The MEC is not taking a particular position except to advise that you are not required to groom aircraft while on duty per the Contract.
Keep in mind that Horizon Air Flight Attendants are also members of AFA and as such should be welcomed as our sisters and brothers when they are jumpseating on Alaska. They are not yet familiar with our jumpseat etiquette, so it will be our responsibility to explain expectations to them—such as when to step out of the galley to facilitate cart movement. The emergency procedures for sitting in the jumpseats are outlined in briefing cards located in the stationery kits. Please be assured these briefing cards have been reviewed and approved by your AFA Safety, Health and Security Committee (SHSC).
The Alaska MEC knows that many are excited about the new jumpseat agreement between Alaska and Horizon, but that some will also have concerns. Alaska Airlines management has indicated that the contact person for this test is Carmen Platt – Carmen.Platt@alaskaair.com so all feedback (positive and negative) should be sent to her. We also urge you to share your comments and/or concerns with your AFA leadership. We will be talking more with management as the test progresses for the purpose of evaluating the reciprocal jumpseat agreement.
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
