Latest News – Page 236

March 14, 2014 21:21

Dear Flight Attendants,

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) just wrapped up its March MEC meeting this week and it is time to give you an update.

Negotiations Survey

We know everybody is anxious to hear from the leadership in regards to negotiations. The next step in the process is a survey to the membership to determine the bargaining objectives for the next round of talks. Your leadership is committed to achieving comprehensive and accurate survey results that reflect the needs of the membership. Consequently, AFA has retained the Hart Research Group (http://www.hartresearch.com/) to administer the negotiations survey. AFA and Hart have discussed employing several different methods to gather data including monitoring social media and discussion boards in addition to using a traditional phone and/or online survey.

Your current Negotiating Committee members are meeting next week to gather preparatory materials for Hart. We’re targeting the survey to be out as soon as possible after April 11^th. Why April 11^th? Council 39 Portland and Council 19 Seattle have officer elections underway with a count date of April 11^th. The leadership doesn’t want too many moving pieces in play at any given time so we’re going to wait until polls so everybody can focus on the survey.

Negotiating Committee Interviews

As a reminder, interviews for the Negotiating Committee will take place on April 17^th at the AFA MEC office in Seattle. All qualified and interested candidates (including current members of the committee) are encouraged to apply no later than April 10^th. The MEC will provide additional information in regards to qualifications, duties and compensation in a separate communication due out in the coming days.

Mediated Negotiations to Resume

Under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), we will be back in mediation when we return to the table. These talks will carry on under the purview of the National Mediation Board (NMB) and we believe Victoria Gray will continue as the federal mediator assigned to our case. The parties have set a tentative date of mid-May to resume mediated negotiations.

Upcoming Company Town Hall Meetings

The MEC has received plenty of feedback from the membership regarding the upcoming Company “Town Hall” meetings. During our MEC meeting this week the officers met with management to pass along our members’ concerns. We strongly advocated to management to reconsider the timing of the Town Hall meetings and we are optimistic that management is taking our request under serious consideration.

Consequently, the MEC is holding off on taking a strong public position on the Town Hall meetings until management has had an opportunity to respond. There has been quite a lot of email and phone discussion with management about this issue all the way up to the publication of this communication. The MEC is expecting further developments very soon so stand by for an update shortly.

In solidarity,

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

March 13, 2014 09:01

Hello Seattle Flight Attendants!

Please remember to join your LEC Officers for the AFA Town Hall meeting on March 20th, 2014 from 1-5pm in the Central Annex of the Sea Tac Airport, mezzanine level. Parking is free on floors 3, 5, 6, 7, 8.

This is not a company town hall meeting- This is an AFA meeting where you will have a chance to sit down with your local officers and share your thoughts on the upcoming negotiation process.

We hope to see you there!

March 7, 2014 10:30

Dear Flight Attendants,

This has been a busy week for the Master Executive Council (MEC). On Monday, the MEC met with the members of the Negotiating Committee to conduct a debrief on the failed Tentative Agreement vote. Below is an update on upcoming activities related to negotiations.

Negotiations Survey

A new negotiations survey is in the beginning stages of being written and will be released within the next several weeks. The survey will be open for approximately two weeks.

The results from the survey will be used by the Negotiating Committee to write the AFA opener for the second round of negotiations. At this time, negotiations are tentatively expected to resume during the second week of May. As we are still in the mediation process, all negotiations sessions will continue to be facilitated by National Mediation Board (NMB) Mediator Victoria Gray.

Negotiating Committee

After thorough discussion, it has been determined that all Negotiating Committee positions will be up for interview and consideration of candidates. All qualified candidates who apply—including current Negotiating Committee members—will be considered. Interviews for the three positions will be held in Seattle at the AFA MEC Office on April 17.

If you are interested in applying for a Negotiating Committee position, please send your expression of interest as well as a resume listing your qualifications to candidate@alaskamec.org. After submitting your resume, you will be contacted to schedule an interview time on April 17.

The Evolution of the VOICE Committee

Your MEC is very excited to announce some forthcoming changes with the VOICE Committee. VOICE, or Volunteer Organizers for Information, Communications, and Education, has been an integral part of communications between the Negotiating Committee and the Flight Attendants for the past several contract negotiations. The committee was first organized at a time when information was not as readily accessible as it is today, and we depended on VOICE committee members to provide us with the latest updates on the progress of the Negotiating Committee through the information they shared.

Today, many of us use email, social media, and the Internet to stay connected to current news and updates in the negotiating process. The original purpose of the VOICE Committee has essentially become obsolete. The MEC is currently working with MEC VOICE Chairperson Adam Clarey and your Local VOICE Chairs to harness the power of our VOICE Committee in new ways that will demonstrate our solidarity and unity as we go back to the negotiating table.

More information about the evolution of the VOICE Committee will be coming soon once these changes have been finalized. In the mean time, please ensure that you add info@alaskamec.org and negotiations@alaskamec.org to your address book or contacts to prevent AFA communications from being filtered out as spam. If you are not already subscribed to AFA Alaska email updates, visit http://alaskamec.org/signup to subscribe.

In Solidarity,

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

March 6, 2014 20:24

The next LAX FA base meeting is set for Thursday, April 10th, 2014, from 11am-2pm

@BJ’s Restaurant, 16060 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92647.

Bring your questions and also get the latest information regarding contract negotiations.

The more FAs in attendance the better!

In Solidarity,

Your LEC Council 18,

Sandra, Kelly, Kelese, and David

March 6, 2014 16:46

Dear Flight Attendants:

Each year, the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship to a dependent of an active AFA member in good standing who is seeking to further her/his education at an accredited college or university. The recipient of this scholarship will receive the cost of tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 for one year. Any recipient may reapply for this scholarship each year until graduation up to a maximum of four years.

More information about the scholarship fund including the required application form and instructions are available from the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships. The postmark deadline for applications for this year’s scholarship is April 10.

The CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship is also available to dependents of AFA-CWA members. Information and the application form for this scholarship can be found on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne. The deadline for this year’s Beirne Scholarship is April 30.

Any questions regarding the AFA Scholarship Fund can be directed to your LEC Officers. Contact information for your LEC Officers can be found on alaskamec.org then by selecting your base from the local council menu.

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

March 5, 2014 21:14

Crew Planner John Bumanglag’s D position pairings and the AFA 3 position pairings were selected for April.

There is a schedule change on April 6^th and also Mexico Daylight Saving Time starts on that day. You may note minor flight time changes on this date. Another Schedule change happens April 27^th. Some seasonal warm destination flights end for the season on these dates. More detail below.

Here are comments specific to each base.

SEA– High time turns continue to MSP/MCI/TUS/ and DFW. Also STL goes back to a turn starting April 6^th. Popular two day trips to PHL/FLL/EWR/BOS and DCA continue daily. SJD and PVR nonstops run through April 26 before ending for the season. Long MCO layovers are frequent. Long KOA layovers 3 days/week as well.

PDX– Two day trips to BOS and DCA operate daily. AM LAS turn, mid AM PHX and DFW turn run daily as well. PDX loses KOA and LIH nonstops April 27^th until next November. OGG all nighter goes from daily to 3 days/week April 27^th.

ANC– HNL and ORD nonstops continue daily. Overall TFP looks good. ANC loses OGG and KOA nonstops April 5^th for the season.

LAX– BUR has a nice variety of trip lengths and Hawaii layovers are frequent. LAX-YVR turn 703/702 is back daily! DCA two day and high time Mexico turns continue. SNA turns continue as well.

SAN– BOS two days run daily. OGG will really be a two day starting April 6^th. HNL continues to release after midnight so is one day longer than it appears.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Please see attached April pairing stats.

Your Crew Planning Team,

Jeff Stein
AFA Pairing Analyst

Kelly Yeager
Crew Planner

John Bumanglag
Crew Planner

April Pairing Statistics

March 5, 2014 21:05

Crew Planner John Bumanglag’s D position pairings and the AFA 3 position pairings were selected for March.

The bid month begins March 2nd
Daylight savings time begins March 9th. This coincides with a large schedule change where you will see many minor flight time changes as well as some flight number changes.
Some flights that have seen reductions for the winter months will resume or return to daily as of March 9th. These include ANC-ORD and BOS-SEA and PDX and SEA-EWR market. Also the 3rd ONT-SEA flight will come back which brings back the morning pairing out of ONT.
Horizon begins operating in Alaska March 3rd. They primarily will fly ANC-FAI with one daily flight ANC-ADQ. We have some D position pairings with deadhead on Horizon for March.

Here are comments specific to each base.

SEA- Two day pairings continue daily to DCA(2x)/PHL/PVR and SJD nonstop and FLL. High time turns continue daily to MCI/TUS/DFW and MSP(2x).

PDX- Two day pairings continue daily to KOA and DCA. They resume daily to BOS March 9th. AM LAS turns, mid AM PHX and DFW turns run daily as well.

ANC- ANC-ORD resumes daily March 9th. ANC-HNL nonstop continues daily.

LAX- DCA two day and high value Mexico turns continue daily. TFP overall looks better than previous months. ONT RON flight resumes March 9th so trips out of there should be more normal. SNA has frequent turns per FA feedback.

SAN- BOS two day operates daily. As a reminder OGG and HNL-SAN both currently duty off after midnight so the trip is actually one day longer. So though it may look like a two or three day…it’s really a three or four day for bidding purposes.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Please see attached March pairing stats.

Your Crew Planning Team

Jeff Stein
AFA Pairing Analyst

Kelly Yeager
Crew Planner

John Bumanglag
Crew Planner

February 27, 2014 11:20

Dear Seattle Flight Attendants,

Please note important upcoming events in your base! We hope to see you at one or both of the meetings!

March 20, 2014 Town Hall Meeting

On March 20, 2014 Council 19 LEC Officers will host a “Town Hall” meeting. The intent of this forum is to discuss your thoughts on the upcoming negotiation process and provide you an opportunity to learn more about the roles that each of your elected officers performs.

This is a great opportunity for you to connect with your leaders and share your thoughts.

All candidates for the upcoming election are invited to attend this forum and meet with the members and the local officers.

When: March 20, 2014

Where: Central Annex Room, Mezzanine Level Sea Tac Airport

Time: 1pm to 5pm

Parking paid for on all levels except Level 4

April 16, 2014 AFA-CWA Base Meeting

On April 16, 2014 Council 19 is hosting an AFA-CWA Base Meeting to discuss the upcoming Board of Director’s Meeting (BOD). The BOD is a yearly meeting where all members of the MEC attend to discuss the business of the union. This year International Officer Elections are taking place and it will be important to gain your input on the candidates so I can vote for a candidate that best represents your interest.

In addition to International Officer Election the BOD will be discussing the financial future of our Union and making necessary fiduciary decisions on the budget. Please come to this meeting to review the important agenda items and offer your feedback.

When: April 16, 2014

Where: Central Annex Room, Mezzanine Level Sea Tac Airport

Time: 1pm to 5pm

Parking paid for on all levels except Level 4

Council 19 SEA Election Schedule

The Council 19 Election window will soon open. Starting March 6^th voting instructions and activation codes will be mailed to all Seattle Flight Attendants. If you do not receive this information from AFA International by March 11, 2014 please contact AFA International/Membership at 1-800-424-2401, press 1, ext 706.

In accordance with the Article VIII of the Constitution & Bylaws, all Councils in Category II must nominate and elect officers for the term beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2017. Local Council Officers to be elected will be LEC President, LEC Vice President, LEC Secretary, and 2 Council Representatives.

As a union member, you have the right to nominate candidates for office, to run for office and to cast a secret ballot.

Nominations and elections are governed by procedures outlined in the Association’s Constitution & Bylaws, Article VIII and the AFA Policy Manual.

All nominated candidates who have filed a Commitment to Serve, who received at least two (2) votes and are members in good standing at the time of the count will appear on the election ballot.

Nomination Results:

The following Flight Attendants received at least 2 nominations and will appear on the election ballot.

LEC President	LEC Vice President	LEC Secretary	Council Representative
Laura Masserant	Jake Jones	Linda Christou	Stephanie Adams
Robert Napoleon	Vanessa Travis	Daphne Clarkson	Adam Clarey
		Jarod Mc Neill

Election Schedule:

Mail date: 3-06-2014 (Voting Instructions and Activation Code mailed)
Polls open: 3-11-2014 12:00 pm EST (Voting begins online and by telephone)
Polls close: 4-11-2014 2:00 pm EDT (Election ballots are tallied)

February 25, 2014 13:56

Please join us in welcoming Seth Heiple to the position of Master Executive Council (MEC) chairperson of the Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC), effective March 1. As MEC chairperson, Seth will be responsible for working with the Local SHSC Chairs in each base to coordinate the activities of the SHSC for all Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants.

Seth joined Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant at the beginning of 2008. While at Alaska he has served on both the Inflight Service Committee and the SHSC and worked with the F/A team that developed the “D Check” program. Before joining Alaska Seth worked as a F/A for Northwest Airlines for close to 10 years, five of which he had the additional responsibilities of being an international purser. Seth graduated from George Fox University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Economics. He is pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the MEC SHSC chair and support the Committee’s efforts to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for F/As and cabin environment for our passengers.

The MEC would also like to thank current MEC SHSC Chairperson Barb Moynier for her hard work and accomplishments over the past several years that she has held the position. Barb has been a tireless advocate for our Flight Attendants and her efforts are greatly and sincerely appreciated.

The Safety, Health, & Security Committee (SHSC) is responsible for working with management on matters pertaining to cabin and Flight Attendant safety and health. Contact information for each Local SHSC can be found at alaskamec.org, then by selecting your base from the Local Council menu.

In Solidarity,

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

February 24, 2014 10:31

Please mark your calendar for our next Local Council Meeting, to be held Tuesday, April 15 from 8:30 to 12 PM. The meeting will be held in the Vancouver Room of the PDX Airport Conference Center. From the Oregon Market Food Court, take the stairs near the clock tower to the mezzanine level and turn left. The Vancouver Room is the first room down the hall on the left.

We will conduct Local Business from 8:30 AM to 10 AM and then will be a joined by members and officers from Horizon Air Council 17 (PDX/MFR) from 10 AM to 12 PM to discuss advanced agenda items for the AFA Board of Directors Meeting.

If you have an advance agenda item to submit, please email it to LEC President Cathy Gwynn at catgwynn@comcast.net. Submission deadline for advance agenda items is Tuesday, April 8 at 8:30 AM PDT. Please direct any other questions to LEC Vice President Brian Palmer at bpalmer@alaskamec.org.