Latest News – Page 236

May 2, 2014 15:26

Dear Flight Attendants,

A short time ago, the National Mediation Board (NMB) officially notified the AFA and management negotiating teams that it has delayed our return to mediation until July by canceling the negotiations session scheduled for the week of May 12th.

Once in mediation, the NMB has control over our meeting schedule and they have the authority to decide that a mediation session should be canceled.

Do we agree with this decision? No! We would always be ready to meet and make progress in our quest for a new contract. We have expressed our frustration that there is no available meeting date in June. Despite our protests, mediation will resume in late July.

Even if we wanted to meet earlier than July, AFA and management do not believe it is in the best interest of either party to proceed without the sanction of the NMB. However, as a show of good faith management has agreed to absorb AFA’s costs resulting from the relatively last-minute cancellation.

Given that we have no choice, AFA will make good use of the downtime. We have already established meeting dates for our own internal review of the negotiations survey. Additionally, we will hold a joint AFA negotiations training with the Negotiating Committee and the Master Executive Council (MEC) leadership. AFA International trainers, legal staff and department heads will also participate in the training.

While this is an unfortunate delay, we are determined to take advantage of the situation and use it to prepare for the next session and demonstrate to the NMB–and management–just how serious we are about getting back to the table and fighting for the contract that we all deserve.

Our sincere thanks to management for covering the cancellation fees. The parties are looking forward to getting back to the table the week of July 21^st.

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 and Christina Frees

May 2, 2014 14:33

Please join us in welcoming Lisa Curry, Tracy Speck, and David Jelinek to the Alaska AFA PDX Uniform Committee.

Lisa Curry

Lisa started her flying career with Alaska Air Group in August 1989 with Horizon Air. She left Horizon in April 1996 to continue her flying career with Alaska Airlines. Although she doesn’t have any previous AFA involvement at Alaska Airlines, she has been involved in several special projects and committees at Horizon Airlines including aircraft standardization, recycling, food and beverage committee, Big Brother/Big Sister mentorship program, and interviewing potential new hire flight attendant candidates.

Lisa brings prior experience of an eight-year career in men’s and women’s fashion to the committee. She has worked both in sales roles at Nordstrom, Contempo and Foxmoor Casuals and in both sales and management positions at Meier & Frank. Her heartfelt passion for design and fashion in general will help to bring her ideas to the workplace and apply them specifically to our own company’s uniforms.

Lisa is extremely grateful for this opportunity to be a voice for our workgroup and she very much looks forward to working with such a talented to team.

Tracy Speck

Tracy started with Alaska Air Group in 1996 as a Customer Service Agent in Portland. In April 1999, she joined inflight and has served proudly as a Flight Attendant since. Her previous AFA experience includes serving as a VOICE Committee Member.

Being an active voice for our Flight Attendant group is important to Tracy. This motivated her desire to join the Uniform Committee. She looks forward to providing expertise and input as to the concerns, likes and wants of a leading airline uniform while helping to make decisions of a quality yet professional and classy look. Tracy is eager to be an integral part of the process and bringing a look to our Flight Attendant group that sets us a part from other carriers. “We are number ONE in the industry and should look number ONE,” says Tracy.

homeowner personal loans

David Jelinek

David joined Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant in March 2013. Prior to Alaska, he flew for 8 years with Frontier Airlines. During that time he served for 4 years on the Uniform Committee and helped implement a new uniform as well as update uniform standards and wear guides.

David has a degree in costume design from the University of Northern Colorado. When not flying, he enjoys making costumes and doing other sewing projects.

David wanted to get involved with the AFA Alaska Uniform Committee because he wants to help in the creation process of the new Land’s End custom uniform. He looks forward to working with the committee to design a uniform that is not only stylish and professional, but is comfortable and easy to wear. Most importantly, he looks forward to helping to design something that showcases the updated Alaska Airlines brand and that Flight Attendants will be proud to wear.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Contesa Diaz-Nicolaidis and Deanna Hill for their work on the Uniform Committee over the past several years. Their contributions to the committee during both the TwinHill and interim Land’s End uniform periods have been sincerely appreciated.

The Uniform Committee is responsible for ensuring contract language compliance for Flight Attendants in the area of uniforms. The Committee is also charged with representing Flight Attendant interests to management regarding design, fabric selection, and other details of the Flight Attendant uniform.

In Solidarity,

Your LEC Officers – Cathy Gwynn, Brian Palmer and Local Uniform Committee Chairperson Bob Moore

April 30, 2014 19:32

Dear Flight Attendants,

The online portion to the follow up AFA negotiations survey by Hart Research Associates will remain open through Sunday, May 4, 2014. As a reminder, your AFA leadership is currently at the 42nd Annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meeting in Orlando. We are responding to all inquiries during breaks between meetings and thank you for your patience.

A second round of email invitations containing individualized links to the online survey were sent a short time ago by Hart Research Associates. Check your spam/junk folder in case the invitation is there.

Important: Do not share your link with anybody or else others could take the survey on your behalf. The email address used by Hart Research Associates for the invitations is FlightAttendantSurvey@hart-research.com.

If you have NOT received a survey or if you completed the phone survey AND received an email invitation, contact FlightAttendantSurvey@hart-research.com and request an email invitation. Provide your first and last name and your PeopleSoft number.

(We are using PeopleSoft numbers as identifiers and did not provide Arctic numbers due to privacy and security concerns. Your PeopleSoft number can be found on the Inflight webpage on the upper left hand corner.)

It is extremely important that your voice be heard. Make sure to complete the survey!

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

April 30, 2014 13:27

Dear Flight Attendants,

Your AFA leadership is continuing to represent you today and conduct the business of the union at the AFA Board of Directors Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Yesterday, elections for the three AFA International Officer positions were conducted as part of the meeting. Below you’ll find a press release from AFA International regarding the results of the election. The Master Executive Council (MEC) would like to congratulate new International President Sara Nelson, International Vice President Deb Sutor, and International Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Creighan.

In Solidarity,

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

For Immediate Release

Contact: Corey Caldwell 202-550-5520

FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP

Orlando, FL – The highest governing body of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the Board of Directors, today elected new officers to lead the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. The Board of Directors voted for Sara Nelson as AFA International President, Debora Sutor as International Vice President and re-elected Kevin Creighan for his third term as International Secretary-Treasurer.

President-elect Sara Nelson is an 18-year United Airlines Flight Attendant and has served as International Vice President since 2011. Nelson vowed to continue to unite Flight Attendants to fight for equality for all and build power at the negotiating table in order to advance the Flight Attendant career.

Vice President-elect Debora Sutor is a 25-year Envoy Air Flight Attendant who has extensive experience and has served on numerous AFA committees and held various leadership positions throughout her career. Committed to furthering AFA’s mission for economic and social justice for all Flight Attendants, Sutor will help maintain AFA as a strong voice for the profession.

International Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Creighan has served in that office since 2005. Creighan is uniquely qualified to best meet members needs based on his extensive experience as a United Flight Attendant, Local Council President and International Officer.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 68 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

April 30, 2014 05:05

April 29, 2014

Hello Fellow Flight Attendants,

The highest governing body of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the Board of Directors, today elected new officers to lead the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. The Board of Directors voted for Sara Nelson as AFA International President, Debora Sutor as International Vice President and re-elected Kevin Creighan for his third term as International Secretary-Treasurer.

Vice President-elect Debora Sutor is a 25-year Envoy Air (former American Eagle) Flight Attendant who has extensive experience and has served on numerous AFA committees and held various leadership positions throughout her career. Committed to furthering AFA’s mission for economic and social justice for all Flight Attendants, Sutor will help maintain AFA as a strong voice for the profession.

We are excited to be working with Sara, Debora and Kevin, and congratulate them on their role and commitment. Together, we will strive to meet each of the challenges that face our profession, every day!

In Solidarity,
Anchorage Local Council 30

April 28, 2014 21:25

Dear Flight Attendants,

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) along with many of you are extremely frustrated with the challenges we’re experiencing regarding the email survey invitations from Hart Research Associates. The good news is, for most who have taken the survey, we have received feedback that it is comprehensive and worthwhile. It is extremely important to the MEC that all Flight Attendants have a reasonable opportunity to take the survey. We have been in contact with Hart Research Associates and have jointly agreed to extend the survey. The survey will not close until the MEC is satisfied that all Flight Attendants who wish to take the survey have had the opportunity to do so.

As a reminder, your AFA leadership is currently participating in the AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting in Orlando, FL. As part of our representational duties, the BOD meetings are scheduled from 9 AM to 9:30 PM each day through Wednesday evening. We are working through the survey challenges as quickly as possible given the time constraints and the necessary coordination with our survey vendor Hart Research Associates.

We wish we had the answers as to why some Flight Attendants have not received their survey invitation. Emails are being sent directly by Hart Research Associates and although an address list was provided by the MEC to Hart, the AFA email system is not being used to send the invitations. At this time, we do not know why some people have received the invitations while others have not.

If you have not received the survey invitation and have not yet provided your contact information to survey@alaskamec.org, please do so as soon as possible. If you have already reached out to survey@alaskamec.org, please be patient as your contact information has been forwarded to Hart Research Associates and they will be following up. We know some of you have been waiting several days for contact.

It is important that you wait to receive your own personalized invitation to the survey as it contains a link that is unique to you. If you use the link that is associated with another Flight Attendant’s email invitation, your response will overwrite any previous responses tied to that link.

More information will be communicated as it becomes known. Rest assured that the survey will remain open for responses until the MEC directs Hart Research Associates is directed otherwise.

In Solidarity,

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

April 28, 2014 13:30

Dear Flight Attendants,

Congratulations to all for reaching another milestone in our continued growth! Earlier yesterday during the Executive Board of Directors (XBOD) meeting in Orlando, Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson petitioned the XBOD to have the San Diego domicile represented by its own council. This resolution was brought forward on behalf of the Alaska MEC and pursuant to Article III.A of the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws (C&B). The XBOD unanimously approved the creation of Council 15 San Diego, which will be effective on June 1, 2014.

The appointed Local Council officers are:

President Stephen Couckuyt (spacak@gmail.com)

Stephen Couckuyt has been with Alaska Airlines one month shy of 19 years. He started as a Customer Service Agent (CSA) in Anchorage before joining Inflight one year later. Stephen was Anchorage based from 1996 to 2011, during which he helped establish the Anchorage local council (AFA-CWA Council 30). First serving as Interim Vice President, followed by two terms as elected Vice President and one term as President. Stephen also served on the AFA-CWA International Political/Legislative Committee. In 2011, Stephen decided that after 46 years of living in Alaska that it was time for a change. He moved to Chicago, first transferring to PDX and then SEA. In September of 2013, Stephen transferred to and now resides in San Diego.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity of working with all of you in establishing a new AFA-CWA Local Council in San Diego . I am honored to be working with Melanie Buker, Brice McGee and MEC Leadership on your behalf with the priority that your voices be heard and your concerns are addressed.“

Vice President Melanie Buker (melanie.buker@gmail.com)

Melanie started her flying career with Horizon Air in 1986, based in Boise, ID. While at Horizon, she joined the Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP), which led her to join the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at Alaska when hiring on in 2002. She was elected as the Council 30 Anchorage president in January of 2011.

“Union and volunteer work has always been important to me; I believe that you have to be the change that you want to see. I also know that there is a time and a place for everything and I hope that if the time is right, you also take on a roll within our local council…we need you!

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Flight Attendants here in San Diego that I have had the pleasure of working with, we seem to be a very diverse group and I look forward to meeting you all soon. I am honored to be working with Stephen and Brice; I have a lot of respect for both of them.”

Secretary Brice McGee (brice_mcgee@hotmail.com)

Brice is originally from Helena, MT. He started his flight attendant career 8 years ago in Los Angeles, transferring to Seattle and finally San Diego. He has been a commuter from Cancun Mexico for 7 years and is currently looking for a new home in the San Diego area or possibly Dallas, TX. He has been active in various focus groups regarding scheduling, sick leave and flexibility.

“I am honored and excited to represent our San Diego base. I look forward to working with my friends Stephen and Melanie and I think we will make a great team and support system for the San Diego base.”

Council 15 will be in Election Category III per Article VIII.C.3 of the C&B, with appointed officers’ terms ending June 30, 2016. Elections will be held in spring 2016 for the next term beginning July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2019.

The MEC thanks the Council 18 Los Angeles leadership for setting a solid foundation of representation for the San Diego Flight Attendants. It is upon this foundation that the new Council 15 officers will build. Welcome Council 15 President Stephen Couckuyt, Vice President Melanie Buker and Secretary Brice McGee.

In solidarity,

Your MEC–Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and in-coming Council 15 President Stephen Couckuyt

Resources

AFA Executive Board Resolution

April 27, 2014 10:23

Dear Flight Attendants,

The second phase of the follow up AFA negotiations survey by Hart Research Associates is now underway and will open through Tuesday, April 29, 2014. A communication was sent out via social media on Friday but unfortunately the email system the Master Executive Council (MEC) uses has been sporadically unavailable over the past couple of days.

Important: An individual link to the online survey has been sent in an email invitation by Hart Research Associates. Do not share your link or else another Flight Attendant could take the survey on you behalf. The email address used by Hart for the invitations is FlightAttendantSurvey@hart-research.com. Check your spam/junk folder in case the invitation is there.

If you have NOT received a survey or if you completed the phone survey AND received an email invitation, contact survey@alaskamec.org.

It is extremely important that your voice be heard. Make sure to complete the survey!

As a reminder, your AFA leadership is currently at the 42nd Annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meeting in Orlando. We are responding to all inquiries during breaks between meetings.

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

April 26, 2014 23:46

ISC meeting 4

April 26, 2014 09:00

Dear Seattle Flight Attendants,

First of all on behalf of Jake, Linda, and myself thank you for your continued support in the recent election! The votes in this election saw a 50% increase over the election 3 years ago and that speaks volumes to the fact that you are engaged, involved, and care about your union leaders.

Since the TA vote on February 14^th I have been fielding phone calls, emails, and having great conversations with many of you. We have been discussing the pros and cons of the TA, moving forward with the next round of negotiations and what your officers do for you on a daily basis. What I have been learning from these conversations is that I can do a better job of communicating with you and explaining what your officers do on your behalf.

Let’s start with the recent vote on the TA. I want to take a minute to explain my support of the TA and what that statement means. As an LEC President my job is to review a TA when the negotiating committee reaches an agreement with management at the table. In reading the TA I must weigh all the good and some of the not so good that is contained in it. This is not an easy job and the MEC spent 13 hours reviewing the TA in December before we decided to send the TA out to the members for a vote. I supported sending the TA out to you because you are the only person who can decide if the TA is right for you. I also supported all the great improvements and pay increases in that TA. Were there some areas that gave me a little heartburn? Yes, there were.

However, the decision to accept this TA was yours to make, not mine. I did find that the TA provided many improvements which I knew you needed to review. That is why I supported the TA to come out for a vote. Had I denied the TA and sent the team back to the table I would have not been representing your rights to review the document and decide if it was the right direction for our group.

The MEC interviewed new candidates for the negotiating committee last week. During the day and a half interview process I kept one thought on my mind, “Who is going to best represent the members at the table?” All of the LEC Presidents had heard from their members and we kept your comments and insights in mind as we discussed the candidates. We had amazing candidates interview and the decision was very difficult. But, I feel confident that the selection represents the best interest of our Flight Attendants. For those of you who are concerned with the seniority level of the negotiating committee members know this; Jeff Peterson has 15 years seniority and the LEC Presidents have an average of 19 years or more of seniority. Rest assured your desires will be represented at the table and as a 22 year Flight Attendant I am looking out for the senior Flight Attendants in this area!

One positive aspect of the TA failing is that I have had an opportunity to talk directly with you. You may think this is crazy of me to say, but I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with all of you and hearing your thoughts and/or concerns. I have increased my understanding of the group and feel that I can accurately address your issues with management moving forward.

The Town Hall meeting in March was a huge success and I will be planning more of these events. The meeting covers more than negotiation updates- it allows your officers a chance to sit down and talk with you and listen to what is happening in your working world. These meetings also offer us a chance to share with you what we have been doing on your behalf and how we fight for your every day. It is important that we keep these levels of communication open and flowing to ensure that we are all on the same page. We may not always agree on the issues, but healthy debates are good and they help us find the collaborative solutions.

Speaking of communications have you seen the new AFA Alaska Facebook page? Please like this page and stay up to date on what we are doing: http://www.facebook.com/alaskamec or search for “AFA Alaska”

If you are not on social media remember that you can find all the updates on the MEC website: www.alaskamec.org. We are also looking to update the MEC website and enhance the MEC discussion forum. We want all of you to feel that you have access to the information that directly affects you.

The minutes from the April 16^th AFA-CWA Base meeting are posted on the website:

http://alaskamec.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AFA-Base-Union-Meeting-4_16_14.pdf

Dates to Remember

v Don’t forget to join us May 8^th at 5am in the food court area of Sea-Tac airport for the Alaska Airlines Shareholders event. A couple of reminders:

1. Probationary Flight Attendants should not attend a solidarity event.

2. Wear your blue AFA t-shirt

3. Because the event is inside security wear your badge and no children are allowed.

Send me an email if you want more information.

v May 12-15 the Negotiating Committee goes back to the table in Tempe, Az.

v May 20^th is the launch of the new AFA Mobilization Committee and we are planning an event on this day. The Seattle Mobilization training is May 13^th, 8am-10am, 11am -1pm, and 2pm to 4pm. The link to sign up for one of these training sessions is: http:/alaskamec.org/mobilization/training/

If you are interested in the Mobilization committee please contact LEC Mobilization Chair Krystle Cook- Lcook907@icloud.com for more information.

The new term of office for your LEC Officers begins July 1, 2014. Council Representative- elect Adam Clarey is heading to Washington, D.C. in June for officer training. I look forward to training both Adam and Stephanie Adams in their roles as your newly elected council representatives. Mentoring is a top priority of mine during the next three years and I encourage anyone who is interested in AFA work to send me an email or call me. We have committees in need of volunteers and the best way to begin your education with AFA representation is by joining a committee!

Thank you, again, for the opportunity to serve as your LEC President. I am honored to represent an amazing group of Flight Attendants and humbled by your support.

In solidarity,

Laura, Jake, Linda, Tonnette

Officers-Elect: Adam Clarey and Stephanie Adams

Lisa Curry

Tracy Speck

David Jelinek

FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP

President Stephen Couckuyt (spacak@gmail.com)

Vice President Melanie Buker (melanie.buker@gmail.com)

Secretary Brice McGee (brice_mcgee@hotmail.com)

Resources

That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – September 23, 2026

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Wednesday, October 21

Recent Posts

Local Councils

Master Executive Council

Contract

Committees

News By Month

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Connect With AFA

Lisa Curry

Tracy Speck

David Jelinek

FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP

President Stephen Couckuyt (spacak@gmail.com)

Vice President Melanie Buker (melanie.buker@gmail.com)

Secretary Brice McGee (brice_mcgee@hotmail.com)

Resources

Recent Posts

Local Councils

Master Executive Council

Contract

Committees

News By Month

News By Category

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Connect With AFA