M E M O R A N D U M

TO: AFA

FROM: Hart Research Associates

DATE: April 14, 2014

RE: Background on our Firm and Survey Methodology

 

About the Survey

On behalf of AFA, Hart Research will conduct a survey among Alaska Airlines flight attendants to explore members’ preferences and priorities for the upcoming round of contract bargaining. The survey will mainly be conducted online, so that every Alaska Airlines flight attendant can participate if they so choose. We hope that all members will avail themselves of this opportunity and add their important perspective to the conversation.

In addition, Hart Research will administer the same survey questionnaire by telephone to a representative sample of members (these responses will also be included in the results, and members who are interviewed by phone will not need to take the survey online). These phone interviews help us to ensure that the final survey sample is fully representative of the overall membership, an important step for ensuring accurate survey results.

As an independent research firm, our core objective is to produce an accurate and unbiased assessment of the attitudes of Alaska Airlines flight attendants. All of the individual member responses to this survey will remain completely confidential – AFA will not know how any specific member answered any specific survey question. In addition to protecting the privacy of members, this confidentiality encourages frank and honest responses to the survey questions, allowing us to provide AFA with an accurate report of members’ true attitudes and priorities.

After everyone who chooses to complete the survey has had a chance to do so, Hart Research will tabulate the data and then present the results to AFA leadership.

 

About Hart Research

Founded in 1971, Hart Research Associates is one of the leading survey research firms in the United States. We have conducted over 5,000 public opinion surveys and administered and analyzed interviews among more than three million individuals. Hart Research conducts regular polls for NBC News and The Wall St. Journal, and is the nation’s leading pollster for organized labor, having conducted hundreds of studies to help unions better understand the needs, priorities, and concerns of their members.

 

<Link to memo: Hart Research Associates Background on our Firm and Survey Methodology>

Dear Flight Attendants,

 

The current Negotiating Committee just finished reviewing the draft professional survey prepared by Hart Research Associates. We are very pleased with the results. The professional survey is expected to be live beginning next week. The survey will have two phases: initial interviews will be conducted by phone for a limited number of Flight Attendants and then followed by an online survey for the remainder of our group. An estimated timeline for negotiations-related events in April and May is below.

 

All Members in Good Standing (those who are dues current) for which we have an updated phone number will have the possibility of participating in the phone interview starting next week. It is critical that you update your phone number (and confirm your email address) before the survey begins. Only Flight Attendants for which we have an updated phone number will be eligible to participate in the limited phone interviews.

 

The Master Executive Council (MEC) has made it extremely easy to update your information. Please be assured your contact information will be kept confidential by AFA and Hart Research Associates. Your email address and/or phone number will absolutely not be shared with Alaska Airlines management or other third parties.

 

Simply click the following link to update our database:

 

AFA Alaska Negotiations Email/Phone Update Form.

 

If you already receive email from the MEC, we have your email address on file. All Members in Good Standing for which we have an updated personal email address will have the opportunity to participate in the online interview. (Important: alaskaair.com addresses will not be accepted.)

 

Help AFA get out the word by passing along the information to your fellow Flight Attendants in person and on social media. The above link is also posted in the “Important Links” on alaskamec.org.

 

April-May Negotiations Timeline*

* Dates are approximate. Following Negotiating Committee appointments, negotiations training for the second round NC is anticipated sometime between the week of April 21 and the next mediation session on May 13.

 

Week of April 14: Negotiating Committee reviews and finalizes AFA negotiations survey developed and to be conducted by Hart Research Associates. Second round Negotiating Committee interviews held April 17-18 in Seattle, WA.

Week of April 21: AFA negotiations phone survey conducted by Hart Research Associates to be live for 4-5 nights.

Week of April 28: AFA negotiations email survey conducted by Hart Research Associates to be released following completion of the phone survey. Email survey to be live for approximately one week.

Week of May 5: Survey results provided by Hart Research Associates to second round Negotiating Committee

Week of May 12: Round two of mediation begins in Tempe, AZ

May 20: System-wide solidarity action (details to follow)

 

A communication is to immediately follow from the MEC sent on behalf of Hart Research Associates. Hart has prepared some information introducing themselves to our members and explaining the process. Get ready because we’re gearing up for round two!

 

In solidarity,

 

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