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In This Edition

  • Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month

Human Rights Committee

Carter G. Woodson

February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the world.  It was expanded to its current form in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford when it became Black History Month.

Learn More About Black History

You can learn more about the accomplishments of Black Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

Celebrate with a Black History Month AFA Pin

In 2019, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of February as Black History Month.   The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of February.

For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee.  Also be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.

Never Forget | Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261 | January 31, 2000

Photo by Susan Ewbank – From the remembrance ceremony at The Hub in SeaTac on January 29, 2021

It has been twenty one years since we lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261 PVR-SFO when it suffered a catastrophic flight control failure off the coast of Southern California near Point Hueneme.

We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; Captain Ted Thompson; First Officer William Tansky; Sheri Christensen, Rachel Janosik, Ileana Ost, Sarah Pearson, Anjesh Prasad, James Ryan and Stacy Schuyler.

Select places of remembrance:

Important Dates

January 31:  Union Plus Scholarships
February 1:  Black History Month begins

Union Plus Scholarship Opportunity

Union Plus provides comprehensive information for the college-bound individual as well as a suite of scholarships.  The deadline to submit an application is January 31.  Union Plus Scholarships are open to current and retired members, spouses, and dependent children.  Information about each scholarship is available on the website.  This offer can save members thousands of dollars!

Black History Month Pins

Your Council 35 Officers have ordered 400 pins for SFO!  Base leadership has offered to assist with distribution of the pins.  Please stop by the supervisor’s office in the SFO Village to get your pin.

Can I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

by Brad Young, ASHSC Chair and Council Representative
Maybe.  Several Bay Area and Southern California Flight Attendants have reported that they have successfully received their first dose of the vaccination.  You may or may not be asked to show your Alaska letter and Crew ID so please be prepared–you may or may not be approved.  Please go to your Health Care provider app or website and try to book an appointment under the current criteria eligibility. To print a copy of the Alaska Vaccination Letter:  

Alaska’s World>> Inflight Page>> Safety>> COVID-19 Resources>> Vaccine Prioritization Letter

SFO Pairings Update

by Virginia Fritz, Council 35 Scheduling Chair and MEC PBS Committee Member
Flight Attendants will continue to see the pairings in SFO shift from month to month as Network Planning moves routes around, does aircraft rotation, and changes timing of certain flights we are accustomed to seeing in our SFO pairing selection. AFA Pairing Analyst Karen Ferrell and Local Scheduling chairs continue to advocate based on the feedback received from members. The most recent months of pairing selections have been the company’s solution rather than the AFA solution. While there is no guarantee that the company will always apply our desired changes, they continue to attempt to find the right balance of pairing trip length distributions that SFO prefers based on feedback. Trip Layovers, while in normal times is easy to advocate for by requesting soft locks, have been harder to apply as our route structure continues to vary. Most recently the committee has been advocating for more 4K’s, Hawaii layovers, more 2 days, less 4 days and as always, commutable productive trips as a whole. Please continue to send both positive and negative feedback each month so that we can continue to advocate for SFO and thank you for your patience while we navigate these changes.  For more information, please reach out to Virginia Fritz, Scheduling Chair.

Hotel Committee News and Info

by James Bozanich, Council 35 Hotel Chair

As we round the corner from 2020 to 2021, the Hotel Committee wanted to share some information that may be helpful.  Here are some hot topics:

Crew Transportation

Crew vans are for assigned crew only. All of our transportation is provided to us clean and sanitized to keep us safe and healthy. Unfortunately, no family or friends are permitted to join us at this time.

Van Drivers not Wearing a Mask

Let someone know via REPORT IT app.  Each state and county have different rules and regulations which can cause confusion on this topic.  As a reminder, it is Alaska’s policy that all of our transportation drivers wear a mask for Flight Attendant’s safety. If this is not happening, write it up in the Report It app as a safety concern. It will then be addressed by management and shared with the AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee to drive corrections. If this issue requires urgent attention, FAs should contact the Crew Scheduling Duty Manager and request new transportation.  

Resources

As a reminder, the current hotel and transportation list can be found in our Flight Attendant webpage under hotels and on the IMD:  Good-Reader>>ASFA Supplemental>>Hotel Hotline.  Questions can be directed to James Bozanich, Hotel Chair. 

ASHSC Committee Member Needed

The SFO Air Safety Health and Security Committee (ASHSC) is looking for one additional committee member.  Please review the ASHSC webpage and review the requirements for more information.  Please email Brad Young with your expression of interest and for any additional information.

COVID Vaccine for Flight Attendants

Message from AFA International
Despite their role to maintain critical industry, Flight Attendants are not in a priority tier for the COVID vaccine in most of the country.  To help bring awareness and to advocate for priority status in all states, AFA is asking that FA’s write a letter to their governor and ask that Flight Attendants be included in Tier 1B. To read the full article and for more information on how to help with his advocacy please visit AFA Interactive.

How do I contact Council 35 Officers?

Using a personal email address, the preferred methods of contact are:

  • Open an Online Support Request ticket
  • Officer group email sfo@afaalaska.org (if one officer is flying /unavailable other officers can respond)
  • Individual officer emails (if information is for a specific officer)
  • Calls/text (if situation requires more urgent attention)

When contacting Council 35 officers please avoid the following methods:

  • Sending to/from alaskaair email (subject to company audits and therefore not private)
  • Officer personal Facebook/social media accounts (not actively monitored for AFA concerns)
  • Excessively lengthy texts (please use email for important information as it’s easier to respond and forward to appropriate resource-texts should be reserved for alerts to an issue that requires a timely response)

Please allow at least one business day for a response to any method of contact (email, phone, text).  

In solidarity,

Melissa, James and Brad

Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

In This Edition

  • Letters of Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding
  • REMINDER: Reserve Availability & Commuting
  • College Scholarship Opportunities

Letters of Agreement and Memorandums of Understanding

Grievance Committee

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) occasionally enters into letters of agreement (LOAs) with management to address situations that were not anticipated or did not exist during contract negotiations.  The MEC also enters into memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with management in order to clarify existing contractual language.  Both LOAs and MOUs are binding agreements and are fully enforceable documents.

LOAs and MOUs are accessible on the current contract page of the AFA Alaska website and can also be accessed on the IMD through the Goodreader app (ASFA Supplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Recent LOAs and MOUs

Fatigue Risk Management Plan (FRMP) – outlines how the company’s FRMP will be structured, including how reports will be coded and handled as well as disciplinary protections.  Also guarantees AFA representation on the Fatigue Review Board (FRB).

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) – renews the ASAP program (FAA requires that the ASAP MOU be renewed every two years).

COVID-19 Agreements Extension – Through March 2021 – extends the Temporary Waiver of Discipline Delivery Confirmation MOU (04/14/2020) and Commuter Policy and Utilizing Other Airline (OAL) Carriers During COVID-19 Schedule Disruptions LOA (04/07/2020).  Both will remain in effect through March 31, 2021. 

Boeing 737 MAX 9 Proving Activities – outlines Flight Attendant involvement in FAA-required proving activities for the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and ensures AFA participation in the process.

Questions?

If you have questions about LOAs or MOUs, please contact your LEC President or Local Grievance Committee.

REMINDER: Reserve Availability & Commuting

Reserve Committee

There have recently been some instances where Reserve Flight Attendants were disciplined for not being physically present in their domicile during their entire availability period.  Contractually, reserve availability periods run from 00:00 to 14:00 for AM reserve, 10:00 to 23:59 for PM reserve, and 00:00 to 23:59 for ER reserve.  During these times, a Reserve Flight Attendant must be present in their domicile, contactable, and available to report for an assignment within two hours.

Even if a Reserve Flight Attendant has self-assigned or otherwise already been given an assignment, this does not relieve them of the requirement to be in their domicile during their entire reserve availability period.  There are certain circumstances when they may be removed from the assignment and given another assignment as indicated in the CBA.  Crew Scheduling has the right to utilize this contractual language and does so on a regular basis.

Example: Reserve Flight Attendant has a 4-day block of PM reserve days starting on the 20th of the month.  On the 19th, they self-assign a 4-day trip with a report time of 21:00 on the 20th.  The Reserve Flight Attendant is still required to be contactable starting at 10:00 on the 20th and be able to accept an assignment and report within two hours.  Even though the F/A has self-assigned a trip, Crew Scheduling retains the right to contact the F/A at or after 10:00, remove the self-assignment as indicated in the CBA, and give the F/A another legal assignment.

Release on Last Day of Reserve Block

Section 11.C.5 of the CBA provides Reserve Flight Attendants with the right to request release from the remainder of their reserve obligation on the last day of a reserve block after the last Company-operated flight that the Reserve would be legal to fly has departed the domicile.  In order to take advantage of this contractual provision, a Reserve Flight Attendant must call Crew Scheduling and request to be released from the remainder of their reserve availability period.  Once released by Crew Scheduling, the Reserve Flight Attendant is free from further duty and may commute home.  If a Reserve Flight Attendant does not request release, they are still considered on duty and are obligated to physically remain in domicile until the end of their reserve availability period.

Questions?

If you have questions about commuting while on reserve, please contact your Local Reserve Committee.

College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International

As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least three different scholarships, and the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees, and e-books.  The time for applying is now!

Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with members.  Please see the respective links for detailed information, and good luck in obtaining financial assistance.

AFA Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.  The deadline for applications is April 10.  Details are available on the AFA International website at http://www.afacwa.org/scholarships.

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship is offered by CWA. The deadline for applications is April 30.   Details on this scholarship are on the CWA website at http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/beirne.

Union Plus Scholarship Program

Union Plus provides a suite of scholarships, educational discounts, and loans available for union members.  You can find information at https://www.unionplus.org/college-education-financing.  One additional “click” brings up the scholarship applications that may be submitted online by the deadline of January 31.

Union Plus Free College Benefit

In addition, there is a free college benefit available through Union Plus for active and retired Members and their families with the opportunity to earn an associate degree completely online – for FREE.  Details and an application are online at https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org.  This benefit can save you thousands of dollars.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your LEC Officers

Safety of Our Crews, Our Flights and Our Country

Safety Of Our Crews

Recent events are potentially negatively impacting effective Crew Resource Management

The Master Executive Council (MEC) feels compelled to address the potentially negative impact to effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) resulting from the events most affecting the country over the past year: the COVID-19 pandemic, racial unrest and the election. We are a nation more polarized than ever, so there is no realistic way for the MEC to discuss the issues themselves without eliciting a strong response from our membership one way or the other. Nonetheless, AFA Alaska leadership has seen a very demonstrable uptick in issues between crewmembers (Flight Attendants and pilots) resulting from such polarization. These issues degrade effective CRM and lead to a net negative impact to the safety of our crews.

Avoid the subjects of politics, religion and money in mixed company

It would be fantastic if everyone could avoid the “taboo” subjects of politics, religion and money in mixed company such as while at work (including layovers). The disappearing separation between our work and private lives due to the proliferation of social media platforms makes doing so more challenging than ever. The MEC has no illusions that everybody will ever share the same religious, political and economic views or that doing so is even desirable. However, the MEC sincerely hopes that all crewmembers can at least attempt to reach common ground with each other on these challenging topics.

As safety professionals we are expected to maintain a working relationship with each other at all times

Regardless of the outcome of those conversations, as safety professionals we are expected to maintain a working relationship with each other at all times and to always have each other’s backs when it comes to ensuring mutual safety. The AFA Alaska and ALPA Alaska Professional Standards Committees work together to assist you with crew conflict resolution. Your Local Executive Council (LEC) officers are also available as resources.

Suggested points of commonality regardless of our individual views

  • We all have at least some degree of collective responsibility as a society to safeguard the wellbeing of more than just the individual.
  • All people are created equal; have certain inalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and no person(s) may infringe on the rights of others to enjoy those same rights.
  • All Americans have the First Amendment right to freedom of expression (free speech, free press and peaceful assembly) without interference from the government, provided the act of doing so is not itself illegal.
  • All Americans have the collective right to make changes to the administration of our government via the legislative, judicial and executive branches through the democratic processes set forth by the Constitution and other laws.
  • All crewmembers universally desire to safely return home to our family and friends.

COVID-19 pandemic risk mitigations

Flight Attendants have brought forward concerns that not all crewmembers appear to be complying with various risk mitigations that are mandatory in certain localities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The perception is that due care is not being taken to adequately minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission prior to operating as a crewmember or traveling non-rev.

The MEC asks that all Flight Attendants be mindful of how social media posts showing crewmembers present in large groups and gathering in close quarters is upsetting to at least some of your fellow Flight Attendants. This is especially true when there are pictures and/or videos in which masks are not being worn—even if the reality is that the masks were taken off only briefly in order to memorialize the moment.

Be advised that you should adhere to any mandatory orders regarding masks, gatherings and quarantines. AFA believes that substantiated evidence of failure to do so may put you in jeopardy of disciplinary action by management.

Safety of Our Flights

Increased security measures ahead of Inauguration Day

Alaska Airlines management has worked with the unions to significantly step up security ahead of Inauguration Day, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will crack down on unruly passengers with a zero-tolerance policy. Sensitive security information regarding the details of such security measures can be found in the most recent Special Edition Bulletin Bundle (January 15, 2021) as well as in communications from Alaska Airlines COO Gary Beck (“Our Approach to Keeping Employees and Crew Safe” – January 14, 2021) and Interim Vice President of Inflight Carmen Williams (“Enhanced safety processes through the Presidential Inauguration” – January 16, 2021). At this point in time, the MEC is satisfied with the coordinated risk management response.

AFA Recommendations

  • Work hard to keep problems on the ground.
  • Ensure strict mask compliance before pushback.
  • Work as one crew, communicate, and take your concerns to the pilots and supervisors.
  • You have the right and duty to assert concern for your safety and that of the passengers in our care.
  • Have pre-flight briefings with your pilots to identify how they will cooperatively work together to address disruptive and interfering passengers (boarding refusal, LEO response, diversion, etc.).
  • Walk with your flying partners in teams through terminals and to the hotels.
  • If anyone is in need of AFA Alaska EAP assistance, call 949-470-0493 or email eap@afaalaska.org.
  • Report an issue to AFA by opening a ticket or contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) leadership if you need immediate assistance.

Safety of Our Country

Freedom of speech and of peaceful assembly

Flight Attendants have reported concerns about crewmembers attending the “Save America” rally on January 6th at the Ellipse in Washington, DC. Attending the event was a protected First Amendment activity no different than attending any other protest. The future security of our constitutional liberties, such as the freedom of speech and of peaceful assembly, depends on all of us to collectively safeguard the exercise of such rights irrespective of political differences.

Crimes against the state

Any effort to interfere with, rise up against or actively overthrow the government is almost certainly a crime—especially if violence or even the mere threat of force is involved. As we have seen in recent weeks, federal agencies are aggressively investigating anyone who heeded the call to “Occupy the Capitol” too literally, and charges are starting to roll in. Federal authorities have been assisted by thousands upon thousands of tips supplied by cooperative patriots who have taken It upon themselves to mine the photographic and video evidence for clues to the interlopers’ identities. Additionally, reports are plentiful of employers preemptively terminating employees who were recorded engaging in suspected criminal activity.

The subsequent fallout resulting from the storming of the U.S. Capitol building should serve as a cautionary tale. Sedition, insurrection and, of course, outright treason will not be tolerated in our United States of America.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Matt Cook, Terry Taylor, Steve Maller, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Recurrent Training 2021

Master Executive Council (MEC) + Inflight Training Committee + Air, Safety, Health and Security Committee (ASHSC)

In This Edition

  • Early Success Rates Look Promising
  • COVID-19 Risk Mitigations
  • Written Exam Practice Questions and Answers
  • Adequate “Hands-On” Time Prior to Emergency Evacuation Evaluations
  • Acceptable Deviations to Emergency Evacuation Commands
  • Requalification Training (RQ)

Early Success Rates Look Promising

This is the second week of Recurrent Training 2021, and early success rates for passing the various drill evaluations are looking promising in comparison to success rates for Recurrent Training 2020. We hope the trend continues.

COVID-19 Risk Mitigations

AFA Alaska’s concerns

  • Mask usage and social distancing during evaluations
  • Sanitization of shared emergency equipment.

Inflight Training management’s response

Inflight Training management agreed to make several changes in response and posted the updated safety and sanitization guidelines.

Click here for the ”Welcome to Recurrent Training 2021 Letter” > (AAG SSO required)

Written Exam Practice Questions and Answers

AFA Alaska’s concerns

  • There is no comprehensive list of all potential written exam questions and answers provided like in past years.
  • The random practice test must be taken too many times in order to successfully view all underlying questions. (If ever?)

Inflight Training management’s response

  • “Learning and building confidence is our goal. With that in mind, we will be turning off the randomizer on practice exams to allow FAs to run through all available questions. We will add a note to remind FAs that questions do change regularly so they always need to refer to the practice exam on the website for most up to date questions.”
  • Management reports the randomizer function will be turned off by the end of the week.

Adequate “Hands-On” Time Prior to Emergency Evacuation Evaluations

AFA Alaska’s concerns

  • Adequate hands-on refamiliarization time should be provided during paid training hours prior to emergency evacuation evaluations.
  • Flight Attendants should not have to attend voluntary unpaid sessions in order to be successful during their evaluations.
  • There were not enough Open House sessions at each training center to accommodate the need in 2020 and several of those sessions were canceled, which only made the situation worse. More Open House sessions are needed in 2021.

Inflight Training management’s response

  • Schedule reworked to maintain the same 90 minutes of refamiliarization time as in RT 2020. (Hands-on time was initially going to be reduced in RT 2021, but AFA advocated for more time.)
  • Hands-on sessions prior to the start of RT 2021 are not an effective use of limited Training resources and will be eliminated in order to potentially reallocate the resources to additional Open House sessions around the system.
  • Management will review the ratio of the number of Open House slots in each training location compared to base size and restructure the sessions to allow for more options (e.g., dates, AM/PM, different times of the month). Additional dates will be added in March.

Acceptable Deviations to Emergency Evacuation Commands

Click here (password required) >

Password: See the emailed version of this newsletter sent to the personal email address that you have on file with AFA Alaska for the confidential password. Contact your LEC president if you need additional assistance.

Please respect the security of the document and do not share the password on an open forum.

Requalification Training (RQ)

RT 2021 is scheduled for one and a half days, but RQ 2021 (Level 1) is scheduled for two full days. There were only a few differences between RT and RQ in years past, but there are significantly more evaluations in RQ compared to RT this year. Flight Attendants should budget ample preparation time if attending RQ.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact your LEC president or the MEC Inflight Training Committee.

Important Dates

December 31 (tomorrow!):  Q4 CBT & Convert Guest Passes

Dues Info

With many Flight Attendants on leave, Council 35 has received many requests for dues owed.  To inquire about your dues account, please visit the new dues page on AFA-CWA for more information.

Latest info on PSP

Progress on PSP and Flight Attendant benefits can be found on the AFA-CWA website.  To get the most updated information please visit the Latest News page. 

Keep Guest Passes for Next Year

Remember to convert unused companion travel passes before the end of day December 31. Once converted the passes live in your FLY account. The passes may be ticketed for 3 months after the conversion date. To find your account:

Alaskasworld > FLY > Guest Passes > Manage Guest Passes

Record Improvement 

Year-end record improvement will be applied by mid-January.  Flight Attendants with 4 or fewer attendance points at the end of 2020 and who did not accrue any points in November and December, will have points removed.  Please allow two to three weeks for the performance supervisors to manually apply the Nov/Dec record improvement to attendance records.  Reference: JCBA§32.G.4

December PPP 

December is an Individual PPP month. To qualify,  FAs must meet or exceed awarded TFP for the month of December by a minimum of five (5.0) TFP.  The $350 payout will be issued Jan 20th separately from normal pay.  Reference: JCBA§21.R

SFO Base Leadership Update

Congratulations to Cierra Lewis who has been promoted to base manager of SFO.

Holiday Offer

“In These Times,” the leading progressive magazine that covers workers rights, access to healthcare, climate change, systemic racism, and more is offering Union members a free subscription.  To take advantage of this free subscription, CLICK HERE to sign up. The offer is only valid until December 31, 2020.

How do I contact Council 35 Officers?

Using a personal email address, the preferred methods of contact are:

  • Open an Online Support Request ticket
  • Officer group email sfo@afaalaska.org (if one officer is flying /unavailable other officers can respond)
  • Individual officer emails (if information is for a specific officer)
  • Calls/text (if situation requires more urgent attention)

When contacting Council 35 officers please avoid the following methods:

  • Sending to/from alaskaair email (subject to company audits and therefore not private)
  • Officer personal Facebook/social media accounts (not actively monitored for AFA concerns)
  • Excessively lengthy texts (please use email for important information as it’s easier to respond and forward to appropriate resource-texts should be reserved for alerts to an issue that requires a timely response)

Please allow at least one business day for a response to any method of contact (email, phone, text).  

Happy New Year!

In solidarity,

Melissa, Aladrian, James and Brad

Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
Aladrian Hillmon, LEC Vice President • Aladrian.hillmon@afaalaska.org •  415-991-3791
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

Goodbye, 2020!

As 2020 comes to an end, your local AFA Officers want to express our gratitude to each and every member of AFA Alaska Council 15- SAN.  Starting with the Recurrent Training fiasco to the COVID pandemic, our members have handled everything thrown at us with grace and professionalism. We have stayed unified and supported each other.  We are proud to represent such an amazing group of Flight Attendants!

4th Quarter CBTs

All 2020 CBTs must be completed by Dec. 31st if you are not on a leave. Failure to complete by the deadline will result in progressive steps of discipline. If you are currently on a leave you have 60 days once you return from leave to complete your CBT.

CBT’s may be completed on your company issued IMD or on your personal device or computer.

On your IMD, launch the Cornerstone Learn App
portal:  aagtraining

Using your personal device or computer?
Alaskas World > Inflight Page> Training> Cornerstone

*Please verify that all modules have been completed by reviewing your Cornerstone Learn transcript OR ensure that you have a received an email stating your training has been completed.

If you are having any significant problems with the Cornerstone app, please open a support ticket by going to the following link: http://support.afaalaska.org/ provide screenshots if possible.

Be Prepared

We are seeing a rise in Covid 19 exposures and test positives as well as entering into the Flu season. It is a really good idea to pack a thermometer, ibuprofen and your favorite cold medicines in your overnight bag.

Professional Standards vs. Management

Conflicts or issues with Coworkers 

Please keep in mind that many personal conflicts should be taken to your AFA Professional Standards (PS) team and not taken immediately to management.  Often EAP/ PS can resolve the problems or issues without Management becoming involved. Once management is aware of the situation, it could lead to all parties being called in for meetings. There is the potential of 1 or all parties involved receiving discipline and or possibly even termination depending on the issue and once all parties involved are heard in meetings with Management.

Our AFA EAP and Professional Standards Committee is an invaluable resource to assist you in dealing with conflicts between Flight Attendants (as well as Pilots) without creating job jeopardy or threat of discipline. 

The PS/EAP team works with both sides of the disagreement to find the best possible resolution and is completely confidential. Our Professional Standards team can reach out to other AS workgroups that have Professional Standards. 

The Professional Standards team has had a high success rate in working with the Flight Attendants involved to achieve a positive outcome. 

Your EAP/ Professional Standards Committee Representatives are:

Melanie Buker – chair 

melanie.buker@afaalaska.org

208-890-1849

Ava McWilliams – co-chair

ava.eap@yahoo.com

951-662-3486

Norma Dorman  

eap.norma@icloud.com

619-417-4617

Rex Hampton 

rexonthebeach@yahoo.com

760-218-7567

Holly Mozzone  

hollymozzoneeap@msn.com

253-334-2848

Contacted by Management?

If you receive a call or email from any Supervisor, it is best first to clarify if the conversation could lead to disciplinary action. If the answer is “Yes,” at this point you can request that the Union be involved in any further discussions. However, even if the supervisor states that the conversation won’t lead to any discipline if at any time you feel the questions to be uncomfortable you can end the conversation by saying you will only continue with an AFA Union rep present. 

Including a Union rep, there is insurance. They are an advocate and a second set of ears to ensure that your point is understood clearly by the company and not misinterpreted.

Reach out to your local officers at SAN@afaalaska.org

Membership Dues

Thank you to those of you that have made an effort to remain current with your Membership Dues while out on leave of absence and/or Voluntary Furlough!

If you are calling the AFA Membership office 800-424-2401 EXT 707, please leave a message.  Due to the COVID pandemic office staff are working remotely.  Messages are checked and calls will be returned within a timely manner.   

“How much do I owe?”

While on leave of absence (Medical, COVID, Staffing Adjustment, etc.  LOA) and/or enhanced voluntary furlough (EVF) you are responsible for the first three months of membership dues ($50/mo.) 

If you took a combination of leaves/EVF and you were out continually for three months or longer it is unlikely that you will owe more than $150. you can pay online at https://unionly.io/o/afacwa/dues 

“Do I owe membership dues if I attend(ed) Recurrent Training (RT) while on Leave of Absence/EVF?”

No.  Attending RT during a month in which you were on LOA/EVF does not trigger an additional membership dues payment.  This also applies to Requal Training (RQ).

More information can be found here: Payment Options

Guest Passes

Remember to convert your unused companion travel passes before the end of day December 31st. Once converted the live in your FLY account under guest passes, manage guest passes. They can be ticketed for 3 months after the conversion date.
 
FLY> Guest Passes> Manage Guest Passes

End of Year Record Improvement

Record Improvement S32.G.4– should be applied by mid-January, If you had 4 or fewer points at the end of 2020, and you did not accrue any points in NOV, DEC your points will be removed and you will be starting 2021 with zero points. Please allow about two to three weeks for the attendance Supervisors to apply your Nov/Dec record improvement. Once this has been done, let your Officers know if there are any discrepancies. 

December PPP

JCBA§21.R. 
December is an Individual PPP month ($350).

To qualify,  you must meet or exceed your awarded TFP for the month of December by at least five (5.0) TFP.

The payout will be on Jan 20th in a separate check from your normal pay.

Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and looking forward to 2021!

In Solidarity,

Brice, Melanie, JR

AFA Alaska Negotiations Update – December 17, 2020

Master Executive Council

In This Edition

  • Updated Contract Negotiations Timeline
  • Negotiations Delayed Until September 1, 2021
  • Overview of the Railway Labor Act

Updated Contract Negotiations Timeline

1st round Negotiating Committee interviews – March & April 2020

Full pay scale increase of 2.5% – December 17, 2020 – This is the final full pay scale increase under this contract. A confirmation email from Employee Records to all Flight Attendants is expected in the next few days.

Revised “Early Opener” date – September 1, 2021 – Original Early Opener date: December 17, 2020. Negotiations may start on or after this date if notice is served by either AFA or management at least 60 days prior.

Amendable date – December 17, 2021 – Under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), the amendable date of a contract is generally the date on which the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement may be changed. Unlike under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), contracts under the RLA do not automatically expire and instead generally remain in force throughout negotiations and the amendable period.

Negotiations Delayed Until September 1, 2021

AFA leadership and Alaska Airlines management have agreed to hold off on engaging in negotiations until September 1, 2021. Both parties recognize that entering into negotiations during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic would not be productive for either party. Consequently, the parties have executed a side letter of agreement amending the Early Opener date from December 17, 2020 to September 1, 2021 in Section 35 [Duration] of the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA).

Click here for the “Amendment to JCBA Section 35 [Duration]” Sideletter of Agreement >

Overview of the Railway Labor Act

Credit to “The Railway Labor Act Simplified” by the Pennsylvania Division of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division – IBT

Historical Background

The Railway Labor Act (RLA) was passed in 1926 to allow railroad union workers to resolve disputes with management while minimizing the potential for interstate commerce disruptions. The airline industry was folded into the RLA under Title II in 1936. The RLA was the first federal law guaranteeing the right of workers to organize and join unions and elect representatives without employer coercion or interference. The RLA makes it the duty of all carriers and their employees to exert every reasonable effort to voluntarily settle disputes. Negotiations procedures were historically contained in Section 6 of the RLA, which is why one often hears “Section 6” as a catch-all phrase for everything having to do with negotiations under the RLA. The RLA is currently located in 45 USC Chapter 8 Sections 151 – 188.

Who is Covered?

The RLA applies to freight and commuter railroads, airlines, companies directly or indirectly controlled by carriers who perform services related to transportation of freight or passengers and the employees of these railroads, airlines and companies.

Basic Purposes

  • Avoid any interruption to commerce.
  • Assist in the prompt and orderly settlement of disputes covering rates of pay, work rules, or working conditions.
  • Assist in the prompt and orderly settlement of disputes growing out of grievances or out of the interpretation or application of existing contracts covering the rates of pay, work rules or working conditions.
  • Ensure an unhindered right of employees to join a labor union (added in 1934).
  • Provide complete independence of organization by both parties to carry out the purposes of the RLA.

“Minor” vs. Major” Disputes

Disputes are divided into two categories under the Railway Labor Act: “minor” (resolved via the grievance and arbitration process) and “major” (resolved via the negotiations process).

Minor Disputes: Grievances growing out of the interpretation or application of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). – System boards of adjustment (often administered by a neutral third-party arbitrator) have exclusive jurisdiction over grievance disputes. A system board’s findings are conclusive, and any awards through this process are binding on the parties. Self-help (e.g., work slowdowns or stoppages, worker strikes or management imposed work rules) not allowed. (See “Arbitration in the Airlines Industry: System Boards of Adjustment” by Thomas J. Kassin and Sarah L. Fuson for more information.)

Major Disputes: Matters affecting rates of pay, rules and working conditions; and the creation or modification of the collective bargaining agreement between the parties. – There is almost total reliance upon collective bargaining for major dispute settlement. Self-help (e.g., strikes and imposed work rules) are permitted after negotiation and mediation procedures have been exhausted.

Next Up

(Order is subject to change)

  • Negotiations Under the Railway Labor Act
  • Negotiating for Our Future
  • Block hours vs. TFP
  • Block or Better vs. Block Delay
  • Incentive Pay vs. Productivity Premium Program (PPP)
  • Inflight Team Leader (ITL) Pay vs. “A” Pay

In This Edition

  • MEC Resolution on Gender Equality
  • CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before
  • Georgia Senate Runoff Election
  • Community Resources for Those in Need

MEC Resolution on Gender Equality

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA has long been a champion of equality both in and out of the workplace.  Over the course of many years, we have made achievements in our struggle to realize fair treatment for all.  There is still much work to be done, however, and we continue with our efforts to achieve workplace equality almost daily.

The Master Executive Council (MEC) recently adopted a resolution in support of gender equality, specifically in regard to the right to recognition, acceptance, and inclusion of people of all gender identities and gender expressions.  As a part of the resolution, the MEC is calling upon Alaska Airlines management to make much needed changes to company policies in order to recognize, accept, and include non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.  You can view the complete language of the resolution on the AFA Alaska website by clicking here.

What Are Gender Identity and Gender Expression?

Gender identity refers to how you view your gender internally (e.g., man, woman, or another gender).  Gender expression refers to how you present your gender on the outside through your behavior, mannerisms, the clothing you wear, your voice, and other characteristics. Gender non-conforming is a broader term that describes people who do not follow other people’s ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth.

In our society, many people identify and express themselves as either male or female.  This is often referred to as the “gender binary”, meaning that it has two parts—male and female.  People who are non-binary have a gender that doesn’t fall into one of these two categories. They may have a gender that blends both male and female elements, is different than male or female, or they may not identify with any gender.

If you’d like to read more to further understand non-binary and gender non-conforming people, you can find additional information using the links below:

A Request for Immediate Action

Earlier this week, the MEC sent a formal letter to management requesting an immediate meeting to discuss the resolution and begin the process of working to study, review, and update company policies as quickly as possible.  We have requested that the frontline employee uniform and appearance standards be reviewed first as they are one of the most significantly impactful areas of inequality for those who are non-binary and/or gender non-conforming.

Questions?

Please contact your LEC President with any questions about the MEC Resolution.

CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before

Government Affairs Committee

We’ve rallied, marched, called, emailed, tweeted, and more to demand our members of Congress extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP). Our activism is forcing lawmakers to publicly come out to support #ReliefNow for Flight Attendants and essential aviation workers and urge their colleagues to take action. 

Throughout the next 7 days, we have to be louder than we’ve ever been before

The $908 billion bipartisan proposal on emergency relief has significant support across Congress, but there are a few outstanding issues unrelated to PSP. Our action and voices are critical to getting this legislation over the finish line.

Congress is gearing up to depart Washington, D.C. for the holidays and before they leave, they must pass a government funding bill by Friday, December 11th, to avert a government shutdown. Congress is expected to extend that deadline to December 18th. That is unfortunate because every day counts for those out of work and all the disruption and suffering caused for people without relief – and even those on the job under these conditions. We need to continue to demand #ReliefNow. Every day counts! This is a bridge of emergency relief for the whole country for four month. Stimulus discussions for recovery would be renewed in the New Year. More relief will be needed for our country to recover.

Our members of Congress must hear from us, our family members and friends, every day

SENATE: (888) 848-4824
HOUSE: (888) 907-9365

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to tell my (Senator/Representative) that we need emergency relief and an extension of the Payroll Support Program TODAY. We are out of work and without healthcare. Do not leave Washington, D.C. without passing emergency relief for our families. Do your job. Thank you.”

Georgia Senate Runoff Election

Government Affairs Committee

On January 5, voters in Georgia will have the opportunity to vote in an election to determine who will represent them in the United States Senate.  Georgia voters will have the opportunity to send two candidates to Washington who support working Americans through the right to organize and bargain collectively.  This election is critical as the outcome has the ability to affect the balance of power in the Senate.

With judicial nominees, a stimulus deal, infrastructure and health care measures, and tax and spending policies all on the line, the Senate races in Georgia are likely to take on an intensity that mirrors the presidential race that just ended.  We need to do everything possible to encourage Georgia voters to vote and get the word out about pro-worker candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Our fellow AFA and CWA members will be working to reach out to Georgia voters through phone banking activities every Tuesday until the election as well for several days prior to the election itself.  You can help make a difference and get the word out by signing up for a shift and joining the phone bank!  Available shifts are:

Tuesday, December 15th2 to 5 PM PST 
Tuesday, December 22nd2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, December 29th2 to 5 PM PST
Sunday, January 3rd9 AM to 5 PM PST
Monday, January 4th2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, January 5th (Election Day)9 AM to 3:30 PM PST
Click here to sign up for a shift

Signing up for just one shift can make a difference and you’re welcome to sign up for as many shifts as you’d like.  After you sign up for shifts, you’ll receive Zoom information about how to connect to the phone bank.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local Government Affairs Committee.

Community Resources for Those in Need

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Your AFA EAP Committee has compiled the below list of websites that may prove helpful with the financial strains of our times.

Food Banks, Housing and Utility Assistance, Clothing Closets, Veteran Services etc.  

Health Care

Behavioral Health Care

Prescription Assistance Programs

  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance: A program sponsored by drug companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations, and civic groups. It helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or low-cost, brand-name medications. http://www.pparx.org  Ph: 888-477-2669 
  • NeedyMeds: A nonprofit group that has an extensive database of information about patient assistance programs, state assistance, drug discount programs, and free or low-cost medical care. You can search the database for free on its website. The site also has information on thousands of programs to help consumers through the application process. www.needymeds.org
  • RxAssist: An online database of drug company programs that provide free or affordable drugs and copay assistance. www.rxassist.org
  • RxHope: A web-based resource where you can search by medication to find assistance programs. It also offers help with the application process. www.rxhope.com
  • RxOutreach: A mail-order pharmacy for people with little to no health insurance coverage. www.rxoutreach.org

Questions?

Contact your Local EAP Committee if you’d like more personalized assistance in understanding and accessing these or other resources.

AFA News in Review – September 19, 2025

In This Edition Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month Originally posted September 15, 2025 Join us in celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, a time dedicated to honoring the vibrant cultures and significant contributions of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Discover the history, participate in special events, and grab your commemorative Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pin […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have […]

Election Notice: Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Officer Elections

The term of office for our current Alaska + Hawaiian Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2025. The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the November Regular MEC meeting. This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual. […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement […]

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