Latest News

March 23, 2020 11:00

March 23, 2020

We built a relief package that is centered on Flight Attendants and other workers. The Senate Democrats unanimously took a stand against McConnell’s bill that would have resulted in massive layoffs and created another corporate slush fund. The Senate Democrats and the White House agree that our plan that is focused on workers is the better plan and now we need to fight hard to get it locked in!

Our plan is built from the ground up to get relief directly to all of us, who are also taxpayers. Direct government aid to keep people in our jobs, getting our paychecks, and connected to healthcare.

This is historic. Never before has relief been packaged in a way that requires the money to go directly to the workers, directly back to the taxpayers. Executives can’t touch it. It must all go to payroll for all people on the frontlines.

Congress is still debating a COVID-19 stimulus bill today. Our jobs are on the line. We need every Flight Attendant, pilot, family member and friend to make calls today.

Take Action Now–Call, Email, and Tweet!

SENATE: 855-973-4213

HOUSE: 877-782-8274

Call your representatives right now! Then, click here to send a tweet and tag your Senator or Representative. Click here to send an email. Urge them to prioritize keeping workers on the payroll in any stimulus bill.

Tweet Congress

Watch AFA on MSNBC this morning talking about a #WorkersFirst plan:

March 21, 2020 15:30

In This Edition

URGENT: Tell Congress to Put People First
Applying for COVID-19 Related Temporary Leaves of Absence
COVID-19 Resources

URGENT: Tell Congress to Put People First

A person standing in front of a crowd

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Government Affairs Committee

The coronavirus pandemic is decimating our aviation industry. It is a public health crisis and it is creating a financial catastrophe that dwarfs the economic cost of the Great Recession and September 11th combined.

We’ve seen catastrophe before. We know what didn’t work before and we won’t let those things happen again. We need relief that focuses on real people. And we have a plan for that.

Flight Attendants and other aviation workers have been on the frontlines of the coronavirus emergency from day one. Before most Americans knew what COVID-19 meant, we were calling for government action to keep it from disrupting our lives and our economy.

Our plan is focused on keeping people on the payroll and stopping furloughs. Airlines are burning cash so quickly they will not be able to meet payroll within a few months, if not a few weeks. You will see furlough announcements that reflect this, but know this: we are working with airlines to get relief that keeps the paychecks going without furloughs.

Washington is gearing up to save aviation. But we cannot accept another “no strings attached” government bailout for corporations and their executives that leaves Flight Attendants and aviation workers behind. This time it will be a RELIEF package focused on workers first with no stock buybacks or dividends and no executive bonuses.

Send a letter to your members of Congress to demand that any public relief plan be a People First plan with legally-binding rules, including (but not limited to):

Paycheck continuation without furloughs/layoffs
No stock buybacks
No executive bonuses
No dividends
No breaking union contracts

Click here to take action now

Amplify Your Message with a Call

Call your Senators now and tell them to support our position on a People First relief package for aviation.

Call (855) 973-4213 and tell your Senator:

“Airline relief must put workers first. I am a Flight Attendant. Congress needs to keep us in our jobs by providing the airlines with the money to keep our paychecks going. That keeps us connected to our healthcare too. We need to stay in our jobs so we can restart our economy quickly once the virus is contained. Stop mass furloughs that will hurt us now and long after the virus is gone. Any package must include direct assistance to aviation companies to keep us on the job and our paychecks going”

Applying for COVID-19 Related Temporary Leaves of Absence

Benefits Committee

Information about new COVID-19 related temporary leaves of absence (LOAs) was communicated in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update on March 13, 2020 and in a corresponding email from former Vice President of Inflight Ron Calvin. These temporary LOAs include:

Educational Disruption Leave of Absence (EDLOA) – for Flight Attendants who cannot fulfill their scheduling obligations due to the closure of their minor child’s school or childcare provider due to COVID-19.
Voluntary Quarantine Leave of Absence (VQLOA) – for Flight Attendants who are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 as determined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Flight Attendants who reside in the same household as increased risk individuals, and Flight Attendants who wish to remove themselves from the workplace due to suspected exposure to COVID-19 (no diagnosis or symptoms are required)
COVID-19 Workplace Exposure Leave of Absence (CEWLOA) – for Flight Attendants who are recommended or required to go into isolation/monitoring or quarantine due to work-related exposure to COVID-19. The recommendation or requirement for isolation/monitoring or quarantine must be from the Company, the Flight Attendant’s physician or other qualified healthcare provider, the CDC, the local Department of Health, or other applicable government agency.

More details about these LOA options, including eligibility and documentations requirements, can be found in the COVID-19 Leaves of Absence and Related Mitigations Memorandum of Understanding. In addition, other contractual leave options including medical leaves of absence and FMLA remain available for those who qualify.

How Do I Apply for a COVID-19 Related Temporary LOA?

Management has created a specific Alaska’s World page with information and links to apply for the various COVID-19 related LOAs. You can access the page by clicking here. If you have already contacted Matrix or the HR/People Resource telephone line to apply for a non-medical leave (EDLOA or VQLOA), you MUST also complete the corresponding form on this page.

Note: management’s “school closure leave” form (corresponds with EDLOA) indicates that the LOA may only be used for minor children aged 0-14. This references is incorrect as the COVID-19 Leaves of Absence and Related Mitigations Memorandum of Understanding defines minor children as “children under the age of 18 who have not yet graduated from high school”. AFA representatives have requested that management update this form as soon as possible to reflect the correct, agreed-upon definition.

Questions?

If you have any questions about leaves of absence, please contact your Local Benefits Committee.

COVID-19 Resources

March 19, 2020 15:30

In This Edition

Ongoing Conversations With Management
FAA & CDC Recommendations for Layovers
Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation
Tell Congress: Put Aviation Workers First
KCM Access Point Staffing
Challenges with Onboard Trash Stowage
Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying
Telephone Support Group For Flight Attendants Under Self-Quarantine
COVID-19 Resources

Ongoing Conversations With Management

AFA and management are continuing to have active, ongoing discussions regarding a number of issues of importance to our Flight Attendants.

Inflight Service Changes

Yesterday, Executive Vice President and COO Gary Beck sent out an email outlining a series of reductions and changes to inflight service intended as mitigations to COVID-19. Our AFA officers have received resounding feedback that these mitigations do not take enough action to protect our Flight Attendants from possible risks. Discussions between AFA representatives and management to advocate for more drastic service reductions are continuing today.

Recurrent Training

Members of the AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Inflight Training Committee, and the MEC have been engaging in conversation with management over the past week to advocate for protective measures related to recurrent training (RT) and the RT facilities. Based on those discussions, management has taken steps to implement measures such as a pre-class briefing on COVID-19 precautions being taken, increased the frequency of training equipment sanitization, provided hand sanitizer to be used before and after touching equipment or door trainers, and provided disposable gloves to be used when conducting door and equipment drills.

AFA representatives have also asked management to take immediate and necessary action to discontinue PBE and CPR drills due to the high potential of exposure to respiratory droplets that are known to spread COVID-19. Management has taken steps to request an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the requirement to complete PBE and CPR drills based on the ongoing spread of the disease. AFA is calling upon management to immediately discontinue these drills as continuing to ask Flight Attendants to perform them is a serious safety and health risk.

Food Availability on Layovers

As a preventive measure to curb the spread of COVID-19, many restaurants in our layover cities are being ordered closed by local and state authorities. Those that remain open are usually limited to take out or delivery only and are operating under limited hours. The AFA Hotel Committee and the MEC are working with management to ensure that food options continue to remain available to Flight Attendants, ideally within the health guidance outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) (see “FAA & CDC Recommendations for Layovers” below). Management has been asked to compile a list of food options that remain open and available near each layover hotel and to post the list in a place easily accessible to Flight Attendants.

FAA & CDC Recommendations for Layovers

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued updated COVID-19 health guidance for crew members in conjunction with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). This guidance includes recommendations to protect Flight Attendants from exposure and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. AFA recommends that Flight Attendants follow this FAA & CDC guidance to the extent that you are able to do so.

While On a Layover In The United States or Internationally

Travel as a group in private transport provided by the air carrier when traveling between the airport and hotel (note: management has started implementing this provision already; see “Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation” below).
- Minimize contact with ground personnel and time in public areas while moving between the aircraft and the private transport.
- Do not use public transportation, including when traveling between the airport and hotel.
Stay in your hotel room to the extent possible.
Minimize going out into the general population and use social distancing (maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet, if possible) whenever out in public. Avoid crowds, stores, sporting or mass entertainment events, and other situations likely to attract large numbers of people.
Eat in your hotel room with either room service or delivery service. If in-room dining options are not available, eat at a restaurant located in the hotel. If not available at the hotel, eat at a restaurant located close to the hotel.
Avoid contact with sick people.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Use soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled.
Avoid touching your face.

Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation

Hotel Committee

In response to guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), management will be temporarily implementing private, crew-only vans in cities where transportation had been previously provided by the hotel and the van was shared with other passengers.

Management has instructed all transportation providers to adhere to the following criteria:

Vehicles must be sanitized and wiped down as much as possible prior to each pick up (seat belts and buckles, armrests, door handles, any touch points)
If possible, provide wipes and sanitizer in their vehicles
Gloves should be used if handling crew bags
Tipping may be limited due to risk of transfer on cash

This change means that in cities where the hotel provides transportation directly, the hotel will either now be providing “crew only” vans or, if the hotel is unable to provide a vehicle exclusively for crew, management will be arranging for contracted transportation providers to provide this service. Please note that with this change, company provided layover hotel transportation will be limited to crewmembers only for the foreseeable future. Crewmembers who are planning to travel with family or other guests will need to make other arrangements for them to get to the hotel.

Management will be sending emails to those crews where transportation is being switched from hotel-provided to contracted transportation. Pairings are also being updated in Crew Access if the transportation provider has changed. Please be mindful of any emails or Crew Access notifications regarding transportation changes.

Questions?

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

Tell Congress: Put Aviation Workers First

Government Affairs Committee

We’ve seen catastrophe before. We know what didn’t work before and we won’t let those things happen again. We need relief that focuses on real people. And we have a plan for that.

Send a letter to your members of Congress to demand that any public relief plan be a People First plan with legally-binding rules, including (but not limited to):

Paycheck continuation without furloughs/layoffs
No stock buybacks
No executive bonuses
No dividends
No breaking contract

>> Click here to take action now <<

Amplify Your Message with a Call

Call your Member of Congress and Senators now and tell them to support our position on a People First relief package for aviation.

SENATE: 855-973-4213

HOUSE: 877-782-8274

KCM Access Point Staffing

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Due to the rapid changes caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is directing Federal Security Directors to implement measures to maintain continuity of business. These measures could include some changes to the operation of Known Crewmember Program (KCM) access point locations. Crewmembers should expect periodic closures of KCM access points without notice. If KCM access points are closed, the TSA will accommodate crewmembers at TSA PreCheck™ locations where available or at standard passenger screening lanes. The TSA is taking measured steps and following CDC recommended guidance to preserve the health and safety of Transportation Security Officers

More Information

Please check the Known Crewmember website for more information and updates.

Challenges with Onboard Trash Stowage

Inflight Service Committee

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) have been working to advance AFA’s request to discontinue any onboard sorting of trash in the wake of COVID-19. Many Flight Attendants have attempted to collect trash without employing the usual sorting process that would be used for onboard recycling and have come up against numerous challenges based on the lack of adequate trash space. This has become especially challenging on double catered flights, flights in the Florida and Hawaii markets, and flights on A319 and certain A320 aircraft.

These concerns have been brought forward to the onboard food and beverage department, which is part of marketing. Management is reviewing possible solutions to mitigate the lack of appropriate trash space. AFA is continuing to stress the importance of providing adequate space for trash over discretionary provisions such as inflight entertaining tablets. This comes down to safety—the company’s catering procedures should never be prioritized over providing adequate space for Flight Attendants to contain trash in a regulatory-complaint manner.

Have You Experienced Inadequate Trash Stowage Space?

If you are on a flight where you have inadequate trash stowage space, AFA highly encourages every Flight Attendant on the crew to file an Aviation Safety Action (ASAP) report using ReportIt!. More information about ASAP, including a link to file a report, can be found here.

Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

It is prudent for all Flight Attendants to assess their personal financial positions in anticipation of income reductions. While every Flight Attendant’s situation will vary, below are some general considerations that can help you begin strategizing how best to weather the financial impact of flying cutbacks on your household.

Assess Your Financial Status

Prepare a household budget and cut any non-essential items.
Prepare a list of all creditors and a contact person. Make minimum payments.
Place your money in a bank in which you have no debt.
Attempt to secure a loan early, so you will have a cash flow.
Assess your tax situation. You may be owed a refund or need to file an extension.
Be proactive. Assess your credit card debt. Look into a temporary reduction or abatement in payments.

Contact Your Creditors

You must communicate with your creditors before any payments become delinquent, and the sooner the better. You can negotiate a lower repayment schedule before you run out of money. Be professional, but assertive. Creditors are easier to work with if they know ahead of time that there’s a problem. Also, it shows ‘good faith’ that you are concerned about your debts and intend to pay.

The goal is to make the amount of money you’ve saved last as long as possible. Pay what you can on a regular basis, even if it is less than expected. Partial payments may keep collection agents away. Follow-up all telephone conversations with a letter and keep documentation. Even in the worst-case scenario, it takes a long time for collections, repossessions and evictions to occur. Contact credit counselors who can help you sort out your financial affairs. Be sure to remember to contact the creditors that are automatically payroll deducted.

Even if you can’t pay creditors the amount they want, make your best effort to pay something regularly. This holds arrears as low as possible and lets the creditor know that you are doing all you can. Partial payment may keep your account from being turned over to a collection agency.

Put your payments in order of importance: this will help you pay first things first when money is short. Generally, your most important payment will be the mortgage or rent payment, followed by utilities, health insurance and car payments.

And after the initial contact, it’s important that you keep in contact with creditors – every two weeks or so. This reassures the creditor, shows a responsible attitude toward your obligation and may keep the creditor from ‘hounding’ you.

Prepare a Household Budget

A budget helps you see where you spend your money and where you can save. Your budgeted expenses should include:

Fixed expenses, including: mortgage, rent, taxes, insurance, loans, installment payments, credit card payments and any other monthly payments.
Monthly expenses, including: food, gas, repairs, dues, recreation, prescriptions.
Future expenses, including: income/property tax and any other outstanding debts.

Your budgeted income should include:

Any remaining income
State disability insurance benefits
Workers’ compensation checks
Savings
Social Security
Unemployment compensation
Other pension funds

Your assets may include:

Cash value of insurance policies
Equity in your home
Prepaid burial or funeral policy
Resale value of vehicles (including boats and snowmobiles)

Now you are ready to adjust your expenses, negotiate with creditors and use assets in the most effective way possible.

Questions?

Contact your Local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee or call (949) 470-0493.

Telephone Support Group For Flight Attendants Under Self-Quarantine

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

In order to provide additional support to those Flight Attendants who are under self-quarantine, AFA International EAP is sponsoring a bi-weekly telephonic support group meeting. The meetings are facilitated by a confidential mental health professional.

Calls started on Tuesday, March 17 and are scheduled Tuesdays at 12 PM PDT (March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14) and Sundays at 5 PM PDT (March 22, 29, April 5, 12). Each call will last one hour and can support up to 100 Flight Attendant participants.

Call-In Number

(855) 544-2320 or (401) 648-9218

If outside the U.S., follow the directions here.

COVID-19 Resources

March 16, 2020 09:59

Calls will start on Tuesday, March 17 and are scheduled Tuesdays at 12 PM PDT (March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14) and Sundays at 5 PM PDT (March 22, 29, April 5, 12). Each call will last one hour and can support up to 100 Flight Attendant participants.

Call-In Number

(855) 544-2320 or (401) 648-9218

If outside the U.S., follow the directions here.

March 13, 2020 18:00

In This Edition

Continuing to Advocate for Flight Attendant Protections
COVID-19 Related Temporary Leaves of Absence
Company COVID-19 Resources
Maternity Roundtable Cancelled
COVID-19 PST Cancellation Exception
Managing Your Anxiety Around Coronavirus

Continuing to Advocate for Flight Attendant Protections

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

An AFA communication from March 3 (Coronavirus [COVID-19] Update) contained a comprehensive list of the requests that AFA had made of management at the time. AFA Alaska officers and representatives have been in constant communication with management since that time to continue to advocate for these requests along with additional protective measures and changes to company policy/procedures to protect our Flight Attendants. AFA has requested that management post a copy of this list along with the current status of each request. Once management posts the list, we will provide a link to the information.

COVID-19 Related Temporary Leaves of Absence

Benefits Committee

AFA and management have agreed to the implementation several temporary leaves of absence (LOAs) and other mitigations to offset the impact of COVID-19. These temporary LOAs include:

Educational Disruption Leave of Absence (EDLOA) – for Flight Attendants who cannot fulfill their scheduling obligations due to the closure of their minor child’s school or childcare provider due to COVID-19.
Voluntary Quarantine Leave of Absence (VQLOA) – for Flight Attendants who are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 as determined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Flight Attendants who reside in the same household as increased risk individuals, and Flight Attendants who wish to remove themselves from the workplace due to suspected exposure to COVID-19 (no diagnosis or symptoms are required)
COVID-19 Workplace Exposure Leave of Absence (CEWLOA) – for Flight Attendants who are recommended or required to go into isolation/monitoring or quarantine due to work-related exposure to COVID-19. The recommendation or requirement for isolation/monitoring or quarantine must be from the Company, the Flight Attendant’s physician or other qualified healthcare provider, the CDC, the local Department of Health, or other applicable government agency.

All of these temporary LOA options provide the ability for Flight Attendants to purchase and maintain health insurance at active employee rates even if you do not have enough sick leave and/or vacation/Longevity PTO to coordinate with an approved Medical Leave of Absence or other LOA directly related to COVID-19.

More details about these LOA options, including eligibility and documentations requirements, can be found in the COVID-19 Leaves of Absence and Related Mitigations Memorandum of Understanding.

How Do I Apply For One of These LOAs?

Please contact Matrix at 1-888-205-2590 to apply for one of the COVID-19 temporary LOAs.

Questions?

If you have any questions about leaves of absence, please contact your Local Benefits Committee.

Company COVID-19 Resources

Management has created a subsite of Alaska’s World that contains the latest company news and updates on COVID-19 along with a list of actions being taken by management, several FAQ pages, and a resources page. To access the subsite, click the Coronavirus (COVID-19) banner above the Water Cooler link on Alaska’s World or click here.

Maternity Roundtable Cancelled

Benefits Committee

The Maternity Roundtable event scheduled in Seattle on Friday, March 27 has been cancelled. Assistance with maternity-related questions is always available from the Local Benefits Committee.

COVID-19 PST Cancellation Exception

Management has announced a temporary exception for cancellation of positive space travel (PST) reservations due to COVID-19. Effective March 12, 2020, any PST reservations canceled within 14-days of departure will be returned to the Employee’s Fly account. In order to have your credits returned to you, you will need to submit a request through the Fly website. From the Fly home page, click on the “Contact Us” tab in the menu bar and choose the subject “Positive Space Travel”. In the message box, indicate that you would like to cancel your reservation due to COVID-19 and be sure to include your confirmation code. Employee Travel will cancel your PST reservation for you and redeposit the credits back to your Fly account.

Managing Your Anxiety Around Coronavirus

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new risk, not a familiar one. Its status as a new health problem with which we are unfamiliar contributes to our heightened anxiety. Remember, anxiety is a protective measure. It’s signaling you to scan for risks and find methods to safeguard yourself. Embrace your anxiety for what it is…. a “pay-attention” signal. However, ensuring that your anxiety doesn’t exceed your ability to continue functioning is important. Below are some suggestions that may help you modulate worry so it remains in the healthy response range for you and your family.

Get The Facts

Find credible sources of information about protective measures from sources you can trust. This might include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, your local or state public health agencies, your family physician and AFA.

Assess Your Vulnerability to Continuous News

Although you will want to keep informed, limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you spend watching or listening to upsetting media coverage. Remember to take a break from watching the news and focus on the things that are positive in your life and things you have control over.

Take Action

Engage in protective measures recommended by reliable sources so you can continue to function. Taking effective action steps not only protects you physically but emotionally. Action provides us with a sense of control. It reduces or “grounds” our anxiety. You may have discovered some action steps that were particularly effective for you when past national health alerts occurred. Borrow what worked for you then and use those techniques now.

Keep Connected

Maintaining social networks can foster a sense of normalcy and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress. Remain flexible in your methods of connecting with others especially if vulnerable friends and family have chosen to engage in social distancing.

Communicate With Your Children

Discuss the news coverage of the coronavirus with age-appropriate information. Parents can help allay distress by focusing children on routines and schedules. Remember that children will observe your behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own feelings during this time.

Seek Additional Help

If your worry begins to amplify beyond the protective range and into the overwhelming range seek assistance. Your AFA EAP can help you identify local professional help. If you are already under professional care for an anxiety disorder stay in close communication with your treating provider. Virtual therapy sessions may even be available to you. AFA EAP can be contacted at (949) 470-0493.

March 6, 2020 12:00

In This Edition

COVID-19 Continuing Developments
Negotiating Committee Interviews – Additional Opportunity
Never Refuse a Drug or Alcohol Test
MEC Meets with FAA to Discuss Recurrent Training

COVID-19 Continuing Developments

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), in conjunction with our AFA counterparts at Horizon Air and AFA International, continue to closely monitor the situation in regard to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). A meeting was conducted between AFA Alaska and Horizon leaders on Wednesday to have further discussion about AFA’s requests to improve Flight Attendant protections. This meeting will be followed up by an additional meeting between all Alaska and Horizon labor leaders and management from across Alaska Air Group (AAG) to further discussions about the impact of the virus and the steps that need to be taken to protect Flight Attendants, other employees, and passengers.

AFA Alaska released a communication earlier this week with more detailed information about the requests that we have made of management to improve protections for all of us on the job. In addition to this communication, you can find the most up-to-date, pertinent information about COVID-19 and its impact on Flight Attendants on the Coronavirus Outbreak page of the AFA International website. The page contains the latest news on the outbreak, resources for Flight Attendants to guard against the spread of infection, and links to additional governmental resources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC.

Negotiating Committee Interviews – Additional Opportunity

Master Executive Council (MEC)

[Note: The MEC has become aware of chatter elsewhere on social media that we’re discriminating against junior and/or Legacy Virgin America (L-VX) FAs. This is due to the reposted opening for the Negotiating Committee that is soliciting for 25+ years occupational seniority and/or prior negotiations experience. This is definitely a misunderstanding about intent. The MEC has already received approximately 20 applications from both Legacy Alaska (L-AS) and L-VX FAs. We have full intention of interviewing all of them for the NC.

With a few exceptions, nearly all applicants have less than 15 years of occupational seniority and no formal negotiations experience. It is the MEC’s desire to have a representative NC, so we are looking to fill in the applicant pool with more senior FAs so that we have a representative sampling of the Membership. Additionally, Section VI.A.1 of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws specifically states “The Negotiating Committee selected should include a member, or members, who have had previous experience, insofar as is practicable.”

It is regrettable that some FAs have misconstrued the call for additional applicants with specific qualifications to mean the NC will be exclusively comprised of FAs with 25+ years of seniority and therefore all L-VX will be locked out of representation on the NC. This is absolutely not true.With only three members on the NC (plus the MEC president as chair), the MEC must consider each appointment very carefully. There are no guarantees who will ultimately be appointed because it will depend on each applicant’s qualifications and interview(s), but the MEC has a strong desire to choose a NC that is representative of all members and all constituencies as much as possible (e.g. seniorities, domiciles, legacy carriers, etc.). ^jtp 03/06/2020 @ 17:50 PT ]

The Master Executive Council (MEC) is currently in the process of scheduling interviews for prospective Negotiating Committee candidates who submitted expression of interest forms prior to the March 3 deadline. In order to provide an additional opportunity, the MEC has decided to re-open the expression of interest process for Negotiating Committee Members. Additional interviews will be conducted at the April Regular MEC Meeting. The MEC is specifically seeking candidates with 25 years or more of Flight Attendant seniority and/or those with previous negotiating experience. Other candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Our current Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) becomes amendable on December 17, 2021 but also contains an early opener clause for the negotiating process to begin as early as December 2020. In anticipation of early openers, the Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for the Negotiating Committee during the April Regular MEC Meeting, to be held April 7 and 8, 2020. All three Negotiating Committee positions are up for interview and consideration. Per the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, the MEC President is the chairperson of the Negotiating Committee and rounds out the Committee as the fourth member.

The Negotiating Committee is charged to negotiate and institute the needs and desires of the Flight Attendants into an effective collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The Committee should have a good working knowledge of the current CBA and be willing to devote their full time to the Committee during negotiations. The members of this Committee shall serve as the CBA Interpretation Committee until a new agreement is completed.

Selection of Committee Members

Any person seeking a position on the Negotiating Committee must submit a resume to the MEC
Committee Members will function until a new Committee is selected
The Chairperson of the Negotiating Committee will be the MEC President or her/his designee
Committee Members are selected by majority vote of the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents)

Committee Member Duties & Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Negotiating Committee shall include the following:

The Committee, with the advice of the Staff Negotiator shall have the authority to conclude an agreement, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Constitution and Bylaws.
All members of the Committee, including alternates whenever possible, shall complete a negotiations training seminar prior to writing an “opener.”
Be familiar with Union policy and keep abreast of new developments in the industry.
Utilize the facilities and resources of the Union and the experience and knowledge of Union Officers, International Office staff and study committees of the Union. (eg., Legal, Retirement and Insurance, Wage and Working Conditions, etc.).
Maintain a current record of the:
- Financial condition of the company.
- Management lines of authority and methods of communication.
- Operations statistics and experiences of the airline which may be used in bargaining, grievances, litigation, etc.
Be familiar with the wishes of the Flight Attendant group with respect to wages, working conditions, and work rules, through, for example, system-wide distribution of contract surveys, periodic road shows, etc.
Prepare the contract opener with the advice of the Staff Negotiator
Provide regular updates to the membership on the status of negotiations
Proof CBA language and agree with the Company on implementation and effective dates
Review tentative agreement with the MEC
Prepare membership summary package and Roadshow schedule
Present the tentative agreement to the members
Proof printed agreement and prepare CBA index
Prepare CBA interpretations for new concepts
Remain available as a resource for interpretations
Maintain a complete record of the negotiations, including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA. A copy of this record will be forwarded to the International Office by the Negotiating Committee.
Maintain contact, through the MEC President, with IAM, ALPA, TWU, AMFA, and other applicable labor unions on property

Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Flight pay loss (FPL) reimbursement will be provided to Negotiating Committee Members at the rate of 6 TFP at “A” pay for 8 hours of work. FPL is not reimbursed for days that solely contain travel to/from an activity.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews during the April Regular MEC meeting from April 7-8, 2020. Bid around the interview date or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/YGCUtxVETB3z9aZW7. The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Friday, March 27. After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

Please note that in order to submit an expression of interest, you must have a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Questions?

Any questions regarding the Negotiating Committee positions or application process should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.

Never Refuse a Drug or Alcohol Test

Grievance Committee

As Flight Attendants, we are all aware that we are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. This requirement is contained in 49 CFR part 40 and falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation. At Alaska Airlines, the Drug Abatement department, which is part of the Safety Division, is responsible for administering the testing program and ensuring that the company remains compliant with all applicable rules and regulations pertaining to drug and alcohol testing.

At the end of a duty period, many of us eagerly await block in and the opening of the boarding door to see whether or not a drug/alcohol tester is waiting for us. The Drug Abatement department has told AFA that their expectation of the drug testers is that they will be present in the jet bridge when the door is opened. Unfortunately, this does not always happen for a variety of reasons.

In order to prevent any misunderstanding and protect yourself, it is critically important that you never refuse a request to be tested. Failing to cooperate with any part of the testing process is also considered a refusal to test. Alaska Airlines drug and alcohol policy states that refusing to take a test is considered to be the same as failing a test.

Reporting any Drug or Alcohol Testing Irregularities to AFA

If you are notified of a drug or alcohol test and experience any irregularities with the process, fully cooperate with the tester but make a mental note of anything unusual. Irregularities could include:

The tester is not present in the jet bridge prior to aircraft block in
The test is conducted in a public restroom that is not closed off to public access

* Please note that even though these items could be considered irregularities, they are not prohibited under DOT regulations. Do not refuse a test based on a suspected irregularity.

Once the test is complete, please report any suspected irregularities to AFA as soon as possible. These reports should be filed as a ticket through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center. Be sure to include the date and time of the test, the name of the tester (if known), the flight number you worked immediately prior to the test, and any details of the irregularity. An AFA representative will follow up with you based your report.

Questions?

If you have questions about drug and alcohol testing or possible test irregularities, please contact your Local Grievance Committee.

MEC Meets with FAA to Discuss Recurrent Training

Master Executive Council (MEC)

On Wednesday, February 26, members of the Master Executive Council (MEC), including many Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, met with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Cascadia Certificate Management Officer (CMO) as well as various members of Alaska Airlines inflight, flight operations, and labor relations management. During the meeting, the MEC was able to engage in direct dialog with both FAA and management representatives in an attempt to gain clarity surrounding the considerable changes made to the recurrent training (RT) program over the past several months. The MEC plans to have additional discussion about RT at next week’s Regular MEC Meeting and will provide another update within the next several weeks.

March 3, 2020 05:00

As the reports of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread throughout the United States it is important to remain informed about the situation and take appropriate precautionary measures. We are saddened to hear that there have now been several confirmed deaths in the U.S. from the virus. Despite these cases, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the overall number of confirmed cases and risk of contracted the virus remain low.

Keep Up-To-Date With Reliable Resources

You can find the most up-to-date, pertinent information about COVID-19 and its impact on Flight Attendants on the Coronavirus Outbreak page of the AFA International website. The page contains the latest news on the outbreak, resources for Flight Attendants to guard against the spread of infection, and links to additional governmental resources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC.

Guidance from the CDC continues to recommend the following actions as being the best preventive measures to avoid exposure:

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (including PA handsets and IMDs) using sanitizing wipes.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Advocating for Flight Attendant Protections

AFA Alaska representatives have been engaging with management daily to advocate for protective measures and policy/procedure changes to protect our Flight Attendants in the wake of the outbreak. As of today, AFA Alaska has made the following requests of management:

Any individual who chooses to protect themselves by wearing mask or gloves should be permitted to do so at any time.
Eliminate water walks until we have equipment or product (individual water bottles) which allow it to be delivered in a sanitary manner.
Provide passengers with individually wrapped hand sanitizing wipes approved for use on our aircraft surfaces and on human skin.
Provide an announcement about changes to service made to provide a safer announcement to the passenger.
Work on getting N95 masks of all adult sizes added to UPKs and provide adequate training for their use when dealing with a passenger suspected of having a communicable disease.
Review aircraft cleaning guidelines and provide audit information by showing adherence levels. Provide better means for crew to submit aircraft cleaning feedback for flights
Enhanced cleaning procedures for aircraft which carried a passenger with known or suspected contagion.
Develop training on safe food and beverage handling, assessing passengers for COVID-19, and onboard response to suspect or identified case.
Discontinue hot towels in F/C and replace with individually wrapped hand sanitizing wipes.
Discontinue onboard sorting of used service items
Discontinue placing contaminated items in the same cart as unused service items.
Add disposable temperature gauges to aircraft equipment.
Change to disposable cups in First Class.
Make UPKs and hand sanitizer required, no-go items on the aircraft
Reduce MELs on lavatory water systems.
Make surgical masks available to passengers and crew so that those who show symptoms of infection may wear masks and reduce the risk of spreading disease. Take steps to ensure adequate supplies now.
Provide accommodations for those who have or live with those who have compromised immune systems or are pregnant.
Provide support for infected or quarantined employees.
Provide support for employees who are forced to stay at home to care for an infected or quarantined family member.
Provide support for employees who are forced to stay at home to care for a child due to extended cancellation of classes.

Management has responded and made procedural and policy changes to many of the requests made by AFA, but there are still many items that have not yet been satisfactorily addressed. A full list of actions that are being taken by management are listed in an article on Alaska’s World (AAG sign-on required). Management also released a required bulletin (bulletin #2020-0010, Special Edition Bulletin Bundle-March 2, 2020) with additional details on how these changes are to be implemented.

Additionally, AFA International released additional guidance today entitled Immediate Operational Actions to Stop Spread of COVID-19. Many of the points in this guidance were included in AFA Alaska’s original request to management. AFA Alaska representatives have called for a special meeting with management as soon as possible to address items from the original AFA request that management has not already provided a satisfactory response to as well as new items contained in the additional guidance from AFA International.

Daily Conversations with Management Ongoing

While we applaud management for taking meaningful steps to reduce risks, we simultaneously call upon them to continue taking necessary action to protect Flight Attendants and passengers alike. Regular conference calls between leaders from all Alaska and Horizon union groups and management from Inflight, Safety, and Labor Relations have been scheduled for the foreseeable future and will continue as long as outbreak remains a potential threat. AFA representatives will persist in continuing to address concerns with management during these calls and other venues to address the issues important to Flight Attendants.

Questions?

If you have questions that are not addressed in any of the resources provided above, please reach out to your LEC Officers or Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee

February 28, 2020 20:45

Membership Meeting April 23 in SFO

Alaska Council 35 and United Council 11 will host a combined membership meeting in preparation of the AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the BOD agenda and how members would like AFA leaders to respond to proposed agenda items. More information such as location and time will follow in a future communication.

What You Need to know About COVID-19

Updates regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its progress have been constantly changing. To stay informed on the latest news and helpful information for crewmembers, please visit:

Recurrent 2020

The Recurrent 2020 training program is still a hot topic for Flight Attendants. AFA continues to advocate for management to “do the right thing” and create a program that sets F/As up for success. Many communications have been published by the MEC in the last several weeks and there is more to come. Please stay tuned by visiting the latest news on our website. If you have any concerns or issues regarding RT 2020 please submit an online support request for your Council 35 officers to review and investigate.

CSAs and Pro Stands

Professional Standards (PS) should always be the first point of contact whenever Flight Attendants find it difficult to work together. In the event you find yourself contemplating “turning someone in” to management, please consider Professional Standards as the first step in this process. Part of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) committee, PS committee members are trained to help facilitate a conflict resolution process between the affected Flight Attendants. All this is done in a safe and confidential environment, without involving management. PS can also facilitate conflict resolution with other Alaska Airlines work groups, such as pilots and Tech Ops. If your issue involves a CSA, unfortunately PS is not an option. Please bring the issue forward to your base supervisor and/or submit an incident report. For a confidential consultation, please contact EAP/Professional Standards Committee at sfo.eap@afaalaska.org.

Scheduling Concerns

Flight Attendants who encounter operational issues while on duty often find themselves frustrated or in disagreement with a scheduler should reach out to the scheduling Manager on Duty (MOD). If you believe a scheduler has not followed SOP or has not followed contractual guidelines for an assignment, please request to speak to the MOD at the time of the event. Keep in mind that if you are unable to resolve the conflict at the time of the event, be prepared to “fly in protest” and present the issue to your base scheduling committee for follow up with crew scheduling management. With more information, scheduling committee members and crew scheduling management can more efficiently research flight attendant inquiries and determine a resolution. The best way to contact the SFO scheduling committee is by opening on an online support ticket. This portal will allow dialog and provides a convenient place for uploading all supporting docs and screenshots.

Trending Discipline

Holding for sit pay:

Flight Attendants that intentionally cause an operational slow down by holding the door open or closed to extend the duty time. The company views this as timecard fraud and if discovered, will result in termination

Positive DOT Drug Test:

If you take medications that result in a positive test (ie Adderall for ADHD) be sure your prescriptions are up-to-date. If you feel the drug test facilitator is not following DOT guidelines for collection, comply to the test, but follow up with an incident report to drug abatement later. A refusal to submit to a test is the same as a positive result and will result in termination.

CBT:

Please remember to do your CBTs on time! The Council 35 grievance team has filed many grievances as a result of automatic discipline issued for failure to complete CBTs by the deadline.

Commuter:

Monthly audits are occurring and Council 35 has seen disciplines for misuse lesson however there are still Flight Attendants that are using it incorrectly. Please be sure your registered cities are current and comply with guidelines set forth in the commuter program outlined on the FA webpage.

Missing Required Items:

Misplacing, losing or forgetting to bring a required item to work will result in discipline.

Uniform Update

by Lisa Mueller, Uniform Chair
March 18th our new uniforms launch! We want you to have the smoothest transition possible into the new uniforms. Be sure you are ready! Uniforms, coats, shoes, etc. all need to compliant with the new uniform standards March 18th.

Try it on!

If you haven’t already, try on all of your new uniform pieces as soon as possible! We want to make sure you have everything you need for the March 18th launch. Wrong size? Wrong item? Wrong whatever? Contact Unisync and let them know ASAP! Right now they are making it as easy as possible to exchange items. Send back your items right away to expedite things!

Missing Items

For those of you who have not received your uniform bottoms (skirts, pants, etc.), they have arrived at the distribution site and are being shipped out now. If you haven’t received a tracking number regarding your shipment by February 28th, contact Unisync.

Footwear

Due to production issues and delays associated with the coronavirus, the shoes designed by Luly Yang won’t be arriving until this summer…several months after the new uniform launches. You can still pre-order the Luly shoes from the company store but be sure you have an alternate compliant uniform shoe option ready to wear on March 18th! Alaska also partnered with zappos for shoes, which makes it easy to order shoes that Alaska has pre-approved. Not every shoe can be worn with every uniform option. Some options can only be worn with the pants or during cold weather months. Please refer to the uniform guideline for more information.

2019 Allotment Rollovers and 2020 Allotments

Flight Attendants should receive the allotment rollover by April 8, 2020.

Luggage

Be sure to switch to your new luggage! If you are still carrying Virgin America branded luggage and haven’t received the replacement luggage, contact your supervisor.

Special Circumstances?

Be sure to contact your supervisor as soon as possible if you have any special circumstances such being out on leave, maternity uniform concerns, delayed uniform shipments, etc. Your supervisor can help ensure any special circumstances or concerns are documented and ensure the smoothest transition possible.

Helpful Uniform Links

Uniform Policy Guide
Alaska’s Uniform page
Shoe guidelines
Luly Yang shoes
Alaska at Zappos
Contact Unisync: 1.833.525.2752 or alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com

In their own words…

On February 4, Council 35 had four new committee members attend Committee 101, the AFA training program for first time committee members. Your Council 35 officers are happy to introduce the following new members:

Shonna Schroedl – Hotel Committee

Shonna began flying for Alaska Airlines in Fall of 2017, fulfilling her life-long goal of working as a flight attendant. Prior to coming on board with AAG, Shonna worked for 20+ years in meeting and event management. Shonna was fortunate to be able to work in a variety of meaningful positions with international organizations in high tech and sports. As a meeting manager, Shonna planned, organized and implemented meetings in locations around the world. Her work included hotel sourcing, site selection and contraction negotiation. She was the Portland Venue Coordinator for the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosting many national teams and international government officials and VIPs. Shonna resides in Happy Valley, Oregon with her husband and children. She is proud that she and her husband have gotten 3 out of 4 children to adulthood, with one still in elementary school. Her youngest son, Adin was just named to the US Paralympics Swimming team for 2020. Shonna volunteers on several boards – she is one of 8 Adult Commissioners for US Soccer Federation, and serves on the Order of the O – the alumni athletes board for University of Oregon.

Andrew Gonzalez – Reserve Committee

Andrew has been flying at Alaska since January 2018. He was raised in New York City, where he attended Columbia University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Prior to joining Alaska, Andrew flew for Norwegian Air Shuttle from June 2016 – January 2018, where he primarily flew international flights to Europe on the 787 Dreamliner. After serving 18 months on reserve in Seattle, Andrew felt compelled to assist reserves in San Francisco as they maneuvered the new terrain of reserve life. Given his prior experiences working with lawyers during his time in college, he figured his understanding of legalese and contracts would help in navigating the nuances of our contractual language. In his role as reserve committee member, Andrew wants to make himself available and assist new flight attendants with their transition to reserve life at Alaska. Starting out can be very intimidating, but having someone to turn to can help alleviate some of the stress.

Mariana Pappageorge – Air Safety, Health & Security Committee

Mariana started her aviation career with Virgin America in October of 2013. During her time with Virgin America, she was an Inflight Team Leader and Air Transportation Supervisor. In addition to flying, she participated in various promotional events with the Promo Team and helped with the certification of the A321 Neo aircraft as a cadre crew member. Aiding the merge of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America, Mariana was on a special assignment in the cabin safety department and was a part of manual merging and assisting in the day to day operation and safety in the flying world. Mariana is very proud to be Greek and is an avid Bay Area sports fan.

Amanda Sawicki – Air Safety, Health & Security Committee

Amanda is originally from Colorado and found flying around 4 years ago through a family friend. She inspired Amanda to give it a shot and she never looked back. On her days off you can find her borrowing a friend’s dog for a hike or commuting to visit scattered friends and family. During sits at the airport she is often laughing at comedians online or talking herself through a Duolingo lesson. Amanda is excited to learn more and to help support our inflight team.

Committee Openings

Committee member openings in the following committees:

Benefits

Human Rights (chair)

Retirement

Scheduling

Members interested in these positions may submit a letter of interest to your Council 35 officers.

How do I contact Council 35 Officers?

The best way to contact Council 35 officers is via email using a personal email account. The preferred methods of contact are:

sfo@afaalaska.org (this is the group contact for all officers-if one officer is flying /unavailable the other officers can respond)
Individual officer emails (if information is for a specific officer)
Open an online support ticket
Calls/text (if situation requires more urgent attention)

When contacting Council 35 Officers please avoid the following methods:

Sending to/from alaskaair.com 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, Aladrian, James and Brad

February 21, 2020 12:00

In This Edition

REMINDER: Negotiating Committee Interviews
AFA Dues FAQs
Department of Transportation Warning About CBD Products

REMINDER: Negotiating Committee Interviews

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Our current Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) becomes amendable on December 17, 2021 but also contains an early opener clause for the negotiating process to begin as early as December 2020. In anticipation of early openers, the Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for the Negotiating Committee during the March Regular MEC Meeting, to be held March 10 and 11, 2020. All three Negotiating Committee positions are up for interview and consideration. Per the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, the MEC President is the chairperson of the Negotiating Committee and rounds out the Committee as the fourth member.

Selection of Committee Members

Any person seeking a position on the Negotiating Committee must submit a resume to the MEC
Committee Members will function until a new Committee is selected
The Chairperson of the Negotiating Committee will be the MEC President or her/his designee
Committee Members are selected by majority vote of the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents)

Committee Member Duties & Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Negotiating Committee shall include the following:

The Committee, with the advice of the Staff Negotiator shall have the authority to conclude an agreement, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Constitution and Bylaws.
All members of the Committee, including alternates whenever possible, shall complete a negotiations training seminar prior to writing an “opener.”
Be familiar with Union policy and keep abreast of new developments in the industry.
Utilize the facilities and resources of the Union and the experience and knowledge of Union Officers, International Office staff and study committees of the Union. (eg., Legal, Retirement and Insurance, Wage and Working Conditions, etc.).
Maintain a current record of the:
- Financial condition of the company.
- Management lines of authority and methods of communication.
- Operations statistics and experiences of the airline which may be used in bargaining, grievances, litigation, etc.
Be familiar with the wishes of the Flight Attendant group with respect to wages, working conditions, and work rules, through, for example, system-wide distribution of contract surveys, periodic road shows, etc.
Prepare the contract opener with the advice of the Staff Negotiator
Provide regular updates to the membership on the status of negotiations
Proof CBA language and agree with the Company on implementation and effective dates
Review tentative agreement with the MEC
Prepare membership summary package and Roadshow schedule
Present the tentative agreement to the members
Proof printed agreement and prepare CBA index
Prepare CBA interpretations for new concepts
Remain available as a resource for interpretations
Maintain a complete record of the negotiations, including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA. A copy of this record will be forwarded to the International Office by the Negotiating Committee.
Maintain contact, through the MEC President, with IAM, ALPA, TWU, AMFA, and other applicable labor unions on property

Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews during the March Regular MEC meeting from March 10-11, 2020. Bid around the interview date or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/6vj5XPxDwv9x54eb9. The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Tuesday, March 3. After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

Questions?

Any questions regarding the Negotiating Committee positions or application process should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.

AFA Dues FAQs

Membership Committee

How Often Are Dues Deducted?

Dues are deducted once per month on the 20th of the month and represent that months dues.

What If I Have a Past Due Amount?

Alaska Airlines will not deduct past due amounts from your paycheck. If you have a past due amount owing, the AFA International Membership Service department will send you an invoice. All past due amounts must be paid directly to AFA.

Do I Owe Dues If I Am On a Leave of Absence?

If you are on a leave of absence and coordinating any type of pay (sick leave or vacation), you are considered on payroll and you must pay your union dues.

If you are not coordinating enough to have your dues deducted (this is the last priority for payroll deductions) then you will receive an invoice from the AFA International Membership Services department. This is a bill and the amount must be paid.

If you are not receiving any pay, you are obligated to pay dues for the first 3 months of your leave. After the three months period has passed, you do not have any further dues obligation until you return from your leave.

Where Can I Access Dues Check Off and Membership Forms?

You can access the Dues Check Off (DCO) form used for automatic payroll deduction of AFA dues and the AFA membership application on the membership page of the AFA Alaska website.

Questions?

If you have any questions about AFA dues, please contact your Local Membership Committee.

Department of Transportation Warning About CBD Products

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance issued a compliance notice regarding the use of cannabidiol (CBD) products for employees in safety-sensitive positions who are subject to drug testing per 49 CFR part 40 (which includes Flight Attendants). You can view the notice by clicking here.

In summary, the notice states:

The Department of Transportation requires testing for marijuana and not CBD.
The labeling of many CBD products may be misleading because the products could contain higher levels of THC than what the product label states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently certify the levels of THC in CBD products, so there is no Federal oversight to ensure that the labels are accurate. The FDA has cautioned the public that: “Consumers should beware purchasing and using any [CBD] products.” The FDA has stated: “It is currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to a food or labeling it as a dietary supplement.” Also, the FDA has issued several warning letters to companies because their products contained more CBD than indicated on the product label.
The Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation, Part 40, does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason. Furthermore, CBD use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory-confirmed marijuana positive result. Therefore, Medical Review Officers will verify a drug test confirmed at the appropriate cutoffs as positive, even if an employee claims they only used a CBD product.

This information is consistent with other guidance on CBD previously communicated by AFA.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the AFA Alaska EAP Committee. You can find contact information on the EAP Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. Any contact made to AFA EAP is completely confidential.

February 14, 2020 20:00

The Master Executive Council (MEC) was planning to meet with one of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Cabin Safety Inspectors assigned to Alaska Airlines this week during the regular February MEC meeting. The intent of the meeting was to allow the MEC to gain a better understanding as to how the FAA interprets and applies the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and other guiding documents to Flight Attendant recurrent training. More specifically, the MEC is seeking more information about what drove the changes that were made to Recurrent Training 2020 when it initially launched in January.

Unfortunately, not all of the required representatives from the FAA’s Certificate Management Office (CMO) could be available for the scheduled meeting last Wednesday and the meeting was canceled. The MEC is actively working with the FAA to reschedule the meeting to another time as soon as all required attendees from both AFA and the FAA are available. More information will be communicated once the meeting is able to be rescheduled.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Matt Cook, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Take Action Now–Call, Email, and Tweet!

In This Edition

URGENT: Tell Congress to Put People First

Amplify Your Message with a Call

Applying for COVID-19 Related Temporary Leaves of Absence

How Do I Apply for a COVID-19 Related Temporary LOA?

Questions?

COVID-19 Resources

In This Edition

Ongoing Conversations With Management

Inflight Service Changes

Recurrent Training

Food Availability on Layovers

FAA & CDC Recommendations for Layovers

While On a Layover In The United States or Internationally

Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation

Questions?

Tell Congress: Put Aviation Workers First

Amplify Your Message with a Call

KCM Access Point Staffing

More Information

Challenges with Onboard Trash Stowage

Have You Experienced Inadequate Trash Stowage Space?

Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Assess Your Financial Status

Contact Your Creditors

Prepare a Household Budget

Questions?

Telephone Support Group For Flight Attendants Under Self-Quarantine

Call-In Number

COVID-19 Resources

Call-In Number

In This Edition

Continuing to Advocate for Flight Attendant Protections

COVID-19 Related Temporary Leaves of Absence

How Do I Apply For One of These LOAs?

Questions?

Company COVID-19 Resources

Maternity Roundtable Cancelled

COVID-19 PST Cancellation Exception

Managing Your Anxiety Around Coronavirus

Get The Facts

Assess Your Vulnerability to Continuous News

Take Action

Keep Connected

Communicate With Your Children

Seek Additional Help

In This Edition

COVID-19 Continuing Developments

Negotiating Committee Interviews – Additional Opportunity

Selection of Committee Members

Committee Member Duties & Responsibilities

Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

Questions?

Never Refuse a Drug or Alcohol Test

Reporting any Drug or Alcohol Testing Irregularities to AFA

Questions?

MEC Meets with FAA to Discuss Recurrent Training

Keep Up-To-Date With Reliable Resources

Advocating for Flight Attendant Protections

Daily Conversations with Management Ongoing

Questions?

In This Edition

REMINDER: Negotiating Committee Interviews

Selection of Committee Members

Committee Member Duties & Responsibilities

Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

Questions?

AFA Dues FAQs

How Often Are Dues Deducted?

What If I Have a Past Due Amount?

Do I Owe Dues If I Am On a Leave of Absence?

Where Can I Access Dues Check Off and Membership Forms?

Questions?

Department of Transportation Warning About CBD Products

Questions?

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