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Q: I heard that in the proposed Open Time system you are locked out of all Open Time trading on a closed day. Is that true?

A: No.

In the proposed Open Time system, all Open Time trades are allowed on a closed day(s) (including the days automatically closed four days prior) except for:

  • Direct (straight) drop(s) (from a FA to Open Time) on the closed day(s), and
  • Trading out of the closed day(s).

Again, all other types of Open Time trades are allowed as long as you do not drop or trade more than 40 net TFP into Open Time (the “Net 40”) in that bid month. Day-for-day (or greater) trades are allowed on closed days either on a trip-for-trip basis or by a single transaction multiple trade. This is very similar to the trading rules in place under the previous “Back to Book” trading system (prior to late 2015).

Example: Open Time is automatically closed today (the 10th) and for the next four days (11th, 12th, 13th, 14th). You have a 4-day starting tomorrow (11-14). You may exchange your 4-day for any of the following trips in Open Time as long as you have not dropped or traded more than 40 net TFP into Open Time:

  • 2-day today (10-11) + 3-day 12-14 [day-for-day and greater via a single transaction multiple trade]
  • Different 4-day 11-14 [day-for-day]
  • Turn tomorrow on the 11th + all-nighter turn 12-13 (single duty period spanning two calendar days) + another turn on the 14th [day-for-day via a single transaction multiple trade]
  • Any combination of trips from Open Time as long the trips operate on (i.e. cover or touch) the 11th through the 14th.

Our hearts go out to the crew and passengers on the Miami Air Military Charter that overran the runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and slid into St. John’s River. The crew evacuated the aircraft professionally and safely after the aircraft laid to rest in the water. No serious injuries have been reported and no loss of life. 

The 18-year old 737-800 was in route to Jacksonville from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and was bringing troops back from deployment. 

We realize these kind of events can be traumatic and encourage you to reach out to the AFA Alaska EAP  Committee if you need assistance. The EAP is a support service provided by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, their families, and partners. EAP peer representatives are trained to provide three distinct, but interrelated services that include assessment, support and referral services, professional standards, and critical incident response.

Please call 206.619.3032 or 949.470.0493 if you need assistance. 

In Solidarity, 

Council #19 

Petition: Our Rest is Law, Implement Now

Many of you saw the post from International, however this has been a hot topic that we receive questions about regularly so we wanted to do an additional post as well. Please read the below article from AFA International and complete the petition and tell your flying partners to complete it as well!

Thanks to the advocacy of thousands of Flight Attendants and our focused #FightFor10, we achieved 10 hours minimum rest in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, signed into law on October 5, 2018. But we have learned through multiple conversations with industry and regulators, Delta Air Lines has pushed the the Department of Transportation and the FAA to slow down implementation, and now all airlines are saying they will wait for instruction from FAA before complying with the law.
 
Sign this petition to demand DOT and FAA to immediately implement the law, and to encourage members of Congress to hold them accountable >

This is about our safety, health, equality, and following the law. fightfor10.org

In Solidarity,

Council #19

Council #19

May Base update

Pairings

We are well aware that many Seattle Flight Attendants are extremely unhappy with the pairings for May schedules. Some of you have included LEC Officers in emails sent to Inflight Management expressing your frustration. Management has responded to some of these emails, and they have indicated that they are looking into solutions. We hope that some much-needed improvements to the quality of Seattle pairings will be forthcoming. 

Base Safety Meeting

The semi-annual meeting was held on April 25th. Details of that meeting will be on the AFA website soon. 

Catering Update

In an effort to accommodate several different Airbus galley configurations, the ISC has been working tirelessly with management to implement catering and packing changes that will better and more safely provide us with the tools that we need to accomplish the prescribed levels of service. We recognize that all the changes are difficult to keep up with, but please know that an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes work by the ISC Committee is ongoing. The many catering irregularity reports that you have been submitting have been instrumental. Please continue to report catering issues via the Report It App. 

Hotels

Reporting hotel issues just got much easier! Use the new Crew Care icon on your IMD to report problems with hotels. If you arrive at a layover hotel, and are forced to wait to check in to your room, call Crew Scheduling to report that your room is not yet available. When you are finally provided a key, call them back to let them know. Please open a ticket at support.afaalaska.org, to document the issue, as well. Do you love a hotel? You can also provide positive feedback about the hotels you love and this information will also go to the Hotel Committee and they can use it when the hotel contract is up for review in that city!

Computer Based Training (CBT)

The current CBT (Cornerstone Training) is due by June 9th. If not completed by that date, the company intends to issue discipline. 

Council #19 LEC Base Meeting

We will be holding a Council #19 LEC Base meeting on June 20th from 1pm-4pm. More information on location will come in the near future, however we wanted to get the date out for June bidding purposes.  

Open Time Tentative Agreement

Everyone should have received information about the alternate Open Time Trading proposal. Polls open today, Thursday, May 2 at 9AM PST and close on Thursday, May 23 at 9AM PST. Once your ballot is cast, you may not change your vote. Both the Tentative Agreement and the videos of the Open Time Presentation will be available on the AFA website. More information can be found at: http://afaalaska.org/negotiations/ot-ta-2019.

New Flight Attendants

As most people have heard, Alaska has increased the hiring for 2019, by adding a 5th class. Currently, Class 2 is in training and will be graduating on May 7th. Classes 3 and 4 will be following shorty and online prior to summer, with class 5 starting in the fall. Please welcome these new Flight Attendants to our family when you see them out and about! Seattle does not currently anticipate receiving any of these new hires directly out of training, however many are hoping to transfer to Seattle soon!

Are You Up to Date? 

Does AFA have all of your current information? Have you moved recently? Did you know that changing your address in PeopleSoft with Alaska Airlines does not also change your address on file with AFA? With different elections happening around the system, its more important than ever to ensure that AFA has your current address, etc. To update your information in the AFA system, go to: https://www.afacwa.org/change_of_address.

Stay In “The Know”

Follow AFA Council #19 on Facebook by clicking HERE

Subscribe to our text messaging service by clicking HERE

In Solidarity, 

Terry, Jake, Adam, Melinda and Megan

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Time: 9 AM ~ 11 AM PT (morning session) and 1 PM ~ 3 PM PT (afternoon session)

Location: Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South, 22406 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198

Parking: Free parking is available at the Four Points hotel in the parking deck on the back side of the hotel and in the adjacent lot. 

Transportation: If you are attending from out-of-town, please call the hotel directly at (253) 642-0100 to arrange for free hotel shuttle service once you arrive at the airport.

Open Time TA broadcast

We will broadcast the presentation sessions live on the AFA Alaska YouTube Channel.

Link to morning session: https://youtu.be./AxHJ76cZidQ
Link to afternoon session: https://youtu.be/tYk34EZzvdk

TA information is found on the Open​ Time ​TA 2019 info page. You can ask questions using Slido during the presentation (Slido instructions). Please make sure to enter your first and last name followed by your base (e.g. Jane Doe SEA). Questions will only be answered if you follow this format. Any questions asked prior to the start of the event will be deleted. You have the ability to review other questions asked, and upvote anything you would like to see answered. We will endeavor to answer as many questions as possible during the presentation. We will recap and answer more questions on the blog.

Open Time TA video

AFA also plans to release a recorded compilation video of the two sessions so that all Flight Attendants will have access to the OpenTime TA presentation no matter where you are and whenever you have free time.​

Voting

Voting opens on Monday, May 6 at 9 AM PT and closes on Friday, May 31 at 9 AM PT. Once your ballot is cast, you may not change your vote. You must be an active member in good standing* at AFA Alaska on the day of the ballot count in order for your vote to be tallied. Please vote!

In Solidarity,

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput

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

* Active member in good standing: AFA-CWA member, actively flying or continuing to pay dues each month while on a leave of absence, and dues no more than 30 days in arrears.) For additional information or assistance regarding dues or balloting, contact AFA-CWA Membership Services at 800-424-2401, Monday through Friday (closed major holidays) from 9 AM to 5 PM ET.

A (not so) brief history of Open Time

Due to Flight Attendant dissatisfaction with Open Time that existed at the time, AFA and management negotiated a new Open Time trading system in the 2014-2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Because the parties were unsure how well the new system would work for everyone, we agreed to a trial period, in which we could try out the system before it became permanent. 

AFA heard loud and clear after several months of surveying that a majority of Flight Attendants were dissatisfied with the new system, so the Master Executive Council (MEC) cancelled the trial in July 2016. Under the terms of the contract, that meant AFA and management would start negotiating a new Open Time system, which began in November 2016. Meanwhile, management was supposed to have the trip trading system roll back to the prior Open Time trading rules (known as “Back to Book”) while the parties negotiated another system.

Flash forward to the present

If only it were that easy. The path to a new Open Time system has been challenged at nearly every turn: numerous programming delays, transition to a brand-new trip trading system, returning to a second round of negotiations with a mandate to achieve implementation guarantees, and an intervening merger. After nearly two and a half years, AFA and management have finally reached an Open Time tentative agreement (TA) that has been approved by the MEC for membership ratification.

Before starting negotiations in late 2016, AFA surveyed Flight Attendant to determine which features a new Open Time system must have and which would be unacceptable. The Negotiating Committee believes we have achieved an Open Time system that is worthy of your consideration. 

TA details

Click here for the Open Time TA 2019 info page >

This is a one-stop shop for all the resources you will need:

  • Important dates
  • Full text language of the Open Time TA 2019
  • Supplemental documents
  • Links to historical Open Time negotiations updates
  • Details about the Open Time TA presentation
  • The Negotiating Committee’s contact info
  • Voting info

Open Time TA live presentation

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Time: 9 AM ~ 11 AM PT (morning session) and 1 PM ~ 3 PM PT (afternoon session)

Location: Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South, 22406 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198

Parking: Free parking is available at the Four Points hotel in the parking deck on the back side of the hotel and in the adjacent lot.

Transportation: If you are attending from out-of-town, please call the hotel directly at (253) 642-0100 to arrange for free hotel shuttle service once you arrive at the airport.

Open Time TA presentation broadcast and compilation video

Although there have been local “save the date” communications regarding a presentation on April 30th, AFA understands this is the first confirmed notice. No worries if you cannot make it because we will also broadcast the presentation sessions live on the AFA Alaska YouTube Channel, which may be accessed via the Open Time TA 2019 info page. AFA also plans to release a recorded compilation video of the two sessions so that all Flight Attendants will have access to the Open Time TA presentation no matter where you are and whenever you have free time.

Voting

Voting opens on Monday, May 6 at 9 AM PT and closes on Friday, May 31 at 9 AM PT. Once your ballot is cast, you may not change your vote. You must be an active member in good standing* at AFA Alaska on the day of the ballot count in order for your vote to be tallied. Please vote!

In Solidarity, 

Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Kristy Stratton, Lisa Pinkston, Christina Frees and AFA Senior Staff Attorney Kimberley Chaput

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

* Active member in good standing: AFA-CWA member, actively flying or continuing to pay dues each month while on a leave of absence, and dues no more than 30 days in arrears.) For additional information or assistance regarding dues or balloting, contact AFA-CWA Membership Services at 800-424-2401, Monday through Friday (closed major holidays) from 9 AM to 5 PM ET.

Have You Taken the AFA Census?

It has been many years since AFA has updated our information. It is important moving forward that we have the most updated information when fighting for the issues that are important to us all. 

How many airlines have you worked for? How many hours do you fly on average? Do you commute to work? 

These are just some of the questions in the AFA 2019 Census. The Census is a project to better understand the demographic make up of our union, including your aspirations, needs, and preferences. We also want to know what areas of your community you may already be engaged in making a difference for you, your family, and the place where you live. All of this will help us build power together so we can continue to advance our Flight Attendant careers. 

This census will take no more than 15 minutes to complete. We  recognize that most people are already  overwhelmed  with the many emails we receive  in our already busy lives, but Council #19 believes this is extremely important to complete! Please CLICK HERE to take the census and partner with AFA to  better all of our careers and our position at the table!

In Solidarity, 

AFA Council #19 Officers and Representatives

L-VX Membership Dues Reminders

As of July 2018, all L-VX members that had completed four months of service as a Flight Attendant became responsible for paying AFA membership dues. The easiest and most common way to pay membership dues is through an automatic payroll deduction. In order to authorize that deduction, you must have legibly filled out and submitted a Dues Check-Off (DCO) Form to AFA.

Medical Leaves July 2019

If you were on a medical leave through July 2018, you became responsible for paying AFA membership dues the month you returned to work.

If you went out on a medical leave during or after July 2018, you are responsible for the first three months of membership dues while you are on leave. You will also be responsible for dues if you earned or used any type of wages (vacation, CBT, sick leave coordination, etc.) during your leave.

Delinquency

AFA membership dues become delinquent 90 Days after a monthly payment is posted to your account. James Ikehara, Council 35 SFO LEC Secretary, has already received dues delinquency reports from the AFA-CWA International Office.

If you are behind on dues, it is likely you have received notices from AFA-CWA in the mail, indicating a balance is due. You may receive more than one notification as subsequent months are not paid and become delinquent. If you don’t have a valid address on file, your letter was sent to your Council 35 officers.

How can I confirm if I owe or how much I owe?

Step 1

Review your Dec 31, 2018 Paycheck, Union Dues, Year to Date Column.

If you have made all payments in 2018 you will have had $300 deducted from your paycheck. If less than $300 was deducted, the difference is due.

Step 2

Review your Mar 20, 2019 paycheck, Union Dues, Year-to-Date (YTD) column.

If you are current with your 2019 membership dues, you will have had $150 deducted
from your paycheck, YTD. If less than $150 has been deducted, the difference is due.

Step 3

Add the amounts from Step 1 & Step 2 = amount in arrears

If you have made any payments directly to AFA, subtract that amount from the amount in arrears above. This will indicate the amount you currently owe.

If you were on medical leave or had not completed four months of service as an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant, your amounts may be different. Please reach out to James Ikehara for assistance.

If you have further questions about your account, please submit an inquiry to membership services.

How do I pay dues in arrears?

Click the link to pay online:

https://unionly.io/o/afacwa/dues

What if I do not pay?

Paying membership dues is a condition of employment which is defined in §28 of the JCBA. Delinquency will place a member in “Bad Standing” and the member will not be able to attend Union Meetings or participate in any voting activities-including officer elections and voting on TAs. After several months of attempting to collect delinquent dues, a member will be placed at “Standing 5,” which is the designation for the final stage of delinquency and AFA will request discharge for non-payment of dues.

Where can I find the DCO Form?

Click the link below to download the form. It must be filled out and mailed to the address listed at the bottom of the form:

Click to access Dues-Check-Off-Form.pdf

You will also found printed copies in the SFO file room on top of the file cabinets. You may fill it out and place it in the lock box for collection and we will mail it for you.

Additional Dues Resources

Please review the following past communications and website regarding dues:

AFA Dues for Legacy Virgin America 4/30/18

Council 35 News 5/7/18

Council 35 News 6/11/18

Dues Check Off Form Reminder 7/12/18

AFA Membership Services website

Your Council 35 Officers-

Melissa, Aladrian and James

A message from your Hotel Committee

We all know that being assigned an adjoining room with a connecting door is a common occurrence at many hotels throughout our system.  But did you know that adjoining and connecting rooms are not supposed to be assigned to Flight Attendants unless the room next door is occupied by another Alaska crew member?  While this isn’t specifically part of our collective bargaining agreement, Alaska includes this language in every contract between the company and our crew hotels.

Don’t Hesitate to Speak Up

If you are assigned an adjoining room with a connecting door, we encourage you to ask the front desk staff for a different room.  Request to speak to the hotel manager on duty to help resolve the situation if necessary. If the hotel is full or unable to provide an alternate room, respectfully advise the hotel staff that you’ll be reporting the issue to Alaska management.

Take Action: Report Each and Every Situation

If you are assigned an adjoining and connecting room, even if you are able to switch rooms, please make note of the hotel, room number and date and file a CrewCare report on the situation.  CrewCare reports are automatically routed to Alaska management, API (Accommodations Plus International, the company’s hotel contractor), and your AFA Hotel Committee Members.  Representatives from API and management use the data from the reports to follow up on each situation with the corresponding hotel.

How to File a CrewCare Report
1. Log-in to the inflight website
2. Open the menu
3. Click “Hotel, Travel, & Station”
4. Click “Hotel Links”
5. Click “My Crew Care”
6. Open the menu
7. Click “Feedback”
8. Click “Provide Feedback”

Management has asked that we report these situations each and every time that they occur.  The more information that we are able to provide, the more effectively each hotel can be held accountable.

Have Questions?

Your Local Hotel Committee can help!  You can find contact information on your Local Council’s committee page or on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson Laura Hinojosa and Vice Chairperson Jodi Snow

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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