AFA Meeting Oct 8th 12:00 to 3:00
AFA Constitution and Bylaws require that local councils hold a membership meeting twice per calendar year. Our first meeting of the year was held in May to discuss the AFA Board of Directors Meeting Agenda.
This meeting is open to all Council 15 members in good standing. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide members the opportunity to meet your Officers. Please come ready to ask questions and participate in the discussions regarding merger negotiations, bidding and the latest issues impacting Council 15 members. The meeting will be in the Volunteer Conference Room located above the USO across from Terminal 2 East.
Scheduling Chair JR will be attending to discuss scheduling issues and our Uniform Chair Denise Sheldon will be there with her uniform pieces and will discuss the second round uniform testing.
If you have an agenda item that you would like to discuss at the local meeting or any issues or concerns you would like us to discuss with management, please send them no later than OCT 4th, to LEC Secretary/Treasurer Stephen Couckuyt at Stephen.Couckuyt@afaalaska.org
We hope to see you there!
Going Away Party/Happy Hour for Melissa
We are looking for a fun venue for the happy hour following the Base Meeting, someplace close to the airport. If you know of a place please, contact Melanie Buker @ 208-890-1849 and continue to send photos, videos, quotes, etc so that we can create a nice going away video. Mail to: melanie.buker@gmail.com
Committee Updates:
We welcome Norma Dorman, Rex Hampton and Holly Mozzone to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Professional Standards Committee.
These 3 bring diverse backgrounds, work experience and many varied skills in areas such as peer support, working with addiction and volunteer work.
They have just recently completed the EAP initial training, so please help us in welcoming them to the EAP peer support program.
We have one opening on the uniform committee and with the second round of wear testing upcoming, we think it’s important to add a male to the committee. If interested, please send an email to: SAN@afaalaska.org.
We are also looking for someone to assist with Workers Comp if you would be interested and have knowledge in this area please send an email to: san@afaalaska.org
To look at the complete list of our SAN committee’s go to http://afaalaska.org/committees
Pairing Changes
After many talks with management regarding our high percentage of 4-day trips in SAN. They heard us loud and clear: 4-day pairings for SAN significantly dropped to 14.7% for OCT. However, please know that though Crew Planning was able to make this adjustment from SEP to OCT, they may not always make adjustments like this. The reality on trip distributions is that it needs to be assessed on a month-by-month basis across all bases as Crew Planning tries to balance safety, quality, cost, and productivity.
Until we are fully integrated, scheduled for February 2019, we may see many changes. Flying that we’re missing now should return and you’ll have the ability to fly on both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Also, this is when all bases are planned be aligned and transfers will be allowed for both Airbus and Boeing into all 6 bases as staffing permits.
Professional Standards
Conflicts and/or issues with Coworkers
In San Diego we are lucky to have a great team of supervisors and management staff.
Please keep in mind that many personal conflicts should be taken to your Professional standards team and not taken immediately to management. Often AFA EAP/ Professional Standards can resolve the problems or issues without Management becoming involved. Once management is aware of the situation that could lead to someone’s discipline and or possibly even termination.
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Chair and Reps can be found here: http://afaalaska.org/san/committees
Reminder: Calling out Sick or Sick Family
Less is more
When calling in sick, the only thing that scheduling needs to know is that you are calling in either sick, sick family, FMLA or Workers Comp period. They do not need to know why, what symptoms or anything else related to the illness. You don’t need to apologize, and you don’t need to explain.
Reminder: Contacted by Management?
Know Your Rights
If you receive a call from any Inflight Supervisor, it is best to first clarify if the conversation could lead to disciplinary action. If the answer is “Yes,” at this point you can request that the union be involved in any further conversations. However, even if the supervisor states that the conversation won’t lead to any discipline, if at any time you feel the questions to be leading or uncomfortable you can once again end the conversation by saying you will only continue with a union rep present.
Having a union rep there is insurance. It is an advocate and a second set of ears to ensure that your point is understood clearly by the company and not misinterpreted.
Keeping Current with AFA Information
There are several ways to keep up to date with your Council #15 news! In addition to your regular email updates, the information can be found at: afaalaska.org/san
Are you on Facebook?
Like the Official Council #15 page at: https://www.facebook.com/AFA-Council-15-San-Diego-249262698862442/
We also have the SAN AFA page that is not public and you need to ask one of your friends who is in the group already, or one of the Officers to add you.
Receive the most important information via text (we do not send out all communications via text, just the ones that are the most important!). Register for texts at: https://www.remind.com/join/afalec15
We also have an App exclusive to SAN. The App give you easy access to jump seat agreements, KCM Locations, Air Quality and much more. The App is not searchable in play store you need to either click on this link: http://m.magmito.com/inva/
Or ask one of your officers and we can assist you with downloading.
In Solidarity,
Brice, Melanie and Stephen
Local Executive Council 35 Committees
As of July 31, Council 35 ceased to be considered a transitional council and is now recognized as a Local Executive Council for San Francisco-based Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants. This change provides a full complement of officers and specialized committees are established. As we have already introduced your new officers in a previous communication, please welcome the following chairpersons into the newly created Council 35 SFO committees:
Benefits: Robert Fung
Robert started his career as a San Francisco based Flight Attendant with Virgin America in 2008. Additionally, he worked as a special assignment Flight Attendant assisting in uniform fittings, recruiting and various public events. Prior to entering the world of Inflight, he worked in the mental health insurance industry and higher education sector. True to his Bay Area roots, he has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University. In addition, he earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Behavior with dual concentrations in Human Capital Analytics and Human Resource Management from New York University while flying full time.
With a passion for travel and photography, Robert has visited over 50 countries and can often be seen traveling with his camera on layovers.
Committee Chair Coordinator: Aladrian Hillmon
Bio can be found here.
Communication: Melissa Osborne
Bio can be found here.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards: Zarah Shaw
Zarah started her Flight Attendant Career at Virgin America in 2011. Before joining the airline industry, Zarah studied Biopsychology at Mills College in Oakland, with an emphasis in Human Behavior. During her career, she has been actively involved in many areas of interest to include the Hotel Committee and spent several months on Special Assignment working with catering and Service Standards. After being promoted to an Inflight Team Lead, Zarah went on to become an Air Transportation Supervisor. Since the merger with Alaska Airlines, Zarah has continued her involvement by becoming active in the Union. She started as a Grievance Representative, and progressed to become the pioneer member of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). She has since trained in Peer Counseling (EAP), Professional Standards (PS), CIRP training, and completed the AFA Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP).
Grievance: Melissa Osborne
Bio can be found here.
Hotels: James Bozanich
James has always had a fascination with aviation and travel, and started his career with the airline in 2009. Since then, he has sought out opportunities within the company to grow in a variety of roles to include Inflight Instructor, Air Transportation Supervisor, and a participant in the Virgin America – Virgin Australia Exchange Program. He now wants to focus on helping the well-being of our combined Alaska family and learn about AFA. After almost a decade of regular layovers, and a desire to experience as much as possible at each destination, he feels he can best support our workgroup on the AFA Hotel Committee. James feels hotels that are safe, convenient for exploring, and that offer the services crews want should be the absolute baseline. He wants to advocate for, and support those crew members that are not delivered this standard. He looks forward to serving our members in this capacity.
Membership: James Ikehara
Bio can be found here.
Reserve: Rachel Sebastian
Rachel has been a flight attendant for over a year, staring her flying career with Virgin America in SFO. Prior to being a flight attendant, Rachel worked in the television industry as a reporter. She continues to write stories on her layovers. Rachel wanted to get involved as Reserve Chair in SFO because she understands how hard reserve life can be, and wanted to be a resource for her fellow flight attendants who are on reserve. When she isn’t flying, Rachel is probably fixing up her 1928 bungalow or spending time with family in Portland. Rachel is looking forward to supporting her fellow flight attendants through her work at AFA.
Air, Safety, Health and Security (ASHSC): Brad Young
Brad Young has been a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant for 9 years, prior to the Alaska Airlines merger. As the Air Safety, Health & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson for Council 35 in San Francisco, Brad continues his strong involvement with the new Alaska SFO base and its members and works closely with management representing the Flight Attendants safety-related needs and concerns. Brad has also been helping in numerous projects as the Airbus Subject Matter Expert; involved in Policy and Procedure changes and implementation of various safety-related projects for the Airbus Flight Attendants during the merger and integration. Brad also continues his role in the Aviation Safety Action Plan (ASAP) program representing AFA Alaska Flight Attendants. Brad currently resides in San Jose, California where he enjoys hiking, being a huge aviation enthusiast, and studying to get his Private Pilot’s License (PPL) for recreational pleasure.
Inflight Service (ISC): Raymond Ramirez
Raymond started out in the interior design field, but decided to pursue his passion for travel when he applied for Virgin America in 2009. He is also a native of the San Francisco Bay Area and is a big fan of mixology, comedy, and marathoning. In 2010 he upgraded to the position of Inflight Team Leader, and he also joined the Service Advisory Committee. Then in 2012 he was one of the first to join Air Transportation Supervisor program, where he taught inflight service procedures and performed IOEs for nearly 100 flight attendants. Raymond understands the importance of service consistency, delivering the brand expectations that passengers expect, and making sure crews are provisioned with the proper resources for every flight. He is very excited to support the AFA Inflight Service Committee, but also determined to make this next transition phase as easy as possible for everyone.
Scheduling: Virginia Fritz
Virginia was determined to be a flight attendant since she was a child. In her first opportunity to join the skies she was a Flight Attendant for an airship. After that she was a CSA at Virgin America and then made her way back to the air as a Flight Attendant at Virgin America and now Alaska Airlines. Virginia has a passion for details related to aviation and looks forward to applying that passion and research to any scheduling issues that may arise for Council 35 and members based in SFO.
More Opportunities to Serve
If you are interested in participating in a committee or getting involved, please visit the volunteer page of the AFA website for more information about each committee and their responsibilities or reach out to the chairperson of the committee you are interested in to answer your questions. To see a list of committees and chair contact information, please visit the SFO Committee List.
Dues Check Off Forms Still Needed!
The first dues payment for Legacy Virgin America (L-VX) Flight Attendants occurred in the July 15 paycheck. Approximately 60% of SFO-based flight attendants have submitted their forms, which leaves approximately 400 forms outstanding. Flight Attendants that missed the deadline for payroll deduction will receive an invoice for months that were unpaid. Falling into arrears for failing to pay dues could result in separation from the company, as payment of dues is a condition of employment (which can be referenced in §26 of the JCBA).
You can sign up for automatic payroll deduction of dues by completing a Dues Check Off form. This form can be downloaded from the AFA Alaska website or you can pick up a copy in the file room in the SFO Village. Once you’ve completed the form, mail it to AFA International Membership Services (the address is on the bottom of the form) or place it in the AFA lock box (located in SFO file room) and we’ll mail it in on your behalf. For more information about dues please see our April 30 communication AFA Dues for Legacy Virgin America.
Commuter Policy Separate from the Reliability Program
The VX Commuter Policy, which was implemented in January of this year, provides guidelines for commuters that encounter difficulties getting to work on time. In the event you encounter commuting challenges, and you are unable to provide the required documents, the consequences will result in a performance issue, which is not connected to the Reliability Program. Use of the commuter policy should not affect an F/As reliability, nor should any points be assessed for failing to meet all of the criteria. When calling CSS to report your difficulty, please specify that you are using the Commuter Policy provision to ensure the correct code is applied to your line. Your Council 35 officers recommend that every effort be made to use the Commuter Policy and avoid using sick leave to alleviate commuting challenges. Consequences of failing to meet all of the criteria for the Commuter Policy can be referenced in § E Interplay with the Reliability Policy and Corrective Action.
Reliability Program Follow Up
Council 35 Officers will be offering support and guidance to all members with Reliability Policy discipline. If you receive an email from management regarding a recent reliability activity that triggered a step of discipline, please feel free to reach out to your Council 35 Officers for assistance and guidance. Please look for Attendance Support follow up emails from AFA starting September 1.
Stuff Happens Pass (SHP)
As of January 31, 2018, when the VX Commuter Policy was officially implemented, the SHP program began its sunset. All F/As ceased accruing passes used after January 30, 2017. As a result, AFA has seen an increase in denied SHP from inflight management. When calling in SHP to CSS, 4 points and a No Show (NSH) code will automatically be put on the F/As line. If the SHP is not approved by the F/A’s supervisor (sometimes days later), the NSH and corresponding points remain. Many F/As have called CSS to use the SHP only to discover later that they did not have an SHP in their bank. If you believe you have an SHP available for use, your Council 35 officers recommend that you get verification of your SHP eligibility in writing from your supervisor prior to calling CSS to use it. As a reminder, the SHP program will fully sunset on January 31, 2019. For more details on the SHP, please review § H Stuff Happens Pass Sunset Clause of the VX Commuter Policy.
Are You an AFA Member?
As of today, only a small percentage of L-VX F/As have not signed up to become members. As a reminder, the Membership Application cannot be completed online. The hard copy paper form must be submitted directly to an AFA representative or mailed to the AFA International Office in Washington D.C. You can download and print an application, or pick one up from the bag/file rooms the next time you pass through the SFO Village. Only AFA members may attend Membership Meetings, vote for officers, hold a position as an AFA officer or committee member or vote on Tentative Agreements (TAs). It’s important to note that at Alaska Airlines, you are obligated to pay AFA dues regardless of your membership status and becoming a member is a condition of employment, referenced in §26 of the JCBA.
New Email Address for Council 35
As of July 31, 2018, Council 35 will be representing SFO-based Flight Attendants only. All L-VX F/As based in LAX are now represented by Council 18. Therefore the previous email address vx@afaalaska.org will be retired. To contact Council 35 officers in SFO, please email us at sfo@afaalaska.org. To contact Council 18 officers in LAX, please email lax@afaalaska.org.
FAQs
How do I contact Council 35 officers?
The best way to contact Council 35 officers is via email. Emails are easier to forward for follow up and to have a record of information. Using your personal email account, please know that concerns received by Council 35 are held in confidence, and will not be shared for follow up without the permission of the original sender. Avoid using your alaskaair email to share concerns as those accounts are not private and subject to audits. To get the fastest and most thorough response, please email sfo@afalaska.org. All officers can respond to emails sent to that address which facilitates a more efficient use of resources. Please allow at least 24 business hours for a response to any method of contact.
In Solidarity,
Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa, Aladrian & James
AFA has mobilized EAP and officer resources to support you. If you or one of your colleagues needs to talk to an EAP representative, please call the AFA Alaska EAP at 949-470-0493.
Staffing is extremely tight at all bases for both Boeing and Airbus operations. Consequently, premium trips are available throughout the system. If you are willing and able to fly today, picking up an Open Time trip would definitely help out the operation. Thank you for considering!
Flight Attendants have been asking for guidance regarding what to say to passengers when approached about yesterday’s incident. AFA offers the following talking points as a general guide:
- Safety is and will remain #1 at Alaska Airlines.
- Alaska Airlines has created a blog page for official updates: https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/horizon-air-aircraft/ (All inquiries for information should be referred back to the blog. Media inquiries should be referred to Alaska Airlines Media Relations at 206-304-0008; please do not speak to the media.)
- Our hearts are heavy for the friends and family of the individual involved and for all those affected by the incident.
- Whenever tragedy touches one member of the Alaska Airlines family, it impacts us all.
You do not have to memorize the talking points. Per CEO Brad Tilden’s “A message on yesterday’s incident,” he says, “You all do an incredible job of living our values and interacting with our customers every day, and we encourage you to be yourselves and share any information that has been made public (via the blog).”
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
Alaska Airlines has created a blog page for official updates regarding the Horizon Air aircraft incident: https://blog.
AFA has mobilized EAP and officer resources to support you. If you or one of your colleagues needs to talk to an EAP representative, please call the AFA Alaska EAP at 949-470-0493.
This will be the final MEC update tonight regarding this incident.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
Alaska Airlines has created a blog page for official updates regarding the Horizon Air aircraft incident: https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/horizon-air-aircraft/
Please be assured that AFA is aware of the incident and has mobilized our critical incident response.
A few important points:
- AFA is currently mobilizing EAP resources. If you or one of your colleagues needs to talk to an EAP representative, please call the AFA Alaska EAP at 949-470-0493.
- Refrain from calling or texting management or AFA officers with questions unless it is urgent.
- Do not discuss this issue with the media.
- Enact your personal notification protocol and inform friends and family that you are safe.
This incident occurred in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
Alaska Airlines has just released the following statement:
“We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. We believe there are no passengers on board. More information as we learn more.”
Please be assured that AFA is aware of the incident and has mobilized our critical incident response.
A few important points:
- Please refrain from calling/texting management or AFA with questions unless it is urgent. Phone lines are maxed right now.
- Do not to discuss this issue with the media.
- Enact your personal notification protocol and inform friends and family that you are safe.
- AFA is currently mobilizing EAP resources.
This incident occurred in Seattle. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing the Flight Attendants based in San Francisco:
LEC President: Melissa Osborne
LEC Vice President: Aladrian Hillmon
LEC Secretary: James Ikehara
View the certified election results here
These officers will serve a term of office starting immediately and concluding on June 30, 2019.
The Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing the combined Legacy Alaska Airlines and Legacy Virgin America Flight Attendants based in Los Angeles:
LEC President: Timothy Green
LEC Vice President: Kelese Richardson
LEC Secretary: Martin Martinez
Council Representative: Bryan Wall
View the certified election results here
These officers will serve a term of office starting immediately and concluding on June 30, 2019.
The Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
Council 35 Membership Meeting
The next meeting for Council 35 members will be Monday August 6, 1000-1400 in the SFO Terminal 2 Conference Room. This meeting will be open to all Council 35 members in good standing who have submitted a membership application and are up-to-date on dues. The purpose will be to provide members the opportunity to meet the newly elected officers, ask questions and receive updates on the latest issues that are impacting Council 35 members and get information about upcoming committee openings. You may view the Meeting Agenda on our website. If you wish to submit an agenda item, please send to SFO@afaalaska.org by Thursday 8/2/18.
See you there!
-Your Council 35 Officers
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