Earlier today, Virgin America (VX) management announced that the JFK Flight Attendant base would close effective November 1, 2017. The announcement of this closure will have a significant impact on the lives of our JFK-based Flight Attendants. At the same time, this will also have a ripple effect throughout the system on the way VX pairings are built in the near term and will impact downline Alaska pairings as well.
AFA and management have been in discussions to reduce the impact of the base closure on the JFK-based Flight Attendants and to implement accommodations that will make the transition easier. Paid moving expenses, positive-space travel for commuters, commuting stipends and other provisions will help to facilitate the transfer to new bases. No one will be furloughed and management has assured us that they will do their best to ensure that each JFK Flight Attendant will be accommodated at the VX base of her or his choice.
Management has established a timeline for transitioning JFK-based Flight Attendants to either SFO or LAX. Management and AFA worked on a packet of information that includes this timeline and relocation/commuter provisions. This packet has been sent via FedEx to each JFK-based Flight Attendant.
Click here for the Q&A document included in the packet >>
Your Master Executive Council (MEC) officers, your Local Council 35 officers and the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) members are working together to offer support and assistance. JFK-based Flight Attendants should feel free to contact your Local Council 35 officers at vx@afaalaska.org or call them at (206) 457-2010, extension 10 with any questions or if you need assistance navigating this process.
We understand how disruptive this announcement is for JFK Flight Attendants, and we are here for you in this difficult time.
In Solidarity,
Your Council 35 officers – Melissa & James
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osbourne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo
