Master Executive Council (MEC)
- Due to hundreds of errors identified in the June bid packet, our MEC has insisted that management conduct a systemwide rebid.
- Management sent a communication by company email to all Flight Attendants earlier today with details on the new bidding timeline, which opened today at 9 AM PDT and will now close at 9 AM PDT on Monday, May 16.
- It is well past time for management to take ownership of their repeated errors, actually fix the problems, and honor our contract!
June 2022 Bid awards will be delayed.
Errors affecting over 500 positions throughout the system have been identified in the June bid packet, resulting in our MEC demanding a system-wide rebid. The errors include: flights that no longer exist, miscoded DHD Flights, inaccurate TFP, and inaccurate report times. When our AFA PBS Subcommittee discovered these errors and brought them to our MEC’s attention, the MEC called an emergency meeting and met with management to discuss our options.
After carefully considering the feedback following last month’s bidding errors, our MEC unanimously voted for a system-wide rebid to rectify these errors’ impact during bidding. Realizing the value we place on our schedules and the expectation of them being awarded accurately, we felt it necessary to correct these errors before proceeding with bid awards. A rebid will delay awards, trading, and planning for the month of June. While this may be frustrating to some, a rebid allows us all to evaluate the corrected pairings and honor seniority.
While management continues to tell us they will do better, it is apparent we have very different definitions of “doing better.” Our MEC made that point abundantly clear to management and explained how angry and frustrated Flight Attendants are with the many failures and the level of incompetence experienced lately. Management has no problem holding Flight Attendants responsible for the most minute concerns, yet they are unwilling to hold themselves accountable for their repeated errors and violating their contractual obligations. Management doesn’t appear phased by the high attrition rate or rock-bottom morale – it’s almost as if they don’t CARE how their decisions impact us. But they are now on notice and fully aware that this latest “screw up” has further eroded confidence (if there is any left) in their ability to manage this workgroup.
Flight Attendants do not need another apology from management. Instead, management should look in the mirror and see the mess staring back at them and begin to make things right. They need to show that they’re willing to walk their talk…and “do the right thing.”
Massimo Quagliano says
It should be a choice of getting points removed for those who have points; and for those who don’t have any penalty points some sort of compensation. Faith and trust in the company has completely gone out the window and not sure it will ever be restored considering the usual, phony responses we get from upper management.
Tammy says
I don’t understand why it was pushed so far out in June. Management should work 24/7 to fix this in less than 5 days! Not given the luxury of a new bid cycle of days. We are required to be on time, do what’s right and accept lack of flexibility and now accept mistake after mistake. Note: Also their dates were wrong on the email couldn’t get that right either!!
I would expect them to be held accountable just giving some bank points, $$, whatever is decided doesn’t make up for the problems this causes in my personal schedule. Very frustrating to say the least!
Jeff Rodrigues says
Flight Attendants get points when things happen -I expect points to be removed for all id errors that have been made by management -nothing less. People lives have been disrupted by this error , they events that have been planned . We have to take responsibility, and now it’s managements turn
Sherri K says
I have a very stern expectation that my union will make a lot of noise and make strong demands for this major infraction to our contract. I expect our membership to be compensated for last month’s fiasco in conjunction with this SNAFU as well. The company cannot step all over our contract with impunity. Do we all need to file grievances?!?
Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President) says
Your expectation is reasonable and understood, Sherri.
The MEC is still discussing what kind of compensation to request for this latest occurrence, so please let your LEC President (https://afaalaska.org/contact/lecp) know what your thoughts and feedback are so they can bring them forward on your behalf. Once management responds to our demands, the MEC will send out an update regarding their response to last month’s and now this month’s fiasco.
It is not necessary for Flight Attendants to file individual grievances as the MEC will file a contractual grievance on behalf of the entire group.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Maria says
What about opentime? I specifically bid it off every month. The day had changed now I am working. This isn’t fair!
Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President) says
You’re absolutely right, it’s completely unfair. Management’s errors have affected the entire bidding and trading timeline now that we’re having to rebid for June and Open Time will now begin five days late on May 22nd. If not for their mistakes, we wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.
Kimber F says
Will we be given bank points for the tardiness? Seems appropriate.
Brian Palmer (MEC Vice President) says
Our MEC hasn’t had the chance to discuss a compensation request for this incident yet. Once the LEC Presidents have discussed and decided on a course of action, we’ll post another communication with more details. In the mean time, please be sure to share your thoughts and feedback with your LEC President so they can bring them forward on your behalf.