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        You are here: Home / Negotiations / Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog / Scope Matters!!!!

        Scope Matters!!!!

        September 23, 2014 20:09

        We have protections in our AFA Contract at Alaska.  Our contractual scope language protects our jobs. Scope language ensures that work traditionally performed by Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants remains our work every day we board a plane, close a bin, brief an exit row, and conduct predeparture equipment checks and services along with many other duties. However, the language itself does not ensure the protection of our jobs.

        Together We Protect our Jobs

        Together we can enforce our contract and protect our jobs. As Union members we have this responsibility to each other. Each of us individually enforcing our contract is always important work. Our efforts are especially relevant when we consider our collective efforts to negotiate Contractual improvements.

        Who may perform Flight Attendant duties?

        Only Flight Attendants on the Alaska Airlines System seniority list except that Inflight management employees may perform Flight Attendant duties during their Initial Operating Experience (IOE) concurrent with the Initial Flight Attendant training class. Management employees holding an FAA Flight Attendant certificate may also perform duties while conducting a check ride or an IOE.

        Where am I able to locate current Scope and Labor Protective Provisions?

        Section 3 – Scope

        Section 4 – Labor Protective Provisions

        How does the Boeing Aircraft Order letter of agreement from TA1 assist Flight Attendants?

        This letter of agreement guarantees that Flight Attendants on the Alaska Airline FA seniority list will continue to perform Flight Attendant duties on those aircraft ordered under the agreement. Approximately 73 additional aircraft will be added to the current fleet. This order is projected to take Alaska Airlines through 2020.

        Is there any protection under the current agreement for these aircraft?

        No

        How does the Alaska Air Group (AAG) letter of agreement from TA1 assist our Flight Attendants?

        This letter of agreement binds Alaska Air Group to the important Scope protections that we make with Alaska Airlines. It prevents the parent company from taking actions to circumvent agreements made with a subsidiary such as Horizon Airlines (QX).

        Do we have any Scope protections linking AFA agreements with Alaska Airlines to Alaska Air Group?

        No

        How does the Job Protection LOA from TA1 assist Flight Attendants?

        In the event Alaska or AAG acquires another air carrier, they cannot transfer the flying to the acquired carrier and furlough Alaska Flight Attendants. The effective date starts in any contract during which the acquisition happens and extends through the current contact duration plus one additional year. Protections in the event of a merger or acquisition are in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

        We want to be paid for additional duties and on-board sales; I heard SWA is paid for additional duties and on-board sales?

        SWA does have a scope clause that reads: “Prior to the Company engaging in future product or service sales conducted or transacted by Flight Attendants on-board any aircraft operated by the Company which would affect the ability of Flight Attendants to fulfill their overall duties and responsibilities, the Company agrees to bargain with the Union concerning the terms and conditions of these additional responsibilities.”

        Do we have a current provision for on-board sales or additional duties in our contract?

        No. There is currently no language or protections for on-board sales or additional duties.

        Did we ask for this same provision or similar during the negotiation process?

        Yes, your committee did ask for additional scope language regarding on-board sales. In TA1 we were unsuccessful with achieving a provision in Scope regarding on-board sales. We will reevaluate comments, concerns and suggestions while proceeding accordingly in our next session in October.

        We should be paid for our additional duties! What is the committee doing with all the new added duties on the aircraft? 

        The negotiating committee does understand the importance of being paid appropriately for the additional job duties that are being required on-board and expect compensation to reflect the new requirements. Duties remain a separate issue from on-board sales and are maintained by the Company through our Flight Attendant Manual (FAM) under Section 7 Standards and Duties and Section 8 Service.

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        Filed Under: Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog

        Comments

        1. tracey steele says

          September 25, 2014 at 19:31

          I have concerns about scope language. We need protection against out sourcing our jobs . seat capacity and extra duties =extra pay.

        2. Chet says

          September 23, 2014 at 22:12

          Yes! Jake,
          I agree with Cat White. I know that puts additional pressure on the NT, but anywhere were this language could be spelled out is plus for a TA2 received a successful passing vote. I know you know all that.
          I like to suggest that if it may help you the NT at the table, that in our next up coming picketing we be allowed to display big banner with the words “We want SCOPE” “No Clear SCOPE / Protection NO Vote”
          it may appear that f/a’s are in a unrealistic frame of mind, but if we don’t fight for this stuff now we will never get it.

          Thank you for your continued exhausting dedication and service I’m humble by your selflessness in your commitment to a group that at times doesn’t always show gratitude more often. Is not my intention to offend any of my fellow f/a’s but the truth is that there is complacency among certain number of us .

          • Jake Jones (SEA LEC Vice President/Negotiating Committee Member) says

            September 23, 2014 at 22:36

            Hi Chet,

            Thank you for the comment and post. The negotiating committee will take these concerns under consideration. We will have further discussion in October when meeting with management in Chicago. Stay tuned for additional updates after the session is complete on topics of discussion. Also, thank you for the support!

            Sincerely,
            Jake Jones
            Negotiating Committee Member

        3. Heather says

          September 23, 2014 at 21:31

          What about limiting Capacity Putchase Agreements going forward? By right-sizing the market some of our route structure is being absorbed by both Horizon and Skywest. Can our scope language be speciific enough to state that any flight requiring more seats than the Q400 must be served by Alaska Airlines jets? That would be any flight with more than 76 seats. How big are the SkyWest planes? Any other ideas on how to clamp down on how much of our route network gets sent to those two carriers? And possibly no new CPA’s with other carriers? Scope is an area that does seem ambiguous currently.

          • Jake Jones (SEA LEC Vice President/Negotiating Committee Member) says

            September 23, 2014 at 22:40

            Hi Heather,

            The previous negotiating committee did have discussions regarding CPA, size and seats, however were unsuccessful in reaching agreement in TA1. Our newly formed committee will continue to have further discussion and conversation to address these concerns in TA2. We appreciate you posting the comments and suggestions.

            Sincerely,
            Jake Jones
            Negotiating Committee Member

        4. Tim says

          September 23, 2014 at 20:51

          Scope
          We need to be paid for additional duties as they are implemented as well as additional seats whether bigger a/c or just more seats crammed in.

          More work = More Pay.

          Trust of management is at an all time low, rivaling only Congress at this point.

          Anywhere language can be tightened up and improved – is a must!

          What’s more important than job security?

          • Jake Jones (SEA LEC Vice President/Negotiating Committee Member) says

            September 23, 2014 at 22:42

            Hi Tim,

            Job security is very important and a concern of the negotiating committee. The committee will be reviewing the concern of additional duties as we go into our next negotiation session. In addition our committee agrees that tightening language where we are able is imperative to a successful agreement for our Flight Attendants. Thank you for bring forward the concerns and posting on our blog.

            Sincerely,
            Jake Jones
            Negotiating Committee Member

        5. Cat White says

          September 23, 2014 at 20:50

          Thanks Jake. I don’t feel that this is very comprehensive SCOPE protection. You need to work harder on this area for the flight attendant group. None of us is interested in what the company wants. Be advised that many people will vote no on TA2 if this isn’t revised. SCOPE is so important to a good agreement, that it should never have to be included in a survey. Thank you.

          • Jake Jones (SEA LEC Vice President/Negotiating Committee Member) says

            September 23, 2014 at 22:46

            Hi Cat,

            The negotiating committee will review Section 3 Scope as we prepare to meet again at the table with management in October. The committee agrees that Scope is important to a good agreement and the success of our Flight Attendants. We appreciate the post and use of the new blog. After our October meeting is complete we will have additional information to discuss with our Flight Attendants regarding section updates.

            Sincerely,
            Jake Jones
            Negotiating Committee Member

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