AFA Alaska

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

Click here to report an issue to AFA
Menu
  • Local Councils
    • Anchorage (Council 30)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Los Angeles (Council 18)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Portland (Council 39)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • San Diego (Council 15)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • Seattle (Council 19)
      • Officers
      • Committees
    • San Francisco (Council 35)
      • Officers
      • Committees

    • More About Local Councils >>
    Close
  • Master Executive Council
    • Officers
    • Close
  • Committees
      • Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC)
        • Air Quality
      • Benefits
      • Communications
      • Employee Assistance Program & Professional Standards
      • Government Affairs
      • Grievance
      • Hotel
      • Human Rights
      • Inflight Service
      • Inflight Training
      • Membership
      • Mobilization
      • Reserve
      • Retirement
      • Scheduling
        • Pairing Construction
        • Preferential Bidding System (PBS)
      • Uniform

    • More About Committees >>
    Close
  • Contract
      • Contract Home
        • Current Contract
        • Ask Contract Questions
      • Contract Resources
        • Read Contract Q&A
        • Explanatory Videos
      • Contract Negotiations
    • Close
  • Resources
      • Issues & Campaigns
      • Newsroom
        • AFA Alaska News Now
        • Message from the MEC President
      • Event Calendar
      • Membership Services
      • New Members
      • About
      • Links
      Close
    • Negotiations
    • Contact Us
    You are here: Home / Latest News / Negotiations Update September 19, 2013

    Negotiations Update September 19, 2013

    September 19, 2013 20:13

    Dear Flight Attendants,

     

    unsecured personal loans $50,000

    Several Flight Attendants have contacted the Negotiating Committee due to misunderstandings related to management’s latest edition of “Grab & Go.” Please keep in mind that the Grab & Go posted on the Inflight webpage was revised earlier today, so we are referring to the earlier version that is still circulating out there and being discussed on the line.

     

    monthly loan repayments

    What is the controversy all about?

     

    “Highlights of Section 14 (Vacations) include the following:

    graduated vacation accruals based on annual amount of TFP worked;

    vacation pay based on TFP worked; one week of paid time off for

    employees with 25 years or more of service who have flown more than

    960 TFP in a year.”

     

    Many Flight Attendants have inferred this to mean that AFA has agreed to eliminate all vacation for anybody under 25 years. This is absolutely not the case! All vacation pay is essentially the same as today: 2 full weeks at one year (and prorated if under one year), 3 weeks at 5 years, 4 weeks at 10 years and 5 weeks at 18 years. Flight Attendants with 25 years or more will receive an additional week of paid time off if they have flown 960 TFP in a year (average of 80 TFP per month hard time). No, it’s not a total recapture of the week of vacation lost with the Southwest Agreement in ’94 but it’s a step in the right direction! Finally, the “graduated accruals” concept only applies to those who fly under the 480 TFP. That means Flight Attendants who do not achieve 480 TFP will receive less days of vacation—which are already unpaid under the current agreement—and this will depend on how far below 480 TFP they fly in a year.

     

    By the way, Flight Attendants who do not achieve 480 TFP will no longer have their longevity pay increases held up. Not only that, but Flight Attendants who have been held back under the current agreement due to not achieving 480 TFP in a calendar year will be advanced to their appropriate step rate under the TA. Now that wasn’t in the Grab & Go!

     

    Until we’ve had an opportunity to discuss our concerns regarding the current communications strategy with management and Mediator Gray, we’re going to refrain from commenting any further on the details outlined in the various versions of management’s Grab & Go. However, in our humble opinion management continues to ride the fine line of violating the spirit of our communications agreement. We’ll make sure to pass along to Mediator Gray that our members are missing the communication from AFA and are restless for any news. This is made even more frustrating due to the fact that management is communicating so much!

     

    Some Flight Attendants have asked for clarification to our “Negotiations Update September 9-12, 2013: Mediation Session #3 DCA Recap.” They want to know who “AFA” refers to in the following bullets summarizing the Open Time Implementation Letter of Agreement:

     

    • Quartile System: AFA and management can mutually agree to alter the application. AFA can cancel after six months.
    • AFA has the ability to cancel this program after a specified time and it will trigger automatic negotiations on the sections specific to Open Time trading.

     

    “AFA” as referenced above is the Master Executive Council by vote of the Local Executive Council (LEC) presidents per Section VI.B.5.b of the AFA-CWA Constitution & By-laws. The LEC presidents each get one vote which is broken by the MEC president in case of a tie unless there is a roll-call vote. Under the C&B the LEC presidents are given power as your duly-elected representatives to advocate the will of their members. Just remember that these provisions are fail-safe measures in case the trading system proves to be overly restrictive for Flight Attendants or that there is such a broad consensus opposed to the Quartile System that we do not need to or want to wait for the year mark for a membership ratification vote. The MEC would intervene only if action is absolutely necessary. Again, it’s just in case.

     

    Flight Attendants have asked what AFA’s position is on the Company’s employee survey currently underway. The MEC and the Negotiating Committee believe you should take the time to complete the survey but don’t hold back! You may respectively add to or ad lib the following sentiment (or simply copy and paste) in the free form comments section:

     

    “Now that Alaska Airlines is well positioned for the future and making significant profits, we expect recognition for our past sacrifices. Flight Attendants will be appropriately recognized for their contribution to this Company’s success by achieving the Contract they deserve!”

     

    Finally, many have inquired who they should contact on the management negotiating team in response to the Negotiating Committees request to “send the message to management” in our latest negotiations communication. Their team consists of Shane Tackett, Andy Schneider, Elizabeth Ryan, Mike Link and Cindy Petchnik. Since Shane and Andy are the chief spokespersons and ranking officers on their committee, we think it’s appropriate to direct all communications to those two via First Class (Shane.Tackett@alaskaair.com and Andy.Schneider@alaskaair.com). Feel free to use the same paragraph above as a framework for your thoughts. Again, you must be respectful and do not engage in conversation about your personal thoughts regarding bargaining objectives. Just remember the phrase, “My Negotiating Committee speaks for me!”

     

    Our next mediation session is scheduled for October 28-30, 2013, in Washington, DC.

     

    In solidarity,

     

    Your Negotiating Committee – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Tracy, Karina Cameron-Fetters, Jake Jones and AFA Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

     

    “Five Bases, One Voice”

    alaskamec.org

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Filed Under: Latest News, Negotiations

    Need Help?

    Have an issue or concern to report to AFA?  Click here to access the AFA Alaska online support center.

    Connect with Us on Facebook

    Connect with Us on Facebook

    Follow Us on Twitter

    Tweets by AFAAlaska

    Instagram

    February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals. Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below. Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.
    Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California.
    The first set of observations under the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program begin today (January 27) and will continue through February 28. Similar to the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), participation in LOSA is entirely voluntary and identifying information such as Flight Attendant names, dates, and flight numbers are never associated with observation data. If you have any questions about the LOSA program, please don’t hesitate to contact the AFA members of the LOSA Steering Committee.
    Read details from our Negotiating Committee about Session 8 of contract negotiations, including a tentative agreement on Hotels and updates on current progress.
    AFA and management recently agreed to a defined process for when a debrief meeting with management needs to be conducted following an operational safety event. The agreement ensures protections for Flight Attendants while guaranteeing pay, duty day limitations, and AFA representation. Details can be found in the Operational Safety Debriefs Letter of Agreement (LOA).
    Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling. The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

    Latest News

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – February 3, 2023
    • Celebrating Black History Month
    • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023

    Celebrating Black History Month

    February 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Human Rights Committee February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the […]

    Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000

    January 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

    Master Executive Council (MEC) Twenty-three years ago today, we tragically lost Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, when it went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California. We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; […]

    LOSA Observations Are Underway

    January 27, 2023

    Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) As previously communicated, AFA and management agreed to conduct a Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) to help improve safety for Flight Attendants, other crewmembers, and passengers.  The LOSA program is jointly administered by AFA and management as outlined in the Inflight Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) Program letter of agreement. The […]

    Operational Safety Debriefs

    January 26, 2023

    Master Executive Council (MEC) In 2019, AFA filed grievance number 36-99-2-170-19, which alleged management’s violation of section 19.A of the collective bargaining agreement. The violation was related to an incident where management conducted a debrief meeting with Flight Attendants while they were still on duty following a slide deployment incident. As there was no contractual […]

    Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023

    January 25, 2023

    Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, January 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

    Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

    November 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

    ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

    September 23, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

    Masks Are No Longer Required in Airports or Onboard

    April 18, 2022 By Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President)

    The CDC and TSA report the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect after today’s court ruling. Additionally, Alaska Airlines management just announced via multiple channels that the mask mandate is lifted effective immediately on all aircraft.

    RSS Negotiations News

    • Negotiation Session 8
    • Negotiation Session 7
    • What commuter improvements can we expect?
    • The commitment from management on industry leading pay is great news! However, pay rates are only part of the picture – are we sacrificing work rules and benefits for leading pay rates?
    • Can you clarify the pay components included in our Opening Proposal (Ground, Flight, Delay, Stranded)?
    • Negotiation Session 6
    • Negotiation Session 5
    • Can you clarify insurance premiums in the Insurance Benefits tentative agreement?
    • Why isn’t the Negotiating Committee publishing tentative agreements of each section?
    • Management has lawyers at the negotiating table – why don’t we?

    Recent Posts

    • AFA Alaska News in Review – February 3, 2023
    • Celebrating Black History Month
    • Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
    • LOSA Observations Are Underway
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 27, 2023
    • Operational Safety Debriefs
    • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2023
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 20, 2023
    • AFA Disaster Relief Fund – California Severe Storms
    • AFA Alaska News in Review – January 13, 2023

    Local Councils

    • Anchorage
    • Los Angeles
    • Portland
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
    • Seattle

    Master Executive Council

    • MEC

    Negotiations

    • Contract 2022 Home
    • Negotiating Committee
    • Negotiations Feedback
    • Negotiations News
    • Negotiations Process

    Contract

    • Contract Home

    Committees

    • Air Safety, Health, & Security
    • Benefits
    • Communications
    • EAP/Professional Standards
    • Government Affairs
    • Grievance
    • Hotel
    • Human Rights
    • Inflight Service
    • Mobilization
    • Reserve
    • Retirement
    • Scheduling
    • Uniform

    News By Month

    News By Category

    AFA Alaska News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Want To Stay In The Loop?

    The best way to stay connected with up-to-date AFA Alaska news and information is through a subscription to AFA Alaska emails!  Click the button below to sign up.  Already a subscriber?  You can make changes to your email by clicking below!
    Sign Up

    Connect With AFA

    • Contact Us
    • Online Support Center
    • AFA International
    • CWA
    • AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines
    • AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy

    Copyright © 2013-2023 Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO