Important Dates
September 1: Vacation Bidding Round 1 Begins
September 19: Vacation Bidding Round 1 Closes
September 26: Vacation Bidding Round 1 Awards post
September 30: ** Q3 CBT Due **
AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee Appointments
Linda Gunselman
Linda has been a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines for 24 years, the majority of that time in the Portland base. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University and an Investigator degree from the Academy of Legal Investigators. Additionally, she has had extensive training in personal development as well as case advocacy through the CASA program (court appointed special advocate.)
Born and raised in Oregon, Linda spends most of her free time with family and friends. She can regularly be found following her youngest daughter around to cheer events or volunteering with her cheer program, school or Rose Festival. Linda has been married for 17 years and lives in West Linn. She has three children, two grandchildren, a Cavalier King Charles, Dexter and cat, Sasha.
“With all the new obstacles we are faced with today, I understand how those things can trigger challenges in our lives. One of my strengths is the ability to look at the big picture while addressing the smaller things that can build up and be hard on us. I look forward to being able to assist my fellow Flight Attendants as an EAP rep!” – Linda
Barb Moynier
After graduating from Weber State University with an Associate’s degree in general studies, Barb moved to Oregon in 1991. She started her flying career with SkyWest Airlines, and then joined Alaska Airlines in 1997.
Previously, Barb served on the AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee as both MEC & local PDX LEC chairperson. While on the committee she worked the ETOPS Certification flight and served as an ASAP ERC (event review committee) alternate.
When not playing tour guide on work layovers, Barb enjoys volunteering for many non-profits, hiking, spending time on the river Dragon boating/kayaking, or just spending time in the great outdoors. Some may also consider Barb to be a soccer fan(atic) and she has been spotted at many Portland Timbers and Thorns matches!
Crystal Schrader
Crystal was born and raised in Oregon. At the age of 20, after being in nursing school and realizing it wasn’t for her, she applied to be a Flight Attendant on her 21st birthday. Having been flying for over 15 years now, she feels the lifestyle, friendships, and community the job has brought her is unmatched.Crystal is excited to be joining the EAP committee so she can give back to all of her fellow Flight Attendants who have supported her all these years. When she isn’t flying, you will find her teaching spin classes, riding bikes with her nine-year-old son, or line dancing!
“I feel peer to peer support is so important in our line of work and am so honored to be a part of such an amazing committee. Our work group is made up of some of the best humans and I look forward to working with all of you!” – Crystal
Please join us in welcoming our newest committee members!
Section 6 Negotiations
September is here, and Section 6 Negotiations under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) for Alaska Airlines’ Flight Attendants are scheduled to formally begin! Thank you everyone for sending the Negotiations Committee your ideas and for filling out the survey. Member input is invaluable and guides the committee to prioritize needs. Please bookmark the Negotiations subsite, which can be found on the AFA Alaska website, to stay updated on the progress of negotiations.
Council 39 is looking for Mobilization Volunteers to support Section 6 Negotiations in PDX. Please fill out the Mobilization Volunteer Expression of Interest form and reach out to Ahnawake Kriese, our local Mobilization Committee chairperson, at ahnawake.kriese@afalaska.org to participate in events.
No Stock Buybacks in Aviation Until Problems are Fixed!
from AFA International
COVID relief legislation temporarily prohibited airlines from using stock buybacks that enrich executives and big investors on the backs of workers and consumers. But those prohibitions end on September 30. Now is not the time to start sending cash to Wall Street when the airlines can’t yet meet public demand or manage effectively through operational challenges. Airline workers have had contract negotiations on hold for years – delaying raises and improving working conditions needed to keep skilled workers on the job and attract new applicants.
We call on all airline CEOs to extend the COVID relief ban on stock buybacks until:
- operational meltdowns are not the norm
- staffing and flight schedules are aligned to support public demand
- labor contract negotiations are concluded
Stabilizing the industry must be CEOs #1 priority. Not $1 in stock buybacks until this is achieved. Join the fight and take action by signing the petition.
Participation Request: Human Rights and Uniform Surveys
from AFA International
The Human Rights and Uniform Committees want to hear more from Flight Attendants! To better know what Flight Attendants, need and what can be done to fight for FA rights, please take two important surveys:
Human Rights and Equity Committee Survey
Uniform and Gender Expression Survey
Labor Day message
excerpt from CWA President Christopher Shelton
“As we continue to organize for transformational change, let us believe in ourselves, believe in one another, and have complete faith in the fact that when we come together and build true solidarity, there is no issue too big, no corporation too powerful, no challenge too tough, no goal too high that we cannot achieve.
When we fight, we win. Happy Labor Day.”
In Solidarity,
Steve, Krystle and Bethany
