AFA Council 19 Seattle November Newsletter

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AFA EAP

At times, our lives can become challenging and even overwhelming or perhaps you have encountered a troubling experience. Please know our EAP committee is always available to you whenever you may feel the need.  The EAP is a peer-to-peer committee, by Flight Attendants for Flight Attendants, as they assist with extra support along with referral services and critical incident response. If you ever need to talk to someone, be assured your voice is always confidential and heard with trained embrace and support. You can refer to this link for more information and contact information. https://afaalaska.org/eap

December Solidarity Event

Please make sure to keep December 19th open on your calendar, as we will be holding our next large Solidarity Event on that day. More information on the event will be cooking soon, but please remember to register for the event. 

Date: December 19th, 2023

Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm

Location: SeaTac Flag Pavilion

Council 19 Membership Meeting

We will be holding a Council 19 Membership meeting in conjunction with the Solidarity event on December 19th, please stay tuned for more information. 

Spotlight On the Contract

This month we’d like to bring further awareness to our contractual Ground Commuting Policy. As we know, we are always required to make all reasonable efforts to arrive on time in advance of our scheduling obligation. With that said, unforeseen ground commuting obstacles can occur, in which case please refer to your contractual protections. 

Here is some highlighted language for your review. For full language, including Commuter Policy Recovery Options, please refer to your contract, section 28 Domiciles. If you have any questions, you can reach out to your local SEA LEC Council 19 leaders.

2. Ground Commuting Policy 

a.     The provisions set forth in this Agreement regarding ground commuting apply to all Flight Attendants (whether or not they are a “registered air commuter”), including Flight Attendants who have picked up out of domicile/co-terminal. 

1.     Ground commuting will encompass traveling to work by car (e.g. personal vehicle, liveried transport, shared ride service excluding car pool options, etc.), public transportation (e.g. ferry, light rail/train, bus, etc.) or other ground transport method (e.g. bicycle, etc.). 

2.     In the case of an unanticipated ground commuting failure, a Flight Attendant may utilize the Commuter Policy recovery options in G.3., below, provided that s/he calls Crew Scheduling at least one-hour (1:00) prior to scheduled check-in time (e.g. one-hour (1:00) prior to the commencement of APSB or two hours (2:00) prior to departure for scheduled sequences) and submits dated proof to management within seven (7) days of the event. 

3.     Dated proof may include, but is not limited to, evidence of vehicle breakdown or accident, light rail/train service interruption, screenshot of SIG Alert, 511.org snapshots showing unplanned road closures. If proof is not provided within seven (7) days, then the appropriate Attendance Policy points will apply. 

Example: A Flight Attendant who is stuck in traffic on a freeway that is shut down for three hours (3:00) due to a mudslide while on the way to work. 

Example: A Flight Attendant who is stopped on the light rail for one hour (1:00) due to a power outage while on the way to work. 

It is important to reach out to your AFA Representative if you have questions about the above language, as there are areas that can be confusing and “gray”. 

CBT Reminder

Do not forget to complete your CBT (Annual Compliance Training) by the end of the year deadline. It is important to remember if you do not complete the required training, the discipline is progressive. If you are already in steps of discipline, failure to complete your CBT will move you up the steps, up to and including discharge. If you encounter any technical issues, please contact the ITS Help desk. To verify your CBT is complete, check that your Cornerstone transcript lists under “Completed” and check your email for a confirmation. 

AFA International HRE Committee

The AFA Human Rights and Equity Committee is committed to providing the broadest possible representation of our members regardless of age, disability, marital status, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression. We honor and celebrate the shared humanity of the members in our care. We shall at all times endeavor to promote the principles of tolerance, fairness, equity, justice, respect and inclusion within our Union. It is only when we all work together we can tear down the walls of division and create a progressive culture that values social & economic justice for all working people. 

You can view this month’s HRE Committee newsletter here.

Membership Dues

We have solidarity events coming up, so it is important to make sure that you are up to date on your membership dues, as you are required to be current in order to attend. Also, please remember that when a tentative agreement is reached with the company, you must be up to date in order to vote! If you have questions about your dues status, please reach out to our LEC Secretary, Adam Clarey at adam.clarey@afaalaska.org. 

There is a great article on the AFA Website, “Dues & Voting: What You Need To Know To Make Sure You Can Vote”. We suggest taking a look at that for some helpful information. 

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up to date information on our Council 19 Facebook Group. Click below to join our group and stay connected. We have also launched a new Council 19 Instagram page, which you will find a link for below as well. Our communication team is researching other social media platforms, more information will come soon!

  

Throughout the years unions have played an integral role in attaining reasonable work rules, sanitary and safe conditions, as well as living wages…without them the current workers’ landscape would look quite different. We owe a large debt to the formation and continuance of ensuring continued equality in maintaining all things held sacred, enabling collective bargaining as well as reducing income inequality. In particular, within the arena of the airline industry, lending itself to reasonable work hours in stark contrast to FAA minimums also becomes paramount. 

Unions are indeed the hand that holds and protects, as we never forget where workers once were in years past and the hard years fought for change…and so it continues. Our union being that of a beacon of light, ensuring our well-being and quality of life. Many thanks to our membership for continuing to place pressure for change throughout our current negotiations, keeping the resolve and with much gratitude to all; as we are the force to always attain better…just as our predecessors have done throughout all moments in history. We are union proud. 

In Solidarity,

Your Council 19 Officers and Committees