Agenda for Meeting with Management on August 3
AFA is scheduled to conduct another round of discussions with management later this week regarding further work rule improvements. The focus of this meeting is to make additional progress to the previously discussed interim improvements for VX Flight Attendants as we move towards integration. The commuter policy is on top of the priority list among other issues. For details on the topics to be discussed, please see the June 8 MEC communication for more information.
Grievance Update
The new VX Grievance Procedure Letter of Agreement (LOA) has been a great benefit to Virgin America and Council 35 has already filed ten grievances on behalf of individual Flight Attendants and for contractual violations. Please stay tuned for updates on the progress of currently filed contractual grievances. If you have any questions about the grievance process, please review the LOA that defines the process as well as the July 5 Council 35 News that defines “at will” vs. “just cause” employment relationships. If you need assistance or have questions regarding a potential grievance, please reach out to your Council 35 officers for assistance.
Upcoming Inaugural Flights
It was brought to the attention of Council 35 officers that some positions of the Philadelphia (PHL) re-launch pairing was held out of the bid packet and reserved for promo team assignment. As most know, VX typically makes a big deal of launch events and assigns the promo team as crews for launch flights. Council 35 believes this practice does not respect seniority nor does it align with current Alaska policy, and advocated for a change. Management agreed and made the decision that all future launch flights will be included in the monthly bid packet and available to anyone who would like to bid for them.
Upcoming Elections for Transitional President and Secretary
Please don’t miss your opportunity to vote for your candidates for Council 35 Local Council president and Local Council secretary. Ballots will be mailed August 1 and polls will be open from August 4 through August 24. For more detailed information, please refer to the AFA Membership Election Information page for the most updated information. You must complete an AFA membership application in order to vote in the officer elections.
Become A Member and Have the Right to Vote!
To become an official member, every VX Flight Attendant must complete and submit a membership application. Please be aware that this form cannot be completed online. The paper form must be submitted directly to an AFA representative or mailed to the AFA International Office in D.C. You can download and print one by clicking here. Completing an application ensures that you have the right to vote in officer elections and on tentative agreements.
Don’t Forget to Wear Your AFA Pin
The AFA pin is an approved uniform piece and should be worn on the left collar. If wearing both your AFA pin and anniversary pin, the anniversary pin should be placed closest to the tip of the collar.
Your AFA pin represents our combined strength and unity as we work toward achieving improvements for all of us and should always be worn with your uniform. If you have completed a membership application and didn’t receive an AFA pin, you can request one from an AFA representative or by contacting your Council 35 officers at vx@afaalaska.org.
FAQs and Rumor Control
I heard we can’t serve non-revs alcohol in First Class. Is this true?
No. Management has confirmed that all guest seated in First Class, whether full-fare or non-rev, are eligible to receive all the amenities offered in our standard First Class service, to include alcoholic beverages.
Is there any truth to the story on the news about our IT system being hacked?
Managing Director of IT Jake McClean confirmed that a breach did take place in March, but believes no serious threat to anyone’s personal security occurred. He confirmed that as a precaution, management required everyone to change their passwords back at that time of the incident. Inflight management will be sending out a communication this week with the details. AFA has expressed its concern to management that the situation was addressed only after the news was leaked through an outside source and that the company waited so long to inform its employees of the incident.
I heard many VX ITMs did not receive a ballot for the nomination of candidates. What happened?
AFA International handles all election related activities and confirmed that approximately 25 ballots were returned due to bad addresses, which have subsequently been updated. The return rate is a typical percentage for the number of members we have at Virgin America. If you do not receive a ballot to vote in the upcoming officer elections, please contact the AFA Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, press 1 and dial extension 706. The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.
I have questions for Melissa and James. How can I reach them?
Please refrain from sending messages to VX email accounts and/or via Facebook messenger. Your questions will be answered faster if you send them to the Council 35 email vx@afaalaska.org. Being available to you is important to your AFA leadership team and by following the prescribed methods of communication, your leaders can better assist with your questions, suggestions and concerns. Thank you for understanding!
I am not getting any emails from AFA Alaska Council 35. What can I do?
Please be sure to subscribe to Council 35 emails using a non-Virgin America email account. You can subscribe online at http://afanewsletters.org/subscribe/. If you encounter any problems with the online subscription page, please email us at vx@afaalaska.org.
Please let us know if you have any questions or thoughts! You can reach us at vx@afaalaska.org.
In Solidarity,
Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & James
