Important Dates
- September 7: Vacation Bidding Opens
- September 13: Supplemental Insurance Open Enrollment Begins
- September 21: Vacation Bidding Closes
- September 24: Supplemental Insurance Open Enrollment Ends
- September 28: Vacation 2022 Awards Posted
Never Forget
It’s hard to believe the tragedy of 9/11/01 occurred 20 years ago…an event that changed our lives and industry forever. To commemorate the milestone, AFA and APFA (representing American Flight Attendants) collaborated to create a new 9/11 pin. Council 35 has enough pins for everyone, so please stop by the SFO Village supervisor’s office and pick one up.
Alone in Mexico
Did you know our JCBA provides protection to Flight Attendants flying outside the US? The JCBA§34.A.5.a states that no F/A will travel to a hotel outside the US by themselves. There was a recent incident involving a Flight Attendant who was left behind in SJD after a scheduling change occurred. This F/A was aware of the contract and reached out to AFA for assistance during the event. This is a great example of why it’s important to know your contract, and when something goes wrong, AFA is here to help!
Trending Discipline
from the Grievance Committee
Reserve Not at Base
Reviewing the JCBA§11 which defines the AS reserve rules, the company expects that a reserve Flight Attendant will be within 2 hours of base at the beginning of the assigned reserve availability period (RAP). Commuting into base or being more than 2 hours aways from base at the start of RAP would be considered time card fraud and normally results in termination with the first offense. Lineholders picking up reserve days should be aware of the reserve rules found in JCBA§11 in order to be familiar with the expectations. Any reserve F/A or lienholder picking up reserve days who are interested in extra support or guidance, please reach out to the SFO Reserve Committee for assistance.
Delays
When a delay is caused by a Flight Attendant, either due to tardiness or forgotten required item, management typically initiates an investigation. If it is confirmed that the delay was caused by the FA, discipline will most likely be issued. A first offense can expect a Confirmation of an Oral Warning (COW), unless other discipline is on file, which would increase to the appropriate step based on previous occurrences.
Supplemental Insurance Open Enrollment
from the Benefits Committee
National Group Protection (NGP) announces the open enrollment period for supplemental benefit plans for AFA members.
NGP offers services to include:
- Accident Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity
- Critical Illness Coverage
- Whole Life Insurance
NGP offers the following options:
- Supplemental – these plans supplement any existing coverage
- Voluntary – members choose to participate
- Limited Underwriting – no medical or physical exams required
- Family Coverage – available with all of the plans
- Portable – members can continue coverage if they leave the company
- Payroll Deduction – premiums are paid through payroll deduction
The Virtual Enrollment for Alaska AFA members is open from September 13-24, 2021.
Reminder: COVID-19 MOU, Section 32 and CA Law
COVID absences are still a regular event for members. Your Council 35 officers encourage F/As to submit for points forgiveness and follow up with CA state claims to seek additional benefits. For more information, please revisit July’s Newsletter.
Celebration of Life for Tim Krailo
A message from SFO Chief Pilot Kat Pullis
I wanted to pass along the invitation for the Celebration of Life planned for our dear Tim Krailo and his wife Karen. Please RSVP as the family is planning on serving dinner around 6:30pm. If you’d like to attend in uniform to show support from our Alaska family, please feel free to do so. His family sends a huge thank you to our team for the successful Go Fund Me that we did for their children. It has been such a challenging year for their family as Tim’s only sister also passed away last month. Sending all our thoughts and support their way.
Thank you Majo!
Council 35 extends a warm thank you to Majo Tanco, LAX Benefits Committee, for all the help she provided since COVID-19 emerged on the scene. Majo was kind enough to fill in and help Council 35 members while we looked for an SFO-based committee member. We are happy to announce that our new Benefits Chair, Julie Pearson, is now ready to take over where Majo left off. For inquiries regarding anything benefits related, such as FMLA, medical LOAs and Worker’s Compensation, SFO-based FAs should now reach out to Julie at sfo.benefits@afaalaska.org. And thank you Majo for letting SFO “borrow” you while we searched to fill the vacancy!
In solidarity,
Melissa, James and Brad
Melissa Osborne, LEC President • Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary • James.ikehara@afaalaska.org • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503
