December Update:
‘Tis the season….for IROPS
Now is the time to get to know your contract. With irregular operations (IROPS) due to weather or operational challenges, be aware of what is contractually supported for scheduling changes. Refer to Sections 8 and 10 for lineholders and Section 11 for reserves. Additionally, Junior Assigning (Section 9) has already occurred this holiday season so be aware of the contractual limitations of this practice.
CBT Deadline December 31
A friendly reminder to complete the 4th Quarter CBT is due 12/31/19. In the event accessing Cornerstone through the app is unsuccessful, please reach out to your base supervisor for assistance. Additionally Flight Attendants may access Cornerstone via computer (non-mobile device) through the In-flight Page on Alaskasworld. Failure to complete quarterly CBTs by the deadline historically has resulted in progressive steps of discipline.
Leftover Guest Passes? Save them!
Remember to convert your unused companion travel passes before the end of day December 31st. Once converted the pass codes will remain in your FLY account under Guest Passes>>Manage Guest Passes. Converted passes must be ticketed within 3 months after the pass code has been generated.
Recurrent Training 2020
The recurrent training home study CBT was released 12/26/19 and available online for those taking recurrent in January. The CBT portion of recurrent training must be completed at least 2 hours prior to the start of training class. As a reminder, for 2020, recurrent training will be two days. AFA has been advocating for a streamlined and fair recurrent training process due to recent and sudden changes that have occurred. This is an ongoing issue so please look out for more communication from the training department and the MEC regarding any updates to the program or guidelines.
Uniform Update
Rollover of uniform funds are defined in the Uniform Allotments and Rollover Letter of Agreement. Flight Attendants with remaining uniform funds will rollover at 50% value.
New uniforms will begin to ship in January, with the expectation of a March launch (actual date to be announced). It is recommended that uniforms be tried for fit as soon as received. This will allow ample time to make any adjustments or exchanges if necessary.
With the new uniform roll-out just around the corner, management has indicated an increase in compliance checks for current uniforms. There are 3 stages of compliance checks:
- 2019: a Flight Attendant found wearing a non-compliant uniform will be subject to a “conversation” with base management regarding current uniform policy.
- January 1, 2020 – launch of the new/custom uniform: a Flight Attendant found wearing a non-compliant uniform will be issued a Record of Discussion (ROD) which will be documented in the FAs personnel file.
- Custom uniform launch and beyond: a Flight Attendant found wearing a non-compliant uniform that is not “fixable” will be sent home.
Clean Slate for 2020
Flight Attendants who…
- achieved 480 TFP (L-VX exempt in 2019)
- had 4 or fewer attendance points at the end of 2019
- and who did not accrue any points in November and December 2019
…will start 2020 with zero points. This process is defined in the JCBA S32.G.4. The adjustment is a manual process done by the performance supervisor team, so please allow until mid-January for the process to be complete. After the adjustments have been made, any discrepancies should be brought to the attention of the SFO performance supervisor, Raquel Wehrwein.
Clock Resets for 480 on January 1
All Alaska Flight Attendants (including L-VX) will be required to achieve 480 TFP for the year 2020 to maintain the following benefits:
- Uniforms §13.D.6
- Vacation §16.L.4
- Health Insurance §33.B.1-4
- Attendance year-end record improvement §32.G.4
How do I contact Council 35 Officers?
The best way to contact Council 35 officers is via email using a personal email account. The preferred methods of contact are:
- sfo@afaalaska.org (this is the group contact for all officers-if one officer is flying /unavailable the other officers can respond)
- Individual officer emails (if information is for a specific officer)
- Calls/text (if situation requires more urgent attention)
When contacting Council 35 Officers please avoid the following methods:
- Sending to/from alaskaair.com email (subject to company audits and therefore not private)
- Officer personal Facebook/social media accounts (not actively monitored for AFA concerns)
- Excessively lengthy texts (please use email for important information as it’s easier to respond and forward to appropriate resource-texts should be reserved for alerts to an issue that requires a timely response)
Please allow at least 24 business hours for a response to any method of contact (email, phone, text).
In solidarity,
Melissa, Aladrian, James and Brad