Important Dates
September 30: Q3 CBT Due Today!
October 03: Vacation 2023 Bidding Round 2 Opens
October 10: NGP Benefits Enrollment Opens
October 18: Vacation 2023 Bidding Round 2 Closes
October 25: Vacation 2023 Bidding Round 2 Awards
October 27: Vacation 2023 Trading Opens
SFO ISC Update
by Raymond Ramirez, C35 ISC Chair
The Inflight Service Committee met with management at their quarterly meeting on September 21, 2022. The addition of the third cart on PLH flights is on management’s radar, but the ISC continues to advocate against this service. The lack of trash stowage, not enough supplies for three services, and long bathroom lines are the biggest concerns that have been brought forward. ISC’s goal is to work with the company to reach mutually agreeable solutions with the work group. Please continue to use Block2Block, FAIRs and ASAP to write up trash stowage concerns, flights loaded without empty carts in the AFT galley, and when supplies run out during cart service. Also, certain stations are implementing single door catering, potentially causing delays with boarding. Always notify CSAs that boarding cannot begin until the caterers finish blocking the aisle, and if it causes a delay it needs to be written as an FAIR and a safety hazard report. Other items that were brought to management’s attention include a time zone glitch on Block2Block when working Mexico flights, feedback regarding the main cabin menus needing a link to AlaskaReceipts.com for passengers, and reworking the menu layout to help avoid confusing pre order fresh food for picnic packs/retail snacks.
Supplemental Insurance Open Enrollment
from the Benefits Committee
National Group Protection (NGP) announces the open enrollment period for supplemental benefit plans for AFA members at Alaska Airlines.
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 October 10-31, 2022.
New Bus Service from Hayward and Castro Valley to SFO
Go>SFO Shuttle is a new commuter bus for all workers at SFO, serving Hayward and Castro Valley. Please review the info bulletin for route schedules and details.
Participation Request from SFO Airport
by FlySFO
The SFO airport has convened an Employee Safety Task Force, and we want to hear your ideas and suggestions so we can continue to enhance safety measures at the Airport. We are seeking your input as we continue to better understand how you feel about safety and security, as well as the possibility of implementing a Chaperon Program. Therefore, your survey participation is valuable. Please complete the Safety and Security Survey, by 1700 Wednesday, October 5, 2022. For questions, please contact Ralf Ruckelshausen at Ralf.Ruckelshausen@flysfo.com.
Negotiations Update
Stay updated on the progress of negotiations by visiting the Negotiations subsite, which can be found on the AFA Alaska website. Want to get involved? It’s not too late! Council 35 is looking for Mobilization Committee members to support Section 6 Negotiations in SFO. Please reach out to Trista Vanta, the C35 Mobilization Committee chair and/or fill out the online request form to participate in events.
Bernstein v. Virgin America Lawsuit Updates
A member of the Alaska legal team will be hosting CA base sits for September and October to answer Flight Attendant questions. Flight Attendants who take advantage of this opportunity are strongly encouraged to visit the Bernstein v. Virgin America subsite, on the plaintiff’s attorney webpage. This will provide for a well balanced viewpoint of the issue.
Got a question?
Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website. You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.
In solidarity,
Melissa, Virginia, James and Brad
Melissa Osborne, LEC President • melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
Virginia Fritz, LEC Vice President • virginia.fritz@afaalaska.org • 408.489.8200
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary • James.ikehara@afaalaska.org • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503
