AFA Alaska + Hawaiian

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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What’s In Your Personnel File?

Recently, we’ve become aware of inaccurate information contained in several Flight Attendant personnel files.  It was discovered that several personnel files contained documents that were incorrect or out-of-date.

The information contained in your personnel file chronicles your career at Alaska Airlines.  It contains routine administrative documents, kudos from customers and coworkers, and disciplinary records and reprimands.  Though it is likely that the information contained in your personnel file is accurate, there’s always the slight possibility that information that is inaccurate or no longer applicable (in the case of discipline older than 18 months).

It’s Always a Good Idea to Look Inside

According to our collective bargaining agreement, you’re entitled to a complete copy of your personnel file with at least seven calendar days’ notice (section 24.G).  We recommend that every Flight Attendant take advantage of this contractual right and review your personnel file on a regular basis.

Just Ask Your Performance Supervisor

To make a request for your copy of your personnel file, contact your performance supervisor.  We recommend doing so in writing, using FirstClass email.  You’ll find contact information for your performance supervisor below.

ANC

Natasha Kemp (natasha.kemp@alaskaair.com)

SEA

Last Name A-G: Michelle Kirschbaum (michelle.kirschbaum@alaskaair.com) and/or Rachael Mattioli (rachael.mattioli@alaskaair.com)
Last Name H-P: Candy Donaldson (candy.donaldson@alaskaair.com)
Last Name Q-Z: Natasha Kemp (natasha.kemp@alaskaair.com)

PDX

Candy Donaldson (candy.donaldson@alaskaair.com)

LAX

Michelle Kirschbaum (michelle.kirschbaum@alaskaair.com) and/or Rachael Mattioli (rachael.mattioli@alaskaair.com)

SAN

Natasha Kemp (natasha.kemp@alaskaair.com)

In Solidarity,

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

MEC 5B Logo

Management Pressure and Trading While on Probation

The Master Executive Council (MEC) has recently become aware of situations involving Inflight management discouraging new hires from exercising their contractual ability to trade, reposition, or give away trips or reserve days.  This kind of pressure violates our contract.

Have You Been Pressured Not To Trade?

When you were on probation, did a member of Inflight management discourage you from exercising your contractual rights to trade?  We’re looking for first-hand examples of Inflight supervisors or managers discouraging you from:

  • Asking for personal drops
  • Trading or giving away pairings (either on your line or picked up)
  • Repositioning, trading, or giving away reserve days or block

Share Your Example With Us

If you have a first-hand example of an Inflight supervisor or manager pressuring you not to exercise your contractual right, we’re looking for your feedback.  Flight Attendants currently on probation: please participate!  However, be assured that AFA will hold any responses from probationary Flight Attendants in strict confidence until the completion of probation.

Click here to complete a response form

Questions?

Send an email to probation@afaalaska.org

In Solidarity,

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

MEC 5B Logo

Personal Strategies for Approaching the 13th Anniversary of September 11th

From Your AFA EAP

As we approach the thirteenth anniversary of September 11th, many of us will begin to plan how we’ll recognize this day. Anniversaries offer an opportunity to acknowledge our memories and experiences, to connect with others who share in them, and to pay tribute to our individual and collective journeys. Anniversaries can also serve as personal and professional milestones of our healing and resiliency.   For some, September 11th will be marked with private personal gestures such as observing a moment of silence, spending quiet time reflecting, or dedicating our flying to our profession. For others, it will be marked with collective activities such as ceremonies and memorial services.

There is no right way or better way to recognize the anniversary; but, there are some suggestions that may prove helpful as we approach the anniversary of September 11th.

  • Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you. Say “no” to events or activities that you sense may flood you with too many feelings.
  • Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11th
  • Acknowledge that we all heal at different rates, in different ways, and with different outcomes.
  • Give yourself permission and time to be affected. Though uncomfortable, anticipate and plan for having a stress reaction as the anniversary approaches. Trust that if you have moments of difficulty, you’ll be able to pull yourself back together.
  • Try not to isolate. Isolation can often amplify difficult feelings. Pre-plan now to be with family or friends if you know you have this tendency.
  • Think through in advance how much and the type of anniversary media coverage you can comfortably absorb. Actively monitor and control what news coverage enters your personal space.
  • If you are interested in attending scheduled anniversary events, check local community websites or voicesofsept11.org.
  • Ask for help, support, and opportunities to talk. Your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to listen. Telephone numbers of your local EAP committee members are listed at afanet.org under the EAP Section or at http://afaalaska.org/eap. You can also call the AFA International EAP at 1-800-424-2406 or the AFA Alaska EAP at 1-949-470-0493.

In solidarity,

Your AFA International and AFA Alaska EAP

Patriotic Ribbon

October 20th Save The Date – San Diego Local Council Meeting

For bidding purposes, please save the date for our first Council 15 San Diego Local Council Meeting!

San Diego Local Council Meeting
Monday, October 20, 2014
11 AM to 2 PM 

Joining us at the meeting will be special guests Jeffrey Peterson, MEC President, to address Negotiations and Stephen Poynter, MEC Scheduling Vice Chairperson for PBS, to answer your PBS questions.

The meeting will be held in the Sharie D. Shipley Media Center at San Diego International Airport.  The center is located in Terminal 2 on the Baggage Claim Level.

From the Commuter Terminal ride the Airport Loop Bus. Get off at the third stop. Walk into Terminal 2 Baggage Claim, take a left and walk to the very end. The Media Center is on the left side of the far end wall.

If you wish to submit an advance agenda item, please email it to LEC President Stephen Couckuyt at san15pres@gmail.com no later than October 16th.

AFA Council 15 Logo

“Making the Connection” Training

Inflight management recently announced a voluntary training called “Making the Connection” via Inflight Bulletin 2014-0173, which seems to be visible to Seattle-based Flight Attendants only. The training is intended to provide Flight Attendants some familiarization with the duties of a Customer Service Agent and vice versa. AFA was informed of the program but it was rolled out without negotiating the terms of the training with the union.

Available for pick-up in Seattle Open Time

“Making the Connection” is currently being offered in Seattle only and may be picked up out of Seattle’s Open Time. It is available on Mondays through October and is a trial. If the class is successful, the program may be rolled out system-wide.

Flight Attendants in other domiciles are being allowed to pick up the training; however, be advised that management is not offering hotel accommodations in Seattle in order to position for the class. Compensation is quoted as 6 TFP, which is contractually consistent.

“Making the Connection” is not cross training!!!

The training is designed to foster a better understanding between the Flight Attendant and Customer Service Agent workgroups—nothing more. This is not cross training and AFA leadership and IAM leadership will pursue our respective dispute resolution processes if employees of one workgroup are required to perform duties of the other. However, we have no reason to believe this will happen.

AFA disputes the program “follows the same rules as Recurrent Training”

From the bulletin: “This program follows the same rules as Recurrent Training for rest requirements, date change requests and attendance (sick leave and Failure to Report to training would apply).” Through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, AFA is disputing that the program as described actually follows the contractual Recurrent Training rules for attendance, sick leave and to a certain extent date change requests.

Once AFA and management achieve agreement on the concerns, one or both parties will communicate the outcome. In the meantime, be aware that several aspects of this voluntary training class are in dispute.

In solidarity,

Your MEC—Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Becky Strachan, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt

MEC 5B Logo (Email)

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026

Editor’s Note: Our MEC Inflight Service Committee now represents both pre-merger airlines, but management still makes service decisions that affect each group of Flight Attendants differently. This update covers changes for both Hawaiian- and Alaska-branded flying, but is specific to aircraft flown by pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines crews. As the work of the merger progresses, we […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026

Our JNC met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC focused on clarifying questions about moving expenses and presented a proposal for Sick Leave, using feedback from Flight Attendants to guide improvements. The Committee is working to incorporate the strongest elements from both contracts to ensure better support for all members.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, March 24, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – March 2026

On Thursday, March 19, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Bradley Young (SFO), Carin Merritt (LAX pmAS), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Deb Wallstrom (ANC), Eva Gatus […]

Hawaiian Seattle Domicile Council 43 and Council 47 Meeting Recap

The Negotiating Committee continues to advocate for clear and consistent guidelines regarding moving expenses and reimbursement for Flight Attendants. Despite management’s refusal to participate in recent meetings, the committee remains committed to addressing members’ concerns and ensuring contractual compliance. As the grievance process moves forward, Flight Attendants are encouraged to document their interactions and stay engaged in upcoming opportunities to seek clarification from management.

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