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AFA Alaska-Virgin America Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Prepares to Meet with Management This Week

This week will mark the start of merger negotiations with management. The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) will attend AFA negotiations training in Seattle at the beginning of the week. The JNC is comprised of three Flight Attendants appointed by the MEC: two Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, Jennifer Wise MacColl and Lindsey Steele, and one Virgin America Flight Attendant, Jamie Cogen. MEC President Jeffrey Peterson is chairperson of the committee and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo rounds out the committee as the professional negotiator. After training and preparation early in the week, the first meeting with management will occur on Wednesday and Thursday.

This initial session will be confined to discussing transition issues necessary to combine Flight Attendants at each carrier into one employee group and covered by a single collective bargaining agreement. The occasion will also provide an opportunity to get further details from management on merger plans and updated timelines and to reaffirm AFA’s position that we are looking for targeted improvements. However, discussing specific improvements will not be a subject for this first meeting and will be addressed later.

Keep in mind that merger negotiations are a different process than regular negotiations. These talks are not under the jurisdiction of the National Mediation Board or Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, and neither side believes that the entire contract is open for discussion. Discussions will focus on a short list of items, and all the provisions in our Contract (pay raises, etc) will continue in force.

What are some of the transition issues necessary to merge the two Flight Attendant groups?

  • How VX FAs will transition to the uniform and how uniform points will translate.
  • How sick leave will be converted.
  • How transition (aircraft differences) training will be accomplished for AS and VX FAs.
  • Attendance policy – how points will be handled for past occurrences for VX FAs.
  • Ensure that VX FAs get credit for “time served” on probation and are not subject to another probationary period on the Alaska side.
  • Confirm that the VX FAs will retain their vacation slots.
  • How 401(k) plans will be transitioned.
  • …and more.

There are many items that must be carefully considered so VX and AS Flight Attendants will be on equal footing in relation to the many provisions in the Alaska contract. The Joint Negotiating Committee and management will work to define the scope of transition issues that must be addressed. Again, the parties will take up this task before discussing improvements. We know you will be very interested in knowing more about AFA’s bargaining objectives and potential “improvements,” but it is too early in the process to discuss those in a meaningful way. Once the JNC completes talks this week and defines the strategy going forward, we will provide you with another update.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

Combatting Rising Tensions in the Cabin

The past couple of months have been incredibly challenging for Flight Attendants after back-to-back in-cabin disturbances in the US were broadcast on social media. Those disturbances subsequently “broke the internet” and were widely carried by news outlets. The mob mentality response to the video clips, with little correct information about the incidents, has put Flight Attendants in the cross hairs. AFA immediately focused on a national de-escalation to keep travelers from coming to the plane with bias against crewmembers and the authority we must maintain to keep everyone safe.

Reinforcing Our Role as Aviation’s First Responders

AFA’s message in the media and on Capitol Hill has been to remind the public and our legislators that Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders charged with the safety, health and security of the passengers in our care. AFA has cited the ever-shrinking personal space in main cabins and minimum staffing as some of the contributing factors to these recent incidents.

In case you missed it, the Today Show recently featured Flight Attendants talking about their perspective on conditions in the cabin. Flight Attendants reminded Matt Lauer and the public about the good job aviation’s first responders do to usher millions safely and efficiently to their destinations every single day. Matt Lauer reiterated this point to millions of viewers who also fly on our planes!

Watch the full interview >

Passenger Incident Reporting Form

AFA has been receiving reports from Flight Attendants about a variety of situations in which they are feeling harassed by passengers. It is imperative that AFA begin collecting confidential data on these types of confrontations so that we can more effectively advocate on your behalf to management, regulators, legislators and the media. For instance, we want to know: (1) How frequently are passengers videotaping us, (2) What exactly are they filming and (3) Are they trying to incite emotions from Flight Attendants by saying or doing inappropriate things?

If you or your fellow Flight Attendants experience concerning behavior from a passenger(s), please take a moment to fill out a confidential reporting form by clicking on the following link. The form is very simple to complete. Filling out this form is optional (although greatly appreciated) and does not relieve you of other reporting requirements indicated in your Flight Attendant manual.

Passenger Incident Reporting Form »

*** If AFA releases any of the data to third parties, be assured we will remove any and all identifying information so that confidentiality is strictly maintained. ***

Thank you very much in advance for assisting AFA in combatting rising tensions in the cabin. Fly safe and continue to look out for each other.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements – Part 2

This message is for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA met with the Virgin America leadership team (management) and Alaska Airlines management on Friday, June 2nd in Seattle, WA as follow up to the Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements discussions a month ago. Representing the Virgin America (VX) leadership team: Vice President of Inflight & Guest Services Jeff Butler and Managing Director of Inflight Valerie Jenkins; representing Alaska Airlines: Vice President of Inflight & Call Center Services Andy Schneider; representing both carriers: Vice President of Labor Relations Greg Mays and Managing Director of Labor Relations-Air Elizabeth Ryan; and representing the Association of Flight Attendants: MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Council 35 VX President Melissa Osborne and Senior Staff Attorney and Negotiator Kimberley Chaput. The meeting was successful, and plans were made to continue discussions on interim improvements in the near future.

Grievance and Arbitration Procedure

AFA and the leadership team agreed to a grievance and arbitration procedure (System Board). Effective June 1st, any Virgin America Flight Attendant who is given a corrective action (discipline) or terminated can have an AFA representative at all investigatory meetings and grievance hearings; s/he can file a grievance, and s/he will have access to a neutral arbitrator to decide the merits of the case if AFA takes the case forward. AFA can also file a ‘contractual’ grievance if management violates any terms of the AFA VX Interim Improvements Letter of Agreement (4/27/2017) or any other signed agreement we may reach in the future.

Virgin America Flight Attendants can now be disciplined only for cause, and management must prove its case—just like at Alaska Airlines. Discipline will still be issued, and terminations will be upheld if warranted. However, having an established grievance procedure will take the randomness and potential unfairness out of the equation. Disciplinary cases will be reviewed and decided based on objective evidence rather than subjective perception.

AFA VX Grievance Procedures and System Board of Adjustment Letter of Agreement (6/2/2017) »

It is basically the same grievance-related provisions as those reached between the Virgin America leadership team and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) negotiating team. The grievance-related provisions in the TWU VX Tentative Agreement (TA) were in turn essentially identical to the Section (§) 19 Grievance and §20 Board of Adjustment provisions in the AFA Alaska contract.

If you are called into a meeting in which discipline is pending or is a possibility, your supervisor should tell you that you have the right to an AFA representative. If not, please contact your Council 35 officers so arrangements can be made for a qualified representative to be present with you in the meeting.

While many Flight Attendants go their whole career without ever encountering the disciplinary system, a grievance procedure is at the core of union representation. Historically, a grievance procedure is a benefit provided within a collective bargaining agreement. However, AFA has achieved this benefit for you outside of a contract. AFA is committed to collecting no union dues until you have the protections of being covered under a full contract. As a reminder, a full contract must be ratified by a majority of members in good standing. Management has stated that at this point in the merger process, it is shifting focus to achieving a full contract for VX F/As in the context of a merged agreement and an integrated seniority list.

Commuter Policy

AFA and the leadership team recognize that a large percentage of Virgin America Flight Attendants commute. AFA and management also agree that Flight Attendants regularly encounter difficulties commuting to SFO, JFK and LAX, due to the high probability of encountering delays at these airports. Although sick leave is not directly tied to commuting challenges, management is alarmed at Flight Attendants’ sick leave usage—particularly in JFK—and they are concerned about being able to staff flights. AFA is definitely interested in a commuter policy, and the leadership team is willing to explore a commuter policy if it is mutually beneficial to all parties—and especially if it will improve operational reliability.

AFA advocated that the Company should implement the Get Going Policy established in the TWU VX Tentative Agreement. The leadership team’s concern with the Get Going Policy is that it was agreed to in exchange for enhanced reserve utilization and other items negotiated into the TA. The parties discussed a couple ideas, but management was reluctant to implement a ‘standalone’ (outside of a full contract) commuter policy without fully understanding the impact to the operation. Although we did not establish a commuter policy this session, the parties agreed to do additional research and connect in the next few weeks to continue discussions.

Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy Update

As you might recall, AFA and the leadership team agreed in the AFA VX Interim Improvements Letter of Agreement (4/27/2017) to implement the Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy for Virgin America F/As. The Alaska PED policy would allow you to use your PED while commuting or jumpseating, and, under stricter rules, during downtime while working. As mentioned in “Council 35 News – May 29, 2017,” the PED policy is located within the VX Inflight Manual (IFM). Any changes to the IFM are subject to FAA approval and must be made in a scheduled revision. The leadership team confirmed the Company is slated to adopt the Alaska PED policy in the August IFM revision.

Relaxing hair standards

AFA continues to advocate for relaxing the hair standards to the Alaska Airlines policy. The Alaska standard is to allow hair to be down when not doing a beverage/meal service and to be secured back during service. The leadership team explained that it needs to finesse the Virgin America brand expectations with regard to Flight Attendant appearance standards and the fact that VX has continuous on demand food service. However, AFA has convinced the leadership team to adopt the Alaska standard. It may take a couple months, but management is willing to go there.

Crossing seatbelts

AFA advocated to the leadership team that eliminating the seatbelt crossing and cleaning requirements would be a very welcomed improvement for Virgin America Flight Attendants. Management agreed and has communicated to AFA that the requirement to cross and clean seatbelts will change by the end of the year.

Pass travel and jumpseats

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Flight Attendants can travel on each other’s jumpseats for pleasure travel or to commute. The leadership team is open to the possibility of adding Virgin America to this reciprocal policy. In order to adopt a reciprocal jumpseat agreement, VX F/As will need to be entered into the Jumpseat Access and Control System (JACS). JACS is the program used to confirm whether an individual is jumpseat qualified. It is anticipated that VX F/As will be loaded into JACS by the time the carriers achieve Single Operating Certificate, which is currently estimated in early 2018. AFA believes that all our AFA sisters and brothers within Alaska Air Group (Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) should enjoy reciprocal cabin jumpseat agreements between all our respective carriers.

AFA and the leadership team agreed that VX Flight Attendants should be able to sit on VX (own metal) jumpseats out of uniform. The parties also agreed that pass riding Flight Attendants should be treated as much as possible like guests (e.g. ability to sleep and/or use the IFE, Wi-Fi or one’s PED) when traveling in uniform (e.g. deadheading and commuting). The leadership team has communicated to AFA that both improvements will be scheduled for IFM revision cycle 4, estimated in October.

Miscellaneous improvements

AFA sought several additional potential interim improvements. AFA advocated for revisiting items in the TWU VX Tentative Agreement that had been ready for implementation if the TA had ratified. These included but were not limited to the ability to drop below the minimum requirement of 70 hours per month by trading to another Flight Attendant, changes to Reserve rest and mid-sequence & deadhead report times. Management reiterated that it is now focusing on merger negotiations, so the leadership team is steering away from additional ‘standalone’ compensation and/or rule work improvements other than those already discussed.

AFA also inquired about other work rule improvements aligned with the Alaska policies and procedures and discovered that many of them are already pending as the carriers move towards a merged Inflight manual. Most are scheduled for implementation by October. AFA is going to hold off on listing those improvements for the time being because they are subject to change. Once we have more firm details, we’ll pass those along.

AFA is very encouraged by the overall progress so far. Look for updates regarding interim improvements for VX in future Council 35 communications. If you have any questions, contact your Local Council 35 officers.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

[AS] Layover Hotel and Transportation Reminders

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

The busy summer travel season is nearly upon us and is anticipated to be one of the busiest travel seasons on record.  Along with the increase in travel comes the possibility of irregular operations and things going awry pertaining to layover hotels and transportation.  As a reminder, management has a responsibility to provide hotel accommodations and corresponding transportation to and from the hotel to Flight Attendants on a layover.  This information is contained in section 34 of the contract.

If you have a problem with your hotel or transportation, report it!

Management, in conjunction with their hotel vendor API, uses a website called My Crew Care to collect feedback from crew members on hotel and transportation issues. My Crew Care, can be accessed through the Flight Attendant Website from the main menu > Hotels > Hotel Links > My Crew Care.

In order to take action on issues with layover hotels and transportation, your AFA Hotel Committee needs to know when you have a problem.  Reports submitted through My Crew Care are automatically routed to your AFA Hotel Committee so they can track issues and trends in our layover locations.

Save A Shortcut to My Crew Care on Your IMD

You can save a shortcut to My Crew Care on your IMD so that you have easy access to report hotel or transportation concerns when you’re on the go.  The shortcut will appear just like any app icon on your IMD’s home screen.  When you tap the icon, you’ll be taken directly to the My Crew Care website.

To add My Crew Care as a shortcut on your IMD home screen:

  1. Tap on Alaska Inflight Website
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu
  3. Tap on Hotel & Station
  4. Expand Hotel Links and select My Crew Care
  5. Tap on the Share button at the bottom of the screen
  6. Tap on Add to Home Screen
  7. Change the name to “My Crew Care” and tap on Add
  8. Press and hold until the shortcut icon “wiggles” and move it to your desired home screen

Management has put together a version of this instructions with screenshots included for easy step-by-step reference.  You can access these instructions by clicking here (login required).

First Time Using My Crew Care System?

When you open the My Crew Care site for the first time, you’ll need to register with your alaskaair.com email address.  After registering, the system will send you a confirmation email.  From the confirmation email, click the link to confirm your registration.  Once you complete this registration process, you won’t need to do it again.  API has written a user guide for the My Crew Care system that you can access by clicking here.

Bed Bug Resources

Being aware of bed bugs and other in-room pests is important, especially going into summer.  If you encounter bugs in your hotel room, immediately report the situation to the hotel for resolution and file a report in My Crew Care.  We’ve put together some information about bed bugs, including how to inspect your room for bugs upon arrival and how to tell the difference between bed bugs and other bugs.  You can find these resources through the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska website or by clicking here.

Your Local Hotel Committee Is Here to Help

Members of your Local Hotel Committee are here to assist you with addressing any layover hotel or transportation-related concerns.  You can find contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee, MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson Laura Hinojosa and MEC Hotel Committee Vice Chairperson Jodi Snow

[AS] Jeppesen Crew Access Update

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

This evening at 10 PM, the largest update for Crew Access to date will be installed.  The update, which should take approximately 40 minutes, includes a combination of fixes and new items.  Included are approximately 30+ fixes will directly affect our workgroup.

The most anticipated and long awaited installation is the ability for Reserves to Advertise and Trade in Crew Access. Reserves will no longer have to use the “Reserve Trading Board” after this evening.  Attached to this communication is a PDF which gives instructions on how to Advertise, Grab, Trade, Shift, and Split Reserve blocks and days.

Below is the list of the fixes and enhancements that are included in this evenings update.

  1. Will no longer see Pilot flying preferences when logging into Crew Access.
  2. Lineholder will no longer be able to self-assign trip longer than the reserve block picked up.
  3. Lock on last 5 days of month functional
  4. Hotel reservations no longer lost on call-out
  5. Server clocks are now synced
  6. FA now able to advertise SIP departing more than three hours out
  7. Quick Trip Report – TFP now showing and Times displayed
  8. Premium trips on Published Roster will now show 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 etc.
  9. Hotel information no longer lost on SIPs
  10. “Ignore” button added to Notification window in Crew Access
  11. Days will now show as limited at 10am day prior once self-assigning starts
  12. Sipped trips that do not report on same day as original trip will now show correct day and trip number
  13. Addition of vertical delineation between calendar days
  14. HomeBase filter will no longer show all bases
  15. LAX no longer listed as Co-Terminal on LTFA
  16. Charter rest rules being applied correctly
  17. Notifications that were acknowledged but still popping up will go away
  18. “HTTP method POST not supported” message resolved
  19. Issue of check in time same as departure resolved
  20. Limiting FAs to single session. If logged in twice, you will have some functionally in the first session but will NOT be able to process transactions.
  21. “Enter” key no longer functional when trying to complete consecutive trades

Reserve Specific Changes

  1. Ability to Grab, Trade, Split Reserve days now functional
    • Ability to Direct Trade multiple reserve blocks with another FA
    • Ability to Advertise end of month and/or beginning of next month’s reserve blocks individually.
    • Reserve FAs able to give away their FAS to another FA with the same reserve block and classification
    • Able to direct trade multiple reserve blocks
    • Able to grab multiple reserve blocks
  2. LTFA will recognize start time based on release time of previous trip. 11.5 hours and 9 hours if waived rest.
    • New FAs will now show on LTFA Report
  3. Standalone airport standbys will receive 5.0 TFP
  4. Reserves that self-assign Premium trips will no longer see “1.5, 2.0, 2.5” in Roster or “Premium” in Published Roster

After this installation, we will be receiving regular updates from Jeppesen every six weeks. We still have a laundry list of items and we have been working hard with Alaska Airlines management as well as Jeppesen management to resolve these issues quickly. We appreciate your patience and we will continue to advocate for Flight Attendants and use all resources available to ensure timely fixes.

If you have any questions about this update to Crew Access, please contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Zac Weeks

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that […]

Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives

We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on November 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2025

On Monday, October 13, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Chris Cardenas (LAX), and Kanani Vallot […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected: MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee […]

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