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[AS] MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Vacancy

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

The Master Executive Council (MEC) announces a vacancy for the position of MEC Scheduling Committee chairperson. On Thursday afternoon, Zac Weeks offered and the MEC accepted his resignation as MEC Scheduling Committee chairperson, effective immediately. The MEC wishes Zac the best in his future endeavors and thanks him for his service to AFA.

The MEC is currently determining a succession plan for the position, and we will provide an update once a decision has been made. In the meantime, continue to utilize your local Scheduling Committee members or Local Executive Council officers for scheduling-related issues.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

New Council 19 Seattle and Council 39 Portland Officers Begin Term of Office

Newly elected Council 19 Seattle and Council 39 Portland Local Executive Council (LEC) officers began their term of office on July 1, 2017. Nominations and elections for these positions were held this spring. These officers will serve a three-year term from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020, consistent with AFA Election Category II.

Council 19 Seattle

Incoming Council 19 SEA LEC officers are President Terry Taylor, Vice President Jake Jones, Secretary Adam Clarey, Council Representative Megan Brown and Council Representative Melinda Jorge. Congratulations to Jake Jones for reelection to the office of LEC vice president and to former Council Representative Adam Clarey for election to the office of LEC secretary. Biographies for each can be found on the Council 19 officers page at afaalaska.org.

The MEC recognizes outgoing LEC President Laura Masserant, Secretary Linda Christou and Council Representative Stephanie Adams for their work and dedication in their previous roles. Linda Christou continues to serve as Master Executive Council (MEC) secretary-treasurer and Stephanie Adams continues to serve as MEC Grievance Committee chairperson.

Council 39 Portland

Incoming Council 39 PDX LEC officers are President Mario de’Medici, Vice President Krystle Berry and Secretary Alan Sousa. Biographies for each officer can be found on the Council 39 officers page at afaalaska.org.

The MEC recognizes outgoing LEC President Cathy Gwynn, Vice President Steven Maller and Secretary Bob Moore for their work and dedication in their previous roles. Bob Moore continues to serve as MEC Uniform Committee chairperson.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Notes from 6/21/17 Base Meeting

The first item of business was to review the proposed AFA budget for 2017/2018 which is to be voted on at this years AFA BOD meeting in PHX.

Those present asked Brice, to represent us with a vote he believes to be in the best interest of the members.

Committee Reports

Uniform – Denise Sheldon

  •     Uniform wear testing is scheduled Oct/Nov 2017
  •     Proposed fashion show media blitz – waiting on date
  •    T-shirt distributing starting now through June 30
  •    Wear dates July 1-4 through Labor Day weekend on the weekends (Friday-Sunday)
  •    Next quarterly meeting in SEA is Aug 9.

​Air Safety, Health & Security – Ken Hawkins

  •  Lots of feedback regarding the new F/D guard procedure, F/A’s and Pilots generally feel this is a reduction in security. Many pilots instructing F/A’s to follow old procedures inflight
  • Committee sent complaint letter to Andy regarding the (lack of) communication with the pilots.
  • Feedback received regarding the use of catering cart blocking forward jump seat – to be discussed at next BSM.
  • Trash management via Mexico – reports of F/A’s from other bases filling aft lav’s with trash due to lack of trash management.
  • Positive feedback received from F/A’s regarding crew briefings – this is a focus item on 2017 Recurrent Training and it is resulting in more required briefings being done.
  • SAN Gate 16 trip hazard reported to Claudia who had the Airport Authority replace the rubberized flooring, solving the problem.
  • The F/A manual VX/AS merge process in ongoing and is should be completed by year-end
  • A new Space Bin assist lever, called “BAM” (bin assist mechanism) is being installed which will make it easier to close the new bins (similar to the assist lever on the original bins.)
  • New on-line injuries report form, which will replace the paper based I-21 will be rolled out shortly. It should improve the flow of information to/from management and committee is working to improve the first version of it.
  • Numerous reports of bed bugs have finally resulted in a change in layover hotel for HNL.
  • New FC champagne being boarded with a screw off top that is actually a plastic cork –(unlike the Salmon Creek brand) the pressurization will cause the cork to fly off as it’s being opened unless you keep a hold on it.
  • Air contamination continues to be a problem with several reported each month – crews are reminded to keep the AFA Air Quality quick reference card with them and to report AQ issues to pilots immediately.
  • New uniform wear testing to begin in October 2017 – uniform committee members and ASHSC chairs to be wear testers.

​Benefits – Sonia Quackenbush

  • There are some important things to remember when going on a medical leave.
  • First, never let your sick bank go below 60 TFP.  This minimum amount will ensure you can remain on payroll for up to six months and maintain your health insurance until you qualify for long-term disability.
  • Second, if you are on a medical leave and need to maintain your health insurance you must send in a check for the premiums, they are no longer taken out of your paycheck.  Watch for correspondence from Cobra Management Services.
  • Third, there is currently an issue over the ability to use minimum TFP while on maternity leave/parental leave.  A grievance has been filed and hopefully a resolution will be reached soon.  I wish I had more/better information but there is nothing more to say at this time.
  • Lastly, if you have any questions, concerns, need guidance please reach out to me.  I am here to help.

​

Sonia Quackenbush

Cell: 951-252-5707

Email: squack22@gmail.com

​

Scheduling – Jacob Rahn

  • JCT is still having problems. Many grievances have been filed that are being worked on and more coming in.
  • There is a big update scheduled for next week and then every six weeks another update.
  • SAN needs to increase by another 300 FA’s in order for the TCN to increase. Will be staying at 3 for a while.
  • Navtech is working on an update, called Navblue, and we will probably not see it until 2018.
  • Personal Drops and Charter Bids are moving to Sharepoint next week.
  • Still having issues with Payroll and inconsistencies. Meeting scheduled with Denia soon to discuss and hopefully, work on solutions to the problems.
  • Denia has asked for a scheduling manager, someone who can monitor the floor in scheduling.
  • Some VX schedulers are coming to SEA and we are sending some of our schedulers down to SFO.

​

Inflight Service– Chase Vandergrift

  • Frustration with feeling that nothing is being done. This is a combination of Inflight not knowing what Marketing is doing vice versa. That being said, then the AFA Committee Chair and members cannot accomplish anything.
  • Having issues with SAN catering as well as BOS.
  • Hawaii flights are running out of supplies.
  • Not aware of any major changes coming down the pike.
  • Hoping that the test flights working on the FC pre-order service are successful.

​

Hotel – Kanani Vallot

  • New Hotel in HNL. Starting August 1st, going to a Hilton in Waikiki Beach.
  • Renewals coming up in CUN/YVR/GEG.
  • There is frustration that the site inspections are not being doled out more fairly. Would like to see the “nice” destination property inspections be given to others beside Laura and Jodi.
  • Issues with API and new Company Representation. The company is starting to disregard our hotel standards such as restaurant amenities and basic safety issues. Pushing Holidays Inns and like properties.
  • Having transportation issues at some properties for late arriving crews. Some hotels discontinue airport shuttle service later in the evening and this leaves some crews without rides to their hotel.
  • Make sure to write up EVERYTHING through Crew Care! If you just tell a supervisor or send a regular email to someone, it does not count!

​

EAP – Jean Sharrock

  • EAP in San Diego consists of Jean Sharrock, Shari Clark, Lisa Rhodes, and Ava McWilliams.  They have been busy addressing the needs of our SAN flight attendants.
  • FADAP is a conference-teaching mentors to deal with Flight attendant drug and alcohol addiction. This year it will be in Baltimore with Jean and Ava In Attendance.
  • If you think a co-worker may need assistance with addiction please call them. If flight attendants are having problems at work or at home, it affects the whole workgroup. Please don’t be afraid to seek help.
  • The committee has had many opportunities to further their education via trainings and webinars.

​

Reserve – Kristen Yermakov

  • We just had our Quarterly Reserve Meeting on the 15th and although there weren’t too many SAN specific issues, generally they’ve identified a few glitches now that reserve posting and trading has been added to Crew Access. Any glitches were noted, including lineholders trading trips for reserve days and inability to grab reserve days etc. Grant said he would get together with Zac for further testing of the functionality of some of these concerns.
  • One SAN specific issue I brought up was our Last Base Flight Daily report being inaccurate Mon-Fri. It lists the last base turn being Seattle, which lands at 11:48 pm. With the debrief this would not be legal for a one day reserve. This prevents reserves good for one day from being released after the 3:25 report PDX which is the correct base turn to commute home etc. They are looking into adjusting it.
  • We also had a broader picture discussion regarding Crew Scheduling’s ability to process manual trades for legal grabs, trades, splits etc. Depending on the scheduler, when a reserve or LH for that matter contacts scheduling about a legitimate trade or split that crew access isn’t allowing, the scheduler will say that they can’t do it and tell them to open a ticket. Since most of these transactions are time sensitive, it is of course very frustrating to the FA. While there are some work arounds for these issues, they are not consistently followed by all schedulers. Grant expressed genuine concern in being fair with the FAs, while not overwhelming his schedulers with tons of manual trades. We’re hoping they’ll be a shift so that schedulers are able to accommodate these legal trades and grabs until crew access adequately reflects our contract

​

Important to know – Melanie Buker

  • Reporting Workers Compensation and filing an i-21 will change around July 17th, look for more information in a bulletin being issued soon.
  • The most accurate place to see your TFP flown is in your Status Report. While logged into JCT, look at the upper left hand drop down, click on Reports>Reports on Demand > Published Rosters>Put in the date and hit generate. It will show you everything flown to this date. Always make sure to cross check your pay sheet to this information.
  • We created a bulletin board in Inflight crew room with the most common questions we are asked, be sure to check it out and snap shot anything of interest.

​

​

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[AS] Early Push Program Grievance Filed and Sustained

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

In the “Early Push Program” membership release dated May 11, 2017, the Master Executive Council (MEC) communicated our concerns about that program. Unfortunately, the situation did not significantly improve in the weeks following that communication, so AFA filed Grievance No. 36-99-2-37-17 “Violation of §8.D.1 Early Push Program” on June 1, 2017. In fact, you provided the MEC with numerous examples of posted boarding times that had been adjusted to more than 45 minutes prior to departure, which, in our opinion, is a clear violation of §8.D.1 of the contract.

AFA requested Alaska Airlines management to investigate the circumstances surrounding when the Company altered Flight Attendants’ scheduled departures 10 minutes earlier than scheduled, thereby pressuring Flight Attendants to arrive at the aircraft 55 minutes prior to departure rather than 45 minutes. AFA received great news on Tuesday: Management sustained the grievance, which means management agreed the contract was violated.

In the grievance response addressed to MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams, management writes:

Stephanie, we have asked airport services to move from a 10-minute early boarding to 5 minutes in the case of early pushes only. By pushing this from D-50 to D-45, we will be contractually compliant. Therefore, we requested and were guaranteed that departures be posted no greater than 5 minutes early instead of 10 effective immediately.

Management affirms that you are under no contractual obligation to arrive at the aircraft earlier than 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure. AFA continues to take the position that it is acceptable to begin boarding right at 45 minutes prior to departure for “early push” flights—but only if all required safety checks and the Flight Attendant briefing have been completed and the entire Flight Attendant crew voluntarily agrees without feeling pressured. Allowing boarding to commence right at 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure adds a few extra minutes to help out the operation (as compared to regular boarding).

Now that the grievance has been sustained, contact one of your local AFA representatives or file a report at http://support.afaalaska.org as soon as possible if you believe your van time has been adjusted in anticipation of an early push, your report time is changed or if you experience pressure to board earlier than 45 minutes prior to departure.

In Solidarity,

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

[AS] AFA Alaska System Board of Adjustment Interviews

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

The Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for one (1) member to serve on the AFA System Board of Adjustment.

Scope

Members are to serve on the System Board of Adjustment for the purpose of arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise under the terms of the Agreement between Alaska Airlines and its Flight Attendants.

Policy/Responsibilities

  • There shall be two members selected by the MEC from active members in good standing to represent the Association. Members will be selected at-large without regard to Local Council or domicile.
  • Any person seeking a position as a System Board of Adjustment Member must submit a resume. Candidates must interview with the MEC.
  • System Board Members shall be selected for a two (2) year appointment period in accordance with the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. At least one appointment will be reviewed in June of each year.  Selection shall be made, insofar as possible, to ensure that both members will not be new at the same time.
  • The System Board Members will act in the best interest of the membership and the Association and will be consistent with the Agreement between the Flight Attendants and Alaska Airlines.
  • The MEC President shall have the ability, in the event of an emergency, to appoint a qualified member in good standing to fill an ad hoc position on the Board, should the alternate not be available.
  • The MEC on an ad hoc basis, by majority vote, may appoint an expert as a substitute for one member of the System Board of Adjustment.

Qualifications

  • Current Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant
  • Willingness to attend the requisite grievance training(s)
  • In depth knowledge of the contract
  • Understanding of the principles of just cause
  • Adherence to Grievance Committee policies, procedures, and standards of ethical conduct
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and personal information
  • Maintenance of member-in-good-standing status
  • Ability to remain in good standing with the company
  • Ability to analyze written data and information with high attention to detail
  • Strong written and communication skills
  • Strong computer skills.

Expressing Interest and Interviewing Schedule

Interviews will be conducted during the July MEC meeting on Tuesday, July 25 at the AFA Alaska MEC office in Seattle.

To express interest for the position, please submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, July 14, 2017.  Linda will be able to provide additional information regarding transportation and booking of flights if necessary.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; LEC Presidents-Elect Terry Taylor and Mario de’Medici; and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

Refreshed Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) Distribution

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Management has recently informed our Master Executive Council (MEC) that they are distributing new Inflight Mobile Devices (IMDs) to Flight Attendants with devices nearing the end of their lifecycle. The specific schedule for this distribution will be communicated by management separately. Flight Attendants with the oldest devices […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 23, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Airlines Corporate Headquarters to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), […]

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants We’re excited to introduce the first 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 […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025

On Thursday, September 18, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing efforts to represent our Flight Attendants and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular meeting was centered […]

Vacation Survey Closing Soon

There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the crucial vacation survey that will help shape future provisions—your insights are essential for advocating the best outcomes for all Flight Attendants. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Wednesday, September 24 at 12 PM PT.

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