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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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AFA Alaska Special Update – November 2, 2020

AFA Alaska Special Update – November 2, 2020

In this Edition

  • Vote!
  • The Jobs Crisis Does Not Stop for the Election

Vote!

Government Affairs

High voter turnout by union members helps increase the power of our solidarity. Visit vote411.org/afacwa for helpful election information. Election Day is Tuesday—please vote on or before November 3rd!

The Jobs Crisis Does Not Stop for the Election

Government Affairs

WATCH: AFA International President Sara Nelson’s most recent update >

We absolutely should have had our Payroll Support Program (PSP) extension prior to the Senate being adjourned. There is overwhelming bipartisan support for our PSP extension — because of our actions. Instead, 100,000 aviation workers are still without a paycheck, some without healthcare. 

This crisis does not stop because of an election, and we cannot wait until a new Congress for relief. We are not giving up. We are continuing to demand relief and right now our airlines are sticking with us. 

#ReliefNow #ExtendPSP #EveryDayCounts

Click here for more information about what you can do >

AFA Alaska Negotiations Update – October 24, 2020

AFA Alaska Negotiations Update – October 24, 2020

Master Executive Council

In This Edition

  • Recap
  • Negotiations Delayed Until 2021
  • Final Full Pay Scale Increase of 2.5% Effective December 17, 2020
  • Contract and Negotiations Education

Recap

The contract is amendable in December 2021, but negotiations may start one year prior to the amendable date if notice is served by either party (AFA or management) at least 60 days prior to December 17, 2020. The Master Executive Council (MEC) completed first round interviews in March and April with potential Negotiating Committee candidates. However, it will be no surprise to anyone that the bargaining ‘landscape’ has significantly changed over the past several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Negotiations Delayed Until 2021

In consultation with AFA Collective Bargaining, the MEC and Alaska Airlines management have agreed to hold off on engaging in negotiations until 2021. Neither party believes that entering into negotiations at this time would be productive. Consequently, we are currently working on an alternative date, and the MEC will provide an updated timeline once AFA and Alaska Airlines management have formally agreed to the details.

Final Full Pay Scale Increase of 2.5% Effective December 17, 2020

As a reminder, the contract provides a 2.5% increase to the entire Step Rates of Pay scale effective December 17, 2020, which is the final scale increase scheduled to occur pursuant to Section 21.A [Step Rates of Pay]. Refer to the last (i.e. righthand) column in Section 21.A for the applicable rates.

However, Flight Attendants who are not yet at the Year 16 Step Rate (i.e. top of scale) will continue to receive a pay increase on the anniversary of their Flight Attendant Occupational Seniority Date, if applicable, pursuant to Section 21.B [Anniversary Step Increases…] and Letter of Agreement 7 (“Virgin America ‘Red Circle’ Pay Rates”). Flight Attendants will also continue to be eligible for Longevity Premium upon achieving the applicable number of years of Occupational Seniority pursuant to Section 21.C [Longevity Premium].

Contract and Negotiations Education

AFA will take the intervening time until negotiations begin to provide periodic contract and negotiations education updates. Those efforts will start as soon as we have an updated negotiations timeline.

Next Up

(Order is subject to change)

  • Updated Negotiations Timeline
  • Railway Labor Act Negotiations Overview
  • Negotiating for Our Future
  • Block hours vs. TFP
  • Block or Better vs. Block Delay
  • Incentive Pay vs. Productivity Premium Program (PPP)
  • Inflight Team Leader (ITL) Pay vs. “A” Pay

AFA Special Update – October 2, 2020

AFA Special Update – October 2, 2020

In This Edition

  • November 2020 Staffing and Scheduling
  • #ExtendPSP #ReliefNow

November 2020 Staffing and Scheduling

Master Executive Council

Very time-sensitive information to report here! At AFA’s request, management has sent an email (“Base Transfers – November”) to Company email addresses, sent another email to involuntarily furloughed (IVF’d) Flight Attendants’ respective personal email addresses on file with the Company, and posted an alert and Informational Bulletin 2020-0096 on the World of Inflight (AAG SSO login required).

Involuntary Furlough Update

See the emailed version of this special update sent to personal email addresses on file with AFA Alaska for the latest developments regarding involuntary furloughs.

Vacancy Bids (Base Transfers)

Inflight is anticipating that vacancy bids (i.e. base transfers) will be awarded in all six domiciles for November. The base transfer bidding window will be extremely shortened, with bids closing on Monday morning. Base transfer forms can be located on the World of Inflight -> Schedule & Bidding -> Line Bidding -> Base Transfer Request Form (AAG SSO login required). Vacancy bids (base transfer requests) must be submitted by Monday, October 5th at 0900 PT.

Revised Bidding Timeline

The PBS bidding timeline for November is being pushed by one day to October 6-11. However, this will not affect the posting or trading timelines. Details as follows:

  • Oct. 5 – Vacancy bids (base transfer requests) close 0900 PT
  • Oct. 6 – PBS bids open 0900 PT
  • Oct. 11 – PBS bids close 0900 PT
  • Oct. 13 – PBS awards complete by 0900 PT
  • Oct. 14 – PBS bid protest complete and schedules final by 0900 PT
  • Oct. 14 – Schedules posted in JCTE as scheduled
  • Oct. 15 – FA to FA trading as scheduled
  • Oct. 16 – Open Time as scheduled
  • Oct. 17 – Out of domicile as scheduled

#ExtendPSP #ReliefNow

Government Affairs

Republicans Blocked Payroll Support Program Extension Act From Moving Forward

Watch President Sara Nelson’s October 2nd video update >

Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Flight Attendant champion and honorary AFA member issued a statement after Republicans blocked H.R. 8504, the Payroll Support Program Extension Act, from moving forward. Click here for more >

TAKE ACTION!

Call Congress

SENATE: 888-848-4824
HOUSE: 888-907-9365

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to tell my (Senator/Representative) that aviation workers are out of time. Furloughs have begun and we only have days to reverse course. We need a clean extension of the Payroll Support Program NOW. Without an extension of this successful jobs program, there is no backstop for layoffs. This is just the start. Inaction is not an option. We are out of time. #ExtendPSP now. Get it done. Thank you.”

Write Congress

Send a letter to your Representative and two Senators: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/save-aviation-jobs

Tweet Congress (and add pictures of you in uniform to each!)

We’ve made it easy to Tweet at your lawmakers. Click here to get started. 

Or, you can copy and paste the following Tweets into your Twitter. 

  • Massive layoffs have begun for Flight Attendants & aviation workers. We only have a few days to reverse course. Extend the Payroll Support Program NOW, [tag your Senators/Representative]! Pass #ReliefNow to save my job & healthcare! #ExtendPSP
  • I’m one of thousands of furloughed Flight Attendants who needs [tag your Senators/Representative] to act to extend the Payroll Support Program TODAY. We need #ReliefNow! #ExtendPSP
  • Tell your personal story using the hashtags #ReliefNow and #ExtendPSP

If you do not know your Senators or Representatives’ Twitter handles you can find them here! Don’t have Twitter, set up an account today to take action. Here’s how >

AFA Special Update – September 30, 2020

AFA Special Update – September 30, 2020

In This Edition

  • A Message for Our Departing Early Out Flight Attendants
  • With Hours to Furlough Cliff, Flight Attendants Demand #ReliefNow
  • TAKE ACTION: Keep Calling, Keep Tweeting. Let’s Get It Done.

A Message for Our Departing Early Out Flight Attendants

Master Executive Council

It’s hard to believe it is finally time to say goodbye to our departing Early Out Flight Attendants. The collective efforts of our most senior Early Out Flight Attendants have made it possible for the opportunity to enjoy lifetime careers as Flight Attendants, to be respected as safety professionals and to be recognized as Aviation’s First Responders. Thank you for blazing the trail for all of us—we truly stand on the shoulders of giants!

For many of us, we have never known a time when you were not available to provide your guidance, encouragement and comfort. We will endeavor to continue the fine traditions that you have pioneered. With the greatest of respect, we offer our gratitude for your years of service, wisdom and grace. You will be deeply missed!

With Hours to Furlough Cliff, Flight Attendants Demand #ReliefNow

Government Affairs Committee

COVID relief negotiations continue in Congress

See AFA’s latest media statement regarding #ReliefNow >

Watch: President Sara Nelson’s Latest Video Update >

COVID relief negotiations continue in Congress. Alaska Airlines management has confirmed involuntary furloughs are moving forward as the CARES Act Payroll Support Program (PSP) expires at midnight tonight. Some hope remains as talks continue and airlines confirm reversal if Congressional agreement is reached within days. Click here for more information in the latest AFA Interactive >

TAKE ACTION: Keep Calling, Keep Tweeting. Let’s Get It Done.

Call Congress

SENATE: 888-848-4824
HOUSE: 888-907-9365

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to tell my (Senator/Representative) that aviation workers are out of time. Furloughs have begun and we only have days to reverse course. We need a clean extension of the Payroll Support Program NOW. Without an extension of this successful jobs program, there is no backstop for layoffs. This is just the start. Inaction is not an option. #ReliefNow for the whole country. Get it done. Thank you.”

Tweet Your Representative and Senators (add pictures of you in uniform to each!):

We’ve made it easy to Tweet at your lawmakers. Click here to get started. Or, you can copy and paste the following Tweets into your Twitter. 

  • Massive layoffs have begun for Flight Attendants & aviation workers. We only have a few days to reverse course. Extend the Payroll Support Program NOW, [tag your Senators/Representative]! Pass #ReliefNow to save my job & healthcare! #ExtendPSP
  • I’m one of thousands of furloughed Flight Attendants who needs [tag your Senators/Representative] to act to extend the Payroll Support Program TODAY. We need #ReliefNow! #ExtendPSP
  • Tell your personal story using the hashtags #ReliefNow and #ExtendPSP

If you do not know your Senators or Representatives’ Twitter handles you can find them here! Don’t have Twitter, set up an account today to take action. Here’s how >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management this week to continue bargaining sessions in Seattle, WA. Discussions focused on narrowing issues in Leaves of Absence, Association General, and reviewing vacation provisions as part of the joint contract process.

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

On Monday, December 8, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Trista Vanta (SFO), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). MEC Human […]

Staying Balanced During The Holidays

Let joy, not pressure, lead the way. The holiday season is a special time for joy, connection, and celebration. But let’s be honest—it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, even for the most grounded among us. With family gatherings, work commitments, and financial worries, finding balance isn’t always easy. Here are some practical tips to […]

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