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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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AFA Alaska Update – September 30, 2021

In This Edition

  • URGENT: No More Shutdowns
  • Having Difficulty Working with a Fellow Crew Member?
  • How AFA Dues Deductions Work

URGENT: No More Shutdowns

AFA International

Unless Congress acts before Thursday night (midnight, Friday morning), the federal government will shut down again.

We need to make it clear: federal shutdowns are unacceptable.

Aviation workers ended the shutdown of 2019/2020. Together, we ended the 35-day nightmare of two million people out of work without notice, 400,000 workers forced to come to work without pay, and an increasingly dangerous workspace for the rest of us. We’re not going to stand by while Congress puts us in danger again by failing to do their jobs now.

Call your member of Congress now and demand they fund the government and avert a shutdown and pass legislation that keeps all transportation going.

Shutdowns are dangerous.

  • Transportation Security Officers and Air Traffic Controllers will be forced to work without pay, putting huge stress on workers whose attention to detail keeps us all safe.
  • Investigators who build cases against unruly passengers will be furloughed. Because of the statute of limitations on these investigations, this could mean unruly passengers get off without being investigated at all.
  • Key security personnel who track potential threats will be furloughed, leaving exploitable gaps in aviation security.

This is a safety issue. Flight Attendants are already on the frontlines dealing with a crisis of dangerous passenger behavior. If Congress fails to do their basic job and makes our jobs more dangerous, we will take any necessary action to keep ourselves safe.

Call your members of Congress directly or use the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 to get connected to your Representative and two Senators. Demand they do their job and avoid a shutdown.

Script: Dear Representative/Senator _____, I am a constituent and a Flight Attendant. I cannot do my job if Congress doesn’t do its job. Fund the government and avoid another government shutdown that would put us all in danger. After you fund the government, get to work to ensure we don’t default on our debts and pass the bills that give us the infrastructure we need all over our economy with living wage jobs and basic rights for everyday people. Pass the bipartisan American Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act without delay. We need Washington to do its job so we can do our job too. Thank you.

Keeping the government open is the bare minimum, but there’s much more we need done to solve the problems in front of us today.

You’ve probably heard some of the debate about the two infrastructure bills. The process sounds complicated, but the outcomes are simple. We need Congress to pass BOTH the American Jobs Act, which you may have read about as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework or BIF, and the Build Back Better Act, which reporters are calling the “reconciliation package.”

Here are four key items in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) for Flight Attendants and aviation:

  • Voting Rights: BBBA expands early voting and other voting rights. Flight Attendants are often on trips on Election Day, and we deserve to have our voices heard in our democracy. This will ensure we—and all workers—have the chance to cast our votes.
  • Labor Rights: BBBA makes it easier for workers to come together to form unions, negotiate contracts and hold bad bosses accountable.
    • Creates real financial penalties for employers who retaliate against organizing.
    • Bans Mandatory anti-union meetings.
    • Charges executives who break labor laws so that corporate leaders have real consequences for union busting and violating workers’ rights.
    • Stops companies from retaliating against workers who exercise their right to strike.
  • Expands the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide every worker with up to 12 weeks of comprehensive, paid leave whether caring for themselves or a loved one.
  • Makes union dues tax deductible for all workers, a benefit that was taken away for everyday people in the Trump tax cuts.

Your action today and tomorrow is urgent. We’ll keep updates coming so you have the latest on what’s happening and what we’re doing together to keep each other safe.

Call your Member of Congress now.

Having Difficulty Working with a Fellow Crew Member?

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Quite often, someone doesn’t realize they may have come across as bossy, rude, lazy, etc.  They may in fact be experiencing issues at home, are new and unsure of the job, have just come back from a medical leave and are out of practice, or other life challenges are causing them to not be performing as expected.  If you’re experiencing a similar issue, believe the issue needs to be addressed, and are not comfortable talking one-on-one with the other person, we recommend that you speak to one of our highly trained AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee Members. 

Contact AFA Professional Standards First!

AFA EAP/Professional Standards can help facilitate a conversation between the affected Flight Attendants.  We can offer suggestions on dealing with each other.  We can reach out to Flight Attendants and share the perceptions of their co-workers.   All this is done in a safe and confidential environment.

Professional Standards Can Help with Pilots

AFA Professional Standards maintains a close working relationship with ALPA Professional Standards.  If have a concern or conflict that involves a Pilot, we can refer the issue to ALPA Professional Standards.  Just as AFA Professional Standards responds to every report of a concern, ALPA Professional Standards does the same.

Management Isn’t Involved

Most importantly, it’s handled without involving management.  Often, when a Flight Attendant has an “off” day, it’s due to special circumstances.   If you were in their shoes, you would appreciate your co-worker giving you the benefit of the doubt and leaving management out of the equation.

Who Do I Contact?

If you have a professional standards concern, please reach out to your AFA Local EAP/Professional Standards Committee or call (949) 470-0493.

How AFA Dues Deductions Work

Membership Committee

The Current Month is the Current Dues Month

The paycheck that you receive on the 20th of the month is your pay for all flying activity during the previous month.  Your AFA dues that are deducted from the 20th of the month check, however, cover your dues obligation for the current month.

For Example:

  • Paycheck Date (Advice Date): October 20
  • Flying Pay for (Pay Begin and End Dates): September 1-30 (previous month)
  • AFA Dues Deducted for: October (current month)

For those returning to work from one of the mitigated leaves of absence your dues may not be deducted since you were not active in the previous month. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about dues deductions, please refer to the Membership Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Management vs. State and Local Laws – Part 3

Management vs. State and Local Laws – Part 3

Master Executive Council (MEC), Grievance Committee, Benefits Committee

This is the third in a series reporting on management’s opposition to various state and local laws, the latest developments to complex state law litigations related to these laws that are playing out in Washington and California, and what Flight Attendants can do about it.

Read Part 2 here >

Read Part 1 here >

In This Edition

  • WA Long Term Care (Cares Fund)
  • CA 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

WA Long Term Care (Cares Fund)

Management will unilaterally decline to initiate payroll deductions for flight crew in January 2022

The Washington Cares Fund is the nation’s first state-administered long-term care insurance program. Benefits will be funded by a 0.58% employee-paid payroll tax beginning January 1, 2022. However, Alaska Airlines management has unilaterally taken the position that the WA Cares Fund does not apply to flight crew and therefore will not initiate payroll deductions this coming January. In an email titled “Important Information About Washington’s Long-Term Care Act” (July 8, 2021), management advised all WA-domiciled Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants that flight crew may still consider pursuing a permanent one-time opt-out of the Program and all associated taxes and benefits by obtaining private long-term care insurance prior to the deadline of November 1, 2021. Currently, there is no opt-out option for any employee who becomes domiciled in (i.e., employed in) Washington after the applicable deadlines.

If management will not deduct flight crew contributions, then why bother opting out?

Flight Attendants may eventually change jobs within the Company (i.e., transfer to another position that is not classified as flight crew) or work for other employers within Washington. Additionally, the Company’s position regarding flight crew is currently untested from a legal perspective. It is entirely possible that the courts may eventually require Alaska Airlines to withhold WA Cares Fund payroll contributions on behalf of flight crew.

Grossly unfair to non-resident employees

Although all WA-domiciled flight crew would otherwise theoretically be required to contribute to the fund (except for management’s unilateral position regarding flight crew and certain state and local laws), only Washington residents may utilize Care Fund benefits. This is grossly unfair to non-resident flight crew (i.e., out of state commuters). Consequently, AFA Alaska agrees with and supports ALPA Alaska in filing legal objections with Washington State regarding concerns that the WA Cares Fund violates the Dormant Commerce Clause, which is inferred from Article I of the US Constitution, and the Privileges and Immunities Clause, which is derived from Article IV, Section 2 of the US Constitution. Resolution under this path could take a very long time, so this is another reason that non-resident WA-domiciled flight crew might consider opting out if possible.

Challenges with opting out

Unfortunately, it is extremely challenging to opt out unless you started applying for private insurance many, many months ago—especially if you are younger. AFA is unaware of any private insurers who are currently offering new long-term care policies. Additionally, there is a significant administrative backlog of applications with all known private insurers, so it is very concerning—and unknown—whether all pending policies will be executed prior to the November 1st deadline.

Will I be required to directly contribute to the WA Cares Fund or pay back contributions not made on my behalf?

Quite simply, it is unclear but doubtful. Again, AFA Alaska agrees with and supports ALPA Alaska filing legal objections with Washington State regarding concerns that the WA Cares Fund raises due process problems insofar as the law does not specify who bears consequences for an employer’s failure to remit employee premiums or what those consequences would be. However, there is no mechanism for employees to make direct contributions to the WA Care Fund, and there is no provision in the law to recoup contributions not withheld and made by the employer.

Interestingly, Alaska Airlines management personnel from the People Team (i.e., Human Resources) have advised individual Flight Attendants who have directly inquired with them that the Company would “likely” be required to pay back the contributions owed on behalf of flight crew if Washington State came back and said that flight crew are required to pay such contributions. This is presumably under a scenario in which the State of Washington prevailed in the courts pursuant to this almost-inevitable dispute. However, Alaska Airlines management has not responded to the Association’s inquiry to confirm such guidance prior to publication of this update.

Estimated (theoretical) contributions

$25k gross annual earnings = ~$12/month | $50k gross annual earnings = ~$24/month | $75k gross annual earnings = ~$36/month | $100k gross annual earnings = ~$48/month

CA 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

Up to 80 paid hours for certain COVID-19 related absences from a separate employer-paid sick bank

One of the more notable temporary COVID-19 laws is California’s 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave. The law was effective as of March 29, 2021, was retroactive to January 1, 2021, and ends soon on September 30, 2021.  It states that California employees will be paid up to 80 hours by the employer rather than through the employee’s own sick leave bank for COVID-19 related quarantines, vaccination appointments and vaccine symptoms. Click here for FAQs. Thus far, management has denied all requests from Flight Attendants to comply with the law, e.g., to pay out of the separate COVID-19 sick bank.  

Filing a claim

Any CA-domiciled Flight Attendant who has used Sick Leave for COVID-19 related absences between January 1st and September 30th should file a claim or a report of a labor law violation with the Labor Commissioner’s Office, which is the state agency charged with enforcement. Please file a claim as soon as possible, but our understanding is that the state accepts such claims for up to three years. Flight Attendants also always have the option to hire their own attorney at their own expense if so desired.

AFA Alaska representatives are here to help

Although AFA cannot represent any FAs regarding such claims, we would very much appreciate you keeping us posted on any developments. Outside counsel has already responded to some claims with very official-looking but in our opinion not entirely on point legalese. AFA Alaska representatives are more than willing to help by supplying basic information and tips, and we would cooperate with any requests from claim investigators. Do not let management’s legal tactics put you off from pressing forward with your rightful claim!

AFA Alaska Update – September 17, 2021

In This Edition

  • Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
  • PBS Subcommittee Appointment
  • Why a $5 Starbucks Card is Important to Your Contractual Rights

Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

Human Rights Committee

September 15 marks the first day of Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month in the United States.  The celebration, which is also referred to as National Hispanic Heritage Month, began as Hispanic Heritage week when it was established by legislation that was signed into law by President Lydon Johnson in 1968.  In 1988, the single week event was expanded to a month-long period to be celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15.

September 15 is of significance as it marks the anniversary of independence of the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  Mexico also celebrates independence on September 16, Chile on September 18, and Belize on September 21. 

Learn More About Hispanic-Latinx History

You can learn more about the accomplishments of Hispanic-Latinx Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pins Coming in 2022

The AFA Executive Board recently passed a resolution recognizing Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month and providing for the creation of a new diversity AFA pin in celebration.  You can read the complete text of the resolution by clicking here.  The new pin will be undergo the design and development process over the next year and will be made available in September 2022.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your Local Human Rights Committee.

PBS Subcommittee Appointment

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews this week for an additional PBS Subcommittee Member as previously announced in the August 6 AFA Update email.  The MEC would like to thank the candidates who demonstrated willingness to represent our Flight Attendants. After thorough consideration, the MEC has appointed SAN-based Flight Attendant Steven Patronsky to the position.

About Steve

Representing the membership and upholding contract compliance are the aspects of the work that most excites Steve about being appointed to the PBS Subcommittee. His volunteering history for AFA includes work on the Scheduling and Hotel Committees.  Steve’s recent accomplishments include completing a Master’s Program at the University of Central Florida and remodeling a 50’s era Mid-Century home in Orlando. 

About the Position

The PBS Subcommittee, part of the Scheduling Committee, works with the company and the Inflight Crew Planning Department to maintain the company’s preferential bidding system and oversee the bidding and bid award processes.  The Subcommittee represents and advocates for the MEC position in matters pertaining to bidding and the preferential bidding system.  Additional information about the position and subcommittee can be found by clicking here.

Why a $5 Starbucks Card is Important to Your Contractual Rights

Grievance Committee

In early 2020, our Grievance Committee included information in an AFA Update about a settlement agreement related to management issuing $5 Starbucks cards to ANC-based Flight Attendants for meeting an attendance goal back in 2015.  You can read the original communication from March 25, 2020 by clicking here (scroll to the Grievance Committee Update article, then the Recent Settled Grievances heading).  Due to the pandemic and other administrative issues, management is just now distributing the Starbucks card as agreed upon.

So Why Is This Important?

The issue at hand isn’t so much about the amount of the Starbucks card but rather what management did wrong.  The priority of our Grievance Committee is to ensure that management complies with our collective bargaining agreement (CBA).  In this case, management violated the CBA by awarding gift cards to a particular group of Flight Attendants for having better attendance rates than others without negotiating it with AFA.  Gift cards, which have a dollar value, are considered a form of compensation which is a negotiated part of our CBA.

If our Grievance Committee had failed to address this contractual violation, regardless of how small it may seem, it could open the door to management making other attempts to change our compensation or working conditions in violation of the CBA.  This settlement agreement protects your rights and makes all Flight Attendants equal in terms of the CBA.  Although it may only be $5 to each Flight Attendant, the overall cost to management for the settlement agreement is significant and a reminder not to violate the language in our contract.

Questions?

If you have questions about the settlement agreement or reasoning behind it, please feel free to reach out to your Local Grievance Committee.

Management vs. State and Local Laws – Part 2

Management vs. State and Local Laws – Part 2

Master Executive Council (MEC), Grievance Committee, Benefits Committee

This is the second in a series reporting on management’s opposition to various state and local laws, the latest developments to complex state law litigations related to these laws that are playing out in Washington and California, and what Flight Attendants can do about it.

Read Part 1 here >

In This Edition

  • Definition of Sick Family/Sick Child
  • Applicable State Laws
  • Filing a Claim with the Appropriate Agency

Most Liberal of the Flight Attendant Domicile State Laws Definition of “Sick Family/Sick Child”

The Roberts Decision and LOA 5 Sick Family/Sick Child

AFA arbitrated Grievance No. 36-99-02-49-03 “Family Leave Benefits” in 2005, which resulted in a favorable ruling for AFA by now-deceased Arbitrator Thomas Roberts. This award, which is usually referenced as “The Roberts Decision” by AFA and management, was at least in part subsequently incorporated into the current contract via Letter of Agreement 5 “Sick Family/Sick Child”:

[W]henever the collective-bargaining agreement refers to a sick child, it is understood that this is a placeholder for “family member.” With the Association’s agreement, the Company will apply the most liberal of the laws of the states in which Flight Attendants are domiciled in determining the appropriate definition of “family member.” When this definition is determined, including any subsequent amendments pursuant to changes in the law or in the interpretation of the law, the Company will publish the definition and distribute it to the Flight Attendants.

Through arbitration and bargaining, the Company is required to apply the most liberal of the Flight Attendant domicile state laws definition of “family member” for whom a Flight Attendant may utilize sick leave to care for that individual, under what circumstances and whether Flight Attendants will receive points under the Attendance Policy for such absences.

Updated list of qualified family members for Sick Family/Sick Child (as of August 30, 2021)

“Family member” includes: • Spouse • Registered domestic partner • Child (biological, step, adopted, foster, legal ward, or registered domestic partner’s child) of any age • Parent (biological, adoptive, step, foster, parent-in-law, or registered domestic partner’s parent) • Legal guardian of the F/A, spouse, or registered domestic partner as a minor • Individual with whom the F/A has or had an in loco parentis relationship – persons in loco parentis are those with day-to-day responsibilities to care for or financially support a child, or who had such responsibility for the employee when the employee was a child • Grandparent • Grandchild • Sibling

Points for Sick Family/Sick Child (in dispute)

Generally, no points apply for time off to care for the above individuals unless the Flight Attendant does not have enough sick leave to cover the absence. See Bulletin #2021-0059 for more information about the Company’s application in these circumstances. Please note this application remains in dispute via ongoing litigation.

Applicable State Laws

Summary

✅ = Honored | ⚠ = Partially honored and/or in dispute | 🚫 = Denied

State laws that AFA believes should apply to flight crew include but are not limited to:

  • Washington
    • WA Family Care Act (WFCA) – 🚫
    • WA Paid Sick Leave (WPSL) – 🚫
    • WA Paid Family Leave (WPFL) – 🚫
    • WA Long Term Care (Cares Fund) – 🚫
  • Oregon
    • OR Family Leave Act (OFLA) – 🚫
    • OR Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (PFMLI) – N/A
  • California
    • CA State Disability Insurance (CASDI) – ✅
    • CA Family Rights Act (CFRA) – 🚫
    • CA Family School Partnership Act – 🚫
  • All
    • Wage statement laws: AK, WA, OR – ✅; CA = ⚠
    • Supplemental/temporary COVID-19 leave laws – 🚫

Washington

WA Family Care Act (WFCA)

  • Reference:  RCW 49.12
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs:  Use of accrued vacation pay to care for qualified family members under certain conditions.
  • Status:  State of WA & AFA won lawsuit in 9th Circuit Court of Appeals; however, the Company continues to appeal at state level.
  • AS Compliance: No
  • Contact Information:  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries | Mailing Address: PO Box 44000 Olympia, WA  98504-4000 | Phone:  360-902-5800 | Website:  www.lni.wa.gov –> For Workers –> File a Workplace Complaint

WA Paid Sick Leave (WPSL)

  • Reference:  Initiative 1433
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs: (1) Employees can use sick leave for preventative care for themselves and/or applicable family members. (2) Discipline and infractions that may lead to discipline (including Attendance Points) cannot be assessed for use of paid SL. (3) Employees can use paid SL on the 90th calendar day of employment (i.e., during FA probationary period).
  • Status:  A4A is appealing summary judgment motion in favor of State of WA & AFA.  The State of WA won in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals; however, the Company continues to appeal.
  • AS Compliance: No
  • Contact Information: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries | Mailing Address: PO Box 44000 Olympia, WA  98504-4000 | Phone:  360-902-5800 | Website:  www.lni.wa.gov –> For Workers –> File a Workplace Complaint

WA Paid Family Leave (WPFL)

  • Reference: Builds on FMLA & RCW 50A
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs: WPFL is a statewide insurance program that ensures paid family leave for various situations. WPFL usually covers 12 weeks of leave, or up to 18 weeks in certain circumstances, and workers receive between $100 and $1,000 per week depending on their income.
  • Status:  No known disputes currently. – Premiums were to be deducted starting January 1, 2019, and leaves were to be allowed beginning January 1, 2020. 
  • AS Compliance: No
  • Contact Information:  Employment Security Department | Phone:  1-833-717-2273 | Email:  paidleave@esd.wa.gov | Website:paidleave.wa.gov

WA Long Term Care (Cares Fund)

  • Reference:  RCW 50B.04
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs:  The WA Cares Fund was created to reduce pressure on the Medicaid system. Once vested, you will be eligible to access a maximum lifetime benefit of $36,500 (adjusted for inflation) to pay for expenses associated with needing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Unlike private insurance that generally requires you to be unable to do two ADLs, the WA Cares Fund requires that individuals need assistance with three ADLs to qualify. Examples of ADLs: Dressing, bathing, cognitive impairment, and other basic functions of your daily routine. Benefits are not portable or payable if you reside outside of Washington state at the time the benefit is needed.
  • Status:  No known disputes currently. – Paid for by a 0.58% tax on employee wages starting January 1, 2022, with benefits beginning in January 2025.
  • AS Compliance:  No – The Company does not intend to collect premiums.
  • Contact Information:  Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | Email:  wacaresfund@dshs.wa.gov | Website: http://www.wacaresfund.wa.gov/

Oregon

OR Family Leave Act (OFLA)

OR Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (OPFMLI)

  • Reference:  HB 2005​
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs: OPFMLI will provide 12 weeks of paid time off for various circumstances, with weekly benefits capped at $1215. The employee must have earned at least $1,000 in wages during the previous year. This leave will run concurrent with OFLA. 
  • Status: State pushing start date to January 2023 or later
  • AS Compliance:  N/A – Begins in 2023 or later, but AS will likely not follow the law.
  • Contact Information:  Oregon Employment Department | Mailing Address:  875 Union St. NE Salem, OR 97311 | Phone: 503-947-1394 | Email:  paidfamilyandmedicalleave@oregon.gov | Website: https://www.oregon.gov/employ/PFMLI/Pages/default.aspx

California

CA State Disability Insurance (CASDI)

  • Reference:  California Unemployment Insurance Code §2601 et seq.
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs:  Partial wage replacement for non-work disability: illness, injury and/or pregnancy. SDI contributions are paid by California workers covered by the SDI program.
  • Status:  No known disputes currently
  • AS Compliance:  Yes – Since 1987
  • Contact Information:  Employment Development Department | Phone numbers:  English: 1-800-480-3287; and Spanish: 1-866-658-8846 | Website:  https://askedd.edd.ca.gov or https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/SDI_Online.htm

CA Family Rights Act (CFRA)

  • Reference:
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs: CFRA includes a generous pregnancy disability leave (PDL) and other family care and medical leave provisions under The Fair Employment and Housing Act. Requires 1250 hours in the prior 12 months. CFRA is like FMLA, but CFRA also covers domestic partner and domestic partner’s children. An employer can require the employee to use vacation pay, but the employee cannot use sick leave if not for the employee’s own medical condition. Health benefits must be continued during the leave if the employer is part of a group plan.
  • Status:  No lawsuits known to AFA at this time.
  • AS Compliance:  No
  • Contact Information:  Department of Fair Employment and Housing | Mailing Address: 2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100, Elk Grove, CA 95758 | Phone: (800) 884-1684 | Email:  contact.center@dfeh.ca.gov | Website:  http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/

CA Family School Partnership Act

  • Reference:  CA Labor Code 230.8
  • Rule(s) of Interest to FAs: Employees may take 8 hours/month up to 40 hours/year to attend any day care or K-12 school function that is sponsored, supervised, or approved by the school, school board, or childcare facility. Time loss may be paid out of vacation pay, compensatory time off (CTO), personal time off or unpaid. Attendance Points may not be assessed for using this leave. Applies to parents, grandparents, or guardians with at least seven days’ notice.
  • Status:  No known disputes currently. – AFA encourages eligible and willing California FAs to request time off under this law and then to file a complaint with the state when denied.
  • AS Compliance:  No
  • Contact Information:  CA Dept of Industrial Relations | Phone Numbers: 1-844-619-8786 or SFO 415-703-5300, LAX 213-620-6330 or SAN 619-220-5451 | Email:  DLSE2@Dir.CA.gov | Website:  https://www.dfeh.ca.gov –> Complaints

Filing a Claim with the Appropriate Agency

AFA cannot file claims on behalf of Flight Attendants, but we’re here to assist

AFA does not have the ‘standing’ to file complaints with state or local agencies on behalf of affected employees–even if those employees are AFA Alaska members. However, we are very much interested in guiding and supporting members to file such complaints. Flight Attendants should reach out to their local AFA Benefits Committee representatives to discuss the law in question, and we will refer you to the applicable state agency so you can file a claim. Flight Attendants should copy an AFA rep into any email correspondence with the state.

Helpful tips

When filing a claim, the Flight Attendant will need to provide evidence of the Company’s refusal to comply with the law. Flight Attendants are encouraged to keep a documentation trail and to file timely as there may be filing timelines. We encourage Flight Attendants to tell any state agency representative that Alaska Airlines is knowingly disregarding the law.  AFA is hopeful that the states will act against Alaska Airlines management directly and compel the Company to comply with applicable state laws.   

In the Next Edition (Publishing Monday)

  • WA Long Term Care (Cares Fund)
  • CA 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

Click here to visit the AFA Never Forget Website

United Flight 175

Robert J. Fangman
Amy N. Jarret
Amy R. King
Kathryn LaBorie
Alfred G. Marchand
Michael C. Tarrou
Alicia N. Titus
Captain: Victor Saracini
First Officer: Michael Horrocks
Customer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez

United Flight 93

Lorraine G. Bay
Sandra Bradshaw
Wanda A. Green
CeeCee Lyles
Deborah Welsh
Captain: Jason Dahl
First Officer: Leroy Homer

American Flight 11

Barbara Arestegui
Jeffrey Collman
Sara Low
Karen Martin
Kathleen Nicosia
Betty Ong
Jean Roger
Madeline Sweeney
Dianne Snyder
Captain: John Ogonowski
First Officer: Thomas McGuinness
Customer Service Representative: Renee Newell

American Flight 77

Michele Heidenberger
Jennifer Lewis
Kenneth Lewis
Renee May
Captain: Charles Burlingame
First Officer: David Charlebois

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 […]

U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement

Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes to the rules surrounding how airlines report information about passengers and crew before flights. This system is called the Advance Passenger Information System, or APIS. These changes are in response to a Presidential Executive Order. What is APIS? APIS is a system that airlines are legally […]

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