In This Edition

• Delayed Publication of May 2022 Bid Awards
• April 2022 MEC Meeting Recap
• Introducing our MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson
• Shared on Social
• Next Week’s Events

Delayed Publication of May 2022 Bid Awards

Originally posted April 13, 2022

Management violated section 10.J.8 of our collective bargaining agreement when they failed to publish bid awards by 9 AM Pacific time on the 13^th of the month.  They owe all of us a explanation as to why they failed to honor their obligation and what they plan to do to hold themselves accountable.  Our MEC has also let management know that we expect them to engage with AFA about an appropriate and mutually acceptable remedy for the contractual violation.

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April 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted April 14, 2022

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.  As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, labor relations, and executive management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.  The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 24.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.

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Introducing our MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson

Originally posted April 15, 2022

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews this week for the MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson position who will be responsible for coordinating mobilization activities across all six bases during our upcoming contract negotiations. Our MEC would like to thank the candidates who demonstrated willingness to represent our Flight Attendants.  After thorough deliberation, the voting members of your MEC, consisting of the six directly-elected LEC Presidents, have appointed a candidate to the position. 

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Management’s Violation of CBA Section 10.J.8

Our MEC is extremely frustrated by management’s violation of section 10.J.8 of our collective bargaining agreement through their failure to post bid awards by the 13th of the month at 9 AM Pacific time. The issue is being discussed by the MEC and we are preparing to file a contractual grievance on behalf of all Flight Attendants. Please note that there is no need to file a ticket through the AFA Alaska Support Center as any action taken under the contractual grievance process will be on behalf of our entire workgroup. We will be publishing a more in-depth communication on the issue later today.

Next Week’s Events

Monday, April 18	AFA Presentation to Initial Training Class 2022-06
Tuesday, April 19	SEA Base Safety Meeting
Tuesday, April 19 – Wednesday, April 20	Negotiating Committee Training
Thursday, April 21	Council 19 (SEA) Local Council Meeting
Thursday, April 21	Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

In This Edition

• Negotiating Committee Listening Sessions – Sign Up Now!
• Next Week’s Events

Negotiating Committee Listening Sessions – Sign Up Now!

Originally posted April 4, 2022

Our Negotiating Committee will be hosting a series of virtual meetings to hear what thoughts, ideas, and concerns are important to you and our Flight Attendants.  Space in each session is limited and advance registration is required.  Sign up now using the registration links below to secure your spot!  If you’re not able to attend one of the scheduling Listening Sessions, you’ll still have the opportunity to share your thoughts during the upcoming Negotiations Survey.  You can also provide direct feedback to the Negotiating Committee at any time by email or online feedback form.

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Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, April 11	AFA Presentation to Initial Training Class 2022-05
Tuesday, April 12 – Wednesday, April 13	Regular MEC Meeting
Wednesday, April 13	Scheduling Review Board (SRB)
Thursday, April 14	Quarterly Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

In This Edition

• Human Trafficking Awareness and Updated Training
• Shared on Social
• Next Week’s Events

Human Trafficking Awareness and Updated Training

Originally posted April 1, 2022

Human trafficking is a crime that occurs when force, fraud, or coercion is used to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act from another person.  AFA has partnered with the Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security to bring Blue Lightning human trafficking awareness training to thousands of Flight Attendants.  The Blue Lightning Initiative has recently released updated training on human trafficking based on feedback from airline employees and human trafficking survivors.  You can access the training through the AFA Online Learning Academy.

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MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Expression of Interest Deadline

Just one week left to submit your expression of interest to serve as our MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson! Find out more about the position or submit your expression of interest and resume on the Contract 2022 website at https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/news/mec-mobilization-committee-chairperson-interviews.  Expressions of interest will close on Tuesday, April 5 at 5 PM Pacific time.

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, April 5 5 PM PDT	MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Expression of Interest Deadline
Thursday, April 7	ANC Base Safety Meeting
Thursday, April 7	Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

In This Edition

• COVID Exposure: Differences in Company and CDC Guidance
• Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2022
• Shared on Social
• Next Week’s Events

COVID Exposure: Differences in Company and CDC Guidance

Originally posted March 22, 2022

Management has developed guidance on how to deal with COVID-19 exposure that uses different terminology, definitions, and recommendations than the guidance currently offered by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).  To most effectively manage your personal risk in the event of an exposure, it’s helpful to understand how management’s definitions and guidance equate with the CDC guidance.  More information about CDC guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals can be found on the CDC website.

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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2022

Originally posted March 24, 2022

Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, March 22 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to lineholder scheduling.  The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are experiencing with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.  Your Local Scheduling Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any lineholder scheduling-related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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College Scholarship Opportunities Reminder 

REMINDER: Application deadlines for the 2022 AFA Scholarship Fund and CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship are fast approaching! More information about both scholarship opportunities, including eligibility requirements, application information, and other important details can be found via the links on this previous AFA Alaska News Now post from January 28. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity!

Next Week’s Events

Sunday, March 27 – Thursday, March 31	MEC Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson Training
Monday, March 28	Company Annual Employee Meeting
Thursday, March 31	SAN Base Safety Meeting
Friday, April 1	Pilot Informational Picketing

See the MEC Event Calendar >

In This Edition

• Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1^st Quarter 2022
• Management Eliminates Remaining Pay Protection and Points Reduction Related to COVID-19 Effective Today
• Spring 2022 Incentive Premium & Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 Backpay
• Shared on Social
• Next Week’s Events

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1^st Quarter 2022

Originally posted March 14, 2022

Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, March 10 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants.  The Committee also met with management to review a number of specific concerns that were brought forward by Flight Attendants.  Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, provide clarification, or help to resolve any reserve related issues.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Management Eliminates Remaining Pay Protection and Points Reduction Related to COVID-19 Effective Today

Originally posted March 15, 2022

Management eliminated all remaining COVID pay protection and attendance points forgiveness, effective today. Going forward, Flight Attendants who experience COVID-related illnesses–even if attributed to workplace exposure—will be forced to use sick leave to replace lost income during Company-directed quarantine and will be subject to attendance points in accordance with Section 32 of our contract.  AFA leadership attempted to work with management to enter into an agreement for continued attendance points forgiveness related to COVID-19, but management declined to engage.

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Spring 2022 Incentive Premium & Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 Backpay

AFA and management have agreed to a temporary incentive program designed to encourage Flight Attendants to pick up additional flying over the next several months.  For the months of March, April, and May 2022, qualifying TFP greater than or equal to 100.1 TFP in that bid month will be paid at two times (2.0x) your trip rate.  Certain exceptions and restrictions apply.  At AFA request, management also agreed to include an additional payout for Flight Attendants who reported to work during the Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 eligibility period between December 23, 2021, and January 2, 2022; experienced a flight cancellation; and were previously pay protected at 1.0x.

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Barcode Required for KCM Checkpoints

Effective March 31, 2022, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require the Known Crewmember (KCM) Program eligible crewmembers to scan a KCM-issued barcode card when utilizing a KCM access point. Crewmembers will no longer be permitted to manually enter their KCM data.

Crewmembers who do not have a KCM barcode card, have a worn/unreadable barcode card, or have not completed the registration process will be referred to the passenger screening checkpoint for entry into the airport sterile area. If a crewmember does not present an active KCM barcode card and is referred for screening, then they must follow the TSO’s instructions and complete the screening process at the passenger screening checkpoint. Failure to submit to screening at the passenger screening checkpoint (e.g., using a SIDA badge to avoid screening), is considered circumvention of screening and TSA may take enforcement action in accordance with the KCM Disqualification Protocols (KCMDP). Crewmembers may request a new or replacement KCM barcode card from their base manager or supervisor.

This is an update from TSA and it is our responsibility to strictly follow the KCM rules in order to maintain access to this alternate screening program for crewmembers.

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, March 22	Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 24	Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

See the MEC Event Calendar >