In This Edition

• Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – February 2022 
• Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 1^st Quarter 2022
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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – February 2022 

Originally posted February 24, 2022

Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 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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Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 1^st Quarter 2022

Originally posted February 25, 2022

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, February 23 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.  The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.  Management continues to experience challenges in some locations that are affecting the correct loading on onboard catering supplies and retail products.  Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!  

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Federal Mask Mandate

The current federal mandate requiring face masks to be worn in airports and onboard commercial aircraft is scheduled to be in place through March 18, 2022.  Although a recent statement from AFA indicates that there is reason to believe that the mask mandate will be extended for the near term, this should not be construed as AFA having taken a position one way or another on the issue.  We have heard from Flight Attendants who would like to see the mandate end and others who would like to see it extended, but as of this point there has been no official word about whether the mandate will expire as scheduled or be extended further.  Our focus remains on ensuring that Flight Attendants receive support for doing our job in enforcing the current mandate and that violent passengers are kept off of our aircraft.

Correction

Information about MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Interviews, originally published on January 28, 2022, inadvertently contained an omission in the qualifications section.  The posting has been updated and now reflects accurately.  We apologize for the oversight.

In This Edition

• February 2022 MEC Meeting Recap
• Shared on Social

February 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted February 16, 2022

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met last week on Tuesday, February 8 and Wednesday, February 9 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, March 8.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC President if you have any questions.

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We’re Looking For Our Next MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson

When it comes to contract negotiations, solidarity means success.  Our Mobilization Committee is a critical component to our collective power and provides our Negotiating Committee with an advantage at the bargaining table.  Members of the Mobilization Committee are responsible for actively sharing information about negotiations, gathering feedback about key issues, and calling others to action through support in organized solidarity activities.

Preparations for contract negotiations are underway and our Mobilization Committee is starting to organize.  We’ve reached the point in the process where we’re looking for candidates for the position of MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson.  The MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson is responsible for organizing and coordinating the work of the committee across all six bases and building our solidarity.

Interviews for the position will take place by video conference on April 13. Find out more about the role or how to express your interest on the Contract 2022 website at https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/news/mec-mobilization-committee-chairperson-interviews/.

In This Edition

• Before It Becomes a Grievance: Understanding ADR and SRB
• New Medical Billing Protections For You

Before It Becomes a Grievance: Understanding ADR and SRB

Originally posted February 8, 2022

When AFA and management disagree on a contractual issue, it doesn’t necessarily become a grievance right away.  Most times, there is an intermediate step taken to try to resolve the issue.  Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) brings together decision makers from AFA leadership, inflight management, and labor relations management to try to work the issue out.  Scheduling Review Board (SRB) is a similar process that involves AFA Representatives and Crew Scheduling management.  If everyone can’t agree on a resolution, our AFA Grievance Committee can still file a formal grievance and address the issue through the contractual grievance process.

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New Medical Billing Protections For You

Originally posted February 9, 2022

New rules that went into place on January 1, 2022 will provide new billing protections related to some medical care expenses.  The new rules provide expanded protections against the practice of “balance billing” by providers in certain instances.  You can read more about these new protections at www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers.

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In This Edition

• Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000
• Celebrating Black History Month
• Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2022
• Introducing Our Negotiating Committee
• Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1^st Quarter 2022

Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000

Originally posted January 31, 2022

Today we reflect on the tragic loss that occurred on January 31, 2000, when Alaska Airlines Flight 261, flying between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco, went down in the Pacific Ocean between Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island off the coast of Southern California.

We will never forget Flight Attendants Kristin Mills, Craig Pulanco and Allison Shanks; Captain Ted Thompson; First Officer William Tansky; Sheri Christensen, Rachel Janosik, Ileana Ost, Sarah Pearson, Anjesh Prasad, James Ryan and Stacy Schuyler.

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Celebrating Black History Month

Originally posted February 1, 2022

February 1^st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States.  This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals.  Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.  Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2022

Originally posted February 2, 2022

Our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, January 25 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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Introducing Our Negotiating Committee

Originally posted February 2, 2022

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted final interviews this week for three Negotiating Committee Member positions who will represent us in upcoming contract negotiations with the Company. 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 Sandra Morrow, James Bozanich, and Kiara Jenkins to the positions. 

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Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 1^st Quarter 2022

Originally posted February 3, 2022

Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Tuesday, February 1 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.  The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability.  If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible.  Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.   

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In This Edition

• MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Interviews
• 2022 College Scholarship Opportunities
• Shared on Social

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MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Interviews

Originally posted January 28, 2022

As preparations for contract negotiations continue, our MEC is seeking candidates for the position of MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson.  The Mobilization Committee works to provide support to the Negotiating Committee through coordinated solidarity activity and two-way communication between the membership and the committee.  The MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Mobilization Committee across all six bases.  Interviews will be held during the April Regular MEC Meeting on April 13, 2022.  Interested candidates should complete the online expression of interest form and submit a resume by Tuesday, April 5 at 5 PM Pacific time.

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2022 College Scholarship Opportunities

Originally posted January 28, 2022

As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least three different scholarships.  An additional opportunity, the Union Plus Free College Benefit, offers the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees, and e-books.  Check out the links below for eligibility requirements, application information, and other important details for each opportunity.

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Negotiating Committee Final Interviews

On Wednesday, January 26, our Master Executive Council (MEC) met to conduct final interviews with the candidates for the three Negotiating Committee Member positions who will represent us during upcoming contract negotiations with the Company. Our MEC would like to express their appreciation for all of the candidates who stepped forward and expressed a desire to serve our Flight Attendants. Given the importance of the decision, the MEC agreed to take additional time over the weekend to consider the candidates and will meet again on Tuesday, February 1 to continue with the selection process.