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Joint Contract Negotiations Session 9 – November 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on November 18 to November 20 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for December 9 to December 11
  • A Tentative Agreement (TA) was reached regarding Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security) which incorporates several improvements taken from the Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on November 18 to November 20 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberNeil Osato, Director, Labor and People Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

In this round of negotiations, our JNC made progress on Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security), Section 27 (Association General), and Section 36 (Commuter Policy). We are getting closer to settling several issues where we still disagree.

We are pleased to share that we have reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security). We secured several procedural improvements, formalized support for important safety meetings and reports, and made progress on incorporating language around Cabin Air. The Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) helped the Committee make these valuable improvements.

Section by Section Progress

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Section 25 – Air Safety Health and Security (HA CBA Section 28)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)
  • Section 36 – Commuter Policy (HA CBA Section 34-28)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Section 30 – Training (HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Section 6 – Seniority (HA CBA Section 9)
  • Section 15 – Leaves of Absence (HA CBA Section 17)
  • Section 19 – Grievance Procedures (HA CBA Section 23)
  • Section 33 – Charters (HA CBA Section 12)

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Local Council Meeting with Council 39 (Portland) on Friday, November 21, in Portland. In December, we will continue our base visits, with our next stop at the joint Local Council Meeting with Council 18 (Alaska LAX) and Council 47 (Hawaiian LAX). Please check your Local Council communications for updates about future meetings.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for December 9 to December 11.

Sick Leave Survey Extension – Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Sick Leave Survey Closing on Friday, November 21 at Noon PT

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your health and well-being. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of our paid sick leave policy are most meaningful to you, as we strive to improve our support for your needs.

Our paid sick leave policy is specifically designed to give you the assurance of taking necessary time off without the stress of losing pay. Understanding that every individual’s health journey is unique, our JNC is dedicated to ensuring our contract meets your healthcare needs.

The survey is currently open and will close on Friday, November 21, at Noon PT. For a quick comparison of the Alaska and Hawaiian Sick Leave please see Sick Leave Survey Now Open in AFA News Now. We strongly encourage you to take part in this brief survey, as your input is invaluable in helping us create a supportive environment for all.

If you have any questions regarding the survey feel free to contact the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

Sick Leave Survey Deadline Extended

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Sick Leave Survey extended to Friday, November 21 Noon PT

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) has received reports that some Flight Attendants have not received the Sick Leave Survey emails. If you have not yet received the survey, please check your spam or junk folder. We are actively working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, we are extending the survey deadline to Friday, November 21 at Noon PT.

For survey instructions and to review the comparison of Sick Leave sections of our respective CBAs, please review Alaska and Hawaiian Sick Leave Quick Reference Guide at Sick Leave Survey Now Open in AFA News Now.

Thank you for your patience and engagement as we work to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. If you have any questions regarding the survey please contact the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

Sick Leave Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Sick Leave Survey Closing on Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is committed to prioritizing your health and well-being. We are eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of our paid sick leave policy are most meaningful to you, as we strive to improve our support for your needs.

Our paid sick leave policy is specifically designed to give you the assurance of taking necessary time off without the stress of losing pay. Understanding that every individual’s health journey is unique, our JNC is dedicated to ensuring our contract meets your healthcare needs.

The survey is currently open and will close on Tuesday, November 11, at Noon PT. For a quick comparison of the Alaska and Hawaiian Sick Leave please see Sick Leave Survey Now Open in AFA News Now. We strongly encourage you to take part in this brief survey, as your input is invaluable in helping us create a supportive environment for all.

If you have any questions regarding the survey feel free to contact the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

Sick Leave Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) believes that your health and well-being comes first. We want to understand which components of our paid sick leave policy is most important to you.  Our paid sick leave policy is here to support you in taking the necessary time off while ensuring that you don’t lose pay.

The Alaska Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has made significant strides with the introduction of the State Sick Leave Bank. This provision aligns with the state laws of Alaska, Oregon and Washington, offering you the flexibility to manage your health effectively. This means when using State Sick Leave you can take time off for personal health needs, including doctor appointments and circumstances surrounding domestic abuse.

Please keep in mind that this survey focuses specifically on our Sick Leave Policy and does not address attendance points or the Hawaiian Sick Leave Monitor Program. We value your feedback and will address these topics in the future.

Our JNC understands that every health journey is unique and we would like to ensure the our contract is there to support your healthcare needs. The survey is currently open and will close on Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT. Please take the time to participate in this short survey.

Please see below to review the Sick Leave Survey Quick Reference Guide. The guide highlights key differences between Alaska and Hawaiian’s Sick Leave Programs.

To Access the Survey

  • For pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants, enter your PeopleSoft Number
  • For pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, enter your Employee Number (without leading zeros)

Some important notes:

  • Once the survey is submitted, your responses cannot be edited. Please ensure your selections are final before hitting ‘Submit’. 
  • For ranking questions, all choices must be ranked. You may skip these questions, but remember to rank all options if you choose to respond.

We encourage you to participate, as engaged members are our greatest strength during negotiations. Thank you for your commitment to our shared success. If you have any questions about the survey, please reach out to the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

MEC Retirement Committee Chairperson Interviews – December 2026

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants. Are you passionate about helping your flying partners navigate their financial futures? Our MEC is seeking a dedicated and organized Member in good standing to serve as the pre-merger Hawaiian MEC Retirement Committee Chairperson. In this role, you will be the primary point of contact for assisting […]

Pre-Merger Alaska Reserve Webinar Video and Q&A Recap – October 21, 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Thank you to everyone who joined our latest pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar! We created this interactive session to share practical contract tips and help you feel more confident about reserve life. You can now watch the recording on our YouTube channel using the link below. Please note that […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, October 27, our pre-merger Alaska Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Russel Rivinius (PDX), Jaqui […]

AFA Committee Focus Month: Inflight Service

Welcome to November!  Every day, we step onto our aircraft prepared to handle any situation as first responders and trained safety professionals. At the same time, so much of the pride we take in our profession comes from the warmth and hospitality we deliver to our passengers on every flight. Delivering a memorable, welcoming experience […]

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November 1 marks the start of Native American Heritage Month across the United States. Also observed as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this month provides an opportunity to recognize the profound contributions, vibrant cultures, and enduring sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. From the ancestral homelands of Alaska Native peoples across the North to […]

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