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Council 15 May Updates

CA Based Local Council Membership Meeting


As previously communicated, our local Council meeting will be Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 1100 PDT. The meeting will be via Zoom and is open to all members of Councils 15 (SAN), 18 (LAX) and 35 (SFO) in good standing.  The primary purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the AFA Board of Director’s meeting scheduled for May 13-14, and any local council agenda items.  Please submit local council agenda items to san@afaalaska.org prior to May 5th, 2021.  Advance registration is required using a personal (non-company) email address. To receive confirmation to attend, please register here.

MEC President Jeff Peterson has offered to be available to answer any questions regarding the Contract Extension Tentative Agreement during the first portion of the meeting.

Road Show Videos Posted For TA Extension Vote

All four virtual roadshows have been posted. Recordings of the Zoom sessions and their respective transcripts (when available) may be accessed from the Contract Extension 2021 webpage –> Virtual Roadshows –> Session Recordings.

The MEC highly encourages you to check out the 2nd roadshow with special guest panelists AFA Director of Collective Bargaining Joe Burns and Aviation Economist Dan Akins of FlightPath Economics.

Click here for the 2nd  roadshow video >

Did Not Receive a Ballot or Misplaced Your Activation Code

Flight Attendants who do not receive their voting instructions with the 16-digit activation code after the polls open may request a new code and instructions by filling out an online form. Membership Services will process these requests and a new activation code with instructions will be emailed directly to the Member as soon as possible during regular business hours.

Click here for the Request a New Activation Code form > 

Alternatively, you may call the AFA Ballot Helpline at (800) 424-2401, choose option 1, then enter extension 706. Flight Attendants who have dues or membership issues should call AFA Membership Services at (800) 424-2401 and choose option 7.

AFA Membership Services and the AFA Ballot Helpline are staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM EDT. The AFA International office is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so everyone is working from home. Please leave a voice message with your name, Peoplesoft number and a good callback number. Someone will return your call as soon as possible during regular business hours.

Dues, is the Invoice You Received Correct?

AFA International recently updated their billing systems. There were also several types of leaves due to Covid that may not have been coded consecutively. Your invoice may be showing you owe more than you do.

Before paying your invoice or if you’ve already paid please contact AFA Membership Services at (800) 424-2401 and choose option 7. AFA Membership Services is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM ET. Keep in mind that the AFA International office is currently closed due to the pandemic, so everyone is working from home. Please leave a message and someone will call you back as soon as possible during regular business hours.

You can also email San@afaalaska.org 

We need to know the following 

  • Peoplesoft 
  • Type or leave
  • Month or months of each leave
  • continuous or multiple leaves
  • did you come back from leave and go out on a new one
  • did you attend RT or RQ while on leave

Uniforms

The new uniforms have been on the line for about a year now. Since the new custom uniform was released during COVID, many Flight Attendants returning from furlough will be wearing it for the first time.

Wondering what the guidelines and policy are for the new uniform? Here is a link to the uniform page for guidelines, ordering, the fit center, etc: https://splash.alaskasworld.com/es/uniforms/

Need different uniform pieces? Different sizes? Here are some options to help if it is past the 90 day return policy:

  • Trade your Uniform pieces (if it’s past the 90 day return policy) with other flight attendants by posting on the AS/QX in-flight new uniform Forum on Facebook AS / QX Uniform Trades
  • Inquire with the Seattle Fit Center.  They have limited pieces that you may possibly (not guaranteed) be able to exchange your pieces for if they have the size you need. These are pieces from flight attendants who have quit, retired etc.  Phone:  206-392-7730,  email: fitcenter@alaskaair.com
  • You can also to order new pieces via the Uniform Webpage

Committee Chairs and Members Needed

The following Council 15 committees have vacancies in both the chair and member positions:

If you are interested in volunteering, please have a look at the position duties and responsibilities and reach out to your Council 15 officers at SAN@afaalaska.org.

Covid-19 Absence Reporting Form

 If you accrued attendance points for sick leave usage under Section 32 (Attendance Policy) of the CBA for a COVID-19 related absence, you had the option to submit a “COVID-19 Absence Reporting Form.”  Per the Bulletin dated April 12 2021. F/As on any leave of absence (including EVF or ELOA) as of the date of that Bulletin will have 14 calendar days to submit starting from their first day back to active service (the date you return from your leave of absence regardless of whether you fly that day or not.  Ensure you include enough detail in question #6 of the form (the reason for the absence) so a thorough review may take place 

Any future non-work-related sick leave absences due to COVID-19, from the date this Bulletin is published, through 5/31/21, must be substantiated with a non-work-related positive COVID-19 test from either the F/A or someone in the F/A’s immediate household to be considered for point reduction. Please submit your documentation to the following confidential email address: inflightperformanceteam@alaskaair.com.

Are you Contributing to 401k

We discovered many F/A’s  are not taking advantage of their 401K company match. The previous company match was 7% its been 7.5% company match for 5 years. If you are able and you haven’t updated your contribution to 7.5% try and do so It all adds up in the long run. The % change is not automatic, you have to physically go into your Vanguard account or call Vanguard direct (800-523-1188).

Council 15 Spring Updates

​Important Dates and Information

SAN LAX SFO Membership Meeting May 6

The next membership meeting for Council 15 members will be Thursday May 6, 2021 on Zoom. The purpose will be to discuss the AFA Board of Director’s Meeting scheduled for May 13, 2021. This meeting will be a combined council meeting and open to all Council 15, 18 and 35 members in good standing (up-to-date on dues). If you have any agenda items to discuss or specific questions please submit to SAN@afaalaska.org by May 5th, 2021.

Performance Investigations and Disciplines

CBT

Discipline for failing to complete quarterly CBTs are continuing to trend.  Flight Attendants returning from leave are given 60 days to complete CBTs.  The Council 15 Grievance Committee has been successful in assisting FAs dispute discipline when evidence of technical difficulties exist.  Being busy and forgetting to complete the CBT has not been accepted as extenuating circumstances to miss a CBT deadline and the discipline will remain.  If more than one CBT deadline is missed, discipline will progress to higher steps on the discipline scale (i.e. 2 missed CBTs in 18 month period will escalate to a Written Warning).

Commuter Violations

Monthly audits are occurring, and Council 15 has seen disciplines for misuse lessen however there are still Flight Attendants that are using it incorrectly.  Please be sure your registered cities are current and comply with guidelines set forth in the commuter program outlined on the FA webpage.

Grievance vs. Gripe

Not all concerns brought forward to AFA can be resolved by the union.  Knowing the difference between a Grievance and a Gripe is key to understanding how we can assist you.  

Grievance 
A grievance is a formal challenge to management that our contract has been violated or that unjust discipline has been issued.  

Example: “Charter flying was awarded out of seniority order.”  We have specific contract language citing how Charter Bids will be awarded, therefore, this could be a grievance.

Prior to filing a grievance, your local union reps will attempt to resolve the concern with management, if that proves to be unsuccessful, a formal grievance may be filed.  

Gripe
A Gripe is a complaint that is not a contractual violation.

Example: “It’s not fair that I was flown into a day off”.   It may not seem fair, but it is contractual, therefore this would be considered a gripe. Or   “I thought I had the day off because my flight canceled, why did I get a no show? This isn’t fair! Our contract states that you must report as scheduled if no contact is made with crew scheduling​for canceled flying, therefore this would be considered a gripe. 

Occasionally we hear from members that are upset because they were unaware of contractual language or a company policy that has been violated.  It’s everyone’s responsibility to know our work rules. Not knowing the rules doesn’t prevent management from issuing discipline. 

Your SAN union reps are always available to help determine when a complaint is a gripe or a grievance.  We are always willing to assist you with contract interpretation.

Please ensure that you have our contact information saved in your phone. You never know when you may need to reach out to us.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Enrollment is open for the Alaska Air Group Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The plan allows you to purchase company stock at a 15% discount from the fair market value on the offering date or purchase date, whichever is less.

To take advantage of this opportunity, you must enroll by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (U.S.) on April 20, 2021.

  
•If you’re already enrolled, no action is needed. You will be automatically re-enrolled at the rate you specified, or if you like, you can change your contribution rate now.
 
•If you enroll or change your contribution rate, you must specify a contribution rate between 1%-10%.
 
•If you want to learn more, view the ESPP Prospectus under Benefits/Pay on Alaska’s World or On Your Horizon.
 

You must have a Schwab One® brokerage account in order to enroll. Use the “Open an Account” button to open your account or to link an existing Schwab One account to Equity Award Center®.

Please open your account as soon as possible because late enrollment requests cannot be processed. 

Please see your Alaska email for more information.

Scholarship Opportunities  

AFA Scholarship

The Association of Flight Attendant Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.  Applications must be postmarked by April 10, and sent to the following address:

AFA Scholarship Fund

P.O. Box 56

Hartwood, VA 22471-0056

For more detailed information, visit the AFA website.

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

​The Joe Beirne Scholarship offered by CWA is available to AFA Members as well as dependents. The deadline for applications is April 30.   For more detailed information, visit the CWA website.

How Do I contact Officers

Using your personal email address (not Alaska), the preferred methods of contact are:

  • Open an Online Support Request ticket
  • Officer group email SAN@afaalaska.org (if one officer is flying /unavailable other officers can respond)
  • Individual officer emails (if information is for a specific officer)
  • Calls/text (if situation requires more urgent attention)

When contacting Council 15 officers please avoid the following methods:

  • Sending to/from alaskaair email (subject to company audits and therefore not private)
  • Officer personal Facebook/social media accounts (not actively monitored for AFA concerns)
  • Excessively lengthy texts (please use email for important information as it’s easier to respond and forward to appropriate resource-texts should be reserved for alerts to an issue that requires a timely response)

In Solidarity,

Brice, Melanie, JR

Important Upcoming Dates

 

Tentative Agreement Merger Roadshows

The JNC is planning to present the comprehensive full text agreement to the Master Executive Council (MEC) on Monday, February 12. If the MEC votes to release the tentative agreement (TA) for membership ratification, then the TA will go out for a vote.

*** The following proposed roadshow schedule is subject to change or cancellation. ***

Morning: 9 am – Noon, Afternoon: 1 pm – 4 pm (All times local.)

Tu 3/6 – ANC – Morning & Afternoon

Th 3/8 – SEA 1 – Morning & Afternoon

F 3/9 – PDX – Morning & Afternoon

Sa 3/10 – SEA 2 – Morning & Afternoon

M 3/12 – SFO 1 – Morning & Afternoon

Tu 3/13 – SFO 2 – Morning & Afternoon

W 3/14 – LAX 1 (LAX) – Morning & Afternoon

Th 3/15 – LAX 2 (SNA) – Morning & Afternoon

F 3/16 – SAN – Morning & Afternoon

PBS Training Base Sits

If you have questions and you are on a layover or have sit time in one of the bases feel free to stop by. You can also email questions to San.scheduling@gmail.com or pbs.qa@alaskaair.com

Base Sit Schedule:  subject to change due to  just announced, upcoming TA roadshows

ANC   Mar 5   @ Alaska Regional HQ   Check with local AFA officer for times

Mar 8  @ Alaska Regional HQ   Check with local AFA officer for times

LAX   Mar 6    6am-2pm

Mar 8    6am-2pm

PDX  Mar 6     6am-2pm

Mar 9   10am-6pm

SAN  Mar 6    5am-11am  (change from Mar 5th)

Mar 8    5am-11am

SEA  Mar 5    5am-6pm   Inflight-Mezzazine

Mar 6   10am-6pm  Inflight-Mezzazine

5am-4pm  C Concourse Break Room-hosted by SEA Reserve Comm.

Mar 7   5am-6pm   Inflight-Mezzazine

Mar 9   5am-1pm   Inflight-Mezzazine

5am-4pm   C Concourse Break Room-hosted by SEA Reserve Comm.

AFA Base Meeting

​

Mar 27 10:00-1:00 Location to be determined

Topics:

Agenda Items for the International AFA Board of Directors meeting being held in April.

Answering questions and concerns regarding the Merger TA

Discussing issues or concerns regarding the SAN Base.

​

Special Guests:

Karen Farrell will discuss Pairing Building and how pairings are chosen (AFA vs Company).

Lisa Pinkston ANC President will be assisting with PBS bidding

Adam Clarey will be assisting with PBS Questions

 

Upcoming AFA Board of Directors Meeting

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 45th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting this week in Phoenix, Arizona.  This annual meeting is where AFA conducts the business of our Union at the international level.

Schedule of Events

Friday June 23 Regular MEC Meeting
Saturday, June 24 Executive Board Meeting (MEC Presidents from each airline)
Board of Directors Meeting

BOD Meeting Agenda Items

Your LEC President represents you and the other members of your Local Council on the Board of Directors and will be casting votes on your behalf at the BOD meeting.  Your MEC Officers serve in an ex-officio capacity on the BOD but do not have voting privileges.

Last year, the BOD approved a change to the AFA constitution and bylaws (C&B) making the AFA annual budget the only advanced agenda item for the BOD meeting in odd numbered years.  As such, the only advance agenda item for consideration at this year’s BOD is the AFA annual budget.  Each LEC held a Local Council meeting over the past several weeks to discuss the proposed AFA budget and gain your feedback.  You can more information at http://afa-bod.org/index-of-agenda-items.

MEC Meeting

In conjunction with the BOD meeting, the regular June MEC meeting is being held on Friday, June 23.

Questions?

If you have any questions or thoughts about the BOD meeting or proposed AFA annual budget, please contact your LEC President.

 

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and LEC Presidents-Elect Terry Taylor and Mario de’Medici

Joint Local Council Meeting – June 15

In accordance with the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, each Local Council must hold at least two Local Council Meetings each year that are open to all members in good standing.  At least one of those meetings must be held prior to the annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting to give all members the opportunity to discuss the items on the agenda at the BOD meeting.

The annual AFA BOD Meeting will be held later this month in Phoenix, AZ.  Local Council President Melissa Osborne is our representative on the BOD who will represent all Council 35 Members and vote on our behalf at the BOD meeting.  The Local Council Meeting is your opportunity to give input as to how you would like Melissa to vote on the BOD agenda items.  You can find more information about the BOD Meeting on the AFA International website at http://afa-bod.org/.

The AFA Constitution & Bylaws also encourages AFA Local Councils located in the same city to hold their Local Council Meetings jointly.  As such, we will be holding a joint Local Council Meeting with United Airlines Council 11.  Information about the Joint Local Council Meeting can be found below.

Joint Local Council Meeting Information

Date: Thursday, June 15, 2017
Time: 10:30 AM to 12 PM
Location: San Francisco International Airport
Terminal 2 Conference Room 2
Agenda: Discussion of AFA Board of Directors Meeting agenda items

If you have any questions about the Joint Local Council Meeting, please email us at vx@afaalska.org

In solidarity,

Your Council 35 Officers – Melissa & James

MEC Committee Position Election Results

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Master Executive Council (MEC) Last week, the MEC held a Special MEC Meeting for the purpose of interviewing candidates and conducting elections for MEC Committee positions.  We would like to thank everyone who expressed interest in the positions and a willingness to serve.  After careful consideration and much deliberation, the six directly elected Local Executive […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

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Reserve Committee On Thursday, December 1, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants.  Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Conner Gallagher (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN).  Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2022

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Inflight Service Committee On Wednesday, November 30, our AFA Local Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase […]

Setting the Record Straight on KCM Rumors

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AFA International Unfounded rumors and blogs have been swirling this week about the future Known Crew Member. Let’s set the record straight. KCM is NOT going away, even if there is a name change to the program. The same risk based alternate screening for crew will remain in place. TSA will continue the planned transition […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – November 2022

Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, November 22, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Martin Vance Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). […]

Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

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California meal & rest breaks Management’s continued scare tactics and speculative “what-if’s” as put forward during the Inflight Town Hall webcast today regarding California meal & rest breaks are unnecessary and extremely disappointing. Although it is true there are some challenging aspects of compliance with California meal & rest break laws for commercial aviation, AFA […]

ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

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Master Executive Council (MEC) President Jeffrey Peterson The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Alaska Airlines leadership recently announced they approved a tentative agreement (TA) with Alaska Airlines management for pilot ratification. Click here for the Alaska Airlines Pilots TA Quick Guide (September 2022) > At a quick glance, the TA contains impressive improvements to scope, […]

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