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Council 35 News – May 2022

Important Dates

June 02: Workplace Mental Health First Aid Virtual Training
June 30: Q2 CBT Due

Officer Elections – Thank you Council 35 Members!

Thank you everyone that voted in the recent Council 35 Officer elections.  James, Brad and I (Melissa) are grateful for all your support and look forward to supporting our members for the next 3 years.  Council 35 is also happy to announce and welcome a new addition to our team, Virginia Fritz as Vice President!  As the SFO Scheduling Chair Virginia is no stranger to members’ needs at Council 35, and now she will be expanding her responsibility even further by supporting members in a variety of ways.  Here’s what Virginia has to say about her new role:

I am so humbled and honored that our membership chose to elect me as their new Vice President! I have had a lot of passion in serving C35 as the Local Scheduling Chair and love that I now have more opportunities to do so. I look forward to working with the Re-Elected Team that has been serving as our base for the past 3 years and finding more ways to support C35. Thank you for your faith in me! I look forward to serving you all and ensuring that your trust has been placed in the right person!

Workplace Mental Health First Aid Virtual Training

Provided by AFA International EAP
The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) is offering a special in-depth virtual training opportunity to discuss workplace issues and learn best practices dealing with mental health and substance abuse concerns for Flight Attendants and their friends and family. Utilizing components of the Mental Health First Aid curriculum, a nationally used workplace training program, the program will explore the topics below. Time will be available for questions and answers. Topics to be covered include:

  • Signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • Assessment, warning signs, and interventions for suicide
  • Understanding traumatic events
  • Facts and risk factors for substance abuse
  • Understanding stages of change and interventions for substance abuse

Date: June 2. 2022
Time: 1400-1800 Eastern
Where: Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 840 1525 7760
Passcode: 774802
One Tap Mobile:

+13017158592,,84015257760# US (Washington DC)

+13126266799,,84015257760# US (Chicago)

Dial By Location:

    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

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    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

    +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

Welcome to SFO!

As of May 1, SFO has welcomed 19 new Flight Attendants and look forward to more for the month of June!  Council 35 members, please give our newest Flight Attendants a warm welcome and be sure to show them  what we love about our SFO base. If you’re a new hire or transfer to SFO-Welcome!  Please be sure to sign up to receive Council 35 newsletters (like this one) and be sure to save the link to Council 35 committee resources for future reference.

AFA Help for Crew Conflict

We have all had those days…days we go to work and the crew just doesn’t click.  As professionals, we have been trained to use our communication and CRM skills to get through the trip.  But what do we do when that doesn’t work?  If you and a fellow crew member can’t resolve a disagreement and/or conflict on your own, or you find yourself uncomfortable confronting a fellow crewmember, let’s consider the options to reach a resolution:

Contact Base/Performance Management or Human Resources/HR:

This option is easy to begin with, however take a moment to understand what happens next when you choose this option.  Once management receives a report, they are obligated to follow through with an investigation.  This may include a series of interviews with crew members and could result in disciplinary action.  The challenge with this option is that once management is aware, there is no turning back.  Take time to consider if enduring an investigation and/or facing discipline for another and possibly yourself is the desired outcome.  Please consider whether there is a way to resolve the issue that doesn’t involve permanently impacting an FA’s personnel file.

File an ASAP Report (Compliance and/or Safety Concern)

This option is perfect for reporting possible safety and compliance issues that cause a disagreement.  The Aviation Action Safety Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) includes AFA, Alaska (AS) management and the FAA. The ERC evaluates reports that are  scrubbed of all identifying features so the issue is considered, not the individual who caused it.  This provides a fair and discipline-free option to resolve an issue without involving a performance investigation.  Keep in mind that the ASAP program has exceptions for reports involving alcohol and intentional disregard for policy and procedure.  Please review the ASAP webpage for more details.

EAP Professional Standards (Our Favorite!)

Professional Standards (PS) is a division of the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) committee.  Committee representatives are specially trained in mediation and have many options available to offer Flight Attendants that find themselves in a conflict with another FA. The beauty of this program is that it does not involve AS management at all.  It is completely confidential and avoids the stressful investigation process that would be the result from contacting management alone.  Keep in mind, once management is involved, EAP/PS cannot step in to help.  Therefore your Council 35 officers strongly recommend that FAs consider Professional Standards first, before any other option.  Any Flight Attendant who has endured an investigation due to being “turned in” by another FA would agree that avoiding management’s involvement is always a better option.

To contact SFO EAP Professional Standards, please reach out to sfo.eap@afaalaska.org for a consultation.

Scheduling Quick Links

by Virginia Fritz, VP Elect and Scheduling Chair

Pre-cancellations

Have a precancellation and don’t know what options you have? Please review the flow chart on our webpage to see which scenario fits your specific situation.\

IROPs

On a trip and experiencing an IROP situation? Save the link to the AFA Scheduling IROPs guide to understand pay and scheduling options for each scenario.

Fly Now, Grieve Later

Keep in mind that there will be times when there may not be time to evaluate the legalities of a situation you encounter. You may need to fly the trip and open a ticket for review after the fact.  Your SFO Scheduling Committee can help you through the resolution process if an issue is not able to be resolved at the time it occurs.  

More questions? Contact sfo.scheduling@afalaska.org.

New Council 35 Committee Openings:

Government Affairs Committee Chair

The Government Affairs (GA) committee promotes the AFA-CWA agenda by supporting legislative efforts that benefit our members or lobbying to discourage laws that will negatively impact members.  What can be achieved in legislation takes away the need for negotiation in our contracts.  If you have an interest in government issues, please visit the GA webpage on the AFA Alaska website. Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration. 

Mobilization Committee Chair

Council 35 is looking to fill the chair position for upcoming Section 6 negotiations.  The chairs from each base will compose the committee with the goal to help motivate and provide assistance to members during the negotiations process.  If you are passionate about improvements to our contract and understand the power of solidarity, please apply!  Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.  For more information, please see the recent MEC communication announcing the role.

Interested in another committee position?  Please review the duties and responsibilities on the AFA Alaska Committee website.  Please submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.

Complimentary In These Times for AFA-CWA Members

Provided by AFA International
Each year, In These Times magazine makes a limited number of subscriptions available to valued readers – for free. This year, they’ve invited AFA-CWA members to take part. In These Times is an award-winning, monthly magazine that has covered movements for social and economic justice since 1976. With over 40 years of chronicling and informing the labor movement, they report from the perspective of workers, not the bosses. There’s no payment or credit card info required, and no strings attached. The only catch is that there is a limited number of free subscriptions available, so take advantage of this and sign up now!  To claim your free subscription, visit the In These Times website.

SFO KCM New Location

Effective May 12, 2022 TSA relocated the KCM entrance for SFO Terminal 2. It has been relocated to the C-gate check point (near Green Beans Coffee) where you will find a dedicated KCM crew line. This check point is open from 0400-0030 daily.

Got a question?

Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website.  You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.

In solidarity,

Council 35 Officers:

Melissa Osborne, President
Virginia Fritz, Vice-President Elect
James Ikehara, Secretary
Brad Young, Council Representative

Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

Council 35 News – April 2022

Topics

Important Dates | CA Membership Meeting | Officer Elections | Committee Openings | Spring Incentive | Section 6 | Solidarity | Pilot Strike | TSA Self Defense | Scholarships.

Important Dates

  • April 30: CWA Scholarship Application Due
  • May 10: CA Membership Meeting
  • May 26: C35 Officer Election Polls Close

CA Membership Meeting

Hosted by Councils 35, 18, and 15

The next membership meeting for Council 35 members will be Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1100 via Zoom. The purpose will be to discuss the upcoming AFA-CWA Annual Board of Directors Meeting.  This meeting will be a combined council meeting and open to all Council 35 (SFO), 18 (LAX) and 15 (SAN) members in good standing (up-to-date on dues). Agenda can be found here.  Deadline to submit advanced agenda items is 5/6/22.  To attend, please register here.

Officer Election Coming Soon!

It’s election time for SFO and members will have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for Council 35 officers.  All Council 35 voting instructions and guidelines can be found on the AFA Elections Page. The AFA-CWA Membership Services Department handles all voter questions and issues new activation codes if ballots are misplaced or never received.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.  If you have a question or need a new 16-digit activation code, you may contact the Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, then press 1 and dial extension 706.

Council 35 Election Dates

Ballots Mailed:  4/27/22
Polls Open:  5/5/22
Polls Close/Results:  5/26/22, 1200 PST
Term Date Start: 7/1/22
Term Date End:  6/30/25

New Council 35 Committee Openings

Government Affairs Committee Chair

The Government Affairs (GA) committee promotes the AFA-CWA agenda by supporting legislative efforts that benefit our members or lobbying to discourage laws that will negatively impact members.  What can be achieved in legislation takes away the need for negotiation.  If you have an interest in government issues, please visit the GA webpage on the AFA Alaska website. Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.

Government Affairs Committee Chair

Council 35 is looking to fill the chair position for upcoming Section 6 negotiations.  The chairs from each base will compose the committee with the goal to help motivate and provide assistance to members during the negotiations process.  If you are passionate about improvements to our contract and understand the power of solidarity, please apply!  Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.  For more information, please see the recent MEC communication announcing the role.

Interested in another committee position?  Please review the duties and responsibilities on the AFA Alaska Committee website.  Please submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.

Spring Incentive: Love it or Hate it?

Section 6 negotiations are getting ready to launch, but did you know the MEC is regularly “negotiating” with management? A great example of this is the Spring Incentive.  Management couldn’t just compel us to participate, as we already have a defined incentive program (PPP) outlined in JCBA§21.R.  They approached us with the idea to help alleviate the staffing issue and the “negotiations” began.  This particular program, developed exclusively by management, was not received well by the MEC at first glance.  Right away we rejected some of the most contentious issues: threshold way too high, not enough people will benefit, won’t motivate regular flyers, not including enough pay codes (i.e. vacation).  Pretty much everything that members have expressed after launch as the unsavory aspects of the program.  In response we offered several suggestions to improve the program’s benefit and effectiveness to which the company declined and only agreed to a few of our suggestions.  We weren’t given much time to work out the details and within a couple of days the MEC had to make a decision to either support the program, or reject it altogether.  Some may disagree with the choice we made, but I can share with you why I was a reluctant yes.  

When considering SFO specifically (the members that elected me), I came to the conclusion that the Spring Incentive would potentially benefit the SFO F/As more than not.  The program rewards high-time flyers (always been an SFO trend) and brings a little extra pay to overworked reserves.  With this in mind, I decided that it was better to say yes to the program than say no.  I made my decision based on my understanding of the base and what my members want.  The best way for me to know what members want is to hear from you!  If this program is good for you, let me know!  If you hate it, let me know!  I can make better decisions in the future if my members share with me how they feel about issues that affect their work environment. If members are curious about how I voted on a particular issue, please reach out and ask!  I am happy to share my decisions and receive feedback to better support SFO FAs.

TSA Crew Member Self Defense Training Program – Reinstated

The TSA Crew Member Self Defense Training Program has been reinstated and is available for all US-based flight attendants free of charge. There are 2 classes scheduled for their South San Francisco location on May 19th and June 16th, from 0800-1200. If you cannot attend these dates, additional classes for 2022 may be offered at a later date. Use this link for more information and to sign up for one of their classes.

Scholarship Opportunities

Provided by AFA International

The Joe Beirne Scholarship offered by CWA is available to AFA Members and dependents. The deadline for applications is April 30.   For more information please visit the CWA website.

Member Questions: Negotiations

Why Do We Call Contract Negotiations “Section 6?”

The term “Section 6” refers to the part of the Railway Labor Act (RLA) that defines the negotiations process.  In many industries, collective bargaining agreements (CBA) have an expiration date, and until a new one is negotiated, the benefits of the old contract are no longer available.  The industries that fall under the RLA have contracts that become amendable, meaning they open up for changes but don’t officially expire (unless specifically defined), and it stays in effect until a new one is ratified (voted in by members).  This was to prevent a transportation shutdown in the early days of the RLA’s existence, as it would have had (and still does have) a devastating effect on the infrastructure of the nation.  What can F/As do now to help?  Get educated and follow the progress of the Negotiating Committee!  Many SFO members haven’t experienced full Section 6 negotiations and understanding the process is crucial to our success.  For more information about negotiations please visit the AFA Alaska Negotiations website. 

Solidarity and Why We Need It

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines solidarity as: unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives, and standards. Many members are frustrated with management’s decisions and policies that have rolled out recently.  It’s been rough and your Council 35 officers and committee members are united in the frustration! Going to social media to vent is a great way to chat with other members and share experiences and frustrations, however it can also hinder our progress at the negotiations table.  Please see the recent MEC communication on this topic.  Social media campaigns as well as individual emails to management expressing displeasure only show that we are a divided work group.  As your elected leaders, that is literally our job-to confront management on your behalf.  If we don’t hear from you, we can’t stand up to ask for change.  Tell us!  The best way to let them know we mean business is to stand together in solidarity.

Alaska Pilot Strike Vote

Council 35 has received several emails from members concerned about the pilot strike vote and how it will impact F/As lives. One of the issues that has raised the most concern is the strike vote planned for May.   Although the vote is scheduled soon, it does not mean the actual strike, if it happens, will follow immediately.  ALPA (pilot Union for AS pilots) and the company have just recently entered the mediation phase of negotiations, which could last an indefinite amount of time:  weeks, months, maybe even years.  If mediation is unsuccessful,  there will be an appeal to the National Mediation Board (NMB) to release the parties from mediation, which is followed by a cooling off period of 30 days.  The pilots follow the same process for negotiations under the RLA as we do at AFA-CWA.  To see a breakdown of steps, please visit our Negotiations website where you will find a helpful chart and breakdown of the different phases of the process. Flight Attendants can also follow ALPA’s progress by visiting the ALPA website.  

Got a question?

Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website.  You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.

In solidarity,

Melissa, James and Brad

Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

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).

Get Involved: AFA Committees Forming Soon

AFA Council 35, which has represented pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants based at SFO and LAX, will soon be realigned as part of the merger process. The election process is currently underway in both SFO and LAX for Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers who will represent the Flight Attendants of their respective domiciles.  Once the election results are certified on July 31, pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants based at LAX will become part of Council 18 (which currently represents pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants also based at LAX) and Council 35 will solely represent Flight Attendants based at SFO going forward.

About AFA Committees

AFA has established a series of committees in order to represent Flight Attendant interests in different areas that are important to our profession and the quality of our working conditions. The volunteer Flight Attendants who serve on these committees provide an important level of representation to their flying partners and help to support the LEC Officers within the Local Council.

Each Local Committee is led by a Local Committee Chairperson and may also have Local Committee Members based on the workload and need of the committee.  All of these positions are appointed by the LEC Officers.  The Local Committee Chairperson works with the Master Executive Council (MEC) Chairperson of the committee, who is responsible for coordinating the activities of the committee across the entire airline.

Local AFA committee positions include:

In addition, Local Committee Chairpersons have additional duties and responsibilities that can be viewed by clicking here.

Interested in Getting Involved?

Further AFA email communications about how to express interest and get involved as a Local Committee volunteer will be coming out over the next month.  In the meantime, you can review the volunteers page of the AFA Alaska website for additional information.

If you are interested in serving as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Member, this particular position involves an application process.  You may review the informational page on the AFA International website for more information and complete the online EAP representative application if interested.

[pmAS] MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative Interviews

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

Background

The MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative is responsible for working with management to resolve Flight Attendant payroll discrepancies.  The Representative works closely with the MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson, Scheduling Committee, and Reserve Committee to gather Flight Attendant payroll concerns and represents the position of the MEC in interactions with management.

Additional Information from the MEC Policy Manual

The following language is contained in Article VII.F.3 (Grievance Committee, Payroll Subcommittee) of the AFA Policy & Procedure Manual

A.  Scope

(i)  The Payroll Subcommittee will work with the company and the Inflight Payroll Department to resolve Flight Attendant pay concerns with management.

(ii)  The Subcommittee will represent and advocate for the MEC position in matters pertaining to Flight Attendant pay

B.  Policy/Responsibilities

(i)  The Payroll Subcommittee shall consist of the MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative

(ii)  The Subcommittee shall:

(A)  Review activity claim forms and other Flight Attendant pay claims as needed.

(B)  When pay is correct, provide Flight Attendants with an explanation and applicable contractual citations explaining how the pay is correct.

(C)  Meet with management on a regular basis to discuss, review, and resolve Flight Attendant pay discrepancies.

(D)  Attend and participate in the Scheduling Review Board.

(E)  Meet regularly, but no less than weekly, with the MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson to discuss the needs, interests, and challenges of the subcommittee.

(F)  Meet regularly, but no less than bi-weekly, with the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson and MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson to review and provide updates on work of interest to the committee(s) and subcommittee.

Qualifications

  • Robust working knowledge of scheduling, reserve, hours of service, and compensation provisions of the Flight Attendant collective bargaining agreement.
  • Ability to maintain office hours in Seattle during the business week and attend meetings as required.
  • Strong computer skills. Excellent working knowledge of Jeppesen Crew Access (JCA), Google email, osTicket, and Microsoft Office.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, track issues, prepare reports, and plan meeting agendas and take minutes.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on assigned tasks.

Duties

  • Provide assistance and guidance to Local Benefits, Grievance, Scheduling, and Reserve Committees in handling Flight Attendant pay concerns and issues. Assist in resolution of issues as needed.
  • Attend meetings with management and represent the AFA position on Flight Attendant pay-related matters.
  • Participate in the Scheduling Review Board process. Participate in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) meetings when requested.
  • Schedule, plan, and conduct monthly meetings of the committee and other meetings and conference calls as needed.
  • Coordinate with the MEC Scheduling and Reserve Committee Chairpersons to address and resolve open issues.
  • Correspond with the Local Benefits, Grievance, Scheduling, and Reserve Committee Chairpersons and MEC regularly to provide status updates. Prepare and send a monthly activity report to the MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson for inclusion in the monthly committee report to the MEC.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

  • This position will receive 75 TFP of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) per month in accordance with a letter of agreement with the company, paid with a 5% override at “A” pay.
  • Time commitment is approximately three days per week in Seattle with additional work completed remotely or in the office as necessary. No relocation or accommodation expense is provided for this position.
  • The MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative does not bid a line.

Working Relationships

With The MEC Grievance Committee

This position works directly on a day-to-day basis with the MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson and Representative. Frequent interaction with Local Grievance Committee Members.

With Other MEC Committee

Constant interaction with the MEC Committee Chairperson and Local Committee Chairpersons of the Benefits, Scheduling, and Reserve Committees. Frequent interaction with Local Committee Members of each committee.

With The Master Executive Council

This position reports to the Master Executive Council through the MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson. The MEC executive sponsor for the committee is the MEC President.

With Alaska Airlines Management

Constant interaction with inflight management, particularly the Manager of Crew Pay (Debbie Bakke), Supervisor of Crew Pay (Michele Carcalean), Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling (Denia Pisia), Crew Pay Analysts, and Inflight Crew Scheduling Duty Managers.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

  • The MEC will hold interviews during the May MEC meeting on Wednesday, May 16. No trip drops or scheduling adjustments are available to attend the interviews.
  • Interviews will be at the AFA Alaska MEC office in Seattle.
  • Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, May 4, 2018. Linda will be able to provide additional information regarding transportation and booking of flights if necessary.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Grievance Committee Chairperson Stephanie Adams

AFA News in Review – September 19, 2025

In This Edition Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month Originally posted September 15, 2025 Join us in celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, a time dedicated to honoring the vibrant cultures and significant contributions of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Discover the history, participate in special events, and grab your commemorative Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pin […]

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 first 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

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. 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 […]

Election Notice: Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Officer Elections

The term of office for our current Alaska + Hawaiian Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2025. The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the November Regular MEC meeting. This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual. […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement […]

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