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        You are here: Home / Archives for COVID-19

        AFA COVID-19 Onboard Service Survey

        July 28, 2020 05:00

        On July 16, management implemented an expansion of onboard service which included the addition of multiple beverage selections and the re-introduction of hot beverages as an option for passengers.  During the lead up to the service expansion, members of our Master Executive Council (MEC), Inflight Service Committee, and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) engaged management in multiple discussions with the intent of protecting Flight Attendant safety and health during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

        Despite the objections raised by AFA and the nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, management made the decision to proceed with the rollout of the additional service citing the need to address complaints received through the Alaska Listens platform and improve scores on customer satisfaction surveys.  The MEC, Inflight Service Committee, and ASHSC believe that the decision to proceed with an expanded onboard service in the wake of the increase in COVID-19 cases was irresponsible on management’s part.  

        COVID-19 Onboard Service Survey Launches Today

        The MEC fully intends to continue to engage with management on the subject of onboard service, especially surrounding management’s plan for a further expansion next month.  In an effort to gather as much direct Flight Attendant feedback as possible to share during those conversations, we have launched the AFA COVID-19 Onboard Service Survey.  The survey is an opportunity to share your thoughts, feedback, and experiences related to the July 16 expanded onboard service.  

        Click here to take the survey

        You’ll be able to take the survey any time between now and Sunday, August 2 at 5 PM PDT.  Please share this link with your flying partners and encourage everyone who has worked since the July 16 onboard service expansion to take part! Even if you have not worked since July 16, you’ll still be able to share any comments you have about the service expansion.

        REMINDER: Report Any Safety Hazards

        In addition to completing the AFA COVID-19 Onboard Service Survey, please also remember to report any safety hazards that you experience while performing the expanded onboard service.  This could include instances of increased exposure to passengers (e.g. passenger removing their mask to speak to you, etc.) or other hazards related to service.  You can report these hazards through ReportIt! by submitting either a FAIR and/or ASAP for each flight on which they occur.  Include the terms “COVID-19″ and “service” in your narrative to ensure they are correctly categorized by management.  This data will help our AFA representatives to advocate for safe levels of service.

        Questions?

        If you have any questions about the AFA COVID-19 Onboard Service Survey, please contact your LEC Officers.

        Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Inflight Service Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2020, COVID-19, Inflight Service, novel coronavirus, safety, survey

        AFA Update – July 13, 2020

        July 13, 2020 05:00

        In This Edition

        • ACTION ALERT: Call Congress to Extend the CARES Act Payroll Support Program
        • Vanguard Retirement Webinars
        • Telephonic Support Groups for Flight Attendants
        • Ground Commuting During Significant Weather Events 
        • Temporary Requalification (RQ) Training Timeline Modification

        ACTION ALERT: Call Congress to Extend the CARES Act Payroll Support Program

        Government Affairs Committee

        We need to generate phone calls to Congress every day. Flight Attendants and family members should be making two calls to the Senate line and one call to the House line.

        We are calling for a six month aviation Payroll Support Program extension through March 31, 2021, to protect our jobs. This is the most successful jobs program of the CARES Act and it needs to be extended since COVID-19 cases are again on the rise.

        All of aviation labor is standing together to call on Congress to pass a clean extension of the Payroll Support Program before the summer Congressional recess. Waiting until September for this action is too late because October planning will be done and hundreds of thousands of workers will already be told they are out of work. Already, Delta Air Lines pilots and United Airlines workers have received WARN notices. 

        We need urgent action on this now:

        1.         Call your Representative and Senators: Flight Attendants and family should make three calls every day. Two to the Senate line and one to the House line.

        House: (888) 907-9365
        Senate: (888) 848-4824

        Sample Script:

        Hello, I am a constituent calling to ask [Representative]/[Senator] to help save my job as an essential worker. Take legislative action in July to extend the CARES Act Payroll Support Program for aviation workers in order to avoid massive job loss in October. Keep us connected to our jobs, our paychecks, and our healthcare. Thank you for your urgent attention to this.

        2.         Sign this letter to your Representative and Senators >

        3.         Tell 5 flying partners and your friends and family to do the same!

        A CARES Act extension must pass Congress before they recess later this summer. Take action now and plan to keep taking action every day throughout July.

        https://youtu.be/OAjNYnWVxOQ
        WATCH: AFA Government Affairs Activists Urge Flight Attendants to Make Calls

        Vanguard Retirement Webinars

        Retirement Committee

        As the company will be offering early out packages, your AFA Retirement Committee, in conjunction with Vanguard, the company’s 401(k) plan administrator, will be conducting an online webinar to provide information and answer questions about the planning process for retirement.  More information from Vanguard is below.

        Switching from earning a paycheck to living off your retirement savings and Social Security is a big change. If you’re within a few years of retiring, learn how you can turn your savings into a steady paycheck. This webinar will help you answer:

        • How much will my retirement cost?
        • Where will I find the money to pay for retirement?
        • How do I make my savings last as long as my retirement?
        • How do I invest my money during retirement?

        Dates, Times, and Registration Information

        Two sessions will be available:

        • Friday, July 17 – 10 AM PDT
        • Wednesday, July 29 – 1 PM PDT

        Advanced registration is required and can be completed using the link below:

        Click here to register for one of the sessions

        Questions?

        If you have any questions about the upcoming webinars, please contact MEC Retirement Committee Chairperson Terry Taylor at terry.taylor@afaalaska.org.


        Telephonic Support Groups for Flight Attendants

        Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

        Build your resiliency by joining these telephonic support groups just for Flight Attendants.  Groups are sponsored by your AFA EAP/FADAP and facilitated by a confidential mental health professional.  All Flight Attendants are welcome.

        Learn some techniques on stress management, decision making under pressure, emotional balance and connect with flying partners during this period of uncertainty in the Aviation Industry. Join any or all sessions.  No pre-registration required.

        Calls start on Monday, July 13 and are scheduled Mondays (July 13, 20, 27, August 3) and Fridays (July 17, 23, 31, August 7).  Each call begins at 12 PM PDT and will last one hour.

        Call-In Number

        (855) 544-2320 or (401) 648-9218

        If outside the U.S., follow the directions here.


        Ground Commuting During Significant Weather Events 

        Grievance Committee

        The MEC recently mediated Grievance 36-99-2-30-19, Violation of Section 28.G.2 Ground Commuting Policy.  This grievance arose out of the February 2019 snow events.  The grievance alleged the Company’s violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement   Section 28.G.2 [Domiciles:  Commuter Policy/Ground Commuting Policy], past practice and all related sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when during the February 2019 Pacific Northwest snowstorms, it did not allow Flight Attendants to use the ground commuter policy because the Company did not consider a snowstorm-related ground commuting failure to be unanticipated. 

        Originally, we sought to arbitrate this grievance, however it seemed better with this particular case to mediate the issue with an unbiased mediator.  Arbitration results in a decision made by the arbitrator usually with one side winning and the other side losing; whereas mediation allows both parties to have a say in the outcome.   An arbitration award cannot change or add contract language, it may only interpret what was already present, however in mediation the parties may come to agreements about adding or changing language.  

        The issue was resolved very favorably with the addition of language for ground commuting during significant weather delays.  This adds protections for Flight Attendants attempting to get to work whether the weather event is anticipated or not.  The new language adds a detailed process for management to follow, thereby removing any subjectivity, which typically was only a detriment to our Flight Attendants. 

        A complete copy of the sideletter of agreement that includes the newly agreed upon language related to ground commuting during significant weather events has been uploaded to the AFA Alaska website and can be accessed by clicking here.

        Questions?

        If you have any questions about the grievance or sideletter of agreement, please contact your Local Grievance Committee.


        Temporary Requalification Training (RQ) Timeline Modification

        Grievance Committee

        For Flight Attendants returning from a leave of absence or who have been unable to complete Recurrent Training (RT) by the end of their eligibility period, completing Requalification Training (RQ) is a requirement before being able to return to work.  Section 30.B.3 of the joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA) requires management to offer a full RQ class within the first five working days of every month, but this requirement has recently caused significant stress for many of our Flight Attendants.  Due to a recent changes in how management interprets the eligibility period of Flight Attendants who are required to take Requalification Training (RQ), the home study CBT that must be completed prior to attending class is no longer made available until the first day of the month when scheduled to attend class.  With this change, Flight Attendants who might be scheduled to take RQ on the 2nd of the month would not even have access to the CBT until the 1st of the month.

        Due to this very compressed timeline that Flight Attendants are now being given to complete the CBT prior to RQ, the MEC approached management to work to extend the period of time that would be available to complete the CBT prior to class.   We were able to reach a temporary agreement with management to extend the contractual requirement for the Company to offer a full RQ class from within the first five working days of the month to having the class offered no sooner than the seventh working day of the month.  The temporary agreement also provides pay protection for any affected Flight Attendants between the fifth working day of the month (the contractual requirement to offer class) and the day prior to when the Company actually offers the class.  Even with this temporary extension to the Company’s requirement to offer a full dedicated RQ class, Flight Attendants who are due to take RQ may continue to exercise their contractual right to trade into the RQ slot in any regularly scheduled RT class during the month if space is available.

        This temporary agreement will take effect with the August 2020 bid month and will remain in effect through at least the December 2020 bid month.  A complete copy of the letter of agreement is available on the AFA Alaska website and can be viewed by clicking here. 

        Questions?

        If you have any questions, please contact your Local Grievance Committee.

        Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Government Affairs Committee, Grievance Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC), Retirement Committee Tagged With: 2020, call to action, Congress, COVID-19, early out, Government Affairs, ground commuting, novel coronavirus, requalification training, retirement, RQ

        AFA Update – July 2, 2020

        July 2, 2020 12:00

        In This Edition

        • Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program
        • Substance Use During COVID-19 Pandemic
        • Vanguard Retirement Webinar—Coming Soon
        • Union Plus Program Hardship Benefits
        • Updated Board of Directors Information
        • The Dues Pie Chart – Where Do My Dues Go?

        Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program

        AFA International

        The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 are calling for a six-month aviation Payroll Support Program (PSP) extension through March 31, 2021, to protect our jobs, extend the restrictions on stock buybacks, dividends, and executive compensation, and maintain service to all of our communities. Tell Congress to keep our industry intact to ensure aviation can help fight the virus and contribute to economic recovery as opposed to adding to an economic depression.

        Amplify Your Voice With a Call

        In addition to sending a letter, you can amplify your voice by following up with a phone call to your Members of Congress.  Call your Representative and Senators and say:

        Hello, I am a constituent calling to ask [Representative]/[Senator] to help save my job as an essential worker. Take legislative action in July to extend the CARES Act Payroll Support Program for aviation workers in order to avoid massive job loss in October. Keep us connected to our jobs, our paychecks, and our healthcare. Thank you for your urgent attention to this.

        AFA COVID Relief House – (888) 907-9365
        AFA COVID Relief Senate – (888) 848-4824

        Substance Use During COVID-19 Pandemic

        Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

        Historically, crisis events tend to trigger increased drug and alcohol abuse. Post 9/11, for example, the National Institutes of Health raised concerns about increased substance use by those impacted by the tragedy.  Meanwhile, after Hurricane Katrina, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that hospitalization for alcohol use disorders rose by 35 percent in New Orleans.   Experts fear that we will see similar trends this time, but on a national scale. People frequently self-medicate with drugs and alcohol to cope with feelings of stress and anxiety.  Uncertainty about the future, loneliness, lack of routine, economic dislocation, job loss and fear of death by disease, can all be triggers for those who are vulnerable to substance abuse, including those in recovery – even after long periods of abstinence.  Meanwhile, stay-at-home orders in effect for COVID-19, limit access to support systems such as friends, neighbors, therapists, church, family and recovery groups.  Early indications aren’t good.  Researchers are seeing spikes in alcohol sales, marijuana use, and anti-anxiety and pain medication prescriptions.

        If you are concerned about substance abuse for yourself, a family member or flying partner, now is the perfect time to consider treatment, especially if you are on a voluntary leave.  Your AFA EAP Committee can discuss and coordinate all treatment options while maintaining your right to privacy.   If you are getting ready to return from a leave and would like to discuss preventing safety risk associated with drug and alcohol testing violations, contact your AFA EAP Committee for a confidential conversation.   Contact information for your Local EAP Committee can be found at afaalaska.org/eap.


        Vanguard Retirement Webinar—Coming Soon

        Retirement Committee

        As the company will be offering early out packages, your AFA Retirement Committee, in conjunction with Vanguard, the company’s 401(k) plan administrator, will be conducting an online webinar to provide information and answer questions about the planning process for retirement.  Meeting date, time, registration information, and information about how to submit questions in advance will be posted to the Retirement Committee page of the AFA Alaska website and communicated in an AFA update email once finalized.

        Retirement Plan Resources

        In addition to the upcoming retirement webinar, a list of retirement plan resources and links to these online tools can be found on the retirement resources page of Alaska’s World (AAG sign-on required).


        Union Plus Program Hardship Benefits

        AFA International

        Many of the Union Plus programs, which are an AFA Member benefit, provide hardship benefits.

        Members who currently have a Union Plus Mortgage, Credit Card, Personal Loan, or Supplemental Insurance programs may be eligible for additional hardship assistance through the Mortgage Assistance Program and Union Plus Hardship Help. The Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program provides interest-free loans and a $1000 grant to help eligible members make mortgage payments when disabled, unemployed, furloughed, locked out or on strike.

        Union Plus Credit Card holders are eligible for a $300 job loss grant if they have been laid-off or furloughed for 45 days or more due to COVID-19. The eligibility criteria and application process can be found at www.unionplus.org/hardship-help/union-plus-hardship-help-benefits.

        The MetLife Legal program is making available additional resources including free consultation and document review and access to a self-help library so members can get questions answered and also review and complete Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives and similar documents for free through July 31, 2020. Additional info, including the instructions to reach the self-help document library, is available here: https://www.unionplus.org/blog/consumer-tips/free-legal-document-review-and-consultations-through-july-31-2020.

        The Free College program is making available additional financial aid to students who may need additional assistance for education-related expenses due to COVID-19. Info on Free College is here: https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org.


        Updated AFA Board of Directors Information

        AFA International

        The Board of Directors were scheduled to meet in-person during May 2020, but due to the pandemic conditions, that meeting was cancelled. The BOD met virtually via a Zoom Meeting on May 20, 2020. The purpose of this meeting was to address the 2020-2021 Proposed Annual Budget.

        Visit the AFA International Board of Directors resource page for updated meeting documentation that includes the single Agenda Item (Annual AFA Budget), the four Resolutions that were considered and other useful material.


        The Dues Pie Chart – Where Do My Dues Go?

        AFA International

        The Dues Pie Chart depicts where all funds at AFA are budgeted. About 80% of dues dollars are directly allocated to fund the work at each airline (i.e. Local Councils, Master Executive Councils, Negotiations, and System Board). The remaining budgets at the International Office support Government Affairs, Air Safety, EAP, and Communications Departments, each of which provides expert services that are Flight Attendant focused and provide resources for the local leaders and committees of Flight Attendants at each airline. 100% of our dues dollars are allocated to priorities that provide Flight Attendant representation.

        Pie chart showing AFA dues allocations.

        There are four distinct areas where dues money is spent:

        Local and Airline-Specific

        Each base has a Local Executive Council (LEC) with elected Officers who provide direct representation and deal with local grievances and other issues. These Local Officers will answer your phone calls and make sure member interests are represented in front of management. For example, in the event of discipline or a contract violation, Local Officers will address the issue where it happened and work to get swift resolution. Additionally, elected Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers provide representation at the corporate level. At both the LEC and MEC, there are committees that solve problems in areas such as safety, schedules, hotels, grievances, etc. These committees also enforce the contract specific to their area of expertise, produce newsletters, and participate in union meetings. The role of your LEC and MEC Officers and committee representatives at each airline is to ensure you are represented by Flight Attendants who know your job because they share it with you at your airline. AFA promotes this autonomy at each airline where your representatives, assisted by experts, negotiate with management and develop and maintain the relationship between airline management and the Union.

        Negotiations

        Bargaining for pay and working conditions is one of the core representation activities performed by the Union. We start with a membership survey, schedule meetings with management, conduct caucuses with the committee, develop contractual language, support membership engagement and information programs, and we work with AFA-CWA professional negotiators throughout the process including all direct negotiations/mediation with management. The end result is improved contractual language with higher pay, better working conditions, and improved benefits.

        System Board (Grievances)

        The first step in any grievance is to try to resolve the matter locally. Some airlines have negotiated an alternative dispute process for a faster, collaborative resolution. If that fails, then the final stage for resolution, whether disciplinary or contractual, is an appeal to a neutral arbitrator. An AFA-CWA attorney will work with our Grievance Committee to present our case to the neutral arbitrator. We defend the contracts we negotiate.

        International Office Support

        While your LEC is the face of the Union to local management and the MEC to corporate management, the International Office is the public persona and brand of the Union. Our presence and name recognition can legislate or improve federal regulations, remove obstacles from the bargaining table, better our position in negotiations and improve our experience on the job across the profession. The International Office maintains the professional staff of attorneys, negotiators, and other personnel that provide administration, accounting and membership services to members and elected leaders. We all work together to support the programs that encompasses our profession.

        Questions?

        If you have questions about AFA dues, please contact your LEC President. 

        Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC), Retirement Committee Tagged With: 2020, BOD Meeting, COVID-19, dues, EAP, novel coronavirus, retirement, Union Plus, Vanguard

        AFA Update – June 30, 2020

        June 30, 2020 15:00

        In This Edition

        • Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program
        • Pandemic Response
        • Fraudulent Face Mask Exemption Card
        • Management Provides Contractual Furlough Notice
        • Company “Early Out”
        • CARES Act Additional $600 Ends Soon

        Tell Congress: Extend the Payroll Support Program

        AFA International

        The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 are calling for a six-month aviation Payroll Support Program (PSP) extension through March 31, 2021, to protect our jobs, extend the restrictions on stock buybacks, dividends, and executive compensation, and maintain service to all of our communities. Tell Congress to keep our industry intact to ensure aviation can help fight the virus and contribute to economic recovery as opposed to adding to an economic depression.

        Amplify Your Voice With a Call

        In addition to sending a letter, you can amplify your voice by following up with a phone call to your Members of Congress.  Call your Representative and Senators and say:

        Hello, I am a constituent calling to ask [Representative]/[Senator] to help save my job as an essential worker. Take legislative action in July to extend the CARES Act Payroll Support Program for aviation workers in order to avoid massive job loss in October. Keep us connected to our jobs, our paychecks, and our healthcare. Thank you for your urgent attention to this.

        AFA COVID Relief House – (888) 907-9365
        AFA COVID Relief Senate – (888) 848-4824

        You may also receive a phone call over the next several days from AFA Government Affairs Committee Members or other AFA volunteers to ask for your support in making these calls.


        Pandemic Response

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        AFA remains dedicated to our mission to protect the safety and health of our members, and we continue to do so on multiple fronts during this pandemic. Representatives from the Master Executive Council (MEC); the Air Safety, Health and Security Committee; and the Inflight Service Committee meet multiple times per week with management to advocate on your behalf. AFA recently met with an infectious disease expert from the University of Washington on more than one occasion to discuss our questions and concerns. 

        We echo your concerns about diminishing social distancing onboard, mask compliance, personal protective equipment (PPE) and increasing service levels. Be assured we will continue to work with management to maximize the safety of our Flight Attendants. See the Company’s Listening & Acting: Actions we are taking in partnership with AFA  resource page (AAG sign-on required) for the latest updates.


        Fraudulent Face Mask Exemption Card

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        AFA Interactive (June 26, 2020) reported that a Facebook group dubbed the Freedom to Breathe Agency, or FTBA, is promoting fake face mask exemption cards featuring an eagle image reminiscent of the Department of Justice (DOJ) seal. Images of the laminated cards have been circulating on social media and were recently deemed fraudulent by the DOJ. Read more >

        The MEC has requested that management take the following actions:

        • Alert Flight Attendants and CSAs that the card is fake and what to do about it and similar exemption cards if presented.
        • Communicate what documentation is required by passengers to substantiate medical or religious exemptions for wearing a face mask while travelling.

        Management Provides Contractual Furlough Notice 

        Master Executive Council (MEC)

        Pursuant to Section 18.G of the JCBA, management provided notice to the MEC President last Thursday (June 25) that the Company intends to use a Reduction of Force of Flight Attendants effective October 1, 2020. The contract requires that the parties meet for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days from the date of notice “to consider… programs to help mitigate a reduction in force.” We are meeting every day this week to negotiate on the terms of additional and/or enhanced furlough mitigations.


        Company “Early Out”

        Retirement Committee

        Management recently indicated that “Early Out” program details and application processes will be communicated over the next few weeks “depending on union agreements and company timelines.” Management has stated, “[W]e are still finalizing details with union and operational leaders,” and that “options may be different depending on union representation, current CBA language and operational needs.” However, AFA did not negotiate this Early Out package.

        AFA approached management back in March regarding our interest in negotiating an Early Out, but management declined our offer. Although management has provided AFA with the opportunity for limited feedback, the Company developed its own version of an Early Out for all represented work groups rather than engaging each union—including AFA—in direct negotiations. The MEC would like to level-set the expectations of our members by being clear this is a management-developed Early Out package. More information to come once management has publicly released the details.


        CARES Act Additional $600 Ends Soon

        The additional $600 in weekly unemployment insurance benefits provided by the federal government is officially set to end July 31, but all states except New York will pay it only through the week ending Saturday, July 25.  Read more >

        Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Government Affairs Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2020, CARES Act, COVID-19, early out, face mask, furlough, novel coronavirus

        AFA Update – June 12, 2020

        June 12, 2020 12:00

        In This Edition

        • Black Lives Matter
        • Onboard Fume Events – How To Recognize and Respond
        • AFA EAP Support Services

        Black Lives Matter

        By Chip Hestle, MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson

        Three words at the center of conversations, not only in the United States of America, but throughout the world. So just what does Black Lives Matter (BLM) mean? BLM is an international human rights movement, founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tomet, in July 2013.  The BLM movement originated from the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer.  BLM is a global organization focused on annihilating white supremacy and stepping in to support black citizens who are victims of systemic racism and violence because of the color of their skin.

        Systemic racism is deep-rooted discrimination that has repeated itself again and again, becoming more and more ingrained in society during a span of generations.

        As it was stated by Mr. Strickland, senior legal analyst and special assistant to the director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, at the Ohio State University, “Systemic racism permeates within our institutions, its within our laws, our policies and our practices that have this founded foundation of biases, discrimination where you have barriers that place certain races above others. It permeates so much that people see it as normal, and it’s kind of normalized, that’s how, the way things are, when, in fact, these structures have been set up to the place certain races above others.”

        As Flight Attendants, we have the privilege of working side-by-side with diverse colleagues and passengers aboard our aircrafts.  Our paramount responsibility as Flight Attendants is to ensure the safety of the traveling public.  Have you witnessed or experienced racism while inflight? Think about it.  

        Let me be clear—saying or hearing BLM doesn’t mean that non-black lives don’t matter.  BLM has provided a platform for the black community and for people of color to draw attention to the need for change. 

        How can we effectively make change? Together, we can have healthy productive conversations with our family, friends and crew members.  A discussion around race is not easy.  But, if you desire to be a part of the solution and not the problem, I encourage you to try.  As Flight Attendants we have the gift of navigating difficult conversations.  We have the innate ability to express our feelings and, even more importantly, listen. 

        During this time of unparalleled crisis with COVID-19 and civil unrest, I encourage you to reach out to your Local Human Rights Committee Chairperson or your Local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee.  Your AFA Human Rights Committee is here for you.


        Onboard Fume Events – How To Recognize and Respond

        Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) – Air Quality Subcommittee

        Everyone knows that the cabin can smell. Most of the time, the smells are unpleasant but should not make you sick. But when you notice an unpleasant, unusual smell sourced to the air supply vents – “fumes” – you should pay attention. 

        The design and maintenance of aircraft systems means that, sometimes, engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes contaminate the air supplied to the cabin for ventilation. Ever noticed a dirty sock smell coming from the vents, maybe associated with APU usage or engine start? That smell can be engine oil fumes and the chemicals in those fumes can make you sick. Similarly, an acrid smell from the vents can be hydraulic fluid fumes. Other types of chemicals can get into the ventilation system, too, like deicing fluid and exhaust fumes. It’s important to know how to recognize and respond to the presence of these fumes in the cabin. 

        To assist our Members, AFA has created a video training tool to teach Flight Attendants how to recognize and respond to the presence of fumes onboard. The entire training takes approximately 40 minutes to complete and is built in modules that run for about 5 to 10 minutes each and can be completely individually. There is no password or login required to access the material. Check it out – listen to the stories of crewmembers who have been affected by fumes and learn about what you need to notice, plus the various AFA resources you can access. 

        Questions?

        If you have any questions, please refer to the Air Quality Subcommittee page of the AFA Alaska website or email airquality@afaalaska.org.


        AFA EAP Support Services

        Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

        AFA EAP has put together several resources to help Flight Attendants manage their personal mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 outbreak.  All services are available in either a telephone or online format.  For a complete list of support services being offered, schedules, and access information, please click here.

        Filed Under: Air Quality, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Human Rights & Equity Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2020, air quality, Black Lives Matter, BLM, cabin air, COVID-19, EAP, novel coronavirus

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        Latest News

        • Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
        • AFA News in Review – September 12, 2025
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025
        • We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001
        • Vacation Survey Now Open
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025
        • AFA News in Review – September 5, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews—October 2025
        • Council 39 September 2025 Update 

        Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month

        September 15, 2025

        September 15 marks the start of Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month in the United States, a vibrant celebration dedicated to honoring the rich contributions and diverse cultures of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Spanning a full month, this observance—also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month—has its roots in Hispanic Heritage Week, which was established by legislation signed into law by […]

        Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

        September 12, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary […]

        We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

        September 11, 2025

        AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

        Vacation Survey Now Open

        September 10, 2025

        This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

        SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

        September 6, 2025

        This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

        Recent Posts

        • Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
        • AFA News in Review – September 12, 2025
        • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025
        • We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001
        • Vacation Survey Now Open
        • SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025
        • AFA News in Review – September 5, 2025
        • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025
        • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews—October 2025
        • Council 39 September 2025 Update 
        • AFA News in Review – August 29, 2025
        • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – August 2025
        • AFA News in Review – August 22, 2025
        • Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2025
        • Hawaiian Airlines SEA Flight Attendant Domicile Update – August 2025

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