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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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AFA Update – April 6, 2020

In This Edition

  • Cancellation of April & May Recurrent Training
  • Reminders About Layover Transportation and Meals
  • Reporting Uniform Reactions
  • Voluntary Benefits Updates & Information
  • AFA EAP Support Services
  • CWA/NETT and LinkedIn Learning

Cancellation of April & May Recurrent Training

On Friday, management announced that they would be cancelling recurrent training (RT) for the months of April and May as a precautionary measure in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.    Along with the cancellation announcement, management also provided information about an FAA temporary exemption granting a two-month extension to Flight Attendants with April and May base months (as well as some Flight Attendants scheduled for RT at the end of March).  This exemption will give affected Flight Attendants an additional two grace months during which to complete RT in 2020 (e.g. a Flight Attendant whose base month is April and grace month is May will now have June and July as additional grace months this year).

AFA representatives have requested that management remove the April cancelled classes from rosters in Crew Access as soon as possible in order to allow Flight Attendants to manage their schedules and trade and/or pick up flying if desired.  Crew Planning is also in the process of removing RT pre-planned absence from NavBlue to allow Flight Attendants who were scheduled for class in May to bid normally.  Management has indicated that they will contact Flight Attendants whose RT class has been cancelled to discuss rescheduling options but they have not yet provided AFA with specifics on what the process for rescheduling will be.

If you have questions about the April/May recurrent training cancellations, please contact Inflight Training management directly at inflight.training@alaskaair.com.

Reminders About Layover Transportation and Meals

Hotel Committee

Dedicated Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation

The AFA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – March 19, 2020 provided information about the temporary implementation of dedicated crew-only layover hotel transportation.  Management also communicated this information in bulletin #2020-0016, issued on March 17.  As a reminder, this crew-only transportation may be either hotel-provided van that is dedicated for crewmembers only or separate contracted transportation.  Please reference your trip information in Crew Access to determine whether the hotel or a contracted vendor will be providing layover hotel transportation.  You can also find a complete list of dedicated transportation providers on the Inflight website > Hotel, Travel, & Station > Hotel News > Dedicated Transportation.

As always, if you encounter any issues with a transportation provider, please notify your AFA Hotel Committee by filing a CrewCare report.

Food Availability on Layovers

At the request of AFA, management has compiled a list of food availability at each layover hotel throughout the system.  This list is updated regularly to ensure the most up-to-date information.  It can be found on the Inflight website > Hotel, Travel, & Station > Hotel News > Food Availability.

Questions?

Your AFA Hotel Committee is here to assist and support you in all matters related to layover hotels and transportation.  You can find contact information for your Local Hotel Committee by clicking here.

Reporting Uniform Reactions

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

With the launch of the new Unisync uniform, our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) and Uniform Committee would like to offer a reminder about how to report reactions or safety concerns related to the new uniform pieces.  Management has outlined the process for reporting these concerns in a document that is housed on the uniform subsite of Alaska’s World.  You can access the document directly by clicking here (AAG sign on required).

Questions?

If you have questions about how to report uniform reactions or need assistance in navigating the process, please contact AFA Uniform Safety Representative Deb Wallstrom at uniform.reactions@afaalaska.org.

Voluntary Benefits Updates & Information

Benefits Committee

Our AFA Benefits Committee has received information that Alaska employees who have either 401(k) through Vanguard or Alaska Credit Union loans may be eligible for modified payment arrangements.  National Group Protection (NGP) has also provided information about continuation of coverage for anyone enrolled in the NGP/CAIC supplemental benefits program who takes a leave of absence.

Vanguard – 401(k) Loans

  • You can suspend a loan for up to 12 months
  • It can take up to two pay periods to process the suspension
  • Once the request has been processed, the 12 month suspension begins
  • You can reinstate payments earlier without penalty
  • You can also make payments during the suspension of any amount without penalty.  If you choose to do so, it will not restart your loan.
  • You will accrue interest during that time – but this is interest you pay yourself.  This may adjust your loan payment amount once your loan is reinstated.

For assistance with Vanguard 401(k) loan suspensions, contact Vanguard Participant Services at (800) 523-1188 (available Mon-Fri, 5:30 AM to 6 PM Pacific time).  You can also reach out to Jamie Smalley with specific questions at jaime.smalley@alaskaair.com.

Alaska Air Group Credit Union Loans 

The Alaska Air Group Credit Union (AAGCU) is offering an emergency skip-a-payment option that may allow customers to skip to three monthly payments on certain AAGCU loans.  For more information about this program, including a link to apply, please visit the AAGCU website by clicking here.

AFA Supplemental Benefits – National Group Protection

National Group Protection (NGP) has provided information for those who are enrolled in the NGP/CAIC supplemental benefits program and take a Leave of Absence (LOA).  These special provisions include:

  • Coverage will continue without interruption during the LOA
  • Premiums are not due during the LOA
  • CAIC will honor claims during the LOA
  • No action is required on your part to maintain your coverage

Complete information can be found in this document.  If you have any questions, please contact National Group at (800) 344-9016 or service@ngp-ins.com.

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.

Questions?

Please contact your Local EAP Committee for more information or assistance.

CWA/NETT and LinkedIn Learning

AFA International

As a part of CWA, AFA members are entitled to take advantage of complimentary online learning through CWA/NETT.  CWA/NETT provides you and your family with access to hundreds of online training courses through LinkedIn Learning. This might be the perfect time to brush up on existing skills or learn new ones. 

Examples of learning titles include:

  • Zoom Meetings
  • Microsoft Collaboration
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Sharepoint

You can get started by completing this form.  The form requires your CWA local number, which you can find on the Contact Us page of the AFA Alaska website under FAQs > Membership and Dues Questions > What’s My CWA Local Number.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your LEC Officers.

AFA and CWA Scholarships

Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to dependents of our active members who will be attending a college or university.

Applications will not be considered unless they are complete with the following:

  1. Applications must be postmarked by April 10
  2. Three (3) written references attached
  3. Transcripts, grades, and SAT scores must be included

Who Qualifies?

A dependent of an active AFA member in good standing who is seeking to further her/his education at an accredited college or university.

A recipient of this scholarship will receive the cost of tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 for one year.  Any recipient may reapply for this scholarship each year until graduation up to a maximum of four years.

What Are the Guidelines and Application Requirements?

The Scholarship Fund has established some guidelines to be used by students when deciding whether or not to apply for this award.  Applicants should:

  1. Be ranked in the top 15% of their high school class;
  2. Have, or expect to have, excellent SAT or ACT scores;
  3. Be able to demonstrate financial need;
  4. Write a 300-word essay; and
  5. Provide all information required on the application form.

Due to the highly competitive nature of the program and the large number of applicants, students should carefully consider these criteria before submitting an application.

Who Distributes the Scholarship?

The Scholarship is managed and distributed through the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund Committee.  AFA is the largest union in the United States representing flight attendants.

What Is the Purpose of the Scholarship?

To further the education of promising young men and women who are dependents of AFA members in good standing who otherwise would not have the opportunity for higher education.

When Is the Scholarship Given?

The money for tuition, room, board and reasonable book expense, up to a maximum of $5,000 per year is sent directly to the college or university upon verification of enrollment in a degree program.  The college or university must send invoices to AFA, which will then be paid by the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund.  No funds shall be distributed directly to the recipient.

Where Do I Get an Application?

Click here to download an application. You can always request a paper application by writing to the address below.

How Do I Find My AFA Member Number?

You can find your AFA member number on your AFA membership card.  Alternately, you can email your Local Membership Committee for assistance.

When Do I Apply?

Your application must be postmarked by April 10.  Applications must be returned to the following address:

Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund
PO Box 56
Hartwood, VA  22471-0056

CWA Joe Beirne Foundation Scholarship

The CWA Joe Beirne Foundation was established in October 1974 by the Communications Workers of America Executive Board to honor the name and memory of the founding President of CWA, who served for more than 30 years. In his capacity as the first CWA President, Joe Beirne took great pride in the roles he played in the fields of education and learning and other areas of social concern.

Click here for more information about this scholarship.

 

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green and Brice McGee

U.S. Presidential Election Text Messaging by CWA

Over the weekend, it came to our attention that many AFA Members received a text message or series of messages from the Communication Workers of America (CWA), of which AFA is part, regarding the upcoming presidential election. The messages were sent using a computer system and were programmed to carry on a conversation based on the response from the person receiving the message.

After further investigation, we discovered that these text messages were sent from the CWA Political Department without the knowledge of your AFA Alaska leadership. Your MEC has contacted both CWA and AFA International regarding these communications. We received a commitment that AFA Members will not be included in future messaging using this system.

If you have any questions, please contact your LEC President. Contact information for your LEC President can be found on your Local Council page at http://afaalaska.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Satterlee, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Tim Green, Brice McGee and MEC Government Affairs Chairperson Krystle Berry

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