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AFA Update – March 6, 2020

In This Edition

  • COVID-19 Continuing Developments
  • Negotiating Committee Interviews – Additional Opportunity
  • Never Refuse a Drug or Alcohol Test
  • MEC Meets with FAA to Discuss Recurrent Training

COVID-19 Continuing Developments

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

The AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), in conjunction with our AFA counterparts at Horizon Air and AFA International, continue to closely monitor the situation in regard to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  A meeting was conducted between AFA Alaska and Horizon leaders on Wednesday to have further discussion about AFA’s requests to improve Flight Attendant protections.  This meeting will be followed up by an additional meeting between all Alaska and Horizon labor leaders and management from across Alaska Air Group (AAG) to further discussions about the impact of the virus and the steps that need to be taken to protect Flight Attendants, other employees, and passengers.

AFA Alaska released a communication earlier this week with more detailed information about the requests that we have made of management to improve protections for all of us on the job.  In addition to this communication, you can find the most up-to-date, pertinent information about COVID-19 and its impact on Flight Attendants on the Coronavirus Outbreak page of the AFA International website.  The page contains the latest news on the outbreak, resources for Flight Attendants to guard against the spread of infection, and links to additional governmental resources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC.  

Negotiating Committee Interviews – Additional Opportunity

Master Executive Council (MEC)

[Note: The MEC has become aware of chatter elsewhere on social media that we’re discriminating against junior and/or Legacy Virgin America (L-VX) FAs. This is due to the reposted opening for the Negotiating Committee that is soliciting for 25+ years occupational seniority and/or prior negotiations experience. This is definitely a misunderstanding about intent. The MEC has already received approximately 20 applications from both Legacy Alaska (L-AS) and L-VX FAs. We have full intention of interviewing all of them for the NC.


With a few exceptions, nearly all applicants have less than 15 years of occupational seniority and no formal negotiations experience. It is the MEC’s desire to have a representative NC, so we are looking to fill in the applicant pool with more senior FAs so that we have a representative sampling of the Membership. Additionally, Section VI.A.1 of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws specifically states “The Negotiating Committee selected should include a member, or members, who have had previous experience, insofar as is practicable.”


It is regrettable that some FAs have misconstrued the call for additional applicants with specific qualifications to mean the NC will be exclusively comprised of FAs with 25+ years of seniority and therefore all L-VX will be locked out of representation on the NC. This is absolutely not true.With only three members on the NC (plus the MEC president as chair), the MEC must consider each appointment very carefully. There are no guarantees who will ultimately be appointed because it will depend on each applicant’s qualifications and interview(s), but the MEC has a strong desire to choose a NC that is representative of all members and all constituencies as much as possible (e.g. seniorities, domiciles, legacy carriers, etc.). ^jtp 03/06/2020 @ 17:50 PT ]

The Master Executive Council (MEC) is currently in the process of scheduling interviews for prospective Negotiating Committee candidates who submitted expression of interest forms prior to the March 3 deadline.  In order to provide an additional opportunity, the MEC has decided to re-open the expression of interest process for Negotiating Committee Members.  Additional interviews will be conducted at the April Regular MEC Meeting.  The MEC is specifically seeking candidates with 25 years or more of Flight Attendant seniority and/or those with previous negotiating experience.  Other candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Our current Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) becomes amendable on December 17, 2021 but also contains an early opener clause for the negotiating process to begin as early as December 2020.  In anticipation of early openers, the Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for the Negotiating Committee during the April Regular MEC Meeting, to be held April 7 and 8, 2020.  All three Negotiating Committee positions are up for interview and consideration.  Per the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, the MEC President is the chairperson of the Negotiating Committee and rounds out the Committee as the fourth member.

The Negotiating Committee is charged to negotiate and institute the needs and desires of the Flight Attendants into an effective collective bargaining agreement (CBA).  The Committee should have a good working knowledge of the current CBA and be willing to devote their full time to the Committee during negotiations.  The members of this Committee shall serve as the CBA Interpretation Committee until a new agreement is completed.

Selection of Committee Members

  • Any person seeking a position on the Negotiating Committee must submit a resume to the MEC
  • Committee Members will function until a new Committee is selected
  • The Chairperson of the Negotiating Committee will be the MEC President or her/his designee
  • Committee Members are selected by majority vote of the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents)

Committee Member Duties & Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Negotiating Committee shall include the following:

  • The Committee, with the advice of the Staff Negotiator shall have the authority to conclude an agreement, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Constitution and Bylaws.
  • All members of the Committee, including alternates whenever possible, shall complete a negotiations training seminar prior to writing an “opener.”
  • Be familiar with Union policy and keep abreast of new developments in the industry.
  • Utilize the facilities and resources of the Union and the experience and knowledge of Union Officers, International Office staff and study committees of the Union. (eg., Legal, Retirement and Insurance, Wage and Working Conditions, etc.).
  • Maintain a current record of the:
    • Financial condition of the company.
    • Management lines of authority and methods of communication.
    • Operations statistics and experiences of the airline which may be used in bargaining, grievances, litigation, etc.
  • Be familiar with the wishes of the Flight Attendant group with respect to wages, working conditions, and work rules, through, for example, system-wide distribution of contract surveys, periodic road shows, etc.
  • Prepare the contract opener with the advice of the Staff Negotiator
  • Provide regular updates to the membership on the status of negotiations
  • Proof CBA language and agree with the Company on implementation and effective dates
  • Review tentative agreement with the MEC
  • Prepare membership summary package and Roadshow schedule
  • Present the tentative agreement to the members
  • Proof printed agreement and prepare CBA index
  • Prepare CBA interpretations for new concepts
  • Remain available as a resource for interpretations
  • Maintain a complete record of the negotiations, including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA.  A copy of this record will be forwarded to the International Office by the Negotiating Committee.
  • Maintain contact, through the MEC President, with IAM, ALPA, TWU, AMFA, and other applicable labor unions on property

Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Flight pay loss (FPL) reimbursement will be provided to Negotiating Committee Members at the rate of 6 TFP at “A” pay for 8 hours of work.  FPL is not reimbursed for days that solely contain travel to/from an activity.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews during the April Regular MEC meeting from April 7-8, 2020.  Bid around the interview date or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/YGCUtxVETB3z9aZW7.  The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Friday, March 27.  After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

Please note that in order to submit an expression of interest, you must have a Google account.  If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Questions?

Any questions regarding the Negotiating Committee positions or application process should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.

Never Refuse a Drug or Alcohol Test

Grievance Committee

As Flight Attendants, we are all aware that we are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.  This requirement is contained in 49 CFR part 40 and falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation.  At Alaska Airlines, the Drug Abatement department, which is part of the Safety Division, is responsible for administering the testing program and ensuring that the company remains compliant with all applicable rules and regulations pertaining to drug and alcohol testing. 

At the end of a duty period, many of us eagerly await block in and the opening of the boarding door to see whether or not a drug/alcohol tester is waiting for us.  The Drug Abatement department has told AFA that their expectation of the drug testers is that they will be present in the jet bridge when the door is opened.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen for a variety of reasons.

In order to prevent any misunderstanding and protect yourself, it is critically important that you never refuse a request to be tested.  Failing to cooperate with any part of the testing process is also considered a refusal to test.  Alaska Airlines drug and alcohol policy states that refusing to take a test is considered to be the same as failing a test.

Reporting any Drug or Alcohol Testing Irregularities to AFA

If you are notified of a drug or alcohol test and experience any irregularities with the process, fully cooperate with the tester but make a mental note of anything unusual.  Irregularities could include:

  • The tester is not present in the jet bridge prior to aircraft block in
  • The test is conducted in a public restroom that is not closed off to public access

* Please note that even though these items could be considered irregularities, they are not prohibited under DOT regulations.  Do not refuse a test based on a suspected irregularity.

Once the test is complete, please report any suspected irregularities to AFA as soon as possible.  These reports should be filed as a ticket through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center.  Be sure to include the date and time of the test, the name of the tester (if known), the flight number you worked immediately prior to the test, and any details of the irregularity.  An AFA representative will follow up with you based your report.

Questions?

If you have questions about drug and alcohol testing or possible test irregularities, please contact your Local Grievance Committee.

MEC Meets with FAA to Discuss Recurrent Training

Master Executive Council (MEC)

On Wednesday, February 26, members of the Master Executive Council (MEC), including many Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, met with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Cascadia Certificate Management Officer (CMO) as well as various members of Alaska Airlines inflight, flight operations, and labor relations management.  During the meeting, the MEC was able to engage in direct dialog with both FAA and management representatives in an attempt to gain clarity surrounding the considerable changes made to the recurrent training (RT) program over the past several months.  The MEC plans to have additional discussion about RT at next week’s Regular MEC Meeting and will provide another update within the next several weeks.

AFA Update – February 21, 2020

In This Edition

  • REMINDER: Negotiating Committee Interviews
  • AFA Dues FAQs
  • Department of Transportation Warning About CBD Products

REMINDER: Negotiating Committee Interviews

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Our current Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) becomes amendable on December 17, 2021 but also contains an early opener clause for the negotiating process to begin as early as December 2020.  In anticipation of early openers, the Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for the Negotiating Committee during the March Regular MEC Meeting, to be held March 10 and 11, 2020.  All three Negotiating Committee positions are up for interview and consideration.  Per the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, the MEC President is the chairperson of the Negotiating Committee and rounds out the Committee as the fourth member.

The Negotiating Committee is charged to negotiate and institute the needs and desires of the Flight Attendants into an effective collective bargaining agreement (CBA).  The Committee should have a good working knowledge of the current CBA and be willing to devote their full time to the Committee during negotiations.  The members of this Committee shall serve as the CBA Interpretation Committee until a new agreement is completed.

Selection of Committee Members

  • Any person seeking a­­ position on the Negotiating Committee must submit a resume to the MEC
  • Committee Members will function until a new Committee is selected
  • The Chairperson of the Negotiating Committee will be the MEC President or her/his designee
  • Committee Members are selected by majority vote of the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents)

Committee Member Duties & Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Negotiating Committee shall include the following:

  • The Committee, with the advice of the Staff Negotiator shall have the authority to conclude an agreement, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Constitution and Bylaws.
  • All members of the Committee, including alternates whenever possible, shall complete a negotiations training seminar prior to writing an “opener.”
  • Be familiar with Union policy and keep abreast of new developments in the industry.
  • Utilize the facilities and resources of the Union and the experience and knowledge of Union Officers, International Office staff and study committees of the Union. (eg., Legal, Retirement and Insurance, Wage and Working Conditions, etc.).
  • Maintain a current record of the:
    • Financial condition of the company.
    • Management lines of authority and methods of communication.
    • Operations statistics and experiences of the airline which may be used in bargaining, grievances, litigation, etc.
  • Be familiar with the wishes of the Flight Attendant group with respect to wages, working conditions, and work rules, through, for example, system-wide distribution of contract surveys, periodic road shows, etc.
  • Prepare the contract opener with the advice of the Staff Negotiator
  • Provide regular updates to the membership on the status of negotiations
  • Proof CBA language and agree with the Company on implementation and effective dates
  • Review tentative agreement with the MEC
  • Prepare membership summary package and Roadshow schedule
  • Present the tentative agreement to the members
  • Proof printed agreement and prepare CBA index
  • Prepare CBA interpretations for new concepts
  • Remain available as a resource for interpretations
  • Maintain a complete record of the negotiations, including proposals, notes and communications, and such record is the property of AFA-CWA.  A copy of this record will be forwarded to the International Office by the Negotiating Committee.
  • Maintain contact, through the MEC President, with IAM, ALPA, TWU, AMFA, and other applicable labor unions on property

Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Flight pay loss (FPL) reimbursement will be provided to Negotiating Committee Members at the rate of 6 TFP at “A” pay for 8 hours of work.  FPL is not reimbursed for days that solely contain travel to/from an activity.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews during the March Regular MEC meeting from March 10-11, 2020.  Bid around the interview date or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/6vj5XPxDwv9x54eb9.  The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Tuesday, March 3.  After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

Please note that in order to submit an expression of interest, you must have a Google account.  If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Questions?

Any questions regarding the Negotiating Committee positions or application process should be directed to MEC President Jeffrey Peterson at jeffrey.peterson@afaalaska.org.

AFA Dues FAQs

Membership Committee

How Often Are Dues Deducted?

Dues are deducted once per month on the 20th of the month and represent that months dues.

What If I Have a Past Due Amount?

Alaska Airlines will not deduct past due amounts from your paycheck.  If you have a past due amount owing, the AFA International Membership Service department will send you an invoice.  All past due amounts must be paid directly to AFA.

Do I Owe Dues If I Am On a Leave of Absence?

If you are on a leave of absence and coordinating any type of pay (sick leave or vacation), you are considered on payroll and you must pay your union dues.

If you are not coordinating enough to have your dues deducted (this is the last priority for payroll deductions) then you will receive an invoice from the AFA International Membership Services department.  This is a bill and the amount must be paid.  

If you are not receiving any pay, you are obligated to pay dues for the first 3 months of your leave.  After the three months period has passed, you do not have any further dues obligation until you return from your leave.

Where Can I Access Dues Check Off and Membership Forms?

You can access the Dues Check Off (DCO) form used for automatic payroll deduction of AFA dues and the AFA membership application on the membership page of the AFA Alaska website.

Questions?

If you have any questions about AFA dues, please contact your Local Membership Committee.

Department of Transportation Warning About CBD Products

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance issued a compliance notice regarding the use of cannabidiol (CBD) products for employees in safety-sensitive positions who are subject to drug testing per 49 CFR part 40 (which includes Flight Attendants).  You can view the notice by clicking here.

In summary, the notice states:

  • The Department of Transportation requires testing for marijuana and not CBD.
  • The labeling of many CBD products may be misleading because the products could contain higher levels of THC than what the product label states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently certify the levels of THC in CBD products, so there is no Federal oversight to ensure that the labels are accurate. The FDA has cautioned the public that: “Consumers should beware purchasing and using any [CBD] products.” The FDA has stated: “It is currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to a food or labeling it as a dietary supplement.” Also, the FDA has issued several warning letters to companies because their products contained more CBD than indicated on the product label.
  • The Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation, Part 40, does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason. Furthermore, CBD use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory-confirmed marijuana positive result. Therefore, Medical Review Officers will verify a drug test confirmed at the appropriate cutoffs as positive, even if an employee claims they only used a CBD product.

This information is consistent with other guidance on CBD previously communicated by AFA. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the AFA Alaska EAP Committee.  You can find contact information on the EAP Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.  Any contact made to AFA EAP is completely confidential.

Information about CBD Oils and Drug Testing

There has been a lot of interest recently in marijuana oils and products containing Cannabidiol (CBD).  CBD is a different chemical compound than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of the marijuana plant. You may have read about such products or seen them in the news.

It is important to know that CBD oils and other products containing CBD are considered to be Schedule I controlled substances and are therefore illegal under federal law.  Under federal guidelines, these substances do not have an acceptable medical application.  Regardless of labeling, products containing CBD, may contain traces of THC that would trigger a positive drug test and place your employment at risk.

You can read more about use of CBD oils and the federal government position on their use in a memorandum from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that you can access by clicking here.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the AFA Alaska EAP Committee.  You can find contact information on the EAP Committee pageof the AFA Alaska website.  Any contact made to AFA EAP is completely confidential.

You may also contact the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) Hotline at (855) 333-2327 or visit http://www.fadap.org.

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 EAP Committee Co-Chairpersons Elizabeth Dillon and Jeanne McCleave

Flight Attendant Alert: Changes to DOT Testing Effective January 1, 2018

This message was created by the International Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Department

Background

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final notice that four commonly prescribed medications will be added to the DOT testing program effective January 1, 2018. These four medications fall under a category of drugs known as opioids. They include:

  • Hydrocodone (example: Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Maxidone, Norco, Zydone)
  • Hydromorphone (example: Diluadid, Exalgo, Hydromorph Contin, Palladone)
  • Oxycodone (example: Percocet, Percodan, OxyContin, Roxicodone, Endocet, Xtampza, OxylR)
  • Oxymorphone (example: Opana, Numorphan).

Opioid medications are typically prescribed for the management of pain after injury, surgery, dental procedures and diagnosis of a medical illness with painful symptoms.

Important Regulatory Clarifications

  • Starting January 1, 2018, DOT testing will now for the very first time detect the use of these specific medications.
  • If the testing lab confirms the presence of these medications in a Flight Attendant’s drug test, the Flight Attendant will be contacted by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to determine if the Flight Attendant has a legally valid prescription within the overall meaning of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).
  • DOT has made it clear that it will not issue guidance to the MROs on how long a prescription may be considered valid for the purpose of providing a legitimate medical explanation for a laboratory positive. Specifically, DOT states “it would not be appropriate for the Department to substitute its judgment for that of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which is the Federal agency with the authority to determine what constitutes a valid prescription under the CSA. The DEA has not set a maximum duration for the length of time a prescription can be considered to be legally used by the person to whom it was prescribed…. Consequently, DOT will not create a time limit on the use of a legally valid prescription. Instead, MROs will make individualized determinations for each donor.”
  • Regardless of whether medical marijuana is prescribed by a physician, it cannot be the basis of a legitimate medical explanation. It will be verified by the MRO as a test positive.
  • When verifying the prescription an employee provides to the MRO, the DOT is now recommending “MROs should speak with the pharmacy and not simply rely on a photograph of the prescription label”.
  • If an MRO has concerns about an employee’s ability to safely perform her/his duties while taking a prescription, a new process has been put in place by DOT to ensure that “an employee is not caught off guard by the MRO’s decision to report the medical information regarding a legally valid prescription to a third party”. Effective January 1, 2018, the MRO must give the employee five (5) business days to have her/his prescribing physician contact the MRO to determine if the medication(s) can be changed to one that does not make the employee medically unqualified or that does not pose a significant safety risk before reporting the safety concern to a third party. If the MRO does not receive such information from the prescribing physician, the MRO would then report to third parties. Previously, the MRO would report to the third party and then engage with the prescribing health care provider.

Resources to Help You Balance Safety and Medication

There are a number of resources under the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol (FADAP) Website (www.FADAP.org) to help you balance safety and the use of prescription medications including the 4 new medications for which DOT will test effective January 1, 2018.

Medication Safety Film for Flight Attendants: View this short film to understand the safety issues and best practices around medication use by Flight Attendants. ->

Medication and flying article “What Medications Can I Take While Flying?” Read this three-page article to get a more rounded understanding of the issues surrounding medication use by Flight Attendants and best practices. ->

“Flight Attendant Essential Job Functions” wallet card: There is no list of DOT banned prescriptions for flight attendants, other than prescription marijuana. The decision of which medications you can take and safely perform your Flight Attendant duties is generally determined by your health care provider (including dosage, frequency and timing of use in relation to your work schedule).

To help you inform your provider of your safety sensitive duties, provide your health care provider with your job description for incorporation into your medical file. ->

You can also download wallet size lists of Flight Attendants’ essential job functions for your provider’s quick reference each and every time a medication is discussed. ->

Health Care Provider’s Medication Note: Should your health care provider prescribe a medication containing an opioid or amphetamine (both of which are detectable under DOT testing) have your provider sign this note for your submission just in case you are challenged about the safe use of the medication. ->

* * *

Have more questions? Contact AFA International EAP at 800-424-2406.

In Solidarity,

Your AFA EAP

IMPORTANT: Changes To Airline Drug Testing

Background

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a notice that it is proposing to add four (4) commonly prescribed medications to its testing program.  These 4 medications fall under a category of drugs known as opioids.   They include:

  • Hydrocodone (example: Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Maxidone, Norco, Zydone)
  • Hydromorphone (example: Diluadid, Exalgo, Hydromorph Contin, Palladone)
  • Oxycodone (example: Percocet, Percodan, OxyContin, Roxicodone, Endocet, Xtampza, OxylR)
  • Oxymorphone (example: Opana, Numorphan)

Opioid medications are typically prescribed for the management of pain after injury, surgery, dental procedures and diagnosis of a medical illness with painful symptoms.  The new DOT rule is projected to take effect sometime after October 1, 2017.

Issue

Once DOT expands testing to include these prescribed pain killers, Flight Attendants on valid and non-expired opioid prescriptions will have their test results verified by a medical review officer (MRO) as “negative”.  However, under DOT rule 49 CRF Part 40, Section 40.327, Flight Attendants who use these medications could be at risk of being reported to the company as a “safety risk” under the below DOT rule.  After a Flight Attendant’s employer is informed that a Flight Attendant’s use of a medication poses a “safety risk”, DOT regulation does not specify what actions the employer must or may follow thereafter.  DOT regulation also does not currently define for MROs what constitutes a valid and non-expired prescription.

DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 40 Section 40.327

(a) As the MRO, you must, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, report drug test results and medical information you learned as part of the verification process to third parties without the employee’s consent if you determine, in your reasonable medical judgment, that:

(1) The information is likely to result in the employee being determined to be medically unqualified under an applicable DOT agency regulation; or

(2) The information indicates that continued performance by the employee of his or her safety-sensitive function is likely to pose a significant safety risk.

(b) The third parties to whom you are authorized to provide information by this section include the employer, a physician or other health care provider responsible for determining the medical qualifications of the employee under an applicable DOT agency safety regulation, a SAP evaluating the employee as part of the return to duty process (see §40.293(g)), a DOT agency, or the National Transportation Safety Board in the course of an accident investigation.

(c) If the law of a foreign country (e.g., Canada) prohibits you from providing medical information to the employer, you may comply with that prohibition.

Resources to Help You Balance Safety and Medication

There are a number of resources under the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol (FADAP) Website (www.FADAP.org) to help you balance safety and the use of prescription medications including the proposed 4 new medications for which DOT will test.

Medication Safety Film for Flight Attendants

Preview this short film to understand the safety issues and best practices around medication use by Flight Attendants.

Medication and Flying Article “What Medications Can I Take While Flying?

Read this 3-page article to get a more rounded understanding of the issues surrounding medication use by Flight Attendants and best practices.

“Flight Attendant Essential Job Functions” Wallet Card

There is no list of DOT banned prescriptions for flight attendants, other than prescription marijuana. The decision of what medications (including dosage, frequency and timing of use in relation to your work schedule) which you can take and safely perform your Flight Attendant duties is generally determined by your health care provider. To help you inform your provider of your safety sensitive duties, provide your health care provider with your job description for incorporation into your medical file. You can also download wallet size lists of Flight Attendants’ essential job functions for your provider’s quick reference each and every time a medication is discussed.

Health Care Provider’s Medication Note

Should your health care provider prescribe a medication containing an opioid or amphetamine (both of which are detectable under DOT testing and could subject you to Section 40.327) have your provider sign this note for your submission just in case you are challenged about the safe use of the medication.

Questions?

Your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee can provide confidential assistance around substance use related concerns.  You can find contact information on the EAP Committee page at afaalaska.org.

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 EAP Co-Chairs Elizabeth Dillon and Jeanne McCleave

Upcoming 2023 AFA Board of Directors Meeting

Master Executive Council (MEC) Next week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, and many other LEC Officers and Committee Chairs will be attending the 50th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting being held virtually. They will join representatives from the other airlines that make up AFA to conduct the business of […]

2023 College Scholarship Opportunities

AFA International As an AFA and CWA Member, you and/or certain eligible dependents have the opportunities for at least two different scholarships for the pursuit of higher education.  The time for applying is now! Brought to you by our Union, these benefits of union membership have become very popular with Members.  Please see the respective links for […]

EAP/Professional Standards Committee News – March 2023

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Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Reserve Committee On Thursday, March 9, 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), Teran Eason (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN).  Also present was MEC Reserve […]

Help Support SkyWest Flight Attendant Organizing in LAX & SAN!

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Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

By

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

By

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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