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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Early Out and Other Furlough Mitigation Options

Furlough mitigation resources

AFA has compiled the following furlough mitigation resources for easy reference.

Company resources (AAG SSO required)

AFA resources

Combined resources – “Early Out and Leave Options” informational sessions

Management is hosting and AFA will also be co-participating in upcoming “Early Out and Leave Options” informational sessions in which all furlough mitigations will be addressed: Early Outs, Extended Leaves of Absence and Enhanced Voluntary Furloughs.

Available Sessions – An individual calendar invite has been sent by management for each event. Please join us if you have questions!

Tue 7/14 @ 12pm – 1pm PT    

Thu 7/16 @ 4pm – 5pm PT

Tue 7/21 @ 2pm – 3pm PT

“The Numbers”

Everyone wants to know the target numbers for the Early Out program, Extended Leaves of Absence and Enhanced Voluntary Furloughs. The MEC shared that feedback with management prior to publication of yesterday’s email announcing the EOs and other furlough mitigation options. According to the Company’s Early out Q&A (AAG SSO required), management estimates needing approximately 600 Flight Attendants to take the Early Out.

In our June 5th “A Message About Current Events, and Planning for the Future” communication, the MEC projected that Alaska Airlines will possibly need 35%-50% less Flight Attendants systemwide—at least temporarily—beginning on October 1. We now project the impact to be fairly significantly less, but the MEC cannot say more due to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). However, the MEC will continue to press management to be more forthcoming with projections as soon as possible.

Company Early Out

Management has now released the details of the Company Early Out program (AAG SSO required). As mentioned in the June 30th edition of the AFA Update, 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. 

AFA’s assessment is that the Company’s EO package will not attain even close to the desired number of takers. Candidly, the Master Executive Council (MEC) is disappointed in the Company’s EO; we had hoped the Company’s EO would be more in line with industry leading Flight Attendant EOs like at Southwest Airlines. However, the EO will interest some Flight Attendants who were already considering retirement or who are interested in early retirement.

Involuntary Furlough (IVF) Mitigations

No lower line averages

Pursuant to §18.A [Involuntary Furlough Mitigation], AFA and management have been working on furlough mitigations over the past two weeks. After careful consideration and in consultation with industry experts, AFA has declined to lower the line averages or adjust the line value range. AFA already lowered the minimum domicile average line value from 78 TFP to 75 TFP in the 2014-2019 CBA, which allows individual lines to be built up to 10 TFP lower at 65 TFP. Our analysis is that the scale of anticipated reduced staffing is so great and the duration of lower lines so uncertain that these mitigations would be unacceptable to the majority and seen as a concession.

October 2020 Furlough Mitigations Letter of Agreement

Click here for the October 2020 Furlough Mitigations Letter of Agreement >

Furlough mitigation enhancements and clarifications that are in addition to Extended Leaves of Absence and Voluntary Furlough provision in Section 18.A [Involuntary Furlough Mitigations]:

  • Extended Leaves of Absence of 12-month duration (ELOA-12) -> No change to contract
    • COBRA-eligible for healthcare
    • Regular 480 unpaid credit of 1.333 TFP per day
    • Base guarantee
    • See contract for additional details
  • “Enhanced” Voluntary Furloughs of 6-, 9-, 12- and 15-month durations (EVF-6, EVF-9, EVF-12 and EVF-15)
    • Company-paid healthcare premiums
    • Double 480 credit
    • Base guarantee on EVF-6 & EVF-9 (contractual voluntary furloughs have no base guarantee)
    • No base guarantee on EVF-12 or EVF-15 unless recalled June 2021 or earlier
  • Productivity Premium Program eligibility on ELOA & EVFs (and on IVF via separate email acknowledgement from management)
  • Recall procedures
    • Order of recall clarified: IVF followed by EVF (followed by ELOAs requested but not required)
    • “Live” recall or bypass form
    • Full-time student bypass for the remainder of the term while on ELOA, EVF or IVF (proof of enrollment in accredited college or university required)
  • Staffing Adjustment Leaves (SALs) -> Enhancement to §15.B [Staffing Adjustment…]
    • Offered one month at a time (in order to avoid the perception of seniority violations) but may be awarded consecutively
    • Double 480 credit
    • Company-paid healthcare premiums
  • FAs on involuntary furlough may choose to remain current by attending regulatory training (RT/RQ)
    • Company-paid healthcare premiums during the month of training
    • Out of domicile provisions if FA is required to take training out of domicile (e.g. SANFAs)
    • Positive space Company Business travel provided to and from domicile if required
  • Unemployment insurance (UI)
    • Company will not contest UI
    • Company will provide support letter to the FA
  • “Reconvene clause” in case legislation (e.g. potential extension to the CARES Act) is subsequently passed that prevents IVFs

Reduction in Force 2020 Sideletter of Agreement

Click here for the Reduction in Force 2020 Sideletter of Agreement >

AFA and management recognized that references to “seniority” in §18.A [Involuntary Furlough Mitigations] and §18.K [Involuntary Furlough Seniority Retention] required clarification to reflect intent and established practice: 

  • Occupational Seniority always accrues: FAs always receive scheduled pay increases and are not negatively impacted in bidding seniority or relative seniority while on any type of leave or furlough.
  • Company Seniority always accrues: FAs always receive scheduled vacation accrual increases and are not negatively impacted for non-rev seniority while on any type of leave or furlough.
  • Longevity: 401(k) vesting and retirement eligibility are ‘frozen’ (i.e. retained but not accrued) while on certain types of leave or while on furlough.

The parties clarified the procedures for returning from an Extended Leave of Absence under §18.A:

  • Domicile protection while on ELOA and recall in Occupational Seniority order

The parties will allow Flight Attendants to conduct Union Business (UB) or Company Business (CB) while on a voluntary furlough under §27.AA [Union Business and/or Company Business…]:

  • Flight Attendants who routinely conduct UB and/or CB work may be potentially willing to take voluntary furloughs, and this provision would allow them to do so while continuing to provide necessary services to the Company and/or to the Association.
  • Examples: Inflight Training Instructors, Special Project work Flight Attendants and union reps

Tell Congress: Extend the CARES Act

If not enough Flight Attendants voluntarily take the Early Out, Extended Leave of Absence or Enhanced Voluntary Furlough, then at least some of our sisters and brothers will be involuntarily furloughed starting in October. Consequently, it is vitally important that each and every one of you help AFA-CWA, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 achieve a six-month extension to the CARES Act in order to protect Flight Attendant jobs. Tell Congress to keep our industry intact by extending the CARES Act!

These are extremely difficult and stressful times. Please remember that your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee is always available as a support resource. As your direct representative on the MEC, your LEC president is available to answer questions or concerns that you may have about all the information presented here. Contact information for your respective LEC president can be found by clicking here. We hope to see you at one of the upcoming “Early Out and Leave Options” informational sessions on 7/14, 7/16 or 7/21!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Matt Cook, Terry Taylor, Steve Maller, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

AFA Update – July 2, 2020

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. 

AFA Update – June 12, 2020

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.

AFA Update – May 11, 2020

In This Edition

  • Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status
  • AFA Dues Payments While on a Leave of Absence
  • Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Resources While on Reduced or Unpaid Status 

AFA International

The announcement of reduced flying schedules and the subsequent need for leaves of absence have many Flight Attendants feeling anxious and concerned. Local Unemployment offices are facing an unprecedented demand for information and assistance. Many states are revising their requirements to make it easier for workers to apply online. 

Additional benefits for Flight Attendants can be found in the recently passed CARES Act. Because of your many calls and letters to Congress and through AFA’s advocacy on Capitol Hill interacting directly with lawmakers, we were able to secure financial relief for individual workers and airlines in a way that promotes direct support of continued paychecks, healthcare, and financial viability of the airlines. All of this was made law while placing restrictions on stock buybacks, dividends, executive bonuses and using funds in any way to undermine worker rights.  

The following information has been compiled from AFA EAP and Legal departments, the AFL-CIO and Union Plus Benefits. Links to several useful flyers are contained within this section which provide additional information.

AFA EAP

We know this is a stressful time for everyone. AFA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to help you deal with the emotional toll the events of this time are taking. AFA EAP is a resource for resolving problems through an international network of over 200 professionally-trained, peer support volunteer Flight Attendants overseen by mental health professionals. AFA EAP assists members in accessing appropriate medical help around mental health issues involving family crises, work-related trauma and chemical imbalance, as well as conflict resolution services and response to critical incidents. EAP is totally confidential. If you would like to contact AFA EAP you can find contact information by clicking here.

We hope these resources will assist you with this difficult transition. We encourage you to reach out to these experts as soon as possible.

AFL-CIO: State Specific Resources

As a member union in the AFL-CIO we are pleased to direct you to a useful landing page that will allow you to search for resources by state including:

  • Resources and benefits to help replace lost wages
  • Eligibility for emergency paid leave
  • Housing and food assistance programs
  • Health insurance and public health services and guidance

https://aflcio.org/covid-19/state-resources

Unemployment Benefits 

People who take a leave or experience a reduction in hours through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive unemployment. Eligibility requirements, statutory wait periods and length of time to collect benefits differ by state. However, the scale and scope of these benefits will vary depending on the state where you are based. It is strongly recommended that you review the unemployment filing requirements and determine if your personal circumstances might allow you the choice of filing with your home state or your domicile state. An important piece of any unemployment filing will be the leave paperwork you receive from your airline. If the language contains verbiage that the leave is COVID related, this will be key to securing benefits. Additionally, most airlines have taken the position they will not contest unemployment filings that are COVID related. Make sure you reference COVID as the reason for your leave when filing your unemployment claim.

As part of the COVID-19 Relief Act, Congress increased by $600 the amount of weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments that laid off and furloughed workers can receive through July 31, 2020. If you’re eligible for at least $1 of state unemployment compensation, you get the full $600, according to the Labor Department. The CARES Act also extends the number of weeks of eligibility for long term unemployed people by 13 weeks to the current state term (normally 26 weeks) to a maximum of 39 weeks, temporarily eliminates work-search requirements and minimum work history (under normal rules, only those who have been employed for a year are eligible), and expands the categories of eligible workers. 

Online Unemployment Information and Resources: 

  • For more information about the changes the CARES Act made to the unemployment insurance, we recommend this guide put together by our friends at the National Employment Law Project.
  • Our AFA website contains up to date information, compiled by the legal department, regarding your questions and answers about unemployment: https://www.afacwa.org/increased_unemployment_covid19

Online Government Resources for Help 

Information about unemployment insurance and sources of other governmental assistance programs can be found here: 

Union Plus

Union Plus is another partner of the AFL-CIO. It is a consumer benefits program for union members and offers specific programs to assist members in times of financial hardship. Visit these websites for additional information: 

AFA Dues Payments While on a Leave of Absence

Membership Committee

As a reminder, Article II.C.1.b of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws require that AFA dues continue to be paid during any leave of absence less than 90 days.  If you currently pay your dues through payroll deduction, dues payments will continue to be deducted as long as you continue to receive a paycheck with sufficient funds for all other payroll deductions plus your AFA dues.  If you are no longer receiving a paycheck or your paycheck does not cover all of your payroll deductions, AFA dues will not be deducted and you will instead receive an invoice from AFA International Membership Services.

Payment Options

If you receive an invoice or statement indicating that you owe AFA dues, payment can be made in one of two ways:

More information about payment options can be found on the payment options page of membership services section of the AFA International website.  This page also contains information about payment plan options if you have a past due account and are unable to pay your entire balance at once.

Questions?

If you have any questions about payment options for outstanding AFA dues, please contact the AFA International Membership Services Department at (800) 424-2401, extension 707.  For other dues-related questions, please contact your Local Membership Committee.

Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

It is prudent for all Flight Attendants to assess their personal financial positions in anticipation of income reductions.  While every Flight Attendant’s situation will vary, below are some general considerations that can help you begin strategizing how best to weather the financial impact of flying cutbacks on your household.

Assess Your Financial Status

  • Prepare a household budget and cut any non-essential items.
  • Prepare a list of all creditors and a contact person.  Make minimum payments.
  • Place your money in a bank in which you have no debt.
  • Attempt to secure a loan early, so you will have a cash flow.
  • Assess your tax situation.  You may be owed a refund or need to file an extension.
  • Be proactive.  Assess your credit card debt.  Look into a temporary reduction or abatement in payments.

Contact Your Creditors

You must communicate with your creditors before any payments become delinquent, and the sooner the better.  You can negotiate a lower repayment schedule before you run out of money.  Be professional, but assertive.  Creditors are easier to work with if they know ahead of time that there’s a problem.  Also, it shows ‘good faith’ that you are concerned about your debts and intend to pay.

The goal is to make the amount of money you’ve saved last as long as possible.  Pay what you can on a regular basis, even if it is less than expected.  Partial payments may keep collection agents away.  Follow-up all telephone conversations with a letter and keep documentation.  Even in the worst-case scenario, it takes a long time for collections, repossessions and evictions to occur.  Contact credit counselors who can help you sort out your financial affairs.  Be sure to remember to contact the creditors that are automatically payroll deducted.

Even if you can’t pay creditors the amount they want, make your best effort to pay something regularly.  This holds arrears as low as possible and lets the creditor know that you are doing all you can.  Partial payment may keep your account from being turned over to a collection agency.

Put your payments in order of importance: this will help you pay first things first when money is short.  Generally, your most important payment will be the mortgage or rent payment, followed by utilities, health insurance and car payments.

And after the initial contact, it’s important that you keep in contact with creditors – every two weeks or so.  This reassures the creditor, shows a responsible attitude toward your obligation and may keep the creditor from ‘hounding’ you.

Prepare a Household Budget

A budget helps you see where you spend your money and where you can save.  Your budgeted expenses should include:

  • Fixed expenses, including: mortgage, rent, taxes, insurance, loans, installment payments, credit card payments and any other monthly payments.
  • Monthly expenses, including: food, gas, repairs, dues, recreation, prescriptions.
  • Future expenses, including: income/property tax and any other outstanding debts.

Your budgeted income should include:

  • Any remaining income
  • State disability insurance benefits
  • Workers’ compensation checks
  • Savings
  • Social Security
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Other pension funds

Your assets may include:

  • Cash value of insurance policies
  • Equity in your home
  • Prepaid burial or funeral policy
  • Resale value of vehicles (including boats and snowmobiles)

Now you are ready to adjust your expenses, negotiate with creditors and use assets in the most effective way possible.

Questions?

Contact your Local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee or call (949) 470-0493.

AFA Update – April 25, 2020

In This Edition

  • Reserve Resources
  • AFA EAP Support Services – Updated 4/22

Reserve Resources

Reserve Committee

With the significant increase in the number of Flight Attendants who will be holding a reserve schedule in May, our AFA Reserve Committee would like to ensure that you are aware of the resources available to help understand the contractual rights and obligations associated with reserve duty.  The following resources may be accessed electronically using the links below:

Questions?

In addition to the printed resources above, Reserve Committee Members are available in your Local Council to answer questions, clarify contractual language, or provide other support related to reserve duty.  You can find contact information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website. 

AFA EAP Support Services – Updated 4/22

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.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 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

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

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

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   […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

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