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        You are here: Home / Archives for EAP

        AFA Update – July 19, 2019

        July 19, 2019 12:00

        In This Edition

        • Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form
        • Air Quality Fume Event Q&A
        • Let’s Talk It Out–AFA Professional Standards

        Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form

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

        On June 10, 2019, management issued Emergency Interim Bulletin (EIB) 19-11 regarding Cabin Air Quality.  This EIB was subsequently incorporated into the FAM with revision 51, which became effective July 10, 2019.  The information is contained in section 2.700, pages 1-5.

        Along with this update, management launched the new Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form (form 2-5366). This form can be found onboard in the Stationery Kit on all aircraft and should be used in a suspected cabin air quality event.  

        The form is an excellent resource which was developed with input from your AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC). It provides step-by-step guidance to identify and describe the indicators of the event (type of odor/location/source/phase of flight, etc.). The completed form is then used to concisely relay the information to the Flight Deck in a timely manner,  allowing the pilots to take the possible steps to mitigate the situation and communicate to maintenance.  Both pilots and maintenance are familiar with the new form and look to Flight Attendants to use the form to report possible events.  

        The Cabin Air Quality Report Form should not be confused with the AFA Onboard Air Quality Checklist. The AFA form was previously developed by AFA to help provide Flight Attendants with a tool to use in a suspected cabin fume event.  As there is no longer a need to use the AFA Onboard Air Quality Checklist, please discontinue using the checklist and destroy any copies that you may have. Going forward, the company’s Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form should be used in any suspected cabin fume events.

        In a suspected fume event, it is recommended that you work with your fellow crew members to quickly complete the form, take a picture of the form with your IMD for your records, and notify the Flight Deck as well as hand off the form to the Flight Deck. By taking a picture of the completed form (and sharing it with your crew), the information can be used to help with any subsequent debriefings and to complete the required FAIR (Flight Attendant Incident Report) and voluntary ASAP (Aviation Safety Action Program Report). 


        Air Quality Fume Event Q&A

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

        To better understand Air Quality Fume Events, your AFA Air, Safety, Health and Security Committee (ASHSC) strongly recommends you read the AFA Air Quality Fume Event Q&A document, which can be accessed by clicking here.  This resource is specific to procedures at Alaska Airlines and was created in collaboration with the AFA International Air Safety, Health, & Security Department and your AFA Alaska ASHSC. 


        Let’s Talk It Out—AFA Professional Standards

        Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Professional Standards Committee

        AFA encourages the use of Professional Standards whenever a member is experiencing a concern about or a conflict with a flying partner.  Professional Standards provides members with an informal and confidential process to disclose and resolve such problems.

        Professional Standards offers:

        1. An opportunity for involved parties to maintain control over the outcome of a conflict
        2. Acts as an alternative to the supervisory-discipline model
        3. Reduces expenditure of resources in the grievance process

        Professional Standards does not monitor or evaluate work performance, “fix” or “change” others’ behaviors or “investigate” the activities of its members.

        Professional Standards exists to help members resolve co-worker conflicts/concerns involving or stemming from:

        • Personality clashes
        • Differences in communication and/or interaction style
        • Work and/or personal habits
        • Offensive conduct
        • Physical and/or emotional health

        Professional Standards will not accept complaints involving:

        • Issues addressed by corporate policy, federal aviation regulations or inflight handbooks
        • Issues where management is actively involved
        • Training or skill deficiencies
        • Contract issues
        • AFA political matters     

        Professional Standards contact information can be found on the EAP/Professional Standards Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

        Filed Under: Air Quality, EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2019, air quality, EAP, professional standards

        AFA Reminders – May 30, 2019

        May 30, 2019 05:00

        In this edition:

        • AFA Census closes on May 31
        • Report adjoining hotel rooms on CrewCare
        • FDA requires stronger warnings about rare but serious incidents related to sleep medications

        AFA Census closes on May 31!

        The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA 2019 Census is a project to better understand the demographic make-up of our union, including your aspirations, needs, and preferences. We also want to know in what areas of your community you may already be engaged in making a difference for you, your family, and the place where you live. All of this will help us build power together so we can continue to advance our Flight Attendant careers.

        The University of New Hampshire Survey Center (UNHSC) is conducting this very important data gathering effort. You should have received emails and possibly a phone call to encourage you to complete the Census. You may have a pre-filled email from “Sara Nelson via UNH” with the subject line “AFA Census – Response Requested.”

        Our contract with UNHSC ensures your information remains confidential within AFA. It does not allow UNHSC to share any of your information with outside organizations. A summary of the final results will be shared with AFA members.

        The AFA census can be accessed using the following link: https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TguTDVCSOZJEmF.

        Reminder: report adjoining hotel rooms on CrewCare

        A message from your Hotel Committee

        As previously published on April 9, your Hotel Committee needs your assistance in reporting instances of adjoining rooms with connecting doors assigned to crews on layovers.  If you are assigned an adjoining and connecting room, even if you are able to switch rooms, please make note of the hotel, room number and date and file a CrewCare report on the situation.

        CrewCare reports are automatically routed to Alaska management, API (Accommodations Plus International, the company’s hotel contractor), and your AFA Hotel Committee Members.  Representatives from API and management use the data from the reports to follow up on each situation with the corresponding hotel.  CrewCare can be easily accessed from the Hotel, Travel, & Station menu of the inflight website or by using the CrewCare icon on the home screen of your IMD.

        Management has asked that we report these situations each and every time that they occur.  The more information that we are able to provide, the more effectively each hotel can be held accountable.

        FDA requires stronger warnings about rare but serious incidents related to sleep medications

        A message from your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

        Updated warnings for eszopiclon (Lunesta) zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist).

        At the end of April 2019, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the agency’s most prominent warning will now be required on certain prescription insomnia drugs.  The warning follows FDA’s review of 66 cases of serious injuries and/or  deaths resulting from various complex sleep behaviors after taking these medicines. These complex sleep behaviors have included  falls, burns, near-drowning, exposure to extreme cold temperatures leading to loss of limb or near death, self-injuries such as gunshot wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, fatal motor vehicle collisions with the patient driving and suicide. The new warnings will be required for eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist).

        “While these incidents are rare, they are serious and it’s important that patients and health care professionals are aware of the risk. These incidents can occur after the first dose of these sleep medicines or after a longer period of treatment, and can occur in patients without any history of these behaviors and even at the lowest recommended doses,” said FDA Acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D.  In addition to the warning, the agency is requiring the addition of a contraindication to not use these medicines in patients who have experienced an episode of complex sleep behaviors after taking them. The warning and contraindication are intended to make the warning more prominent and reflect the risk of serious injury and death.

        Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Hotel Committee, Latest News, Master Executive Council (MEC) Tagged With: 2019, adjoining rooms, AFA Census, connecting rooms, EAP, Hotel

        De-Stress Your Holidays

        December 12, 2018 13:39

        This information is provided by your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee.

        The holidays can be fun, but they also can be a source of great stress. Below are some common holiday stressors and suggestions for managing them.  

        How Can You Deal With Difficult Family Interactions During the Holidays?

        Being realistic is the first step. Family dynamics typically revert to historic patterns when families come back together.  You don’t have to pretend that all is well, but, you can sidestep difficulties by anticipating them and planning on ways to temporarily separate and defuse.  

        Do Financial Pressures Stress You Out to the Point of Ruining the Holiday Spirit?

        Knowing your spending limit is also a way to relieve holiday stress. People believe that they have to go out and buy gifts because it’s the holidays, even if they can’t afford to do so. Not only is it stressful to feel that you have to buy everyone a gift, but you’ll be stressed for the rest of the year trying to pay off your bills. Perhaps this is the year to make a pact not to exchange gifts but to share time together.  This could also help someone who isn’t in a financial position to exchange gifts with you. 

        How Do Time Pressures Affect You Around the Holidays? 

        Putting routines on pause or totally rearranging schedules because of the holidays are the ingredients for exhaustion and chaos.   Prioritize activities that are important and can fit around important replenishing activities like sleep, proper meals and exercise.

        How Do You Deal With the Holidays When You Have Just Experienced A Recent Tragedy, Death or Break-up?

        If you’re feeling really out of sorts because of a loss or stressor, try to tell those around you what you really need, since they may not know how to help you.  Ask for their understanding if you decline an activity or can’t summon up the holiday spirit.  Give yourself permission to grieve just as you would any other time of the year.

        How Do You Cope With Kids Who Want Everything for the Holidays? 

        Parents need to tell their children to be realistic. It is OK to say to your child that a certain toy is too expensive. Even Santa Claus has limited funds and has to choose what most to give because he has a very long list. You can also tell your children that Mom and Dad and Santa Claus will try to choose the suitable present for the child. Children have to learn that their wish is not someone’s command and to curb their desires for instant gratification. 

        How Do You Manage the Holidays If They Start Feeling Painful? 

        If you are unable to shake what you think are “holiday blues” your feelings may not be just about the holidays, but about other things in your life.  If you need help in sorting out or dealing with painful thoughts or feelings, call your AFA EAP for confidential assistance. Call 1-800-424-2406. 

        Adapted in part from the American Psychological Association at www.apacenter.org

        Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee Tagged With: 2018, EAP, holidays

        Information about CBD Oils and Drug Testing

        October 29, 2018 12:00

        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

        Filed Under: EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Latest News Tagged With: 2018, CBD, CBD oil, drug testing, EAP, FADAP, marijuana

        July Newsletter

        July 18, 2018 13:30


        Transition Training


        Transition Training began last week.  Despite recent updates to the Cornerstone Training program, we are still receiving reports of technical difficulties with both the app and the desktop version.  If you experience trouble, go to https://support.afaalaska.org, and open a ticket.  We would encourage you to start early, to avoid problems.

        We are also aware it is taking longer than 4 hours to complete. Please make sure to include that in your trouble ticket above.

        The most important thing with any computer or IMD Training, screen shot or take a picture of the completion page. Do not rely on the program to register you as completed.  If it does not show you as completed, we need some sort of evidence to be able to manually process your completion.

        When taking the test remember it is open book and you can take it from your IMD or from a computer. To make the test easier to complete have your Manual, Ghost Manual and Study Guide open on one device and the test open in a separate device so you don’t have to switch back and forth. In the event that you fail the test, you will receive an email advising you that you have 7 days after class ends to retake a paper version.  You can take the paper version during lunch break at TT or schedule to take it at base.

        You can find the Ghost Manual on the Training Tab – Transition Training Resources – “Ghost Manual”

        The Ghost Manual is the combined manual we will be using starting next year.

        Practice your door drills, take a deep breath and go slow. The training is very hands on, try not to stress to much.

         


        CBT Training


        The most recent CBT training was due May 11, 2018.  There were 13 Flight Attendants issued discipline because of failure to complete the training.  Several of these disciplines have been rescinded after AFA was able to determine why the training had not been completed.  If you were issued discipline and have not responded to our attempts to reach you, or you have email or screen shots showing your technical difficulties with the program please contact San@afaalaska.org. There is a possibility of getting the discipline reversed.

         


        Required Items


        In a recent bulletin, Inflight Performance announced that forgotten required items will result in steps of discipline.  We are aware of several recent instances of expired badges, as well as reporting without an IMD.  Make certain that you have all required items before reporting to your flight.

         


        EAP Committee


        We recently posted openings for EAP representatives.  We were overwhelmed by the number of Flight Attendants who expressed interest.  We reviewed the applications and chose 3 flight attendants to join our EAP Committee. We will be looking again at the beginning of the year and will be contacting those who were not selected to gauge interest and open it to anyone interested to apply again including hopefully Flight Attendants on the Airbus side who will have been able to transfer into SAN.

         


        Supplemental Insurance


        Supplemental Insurance Enrollment, through National Group Protection, will take place during the week of 8/14-16, in SAN.  The premiums for these coverages can be payroll deducted.  If SAN isn’t a convenient location, drop into any base during scheduled visits.

        · Seattle                July 23rd—27th  

        · Anchorage         July 30th–August 1st

        · Los Angeles       August 6th—8th

        · San Diego          August 14th—16th

        · Portland              August 20th—22nd

        Accident Insurance

        Critical Illness Coverage

        Whole Life Insurance

        There are some benefit enhancements/upgrades this year, so please take the time to sit down with a benefit counselor and review your options.  This is also an excellent time to make sure you have filed for your annual health screening benefits, which are part of the accident and critical illness benefit plans.

        ·       Supplemental – these plans supplement any existing coverage

        ·       Voluntary – members choose to participate

        ·       Limited Underwriting – no medical or physical exams required

        ·       Family Coverage – available with all of the plans

        ·       Portable – members can continue coverage if they leave the company

        ·       Payroll Deduction – premiums are paid through payroll deduction

        If you have any questions regarding the upcoming enrollment, please contact National Group Protection (NGP) at 800-344-9016.

         


        Workers Comp Using Your Own Doctor


        Non California Residents

        Forms can be obtained from Base Management or from your Officers

        In the event you sustain an injury or illness related to your employment, you may be treated for such injury or illness by your personal medical doctor (M.D.), doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) or medical group if:

        • on the date of your work injury you have health care coverage for injuries or illnesses that are not work related;

        • the doctor is your regular physician, who shall be either a physician who has limited his or her practice of medicine to general practice or who is a board-certified or board-eligible internist, pediatrician, obstetrician-gynecologist, or family practitioner, and has previously directed your medical treatment, and retains your medical records;

        • your “personal physician” may be a medical group if it is a single corporation or partnership composed of licensed Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy, which operates an integrated multispecialty medical group providing comprehensive medical services predominantly for nonoccupational illnesses and injuries;

        • prior to the injury your doctor agrees to treat you for work injuries or illnesses;

        • prior to the injury you provided your employer the following in writing: (1) notice that you want your personal doctor to treat you for a work-related injury or illness, and (2) your personal doctor’s name and business address.

        Filed Under: Council 15 SAN Tagged With: CBT, EAP, July Newsletter, Required, supplemental, training, TT

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