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Government Affairs Special Edition 

In This Edition…

  • Election Day
  • Washington State Labor Council 
  • Why Voting Matters
  • Washington State Voters Guide

Election Day

This November 7th is Election Day. For those of you who live in, or are new to Washington, this is a vote-by-mail state. The website https://www.vote411.org/washington is a great site that provides all of your voter information including how to register to vote for new residents. This site also provides links to other states for those who live outside of Washington. 

Voting Endorsements

We all have different political beliefs, and nobody should tell someone else how to vote, but one thing stands strong…. we all want to propel our professions, and our workplace rights. Supporting candidates that support our professions, our unions, and who are “pro-labor” is essential. If you would like information on what candidates are endorsed and/or supported by the Washington State Labor Council, you can visit: https://www.wslc.org/union-members-only-election-information/

Why Voting Matters

​​At its core, voting is the cornerstone of democracy. It’s a mechanism through which we, as citizens, actively participate in the decision making process Here are some key reasons why voting matters:

  • By casting your vote, you contribute to the selection of leaders who will represent your interests and values in government. 
  • Voting allows us to hold elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions. It’s a way to voice approval or dissatisfaction with their performance.
  • Your vote directly influences the development of policies on issues that affect your daily life, from education and healthcare to the economy and environment.
  • Voting fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility, as it brings people together to collectively decide on the direction of their society.

The above was taken from www.caprw.org

Washington State Voters Guide

You may not have received your voters guide via mail, but they can all be accessed online. Select your county to view local candidates at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/data-research/election-results-and-voters-pamphlets/2023-primary-election-voters-guide

In the end, the most important thing is that you exercise your right to vote. 

If you have any questions about the process, current events, or any of the candidates, please reach out to your Council 19 Government Affairs Chairperson, Melinda Jorge at melinda.jorge@afaalaska.org or any member of the Council 19 Government Affairs Committee.

In Solidarity, 

Your Council 19 Government Affairs Committee

See Below to view a PDF version with graphics

Government-Affairs-UpdateDownload

Council 35 News – March 2022

Important Dates

. March 31: KCM Barcode Requirement Begins-Today!
. April 1: Q1 CBT Due Tomorrow!
. April 10: AFA Scholarship Application Due
. April 27: Council 35 Officer Elections Polls Open
. April 30: CWA Scholarship Application Due
. May 10: CA Membership Meeting

CA Membership Meeting

Hosted by Councils 35, 18 and 15

The next membership meeting for Council 35 members will be Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1100 via Zoom. The purpose will be to discuss the upcoming AFA-CWA Annual Board of Directors Meeting.  This meeting will be a combined council meeting and open to all Council 35 (SFO), 18 (LAX) and 15 (SAN) members in good standing (up-to-date on dues).  Deadline to submit agenda items is 5/6/22.  To attend, please register here.

Officer Election Coming Soon!

It’s election time for SFO and members will have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for Council 35 officers.  All Council 35 voting instructions and guidelines can be found on the AFA Elections Page. The AFA-CWA Membership Services Department handles all voter questions and issues new activation codes if ballots are misplaced or never received.  The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.  If you have a question or need a new 16-digit activation code, you may contact the Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, then press 1 and dial extension 706.

Council 35 Election Dates

. Ballots Mailed:  4/27/22
. Polls Open:  5/5/22
. Polls Close/Results:  5/26/22, 1200 PST
. Term Date Start:  7/1/22
. Term Date End:  6/30/25

Trending Discipline

Information provided by the Grievance Committee

The SFO Grievance Committee has experienced a busy first quarter!  We’ve seen a record number of terminations and suspensions in such a short period of time. Here’s a brief summary of our most recent cases:

Sick Leave Abuse

Sick leave abuse meetings are still trending high on our list.   During a recent meeting with management the investigation process was discussed.  Your Council 35 Grievance committee would like members to be aware of the steps management takes whenever an F/A calls in sick.  Every sick leave call that is recorded in a day will be investigated by base supervisors and managers the following day.  How deep the “look” goes is dependent on the Flight Attendant’s history, or information that may be discovered through social media or conversation between management and the F/A.  Every absence is reported in a log that management keeps to track trends.  Depending on how many entries an F/A has in the log, or if the supervisor is aware of any other information will determine whether the log entry is enough or if more needs to be discovered.  Some of the Flight Attendants history may be viewed at this point:

  • Leave status
  • Employee travel with a special focus on the following:
  • Social media accounts
  • Line management: attempted drops with comments and/or money on trade requests
  • Previous years absences on same days

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a sample of F/A activity that can be seen by management.  In the event that this search indicates abuse, the Flight Attendant will be asked to attend a performance meeting to answer to the pattern discovered.  If the performance supervisor confirms the suspected abuse, the F/A is discharged on first offense.  As a reminder, our contract provides Flight Attendants with the benefit of paid sick leave to care for ourselves and loved ones when ill.  It is a conditional benefit and is only to be used for the purpose of treating an illness.  Flight Attendants that use the benefit in any other way are considered to have committed timecard fraud.  In the event abuse is suspected, the burden of proof is on the F/A who needs to prove to the company that they used the benefit appropriately.


Job Abandonment/Points

Sadly we are witnessing a large amount of Job Abandonment cases.  Many of these cases are Flight Attendants that run out of leave options and stop contacting the company about the status of their leaves.  Additionally a record number of terminations have been occurring due to points at high levels.

Personal Conduct

Personal Conduct can include a variety of violations.  Recent ones have included violation of company directed quarantine, crewmember disputes, and layover incidents.

Commuter Violations

This continues to be the number one violation.  The most common reason for a commuter violation is dropping a deadhead and commuting to/from another base.  Also we’ve seen many accidental listings, where the F/A lists as D8Y rather than E1Y for travel.

Scholarship Opportunities

Provided by AFA International

AFA Scholarship

For eligibility guidelines, information and application, please visit the AFA-CWA website.
Applications must be postmarked by April 10, and sent to the following address:

AFA Scholarship Fund

P.O. Box 56

Hartwood, VA 22471-0056

CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship

The Joe Beirne Scholarship offered by CWA is available to AFA Members and dependents. The deadline for applications is April 30.   For more information please visit the CWA website.

Barcode Required for KCM Checkpoints

Provided by AFA International

Effective today March 31, 2022, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require the Known Crewmember (KCM) Program eligible crewmembers to scan a KCM-issued barcode card when utilizing a KCM access point. Crewmembers will no longer be permitted to manually enter their KCM data.

Crewmembers who do not have a KCM barcode card, have a worn/unreadable barcode card, or have not completed the registration process will be referred to the passenger screening checkpoint for entry into the airport sterile area. If a crewmember does not present an active KCM barcode card and is referred for screening, then they must follow the TSO’s instructions and complete the screening process at the passenger screening checkpoint. Failure to submit to screening at the passenger screening checkpoint (e.g., using a SIDA badge to avoid screening), is considered circumvention of screening and TSA may take enforcement action in accordance with the KCM Disqualification Protocols (KCMDP). Crewmembers may request a new or replacement KCM barcode card from their airline management. For more information, please refer to the article on the AFA-CWA website.

SFO Employee COVID Vaccines

Information provided by FlySFO

Flight Attendants looking for a vaccine location, SFO Airport has convenient options. Please visit the SFO website for more information:
Vaccinations at SFO | San Francisco International Airport

AFA Membership Links for Payment or Personal Contact Updates 

by James Ikehara, Secretary and Membership Committee Chair

If you are coming back from an LOA and need to catch up on dues payments, this link will take you directly to AFA’s Membership Services website to schedule an on-line payment. Should you need to update your personal contact information (e.g., address, phone number, email, etc.), use this link

Got a question?

Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website.  You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.

In solidarity,

Melissa, James and Brad

Melissa Osborne, LEC President •  Melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary •  James.ikehara@afaalaska.org  • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • Bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503

AFA Update – December 11, 2020

In This Edition

  • MEC Resolution on Gender Equality
  • CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before
  • Georgia Senate Runoff Election
  • Community Resources for Those in Need

MEC Resolution on Gender Equality

Master Executive Council (MEC)

AFA has long been a champion of equality both in and out of the workplace.  Over the course of many years, we have made achievements in our struggle to realize fair treatment for all.  There is still much work to be done, however, and we continue with our efforts to achieve workplace equality almost daily.

The Master Executive Council (MEC) recently adopted a resolution in support of gender equality, specifically in regard to the right to recognition, acceptance, and inclusion of people of all gender identities and gender expressions.  As a part of the resolution, the MEC is calling upon Alaska Airlines management to make much needed changes to company policies in order to recognize, accept, and include non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.  You can view the complete language of the resolution on the AFA Alaska website by clicking here.

What Are Gender Identity and Gender Expression?

Gender identity refers to how you view your gender internally (e.g., man, woman, or another gender).  Gender expression refers to how you present your gender on the outside through your behavior, mannerisms, the clothing you wear, your voice, and other characteristics. Gender non-conforming is a broader term that describes people who do not follow other people’s ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth.

In our society, many people identify and express themselves as either male or female.  This is often referred to as the “gender binary”, meaning that it has two parts—male and female.  People who are non-binary have a gender that doesn’t fall into one of these two categories. They may have a gender that blends both male and female elements, is different than male or female, or they may not identify with any gender.

If you’d like to read more to further understand non-binary and gender non-conforming people, you can find additional information using the links below:

A Request for Immediate Action

Earlier this week, the MEC sent a formal letter to management requesting an immediate meeting to discuss the resolution and begin the process of working to study, review, and update company policies as quickly as possible.  We have requested that the frontline employee uniform and appearance standards be reviewed first as they are one of the most significantly impactful areas of inequality for those who are non-binary and/or gender non-conforming.

Questions?

Please contact your LEC President with any questions about the MEC Resolution.

CALL CONGRESS: We’re Closer to #ReliefNow Than Ever Before

Government Affairs Committee

We’ve rallied, marched, called, emailed, tweeted, and more to demand our members of Congress extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP). Our activism is forcing lawmakers to publicly come out to support #ReliefNow for Flight Attendants and essential aviation workers and urge their colleagues to take action. 

Throughout the next 7 days, we have to be louder than we’ve ever been before

The $908 billion bipartisan proposal on emergency relief has significant support across Congress, but there are a few outstanding issues unrelated to PSP. Our action and voices are critical to getting this legislation over the finish line.

Congress is gearing up to depart Washington, D.C. for the holidays and before they leave, they must pass a government funding bill by Friday, December 11th, to avert a government shutdown. Congress is expected to extend that deadline to December 18th. That is unfortunate because every day counts for those out of work and all the disruption and suffering caused for people without relief – and even those on the job under these conditions. We need to continue to demand #ReliefNow. Every day counts! This is a bridge of emergency relief for the whole country for four month. Stimulus discussions for recovery would be renewed in the New Year. More relief will be needed for our country to recover.

Our members of Congress must hear from us, our family members and friends, every day

SENATE: (888) 848-4824
HOUSE: (888) 907-9365

“Hello, I am a constituent calling to tell my (Senator/Representative) that we need emergency relief and an extension of the Payroll Support Program TODAY. We are out of work and without healthcare. Do not leave Washington, D.C. without passing emergency relief for our families. Do your job. Thank you.”

Georgia Senate Runoff Election

Government Affairs Committee

On January 5, voters in Georgia will have the opportunity to vote in an election to determine who will represent them in the United States Senate.  Georgia voters will have the opportunity to send two candidates to Washington who support working Americans through the right to organize and bargain collectively.  This election is critical as the outcome has the ability to affect the balance of power in the Senate.

With judicial nominees, a stimulus deal, infrastructure and health care measures, and tax and spending policies all on the line, the Senate races in Georgia are likely to take on an intensity that mirrors the presidential race that just ended.  We need to do everything possible to encourage Georgia voters to vote and get the word out about pro-worker candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Our fellow AFA and CWA members will be working to reach out to Georgia voters through phone banking activities every Tuesday until the election as well for several days prior to the election itself.  You can help make a difference and get the word out by signing up for a shift and joining the phone bank!  Available shifts are:

Tuesday, December 15th2 to 5 PM PST 
Tuesday, December 22nd2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, December 29th2 to 5 PM PST
Sunday, January 3rd9 AM to 5 PM PST
Monday, January 4th2 to 5 PM PST
Tuesday, January 5th (Election Day)9 AM to 3:30 PM PST
Click here to sign up for a shift

Signing up for just one shift can make a difference and you’re welcome to sign up for as many shifts as you’d like.  After you sign up for shifts, you’ll receive Zoom information about how to connect to the phone bank.

Questions?

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

Community Resources for Those in Need

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Your AFA EAP Committee has compiled the below list of websites that may prove helpful with the financial strains of our times.

Food Banks, Housing and Utility Assistance, Clothing Closets, Veteran Services etc.  

Health Care

Behavioral Health Care

Prescription Assistance Programs

  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance: A program sponsored by drug companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations, and civic groups. It helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or low-cost, brand-name medications. http://www.pparx.org  Ph: 888-477-2669 
  • NeedyMeds: A nonprofit group that has an extensive database of information about patient assistance programs, state assistance, drug discount programs, and free or low-cost medical care. You can search the database for free on its website. The site also has information on thousands of programs to help consumers through the application process. www.needymeds.org
  • RxAssist: An online database of drug company programs that provide free or affordable drugs and copay assistance. www.rxassist.org
  • RxHope: A web-based resource where you can search by medication to find assistance programs. It also offers help with the application process. www.rxhope.com
  • RxOutreach: A mail-order pharmacy for people with little to no health insurance coverage. www.rxoutreach.org

Questions?

Contact your Local EAP Committee if you’d like more personalized assistance in understanding and accessing these or other resources.

AFA Alaska Special Update – November 2, 2020

AFA Alaska Special Update – November 2, 2020

In this Edition

  • Vote!
  • The Jobs Crisis Does Not Stop for the Election

Vote!

Government Affairs

High voter turnout by union members helps increase the power of our solidarity. Visit vote411.org/afacwa for helpful election information. Election Day is Tuesday—please vote on or before November 3rd!

The Jobs Crisis Does Not Stop for the Election

Government Affairs

WATCH: AFA International President Sara Nelson’s most recent update >

We absolutely should have had our Payroll Support Program (PSP) extension prior to the Senate being adjourned. There is overwhelming bipartisan support for our PSP extension — because of our actions. Instead, 100,000 aviation workers are still without a paycheck, some without healthcare. 

This crisis does not stop because of an election, and we cannot wait until a new Congress for relief. We are not giving up. We are continuing to demand relief and right now our airlines are sticking with us. 

#ReliefNow #ExtendPSP #EveryDayCounts

Click here for more information about what you can do >

Grievance Win For Flight Attendants: Reinforcing Our Contractual Rights Under Sections 8.M and 8.D

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants A recent arbitration ruling has brought a significant victory that strengthens our rights under Sections 8.M and 8.D of our Collective Bargaining Agreement. This decision flows from Grievance 36-99-2-38-24 (Violation of §8.M) and Grievance Settlement 36-99-2-458-22 (Violation of §8.D Check In and Release). What does this mean […]

Navigating Uncertainty During Terrorism Alerts

As Flight Attendants, we are trained to stay calm in emergencies and act swiftly to protect our passengers and crew. But when terrorism alerts are raised—whether at home or abroad—the anxiety that comes with being away from your loved ones can feel overwhelming. It’s completely natural to feel unsettled or vulnerable in times like these. […]

Management’s Planned Hawaiian Airlines Seattle Flight Attendant Domicile

Today, management announced plans to establish Hawaiian Airlines’ 787 Pilot and Flight Attendant bases in Seattle by early 2026. This move aims to enhance operational efficiencies for Alaska Airlines as it expands its international presence in the Seattle area. According to the terms of the Merger Transition Protocol Letter of Agreement, the Company is allowed to […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – June 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, June 24, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Virginia Fritz (SFO), Kanako Yamado […]

Take Action Now: Stop Cuts and Giveaway to Billionaires

It’s time to take action! The Senate is currently reviewing its version of the federal budget already passed in the House. There are seriously harmful cuts to benefits and rights we count on as workers. Below is a brief summary of their plans to cut from programs we count on to fund and supercharge a massive […]

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