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Council 35 News – May 2022

Important Dates

June 02: Workplace Mental Health First Aid Virtual Training
June 30: Q2 CBT Due

Officer Elections – Thank you Council 35 Members!

Thank you everyone that voted in the recent Council 35 Officer elections.  James, Brad and I (Melissa) are grateful for all your support and look forward to supporting our members for the next 3 years.  Council 35 is also happy to announce and welcome a new addition to our team, Virginia Fritz as Vice President!  As the SFO Scheduling Chair Virginia is no stranger to members’ needs at Council 35, and now she will be expanding her responsibility even further by supporting members in a variety of ways.  Here’s what Virginia has to say about her new role:

I am so humbled and honored that our membership chose to elect me as their new Vice President! I have had a lot of passion in serving C35 as the Local Scheduling Chair and love that I now have more opportunities to do so. I look forward to working with the Re-Elected Team that has been serving as our base for the past 3 years and finding more ways to support C35. Thank you for your faith in me! I look forward to serving you all and ensuring that your trust has been placed in the right person!

Workplace Mental Health First Aid Virtual Training

Provided by AFA International EAP
The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) is offering a special in-depth virtual training opportunity to discuss workplace issues and learn best practices dealing with mental health and substance abuse concerns for Flight Attendants and their friends and family. Utilizing components of the Mental Health First Aid curriculum, a nationally used workplace training program, the program will explore the topics below. Time will be available for questions and answers. Topics to be covered include:

  • Signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • Assessment, warning signs, and interventions for suicide
  • Understanding traumatic events
  • Facts and risk factors for substance abuse
  • Understanding stages of change and interventions for substance abuse

Date: June 2. 2022
Time: 1400-1800 Eastern
Where: Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 840 1525 7760
Passcode: 774802
One Tap Mobile:

+13017158592,,84015257760# US (Washington DC)

+13126266799,,84015257760# US (Chicago)

Dial By Location:

    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

    +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

    +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

Welcome to SFO!

As of May 1, SFO has welcomed 19 new Flight Attendants and look forward to more for the month of June!  Council 35 members, please give our newest Flight Attendants a warm welcome and be sure to show them  what we love about our SFO base. If you’re a new hire or transfer to SFO-Welcome!  Please be sure to sign up to receive Council 35 newsletters (like this one) and be sure to save the link to Council 35 committee resources for future reference.

AFA Help for Crew Conflict

We have all had those days…days we go to work and the crew just doesn’t click.  As professionals, we have been trained to use our communication and CRM skills to get through the trip.  But what do we do when that doesn’t work?  If you and a fellow crew member can’t resolve a disagreement and/or conflict on your own, or you find yourself uncomfortable confronting a fellow crewmember, let’s consider the options to reach a resolution:

Contact Base/Performance Management or Human Resources/HR:

This option is easy to begin with, however take a moment to understand what happens next when you choose this option.  Once management receives a report, they are obligated to follow through with an investigation.  This may include a series of interviews with crew members and could result in disciplinary action.  The challenge with this option is that once management is aware, there is no turning back.  Take time to consider if enduring an investigation and/or facing discipline for another and possibly yourself is the desired outcome.  Please consider whether there is a way to resolve the issue that doesn’t involve permanently impacting an FA’s personnel file.

File an ASAP Report (Compliance and/or Safety Concern)

This option is perfect for reporting possible safety and compliance issues that cause a disagreement.  The Aviation Action Safety Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) includes AFA, Alaska (AS) management and the FAA. The ERC evaluates reports that are  scrubbed of all identifying features so the issue is considered, not the individual who caused it.  This provides a fair and discipline-free option to resolve an issue without involving a performance investigation.  Keep in mind that the ASAP program has exceptions for reports involving alcohol and intentional disregard for policy and procedure.  Please review the ASAP webpage for more details.

EAP Professional Standards (Our Favorite!)

Professional Standards (PS) is a division of the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) committee.  Committee representatives are specially trained in mediation and have many options available to offer Flight Attendants that find themselves in a conflict with another FA. The beauty of this program is that it does not involve AS management at all.  It is completely confidential and avoids the stressful investigation process that would be the result from contacting management alone.  Keep in mind, once management is involved, EAP/PS cannot step in to help.  Therefore your Council 35 officers strongly recommend that FAs consider Professional Standards first, before any other option.  Any Flight Attendant who has endured an investigation due to being “turned in” by another FA would agree that avoiding management’s involvement is always a better option.

To contact SFO EAP Professional Standards, please reach out to sfo.eap@afaalaska.org for a consultation.

Scheduling Quick Links

by Virginia Fritz, VP Elect and Scheduling Chair

Pre-cancellations

Have a precancellation and don’t know what options you have? Please review the flow chart on our webpage to see which scenario fits your specific situation.\

IROPs

On a trip and experiencing an IROP situation? Save the link to the AFA Scheduling IROPs guide to understand pay and scheduling options for each scenario.

Fly Now, Grieve Later

Keep in mind that there will be times when there may not be time to evaluate the legalities of a situation you encounter. You may need to fly the trip and open a ticket for review after the fact.  Your SFO Scheduling Committee can help you through the resolution process if an issue is not able to be resolved at the time it occurs.  

More questions? Contact sfo.scheduling@afalaska.org.

New Council 35 Committee Openings:

Government Affairs Committee Chair

The Government Affairs (GA) committee promotes the AFA-CWA agenda by supporting legislative efforts that benefit our members or lobbying to discourage laws that will negatively impact members.  What can be achieved in legislation takes away the need for negotiation in our contracts.  If you have an interest in government issues, please visit the GA webpage on the AFA Alaska website. Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration. 

Mobilization Committee Chair

Council 35 is looking to fill the chair position for upcoming Section 6 negotiations.  The chairs from each base will compose the committee with the goal to help motivate and provide assistance to members during the negotiations process.  If you are passionate about improvements to our contract and understand the power of solidarity, please apply!  Submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.  For more information, please see the recent MEC communication announcing the role.

Interested in another committee position?  Please review the duties and responsibilities on the AFA Alaska Committee website.  Please submit your letter of interest to SFO@afaalaska.org for consideration.

Complimentary In These Times for AFA-CWA Members

Provided by AFA International
Each year, In These Times magazine makes a limited number of subscriptions available to valued readers – for free. This year, they’ve invited AFA-CWA members to take part. In These Times is an award-winning, monthly magazine that has covered movements for social and economic justice since 1976. With over 40 years of chronicling and informing the labor movement, they report from the perspective of workers, not the bosses. There’s no payment or credit card info required, and no strings attached. The only catch is that there is a limited number of free subscriptions available, so take advantage of this and sign up now!  To claim your free subscription, visit the In These Times website.

SFO KCM New Location

Effective May 12, 2022 TSA relocated the KCM entrance for SFO Terminal 2. It has been relocated to the C-gate check point (near Green Beans Coffee) where you will find a dedicated KCM crew line. This check point is open from 0400-0030 daily.

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,

Council 35 Officers:

Melissa Osborne, President
Virginia Fritz, Vice-President Elect
James Ikehara, Secretary
Brad Young, Council Representative

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

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Many people go through short periods of time where they feel sad or not like their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. People may start to feel “down” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter (also called “winter blues”) and begin to feel better in the spring, with longer daylight hours.

In some cases, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior whenever the seasons change, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression. 

In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer; this is known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression. Some people may experience depressive episodes during the spring and summer months; this is called summer-pattern SAD or summer depression and is less common.

Who develops SAD?

Millions of American adults may suffer from SAD, although many may not know they have the condition. SAD occurs much more often in women than in men, and it is more common in those living farther north, where there are shorter daylight hours in the winter. For example, people living in Alaska or New England may be more likely to develop SAD than people living in Florida. In most cases, SAD begins in young adulthood. SAD is more common in people with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. SAD sometimes runs in families. 

How is SAD treated?

Treatments are available that can help many people with SAD. They fall into four main categories that may be used alone or in combination:

  • Light therapy
  • Psychotherapy
  • Antidepressant medications
  • Vitamin D

Talk to your health care provider about which treatment, or combination of treatments, is best for you. If you would like to talk more about SAD or obtain help with finding a treatment referral, contact our AFA EAP Committee.  Its confidential and always non-judgmental. You can find the contact information for your local AFA EAP Committee at afaalaska.org/eap.  You can also call AFA Alaska EAP at (949) 470-0493.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2023

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Scheduling Committee On Tuesday, September 26, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons 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), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Natalie Codd (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also […]

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Uniform Committee On Tuesday, August 8th, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform […]

September 2023 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC) The September 2023 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19. The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Reserve Committee On Thursday, September 14, 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 Brandi Urban (ANC), Conner Gallagher (SEA), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2023

Inflight Service Committee On Wednesday, September 13, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift […]

Response to the November 18th Inflight Town Hall Webcast

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ALPA Alaska Approves Tentative Agreement for Pilot Ratification

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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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