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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – March 19, 2020

In This Edition

  • Ongoing Conversations With Management
  • FAA & CDC Recommendations for Layovers
  • Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation
  • Tell Congress: Put Aviation Workers First
  • KCM Access Point Staffing
  • Challenges with Onboard Trash Stowage
  • Taking Control of Your Finances During a Loss of Flying
  • Telephone Support Group For Flight Attendants Under Self-Quarantine
  • COVID-19 Resources

Ongoing Conversations With Management

AFA and management are continuing to have active, ongoing discussions regarding a number of issues of importance to our Flight Attendants.

Inflight Service Changes

Yesterday, Executive Vice President and COO Gary Beck sent out an email outlining a series of reductions and changes to inflight service intended as mitigations to COVID-19.  Our AFA officers have received resounding feedback that these mitigations do not take enough action to protect our Flight Attendants from possible risks.  Discussions between AFA representatives and management to advocate for more drastic service reductions are continuing today.

Recurrent Training

Members of the AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Inflight Training Committee, and the MEC have been engaging in conversation with management over the past week to advocate for protective measures related to recurrent training (RT) and the RT facilities.  Based on those discussions, management has taken steps to implement measures such as a pre-class briefing on COVID-19 precautions being taken, increased the frequency of training equipment sanitization, provided hand sanitizer to be used before and after touching equipment or door trainers, and provided disposable gloves to be used when conducting door and equipment drills. 

AFA representatives have also asked management to take immediate and necessary action to discontinue PBE and CPR drills due to the high potential of exposure to respiratory droplets that are known to spread COVID-19.  Management has taken steps to request an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the requirement to complete PBE and CPR drills based on the ongoing spread of the disease.  AFA is calling upon management to immediately discontinue these drills as continuing to ask Flight Attendants to perform them is a serious safety and health risk.

Food Availability on Layovers

As a preventive measure to curb the spread of COVID-19, many restaurants in our layover cities are being ordered closed by local and state authorities.  Those that remain open are usually limited to take out or delivery only and are operating under limited hours.  The AFA Hotel Committee and the MEC are working with management to ensure that food options continue to remain available to Flight Attendants, ideally within the health guidance outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) (see “FAA & CDC Recommendations for Layovers” below).  Management has been asked to compile a list of food options that remain open and available near each layover hotel and to post the list in a place easily accessible to Flight Attendants.

FAA & CDC Recommendations for Layovers

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued updated COVID-19 health guidance for crew members in conjunction with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).  This guidance includes recommendations to protect Flight Attendants from exposure and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.  AFA recommends that Flight Attendants follow this FAA & CDC guidance to the extent that you are able to do so.

While On a Layover In The United States or Internationally

  • Travel as a group in private transport provided by the air carrier when traveling between the airport and hotel (note: management has started implementing this provision already; see “Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation” below).
    • Minimize contact with ground personnel and time in public areas while moving between the aircraft and the private transport.
    • Do not use public transportation, including when traveling between the airport and hotel.
  • Stay in your hotel room to the extent possible.
  • Minimize going out into the general population and use social distancing (maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet, if possible) whenever out in public. Avoid crowds, stores, sporting or mass entertainment events, and other situations likely to attract large numbers of people.
  • Eat in your hotel room with either room service or delivery service. If in-room dining options are not available, eat at a restaurant located in the hotel. If not available at the hotel, eat at a restaurant located close to the hotel.
  • Avoid contact with sick people.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Use soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled.
  • Avoid touching your face.

Crew-Only Layover Hotel Transportation

Hotel Committee

In response to guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), management will be temporarily implementing private, crew-only vans in cities where transportation had been previously provided by the hotel and the van was shared with other passengers.

Management has instructed all transportation providers to adhere to the following criteria:

  • Vehicles must be sanitized and wiped down as much as possible prior to each pick up (seat belts and buckles, armrests, door handles, any touch points)
  • If possible, provide wipes and sanitizer in their vehicles
  • Gloves should be used if handling crew bags
  • Tipping may be limited due to risk of transfer on cash

This change means that in cities where the hotel provides transportation directly, the hotel will either now be providing “crew only” vans or, if the hotel is unable to provide a vehicle exclusively for crew, management will be arranging for contracted transportation providers to provide this service.  Please note that with this change, company provided layover hotel transportation will be limited to crewmembers only for the foreseeable future.  Crewmembers who are planning to travel with family or other guests will need to make other arrangements for them to get to the hotel. 

Management will be sending emails to those crews where transportation is being switched from hotel-provided to contracted transportation.  Pairings are also being updated in Crew Access if the transportation provider has changed.  Please be mindful of any emails or Crew Access notifications regarding transportation changes.

Questions?

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

Tell Congress: Put Aviation Workers First

Government Affairs Committee

The coronavirus pandemic is decimating our aviation industry. It is a public health crisis and it is creating a financial catastrophe that dwarfs the economic cost of the Great Recession and September 11th combined.

We’ve seen catastrophe before. We know what didn’t work before and we won’t let those things happen again. We need relief that focuses on real people. And we have a plan for that.

Flight Attendants and other aviation workers have been on the frontlines of the coronavirus emergency from day one. Before most Americans knew what COVID-19 meant, we were calling for government action to keep it from disrupting our lives and our economy.

Our plan is focused on keeping people on the payroll and stopping furloughs. Airlines are burning cash so quickly they will not be able to meet payroll within a few months, if not a few weeks. You will see furlough announcements that reflect this, but know this: we are working with airlines to get relief that keeps the paychecks going without furloughs.

Washington is gearing up to save aviation. But we cannot accept another “no strings attached” government bailout for corporations and their executives that leaves Flight Attendants and aviation workers behind. This time it will be a RELIEF package focused on workers first with no stock buybacks or dividends and no executive bonuses.

Send a letter to your members of Congress to demand that any public relief plan be a People First plan with legally-binding rules, including (but not limited to):

  1. Paycheck continuation without furloughs/layoffs
  2. No stock buybacks
  3. No executive bonuses
  4. No dividends
  5. No breaking contract

>> Click here to take action now <<

Amplify Your Message with a Call

Call your Member of Congress and Senators now and tell them to support our position on a People First relief package for aviation.

SENATE: 855-973-4213

HOUSE: 877-782-8274

Read more about our plan in this article >

KCM Access Point Staffing

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

Due to the rapid changes caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is directing Federal Security Directors to implement measures to maintain continuity of business. These measures could include some changes to the operation of Known Crewmember Program (KCM) access point locations. Crewmembers should expect periodic closures of KCM access points without notice. If KCM access points are closed, the TSA will accommodate crewmembers at TSA PreCheck™ locations where available or at standard passenger screening lanes. The TSA is taking measured steps and following CDC recommended guidance to preserve the health and safety of Transportation Security Officers

More Information

Please check the Known Crewmember website for more information and updates.

Challenges with Onboard Trash Stowage

Inflight Service Committee

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee and Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) have been working to advance AFA’s request to discontinue any onboard sorting of trash in the wake of COVID-19.  Many Flight Attendants have attempted to collect trash without employing the usual sorting process that would be used for onboard recycling and have come up against numerous challenges based on the lack of adequate trash space.  This has become especially challenging on double catered flights, flights in the Florida and Hawaii markets, and flights on A319 and certain A320 aircraft.

These concerns have been brought forward to the onboard food and beverage department, which is part of marketing.  Management is reviewing possible solutions to mitigate the lack of appropriate trash space.  AFA is continuing to stress the importance of providing adequate space for trash over discretionary provisions such as inflight entertaining tablets.  This comes down to safety—the company’s catering procedures should never be prioritized over providing adequate space for Flight Attendants to contain trash in a regulatory-complaint manner.

Have You Experienced Inadequate Trash Stowage Space?

If you are on a flight where you have inadequate trash stowage space, AFA highly encourages every Flight Attendant on the crew to file an Aviation Safety Action (ASAP) report using ReportIt!.  More information about ASAP, including a link to file a report, can be found here.

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.

Telephone Support Group For Flight Attendants Under Self-Quarantine

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

In order to provide additional support to those Flight Attendants who are under self-quarantine, AFA International EAP is sponsoring a bi-weekly telephonic support group meeting.  The meetings are facilitated by a confidential mental health professional.

Calls started on Tuesday, March 17 and are scheduled Tuesdays at 12 PM PDT (March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14) and Sundays at 5 PM PDT (March 22, 29, April 5, 12).  Each call will last one hour and can support up to 100 Flight Attendant participants.

Call-In Number

(855) 544-2320 or (401) 648-9218

If outside the U.S., follow the directions here.

COVID-19 Resources

AFA Update – September 13, 2019

In This Edition

  • Contractual Supporting Documents
  • Reminder: New KCM Identification Requirements
  • FAA Responds to AFA Advocacy to Move on 10 Hours Rest Implementation

Contractual Supporting Documents

Contract Committee

When there is a disagreement or difference of opinion regarding the intent of contractual language or how a contractual provision should be applied, AFA and management work through an established process to attempt to resolve the dispute.  Depending on the issue at hand, the resolution might be documented in one of several forms: a letter of agreement, memorandum of understanding, labor memorandum, or contractual settlement agreement.  Regardless of the format, these documents are contractually enforceable and supplement the provisions of our collective bargaining agreement.

To allow for the easiest possible access, these contractual supporting documents can easily be accessed from the contract home page of the AFA Alaska website at https://afaalaska.org/contract.  You can also access them on your IMD through the Good Reader app by tapping ASFASupplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Questions?

If you have any questions about contractual supporting documents, please contact your LEC President.

Reminder: New KCM Identification Requirements

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

As a reminder, new crewmember identification requirements for KCM, went into effect on Friday, September 6, 2019. The requirements are:

If the crewmember is wearing a uniform, the crewmember must present, as they do now:

  • A non-expired government-issued photo ID (such as a passport or driver’s license); and
  • An aircraft operator-issued crewmember photo ID (crew ID)

If the crewmember is not wearing a uniform, the crewmember must present:

  • A non-expired government-issued photo ID;
  • An aircraft operator-issued crewmember photo ID; and
  • A third form of identification, either:
    • A valid FAA Airman’s Certificate
    • A valid FAA Flight Attendant Certificate of Proficiency; or
    • A second non-expired government-issued photo ID

This means that out of uniform you must plan to present a passport and driver’s license/government ID card or one of these items and your FAA Certification card.

At some airports Flight Attendants have been improperly directed to passenger screening if not in uniform, and in addition, that new KCM electronic randomizer function is selecting a very high percentage of crewmembers for passenger screening. AFA continues to work with TSA to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. Your reports have been instrumental in our ability to address these issues and correct discrepancies.

Please continue to respectfully question when given instruction that is not consistent with reported procedures. If the TSA Officer or manager persists with the instruction, comply and then document the incident through our reporting form.

KCM Questions and Reporting Form

We fought hard to be included in KCM program. It is both a privilege as trusted crewmembers and a responsibility as part of aviation security. We all need to work together to ensure it continues to promote security and compliments our work as aviation’s last line of defense. 

Please continue to follow all KCM program requirements.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding KCM, please submit your question using the above form or contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) Officersfor assistance.

FAA Responds to AFA Advocacy to Move on 10 Hours Rest Implementation

Government Affairs Committee

Last year we successfully achieved 10 Hours minimum rest free from duty under the law. According to the legislation timeline and past practice on implementation of new rules, airlines should have had to comply with the law by the beginning of June 2019. Instead, a few airlines mounted significant opposition to the implementation and argued it would be too costly and difficult to implement. The Government Shutdown and the Boeing 737 MAX grounding further delayed the implementation of hundreds of provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. 

Flight Attendants made our rest a top priority and it’s because of all of you that we were able to achieve this legislative win. We have been working diligently on several fronts to remove obstacles to getting our rest implemented. We have worked directly with Chairman DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman Larsen (D-WA) and several other members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As we did with the original bill, we had both Republicans and Democrats from the Committee speaking up and pushing for implementation with FAA and DOT. We also have worked with our airlines to remove obstacles and specifically negotiated and implemented the 10 hours rest at Frontier and PSA. This also helped to demonstrate to regulators that the implementation should not be as difficult as they had been told by some airlines.

Recently confirmed FAA Administrator Steve Dickson assured AFA and lawmakers he would make implementation of 10 hours rest a priority. Today, under his leadership the FAA took an official and public step forward announcing a rulemaking process for implementing the 10 hours minimum rest. Within hours, Delta announced they would implement the rest with the February bid month – demonstrating the truth that all airlines can do this within a few months time. We will keep the heat on and press for full federal implementation as soon as possible. This is about safety, health, and equality.

Questions?

Please reach out to your Local Government Affairs Committeeif you have any questions.

AFA Update – August 30, 2019

In This Edition

  • Where to Find Our Contract on the IMD
  • The Latest on KCM
  • Personal Strategies for Approaching the Anniversary of September 11
  • Election Notice: MEC Officer Elections

Where to Find Our Contract on the IMD

Contract Committee

Having easy access to our collective bargaining agreement empowers you to ensure that you are always able to reference your contractual rights and responsibilities in a given situation.  Section 27.T of our collective bargaining agreement requires that the Company provide access to an electronic version of the contract on the IMD.  Management has complied with this contractual requirement by housing an electronic version of the contract in the GoodReader app.

To access the contract on your IMD, follow these steps:

  1. Open the GoodReader app
  2. Tap on ASFASupplemental 
  3. Tap on Collective Bargaining Agreement
  4. Tap on Contract
  5. Tap on the contract file

Questions?

If you have any questions about accessing the contract on your IMD, please contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers.

The Latest on KCM

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

On Saturday, August 24, an update was posted to the KCM website indicating program changes related to unpredictable screening procedures (USP) and uniform requirements that were to take effect several days later.  This update was posted with no advance notice and a very short implementation schedule.  After receiving notice of these proposed changes, AFA promptly engaged the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), Airlines for America (A4A), and the TSA to have additional conversations about these program changes and discuss alternatives. 

Unpredictable Screening (USP) Changes

Additional measures related to USP (commonly referred to as “random selection”) went into effect on Tuesday, August 27 as announced.  With this change, if you are selected for USP at a KCM access point you will continue to be flagged as a selectee at all KCM access points at that airport for a pre-determined amount of time.  If you are referred for USP that involves re-direction to the passenger screening lanes, please remember that you are subject to the same requirements as passengers if you are not in uniform.  Only crewmembers in uniform are exempt from TSA limitations on liquids, gels, and aerosols. 

Uniform Requirement

As a result of discussions with AFA, ALPA, and A4A, the TSA made the decision not to change the uniform requirement for KCM screening, meaning that crewmembers continue to be able to use KCM access points while out of uniform.

Compliance and Reporting

It is important that we continue to comply with procedures and instructions at KCM access points and security checkpoints if selected for unpredictable screening.  If you are given an instruction by a TSA Officer that differs from communicated procedures, please respectfully question the instruction.  If the Officer does not change the instruction, comply and then report the issue immediately to AFA.  

The only way to address concerns with individual TSA Officers or airports carrying out KCM screening differently from communicated procedures is to report the issue.  Posts on social media about individual issues will not only fail to resolve the concern but could also unintentionally share sensitive security information (SSI) related to the KCM program.  Please use the reporting form below to report any issues as soon as possible so that they can be addressed directly with the TSA.

KCM Reporting Form and Questions

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding KCM, please submit your question using the above form or contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers for assistance.

Personal Strategies for Approaching the Anniversary of September 11

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

As we approach the anniversary of September 11th, many of us will begin to plan how we’ll recognize this day. Anniversaries offer an opportunity to acknowledge our memories and experiences, to connect with others who share in them, and to pay tribute to our individual and collective journeys.  They can also serve as personal and professional milestones of our healing and resiliency.   For some, September 11th will be marked with private personal gestures such as observing a moment of silence, spending quiet time reflecting, or dedicating our flying to our profession.  For others, it will be marked with collective activities such as ceremonies and memorial services.

  • There is no right way or better way to recognize the anniversary; but, there are some suggestions that may prove helpful as we approach the anniversary of September 11th. 
  • Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you.  Say no to events or activities that you sense may flood you with too many feelings.  Find more gentle ways of honoring the anniversary.
  • Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11th anniversary.
  • Acknowledge that we all heal at different rates, in different ways, and with different outcomes.
  • Give yourself permission and time to be affected.  Though uncomfortable, anticipate and plan for having a stress reaction as the anniversary approaches.  Trust that if you have moments of difficulty, you’ll be able to pull yourself back together.
  • Try not to isolate yourself.  Pre-plan now to be with people if you know you have this tendency.

However you choose to structure your day this September 11th or however it just naturally unfolds, please remember that your AFA EAP Committee Members welcome being a part of it.  If you or a flying partner needs a confidential ear, please call us at (949) 470-0493 or find your local EAP contact information on the EAP Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.  Remember, we’re just a phone call away.  

Election Notice: MEC Officer Elections

Master Executive Council (MEC)

The term of office for our current Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2019.  The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the regular November MEC meeting.  This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with article III.C.1 of the MEC Policy Manual.

Background

The MEC Officers consist of a President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer.  These officer positions are responsible for serving as the coordinating council for the membership of the airline and carrying out the decisions of the MEC.  These officer positions are elected by the Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents, who are the voting members of MEC.  

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the MEC Officers are defined in article VII.C.2 of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws.

MEC President

From the AFA Constitution & Bylaws (article VII.C.2.a)

The President shall be the official Union spokesperson and chief executive officer for that airline and shall have the authority and duty to: 

(1) Be responsible for and charged with administering the policies of that Master Executive Council, and implementing the objectives and policies announced by the Board of Directors and Executive Board. 

(2)  Be responsible for the expeditious processing of members’ complaints and grievances. 

(3)  Be the Union representative on that airline for the purpose of furthering and implementing the objectives and policies announced by the Board of Directors and Executive Board. 

(4)  Coordinate and compile Master Executive Council policy, review reports and recommendations and submit such material to the appropriate committees of the Union. 

(5)  Be a member of the Negotiating Committee. 

(6)  Be a member of the Executive Board. 

(7)  Be granted the privilege of the floor at all meetings of the Board of Directors, but shall have no vote, if not also a Local Council President. 

(8)  Be responsible for and supervise the business and managerial functions of the Union on that carrier. 

(9)  Consult with and be assisted by the Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer. 

(10)  Ballot the Master Executive Council if necessary or when required. 

(11)  Keep a current and accurate inventory of all Union property and supplies purchased or provided by the Union and submit a copy of this to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. 

(12)  Inform all Master Executive Council Officers and committees that all files, correspondence, documents and other materials resulting from the work of such committees are the property of the Union, not the personal property of individuals, and are to be safeguarded. 

(13)  Maintain the Union’s files and property, then transfer them to her/his successor promptly. 

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

  • Attend regular and special MEC meetings, quarterly Labor Leader meetings with the company, and annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meetings.
  • Participate in the MEC Duty Officer program 

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

  • This position is contractually provided 130 TFP of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) per month
  • Must have the ability to be present in the MEC Office in Seattle to attend meetings and as needed.  Additional work completed remotely as necessary.
  • No relocation or accommodation reimbursement is provided for this position.
  • The MEC President is on-call to respond to critical incidents and situations.

MEC Vice President

From the AFA Constitution & Bylaws (article VII.C.2.b)

The Vice President shall:

(1) Function under the jurisdiction of the President in carrying out the policies and directives of the Master Executive Council.

(2) Perform the duties of the President at her/his request or in the absence of the President.

(3) Be granted the privilege of the floor at all Master Executive Council and Board of Directors meetings, but shall have no vote if not also a Local Council President.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

  • Serve as executive sponsor of MEC Committees and inform the MEC Secretary-Treasurer of upcoming meetings for calendaring.
  • Be responsible for obtaining a monthly written report from each of the MEC Committee Chairs and providing these reports to the MEC Secretary-Treasurer for submission with the monthly MEC agenda.
  • Attend regular and special MEC meetings, quarterly Labor Leader meetings with the company, MEC committee meetings, and annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meetings.
  • Coordinate and participate in the MEC Duty Officer program 

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

  • This position is budgeted for 120 TFP of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) per month
  • Must have the ability to be present in the MEC Office in Seattle to attend meetings and as needed.  Additional work completed remotely as necessary.
  • No relocation or accommodation reimbursement is provided for this position.
  • The MEC Vice President is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the MEC President during vacation and as needed.

MEC Secretary-Treasurer

From the AFA Constitution & Bylaws (article VII.C.2.c)

The Secretary-Treasurer shall:

(1) Assist the President in administering Master Executive Council funds.

(2) Maintain Master Executive Council records and perform such other duties that may be specifically assigned to the Secretary-Treasurer by the President or Acting President.

(3) Be responsible to the President and Master Executive Council.

(4) Be responsible for general record keeping and accounting of the Master Executive Council budget and any funds.

(5) Distribute a quarterly statement on expenditures to the Master Executive Council.

(6) Assist in preparation of the Master Executive Council annual report to the membership.

(7) Exhibit at all reasonable times the general records to any Officer or active member in good standing upon application.

(8) Maintain Master Executive Council records and record all meetings of the Master Executive Council.

(9) Deliver to her/his successor all monies and other property of the Master Executive Council. On demand of the International Office, s/he shall make available all books and records for examination and audit.

(10) Submit a copy of all Master Executive Council meeting minutes and nomination notices to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

(11) Be responsible for distributing a list of Master Executive Council committees’ flight pay loss to the Master Executive Council and the International Office each month; this list will include, but not be limited to, hours and ID(s) missed, days on projects, and projects charged.

(12) Be granted the privilege of the floor at all Master Executive Council and Board of Directors meetings, but shall have no vote if not also a Local Council President.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

  • Maintain the MEC agenda; solicit agenda items from members of the MEC
  • Reserve meeting space and other meeting resources as needed
  • Make arrangements for MEC hotel accommodations and meals
  • Perform month-end financial reconciliation activities including:
    • Monthly submission of MEC flight pay loss to the company
    • Monthly reconciliation of Union Business flight pay loss
    • Monthly submission of all Union Business to AFA International
    • Review and approve expense reports
    • Monthly reconciliation of budget and expense reports
  • Attend regular and special MEC meetings, quarterly Labor Leader meetings with the company, and annual AFA-CWA Board of Directors meetings.
  • Participate in the MEC Duty Officer program 

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

  • This position is budgeted for 100 TFP of Flight Pay Loss (FPL) per month
  • Must have the ability to be present in the MEC Office in Seattle to attend meetings and as needed.  Additional work completed remotely as necessary.
  • No relocation or accommodation reimbursement is provided for this position.
  • The MEC Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the MEC Vice President during vacation and as needed. S/he is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the MEC President if the president and vice president are simultaneously unavailable.

Working Relationships

With The Master Executive Council (MEC)

Constant interaction with the LEC Presidents, other LEC Officers, and other MEC Officers

With MEC Committees

Constant interaction with MEC Committee Chairs and Committee Members.

With Management

Constant interaction with Alaska Airlines management, particularly within the inflight and labor relations departments

With AFA International

Frequent interaction with AFA international officers and staff members

Term of Office

The regular term of office is for three years, beginning on January 1, 2020 and concluding on December 31, 2022.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will hold interviews and conduct elections during the regular November MEC meeting on Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6, 2019.  Bid around these dates or plan to arrange your schedule accordingly to accommodate.

Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest and resume online at https://forms.gle/DoRD4akQcakcuWRn9.  The deadline for submissions is 5 PM Pacific time on Tuesday, October 29.  After that time, MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou will contact qualified candidates to schedule a specific interview time.

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

Questions?

If you have any questions about MEC duties and responsibilities or the election process, please email officers@afaalaska.org.

Latest News

AFA Special Update – October 2, 2020

AFA Special Update – October 2, 2020 In This Edition November 2020 Staffing and Scheduling #ExtendPSP #ReliefNow November 2020 Staffing and Scheduling Master Executive Council Very time-sensitive information to report here! At AFA’s request, management has sent an email (“Base Transfers – November”) to Company email addresses, sent another email to involuntarily furloughed (IVF’d) Flight […]

AFA Special Update – September 30, 2020

AFA Special Update – September 30, 2020 In This Edition A Message for Our Departing Early Out Flight Attendants With Hours to Furlough Cliff, Flight Attendants Demand #ReliefNow TAKE ACTION: Keep Calling, Keep Tweeting. Let’s Get It Done. A Message for Our Departing Early Out Flight Attendants Master Executive Council It’s hard to believe it […]

AFA Special Update – September 9, 2020

In This Edition Health and Safety Concerns with Onboard Service Health and Safety Concerns with Onboard Service Master Executive Council (MEC) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is thought to spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.  The spread predominantly occurs between people who are in […]

AFA Update – September 4, 2020

In This Edition #ReliefNow Rally in Seattle on September 8 National Group Protection Supplemental Insurance Premium Waiver for COVID-19 Leaves and Furloughs A September 11th Anniversary Message from Your AFA EAP #ReliefNow Rally in Seattle on September 8 Government Affairs Committee On Tuesday, September 8th, the AFA Council 19 Government Affairs Committee will be hosting […]

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