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Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

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Council 39 May 2026 Update

In This Edition:

  • Elections Update
  • MEC Town Hall
  • Portland Pride 2026
  • Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue

Elections Update

Polls closed at 11 AM Pacific on May 19 for the election of Council 39 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Portland. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions:

  • LEC President: Krystle Berry
  • LEC Vice President: Melodie Anderes
  • LEC Secretary: Kevin Sharp

These newly elected officers will begin their terms on July 1, 2026 and will serve until June 30, 2029.

View The Certified Election Results Here

MEC Town Hall

Mark your calendars for AFA Alaska + Hawaiian’s next MEC Town Hall! This is your opportunity to connect, share and be heard. Get the latest AFA news and connect directly with our MEC Officers and bring your questions – this is your chance to get answers directly from AFA Representatives.

  • What: AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall
  • When: June 8 2-3:30 PM Pacific
  • Where: Zoom

This Town Hall will take place on Zoom so you can join from home or while on a layover. Advance registration is required and ensures you get a Zoom link to join the meeting. As with all AFA meetings and activities, the AFA Mutual Respect Policy applies during the Town Hall.

MEC Town Hall Registration

When you register, use your personal email address. If you use a company email address, your registration will be canceled. Only Members in good standing may attend and membership status will be verified before the event. Log in to the AFA Membership Hub to check your standing.

Use the form below to submit any questions you have for the MEC Officers. This helps focus the Town Hall on your concerns: negotiations, contract issues or anything else you want to hear about.

Submit A Question

Portland Pride 2026

Greetings from your Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee! Summer is here, and that means Pride Season is upon us! Portland’s Pride Parade is Sunday, July 19, so remember to bid it off if you plan on attending. Also, don’t forget: June 19th is Juneteenth!

This year, we have the privilege of marching as part of the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO contingent in a clear stance from labor to get corporate greed out of Pride! Sign up to march using the button below. There will also be a sign making social on July 17, as well as a labor booth running all weekend at the festival. 

March With AFA: Portland Pride 2026

There are more Pride events going on across the country and the HRE Committee is helping lead the way to provide access for Alaska + Hawaiian Flight Attendants. If you are interested in going to another Pride event or happen to be on a layover in a major city over a weekend in June and July, there are events you can be a part of with other AFA-represented Flight Attendants. Reach out to us and we would be happy to put you in contact!

Pride is especially important this year in an increasingly hostile socio-political landscape, one that continues to oppress and disenfranchise minorities and vulnerable populations in a multitude of ways. Many LGBTQ+ people experience multiple intersections of oppression and very much deserve to have a place of celebration, happiness, and support. Please consider bidding the time off, marching with us and enjoying the festivities. We would love to see you!

Aaron Miller, (they/them) Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson

Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue

Join experts, union leaders and Flight Attendants as they lead a discussion on fume events and their impacts, and learn how we can ensure cabin air is safer for crew and passengers. Register for the event by scanning the QR code on the graphic or clicking the link below.

  • What: “Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue” Webinar
  • When: June 1 (08:00-09:30 Pacific) & June 1 (18:00-20:30 Pacific)
  • Where: Zoom
Register Here

In Solidarity,

Steve, Krystle and Bethany

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026

On Thursday, August 27, our Seattle Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met with management to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Walstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Kahea Alvarez (LAX/SEA pmHA), Carin Merritt (LAX […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 19 – September 2026

Last week, the JNC received management’s responses on several contract sections and submitted counterproposals, including important updates for retiree benefits. As negotiations continue, both parties are preparing to use Interest-based Bargaining (IBB), a collaborative approach that aims to find mutually beneficial solutions to complex issues. IBB training is scheduled for October in Seattle and will be led by a mediator from the National Mediation Board.

Understanding The Legislative Process

As we continue our Government Affairs Committee Focus Month, this week we’re exploring how the legislative process works, why enacting laws strengthens our collective bargaining power, and how to engage effectively with our elected representatives. The legislative process may sometimes feel complex or far removed, but it directly shapes our day-to-day lives—from cabin safety regulations […]

Go In-Depth with Our AFA Government Affairs Committee Chairperson

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month continues, we’re excited to bring you a direct, face-to-face conversation that goes to the core of our Union’s legislative work. You’ll see how our experiences in the cabin translate into meaningful advocacy that drives real change. MEC Communications Committee Chairperson Brian Palmer recently sat down with MEC Government Affairs […]

Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11: Never Forget

A quarter of a century has passed since September 11, 2001—a day that fundamentally transformed our world and redefined aviation safety forever. Today, as members of the Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant family, we stand together to reflect on that pivotal morning, honor the memory of those we lost, and reaffirm our solemn promise: We Will […]

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