Master Executive Council (MEC)

• Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
• The MEC also met with executive management and a group of union leaders from other company workgroups to receive updates and discuss concerns affecting employees company-wide.
• The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, and Wednesday, October 9.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for September 2024 on Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, and Grievance Committee. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Meeting with Management

This month, our MEC met with company executive management and Union leaders from other union-represented workgroups within the company. These meetings typically occur once every quarter to receive management updates and discuss issues and concerns faced by all employees. Management provided updates during the meeting on the current financial state of the company and the industry, expected aircraft deliveries, and the upcoming merger with Hawaiian Airlines.

Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines Merger

Our Master Executive Council (MEC) discussed the final regulatory approval and subsequent financial transaction closing in the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Since AFA also represents Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants, these milestones mark the beginning of the process of merging AFA Master Executive Councils (MECs) for the two airlines. According to Section X of the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, within 30 days of the merger’s financial closing, the AFA International President will convene a joint session of the MECs of both airlines to outline the process of merging them into a single MEC. More information about the merger of the Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will be shared as it becomes available.

Additionally, the MEC scheduled time to conduct interviews for the AFA Alaska members of the Seniority Merger Integration Committee and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) during the November Regular MEC Meeting. These committees, which will be made up of both Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants, will be responsible for providing representation in key areas of the merger process. More information about these roles, including the interview schedule and how to express interest in serving, can be found by clicking here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

Master Executive Council (MEC)

• The August 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was scheduled to take place this week on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. 
• The meeting was extended by an additional day to allow the MEC to discuss the path forward with negotiations following the TA ratification vote results.
• The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for August 2024 on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers and LEC Presidents. Additionally, the MEC received committee reports from the Grievance, Benefits, and Retirement Committees and reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

TA Ratification Vote Results

Our MEC was joined by our Negotiating Committee and various AFA Representatives who support the Negotiating Committee in anticipation of the close of the TA ratification vote on Wednesday, August 14, and the announcement of the results. As previously communicated, the TA was not ratified, with 32% voting for the agreement and 68% voting against it. This decision came with 92.4% of eligible voters participating. We appreciate everyone who took the time to vote and have their voice heard through the democratic process!

Next Steps With Negotiations

The MEC Meeting was extended an additional day into Thursday to allow the MEC to have an initial discussion about the path forward with contract negotiations. The first step will involve surveying Members to understand our collective priorities for the negotiations ahead. The survey results will be crucial in shaping the opening proposal and determining the Negotiating Committee’s focus at the bargaining table.

In addition to the survey, our MEC and Negotiating Committee will be working diligently in the upcoming weeks to solidify a strategic plan as we gear up for the next phase of negotiations and resume mediation. Further details about the survey, process, and timeline will be shared through AFA Alaska email and social media channels and posted on the negotiations website when they become available.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

Master Executive Council (MEC)

• Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
• The MEC was supposed to meet with executive management and union leaders from other company workgroups but chose to skip the meeting in support of our Negotiating Committee.
• The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 10.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for June 2024 on Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, and Grievance Committee. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Meeting with Management

This month, our MEC was supposed to meet with company executive management and Union leaders from the other union-represented workgroups within the company. These meetings generally occur once every quarter to receive management updates and discuss issues and concerns faced by all employees. However, since we are entering another summer without a tentative agreement and in solidarity with our Negotiating Committee, the MEC decided to send a strong message by skipping the meeting.

Our absence spoke volumes: We won’t wait any longer for the contract we deserve. We stand firmly with our Negotiating Committee in their efforts to negotiate a deal that works for all Alaska Flight Attendants. If management doesn’t step up, we’re prepared to take the necessary actions under the Railway Labor Act.

Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action Debrief

Our MEC reviewed and discussed last week’s Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action informational picketing events. Alaska Flight Attendants from all six bases (including the SNA and ONT co-terminals) and several other airports nationwide participated in the events. These picketing events, along with our other awareness-building efforts and the strong support from Flight Attendants across the industry, are helping to bring more public attention to our collective contract fights. You can read more about the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action by clicking here.

MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson Interviews

During the meeting, our MEC interviewed candidates for the MEC Employee Assistance Program (EAP) / Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson position that was previously posted in April. The MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson works in collaboration with the MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson to assist Members, their families, and partners with personal and work-related issues that may impact their health and well-being. Our MEC would like to thank all the candidates who applied and interviewed for the position.

After thorough consideration, Rex Hampton has been appointed to the position by the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents). Rex’s term will begin immediately and end on December 31, 2025.

System Board of Adjustment Interviews

Our MEC spent part of the meeting interviewing candidates for the System Board of Adjustment position that was previously posted in April. Members of the System Board of Adjustment are responsible for arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Alaska Airlines and its Flight Attendants. Our MEC would like to thank all the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the positions.

After extensive discussion and thorough consideration, the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) have re-appointed Sandra Morrow to the position. Sandra’s term of appointment will begin on July 1, 2024, and conclude on June 30, 2026.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

Master Executive Council (MEC)

• The April 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week on Wednesday, April 10.
• Our MEC met with management to receive updates and review concerns, including DOT drug testing procedures, lack of meetings with the AFA Benefits Committee, coffee maker safety, and staffing adjustment leave administration.
• Our Negotiating Committee will return to the bargaining table next week in a scheduled mediation session, focusing on data from the Flight Attendant Financial Security Survey.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for April 2024 on Wednesday, April 10. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers and LEC Presidents. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Meeting With Management

During most Regular MEC Meetings, our MEC meets with management to review the current issues and challenges that Flight Attendants face. Attendees from management this month included Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen, Vice President of Inflight Matt Prainito, Managing Director of Inflight Services Gloria Chow, Senior Labor Relations Program Manager Mike Link, Director of Payroll Leah Ables, Vice President of Finance Ryan St. John, Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, and Director of Crew Staffing Nick Giles.

Some of the topics discussed include:

• Aircraft deliveries and anticipated summer flying. Aircraft deliveries from Boeing have slowed, and no aircraft have been delivered to Alaska this year. Management is adjusting the summer schedule to reflect the reduced fleet numbers.
• Flight Attendant hiring and staffing. Management is still hiring as planned for 2024, with four initial training classes scheduled.
• Base supervisor consistency. Management is working to improve consistency among base supervisors systemwide by documenting procedures better and setting expectations.
• DOT random drug testing procedures. Our MEC brought forward concerns about the lack of private testing facilities in certain outstations and where tests are administered in those locations (Hawaii stations in particular). Additional concerns were brought forward regarding the isolated location of some facilities and the possibility of having another employee accompany a Flight Attendant. Management will review the concerns and respond to the MEC. 
• AFA Benefits Committee meetings with management. The ongoing lack of meetings between our AFA Benefits Committee and their counterparts in management continues to have a detrimental effect on our ability to address and resolve problems affecting Flight Attendants. Though management did agree to hold a meeting late last year, they have not continued meeting with the Committee on an ongoing basis. Our MEC reiterated that we believe it is essential for management to meet with the Committee every quarter at a minimum. Management will review the request further and respond.
• Ongoing coffee maker safety issues. Despite management’s attempted mitigations and procedure changes, Flight Attendants continue to be injured by coffee makers spewing hot coffee and grounds during brewing. These continued injury reports indicate that the mitigations and procedure changes implemented are insufficient. Our Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) and Inflight Service Committee will officially request to re-open the associated safety risk assessment (SRA).
• Staffing adjustment leave administration. Our MEC shared several concerns about how staffing adjustment leaves are administered for Flight Attendants and ongoing issues with resolving problems. Management will review the recurring issues and agree to improve the current processes causing problems.

Contract Negotiations/Mediation

Our Negotiating Committee will return to the bargaining table with management next week in a session facilitated by our assigned mediator from the National Mediation Board (NMB). The Committee plans to review and share statistical data from the Flight Attendant Financial Security Survey with management and the mediator at the session. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey and for the support from our Mobilization Volunteers who encouraged participation!

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

• Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week on Monday, March 18, and Tuesday, March 19, to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
• The MEC also met with executive management and a group of union leaders from other company workgroups to receive updates and discuss concerns affecting employees company-wide.
• The next Regular MEC Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10.

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) held its regular meeting for March 2024 on Monday, March 18, and Tuesday, March 19. These meetings, required under the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, provide an important opportunity for the MEC to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting our Union and Members at the airline level. Your directly elected LEC President (or their designee) attends these meetings as your representative and votes on your behalf when decisions need to be made.

During the meeting, the MEC received updates from the MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Additionally, the MEC reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons detailing their current work and activities.

Meeting with Management

This month, our MEC met with company executive management and a group of Union leaders from the other union-represented workgroups within the company. These meetings are usually conducted once every quarter to receive updates from management and to discuss issues and concerns faced by all employees. During the meeting, management provided updates on the current financial state of the company and the industry, expected growth and aircraft deliveries, the incident involving Flight 1282, the proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, and recent changes made to employee benefits and retirement.

Meeting With Negotiating Committee

The MEC met with our Negotiating Committee on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming mediation sessions with management and the mediator from the National Mediation Board (NMB). During the meeting, the group reviewed the Negotiating Committee’s preparation session in March and discussed the logistics going forward as we continue to fight for the contract we have earned. The meeting also included a discussion on how negotiation information is being communicated to Members and opportunities to adapt methods to reach Flight Attendants better and keep everyone updated.

Our Negotiating Committee will launch a new Flight Attendant Financial Security Survey next week to collect data about the current financial reality faced by our Flight Attendants. The survey will help the Committee compile a clear and well-rounded picture of our workgroup that will be presented to management and the mediator during the next mediation session. All Flight Attendants, regardless of financial situation, are asked to complete the survey once it launches on Tuesday, March 26. Management says they are “data-driven” and make decisions based on numbers, so let’s show them the numbers! You can find more information about the upcoming survey by clicking here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.