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Merger Negotiations Session #2 Update – August 2017

The AFA Alaska-Virgin America Joint Negotiating Committee just finished several days of collective bargaining with management; we met from Tuesday, August 8th through Thursday, August 10th in Seattle, WA. This is our second merger negotiations session, with the first held back in June. (See “AFA Alaska-Virgin America Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Prepares to Meet with Management This Week” for more information.) Representing management: Vice President of Labor Relations Greg Mays, Outgoing Vice President of Alaska Airlines Inflight & Call Center Services Andy Schneider (and now incoming vice president of People), Managing Director of Labor Relations-Air Elizabeth Ryan and Virgin America Manager of Labor Emily Kimmel.

As AFA indicated in our Merger Negotiations Session #1 Update – June 2017, merger negotiations are a different process than regular negotiations. These talks are not under the jurisdiction of the National Mediation Board or Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, and neither side believes that the entire contract is open for discussion. Discussions are focusing on a short list of items, and all the provisions in the AFA Alaska contract (scheduled pay raises, etc.) will continue in force.

Virgin America JFK Flight Attendant Base Closure

While the JNC discussed several transition items, the bulk of our time was spent reviewing the Virgin America (VX) Flight Attendant JFK base closure packet with management. VX Director of Inflight Valerie Jenkins and Inflight Project Manager John Maze joined us for much of those discussions by conference call. AFA Council 35 Virgin America President Melissa Osborne also actively participated by phone.

The JNC and President Osborne asked many questions and the parties exchanged a lot of information as we advocated for the JFK Flight Attendants. The JNC and President Osborne were able to achieve some modifications to the relocation package offered by management and to clarify language in the related Q&A document. The parties agreed it would be best for management to hold off on publishing some details about relocation travel until next week. This is in order to give management more time to fully develop the program and to consider several requests by AFA and our members.

Virgin America Flight Attendant Commuter Policy

Management and the JNC drafted a letter of agreement (LOA) that allows for a trial implementation of a commuter policy for Virgin America Flight Attendants beginning in October. (See “[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements – Part 3” for more information.) The parties used the “Get Going Policy” from the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) Tentative Agreement as a template with some slight modifications, coupled with a third reserve availability period (RAP) from 8am – 8pm for Short Call Reserve (SCR). Management needed some extra time past the end of our session yesterday to review the final draft, but we do not anticipate this to take more than another workday or so, which will take us into next week. Once again, AFA would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the efforts of our sisters and brothers on the TWU VX negotiating team for providing the basis for the VX F/A Commuter Policy LOA.

Prior to implementation of this LOA, AFA will poll the Virgin America Flight Attendants to determine if the majority wishes to ‘test drive’ a commuter policy that is paired with a third SCR RAP. The initial survey will help guide the Master Executive Council officers in their decision whether or not to ratify the LOA. If we do trial the Commuter Policy and third SCR RAP, AFA will again poll the VX F/As in November to gauge membership satisfaction with the trial. AFA then has an opportunity to end the trial just in case it proves to be unpopular.

Information regarding the survey and the full text of the VX F/A Commuter Policy Letter of Agreement is now anticipated early next week, which is just slightly later than originally indicated in the last commuter policy update. AFA will continue our efforts to get this out to the Virgin America Flight Attendants as soon as possible.

Transition Issues Discussed

The JNC received several responses from management on prior information requests. We also had a very helpful and productive meeting with Alaska Director of Retirement Services Chrystie Dickens and Retirement Benefits Analyst Jaime Smalley to discuss the intricacies of merging the Alaska (AS) and Virgin America Flight Attendant 401(k) plans. Merging the two is a complicated multi-step process that must be completed within the guidelines of IRS regulations and other applicable laws. Finally, we consulted with Virgin America Crew Payroll Supervisor Peter Silberstein regarding the differences between VX and AS vacation accrual.

* * *

This negotiations session set the parties up for getting into more detailed discussions about specific transitional items next time. In the interim, each side has ‘homework assignments’ to make the time between sessions more productive. Merger Negotiations Session #3 is scheduled for September 12-14, 2017, in Seattle, WA.

Finally, the JFK Flight Attendants were constantly in our thoughts this week. Our hearts go out to each and every one of you, and the JNC will continue to seek any means possible to reduce the impact on you and all your families affected by this base closure.

In Solidarity,

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

Join the Alaska and Virgin America Pilots for a Unity Event Tomorrow in Seattle

Your Master Executive Council (MEC) knows this is short notice, but if you are not flying tomorrow (Wednesday, August 2nd), please plan to join the Alaska and Virgin America pilots in SeaTac, WA at Angle Lake Park (next door to Alaska Airlines corporate headquarters) for a unity rally and informational picketing event. This is a family-friendly joint unity event for Alaska and Virgin America pilots, their families, friends and invited guests. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Joint Alaska-Virgin America Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) has extended the invitation to Flight Attendants from Alaska Airlines and Virgin America, so come show your support for the Alaska and Virgin America pilots as the ALPA Alaska-Virgin America Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and MEC continues to prepare for arbitration.

If you are able to attend, please RSVP here as soon as possible. (Your RSVP will help ALPA plan for parking and catering.)

What: Unity Rally and Informational Picketing

Where: Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188

When: 10 a.m. – 1:30 or 2 p.m. Shuttles from offsite parking to the park will run beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Click here for parking information >

Why: To send a message to management that we are unified behind the ALPA MEC and JNC, and that you disagree with management’s position that the pilots’ contract should lag far behind their peers in compensation, retirement benefits, and job protections.

For more information, see the “This Merger Won’t Fly” website >

Attire: Very strong preference for the Flight Attendant uniform but no jacket. (Pilots and your AFA leaders will be in uniform but no jacket due to the expected warm temperature.) Alternatively, you may wear orange to show unity.

Food, Family Events, and Other Fun Details: ALPA will have coffee available in the morning, and a catered lunch following the picketing event. Angle Lake Park has a playground, splash pad, and beach, as well as open grassy areas. We have reserved shelters for the day for our group.

Cost: The event is free to all Alaska and Virgin America pilots, their families, friends and invited guests (including Alaska and Virgin America Flight Attendants).

We hope to see you in uniform standing in solidarity with the pilots and your AFA leaders at the rally tomorrow!

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Merger Negotiations Update – June 13-15, 2017

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) concluded negotiations training followed by two days of discussions with management’s team this week. Representing management were Vice President of Inflight & Call Center Services Andy Schneider, Vice President of Labor Relations Greg Mays and Managing Director of Labor Relations Elizabeth Ryan. This week’s meetings focused solely on issues that must be addressed in order to integrate the two Flight Attendant groups. Improvements to the Alaska Contract will be addressed downline.

This first session focused on working with management to create an initial list of items that both sides agree will require further discussion in the months ahead. Representatives from the Human Resources department joined the meeting, bringing their expertise to the discussion. Some issues are complex and will require negotiations, such as integrating both groups into the 401(k) and medical plans, translating points for the Attendance Policy and working through the differences in vacation programs. This is not an exhaustive list by any means.

The JNC will hold an additional preparatory meeting in July just for the committee. Meeting dates with management have been scheduled through the end of the year, with meetings at least once per month starting in August.

We will update you further after the next meeting, August 8-10.

In Solidarity,

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

AFA Alaska-Virgin America Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Prepares to Meet with Management This Week

This week will mark the start of merger negotiations with management. The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) will attend AFA negotiations training in Seattle at the beginning of the week. The JNC is comprised of three Flight Attendants appointed by the MEC: two Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, Jennifer Wise MacColl and Lindsey Steele, and one Virgin America Flight Attendant, Jamie Cogen. MEC President Jeffrey Peterson is chairperson of the committee and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo rounds out the committee as the professional negotiator. After training and preparation early in the week, the first meeting with management will occur on Wednesday and Thursday.

This initial session will be confined to discussing transition issues necessary to combine Flight Attendants at each carrier into one employee group and covered by a single collective bargaining agreement. The occasion will also provide an opportunity to get further details from management on merger plans and updated timelines and to reaffirm AFA’s position that we are looking for targeted improvements. However, discussing specific improvements will not be a subject for this first meeting and will be addressed later.

Keep in mind that merger negotiations are a different process than regular negotiations. These talks are not under the jurisdiction of the National Mediation Board or Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, and neither side believes that the entire contract is open for discussion. Discussions will focus on a short list of items, and all the provisions in our Contract (pay raises, etc) will continue in force.

What are some of the transition issues necessary to merge the two Flight Attendant groups?

  • How VX FAs will transition to the uniform and how uniform points will translate.
  • How sick leave will be converted.
  • How transition (aircraft differences) training will be accomplished for AS and VX FAs.
  • Attendance policy – how points will be handled for past occurrences for VX FAs.
  • Ensure that VX FAs get credit for “time served” on probation and are not subject to another probationary period on the Alaska side.
  • Confirm that the VX FAs will retain their vacation slots.
  • How 401(k) plans will be transitioned.
  • …and more.

There are many items that must be carefully considered so VX and AS Flight Attendants will be on equal footing in relation to the many provisions in the Alaska contract. The Joint Negotiating Committee and management will work to define the scope of transition issues that must be addressed. Again, the parties will take up this task before discussing improvements. We know you will be very interested in knowing more about AFA’s bargaining objectives and potential “improvements,” but it is too early in the process to discuss those in a meaningful way. Once the JNC completes talks this week and defines the strategy going forward, we will provide you with another update.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

[VX] Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements – Part 2

This message is for pre-merger Virgin America Flight Attendants

AFA met with the Virgin America leadership team (management) and Alaska Airlines management on Friday, June 2nd in Seattle, WA as follow up to the Virgin America Flight Attendant Work Rule Improvements discussions a month ago. Representing the Virgin America (VX) leadership team: Vice President of Inflight & Guest Services Jeff Butler and Managing Director of Inflight Valerie Jenkins; representing Alaska Airlines: Vice President of Inflight & Call Center Services Andy Schneider; representing both carriers: Vice President of Labor Relations Greg Mays and Managing Director of Labor Relations-Air Elizabeth Ryan; and representing the Association of Flight Attendants: MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Council 35 VX President Melissa Osborne and Senior Staff Attorney and Negotiator Kimberley Chaput. The meeting was successful, and plans were made to continue discussions on interim improvements in the near future.

Grievance and Arbitration Procedure

AFA and the leadership team agreed to a grievance and arbitration procedure (System Board). Effective June 1st, any Virgin America Flight Attendant who is given a corrective action (discipline) or terminated can have an AFA representative at all investigatory meetings and grievance hearings; s/he can file a grievance, and s/he will have access to a neutral arbitrator to decide the merits of the case if AFA takes the case forward. AFA can also file a ‘contractual’ grievance if management violates any terms of the AFA VX Interim Improvements Letter of Agreement (4/27/2017) or any other signed agreement we may reach in the future.

Virgin America Flight Attendants can now be disciplined only for cause, and management must prove its case—just like at Alaska Airlines. Discipline will still be issued, and terminations will be upheld if warranted. However, having an established grievance procedure will take the randomness and potential unfairness out of the equation. Disciplinary cases will be reviewed and decided based on objective evidence rather than subjective perception.

AFA VX Grievance Procedures and System Board of Adjustment Letter of Agreement (6/2/2017) »

It is basically the same grievance-related provisions as those reached between the Virgin America leadership team and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) negotiating team. The grievance-related provisions in the TWU VX Tentative Agreement (TA) were in turn essentially identical to the Section (§) 19 Grievance and §20 Board of Adjustment provisions in the AFA Alaska contract.

If you are called into a meeting in which discipline is pending or is a possibility, your supervisor should tell you that you have the right to an AFA representative. If not, please contact your Council 35 officers so arrangements can be made for a qualified representative to be present with you in the meeting.

While many Flight Attendants go their whole career without ever encountering the disciplinary system, a grievance procedure is at the core of union representation. Historically, a grievance procedure is a benefit provided within a collective bargaining agreement. However, AFA has achieved this benefit for you outside of a contract. AFA is committed to collecting no union dues until you have the protections of being covered under a full contract. As a reminder, a full contract must be ratified by a majority of members in good standing. Management has stated that at this point in the merger process, it is shifting focus to achieving a full contract for VX F/As in the context of a merged agreement and an integrated seniority list.

Commuter Policy

AFA and the leadership team recognize that a large percentage of Virgin America Flight Attendants commute. AFA and management also agree that Flight Attendants regularly encounter difficulties commuting to SFO, JFK and LAX, due to the high probability of encountering delays at these airports. Although sick leave is not directly tied to commuting challenges, management is alarmed at Flight Attendants’ sick leave usage—particularly in JFK—and they are concerned about being able to staff flights. AFA is definitely interested in a commuter policy, and the leadership team is willing to explore a commuter policy if it is mutually beneficial to all parties—and especially if it will improve operational reliability.

AFA advocated that the Company should implement the Get Going Policy established in the TWU VX Tentative Agreement. The leadership team’s concern with the Get Going Policy is that it was agreed to in exchange for enhanced reserve utilization and other items negotiated into the TA. The parties discussed a couple ideas, but management was reluctant to implement a ‘standalone’ (outside of a full contract) commuter policy without fully understanding the impact to the operation. Although we did not establish a commuter policy this session, the parties agreed to do additional research and connect in the next few weeks to continue discussions.

Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy Update

As you might recall, AFA and the leadership team agreed in the AFA VX Interim Improvements Letter of Agreement (4/27/2017) to implement the Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy for Virgin America F/As. The Alaska PED policy would allow you to use your PED while commuting or jumpseating, and, under stricter rules, during downtime while working. As mentioned in “Council 35 News – May 29, 2017,” the PED policy is located within the VX Inflight Manual (IFM). Any changes to the IFM are subject to FAA approval and must be made in a scheduled revision. The leadership team confirmed the Company is slated to adopt the Alaska PED policy in the August IFM revision.

Relaxing hair standards

AFA continues to advocate for relaxing the hair standards to the Alaska Airlines policy. The Alaska standard is to allow hair to be down when not doing a beverage/meal service and to be secured back during service. The leadership team explained that it needs to finesse the Virgin America brand expectations with regard to Flight Attendant appearance standards and the fact that VX has continuous on demand food service. However, AFA has convinced the leadership team to adopt the Alaska standard. It may take a couple months, but management is willing to go there.

Crossing seatbelts

AFA advocated to the leadership team that eliminating the seatbelt crossing and cleaning requirements would be a very welcomed improvement for Virgin America Flight Attendants. Management agreed and has communicated to AFA that the requirement to cross and clean seatbelts will change by the end of the year.

Pass travel and jumpseats

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Flight Attendants can travel on each other’s jumpseats for pleasure travel or to commute. The leadership team is open to the possibility of adding Virgin America to this reciprocal policy. In order to adopt a reciprocal jumpseat agreement, VX F/As will need to be entered into the Jumpseat Access and Control System (JACS). JACS is the program used to confirm whether an individual is jumpseat qualified. It is anticipated that VX F/As will be loaded into JACS by the time the carriers achieve Single Operating Certificate, which is currently estimated in early 2018. AFA believes that all our AFA sisters and brothers within Alaska Air Group (Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) should enjoy reciprocal cabin jumpseat agreements between all our respective carriers.

AFA and the leadership team agreed that VX Flight Attendants should be able to sit on VX (own metal) jumpseats out of uniform. The parties also agreed that pass riding Flight Attendants should be treated as much as possible like guests (e.g. ability to sleep and/or use the IFE, Wi-Fi or one’s PED) when traveling in uniform (e.g. deadheading and commuting). The leadership team has communicated to AFA that both improvements will be scheduled for IFM revision cycle 4, estimated in October.

Miscellaneous improvements

AFA sought several additional potential interim improvements. AFA advocated for revisiting items in the TWU VX Tentative Agreement that had been ready for implementation if the TA had ratified. These included but were not limited to the ability to drop below the minimum requirement of 70 hours per month by trading to another Flight Attendant, changes to Reserve rest and mid-sequence & deadhead report times. Management reiterated that it is now focusing on merger negotiations, so the leadership team is steering away from additional ‘standalone’ compensation and/or rule work improvements other than those already discussed.

AFA also inquired about other work rule improvements aligned with the Alaska policies and procedures and discovered that many of them are already pending as the carriers move towards a merged Inflight manual. Most are scheduled for implementation by October. AFA is going to hold off on listing those improvements for the time being because they are subject to change. Once we have more firm details, we’ll pass those along.

AFA is very encouraged by the overall progress so far. Look for updates regarding interim improvements for VX in future Council 35 communications. If you have any questions, contact your Local Council 35 officers.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

AFA News in Review – September 19, 2025

In This Edition Celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month Originally posted September 15, 2025 Join us in celebrating Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, a time dedicated to honoring the vibrant cultures and significant contributions of Hispanic-Latinx Americans. Discover the history, participate in special events, and grab your commemorative Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month AFA Pin […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the first group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have […]

Election Notice: Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Officer Elections

The term of office for our current Alaska + Hawaiian Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers will conclude on December 31, 2025. The voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will elect new MEC Officers at the November Regular MEC meeting. This communication serves as notice of the election in accordance with the MEC Policy and Procedure Manual. […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 11 to review their response to our September 5 proposal.  We feel that it is important to acknowledge the challenges within our company as Alaska management is struggling to understand our Collective Bargaining Agreement […]

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