Notice of Election for Officers of Joint Alaska-Hawaiian MEC
AFA International
Dear Alaska and Hawaiian AFA Members:
As your merger moves forward, so does your representation. Our AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws calls for the merger of the Master Executive Councils in order to address our issues with the power of one voice. That starts with the election of MEC Officers. All of the Local Councils and your elected representatives will remain in place until the ratification of a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA). After the ratification of the JCBA the dual Councils at LAX will be merged as well.
The MEC Officer elections for the merged MEC will be conducted on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, with an effective date of March 1, 2025. The Alaska and Hawaiian Local Council Presidents and the respective MEC Officers will meet in person in San Francisco for these elections.
Also on the agenda for the in person meeting is a discussion about how to start to merge MEC Policy and Procedures and Committee functions. As a reminder, enforcement of each pre-merger contract with Grievance and System Board will remain separate until a JCBA is ratified. Other Committees may transition to one committee in the immediate months following the March 1, 2025 merger of the MECs, and some committees may work jointly with representatives from each pre-merger airline. More details on that transition process will be communicated following the January 29, 2025 in person meeting. In all cases, only Local Presidents representing Flight Attendants from each respective airline may vote on issues specific to each pre-merger contract.
The International Office will collect Willingness to Serve forms and resumes for consideration by the Local Council Presidents representing both Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants.
- Submit your Willingness to Serve through this form.
- Email your resume to Int’l Secretary-Treasurer Dante Harris at dharris@afacwa.org
MEC Officer Duties and Responsibilities are detailed in AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws Article VII.
We recommend submission of resume and willingness to serve no later than January 15, 2025 in order to provide ample time for consideration of all candidates. The International Office will provide a list of candidates and their resumes beginning January 7, 2025, with updates to the list completed at the end of each business day.
This communication is focused on the notice for these elections. We will continue to provide merger updates in the coming weeks and months.
In Solidarity,
Sara, Keturah, and Dante
AFA International Officers
Upcoming Merger of Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils
Master Executive Council (MEC)
- The Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Councils (MECs) will soon merge into a single MEC, consisting of the LEC Presidents from both pre-merger airlines and three MEC Officers.
- An election for new MEC Officers and some MEC Committee positions will take place in late January, with terms starting on March 1, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2025.
- Local Councils and LEC Officers will remain separate until a JCBA is ratified, and only LEC Presidents from their respective pre-merger airlines can make decisions about their pre-merger contract and separate operation. Once the JCBA is ratified, new LEC elections will be held in bases with overlapping representation (only LAX) within 90 days.
As part of the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, the Master Executive Councils (MECs) of both airlines will soon be combined into a single MEC. This new MEC will consist of the six Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents from pre-merger Alaska Airlines, the two LEC Presidents from pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines, and three MEC Officers.
This unified MEC will represent Flight Attendants from both airlines, facilitate joint contract negotiations, and interface with senior management. Since the merged MEC will initially operate with two active collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), decision-making related to each individual CBA will remain with the LEC Presidents representing pre-merger Flight Attendants of Alaska or Hawaiian, respectively. For instance, any decisions that solely affect the Alaska CBA will be made by the six pre-merger Alaska LEC Presidents.
Election of MEC Officers and Committees
The merger of the Alaska and Hawaiian MECs will require an election for new MEC Officers and certain MEC Committee positions. In late January, the AFA International Officers will hold a joint meeting of the Alaska and Hawaiian MECs to elect MEC Officers for the combined MEC. Some MEC Committees will be merged immediately, while others will remain separate until a joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA) is ratified. During this meeting, MEC Committee Chairpersons and representatives for the committees that will be merged will also be elected. The structure of the MEC Committees from both the Alaska and Hawaiian MECs is currently under thorough evaluation, and the specific committees that will be merged immediately are still to be determined. (Note: According to the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, at minimum, the Grievance Committee and the System Board of Adjustment will remain separate for each pre-merger airline until a JCBA is reached.)
The MEC Officers, MEC Committee Chairpersons, and other MEC Committee positions elected at this meeting will take office and begin their terms on March 1, 2025. According to the AFA Constitution and Bylaws, they will serve for the remainder of the current Alaska MEC election cycle, which ends on December 31, 2025. Both Alaska and Hawaiian AFA Members in good standing will be eligible to express their interest in and can be elected to these positions. AFA International will provide more information about the upcoming election, including the available positions and how to express interest in candidacy, in early December.
Local Councils Will Not Be Merged Until JCBA
The upcoming merger of MECs will not affect your Local Council representation or LEC Officers. All LEC Officers will continue to serve their terms based on their respective election cycles. Local Councils at bases with duplication—only LAX has bases for both pre-merger airlines—will remain separate until a JCBA has been established. After a JCBA is ratified, elections for new LEC Officers for the combined Local Council will occur within 90 days.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the upcoming merger of the Alaska and Hawaiian MECs, please contact your LEC President.
AFA Council 19 (SEA) LEC Vice President Runoff Election Results
Master Executive Council (MEC)
The following AFA Flight Attendant was elected to the office of LEC Vice President representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Seattle:
LEC Vice President: Melinda Jorge Henderson
View the certified election results here >>
This officer will serve a term of office starting July 1, 2023 and concluding on June 30, 2026.
Our Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officer and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.
AFA Council 19 (SEA) Election Results
Master Executive Council (MEC)
The following AFA Flight Attendants were elected to Local Council Officer positions representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Seattle:
LEC President: Paula Isla-McGill
LEC Secretary: Adam Clarey
Council Representative: Megan Brown
Council Representative: Jerry Sinclair
Due to a tie between Melinda Jorge Henderson & Ty Tufono-Chaussee, a run-off election will be held for the office of LEC Vice President.
View the certified election results here >>
These officers will serve a term of office starting July 1, 2023 and concluding on June 30, 2026.
Our Master Executive Council (MEC) congratulates the newly elected officers and we sincerely thank all those who stepped forward to run in the election.