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Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, December 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones. 

The Committee met with the new Director of Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy, and Interim Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Matthew Trujillo.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during both internal AFA-only discussions and meetings with management. Some of the topics discussed include:

  • New Crew Access Errors And How They Affect Reserves: Alaska IT Management is investigating the causes of these errors and exploring solutions to remedy them. These new errors will be added to the known issues document next week. This will provide guidance to Reserve Flight Attendants on what the errors are and how Scheduling can assist with manually processing specific tasks.
  • Out-Of-Order Assignments: If a Reserve Flight Attendant believes they were assigned out of order, they can notify Crew Scheduling. If confirmed by Scheduling, an annotation will be made to pay the out-of-order premium. However, the trip should not be removed and given to another Reserve Flight Attendant, as that also would be a violation of our contract.
  • CBA timeline implementations of outstanding items that will affect Reserves.
  • New update to Crew Access and upcoming updates to Crew Access next year.
  • Crew Scheduling Desk Assignments: A more in-depth explanation of what desks (positions) there are in Scheduling, what duties each desk is responsible for, and staffing updates.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for Reserve Flight Attendants: Working to update Reserve 101, the Reserve survival guide and flow charts with new CBA provisions.
  2. Assisting Reserve Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program: Answering questions from and providing support to Reserve Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program.
  3. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns: Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management complies with our contract.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the Committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Reserve Committee is your voice to management. You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on December 9 to December 11 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for January 27 to January 29
  • A Tentative Agreement has been reached for Section 27 (Association General)
  • Our JNC continues to analyze the Vacations Section of both the AS CBA and the HA CBA alongside the vacation survey results

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on December 9 to December 11 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberNeil Osato, Director, Labor and People Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Suzanne Balzer, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

During this negotiating session we continued to narrow issues in Section 15 (Leaves of Absence). The JNC also received the company’s first proposal on Section 24 (General and Miscellaneous). We were able to reach a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 27 (Association General) and secure additional resources to support our growing Flight Attendant group.

The JNC has also begun the process of meticulously analyzing Section 14 (Vacations). During this process, we are also reexamining the vacation survey results in conjunction with assessing the vacation provisions.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA will be used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Association General (AS CBA Section 27 and HA CBA Section 22)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 26 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

Sick Leave Survey

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Sick Leave Survey. We had a total of 3,358 Flight Attendants take part, which is consistent with our previous surveys. Your responses, including partial responses, will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the evaluation process.

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Joint LAX Local Council Meeting with Council 18 (Alaska LAX) and Council 47 (Hawaiian LAX) on Friday, December 12 in Los Angeles. Our next stop will be in Honolulu during the month of January. Please check your Local Council communications for updates about future meetings.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for January 27 to January 29.

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairpersons

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

We’re excited to introduce the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few weeks and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that highlight their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our Flight Attendant group.

Dianna Ripley, MEC Benefits Committee Chairperson

Dianna Ripley has been a Flight Attendant since 2014. Prior to joining the airline industry, she gained extensive leadership and customer service experience, serving as an Optical Manager for Costco Wholesale and managing Alaska’s first Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa.

Following an on-the-job injury in 2022, Dianna became actively involved with the Council 30 (ANC) Benefits Committee, focusing on Workers’ Compensation. Motivated by her own experience navigating complex processes, she is dedicated to making benefit information clear, accurate, and accessible for all Flight Attendants. In her current role, she works to improve communication around FMLA, medical and maternity leave, Workers’ Compensation, and annual benefits enrollment.

Outside of work, Dianna enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, walking, and appreciating nature. She has been married to her husband, Mike, since 1995, and they will celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary in January. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, and their family dog, Deshka. Dianna and her family enjoy fishing, camping, riding side-by-sides/ATVs, and gathering around a backyard fire with friends and family year-round.

Melanie Buker, MEC Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson

Melanie began her aviation career with Horizon Air in 1986, based in Boise, Idaho. During her tenure, she joined the Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP), an experience that later guided her transition into the AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) when she joined Alaska Airlines in 2002.

She was elected AFA Council 30 Anchorage President in January 2011 and currently serves her fourth term as Vice President of AFA Council 15 San Diego, where she has also held the role of Local EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson. With more than 23 years of dedicated EAP service, Melanie remains committed to strengthening the program and enhancing support resources for Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants—and, in the future, Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants as the merger progresses.

Melanie resides in Boise, Idaho, where she enjoys the natural beauty of her home state, spending time with her longtime friends, reading, and cherishing time with her two grandsons.

Elizabeth Dillon, MEC Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Vice Chairperson

Elizabeth Dillon has been a LAX-based Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines for 35 years and has been involved with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee (including CIRP Critical Incident Response) since 1996. She holds three certificates related to drug and alcohol abuse: NCAC-I (National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 1), LAP-C (Labor Assistance Professional), and SAP (Substance Abuse Professional). Elizabeth conducts assessments, organizes inpatient treatment for addicted Flight Attendants, and monitors incoming EAP, Critical Incident, and Professional Standards cases for Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines.

Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, especially the grandkids, traveling, and scrapbooking.

Deb Wallstrom, MEC Retirement Committee Chairperson

Deb Wallstrom has held several Union roles since she joined Alaska Airlines in 1998. Based in Anchorage, Deb currently also serves on both the Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) and the Benefits Committee. She is dedicated to assisting and guiding Flight Attendants through retirement options and information. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, hiking, and curling up with a good survival book.

MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Interviews – January 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

Do you want to help new Flight Attendants as they go through initial training and probation? Our MEC is seeking a dedicated and organized Member in good standing to serve as the MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation. In this role, you’ll be the primary AFA point of contact for new hires, ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources. You’ll also monitor the company’s Initial Training program and assist in resolving any issues that arise. If you’re ready to support our newest Flight Attendants and help them with probationary challenges, this is your chance to get involved.

Qualifications

  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Thorough knowledge of the current collective bargaining agreement, with in-depth understanding of sections on probation, hours of service, reserve, scheduling, attendance, and commuter policy.
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace (email, calendar, document sharing) and Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Proficiency with or willingness to learn online issue tracking software such as SupportSystem.
  • Willingness to regularly attend and actively participate in Reserve Committee meetings, whether virtually or in person, as determined by committee requirements.
  • Commitment to following committee policies, procedures, and rules while upholding high ethical standards.
  • Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.
  • Must be an AFA Member in good standing (dues current).
  • Must remain in good standing with the company.

Duties

  • Regularly communicate with and provide activity updates to the MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson.
  • Coordinate with the MEC Inflight Training Committee Chairperson on any matters pertaining to Initial Training.
  • Coordinate the scheduling of the AFA New Hire Presentation for each Initial Training Class and ensure Company compliance with associated contractual language.
  • Facilitate assigned modules for the AFA New Hire Presentation or arrange for an approved alternate if unable to attend.
  • Maintain and regularly update AFA New Hire Presentation materials, documents, and resources, and work with the MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson on updates related to the introduction to AFA and Union membership.
  • Ensure new hire Flight Attendants complete all necessary AFA membership paperwork by reviewing required forms, assisting with questions, and confirming all information provided is accurate before submission.
  • Transmit completed AFA membership paperwork promptly to the AFA Membership Services Department and securely maintain copies for MEC records.
  • Oversee and coordinate the Reserve Buddy program. Work with the Membership Engagement and Communications Committees to develop and implement a structured schedule that includes regular check-ins, educational materials, and resource sharing for new hires during their probation period. Gather feedback to improve the program and enhance new hire engagement and learning.
  • Support probationary Flight Attendants by accompanying them to probationary meetings with management and offering guidance during the process.
  • Serve as a resource to Local Reserve Committees on matters related to new hire and probationary Flight Attendants.
  • Be trained and remain qualified to perform any Reserve Committee position duties as needed.
  • Assist the MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson as assigned, including Reserve Committee tasks beyond new hire and probation scope.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

The time commitment for this position varies and may change based on the company’s hiring levels and current workload levels. Specific information about time commitment expectations and Flight Pay Loss for the position will be provided during the interviews. All positions operate in line with AFA’s spirit of volunteerism.

Working Relationships

With Local Reserve Committees

Frequent interaction with the Local Reserve Committee Chairpersons and Committee Members.

With The MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson

Constant interaction with the MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson.

With Other MEC Committees

Regular interaction with the MEC Inflight Training Committee Chairperson and MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson; occasional interaction with other committees as needed.

With The Master Executive Council           

This position reports to the Master Executive Council through the MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson. The designated MEC Officer responsible for the committee is the MEC Vice President.

Term of Service

The elected candidate will serve for the upcoming MEC Officer election cycle, beginning immediately upon election and concluding on December 31, 2028.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

To express your interest, please submit an expression of interest and your resume using the online form (link below). The submission deadline is 5 PM Pacific Time on Monday, December 29, 2025. No submissions will be accepted after this deadline.

Click here to submit an expression of interest form >

Please note that a Google account is required to submit the expression of interest form. If you don’t have a Google account, you can create one for free. Visit https://accounts.google.com/signup to get started.

Eligible candidates will be contacted within one business day of submitting the form and invited to complete a one-way video interview. You’ll receive questions via an online platform and record your responses on video. There is no live interaction, and you may complete the interview at your convenience before the deadline.

After the deadline, the MEC will review all submissions and video interviews. Finalists will be invited to a live interview with the MEC, and an MEC representative will contact all candidates to share results and schedule interviews for finalists.

Live interviews with finalists will be held during the January Regular MEC Meeting, from Monday, January 12, to Wednesday, January 14. Please plan your schedule to ensure availability (either through proactive bidding or other scheduling adjustments) if you are selected as a finalist. Finalists may interview in person in Honolulu, HI, or virtually via Google Meet.

Timeline

DateEvent
Monday, December 5Expression of interest form becomes available
Monday, December 29 @ 5 PM PTDeadline for submitting expression of interest forms
Tuesday, December 30 @ 9 AM PTDeadline for submitting one-way video interviews
Tuesday, December 30 – Saturday, January 3MEC reviews all submitted expressions of interest and one-way video interviews
Monday, January 5Finalists notified
Monday, January 12 – Wednesday, January 14Live interviews with MEC and elections
Thursday, January 15Results announced

Questions?

If you have any questions about the position itself or its associated duties and responsibilities, please contact MEC Vice President Brice McGee at mecvp@afaalaska.org.

If you have any questions about the expression of interest form or interview process, please contact MEC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Ikioka at mecst@afaalaska.org.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 9 – November 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on November 18 to November 20 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for December 9 to December 11
  • A Tentative Agreement (TA) was reached regarding Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security) which incorporates several improvements taken from the Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on November 18 to November 20 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberNeil Osato, Director, Labor and People Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Suzanne Balzer, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

In this round of negotiations, our JNC made progress on Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security), Section 27 (Association General), and Section 36 (Commuter Policy). We are getting closer to settling several issues where we still disagree.

We are pleased to share that we have reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 25 (Air Safety, Health and Security). We secured several procedural improvements, formalized support for important safety meetings and reports, and made progress on incorporating language around Cabin Air. The Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) helped the Committee make these valuable improvements.

Section by Section Progress

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Section 25 – Air Safety Health and Security (HA CBA Section 28)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)
  • Section 36 – Commuter Policy (HA CBA Section 34-28)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Section 30 – Training (HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Section 6 – Seniority (HA CBA Section 9)
  • Section 15 – Leaves of Absence (HA CBA Section 17)
  • Section 19 – Grievance Procedures (HA CBA Section 23)
  • Section 33 – Charters (HA CBA Section 12)

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Local Council Meeting with Council 39 (Portland) on Friday, November 21, in Portland. In December, we will continue our base visits, with our next stop at the joint Local Council Meeting with Council 18 (Alaska LAX) and Council 47 (Hawaiian LAX). Please check your Local Council communications for updates about future meetings.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for December 9 to December 11.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, December 16, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Heather Reier (ANC), Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, December 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

On Thursday, December 4, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work in representing our Flight Attendants and advocating for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management this week to continue bargaining sessions in Seattle, WA. Discussions focused on narrowing issues in Leaves of Absence, Association General, and reviewing vacation provisions as part of the joint contract process.

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