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Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews

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

As we move forward with the integration of our Master Executive Councils (MECs), our MEC has had important discussions regarding the timing and process for merging our various MEC committees. During this week’s MEC meeting, we developed a plan that outlines how and when these mergers will take place. We’ve set a specific date for the first group of committees to merge: June 1.

As part of the committee merging process, our MEC will elect a Chairperson for each newly merged committee from among the combined Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant groups. The newly elected Chairperson will coordinate activities across both airlines and support the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils— both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian. The MEC will conduct interviews during the May MEC Meeting for the following roles:

Other committees will merge later in the process. We’ll keep you informed about the integration timeline for each committee, including interview schedules, as we approach those dates.

General Qualifications

Qualifications for all MEC-level Chairperson positions include: 

  • Current Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines AFA Member in good standing
  • Previous experience as a Committee Member or Chairperson is preferred.
  • Previous committee-specific training preferred.
  • Strong ability to lead and coordinate a diverse team in a collaborative environment.
  • Ability to attend meetings as required, both via videoconference and in person.
  • Strong computer skills, including a good working knowledge of Google Workspace (email, calendar, Drive, and other applications) and Microsoft 365.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external emails, prepare reports, plan meetings (including scheduling, logistics, and agenda preparation), and take minutes.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Details about each committee’s duties and responsibilities are available on the respective committee pages of afaalaska.org. Additional information regarding MEC Committee Chairperson duties and responsibilities is available in this document.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

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

Term of Service

Candidates who are successfully elected will serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), as well as for the upcoming cycle (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028). Their official term will begin on June 1, 2025, and conclude on December 31, 2028.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The MEC will interview eligible candidates during the May Regular MEC Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, and Wednesday, May 14. If you are interested in interviewing, please plan to bid around these dates or adjust your schedule accordingly.

Eligible candidates can choose to interview in person in SeaTac, WA, or virtually via Google Meet videoconferencing. 

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 Tuesday, May 6, 2025. After the submission deadline, an MEC representative will contact eligible candidates to arrange specific interview times.

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 at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

Questions?

Any questions about MEC Committee Chairperson position duties and responsibilities can be directed to MEC Vice President Brice McGee at mecvp@afaalaska.org.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, March 25, our AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons/Representatives met 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), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). Also present were MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, and PBS Subcommittee Member Adam Clarey. 

The committee met with Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Interim Managing Director of Inflight Operations and Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Hawaiian Airlines Director of Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy, Director Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Inflight Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, Crew Hotels Specialist Nichole Turner, Senior Manager of Product Management (ITS) Rick Mitchell and other management representatives from Crew Planning and Crew Scheduling.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 22.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

  • Drug Testing Procedures: A significant concern was raised about the drug testing protocol occurring at the end of flight sequences, particularly regarding whether the debrief period is extended. A specific case was mentioned where an FA had to wait for 90 minutes before being tested, which could impact crew schedules and rest periods. Crew Scheduling said they would extend if the Flight Attendant called and notified them.
  • Hotel/Transportation Procedures: Discussions highlighted that the current procedures for hotel and transportation remain unchanged. Questions were raised about when crews would return to their hotels, especially regarding ongoing investigations. Crews expressed a preference for their established routines and suggested that relocating to specific hotels may be more efficient.
  • Crew Access Notifications: The need for improved notifications regarding drops for Open Time/Flight Attendant to Flight Attendant trading was stressed. Members requested a structured list for submitting grab/handshake requests to enhance communication and operational efficiency.
  • Payroll Queries: Concerns were voiced about unnecessary payroll queries that complicate the submission process for missing information. A desire to streamline this process was expressed to allow Flight Attendants to focus on the items listed for submission.
  • RT Rescheduling Issues: There were complications regarding rescheduling recurrent training in ANC, particularly for those scheduled less than seven days out. AFA contacted management to obtain more information about the process. 
  • FAI Turn Concerns: Flight Attendants reported ongoing issues with ANC-FAI turns being dropped into Open Time, resulting in them being required to stand up overnight in hotel accommodations for a trip that only pays 6 TFP. This situation raises safety concerns, as the time spent checking into the hotel leaves crew members with insufficient rest.
  • Hotel Map Issues: It was reported that the hotel map was not populating correctly on Crew Access. ITS is aware and has notified the vendor. 
  • Open Time Filter and Reassignment Queries: Challenges were noted with an OT filter issue related to IOS 18.4. Furthermore, there were discussions regarding reassignment and deadhead conversion processes, particularly the impact on boarding pay during these conversions. Flight Attendants reported not receiving notifications of reassignments, which should be communicated through the scheduling system.
  • Transportation Delays: A particular incident involved crew members arriving early for a redeye flight and experiencing delays in van service, exacerbated by difficulties contacting the transportation service. Please file CrewCare reports with API so AFA and management can document these events.
  • Hotel Changes and Bid Packet Issues: Concerns were raised about hotel changes that were not appropriately communicated in the bid packets for CUN layovers. Issues included blackout dates not being assigned and the need for a phased approach to the assignment process, as hotels often do not respond promptly to Alaska Airlines.
  • Reporting Hotel and Transportation Issues: Flight Attendants were encouraged to report any hotel and transportation issues they encounter. This feedback will help hold vendors accountable and improve service quality. The API ticketing system was highlighted as an important tool for tracking these issues.
  • Payroll and Compensation Reviews: Clarifications regarding payroll processes were provided, emphasizing that Crew Scheduling does not determine compensation, and that payroll will review trips for due payments.
  • PBS Bidding Updates: The April bidding process was reportedly efficient, with most tasks completed by Subcommittee Members. There was a noted increase in OT in SEA, though overall, it remained relatively low compared to other bases.
  • PBS Bid Protest Statistics: The Subcommittee reported a total of 51 bid protests last month, indicating areas where Flight Attendants are expressing their concerns.
  • PBS NAVBLUE Meetings: Various meetings were conducted, including a demonstration addressing iOS scrolling issues. Despite past concerns, NAVBLUE believes improvements should be classified as enhancements, though management is pushing back.
  • TA2 Items: The AFA Implementation Representative reported on the prioritization of boarding pay as a critical item for the new CBA. The Negotiating Committee indicates that an interactive online CBA will require significant formatting work, including the adjustment of hyperlinks and redlining of the contract, which will be available soon.
  • ITS Update: The testing for the 25.1 release has shown promising results, with automated processes being developed. Crew Planning is focusing on CBA items and their scope, with trade metrics remaining stable at 57k and no recent trade issues. There is a Crew Access update scheduled for April 1, 2025. 
  • Payroll Update Query Resolutions: Progress on resolving payroll queries was discussed, focusing on reducing unnecessary filings. The committee is awaiting updates on compensation guidelines related to the new CBA.
  • Staffing and Block Hours: An increase in block hours was recorded, with staffing planned to average 77.5 TFP in May. The reserve block ratio is 19%, indicating a robust operational capacity. 
  • Operational Adjustments: Route planning has included considerations of IRROP mitigation strategies for the spring, particularly in response to SAN construction and the potential impacts of volcanic activity on operations.
  • Sick Leave Trends: A notable decrease in sick leave usage (down to 9%) was reported, signaling improved attendance among Flight Attendants. An update on sick leave and state bank policies was planned, with guidance to be provided to Flight Attendants.
  • Reserve Utilization: The highest reserve utilization was reported in SEA, with efforts to manage scheduling needs effectively. Reports indicated reduced fatigue incidents among Flight Attendants, with only 13 reported in March compared to 27 in February.
  • CBA Timeline and Changes: An overview of the new CBA implementation timeline was shared, including critical changes around call-out documentation and reassignment processes.

The detailed discussions across various bases revealed a commitment to addressing operational challenges and enhancing the Flight Attendant experience. Key topics included safety, communication, payroll efficiency, and the implications of the new CBA. The committee is focused on creating actionable solutions while fostering a collaborative environment with management to improve processes and outcomes for Flight Attendants.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. NAVBLUE. The PBS Subcommittee preparing for a new release of NAVBLUE. Once received they will test before the release is implemented. The Committee is also continuing to provide in person and virtual base sits so that all flight attendants may attend and get answers to all PBS bidding related questions.
  2. Crew Scheduling. A monthly review of PowerPoint presentations covered various aspects such as reserve utilization, detailed breakdowns, sick leave (week by week and year over year), premium, personal drops, and other relevant agenda items.
  3. Crew Planning. Crew Planning shared a monthly presentation about Pairing Statistics. Crew Planning is focused on anticipating increased block hours as the summer season approaches, with specific strategies to optimize trip lengths and identify commutability for flight crews. The team is also collaborating with operational analytics to develop dashboards that facilitate better decision-making and efficiency in scheduling.
  4. Crew Pay. Crew pay is working on additional communications aimed at improving clarity and addressing the high volume of queries surrounding pay discrepancies. The payroll team is committed to resolving ongoing issues quickly to ensure crew members receive their compensation accurately and on time.
  5. AFA Payroll Representative. The Committee has been advocating for a streamlined process to resolve outstanding pay issues for crew members efficiently. The focus is on ensuring timely compensation and improved communication. 

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Joint Contract Negotiations Begin

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) has completed the first week of negotiations for our Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA). 

Normally, this update would have been published sooner; however, a lot has been happening at both Alaska and Hawaiian:

  • February 28: AFA Alaska TA2 was ratified for the Alaska Flight Attendant Contract
  • March 1: Merged Alaska + Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MEC) officers’ term began 
  • March 3 and 4: JNC Negotiations Training
  • March 4-6, 10, 11, 13, 17: JNC Negotiations planning meetings took place
  • March 11: AFA Hawaiian reached TA on Contract Extension
  • March 18: JCBA Negotiations began
Our Joint Negotiating Committee is (L-R): Jeff Fuke, Paula Mastrangelo, Tim Green, Heather Reier, Virginia Fritz, and Martin Gusman

With the MECs of both carriers merged, we were now able to begin JCBA negotiations. This JCBA bargaining is unique as we merge two strong and complex contracts on the heels of negotiating successor contracts to both the Hawaiian and Alaska Contracts. As a result, our opening proposals in joint contract negotiations were broad and brief. Key highlights of our Opening Proposal:

  • Each contract section will be addressed individually.
  • The Alaska CBA will be used as a basis for language purposes.
  • Our commitment is to combine the best of both contracts. 
  • We will be seeking improvements over the current contract provisions.
  • Big decisions like TFP vs Block Pay, Open Time systems, etc., will be decided downline after surveying members and consulting with the MEC.

For our first session, we focused on the less controversial sections and passed proposals on the following: 

  • Non-Discrimination
  • Purpose of Agreement
  • Savings Clause
  • Status of Agreement
  • Probation Period
  • Seniority
  • Grievance Procedures
  • System Board of Adjustment
  • Association Security
  • Training
  • Leaves of Absence

Tentative Agreements were reached on the following sections:

  • Non-Discrimination
  • Purpose of Agreement
  • Savings Clause
  • Status of Agreement
  • Probation Period
  • Association Security
  • Medical Examinations

As we move forward, the JNC will normally meet with management for one session per month. Your input will be crucial as the JNC pinpoints the most beneficial language from our two contracts. Our plan involves consulting with our MEC and the relevant Alaska and Hawaiian AFA committee chairs. This will ensure the JNC possesses the necessary working knowledge to fully understand each contractual provision. Then, we will develop section-specific Member surveys to determine our negotiating priorities. 

The JNC will be conducting several membership surveys throughout JCBA negotiations that target specific areas of the contract. This will give you the opportunity to provide us with the most current feedback on many key contractual sections, including:

  • Reserve 
  • Pick Ups, Drops, Trades, and Exchanges / Exchange of Sequences 
  • Scheduling / Hours of Service 
  • Sick Leave 
  • Vacation 
  • Commuter Policy
  • TFP/Block Hours

Our first Survey about the Commuter Policy is currently being developed and will be sent out in the near future. Please anticipate these surveys throughout negotiations as we approach key sections.  

We value your feedback as we work together to create the best possible contract for our combined group. Please reach out to us with any questions or ideas you may have so that we can ensure we leave no ideas on the table.

In Solidarity,

Your Joint Negotiating Committee – Tim Green, Martin Gusman, Jeff Fuke, Virginia Fritz, Heather Reier, and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

  • Our AFA Reserve Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, March 13, to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent and advocate for our Reserve Flight Attendants.
  • The Committee also met with management to review specific concerns that Flight Attendants brought forward.
  • Your Local Reserve Committee is available to answer questions, clarify contractual language, or help resolve reserve-related issues. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

On Thursday, March 13, 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 Brandi Urban (ANC), Conner Gallagher (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present was MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill.

The committee met with the Interim Managing Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling & Inflight Operations (South) Sara Cook and Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 19

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Plans for the initial training classes for the remainder of the year. Management has canceled Class 6 this year; however, they still plan to hire more Flight Attendants. The number of classes and the specific number of students in each class will depend on the delivery of new aircraft. Class 2 is scheduled to be online on April 1, and Class 3 will be online on May 1.
  • Staffing within Crew Scheduling: six new schedulers have been hired and are currently in training, bringing the total number of crew schedulers to 49.
  • A review of reserve utilization statistics shows approximately 87.1% utilization across all bases. Reserve coverage is expected to be around 18% in all bases, except for Seattle, where it is anticipated to be about 20% for Q2.
  • A discussion about new contractual provisions and their implications for reserve Flight Attendants.
  • Ongoing concerns regarding no-shows due to issues with cell phone providers and cell service. Please report these issues through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center so AFA representatives can follow up with management.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for Reserve Flight Attendants. Working to update Reserve 101 & the Reserve survival guide with new CBA provisions.
  2. Assisting Probationary Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program. Answering questions from and providing support to probationary Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program. Also, developing a checklist of common topics that new hire Flight Attendants need assistance with within the first 30 days after graduation.
  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.

Upcoming AFA Alaska Phone and Email Outages

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

As we move forward with merging the Alaska and Hawaiian Master Executive Councils (MECs), we want to inform you about some changes happening this week that may affect your ability to contact AFA Representatives. Some of the communication systems we use at AFA Alaska, including our email and phone systems, will be combined with those used by AFA Hawaiian. During this transition, you may need to use alternative methods to reach an AFA Representative.

Phone System Outage

Starting tonight, March 18, at 5 PM PT, AFA phone lines—such as the main AFA Alaska number, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) line, and the Air Quality hotline—will be temporarily unavailable. We expect these services to be offline until early next week. In the meantime, if you need to reach someone, here are some alternatives:

  • You can contact Local Executive Council (LEC) Officers using their direct phone numbers on our website.
  • For EAP or Professional Standards assistance, please refer to the Committee Member or Chairperson phone numbers on your Local Committee page or call AFA International EAP at (800) 424-2406 to be routed to an on-call EAP Representative.
  • The Air Quality Reporting Hotline will be available at (503) 358-3436.

Email System Outage

Additionally, starting at 5 PM PT on Friday, March 21, our AFA Alaska email systems will also be offline until Monday morning, March 24. During this time, AFA Representatives won’t be reachable via their AFA Alaska email addresses and won’t be able to view or respond to tickets submitted through the AFA Online Support Center. However, you can still contact AFA Representatives directly by phone using the numbers listed on your Local Committee page.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this transition. Merging our AFA systems is an important step towards better communication and efficiency, which will help us serve our combined group of Flight Attendants more effectively.

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

Vacation Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Interviews—October 2025

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants The integration of our Master Executive Councils (MECs) is progressing steadily. Our first group of committees successfully merged on June 1, and we are now planning for another group of committees to merge on November 1. As part of the committee merging process, our […]

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