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Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on April 28 to April 30 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for June 2 to June 4
  • Our JNC is working to combine vacation provisions for Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants, presenting a vision for Section 14 (Vacation) as a starting point for negotiations
  • The Crew Meal Survey will be sent to your inbox on May 12 to collect feedback as the JNC evaluates Section 22 (Expenses)

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 April 28 to April 30 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

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

This session, the JNC continued to look closely at both the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems. At the start of the week, we had a helpful discussion about how Flight Attendant vacation is managed. Jake Jones, AFA’s MEC Scheduling Chairperson, joined us along with vacation administrators from both Alaska and Hawaiian: Manager of Crew Planning, Jefferey Hunt; Manager of Crew Staffing, Alex Mandus; Manager of Crew Planning, Colin Beard; Flight Crew Administration Manager, Laurie Shiira; Manager of Crew Pay, Debbie Bakke; Senior Crew Plan Analyst, Rich Nicklaw; and Senior Crew Plan Analyst, Choak O’Connell.


As the JNC began discussing combining the elements of the vacation sections, we identified several important issues that would need close work with company stakeholders. We proposed a collaborative approach to management to tackle the complicated provisions, so both sides can work together to find solutions that meet everyone’s needs. With this in mind the JNC presented our vision for Section 14 (Vacation), which will be used as a starting point for discussion.


The JNC also passed and received from management proposals on the new Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignment) and shared our first proposal for Section 35 (Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges). The committee also continued to trade proposals on Section 36 (Commuter Policy).

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA is being 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.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • 🆕 Temporary Duty Assignments (AS CBA does not address these provisions and HA CBA Section 15)
  • Vacations (AS CBA Section 14 and HA CBA Section 18)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 36 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Flight Attendant Jumpseat and Pass Privileges (AS CBA Section 35 and HA CBA Section 30)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Domiciles (AS CBA Section 28 and HA CBA Section 5, 14, and 27)
  • 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)

Crew Meal Survey

Our JNC is in the process of reviewing Expenses (AS CBA Section 22 and HA CBA Section 4). We are looking for your feedback regarding Crew Meals. The survey is currently being finalized and will be sent to your inbox on May 12.

  • Survey opens Tuesday, May 12 at 9 AM PT
  • Survey closes on Tuesday, May 25 at Noon

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for June 2 to June 4.

Reserve Webinar – May 6, 2026

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Webinar Series turns one, thanks for a great year!

Join us for our next Reserve Webinar:

May 6, 2026 (Wednesday)
1100 – 1200 HST
Panelists: Sasha & Joni – LEC 43 Reserve Committee Co-Chairs

REGISTER HERE >>>

Stay up-to-date about the current state of Reserve operations.

Learn about Contract provisions that affect Reserve Flight Attendants.

Get answers to your Reserve-related questions!

This Reserve Webinar brings us full circle to complete one year of being able to connect AFA Hawaiian members with Union Leadership.

There was no shortage of operational changes and challenges since the first Reserve Webinar on May 7, 2025. The abrupt changes since our last Reserve Webinar (in March) added to that list.

Reserve Flight Attendants minimize operational disruptions, cover for us when we can’t make it to work, and complete staffing complements to reduce the strain on working crew during non-normal operations.

MAHALO FOR SHOWING UP!!

We are grateful for the opportunity to meet everyone in flight, during lounge sits, and by way of these Webinars. We look forward to future Webinars and the opportunity to answer more of your questions.

In Solidarity,
LEC 43 Communications Committee

REGISTER HERE >>>

Council 43 Election Candidates Forum

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Voting for LEC 43 election will be opening on May 5th. This is a reminder that the LEC 43 Communications Committee will be hosting a Candidates Forum on May 4 at 12PM HT.

This forum will be held on Zoom in a webinar format and is a chance to hear directly from the candidates. You can submit questions in advance for candidates to respond to during the forum, and if time permits, we will also take a limited number of live questions during the event. Each candidate will be given time to speak and share their perspectives.

If you’ve been wanting to learn more before casting your vote, this is a great opportunity to tune in.

Please remember to use your personal email that is on file with the union to register. Only members in good standing will be allowed to join and vote. If you need to check your stand please check AFA Membership Hub. There you can pay any outstanding dues as well as update your contact information.

Questions may be submitted during registration. To keep the forum fair and balanced, please submit questions related to the role of the office. All questions will be presented to every candidate running for that position and not directed at any specific individual.

We hope you’ll join us and be part of the conversation.

In Solidarity,
LEC 43 Communications Committee

REGISTER HERE >>>

Hawaiian MEC Grievance Committee Update – April 2026

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Since the merging of the AFA MEC leadership in March of 2025, and the merging of many of the MEC Committees, the MEC Grievance Committees for both pre-merger Hawaiian and pre-merger Alaska continue to work separately under our separate Collective Bargaining Agreements.

We will continue to work separately until we reach a Joint Tentative Agreement, and the agreement is ratified by the entire membership. In the meantime, Hawaiian’s pre-merger grievance committee continues to work on behalf of the Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants supporting the local work done by the LEC Grievance Committees in pre-merger Hawaiian Local Councils in Honolulu, Los Angeles and Seattle.

In Solidarity,
Joni Kashiwai
Pre-Merger Hawaiian MEC Grievance Chair
joni.kashiwai@afahawaiian.org

System Board Grievances

YearGrievances FiledSystem Board
2025157 (4 Terminations)
202621

46-99-2-2-2-26 Moving Language Violation

  • MEC grievance filed for the violation of the flat rate option in Section 5.B.2.
  • The violation stems from HA’s requirements to substantiate an actual move to receive the flat rate option for the recent transfers to the Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants Seattle domicile.
  • These additional requirements are not outlined in the Section 5 language or in the Hawaiian Flight Attendants SEA Domicile LOA.
  • The initial grievance was heard on March 13.
  • Management denied the grievance on March 19.
  • The grievance was elevated to the System Board on April 8.
  • Next steps will be to try to work out a settlement in the upcoming grievance mediation and/or to schedule the grievance for arbitration.

Grievance Mediation

  • Grievance mediation is scheduled for May 21, 2026, in Honolulu, HI with the assistance of National Mediation Board (NMB) Mediator Michael Kelliher participating virtually.

Grievance Screening

  • Grievance screening is tentatively scheduled for May 22, 2026.

Council 47 Committee Report – April 2026

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

April 2026 Committee Report

Aloha Council 47 Members

Below is our monthly newsletter highlighting updates from your committees along with important reminders for the month. Mahalo to all of our committee members and chairs for the continued work you do on behalf of the membership.

📣Call for Local Volunteers📣

As a reminder, Council 47 is currently looking for chairs and committee members as we expand our representation across both LAX and SEA. Mahalo to those who have already submitted a Willingness to Serve.

Open Positions:

Interested members should submit a Willingness to Serve form. On the form you will have the opportunity to schedule an optional interview with the Council 47 Officers.

Term: Through December 31, 2028

Application Timeline:

  • Now–May 1: Applications open
  • May 4–8: Optional interviews
  • May 10: Selections announced

Review position details before applying, and reach out to your Officers with any questions.

Mahalo,

Josh, Paul and Beth
Council 47 Officers LAX/SEA
47@afahawaiian.org

EAP Committee

EAP Chair: Milo.Penarubia@afahawaiian.org

Critical Incident Response Program

The EAP Committee would like to share that Milo Penarubia, EAP Local Chair, will be presenting a Crisis Prevention course as part of CIRP training on May 19. This training is an important step in strengthening our ability to support one another during critical incidents.

CIRP provides support after difficult or traumatic events on the job, such as medical emergencies, onboard incidents, or other situations that can have a lasting impact. Specially trained Flight Attendants serve as peer responders, offering a space to talk through the experience, process what happened, and connect you with additional resources if needed.

EAP Representation in LAX and SEA

As many of our Flight Attendants transition to the Seattle base, we want to remind you that EAP support remains available to you regardless of domicile. Our EAP Reps will continue to be a resource for all Flight Attendants, and we encourage you to reach out whenever support is needed. Please click this link to see your EAP’s contact information or email Milo directly.

Grievance Committee

Grievance Chair: Melissa.Teshima@afahawaiian.org

Changing RSA Requests (Prior to Open Time Freeze)

  • Section 8.J. describes Reserve Self-Assignment (RSA) Bidding for Next Day Departure
    • “Open trips will be frozen at 1330 LDT (local domicile time)…”
  • If you make any changes and/or delete requests prior to 1330 LDT the day prior to a Reserve day, it is highly recommended to contact Crew Scheduling to confirm your updated request changes/deletions have been received on their end.

Assignment of Remaining Open Time

  • Section 8.N. describes the Assignment of All Remaining Uncovered Non-LQ Groupings prior to creating the standby list and prior to publishing the Daily Flight Schedule.

Published Schedule

  • Section 3.T. describes when a schedule is considered published:
    • “The schedule of a Reserve FA shall be considered published at the time the Daily Flight Schedule is printed… no later than 1600 HST of the day preceding the day in which the schedule is to be flown…”

Calling Out Sick Prior to a Reserve Day

  • If calling out sick the day prior to a Reserve day of Availability, be sure to check your schedule and the Daily Flight Schedule after it has been published to confirm if you have been assigned a pairing or placed in a RAP/bucket.
  • Depending on when you call out, this will determine how many sick leave hours are deducted from your bank.

Pay and Credit While on Sick Leave

  • Section 19.E.2. describes Pay and Credit for Flight Attendants:
    • When a Reserve Flight Attendant is printed on the Daily Flight Schedule and is on sick leave, they shall be paid and credited for what they would have normally earned.
    • If not printed, they shall be paid and credited 4.25 hours per workday.
    • Sick leave will be charged accordingly.

Inflight Service Committee

Service Chair: Gary.Manoi@afahawaiian.org

The Service Committee continues to participate in monthly service meetings with management, focusing on ongoing improvements to inflight procedures and service delivery, as well as addressing feedback we are hearing from the line.

Following April 22, both B2B and Status Recognition are now active. As these roll out, we encourage you to stay engaged and continue sharing your experiences, as your feedback helps guide ongoing discussions and improvements.

Air Safety, Health and Security

Safety Chair: Kahea.Alvarez@afahawaiian.org

The Safety Committee would like to share a few important reminders and updates as we continue to focus on safety and consistency on the line.

We want to reinforce awareness around fume events and the importance of clear, detailed communication. If you encounter any unusual or unpleasant odors coming from the air supply system, notify the pilots and be prepared to provide the “4 S’s”: Source, Smell, Site, and Symptoms. This includes identifying where it’s coming from, the type and intensity of the smell, where it is located in the cabin, and whether anyone is experiencing symptoms or requires medical attention. If the flight deck does not escalate the report, be sure to inform the agent so SOC can be notified.

For the month of April, the company’s safety focus has been on the proper completion of preflight Emergency Equipment (EE) checks. While many of us are familiar with these procedures, we have seen a trend of relying on memory rather than referencing the FAM/IFM. We encourage you to take the time to reference your materials to ensure no revisions have been missed. All Flight Attendants must complete and initial their EE checks prior to boarding. If the aircraft is left unattended at any time, those checks must be repeated upon return, with completion documented accordingly. Any discrepancies should be reported so they can be addressed prior to departure.

In our ongoing discussions with management, we have also raised operational concerns and areas for improvement. The use of 2L as the primary boarding door is currently under review, as the existing procedure has created inefficiencies and led to inconsistent application onboard. Additionally, we have advocated for more comprehensive fume event and CRM training across departments, with a focus on better understanding sources, symptoms, health risks, and standardized procedures.

As always, your awareness and reporting play a critical role in maintaining a safe operation. Please continue to speak up and document any concerns you encounter on the line.

Government Affairs

Government Affairs Chair: bruni.agosto-pinal@afahawaiian.org

Voting & Legislation Updates

As we head into election season, it’s important to stay informed and engaged on issues that directly impact our workgroup and our profession. Key primary dates are approaching quickly, so be sure you’re registered and prepared to vote.

  • California Primary: June 2
    ​Registration Deadline: May 18
  • Washington Primary: August 4
    ​Registration Deadline: July 27

The AFA-CWA Votes website is a great starting point for election resources, key issues, and what’s at stake for Flight Attendants this cycle. In addition, AFA and other transportation unions are continuing to advocate in Washington, including efforts to expand overtime tax deductions and support legislation like the ALERT Act, which focuses on aviation safety and fatigue.

If you’re looking to dig deeper, labor endorsements are available through the Communications Workers of America District 9 and the California Labor Federation, with updates from the Washington State Labor Council expected soon. You can also review the CWA Scorecard to see how elected officials have voted on key labor issues.

There are also opportunities to get involved. Phone banking and volunteer efforts are underway to support labor-friendly candidates, including Mary Peltola and Kaela Berg.

Recently, Flight Attendants, including our GA Chair, Bruni Agosto-Pinal, took action in Anchorage to oppose the SAVE Act, legislation that could have made it more difficult for many to register and vote. Advocacy like this continues to be a key part of protecting our rights.

Human Rights and Equity

Human Rights Chair: bruni.agosto-pinal@afahawaiian.org

May brings several important opportunities to recognize and celebrate the diversity of our communities while also raising awareness around key issues. Throughout the month, we recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Haitian Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Mobility Awareness Month.

Key dates this month include:

  • May 5 National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls Day and Children’s Day (KR)
  • May 10 Mother’s Day
  • May 16 Veterans: Armed Forces Day
  • May 17 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
  • May 21 Global Accessibility Awareness Day
  • May 27 Eid al-Adha

For additional resources, check out the “Hour of Power” podcast and the latest HRE newsletter from the Communications Workers of America and AFA-CWA.

Looking ahead, the CWA Human Rights Conference will take place August 16–19 in Atlanta. This is a great opportunity to engage more deeply in human rights work, though attendance would be at personal expense.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 17 – July 2026

This session, the JNC focused on refining the Reserve survey to ensure a comprehensive representation of member concerns. Significant progress was also made on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits), with proposals aimed at enhancing Flight Attendant protections and securing tailored insurance provisions. Additionally, productive discussions continued on Section 30 (Training). Further improvements are anticipated pending management’s response to our latest proposal.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

On Wednesday, July 15, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO and MEC ASHSC Vice […]

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

On Monday, July 13, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in-person to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and […]

Alaska Management Announces Plan To Operate Boeing 737 Aircraft on Neighbor Island Flights

Earlier today, Alaska Airlines management announced plans to transition the neighbor island 717 fleet to Hawaiian-branded 737 aircraft by 2028. However, buried within that same announcement is a more immediate and concerning development: Alaska Airlines management intends to introduce Alaska-branded 737 aircraft, operated by Alaska Airlines crews, on neighbor island routes, with plans to operate […]

Need Help? Let Us Show You Where To Find It!

As Flight Attendants, we all experience moments where we need AFA support but might not be entirely sure where to look. Instead of digging through old emails or panic-posting on Facebook, we want to make sure you know exactly how to access our Union resources. Here’s everything you need to know to navigate our AFA […]

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