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Sick Leave Survey Now Open

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

Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) believes that your health and well-being comes first. We want to understand which components of our paid sick leave policy is most important to you.  Our paid sick leave policy is here to support you in taking the necessary time off while ensuring that you don’t lose pay.

The Alaska Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has made significant strides with the introduction of the State Sick Leave Bank. This provision aligns with the state laws of Alaska, Oregon and Washington, offering you the flexibility to manage your health effectively. This means when using State Sick Leave you can take time off for personal health needs, including doctor appointments and circumstances surrounding domestic abuse.

Please keep in mind that this survey focuses specifically on our Sick Leave Policy and does not address attendance points or the Hawaiian Sick Leave Monitor Program. We value your feedback and will address these topics in the future.

Our JNC understands that every health journey is unique and we would like to ensure the our contract is there to support your healthcare needs. The survey is currently open and will close on Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT. Please take the time to participate in this short survey.

Please see below to review the Sick Leave Survey Quick Reference Guide. The guide highlights key differences between Alaska and Hawaiian’s Sick Leave Programs.

To Access the Survey

  • For pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants, enter your PeopleSoft Number
  • For pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, enter your Employee Number (without leading zeros)

Some important notes:

  • Once the survey is submitted, your responses cannot be edited. Please ensure your selections are final before hitting ‘Submit’. 
  • For ranking questions, all choices must be ranked. You may skip these questions, but remember to rank all options if you choose to respond.

We encourage you to participate, as engaged members are our greatest strength during negotiations. Thank you for your commitment to our shared success. If you have any questions about the survey, please reach out to the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025 Update #2

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with management on October 21 to October 24 in Seattle
  • Our Negotiating Committee stressed the significance of having adequate resources and experience to ensure long-term success

Negotiations Update

Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on October 21 to October 24 in Seattle. At the negotiating table for these meetings were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing Management
Tim Green, Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President, Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Joshua Aoki, Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska
Lea Franzoi, Committee Support Representative 

Talks continued this past week on reaching an agreement on opening the Hawaiian Seattle Domicile. After a disappointing session in Honolulu earlier this month, the parties agreed to carve out some time to continue discussions in Seattle between Joint Collective Bargaining negotiations. Your Negotiating Committee took advantage of all members being present for the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiating in Seattle to meet with management in early morning sessions.

Fortunately, we did make progress and are very close to resolving the remaining outstanding issues. We have made progress on many of our issues, but staffing and the “new inflight service” concerns remain. We had a very open and productive discussion and look forward to hearing management’s response. They have committed to reviewing and researching our feedback on the service, as these are significant issues that will impact our work life on the plane.

Due to the essential and time-sensitive nature of these negotiations, both parties are committed to continuing discussions. The company is projecting a base opening of Spring 2026. We are looking to come to an agreement soon, as timelines for hiring, posting, and planning are approaching. Everyone involved wants Flight Attendants to have concrete information and ample time to evaluate their options and make an informed decision on the SEA base.

Despite the abbreviated timeline and pushback from management, your Negotiating Committee has been carefully considering all options and working to negotiate the most favorable improvements possible.

What’s Upcoming

Your Negotiating Committee will continue remote discussion with management the week of October 27. No formal meetings have been set, but management’s response to our concerns is expected this week.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your local leadership or email the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee at sea@afahawaiian.org.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 8 – October 2025

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on October 20 to October 24 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for November 18 to November 20
  • A Tentative Agreement (TA) was reached regarding Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation

Negotiations Update

The AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for four days of collective bargaining with management.  The JNC met with management on October 20 to October 24 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 MemberRyan St. John, Vice President, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
 Karen Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

During this session of negotiations our JNC had focused discussion on Section 25 – Air Safety, Health and Security, Section 27 – Association General, and Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation.

We continue to advocate for improvements in safety and reporting, as well as for additional resources to ensure we can effectively represent our combined Flight Attendant group. Reaching a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation locks in enhancements to food availability, transportation safety, and clarifications on day room eligibility requirements, and compensation when one is not provided.

Section by Section Progress

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation (HA CBA Section 4.C and Section 4.E)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Section 25 – Air Safety Health and Security (HA CBA Section 28)
  • Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • Section 30 – Training (HA CBA Section 26)
  • Section 36 – Commuter Policy (HA CBA Section 34-28)

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 Negotiation Committee (JNC) participated in the Local Council Meeting with Council 19 on Friday, October 24, in Seattle. During the meeting, we clarified the differences between Section 6 Negotiations and Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) Negotiations. We also addressed questions regarding the negotiating process and highlighted some key distinctions between the Alaska and Hawaiian contracts. In November, our JNC will travel to Portland to meet with Council 39. Please stay updated through your Local Council communications for information about upcoming meetings.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for November 18 to November 20.

SEA Domicile Negotiations – October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with management on September 29 and September 30 in Seattle, and on October 6 to October 8 in Honolulu
  • Our next negotiation session is scheduled for the week of October 20

Negotiations Update

Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met with the company on September 29 and September 30 in Seattle, and on October 6 to October 8 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for these meetings were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing Management
Tim Green, Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President, Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Joshua Aoki, Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Committee MemberKeith Schuricht, Managing Director, Financial Analysis, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Lea Franzoi, Committee Support RepresentativeKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska
 Adriene Tom, Specialist, Labor Relations, Hawaiian

This was a challenging session. We started the week with reasonable expectations, but management was resistant to discussing some of our most pressing concerns and protections for Flight Attendants. If there had been no progress on management’s part, we were prepared to proceed with the contractual remedies, including arbitration.

We have made progress on some issues, but major concerns remain.  These are significant issues that will impact all of us and flying at the combined airline both immediately and for years to come.  

As a reminder, these are the items being discussed:

  • Transfer Processes – strengthening protective elements of the transfer process for those who may be interested in moving to the new domicile
  • Return to HNL or LAX Domicile – addressing the concern of Flight Attendants transferring to SEA and potentially wishing to return to their Hawaiian domicile before the merging of the Hawaiian and Alaska SEA domiciles
  • Staffing – ensuring that staffing is sufficient to meet operational demands
  • Moving Expenses – advocating for fair and comprehensive compensation related to any necessary relocations
  • Operational Concerns – defining the type of flying and pairings that will be constructed in the domicile
  • Safeguarding Existing Bases – protecting our HNL and LAX domiciles during this transition

What’s Upcoming

Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee will meet with management the week of October 20 in Seattle for the next round of negotiations. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your local leadership or email the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee at sea@afahawaiian.org.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 7 – September 2025

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on September 30 to October 2 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for October 21 to October 23
  • A tentative agreement was reached regarding Section 13 – Uniforms
  • 2,207 Flight Attendants participated in the Vacation Survey, our JNC will review all responses submitted

Negotiations Update

The AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The JNC met with management on September 30 to October 2 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 MemberRyan St. John, Vice President, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Brian Palmer, MEC Communications ChairpersonKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska

Throughout this week’s negotiations, our JNC made meaningful strides in developing several sections of our agreement. Both parties demonstrated a willingness to collaborate, and while there are still some areas that need addressing, we are optimistic about the progress we are making together. As we continue this important dialogue, our goal is to advance further toward finalizing each section we’ve discussed.

Brian Palmer joined the committee to share his expertise on connectivity in Section 27 – Association General. Our JNC aims to enhance communication with you, our Members, in crew rooms across all bases.

Our JNC has reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 13 – Uniforms. We are working through various provisions, including the basic uniform, dry cleaning, uniform costs, footwear, jacket requirements, and gloves, which will be resolved once the final uniform design is determined. We successfully negotiated valuable items from the Hawaiian Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including protective measures ensuring that surnames do not appear on name tags. We’ve enhanced the uniform replacement provisions and broadened the guidelines for Arctic boot wear, reflecting our commitment to improving the overall uniform standards.

Section by Section Progress

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Section 13 – Uniforms (HA CBA Section 6)

Sections discussed in this session:

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

We continue to advocate for safety improvements and reporting

  • Section 27 – Association General (HA CBA Section 22)

As our Flight Attendant population continues to grow, we are actively seeking resources to ensure proper representation for our Flight Attendants.

  • Section 30 – Training (HA CBA Section 26)

We are in discussions around recurrent training as we work through travel protections and compensation for the the requalification process.

  • Section 34 – Lodging and Transportation (HA CBA Section 4.C and Section 4.E)

We are seeking enhancements to food accessibility on layovers.

  • Section 36 – Commuter Policy (HA CBA Section 34-28)

We continue to advocate for ground and air commuter policy enhancements.

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)

Vacation Survey

Thank you for participating in the Vacation Survey. We had a total of 2,207 Flight Attendants take part, with 64% of the responses coming from pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants and 37% from pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants. All responses will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the evaluation process.

Additionally, please look out for the link to the upcoming Sick Leave Survey, which will be available in the coming weeks.

Local Council Meetings

On September 22, our JNC participated in the Local Council 35 meeting in San Francisco. It was a great opportunity to connect with members and LEC officers, addressing questions about the joint negotiating process and gathering valuable feedback. We’ll be attending Local Council meetings until the end of the year, including Local Council 30 today, October 3 in Anchorage. Be sure to stay connected with your Local Council for the latest updates and information.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for October 21 to October 23.

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Nyachan Chuar (ANC), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). MEC Human […]

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026

Editor’s Note: Our MEC Inflight Service Committee now represents both pre-merger airlines, but management still makes service decisions that affect each group of Flight Attendants differently. This update covers changes for both Hawaiian- and Alaska-branded flying, but is specific to aircraft flown by pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines crews. As the work of the merger progresses, we […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026

Our JNC met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC focused on clarifying questions about moving expenses and presented a proposal for Sick Leave, using feedback from Flight Attendants to guide improvements. The Committee is working to incorporate the strongest elements from both contracts to ensure better support for all members.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, March 24, 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 Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

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

On Thursday, March 19, our AFA Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Bradley Young (SFO), Carin Merritt (LAX pmAS), David Lake (SEA pmAS), Deb Wallstrom (ANC), Eva Gatus […]

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