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SEA Domicile Negotiations Update – February 2026

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Bidding has opened for 121 permanent vacancies available at the SEA Domicile effective May 1, 2026. Bids will close at 11:59 PM HT on February 16
  • The Negotiating Committee has reached an agreement on the SEA Domicile Vacancy Bidding process, which offers additional relocation options for April and May bidders
  • The Committee is addressing the company’s requirement for proof of relocation for flat rate payments, and advises affected Flight Attendants to document their interactions and contact union leadership if denied the flat rate

SEA Domicile May Vacancy Posting

The company has posted vacancies for the SEA domicile. There are 121 permanent vacancies available, effective May 1, 2026 for the May bid month. Bids will close at 11:59 PM HT on Monday, February 16. Awards will be posted by 12:00 PM HT on Tuesday, February 17. Please use the IFS Vacancy Bid Form if you are interested.

DateTimeEvent
Monday, February 1611:59 PM HTClose of bids Email confirmation of vacancy bid sent to hawaiianair.com email
Tuesday, January 17    12:00 PM HTPost of awards/Recission Period Begins Email (hawaiianair.com) to successful bidders
Wednesday, January 18    11:59 PM HTRescission deadline for successful bidders
Thursday, February 1912:00 PM HTPost of backfill awards (if any) / 2nd Recission Period Begins
Friday, February 2011:59 PM HT2nd Recission Period Ends     
Monday, February 2312:00 PM HTFinal Awards Posted

SEA Domicile Vacancy Bidding Letter of Agreement

The Negotiating Committee has reached an agreement on the award process for the SEA Domicile Vacancy Bidding. Any provision not addressed in the Letter of Agreement (LOA) will be handled in accordance with the CBA.  Please review the full text of the LOA here:

Here are some highlights of the agreement:    

  • As an alternative option for Relocation Days and Travel Time (for April and May bidders only), the provisions of Section 5.G (Relocation Time) will still apply and are an available option for Flight Attendants.
  • April bidders may elect to receive pay and credit of 4.50 hours per day for a total of 27 hours for April 1 to April 6, or April 2 to April 7, or April 3 to April 8
  • May bidders may elect to receive pay and credit of 4.50 hours per day for a total of 27 hours for May 1 to May 6, or May 2 to May 7, or May 3 to May 8
  • A response to the company email is needed within 15 calendar days to accept, reject, or slide relocation days.
    • If Flight Attendants wish alternate moving days, but do not know the exact days, they still must inform the company within 15 calendar days that they will mutually arrange the days later
  • Low Time for the month of May will include 9 Low Time positions.
  • There will be 1 Reduced Time position for the month of April per Section 13.B. and 13.D of the CBA.  Bids will open March 1 and close March 7 for that position.

SEA LOA Resources

Flat Rate Moving Expenses

Thank you very much for reaching out to us to share your concerns and frustration about management’s 11th-hour notification of the requirement to provide proof of moving in order to receive the flat rate moving expense. This is the first time that AFA is aware of this requirement and it was not discussed during the negotiations for any HA-SEA Domicile Letters of Agreement or in any prior contract negotiations. We feel blindsided.

AFA does not agree with management’s demand for documentation for the flat rate payment.

There is no justification either in long-standing practice, or in the CBA, of requiring Flight Attendants who opt for the flat-rate payment to supply proof of relocation. The negotiated SEA Domicile Vacancy Bidding LOA contains no requirement for relocation to receive the flat-rate payment.

Hawaiian has a long-standing practice of requiring receipts for the actual moving expenses, but not for the flat rate. The flat rate was created as an option for Flight Attendants and to assist those who are not actually moving to establish themselves at the new base. This would include the opportunity for Flight Attendants to secure housing (i.e. crash pads) and transportation.

In fact, the only instance in the CBA in which documentation demonstrating relocation for a flat     rate payment is required is if a Flight Attendant is on a leave of absence.

As a reminder, Flight Attendants have 12 months from the date of their report to the domicile to elect the flat rate payment.

Next Steps

For the Negotiating Committee:

  • The Negotiating Committee continues to seek a resolution with management. If the disagreement remains unresolved the Committee will seek to file a timely grievance.

For Flight Attendants seeking the Flat Rate:

  • Document all interactions with management regarding your denial of the Flat Rate moving expense
  • Please contact your local union leadership to inform them of your denial, Council 43, Martin Gusman (martin.gusman@afahawaiian.org), or Council 47, Josh Aoki (josh.aoki@afahawaiian.org) so we may track any potential grievants.

Taxes and Moving Payments

Moving Payments (including Flat-Rate and Actual Expense Reimbursement) are currently treated as taxable income under federal law. This change was introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which required these payments to be taxed starting January 1, 2018. Although this provision was originally set to expire in 2025, subsequent legislation has extended the taxation of moving benefits indefinitely. This information is provided for general awareness only. For questions regarding your specific tax situation, please consult your tax advisor or another qualified financial professional.

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

Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

ʻAuhea wale ana ʻoe e nā manu hāmama lewa, aloha ʻoukou~
Where are you, O birds soaring across the sky, aloha to you all~

February is Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), a time to celebrate and uplift the Hawaiian language and the many ways it lives through our people and our work.

In recognition of “Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi,” committee members of I Mua Ke Alo: Stewards of Cultural and Language Legacy will be hosting lounge sits in the HNL Airport Crew Lounge on February 12th & 13th throughout the day.  These relaxed, come-and-go sessions are an opportunity to talk story about how ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi shows up in our roles as Flight Attendants at Hawaiian Airlines and how each of us helps carry the language forward through everyday moments of service and connection.

During these lounge sits, we are also happy to share information, answer any questions, and help guide those who are interested in the process of becoming certified to bear the Hae Hawaiʻi, which signifies fluency in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. While full announcements should be made only by certified speakers, we warmly encourage everyone to use Hawaiian words and short phrases in daily interactions and service whenever possible.

This gathering reflects the mission of our committee, to protect the integrity of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and our culture, especially during times of change.  As we prepare for the future, we remain focused on preserving what makes us who we are, ensuring our language and culture continue to be respected, visible, and lived every day.   We invite you to stop by, connect, and join us in uplifting the language and values that guide us.

E kipa mai nō, he wahi kēia no kākou a pau.
Come visit, this is a place for all of us.

Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Nā lālā o “I Mua Ke Alo: Stewards of Cultural & Language Legacy”

Air Safety, Health, & Security Webinar

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

We hope you’re having a great week. Please join us on Wednesday, February 11th at 11:00 HT for our next LEC 43 webinar.

Our featured panelists, Kerri Ruiz, Randy Rivera, and Baron Lee, will be sharing important updates on the Hawaiian Safety Action Program (HSAP) and walking us through how to navigate fume-related events. This is a great opportunity to stay informed, ask questions, and learn directly from your peers.

You’re welcome to submit questions for our panelists during registration or live during the webinar.

Scan the QR code or click HERE to register now. Please use your personal email that is on file with the union to register. Company emails will be denied registration. All members in good standing are welcome to join us.

We hope to see you there.

Scan the QR code or click HERE to register now. Please use your personal email that is on file with the union to register. Company emails will be denied registration. All members in good standing are welcome to join us.

We hope to see you there.

In Solidarity,
LEC 43 Communications Committee
Miki Vericella
Soon Kim
Joyce Foley

Important Retirement Notice Update

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

We are pleased to announce that management has agreed to a seven (7) day grace period to withdraw a notice of intent to retire. The grace period is specifically for the February 1 deadline that a notice of intent to retire must be submitted by to be eligible for the Retiree Health Reimbursement Agreement (RHRA) benefit.

The agreement to extend the RHRA did not include a rescission period, so we approached management with our concern that some people may have second thoughts about retiring. We sincerely appreciate management hearing our concern and supporting you having more time to make this important life decision.

The RHRA benefit will not be available to anyone who retires after April 2, 2026. You must notify the Company by February 1, 2026 of your intent to retire on April 2, 2026, in order to receive the RHRA benefit.

The (RHRA) is an AFA-negotiated benefit that provides some retirees between $10,000 and $30,000, based on their years of service. The funds are available for you to pay for things like medical insurance or medical expenses while in retirement. More information about the RHRA may be found in Section 34-22 of the contract. If you are considering retirement please be sure to review the company-provided retirement planning checklist and the required retirement notification form. 

In Solidarity,

Martin Gusman
President
AFA-CWA Hawaiian Airlines Council 43, Honolulu

Kela Chong
Vice President
AFA-CWA Hawaiian Airlines Council 43, Honolulu

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 11 – January 2026

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on January 27 to January 29 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for February 24 to February 26
  • Our MEC Air Safety Health and Security Chairperson and Air Quality Representative, along with the AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist joined the JNC to speak to management about impacts of air quality on Flight Attendants

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 January 27 to January 29 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 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
Seth Heiple, MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chairperson
Deb Wallstrom, MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Air Quality Representative
Judith Anderson, AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist; Air Safety, Health and Security

During this negotiating session we were joined by the MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson, Seth Heiple; MEC ASHSC Air Quality Representative, Deb Wallstrom; and AFA-CWA Industrial Hygienist, Judith Anderson. After an in-depth presentation to the JNC, our subject matter experts educated management on air quality from the Flight Attendant perspective and identified areas of improvement and concrete action-items to address the on-the-job injury process.

After the presentation, we passed our prepared proposal on Section 15 (Leaves of Absence) to  management.  We continue to advocate for improvements and protections in this Section.  The JNC also made our initial proposal on Section 22 (Expenses).  On Day 2, management passed their response on Section 15 (Leaves).  We are significantly apart in this area as we work to incorporate improvements from the Hawaiian Contract.

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.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • Expenses (AS CBA Section 22 and HA CBA Section 4)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • 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)

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Master Executive Council (MEC) Meeting in Honolulu earlier this month. During the meeting the JNC provided the MEC with a negotiations update and collaborated on some of the more difficult decisions coming up as we work to combine two very different contracts. On January 15, the JNC met with Honolulu-based Members in a meet and greet event hosted by the Council 43 Leadership.  The JNC fielded questions, updated Members on the negotiations process, and addressed their concerns.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for February 24 to February 26.

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, June 4, representatives from our pre-merger Alaska AFA Reserve Committee met to discuss ongoing work advocating for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Kanako Yamada (LAX), Adrian Alcantara (SAN), and MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

The JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all members.

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Every June, we come together to honor LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the remarkable resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ community. Pride Month began as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The inaugural Pride March, […]

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

On Wednesday, May 20, 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), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, May 26, 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), […]

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