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Council 39 October 2026 Update

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In This Edition:

  • Horizon Day of Action
  • Sick Leave Verification Period
  • 2027 Health Benefits Open Enrollment
  • Human Rights & Equity Dates of Interest

From Our Socials:

Horizon Day of Action

Council 39 Flight Attendants, including our Local Executive Council Officers, recently participated in AFA Horizon’s Day of Action at Portland International Airport. Also in attendance was AFA International Vice President Keturah Johnson.

AFA Horizon Flight Attendants are currently in their third year of negotiations with management for a fair and equitable contract. New hire Flight Attendants at Horizon can currently expect to make just $18,900 in their first year of flying.

Solidarity with our Union siblings at AFA Horizon, whose Members work the same routes with the same passengers as we do, is vital. For more information, click here.

Sick Leave Verification Period

Management recently announced a Sick Leave Verification Period.

Beginning October 27 through November 5, Flight Attendants will be required to provide verification (i.e., a note from a healthcare provider) for state sick leave usage.

  • You are never required to disclose specific health-related information to management, such as the nature of the reason you call in sick.
  • Management is required to reimburse you for any out-of-pocket costs, such as copays, incurred to obtain the verification.
  • Verification must be provided to management within 10 days of the sick call.

For more information, refer to §32.I of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. For any questions, send an email to as.inflight.performance@alaskaair.com.

2027 Health Benefits Open Enrollment

It’s that time again: open enrollment for 2027 health benefits is open now and closes November 20.

There are many significant changes to the plans that are available this year. Medical, dental and vision coverage are seperate elections, and the name of your current plan may have changed. Visit mybenefitshub.com to review the plans and make your elections. Remember that if you contribute to an HSA or FSA, you must re-enroll each year.

Keep an eye out for more reminders and resources from our AFA Benefits team.

Human Rights & Equity Dates of Interest

from our Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Chairperson Aaron Miller

November is a big month for Human Rights & Equity observances and issues, many of which are particularly relevent to us as Flight Attendants. With a recent school shooting in Bend highlighting violence in our schools and ongoing genocide and human rights violations in Palestine paid for by western tax dollars, education and advocacy in these areas is important. Please check out the link to CWA For Palestine below (November 29) to learn what you can do to raise awareness for the plight of our unionized Palestinian siblings:

In Solidarity,

Krystle, Melodie and Kevin

URGENT: Sleep Room in Portland?

For years, the topic of why the Portland base doesn’t have a designated sleep/quiet room for Flight Attendants has been at the forefront of our discussions as a workgroup. Now, we need to hear from you.

If a sleep/quiet room in Portland is important to you, let us know by clicking the button below. We need details about why having this room is important, personal stories about how having one could have impacted you in the past (fatigue, long sits, inadequate rest, etc.) and any other details you think could help our case.

Click Here To Tell Us Your Story

This is time sensitive. Please send us your responses as soon as possible; the deadline is Monday, October 5.

Council 39 August 2026 Update

In This Edition

  • Know Your Rights
  • Dues Rebate
  • Upcoming I-5 Closure
  • Left Behind With Open Seats
  • Save The Date: Council 39 Membership Meeting
  • Human Rights & Equity Dates of Interest

From Our Socials:

Know Your Rights

AFA International recently published a guide to knowing your rights as a working Flight Attendant in domestic airports if and when you are confronted with ICE while on duty. The guide includes guidance depending on your working status or location including what to do on the jet bridge or aircraft when working, inside an airport, etc.

Please know that this is a rapidly developing area of the law and this guide should be treated as general guidance.

Your Rights In US Domestic Airports
AFA ICE Reporting Form

Dues Rebate

Dues rebates have landed in your AFA Membership Hub account! For Flight Attendants who have taken any type of leave, it’s important to know whether you have a past-due dues balance. If you do, your rebate will first be applied to that balance before the remainder, if any, is available to you.

If you’re not sure whether you are past due, please reach out to our C39 LEC Secretary Kevin Sharp, and watch the videos below to learn about accessing your dues rebate.

Upcoming I-5 Closure

The closure of the southbound lanes of I-5 through the Rose Quarter is quickly approaching. Flight Attendants who typically commute to work using this part of I-5 are strongly encouraged to plan ahead by finding different routes, carpooling, leaving home earlier than usual or exploring alternate modes of transportation like Trimet.

For more information, click here.

Left Behind With Open Seats

Sadly, most of us have been there: you get to the gate with time to spare, you log in to Fly one last time to triple check, you see there are plenty of open seats, you find a place to wait for your name to be called. An hour later, the jet bridge door closes and you are stuck with Plan B. (Or C.)

If this situation rings a bell, our MEC Grievance Committee wants to hear from you. Click here or visit our Linktree in bio to report your case(s).

Save The Date: Council 39 Membership Meeting

Our Council 39 Bi-annual membership meeting will be held on October 30. Time and location will be announced as the date draws nearer.

“A regular meeting of the Local Council shall be called at least two (2) times per calendar year.” – Article III.D.2.a, AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws

Human Rights & Equity Dates of Interest (September 2026)

from our C39 Human Rights & Equity Chairperson Aaron Miller

September includes some important observances, and one that you can directly participate in at work! Highlights include World Suicide Prevention Day, an especially relevant subject in our industry and in these times, as suicide is on the rise. Please share the resources included if you know someone who is struggling and has or may be considering suicide. Equal Pay Day is also important as it connects with labor in closing wage gaps and paying everyone fairly for the same work.

September 15th begins the wonderful celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month! AFA provides Union pins for this month that you can wear on your uniform to honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage. Please reach out to our Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee if you need a pin!

In Solidarity,

Krystle, Melodie & Kevin

Council 39 July 2026 Update

In This Edition:

  • Membership Engagement
  • Council 39 Committee Updates
  • Follow Us On Socials
  • WEBINAR: Can They Do That?
  • VIDEO: Filing A Union Ticket
  • CBA Hardcopies
  • Upcoming I-5 Closure
  • HR&E Dates Of Interest

From Our Socials:

  • CMAP in Portland
  • Portland Pride 2026
  • September Low Bid Option

Membership Engagement

This month, AFA has focused on our new Membership Engagement Committee. This committee is here to ensure that every Flight Attendant feels genuinely welcomed and valued throughout their career.

Council 39 Committee Updates

Benefits Committee

We would like to thank Ann Larue for her years of service on our local Benefits Committee.

Stepping in as Council 39 Interim Benefits Chairperson is Linda Gunselman. Linda will spend the coming months building her knowledge of our benefits, having already become a vital source of support to Flight Attendants through her work with our local Employee Assistance Program. She has a long history of supporting our Members through some very challenging moments, and we thank her for her willingness to serve in her new role.

Linda started her career as an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant 29 years ago, having always found a calling in helping her fellow Flight Attendants. When she was asked to step into this new role, she knew it would be a big responsibility, but also knew that her experience with EAP and taking her own leave gave her the knowledge and ideas needed to streamline the process.

In this role, she hopes to create a committee that reaches everyone where they are in life, making the leave process more manageable and not as overwhelming.

Jenny Cortez has been a Flight Attendant since 2013 and joined the Portland base in 2019. She helped qualify the Airbus A321 into the fleet in 2017 and later taught transition and recurrent training. Having experienced two maternity leaves of her own, she understands the questions, challenges, and excitement that come with the process. She is passionate about helping fellow Flight Attendants feel informed and supported, whether they are preparing for their first or adding another little one to their family.

Scheduling Committee

Joining our Council 39 Scheduling Committee is Aaron Lucich. Aaron has been with Alaska Airlines for 3 years, beginning his aviation career at Horizon as a Flight Attendant while also serving in a small capacity on their Scheduling Committee. That experience helped build a strong work ethic and laid the foundation for a deeper understanding of how the airline industry operates.

Since joining Alaska in October 2024, Aaron has dedicated his time to flying a variety of trips while listening to Flight Attendants’ experiences, accomplishments, and challenges. He is committed to knowing the contract, reading a section each week to stay current, and has a passion for scheduling, pairing construction, and helping Flight Attendants understand their contractual rights to create a better work-life balance. Flying with all seniority groups has given him an appreciation for the experiences of those who came before him, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge to help fellow Flight Attendants navigate operational challenges.

Before joining Air Group, Aaron spent three and a half years at Starbucks in Tacoma as a barista and barista trainer. Originally from Puyallup, he later moved to Portland and now lives in downtown Vancouver. Outside of flying, Aaron enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling when he can, and cooking.

Reserve Committee

The newest member of our Reserve Committee is Thomas Schwall. He has been with Air Group for three years this August and wants to help reserves understand their role and rights under our CBA. He comes to us after 20 years in hospitality where he learned to address issues with a smile, and four years in real estate that taught him to pay close attention to details in contracts. His broken sleep schedule makes him very accessible. When he isn’t working, you can find him spending time with his daughters at their many extracurricular activities, working on remodeling projects, or taking care of his animals.

Contact information for all Council 39 Committee Chairpersons and Committee Members can be found on our Linktree.

Follow Us On Socials

Have you heard? Council 39 has our very own Instagram! Follow us for important updates, news and timely reminders. You can find us here here on Instagram and here on Facebook.

WEBINAR: Can They Do That?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can they do that?”, when Crew Scheduling calls with a reserve assignment or schedule change—whether you’re a Reserve Flight Attendant or a lineholder flying with a Reserve—this series is designed for you. Our Reserve Committee will host a limited-run series of webinars starting in August, focused on your most pressing questions and providing clear, actionable guidance on the topics that matter most.

Mark your calendar for our kickoff session: Thursday, August 6, at 1 PM Pacific. Our first Reserve Webinar, “Can They Do That?”, will offer practical, contractual insights for both everyday scheduling scenarios and those unexpected curveballs. This session is open to all, Reserve Flight Attendants and lineholders alike. Come ready to engage, learn, and ask anything on your mind.

Register For Reserve Webinar
Submit A Question

VIDEO: Filing A Union Ticket

Have you ever heard a Flight Attendant tell you to “file a ticket” and had no idea what they meant? In this video you will learn how and when to use AFA’s Online Support System to get solutions to questions or concerns you are having trouble finding the answers to on your own.

CBA Hardcopies

Printed copies of the 2025-2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement are available in the PDX crew room downstairs. Please feel free to pick up a copy at your convenience.

Upcoming I-5 Closure

AFA has been made aware of a major closure of all southbound lanes of I-5 starting on September 11, 2026, and lasting up to five weeks. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) predicts that these closures may cause the worst traffic in our region’s history.

Flight Attendants will be urged to plan ahead, leave home earlier than usual and consider options like carpooling or public transit. More reminders will be posted as the time draws nearer, and you can sign up for travel alerts from ODOT here.

Human Rights and Equity Committee Dates of Interest (August 2026)

from our Council 39 HR&E Committee Chairperson, Aaron Miller

CMAP in Portland

KCM is continuing its transition to a new program called Crewmember Access Point (CMAP), which is expected to fully replace KCM by New Year’s Eve 2026.

CMAP may be available for your use in Portland now, but continue carrying your KCM card and use KCM checkpoints if needed.

Keep in mind that opting out of CMAP means that you will forego the opportunity for crew-specific screening at TSA checkpoints once KCM sunsets and will be required to use passenger screening checkpoints instead.

Portland Pride 2026

Our Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Commitee, chaired by Portland-based Flight Attendant Aaron Miller, was proud to partner with Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO for Portland Pride 2026.

It was a beautiful day in downtown Portland, and while we may have been few this year, we made our presence known and had a great time representing Council 39 at Pride!

For information about our HR&E Committee and the vital work they do, reach out to Aaron directly.

September Low Bid Option

Bidding for September Low Bid Options (LBOs) opened on July 23 and closed on July 30. §10.Q of the CBA covers eligibility requirements, rules and restrictions.

  • No staffing adjustment leaves (SALs) will be offered for September.
  • While AFA advocated for more, only a small number of LBOs were offered for each base.
  • Everyone who wanted an LBO was encouraged to bid, even if they felt it was unlikely they would be awarded one. Collecting this data is important to gauge interest in possible future LBO offerings.

In Solidarity,

Krystle, Melodie and Kevin

Council 39 June 2026 Update

In This Edition:

  • Portland Pride 2026
  • Q2 CBT & Other Reminders
  • Council 39 Social Media Launch
  • Council 39 Committee Updates
  • Reserve Webinar
  • Average Line Value
  • Fume Events: What To Know & What To Do

Portland Pride 2026

Our Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee is proud to partner with Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO for Portland Pride 2026! Join us on July 19 for the parade and other festivities. Scan the QR code below for more information.

    Q2 CBT & Other Reminders

    Please remember to complete your Q2 CBT by June 30 at 23:59 Pacific to avoid progressive steps of discipline.

    Inflight supervisors continue their program of predeparture compliance checks, both onboard the aircraft and in the terminal. These checks include making sure all required bulletins have been read, Comply365 has been synced, uniforms are in compliance, etc.

    AFA has been made aware that bulletin checks are being done virtually in some cases. For example, a Flight Attendant returns to domicile at the end of their pairing and finds communications from management stating that during their virtual audits, it was discovered that required bulletins weren’t acknowledged prior to the start of their sequence. These virtual audits have resulted in records of discussion (RODs) for those Flight Attendants. Please make sure you are in full compliance every time you come to work.

    Council 39 Social Media Launch

    We are excited to announce the launch of Council 39’s official Instagram page! Follow us for updates, news and reminders. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, too!

    Follow C39 On Instagram

    Follow C39 On Facebook

    Council 39 Committee Updates

    We are pleased to announce that Council 39 will be served by a standalone Retirement Committee with Wendy Drake as our local Retirement Committee Chairperson.

    Portland-based Flight Attendant Shannon O’Connor will join our local Communications Committee, and our current LECP Steve Maller will continue in his role as our local Grievance Committee Chairperson. Steve will also lend his skills to our local Safety Committee as a committee member.

    We thank all of our AFA volunteers for their willingness to serve the Flight Attendants of Council 39. You can find their contact information here.

    Reserve Webinar

    Join our MEC Reserve Committee on August 6 at 1 pm Pacific for, “Can They Do That?”, a webinar aimed at answering your questions and sharing practical, contractual insight into both everyday scheduling situations and those rare curveballs that come your way.

    This webinar is for everyone: reserves and lineholders alike. Our MEC encourages you to come ready to learn, connect and ask anything on your mind. Registration and a Zoom link will be shared as soon as August bidding opens, but you can use the button below to submit your questions ahead of time.

    Submit A Question

    Average Line Value

    From Council 39 Scheduling Chairperson Melodie Anderes

    A hot topic this summer has been average line value (ALV), the average number of TFP awarded to each Flight Attendant in a particular domicile. As stipulated in §10.B of the CBA, the ALV must be between 75 and 85 TFP each month. Individually, the total TFP on your line when bids are awarded can be anywhere between 10 TFP above and 10 TFP below the ALV for that month.

    This window of 20 TFP can be narrowed to meet the requirement of a 75-85 TFP ALV or to achieve the operationally required balance between reserves and lineholders. The graphic below shows a sampling of recent months in which the ALV was above 80 TFP in Portland:

    While not the norm, an ALV above 80 TFP is also not a rarity, particularly in months commonly regarded as “busy” in our industry. For a more detailed breakdown of ALVs for Portland in recent years, click here.

    Fume Events: What To Know & What To Do

    Fumes and smoke come into the cabins of our aircraft from many sources, including the outdoors. These can include odors from deicing fluids, fumes from APU exhaust and even passenger vehicles making their way around the ramps. The fumes that raise the biggest concerns for Flight Attendants, however, come from heated oil and hydraulic fluids. These fluids can leak or spill and then be ingested into the engine compressors (either the main engines or the APU) and then those fumes are distributed throughout the cabin air supply system. Currently, there are no aircraft in Alaska Airlines’ fleet with filters between the engine compressors and the cabin air supply. Oil and hydraulic fuel fumes contain toxic chemicals, and breathing them can cause significant health problems, potentially compromising flight safety and security and, in some cases, Flight Attendants can develop and live with long-term symptoms.

    During fume events, there typically isn’t a visual indicator that something is wrong. This can make it more difficult to know whether “just a bad smell” should be taken seriously, especially since our work environment can regularly be filled with “bad smells”.

    Airlines are required to provide safety data sheets (SDS) for oil and hydraulic fluid to crew members. As of this writing, Alaska Airlines uses Mobil Jet II (engine oil) and Hyjet IVa+ (hydraulic fluid) on our aircraft.

    Below you will find several resources on steps to take after experiencing a fume event onboard.

    Practical Advice: What To Do If You Breathe Fumes Onboard (AFA)

    Fume Event Reporting Form (AFA)

    Basic Checklist After Fume Event (AFA)

    Quick Reference Guide For Healthcare Providers

    In Solidarity,

    Steve, Krystle and Bethany

    Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

    November 1 marks the start of Native American Heritage Month across the United States. Also observed as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this month provides an opportunity to recognize the profound contributions, vibrant cultures, and enduring sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. From the ancestral homelands of Alaska Native peoples across the North to […]

    Joint Contract Negotiations Session 20 – October 2026

    The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management in Seattle for three days of collective bargaining, addressing critical sections of the contract. Through productive discussions, the JNC reached Tentative Agreements on Section 6 (Seniority), Retiree Pass Privileges, and Retiree Health Insurance. The committee plans to continue using both Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) and traditional methods to resolve complex issues during negotiations.

    Call To Action: Election Day Is Tuesday, November 3

    Our voice. Our vote. Our power. Throughout September, our AFA Government Affairs Committee highlighted how legislative advocacy impacts our work and daily lives as Flight Attendants. By breaking down the role of AFA Government Affairs, explaining the legislative process, encouraging civic engagement, and demonstrating the vital importance of FlightPAC, the campaign showed how our union’s voice is […]

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

    Updated: 10/29/2026 17:05 PT On Thursday, October 22, members of our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) 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 Debi Wallstrom (ANC), Baron Lee (HNL), Bryce Sarmiento (pmAS LAX), Kahea […]

    Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

    On Monday, October 12, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update on current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (pmAS SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (pmAS LAX), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt […]

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