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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

    Council 39 May 2026 Update

    In This Edition:

    • Elections Update
    • MEC Town Hall
    • Portland Pride 2026
    • Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue

    Elections Update

    Polls closed at 11 AM Pacific on May 19 for the election of Council 39 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Portland. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions:

    • LEC President: Krystle Berry
    • LEC Vice President: Melodie Anderes
    • LEC Secretary: Kevin Sharp

    These newly elected officers will begin their terms on July 1, 2026 and will serve until June 30, 2029.

    View The Certified Election Results Here

    MEC Town Hall

    Mark your calendars for AFA Alaska + Hawaiian’s next MEC Town Hall! This is your opportunity to connect, share and be heard. Get the latest AFA news and connect directly with our MEC Officers and bring your questions – this is your chance to get answers directly from AFA Representatives.

    • What: AFA Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Town Hall
    • When: June 8 2-3:30 PM Pacific
    • Where: Zoom

    This Town Hall will take place on Zoom so you can join from home or while on a layover. Advance registration is required and ensures you get a Zoom link to join the meeting. As with all AFA meetings and activities, the AFA Mutual Respect Policy applies during the Town Hall.

    MEC Town Hall Registration

    When you register, use your personal email address. If you use a company email address, your registration will be canceled. Only Members in good standing may attend and membership status will be verified before the event. Log in to the AFA Membership Hub to check your standing.

    Use the form below to submit any questions you have for the MEC Officers. This helps focus the Town Hall on your concerns: negotiations, contract issues or anything else you want to hear about.

    Submit A Question

    Portland Pride 2026

    Greetings from your Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee! Summer is here, and that means Pride Season is upon us! Portland’s Pride Parade is Sunday, July 19, so remember to bid it off if you plan on attending. Also, don’t forget: June 19th is Juneteenth!

    This year, we have the privilege of marching as part of the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO contingent in a clear stance from labor to get corporate greed out of Pride! Sign up to march using the button below. There will also be a sign making social on July 17, as well as a labor booth running all weekend at the festival. 

    March With AFA: Portland Pride 2026

    There are more Pride events going on across the country and the HRE Committee is helping lead the way to provide access for Alaska + Hawaiian Flight Attendants. If you are interested in going to another Pride event or happen to be on a layover in a major city over a weekend in June and July, there are events you can be a part of with other AFA-represented Flight Attendants. Reach out to us and we would be happy to put you in contact!

    Pride is especially important this year in an increasingly hostile socio-political landscape, one that continues to oppress and disenfranchise minorities and vulnerable populations in a multitude of ways. Many LGBTQ+ people experience multiple intersections of oppression and very much deserve to have a place of celebration, happiness, and support. Please consider bidding the time off, marching with us and enjoying the festivities. We would love to see you!

    Aaron Miller, (they/them) Council 39 Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson

    Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue

    Join experts, union leaders and Flight Attendants as they lead a discussion on fume events and their impacts, and learn how we can ensure cabin air is safer for crew and passengers. Register for the event by scanning the QR code on the graphic or clicking the link below.

    • What: “Toxic Air In The Cabin: A Union Issue” Webinar
    • When: June 1 (08:00-09:30 Pacific) & June 1 (18:00-20:30 Pacific)
    • Where: Zoom
    Register Here

    In Solidarity,

    Steve, Krystle and Bethany

    Council 39 Elections Update: Voting Open Now

    Voting Notices Have Been Mailed, Voting Is Open

    Voting notices have been mailed and voting is officially open for Council 39 Local Executive Officer Elections. A full set of instructions detailing how to cast your vote is included in the mailing. Click here to view the names of the candidates and the positions they are running for.

    All active members of Council 39 will receive a voting notice in the mail. However, only members in good standing will be allowed to cast a vote. To check on any possible delinquencies in dues, payment plan arrangements, your current standing and other important dues information, log in to the AFA Membership Hub below.

    AFA Membership Hub

    Voter Participation

    Council 39 last voted for our LEC Officers in 2023. At that time, we had 656 eligible voters in Portland and a total of 128 ballots were counted, resulting in a participation rate of 19.51%. We can do better than this. It is vital that we send a message of unity, strength and togetherness in every single one of our elections, regardless of the number of candidates listed on the ballot.

    The democratic process of voting for our representatives is at the core of who we are as a Union, and engagement in this process is one of the most powerful tools we have to make sure our voices are heard. Please encourage everyone you fly with to exercise their right to cast a vote, and reach out to Bethany with questions about new activation codes or problems with receiving your voting notice.

    Historical AFA Election Statistics

    Council 39 April 2026 Update

    In This Edition:

    • Council 39 Elections Update
    • Local Committee Updates
    • Uniform Compliance
    • Subscribe To Mobile
    • Protect Yourself From Potential Discipline: Social Media

    Council 39 Elections Update

    Nominations are closed for Council 39 LEC Officer elections and ballots will be mailed in the coming weeks. Please make sure to keep an eye on your mailbox for your ballot, and let Bethany know if you don’t receive it or need help getting a new activation code.

    Local Committee Updates

    We are pleased to announce that Marci Ashcraft will be transitioning from her current role as a member of the Council 39 Reserve Committee to become a member of our local Government Affairs Committee. We thank Marci for her work in support of Portland’s reserve Flight Attendants.

    We are also pleased to announce Ahnawake Kriese as our Council 39 Membership Engagement Chairperson.

    Ahnawake was the Council 39 Mobilization Committee Chairperson during our last round of negotiations and is excited to serve in this new role. The Membership Engagement Committee is dedicated to building strong connections with Flight Attendants, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued in our Union from their first day and throughout their careers. The committee’s mission is to empower every Member by keeping them informed, engaged and actively involved. They aim to inspire Flight Attendants to take an active role in shaping their experience as AFA Members and prepare them for additional responsibilities within our Union. Membership Engagement is the symbolic sister to Communications. Together, they strive to keep Flight Attendants informed on Union business and the resources available to support them as they move through their careers.

    Ahnawake will celebrate her 30th anniversary as an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant this summer, having spent the majority of that time in Portland. She is married to Portland-based Captain Steve Kriese. They live in Lake Oswego with a geriatric yellow lab named Cooper.

    Click here to learn more about the role our Membership Engagement Committee plays in supporting Alaska-Hawaiian Flight Attendants. If you’re interested in joining our local Membership Engagement Committee, please reach out to Ahnawake directly.

    Uniform Compliance

    It has been brought to AFA’s attention that Inflight supervisors have been given daily quotas to meet regarding uniform compliance checks. In order to avoid records of discussion and possible progressive steps of discipline, please make sure you’re adhering to the Uniform Policy Guide (SSO required) every time you come to work. This includes wearing a oneworld pin in an approved location on your uniform or a company-provided oneworld lanyard.

    Subscribe To Mobile

    Mobile notifications via text message are a great way to stay up-to-date on important information and reminders from AFA. Currently, only about 20% of Council 39’s email list is signed up to also receive text notifications. Click here to sign up for text messages to your personal mobile device and stay informed on timely and relevant updates!

    Protect Yourself From Potential Discipline: Social Media

    As mentioned in last month’s update, it is important for all Flight Attendants to be vigilant and discerning about what they post, share or say on the Internet. Management has a record of disciplining for posts made in Flight Attendant-run social media groups such as Galley Tea, Patriots With Wings and others, as well as Flight Attendants’ personal pages. In fact, an arbitrator upheld discipline in one case even though there was very little evidence on the Flight Attendant’s page to identify them as an Alaska Airlines employee.

    No matter how private, anonymous, secret or secure an online space feels, everything has the possibility of being traced back to you. Click here to read more about what you can do to avoid progressive steps of discipline and, as always, make sure to contact our local AFA EAP Professional Standards team whenever you feel it’s necessary.

    In Solidarity,

    Steve, Krystle and Bethany

    Elections Update: Nominations Now Open

    The process for Council 39 Local Executive Officer Elections is officially underway. Nominations for Local Executive Officer positions are being accepted from now through April 16. Active Flight Attendants in good standing have the right to nominate one person who is committed to serve for each office. In order to appear on the ballot, each candidate must receive at lease two nominations from active members in good standing. (Self-nominations count as one of the two required nominations.)

    It’s important to note that participation in every step of the local elections process depends on your standing. Check out the links below to determine your eligibility, read about the requirements and qualifications of LEC Officers, and to learn more about the elections process:

    If you are interested in nominating a Flight Attendant in good standing or you’re interested in self-nominating, please consider doing so prior to the deadline. This will allow the AFA International Ballot Certification Committee enough time to determine the eligibility of all candidates prior to printing of ballots.

    As always, it is vital that your contact information is up-to-date in the AFA Membership Hub as well as in Peoplesoft. After completing the nomination form, you will receive a confirmation email with your selections.

    Nomination Forms

    Positions To Be Elected:

    • LEC President
    • LEC Vice President
    • LEC Secretary

    Term Of Office:

    • July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029

    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 […]

    Behind the Scenes: What Goes Into Bringing Our MEC Town Halls to Life

    Since launching our MEC Town Halls in March, we’ve focused on making these sessions a clear and effective way to connect with everyone. In June, we adjusted our approach to a more dynamic, interview-based, and conversational format to make these sessions even more engaging. But what does it take to move from an initial concept […]

    Go In-Depth with Our AFA Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson

    Building on the momentum of our Membership Engagement Committee introduction video and this week’s look at the committee’s history, we’re excited to introduce the next feature of our July Committee Focus Month. Today, we’re launching an in-depth interview that offers an inside look at the mission and people powering the Membership Engagement Committee. What You’ll […]

    Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6

    This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants As a follow-up to our June 23 save-the-date announcement, we’re excited to share full details and open registration for our August pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar! 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 […]

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