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Meet Our Local Chairpersons – September 2026

We’re excited to introduce our final group of SEA Local Committee Chairpersons for the current LEC Officer term. They officially start their terms on November 1, 2026. Below you’ll find brief biographies that highlight their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our Members at Council 19.

Kathy O’Malley | Local Benefits/Retirement Chairperson

Kathy came to Alaska Airlines in 2004 after working for Nordstrom in Corporate Human Resources as a Benefits Specialist for 18 years. Once she completed probation, knowing she wanted to help Flight Attendants, she served on the SEA EAP/Professional Standards Committee for 8 years. 

In 2012, the Local Benefits/Retirement position became available where she has served for the past 14 years. Kathy is committed to helping her fellow Flight Attendants in any way she can and it has personally brought her much joy to have that connection.

She enjoys traveling with her husband in their vintage trailers and cars, gardening, and playing with their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. 

Terry Taylor | Local Benefits/Retirement Vice-Chairperson

Terry has been a Flight Attendant for Alaska Airlines since 1973. She has always been Seattle-based. Although she was a commuter for eleven years, long before the current commuter policy, she has always maintained a home in the Seattle area. She attended Stephens College and Seattle University.

During the first few years of her career, she attended Union meetings, followed newsletters and began her AFA involvement. Over the ensuing years, she has served as MEC/LEC President, LEC President, MEC Vice President, and many other positions. She’s also the longest serving member of the AFA-CWA International Finance Committee.

When she started, she was appalled to hear that Alaska Flight Attendants did not have a Retirement plan, although a few had been employed for over 20 years. When AFA first secured a Retirement Plan, Terry was appointed to the Flight Attendant Retirement Board, where she served for many years. Long before there was a Benefits Committee, she self-educated and worked with ill and injured Flight Attendants to ensure that they received the proper benefits. Once the Committee was formed, she was the MEC Chair for many years. She welcomes the opportunity to continue to support Alaska Flight Attendants.

Andrea Korican | Local EAP/Professional Standards Chairperson

Andrea began her career with Alaska Airlines in 1990 and joined the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in 2011. After more than a decade of supporting fellow Flight Attendants through EAP, she moved into the SEA EAP Vice Chairperson role in 2022 and became Local EAP Chairperson for Council 19 in 2024.

As Local EAP Chairperson, Andrea is committed to advocacy, peer support, and ensuring Alaska Flight Attendants have a trusted place to turn when they need guidance. Whether someone is navigating substance-related concerns, personal or professional challenges, or simply needs help finding answers and resources, she is passionate about helping Flight Attendants feel supported, respected, and connected to the right assistance.

Andrea believes strongly in the value of peer-based support and in meeting Flight Attendants where they are. Her leadership approach is grounded in compassion, confidentiality, education, and service to the Flight Attendant community.

She is a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), and she continues to further her education and professional credentials within the EAP field to strengthen the support and resources available to Alaska Flight Attendants.Andrea lives in Kirkland, Washington, and outside of work enjoys spending time with her daughter, family, and friends, as well as wine tasting and traveling.

Jarod McNeill | Local Hotel Chairperson

Jarod McNeill has been an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant for more than 22 years and brings extensive experience in Union leadership, contract advocacy, hotel evaluation, and the travel industry to his role as Local Hotel Chairperson.

Throughout his career, Jarod has been actively involved with AFA and has spent more than 18 years volunteering in support of Flight Attendants, particularly new hires and reserves. His union experience has included serving as Local Reserve Chairperson, MEC Reserve Chairperson, MEC Reserve Vice-Chairperson – New Hire and Probation, and Local Hotel Chairperson. He is also grievance trained, giving him a strong understanding of our contract and the importance of ensuring negotiated protections and standards are upheld.

Jarod is excited to continue in the role of Local Hotel Chairperson for Council 19, where he has previously worked to evaluate layover properties and advocate for hotels that meet the needs of Flight Attendants. He understands that a crew hotel is more than simply a place to sleep. Safety and security, cleanliness, comfortable rooms and beds, adequate rest, food availability, transportation, location, amenities, and the overall quality of the layover experience all matter.

In addition to his airline and union experiences, Jarod has an extensive professional background in the travel industry. He owns and operates a travel agency, is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor and currently volunteers in travel focused nonprofits. His work in the travel industry gives him regular exposure to hotels and hospitality brands around the world, and an understanding of hotel operations, service standards, property positioning, amenities, and the overall guest experience.

The combination of perspectives, as a working Flight Attendant, experienced Union representative, Local Hotel Chairperson, and travel industry professional, provides Jarod with a unique foundation for evaluating crew hotels and advocating for properties that provide our Flight Attendants with the safe, comfortable, and restful layovers they deserve.Jarod looks forward to once again representing our Flight Attendants in securing and maintaining the best properties possible.

Ross De Jong | Local Inflight Service Chairperson

Ross began his flying career with Alaska Airlines in 1991, making this year his 35th anniversary with the company. Prior to joining Alaska, Ross spent 10 years in the 

restaurant industry, where he held various management and corporate positions. He is also a certified “Train the Trainer” graduate through the American Society for Training and Development.

For over a decade, Ross has been actively involved with the Inflight Service Committee (ISC), serving as the SEA Local Chairperson for the past eight years. He is deeply dedicated to supporting the Flight Attendant workgroup and advocating for onboard service and safety concerns. Additionally, Ross contributes to the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) program as a trained safety observer.

Ross is married to fellow Flight Attendant Chip Hestle, and the couple is also celebrating their 35th anniversary together this year.

Local Committee Appointments – September 2026

During this week’s LEC meeting, our LEC held interviews for our final group of Local Committee Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson positions. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest and willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been appointed:

  • Local Benefits/Retirement Chairperson: Kathy O’Malley
  • Local Benefits/Retirement Vice-Chairperson: Terry Taylor
  • Local EAP/Professional Standards Chairperson: Andrea Korican
  • Local Hotel Chairperson: Jarod McNeill
  • Local Infight Service Chairperson: Ross De Jong

These newly appointed Local Committee Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons will carry out their respective roles for Council 19. Their official term begins on November 1, 2026. They will serve for the current LEC Officer election cycle which began on July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your LEC President at sea.lecp@afaalaska.org. 

Local Committee Interviews – September 2026

The SEA LEC Officers will be conducting interviews for Local Chairpersons for the final round of local committees. During the upcoming September LEC Meeting, interviews will be conducted for the following positions:

Please note: Vice-Chairperson positions will also be appointed from the pool of candidates interviewed at the discretion of the SEA LEC. We encourage all those interested to submit their resume and Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered.

General Qualifications

Qualifications for all Local Chairperson positions include:

  • Current Alaska AFA Member in good standing
  • Previous experience as a Committee Member is preferred.
  • Previous committee-specific training preferred.
  • Strong ability to lead and coordinate a diverse team in a collaborative environment.
  • Ability to attend meetings as required, both via videoconference and in person.
  • Strong computer skills, including a good working knowledge of Google Workspace (email, calendar, Drive, and other applications) and Microsoft 365.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external emails, prepare reports, plan meetings (including scheduling, logistics, and agenda preparation), and take minutes.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks.

Qualifications for Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee positions include all of the above, plus:

  • Current Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee Member or Chairperson.

Duties and Responsibilities

Details about each committee’s duties and responsibilities are available on the respective committee pages of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Volunteers page. Additional information regarding Local Committee Chairperson duties and responsibilities is available in the link below:

Duties and Responsibilities

Term of Service

Successful candidates will serve for the upcoming LEC Officer election cycle. Their official term will begin on November 1, 2026 and conclude June 30, 2029.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

The LEC will interview eligible candidates during the September regular LEC meeting on Monday, September 21. If you are interested in interviewing, please plan to bid around this date and adjust your schedule accordingly. All interviews will be virtual via Google Meet videoconferencing.

Please submit an expression of interest and your resume using the online form below. The submission deadline is 5pm Pacific Time on Monday, September 7. After the submission deadline, an LEC representative will contact eligible candidates for next steps.

>> Click here to submit an expression of interest form <<

Please note that a Google account is required to submit the expression of interest form. If you don’t have a Google account, you can create one for free at https://accounts.google.com/signup.

AFA Alaska Update – September 30, 2021

In This Edition

  • URGENT: No More Shutdowns
  • Having Difficulty Working with a Fellow Crew Member?
  • How AFA Dues Deductions Work

URGENT: No More Shutdowns

AFA International

Unless Congress acts before Thursday night (midnight, Friday morning), the federal government will shut down again.

We need to make it clear: federal shutdowns are unacceptable.

Aviation workers ended the shutdown of 2019/2020. Together, we ended the 35-day nightmare of two million people out of work without notice, 400,000 workers forced to come to work without pay, and an increasingly dangerous workspace for the rest of us. We’re not going to stand by while Congress puts us in danger again by failing to do their jobs now.

Call your member of Congress now and demand they fund the government and avert a shutdown and pass legislation that keeps all transportation going.

Shutdowns are dangerous.

  • Transportation Security Officers and Air Traffic Controllers will be forced to work without pay, putting huge stress on workers whose attention to detail keeps us all safe.
  • Investigators who build cases against unruly passengers will be furloughed. Because of the statute of limitations on these investigations, this could mean unruly passengers get off without being investigated at all.
  • Key security personnel who track potential threats will be furloughed, leaving exploitable gaps in aviation security.

This is a safety issue. Flight Attendants are already on the frontlines dealing with a crisis of dangerous passenger behavior. If Congress fails to do their basic job and makes our jobs more dangerous, we will take any necessary action to keep ourselves safe.

Call your members of Congress directly or use the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 to get connected to your Representative and two Senators. Demand they do their job and avoid a shutdown.

Script: Dear Representative/Senator _____, I am a constituent and a Flight Attendant. I cannot do my job if Congress doesn’t do its job. Fund the government and avoid another government shutdown that would put us all in danger. After you fund the government, get to work to ensure we don’t default on our debts and pass the bills that give us the infrastructure we need all over our economy with living wage jobs and basic rights for everyday people. Pass the bipartisan American Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act without delay. We need Washington to do its job so we can do our job too. Thank you.

Keeping the government open is the bare minimum, but there’s much more we need done to solve the problems in front of us today.

You’ve probably heard some of the debate about the two infrastructure bills. The process sounds complicated, but the outcomes are simple. We need Congress to pass BOTH the American Jobs Act, which you may have read about as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework or BIF, and the Build Back Better Act, which reporters are calling the “reconciliation package.”

Here are four key items in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) for Flight Attendants and aviation:

  • Voting Rights: BBBA expands early voting and other voting rights. Flight Attendants are often on trips on Election Day, and we deserve to have our voices heard in our democracy. This will ensure we—and all workers—have the chance to cast our votes.
  • Labor Rights: BBBA makes it easier for workers to come together to form unions, negotiate contracts and hold bad bosses accountable.
    • Creates real financial penalties for employers who retaliate against organizing.
    • Bans Mandatory anti-union meetings.
    • Charges executives who break labor laws so that corporate leaders have real consequences for union busting and violating workers’ rights.
    • Stops companies from retaliating against workers who exercise their right to strike.
  • Expands the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide every worker with up to 12 weeks of comprehensive, paid leave whether caring for themselves or a loved one.
  • Makes union dues tax deductible for all workers, a benefit that was taken away for everyday people in the Trump tax cuts.

Your action today and tomorrow is urgent. We’ll keep updates coming so you have the latest on what’s happening and what we’re doing together to keep each other safe.

Call your Member of Congress now.

Having Difficulty Working with a Fellow Crew Member?

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

Quite often, someone doesn’t realize they may have come across as bossy, rude, lazy, etc.  They may in fact be experiencing issues at home, are new and unsure of the job, have just come back from a medical leave and are out of practice, or other life challenges are causing them to not be performing as expected.  If you’re experiencing a similar issue, believe the issue needs to be addressed, and are not comfortable talking one-on-one with the other person, we recommend that you speak to one of our highly trained AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee Members. 

Contact AFA Professional Standards First!

AFA EAP/Professional Standards can help facilitate a conversation between the affected Flight Attendants.  We can offer suggestions on dealing with each other.  We can reach out to Flight Attendants and share the perceptions of their co-workers.   All this is done in a safe and confidential environment.

Professional Standards Can Help with Pilots

AFA Professional Standards maintains a close working relationship with ALPA Professional Standards.  If have a concern or conflict that involves a Pilot, we can refer the issue to ALPA Professional Standards.  Just as AFA Professional Standards responds to every report of a concern, ALPA Professional Standards does the same.

Management Isn’t Involved

Most importantly, it’s handled without involving management.  Often, when a Flight Attendant has an “off” day, it’s due to special circumstances.   If you were in their shoes, you would appreciate your co-worker giving you the benefit of the doubt and leaving management out of the equation.

Who Do I Contact?

If you have a professional standards concern, please reach out to your AFA Local EAP/Professional Standards Committee or call (949) 470-0493.

How AFA Dues Deductions Work

Membership Committee

The Current Month is the Current Dues Month

The paycheck that you receive on the 20th of the month is your pay for all flying activity during the previous month.  Your AFA dues that are deducted from the 20th of the month check, however, cover your dues obligation for the current month.

For Example:

  • Paycheck Date (Advice Date): October 20
  • Flying Pay for (Pay Begin and End Dates): September 1-30 (previous month)
  • AFA Dues Deducted for: October (current month)

For those returning to work from one of the mitigated leaves of absence your dues may not be deducted since you were not active in the previous month. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about dues deductions, please refer to the Membership Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

AFA Update – July 19, 2019

In This Edition

  • Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form
  • Air Quality Fume Event Q&A
  • Let’s Talk It Out–AFA Professional Standards

Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) – Air Quality Subcommittee

On June 10, 2019, management issued Emergency Interim Bulletin (EIB) 19-11 regarding Cabin Air Quality.  This EIB was subsequently incorporated into the FAM with revision 51, which became effective July 10, 2019.  The information is contained in section 2.700, pages 1-5.

Along with this update, management launched the new Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form (form 2-5366). This form can be found onboard in the Stationery Kit on all aircraft and should be used in a suspected cabin air quality event.  

The form is an excellent resource which was developed with input from your AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC). It provides step-by-step guidance to identify and describe the indicators of the event (type of odor/location/source/phase of flight, etc.). The completed form is then used to concisely relay the information to the Flight Deck in a timely manner,  allowing the pilots to take the possible steps to mitigate the situation and communicate to maintenance.  Both pilots and maintenance are familiar with the new form and look to Flight Attendants to use the form to report possible events.  

The Cabin Air Quality Report Form should not be confused with the AFA Onboard Air Quality Checklist. The AFA form was previously developed by AFA to help provide Flight Attendants with a tool to use in a suspected cabin fume event.  As there is no longer a need to use the AFA Onboard Air Quality Checklist, please discontinue using the checklist and destroy any copies that you may have. Going forward, the company’s Cabin Air Quality Reporting Form should be used in any suspected cabin fume events.

In a suspected fume event, it is recommended that you work with your fellow crew members to quickly complete the form, take a picture of the form with your IMD for your records, and notify the Flight Deck as well as hand off the form to the Flight Deck. By taking a picture of the completed form (and sharing it with your crew), the information can be used to help with any subsequent debriefings and to complete the required FAIR (Flight Attendant Incident Report) and voluntary ASAP (Aviation Safety Action Program Report). 

Air Quality Fume Event Q&A

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) – Air Quality Subcommittee

To better understand Air Quality Fume Events, your AFA Air, Safety, Health and Security Committee (ASHSC) strongly recommends you read the AFA Air Quality Fume Event Q&A document, which can be accessed by clicking here.  This resource is specific to procedures at Alaska Airlines and was created in collaboration with the AFA International Air Safety, Health, & Security Department and your AFA Alaska ASHSC. 

Let’s Talk It Out—AFA Professional Standards

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Professional Standards Committee

AFA encourages the use of Professional Standards whenever a member is experiencing a concern about or a conflict with a flying partner.  Professional Standards provides members with an informal and confidential process to disclose and resolve such problems.

Professional Standards offers:

  1. An opportunity for involved parties to maintain control over the outcome of a conflict
  2. Acts as an alternative to the supervisory-discipline model
  3. Reduces expenditure of resources in the grievance process

Professional Standards does not monitor or evaluate work performance, “fix” or “change” others’ behaviors or “investigate” the activities of its members.

Professional Standards exists to help members resolve co-worker conflicts/concerns involving or stemming from:

  • Personality clashes
  • Differences in communication and/or interaction style
  • Work and/or personal habits
  • Offensive conduct
  • Physical and/or emotional health

Professional Standards will not accept complaints involving:

  • Issues addressed by corporate policy, federal aviation regulations or inflight handbooks
  • Issues where management is actively involved
  • Training or skill deficiencies
  • Contract issues
  • AFA political matters     

Professional Standards contact information can be found on the EAP/Professional Standards Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Join The Picket Line: Support Horizon Flight Attendants this Wednesday, October 14

This Wednesday, October 14, Horizon Air Flight Attendants will take to the picket line to demand the fair contract they rightfully deserve. During our own contract fight, Horizon Flight Attendants never hesitated. They showed up for us on our picket lines, stood shoulder to shoulder with us at every rally, and proved what true solidarity […]

Reserve Survey Now Open

Our JNC encourages all members to participate in the Reserve survey, regardless of your current Reserve status. Whether you are on Reserve now, pick up Reserve days occasionally, or have not been on Reserve recently, your input is valuable. The survey will be open until Tuesday, October 20 at Noon PT.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 29, 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), […]

That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month comes to a close, we want to sincerely thank everyone who tuned in, asked insightful questions, and shared resources throughout September. Whether you watched a quick video on the van or started a conversation about voting in the crew lounge, your engagement made a difference. We started this month […]

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met for their regular quarterly meeting to advance ongoing activism, promote workplace equity, and champion meaningful policy improvements across our workplace. Your representatives attending the meeting were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Soon Kim (HNL), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (pmHA LAX/SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel […]

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