professional standards

AFA Alaska Update – September 30, 2021

September 30, 2021 09:00

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 20^th of the month is your pay for all flying activity during the previous month. Your AFA dues that are deducted from the 20^th 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

July 19, 2019 12:00

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:

An opportunity for involved parties to maintain control over the outcome of a conflict
Acts as an alternative to the supervisory-discipline model
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.

Building Better Working Relationships

February 5, 2019 16:12

A message from your AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee

Human are naturally social creatures – we crave friendship and positive interactions, just as we do food and water. So it makes sense that the better our relationships are at work, the happier and more productive we’re going to be.

Good working relationships give us several other benefits. Our work is more enjoyable when we have good relationships with those around us. Good relationships give us freedom from spending our time and energy overcoming the problems associated with negative relationships. Most importantly, successful working relationships are criterial to crew resource management and thus safety.

So what are the characteristics that make up good, healthy working relationships?

Trust – This is the foundation of every good relationship. When you trust co-workers, you form a powerful bond that helps you to work and communicate more effectively. If you trust the people you work with, you can be open and honest in your thoughts and actions, and you don’t have to waste time and energy “watching your back.”
Mutual Respect – When you respect the people who you work with, you value their input and ideas, and they value yours. Working together, you can develop solutions based on your collective insight, wisdom and creativity.
Mindfulness – This means taking responsibility for your words and actions. Those who are mindful are careful and attend to what they say, and they don’t let their own negative emotions impact the people around them. They are conscious communicators.
Welcoming Diversity – People with good relationships not only accept diverse people and opinions, but they welcome them. For instance, when your flying partners offer different opinions from yours, you take the time to consider what they have to say, and factor their insights into your decision-making.
Open Communication – We communicate all day, whether we’re sending emails and IMs, or meeting face to face. The better and more effectively you communicate with those around you, the richer your relationships will be. All good relationships depend on open, honest communication.

So, what can you do to build better relationships at work?

Develop Your People Skills

Good relationships start with good people skills including how well you collaborate, communicate and deal with conflict.

Identify Your Relationship Needs

Look at your own relationship needs. Do you know what you need from others? And do you know what they need from you? Understanding these needs can be instrumental in building better relationships.

Schedule Time to Build Relationships

Devote a portion of your flying day toward relationship building, even if it’s just in minute increments. Small and even routine interactions help build the foundation of good relationships.

Focus on Your EI

Spend time developing your emotional intelligence (EI). Among other things, this is your ability to recognize your own emotions, and clearly understand what they’re telling you.

High EI also helps you to understand the emotions and needs of others.

Appreciate Others

Show your appreciation whenever someone helps you. Everyone wants to feel that their work is appreciated. So, genuinely compliment the people around you when they do something well. This will open the door to great work relationships.

Be Positive

Focus on being positive which is both attractive and contagious. It will help strengthen your relationships with your flying partners. No one wants to be around someone who’s negative all the time.

Avoid Gossiping

Don’t gossip. Gossip is a major relationship killer at work. If you’re experiencing conflict with someone in your group, talk to them directly about the problem. Gossiping about the situation with others will only exacerbate the situation, and will cause mistrust and animosity between you.

Stretch Yourself

Occasionally, you’ll have to work with someone you don’t like or someone that you simply can’t relate to. But, for the sake of your comfort and everyone’s safety, it’s essential that you maintain a professional relationship. When this happens, make an effort to get to know the person. It’s likely that the person knows full well that the two of you aren’t on the best terms, so make the first move to improve the relationship by engaging in positive exchanges. While you’re talking, try not to be too guarded. Ask the person about their background and interests. Instead of putting energy into your differences, focus on finding things that you have in common. Just remember – not all relationships will be great; but you can make sure that they are, at least, workable!

March Newsletter

March 24, 2017 09:00

AFA Council 15 San Diego Facebook Page

Since the base opened we have been using the SANFA Facebook page. This page is used both for trip trading posts as well as AFA posts. Because it is easy for things to get lost with so many postings, your AFA Officers started a new “Official” Facebook page called AFA Council 15 San Diego click on the link and Like our page. There you can find all the latest news from AFA without having to search through numerous trip trading posts.

Text Notifications from AFA

To reach more of our base (including those who are not on social media or don’t check their email often) we are excited to announce that your LEC Officers started a new way of communicating with our members in San Diego through text message alerts. This program is completely optional, however, we feel that it’s a great tool to get information out to everyone quickly. We will not overwhelm you with texts. We do realize the possibility of text costs, therefore justifying the option. The information will be available as always on the AFAalaska.org website, emails, and on our Facebook page.

The enrollment process is simple. All you need to do is send a text message from your personal phone.

Open your text messaging application. In the send to field enter 81010 and then enter @AFALEC15 in the body of the text and press send.

You will then receive a reply asking you to enter your full name. Once you send your name, your officers will receive notification and then you are all set to receive texts.

Please ignore the 3^rd question where it asks if you are student or teacher we are borrowing this technology from school districts as to save costs from designing a system or paying a company to send mass texts and you do not need to download the app.

We hope you like our new service. And as always, we welcome your feedback/questions. Please help us spread the word and get your fellow crew signed up.

Keeping Track of Trends

Data and Flight Attendant Reports

Your AFA representatives have recently started using a new program to track issues reported by our members. Our goal is to track and trend as many issues as possible. The key to this program’s success will be hearing from YOU! We need to hear from you every time you have an issue. With all five bases tracking and compiling information we will be able to present stronger cases to management.

When you report an issue, please include your personal email address, phone number and Peoplesoft number. Include as many details as possible, Trip Number, Flight Number, screenshots of phone call time stamps/trips… etc.

Send your issue to the appropriate Committee Team.

Scheduling Issues Line Holders San.Scheduling@afaalaska.org

Reserve Issues sanfa.reserve@gmail.com

Officers San@afaalaska.org

Professional Standards

Conflicts and/or issues with Coworkers

In San Diego we are lucky to have a great team of Supervisors and Management staff. Please keep in mind that many personal conflicts should be taken to your Professional Standards team and not taken immediately to management. Often AFA EAP/ Professional Standards can resolve the problems or issues without Management becoming involved. Once Management is made aware of the situation, an investigation could commence, both parties may be brought in and interviewed and any potential witness(es). The outcome could lead to discipline and or possibly even termination.

Jean Sharrock jeans4112@yahoo.com

Ava McWilliams avaeap@yahoo.com

Lisa Rhodes lisa.rhodes.alaska@gmail.com

Shari Clark ownyourlife4ever@yahoo.com

Loretta Fogle lorettafogle@gmail.com

Contacted by Management?

Know Your Rights

If you receive a call from any Inflight Supervisor, it is best to first clarify if the conversation could lead to disciplinary action. If the answer is “Yes,” at this point you can request that the union be involved in any further conversations. However, even if the supervisor states that the conversation won’t lead to any discipline, if at any time you feel the questions to be leading or uncomfortable you can once again end the conversation by saying you will only continue with a union rep present.

Having a union rep there is insurance. It is an advocate and a second set of ears to ensure that your point is understood clearly by the company and not misinterpreted.

$$ Transportation is the Company’s responsibility $$

Over the last few months we have seen a steady increase in crew schedulers pawning their responsibilities off on Flight Attendants. There has been a significant spike in the number of reports from Flight Attendants that have been told to find their own transportation.

Contractually, it is the Company’s responsibility to provide transportation to and from layover hotels and airports. That includes coordinating and paying for it. You are not required to pay upfront and then wait for reimbursement.

If you are ever asked to pay for a hotel room or transportation or a Visa required to enter a foreign country (yes, that did just happen!) by Crew Scheduling- Contact your AFA Reps immediately! SAN@afaalaska.org

Merger Update

National Mediation Board Makes Single Carrier Determination

The National Mediation Board (NMB) responded to AFA’s application to have the board investigate whether Alaska Airlines and Virgin America are operating as a single transportation system for the craft or class of Flight Attendant. The NMB ruled that the carriers are indeed a single transportation system.

The NMB will now address Flight Attendant representation at each carrier, and AFA is expecting to be declared the representing union at both carriers shortly after a 30-day waiting period.

Odds and Ends

When using the Matrix App, you must “dial in” each of the dates of the trip you will be dropping. So if your trip runs the 12, 13, 14^th, you must dial the first month/day and enter, then the second month/day and enter and then the third month/day and hit enter. Please remember that you must also call scheduling!

There have been reports of phone numbers and addresses changing in Peoplesoft with the JCA switchover. It is a good idea to go in and make sure your contact information is correct. Also it is wise to check your pay, point accrual, banked points, etc. as there have been some reports of “inaccuracies” after the JCA switchover.

In Solidarity,

AFA Alaska Update – September 30, 2021

In This Edition

URGENT: No More Shutdowns

Having Difficulty Working with a Fellow Crew Member?

Contact AFA Professional Standards First!