Important Dates
September 1: Vacation Bidding Round 1 Begins
September 19: Vacation Bidding Round 1 Closes
September 26: Vacation Bidding Round 1 Awards
September 30: Q3 CBT Due
Ticket System Back up and Running!
We are pleased to report that the AFA Alaska Online Support Center (support.afaalaska.org) is now back online and fully operational. AFA representatives have started the process of reviewing outstanding tickets that were filed prior to the outage occurring last Thursday, August 18. If you filed a ticket prior to August 18th or after the system came back online today, your patience is greatly appreciated as our AFA volunteers begin to work through the backlog.
Section 6 Negotiations
September is here and Section 6 Negotiations for Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants are scheduled to formally begin! Thank you everyone for sending the Negotiations Committee your ideas and for filling out the survey. Member input is invaluable and guides the committee to prioritize needs. Please bookmark the Negotiations subsite, which can be found on the AFA Alaska website, to stay updated on the progress of negotiations. Want to get involved? It’s not too late! Council 35 is looking for Mobilization Committee members to support Section 6 Negotiations in SFO. Please reach out to Trista Vanta, the C35 Mobilization Committee chair and/or fill out the online request form to participate in events.
Bernstein v. Virgin America Lawsuit
For months now Council 35 officers have been asking the company for updates on possible compliance solutions to the California meal and rest break law. Alaska maintains that the decision is forthcoming however will not commit to any possible scenarios. Your Council 35 officers have made it clear that the delay in communicating to Flight Attendants has created a high level of anxiety in all of us, but especially with CA-based Flight Attendants. The company has recently communicated that they will host California base sits. A member of the Alaska legal team will be available to answer Flight Attendant questions, however it is unclear whether or not any new and/or helpful information will be offered. Flight Attendants are encouraged to visit the Bernstein v. Virgin America subsite on the plaintiff’s attorney webpage to balance all information and get perspective on both sides of the issue.
Hotel Committee Update
by Cassie Dole, C35 Hotel Committee Chair
The Hotel Committee committee is working through issues with rooms not being available when crew members arrive at a hotel and having to wait, sometimes for an extended period of time. It is important that Flight Attendants call Crew Scheduling upon arrival if rooms are not ready and then again when provided with a room. Management has been providing additional compensation for documented wait times of one hour or longer. If you’ve had an unacceptable or substandard experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation provider, please report the issue! Our AFA Hotel Committee receives a copy of every CrewCare report filed and each one is read and reviewed. Please follow up by documenting with a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.
Participation Request: Human Rights and Uniform Surveys
by AFA International
The Human Rights and Uniform Committees want to hear more from Flight Attendants! To better know what Flight Attendants need and what can be done to fight for FA rights, please take two important surveys:
Human Rights and Equity Committee Survey
Uniform and Gender Expression Survey
Interested in joining the Human Rights Committee? We have openings! Please email your Council 35 officers to set up a time to discuss this opportunity.
No Stock Buybacks in Aviation Until Problems are Fixed!
by AFA International
COVID relief legislation temporarily prohibited airlines from using stock buybacks that enrich executives and big investors on the backs of workers and consumers. But those prohibitions end on September 30. Now is not the time to start sending cash to Wall Street when the airlines can’t yet meet public demand or manage effectively through operational challenges. Airline workers have had contract negotiations on hold for years – delaying raises and improving working conditions needed to keep skilled workers on the job and attract new applicants.
We call on all airline CEOs to extend the COVID relief ban on stock buybacks until:
- operational meltdowns are not the norm
- staffing and flight schedules are aligned to support public demand
- labor contract negotiations are concluded.
Stabilizing the industry must be CEOs #1 priority. Not $1 in stock buybacks until this is achieved. Join the fight and take action by signing the petition.
Got a question?
Contact information for Council 35 committee members can be found on our website. You can also open an online support ticket and the appropriate rep will respond.
In solidarity,
Melissa, Virginia, James and Brad
Melissa Osborne, LEC President • melissa.osborne@afaalaska.org • 415-275-1322
Virginia Fritz, LEC Vice President • virginia.fritz@afaalaska.org • 408.489.8200
James Ikehara, LEC Secretary • James.ikehara@afaalaska.org • 415-289-9011
Bradley Young, Council Representative • bradley.young@afaalaska.org • 916-508-3503
