As we approach the end of 2015, the Master Executive Council (MEC) wants to remind you of a few important items. But first we want to thank all of you for your professionalism and support this past year. We are truly honored to represent the best Flight Attendants in the industry!
AFA EAP
Alaska Flight Attendants are the best in the industry and this is due, in part, to our amazing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee! EAP is always available to assist and support you. As we approach the holiday season our jobs become much more difficult and we are away from our families. EAP peers help FAs assess their expectations, troubles, health issues and commitments. Re-evaluating commitments and expectations will help to make the holiday season more manageable and enjoyable. AFA EAP’s greatest tool is the ability to listen, calming the presenting issue. Referring to professional resources appropriate when the FA is unable to find resolution.
You can find EAP contact information here: http://afaalaska.org/eap.
Employee Choice Travel Credits
Please remember that you need to convert any remaining Employee Choice Travel Credits by December 31, 2015. Once you convert the credits you have three months to travel or make changes to those credits. These credits do not roll over! You will find your Employee Choice Travel Credits in your Paperless Employee Travel (PET) account.
Uniform Allotments
Allotment #3 from late 2013 will expire on December 31st. Allotment #2 from January 2015 and allotment #1 from July 2015 will rollover into 2016 and expire after next December. If you have used up all other allotments, they will not be numbered separately in the uniform allotment look-up function.
Taxes and shipping will be covered once the new Land’s End portal is up and running, which is scheduled to debut on December 17th. Multiple allotments will be combined into one allotment at that time as well. True blue/China blue items are being discontinued in the uniform program as of April 1, 2016. You will receive an additional allocation on December 17th for any True blue/China blue items purchased in 2015 and that allocation will expire on September 30, 2015.
You can find the link to Land’s End on your World of Inflight FA homepage under the pictures. Make sure you copy your People Soft (PS) number from your homepage, as you will need this number to access the allotment link on the Land’s End homepage and to place uniform orders. If you have questions you can contact your Local Executive Council (LEC) Uniform Committee.
Changes to Occufit Solutions Compression Hose/Stockings
Beginning January 1, 2016, there is a change to the current coverage of non-medical (low-grade) compression hose/stockings. On this date, low-grade compression hose/stockings are no longer covered under the health plan–even if the employee has a prescription for them. Employees can still use their FSA/HSA dollars if they have a prescription from their healthcare provider. Medical-grade compression stockings will continue to be covered on the health plan, assuming they are medically necessary and prescribed.
If you have any questions about your FSA/HSA accounts please refer to the 2016 Employees Medical Handbook (Alaskasworld (log in required) –> Benefits/Pay –> Health Care and Total Rewards –> Health and Insurance –> Your Employee Handbook [under “Quick Links”]); or you can contact Premera for the information.
Questions About Your Christmas / News Year’s Day Trip?
Remember: if you have scheduling questions make sure you contact your LEC Scheduling Committee. You can also find the electronic version of the contract on your IMD and on the web at http://afaalaska.org/contract.
Year End Record Improvement: Section 32.G.4
Please note there is a change to the year-end record improvement application:
- At the end of each calendar year, any Flight Attendant who has achieved a minimum of four-hundred eighty (480.0) TFP including vacation/Longevity PTO and who has four (4) or fewer points and did not accumulate // any point(s) since November 1st of that year, will have her/his record reduced to zero (0) points. In no circumstances will a Flight Attendant receive more than eighty (80.0) unpaid TFP credit toward the four-hundred eighty (480.0) TFP threshold calculation for purposes of this provision. Unpaid TFP credit will be applied and/or the look back period will be modified consistent with Sections 15.M. [Leaves with Coordination…] and 15.N. [Unpaid Leaves…], as applicable.
It usually takes a few weeks into January for the year-end record improvement adjustment to occur.
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We wish everyone a safe and happy winter holiday season and a Merry Christmas!
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Yvette Gesch, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Sandra Morrow and Stephen Couckuyt
