First Negotiation Session

• Our Negotiating Committee and Master Executive Council met with management for the first negotiation session.
• Both parties exchanged Opening Proposals and began discussions.
• Flight Attendants around our system showed solidarity by wearing AFA pins.

Negotiations Begin

This week, our Negotiating Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC), and Mobilization Committee Chairperson met with management for the start of negotiations. Opening Proposals were exchanged – review both proposals here. *Our Negotiating Committee is supported during this process by AFA International Finance and Legal departments.

Management’s negotiating team is Vice President of Labor Relations Jenny Wetzel, Vice President of Inflight Matt Prainito, Managing Director of Labor Relations Carmen Williams, Director of Divisional Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Brett Jacobs, Labor Relations Program Manager Mike Link, and Senior Labor Relations Business Partner Karen Themelis.

After exchanging Opening Proposals, discussions began. The first session was very productive, with both parties reaching Tentative Agreement (TA) on several sections (see list below).

Our Negotiating Committee will continue advocating for contractual improvements in future sessions. Be on the lookout for additional updates after each negotiation session concludes. The Negotiating Committee and management have agreed to an aggressive bargaining schedule, meeting twice per month starting with our next scheduled session on October 11-13.

Tentative Agreements

During negotiations, proposals are exchanged on single sections and discussed between parties. When we agree on everything in a single section, we reach a TA on the section and set it aside with the ability to revisit if necessary. Here is an overview of Tentative Agreements from this session:

TAs reached:

Section 1: Non-Discrimination – expanded protected categories (e.g., medical or genetic information, gender identity and expression, and general veteran status)
Section 2: Purpose of Agreement – no change
Section 7: Probationary Period – removal of Combi language
Section 20: Board of Adjustment – held the line on current provisions
Section 24: General and Miscellaneous – clarified current practice
Section 26: Association Security – brought into compliance with AFA Constitution and Bylaws

Sections in discussion:

Section 13: Uniforms
Section 17: Medical Examinations
Section 18: Reduction in Force
Section 31: Savings Clause
Section 33: Charters

Showing Solidarity

Our Mobilization Committee was present in ANC, SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX, SNA, and SAN for the start of negotiations. The committee and our Mobilization Volunteers distributed AFA pins and provided easy ways to access AFA updates. Thank you to all who participated!

If you need an AFA pin, you’ll have a chance to obtain one in coming months – including our newest addition, the Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month pin. Make sure to wear your pin while flying, at training, and at any company meetings (including the CARE Retreat).

Here are some of our Flight Attendants displaying their AFA pins with pride!