Talking To The Public About Contract Negotiations

• Our Negotiating Committee would like to offer some guidance on how to handle questions from various individuals regarding negotiations.
• Passengers should be directed to raise their concerns through Alaska Listens.
• Family, friends, and allies can support by participating in informational picketing events or posting on Alaska Airlines’ social media accounts.
• Media inquiries should be referred to an AFA spokesperson.

Our Negotiating Committee has had several inquiries from Flight Attendants about handling questions from the passengers, friends and family, and the media. We wanted to address each separately and provide guidance on navigating each situation.

Passengers

If you are on duty or travelling as a non-rev and a passenger asks about negotiations or picketing, thank them for their interest in the topic and politely redirect them to Alaska Listens (alaskalistens.com) for any questions or concerns.

Family, Friends, & Allies

As our contract fight becomes increasingly public, you undoubtedly will be asked by family and friends about negotiations. Below are some talking points illustrating our struggle and why we’re working to build greater awareness in our communities.

Why We’re Picketing

• Flight Attendants are on the frontlines making the airline a success without the pay and work rules that match the success of the airline.  
• Now we’re hitting the streets to take the fight public and pressure management to get serious about concluding negotiations. Flight Attendants are the face of Alaska Airlines. Our workspace is your travel space.
• Flight Attendants are the front-facing part of the airline who showed up during the pandemic and took the brunt of passenger rage and pathogen exposure. The pilots’ union recently secured an industry-leading contract. Flight Attendants’ contributions are now in line to be recognized by the company they have helped build and sustain. 

What Is The Problem?

• Contract improvements are “past due.” We’re red hot mad management has yet to recognize our hard work, sacrifice, and increasingly demanding job. The last fully negotiated contract was in 2014. Work rule improvements are long overdue.
• Management’s proposals failed to meet the “top of the industry standard” they said they were committed to.
• We are paid far below our industry peers.
• During the pandemic, Flight Attendants agreed to a contract extension, essentially holding off full-scale negotiating during the crisis.

What Are We Calling For?

• A contract that compensates us for all of our time on the job, including time on the ground during boarding, and brings our pay up to our industry peers.
• Many people may not know this, but when Flight Attendants are helping passengers board the plane and assisting in deplaning, we are not being paid.

How Can Family, Friends, & Allies Show Support?

• Post on Alaska Airlines’ social media accounts and tell them to deliver a fair contract for Flight Attendants.  
• Reach out to Alaska Airlines through Alaska Listens (alaskalistens.com).
• Participate in one of our Day of Solidarity informational picketing events on August 15.

Additional

• Alaska Airlines rakes in profits, has record revenue, launches new destinations, and takes delivery of new aircraft. Flight Attendants deserve to share in the success they have helped build.
• We’re committed to doing whatever it takes to secure an industry-leading contract in these negotiations.
• We are all workers fighting for dignity and respect on the job.

Background

• Negotiations resume in Seattle on August 14, 2023.
• Our current contract became amendable on December 17, 2022.

Media

If you are approached by a member of the media for information or comment on our negotiations, please do not respond to a request for an interview but direct them to the right person within AFA. At a picketing event, refer them to the designated AFA media spokesperson at your location. If contacted by the media elsewhere, please direct them to email press@afacwa.org to contact an AFA spokesperson. We want to ensure that our message is consistent and strong.

Questions?

Please get in touch with your LEC Officers or Local Mobilization Committee Chairperson if you have any questions.