AFA Horizon

AFA Update! Horizon AFA-CWA Open MEC Committee Chair Positions for 2020-2023

AFA Update! Horizon AFA-CWA Open MEC Committee Chair Positions for 2020-2023

May 13, 2020 by the Master Executive Council

MEC Committee Chair Interviews

In accordance with the Horizon Air MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the term of appointment for the MEC Committee Chairpersons is concurrent with those of the MEC Officers.  As the current MEC Officer term of office began on January 1, 2020, the MEC will be conducting a review of the MEC Committee Chairperson positions. During this review process, the MEC will be interviewing for the following MEC-level chairperson positions:

  • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson
  • Benefits Committee Chairperson
  • EAP Committee Chairperson
  • Hotel Committee Chairperson
  • Inflight Service Committee Chairperson
  • Government Affairs Committee Chairperson
  • Reserve Committee Chairperson
  • Scheduling Committee Chairperson
  • System Board Member
  • Uniform Committee Chairperson

Additional open positions that have been newly created and/or fall under an MEC Committee that are being reviewed are as follows:

Benefits

  • Maternity Specialist
  • Payroll Specialist
  • Retirement Specialist

Scheduling

  • AIMS Specialist
  • Crew Planning Liaison
  • PBS Subcommittee Chairperson
  • PBS Subcommittee Member

Inflight Service

  • Inflight Training

General Qualifications

The following qualifications apply to all MEC-level Chairperson positions:

  • Previous experience as a Committee Member or Chairperson preferred (required for EAP)
  • Previous committee-specific training preferred (required for EAP)
  • Ability to attend meetings as required, including being present in Seattle on occasion
  • Strong computer skills. Good working knowledge of Inflight Mobile Device, Google email, and Microsoft Office.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write membership communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, prepare reports, and plan meetings agendas and take minutes.
  • Ability to meet deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and follow up on assigned tasks

Duties and Responsibilities

The Following are the Chairpersons responsibilities if selected as a Chair for the above listed Positions.

  • An MEC Committee Chairperson shall:

a.  Represent the MEC and support an MEC position when dealing with the Company.

b.  Take direction from the Master Executive Council through the MEC Vice President

c.  Coordinate committee activities with the MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, and (if applicable) the AFA-CWA International Office.

d.  Identify needs for additional committee members and communicate to the MEC Vice President and corresponding LEC Presidents. Assist in recruiting and interviewing new Committee Members if requested by the LEC President. Provide selection recommendations to the LEC Presidents.

e.  Schedule, plan, and conduct meetings of the committee as necessary.

f.  Communicate all meeting notices and minutes to the MEC Officers and LEC Presidents.

g.  Attend MEC Committee Chairperson meetings as scheduled.

h.  Attend Local Council Meetings at the request of the LEC Presidents.

i.   Attend MEC Meetings at the request of the MEC Officers or LEC Presidents.

j.   Develop and maintain a program of work for the MEC Committee.

k.  Work with each Local Committee Chairperson to develop goals and a Program of Work for each Local Committee. Maintain records of Local Committee programs of work for review by the MEC.

l.   Show initiative in seeking out the issues of particular concern to the committee.

m. Once issues are identified, decide who on the committee should be asked to pursue them. Give Local Committee Chairs clear direction and any possible benchmarks for completion.

n.  Within a reasonable time, follow up with the Local Committee Chairs on the assigned task.

o.  If the task has not been completed, decide whether to assign it to someone else or ask the Local Committee Chair what assistance is needed.

p.  Mentor the committee, provide training (if applicable), contact them regularly, give them the opportunity to ask questions and, if errors are made, help them learn through these and correct.

q.  Provide assistance to Local Committees in handling issues, concerns, or other items of business as requested by a Local Committee Chairperson or LEC Officer. Take ownership of issues that have been escalated and require resolution at the MEC level.

r.  Provide feedback, rewards, and appreciation for committee members.

s.  Report progress and/or needs to the MEC Vice President on a regular basis, no less than monthly.

t.  Request approval for expenses prior to incurring the expense from the MEC Vice President. Provide expense receipts and complete an AFA-CWA Part-Time Expense Report within forty-five (45) days of incurring the expense via Concur.

u.  Maintain files for the committee and transfer them to his/her successor.

  • An MEC Committee Chairperson cannot change MEC policy.
  • Any significant discussion with the Company shall be immediately reported to the MEC Vice President.

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss for each position will be discussed during the screening interview.

Interview and Selection Timeline

Qualified candidates will be invited to a screening interview with the MEC by video conference.

Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Aimee Baird at aimeebaird@afahorizon.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Monday July 20 , 2020.

Questions

Any questions about MEC Committee Chairperson position duties and responsibilities can be directed to MEC Vice President Todd Anderson at toddanderson@afahorizon.org.

In Solidarity,

Your MEC – Lisa Davis-Warren, Todd Anderson, Aimee Baird, Kirk Hansen and Joelle Jaeger

MEC Air Safety, Health and Security Committee Chair

The MEC Chairperson shall:   Attend any safety meetings with the company. Attend FAA/Horizon Air safety meetings. Attend AFA-CWA Air Safety Department training seminars. In conjunction with the International Office, develop and conduct initial and ongoing local Safety/Health training, including NTSB accident investigation procedures. Communicate with the AFA-CWA Air Safety Department.

Communicate with other airline safety representatives, as appropriate. Participate in accident investigation, hijacking, sabotage, etc., as directed. Communicate with the Horizon IBT MEC Safety Chairperson as appropriate. Attend and participate in Congressional hearings dealing with cabin safety, as directed.

Assign special safety assignments to local Air Safety, Health, & Security Safety/Health Chairpersons as appropriate. The MEC officers and appropriate LEC President shall be advised of these special assignments. Handle safety incidents, i.e. equipment problems, occupational injuries, as they arise.  Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website. Be on a 24-hour call-out in the event of an accident. Be trained and remain qualified to perform the duties of any MEC ASHSC Co-Chairperson, if necessary. The committee shall:  Participate in programs concerned with air safety, health and security. Act in an advisory role to the MEC on safety and health matters. Study safety and health problems and prepare recommendations to be presented to the MEC for consideration. Review material, handle correspondence and keep members informed of safety and health developments through the Communications Committee and/or reports at Local Council meetings. Attend company debriefings after an accident or incident or when pertinent issues are discussed.

MEC Benefits Committee Chair

Be responsible for being knowledgeable about all present contract provisions with respect to occupational benefits. Research and have knowledge of state worker’s compensation benefits for at least the states in which Horizon Air maintains domiciles. Keep the membership informed of all benefits and any changes in Company, Legislative or Judicial policy regarding occupational injuries or illnesses. He/she will compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website. The committee shall:  Be responsible for being knowledgeable about the Flight Attendant Short- and Long-Term Disability Policies and how they integrate with other occupational benefits.

Be responsible for being knowledgeable about the benefits associated with permanent disabilities. Be responsible for being knowledgeable about leaves of absence available to Flight Attendants including medical, personal, educational, and leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Assist Flight Attendants with problems that may be encountered with their claims by making referrals to worker’s compensation legal resources that the Union shall research. Develop and maintain education and reference materials for Flight Attendants regarding topics within the scope of the committee. Work to see that occupational benefits at Horizon are equivalent or better than the rest of the industry. Work to improve state worker’s compensation laws within the appropriate state agencies.

MEC Communication Committee Chair

The MEC Communications Committee shall consist of the MEC Communications Committee Chairperson and the Local Communications Committee Chairperson from each council. The MEC Chairperson shall:  Be responsible for maintaining all systems used for sending bulk email communications to the members. He/she will update the system with changes to email addresses, base assignments, and reserve status as needed but no less than monthly. Prepare, format, and distribute all bulk email communications or blasts to the members at the direction of the MEC Prepare, format, and distribute any print communications at the direction of the MEC. The MEC Communications Committee shall consist of the MEC Communications Committee Chairperson and the Local Communications Committee Chairperson from each council. The MEC Chairperson shall:  Be responsible for maintaining all systems used for sending bulk email communications to the members. He/she will update the system with changes to email addresses, base assignments, and reserve status as needed but no less than monthly.   Prepare, format, and distribute all bulk email communications or blasts to the members at the direction of the MEC. Prepare, format, and distribute any print communications at the direction of the MEC.

Compile information of interest to the members from other media sources, labor unions, and industry sources to be included in MEC communications. Maintain the MEC website, updating regularly with

content provided from the MEC, LECs, other committees, and with content developed by the Committee itself. Maintain the social media presence of the MEC, updating regularly but no less than weekly.  Monitor social media for compliance with social media guidelines and moderate content as appropriate.   Ensure that all communications sent on behalf of the MEC follow the MEC Brand and Communications Style Guide.

MEC EAP Committee Chair

The MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee shall consist of the MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson and the Local EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson from each council.

EAP/Professional Standards Committee members will function in accordance with International EAP/PS Committee guidelines. The EAP Resource Manual and EAP Handbook are the written guidelines for Committee structure and functioning. All matters brought to the Committee’s attention will be handled with utmost confidentiality. AFA-CWA EAP/PS will coordinate and promote cooperation with other employee-represented groups in attempting to resolve conflicts that may arise out of working relationships. EAP/PS will be available to assist any Flight Attendant prior to, or following, a disciplinary process. The MEC and International EAP/PS discourage a Committee member from being present in any grievance hearing. EAP/PS does not evaluate performance, accuse or judge, punish, preach nor threaten. EAP/PS will help troubled Flight Attendants when problems affect their personal and professional lives, including referral to appropriate treatment resource or self-help group, and assistance in gaining necessary leave of absence. EAP members are knowledgeable of health and welfare plans as pertains to medical and psychiatric benefits as well as substance abuse issues. EAP members participate in CIRP crew debriefings and operational debriefings when EAP issues are involved.   The committee will conduct ongoing education of the membership as to the function, scope and operation of the committee. Each Flight Attendant has a responsibility to exercise reasonable personal efforts to resolve a problem prior to contacting this committee for assistance. Flight Attendants are expected and encouraged to go to EAP/PS to attempt resolution of a conflict through peer efforts, rather than to request action from management.

MEC Government Affairs Committee Chair

The MEC Chairperson shall: Administer the Committee and conduct activities to further the stated objectives of the AFA-CWA International Legislative Policy Committee. Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website. The Committee shall: Act in an advisory role to the MEC on political matters. Maintain an involvement in the political activities sponsored by local and central Labor Councils with which the MEC is affiliated.

MEC Hotel Committee Chair

The MEC Chairperson shall: Coordinate regularly with the IBT Hotel Committee  Immediately notify the MEC President so that appropriate action can be taken against the Company should the Company override his/her objections and proceed to use any facility that comprises the safety or implied contractual standards guaranteed to each Flight Attendant Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website. The Committee shall serve as a liaison between the Flight Attendants and the Company should any hotel or transportation facilities prove inconvenient or unacceptable. Have regular meetings with the Company. Establish a list of contingency hotels for use only during emergency overflow at a regular hotel. Act to assure Flight Attendants that any hotel facility they occupy is suitable and provides for safety, cleanliness, appropriate eating establishments, and convenient access to/from the airport.

MEC Inflight Service Committee Chair

The MEC Inflight Service Committee shall consist of the MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson and the Local Inflight Service Committee Chairperson from each council. It shall be the policy of the Union to make any significant change in inflight service or sales subject to negotiations between the parties. The Union shall always place Flight Attendants’ health and safety as its priority when considering the feasibility of any inflight service or sales change and the location of inflight service or sales items in galleys or other stowage locations. The MEC Chairperson shall:  Immediately contact the MEC President should the Company override his/her objections and proceed to implement changes in inflight service or sales against his/her recommendation, Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website.

MEC Reserve Committee Chair

The MEC Chairperson shall: Solicit and review input from Local Reserve Committees, Assist Local Reserve Committees in resolving problems, Work through the MEC Grievance Chairperson to resolve system wide violations involving the reserve portion(s) of the contract. Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website.

MEC Scheduling Committee Chair

The MEC Chairperson shall: Provide clear direction and coordination to Local Scheduling Committees and each MEC Subcommittee shall communicate with the Local Scheduling Committee Chairpersons, LEC Presidents, and MEC Officers on a daily basis on his/her activities and matters requiring attention, follow up, or escalation. Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website. Flight Attendant Schedules discuss scheduling problems with the company and will report such problems and resultant discussions to the MEC, maintain written records of agreed upon standards and procedures and shall report to the MEC any proposed or imposed modifications to such practices. Monitor the company throughout the scheduling process for any perceived or potential violations of the Agreement and shall identify these violations to the LEC President of the domicile affected. Always comply with the applicable provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement.  Staffing monitor monthly staffing reports and make recommendations to the company for appropriate resolution.

Monitor placement of flying and provide the MEC with evaluations of such placement and its justification. Compile feedback and relay it to the MEC, use domicile feedback to work with the company in resolving the Union’s problems and concerns. Monitor staffing statistics and, where appropriate, establish trends of chronic understaffing for current and future use. Use all information available to eliminate understaffing. Placement of Flying, The MEC Scheduling Committee in conjunction with the MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson will review placement of flying with the intent of resolving the problems that generate such placement. Should specific causes be established, the MEC Scheduling Committee shall work with the company to resolve the Union’s concerns provided that such action does not otherwise negatively impact the Flight Attendants, i.e. surplus, or excessively low block time.

MEC Uniform Committee Chair

The MEC Chairperson shall: Compose informational and educational articles of interest to the membership and provide them to the MEC Communications Chairperson to be included in MEC communications and posted to the MEC website. The Committee shall: Establish proposals for consistent appearance standards to be considered by the company and will work to abolish any standard which is discriminatory, demeaning or unreasonable. Bring to the company’s attention any uniform material or component known to be highly flammable, uncomfortable, impractical, or unsafe. It shall request that the dangerous material or component be replaced.