Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – March 13, 2020

Continuing to Advocate for Flight Attendant Protections

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)


An AFA communication from March 3 (COVID-19 Update) contained a comprehensive list of the requests that AFA had made of management at the time.  AFA Horizon officers and representatives have been in constant communication with management since that time to continue to advocate for these requests along with additional protective measures and changes to company policy/procedures to protect our Flight Attendants.  AFA has requested that management post a copy of this list along with the current status of each request.  Once management posts the list, we will provide a link to the information.


COVID-19 Related Temporary Leaves of Absence

Benefits Committee


AFA and management have agreed to the implementation of several temporary leaves of absence (LOAs) and other mitigations to offset the impact of COVID-19.  These temporary LOAs include:

  • Educational Disruption Leave of Absence (EDLOA) – for Flight Attendants who cannot fulfill their scheduling obligations due to the closure of their minor child’s school or childcare provider due to COVID-19.
  • Voluntary Quarantine Leave of Absence (VQLOA) – for Flight Attendants who are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 as determined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Flight Attendants who reside in the same household as increased risk individuals, and Flight Attendants who wish to remove themselves from the workplace due to suspected exposure to COVID-19 (no diagnosis or symptoms are required)
  • COVID-19 Workplace Exposure Leave of Absence (CEWLOA) – for Flight Attendants who are recommended or required to go into isolation/monitoring or quarantine due to work-related exposure to COVID-19.  The recommendation or requirement for isolation/monitoring or quarantine must be from the Company, the Flight Attendant’s physician or other qualified healthcare provider, the CDC, the local Department of Health, or other applicable government agency.

All of these temporary LOA options provide the ability for Flight Attendants to purchase and maintain health insurance at active employee rates.

More details about these LOA options, including eligibility and documentations requirements, can be found in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to be posted shortly. 

How Do I Apply For One of These LOAs?

Please contact Matrix at 1-888-205-2590 to apply for one of the COVID-19 temporary LOAs.

Questions?

If you have any questions about these leaves of absence, please contact your Local Council Officers at www.afahorizon.org.