Council Newsletter, Oct 2023
AFA Horizon – Council 16 Newsletter (BOI, PAE, SEA, GEG)
In case you missed the last newsletter
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Join together TODAY October 9, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. At least twelve states do not celebrate Columbus Day and officially celebrate Native American Day instead.
In 2021, Joe Biden formally commemorated the holiday with a presidential proclamation, becoming the first U.S. president to do so.
Vacation Bidding – NOW OPEN
Bidding opened October 1 and closes Oct 21 at 17:00. Instructions have been added to the eCrew Help Guides and can be found here.
Vacation Settlement Improvements:
- Available slots – The number of vacation periods posted for bid at each domicile will be at least 60% of all vacation hours accrued and all vacation hours expected to be accrued by December 31 of the current year by Flight Attendants assigned to that domicile.
- Payout excess hours – A Flight Attendant who bids for all open weeks of vacation in their domicile in the second round, but whose seniority did not allow them to secure sufficient slots to keep their vacation bank below 150% + 17 hours, will be paid out for all hours in excess of the 150%.
- Probationary Flight Attendant – A Flight Attendant who is on probation at the time of bidding may participate in the vacation bid, but they will not be awarded any vacation period(s) that commence prior to the date they are expected to complete probation.
Read the full text of the Settlement Agreement>
Accrual rates per pay period
Full-time benefits
5 years or less – 2.1666 hours
Between 5 and 20 years – 3.25 hours
Over 20 years – 3.9583 hours
Part-time benefits
5 years or less – 1.0833 hours
Between 5 and 20 years – 1.625 hours
Over 20 years – 1.9792 hours
Allowable accumulation
5 years and less – 78 hours
Between 5 and 20 years – 117 hours
Over 20 years – 142.5 hours
Need assistance? Email vacationbidding@afahorizon.org, or contact Council Officers.
Uniform Allowance
On January 1, the company will credit each Flight Attendant earning full-time benefits with $300, and each Flight Attendant earning part-time benefits and those ineligible for benefits with $190. Flight Attendants cannot have more than two years’ accrual in their uniform replacement bank.
Check out the uniform sub-site for new uniform pieces joining the collection.
Crew Room sit
There will be a SEA crew room on October 17th; 09:00-15:00. We look forward to seeing you and getting your perspectives.
During this month’s crew sit we will be highlighting and assisting with the AFA-CWA Supplemental Benefits insurance offered through National Group Protection.
Council Status Report
The information below is a status report of the current council roster.
If you have an unresolved outstanding balance pay online. If you happen to find yourself in an arrears situation and do not know the amount owing or have any questions regarding what months you owe, please contact Council leadership. We are here to help!
Open letter – Flight Attendant to Horizon CEO
Here is a letter a Council 16 Member recently sent to Horizon’s CEO. This letter resonated genuine experience that you also may be experiencing. We wanted to share this with you because more than just this Member has the same opinions expressed in the letter. You are not alone. Let’s join together to support each other.
As we enter negotiations, we are “Stronger Together, Better Together”, and need to band together in unity. “When we fight, we WIN!”.
“I hope this letter finds you well and open to hearing the stories of dedicated individuals who tirelessly serve in the skies. Today, I want to shed light on a pressing issue faced by many flight attendants – the struggle to provide for their children’s education and meet basic living expenses due to low pay.
Flight attendants play an essential role in ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during their journeys. Their job demands long hours, adaptability to changing schedules, and the ability to manage various challenging situations with a smile. They are the unsung heroes who make air travel possible.
Despite their crucial role, many flight attendants find themselves grappling with the harsh reality of low pay. This predicament becomes even more agonizing when they have children to support, especially when it comes to funding their education and covering essential living expenses.
Flight attendants, like any other parents, dream of providing the best possible education for their children. However, the financial strain imposed by their profession can make this dream seem like an unattainable luxury. The burden of student loans and tuition fees can feel overwhelming, leaving them caught in a perpetual cycle of financial insecurity.
Moreover, meeting daily living expenses can be a constant juggling act for these hardworking individuals. The cost of housing, healthcare, and other essentials often consumes a significant portion of their modest income, leaving little room for savings or emergencies.
It’s crucial to recognize that these flight attendants are dedicated professionals who deserve fair compensation for their invaluable services. Their commitment to ensuring our safety and comfort should not come at the expense of their own financial well-being and their children’s future.
I urge you to consider the hardships faced by flight attendants struggling to provide for their children’s education and living expenses due to low pay. Your support and advocacy for improved wages and benefits in the airline industry can make a significant difference in their lives. By advocating for fair compensation, you help ensure that these individuals can provide for their families and offer their children the education they deserve.
Let us stand together in support of these dedicated flight attendants, working towards a future where they no longer have to choose between their children’s education and their basic needs.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for your consideration of this important issue.”
Did you know… Supplemental benefits
Know your contract
- Article 3.F
- “A Flight Attendant shall be paid four (4) credit hours, in addition to all other compensation, for each of the following holidays if she/he works a Trip or is available for Reserve assignment on that day. New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.”
- “A Flight Attendant shall be paid four (4) credit hours, in addition to all other compensation, for each of the following holidays if she/he works a Trip or is available for Reserve assignment on that day. New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.”
- Article 5.A.4.g
- “Each Flight Attendant will receive eight (8) golden days per calendar year on January 1. Golden days will not accrue or carry over to the following year.”
Until our next check-in, fly safe!
“Stronger Together, Better Together”
