Council Newsletter, June 2025

AFA Horizon – Council 16 Newsletter (BOI, PAE, SEA, GEG)

In case you missed it, check out the last newsletter

Pride Month

June is #Pride Month! AFA supports all LGBTQ+ Flight Attendants and workers as we fight for protections on the job and in our communities. AFA’s mission is to unite all Flight Attendants and promote equality and employment for all, regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. This has been codified in our Constitution since 1976.

LGBTQ+ communities are under attack across the nation and the Pride movement is growing in response. AFA plans to be at as many Pride events as possible. We have partnered with Pride at Work to make sure that we can be in our own communities but also that we aren’t alone when we stand with Pride.

Pride events:

Housing programs

Through an array of programs and services throughout our base cities, there are programs to provide affordable housing-related assistance serving both individuals and families who have low and/or moderate incomes, and even those making less than the median income based on the area.  

We encourage all Flight Attendants to take advantage of these opportunities available, even Flight Attendants at the top of our pay scale may qualify.

Membership gathering

Join YOUR Council 16 Mobilization Committee for a committee meeting and Membership gathering on July 12, 2025 at 16:00 - location to be announced (will be held in the Greenwood/Whittier Heights neighborhood of Seattle).  Refreshments & light snacks will be provided- feel free to bring snacks and drinks to share.  Please RSVP.

State of the Council
Report on the current state of the Council and notable progress achieved or attempted since July 2022.

Council Budget

Half of the remaining budget returns to the Council

Council Grievances

*MEC Grievance Committee handled all grievances

Arbitration cases

Membership Status

Council successes

Leadership advocacy

*Approved by MEC (Feb 2024) - Implemented
**Approved by MEC (Feb 2024)- Yet to be implemented by MEC Officers
 

Scheduling 

Scheduling Report, July
Your Council 16 Scheduling Committee meets monthly with the MEC Scheduling Chair & Crew Planning Liaison to discuss the ongoing work representing your interests in line holder schedules and raise your concerns about how the pairings were built that month. The Committee also meets with management quarterly to receive updates and discuss issues and problems Flight Attendants face with scheduling, pairings, and bidding. 

The committee has long heard from you that pairings are not being built to your satisfaction. In general, you want high credit pairings (5+ credits a day avg.), limited/no sits over 2 hours, overnights of 12 hours or greater, limited overnights in another base, and better distribution of pairing lengths (base specific). Continue to let your bases scheduling rep(s) know how satisfied you are with the pairings, and any issues faced with scheduling, pairings, and bidding.

Council Status Report

If you have an unresolved outstanding balance pay online.  Flight Attendants who have taken any unpaid leaves, including CLOA, union dues must be paid manually. 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!

Negotiations Update
No update since Negotiation session 13 held on April 16/17.

Until the next check-in, fly safe!