June Contract Mediation update from the table

AFA and management held our first mediation session from June 23rd, 24th and 25th at the NMB offices in Chicago. The AFA Committee consists of MECP Lisa Davis Warren (SEA), Heather Coleman (PAE) and Lexie Massey (SEA), who are all current Flight Attendants, and our Staff Attorney and Negotiator, Kimberley Chaput. Management was represented by Shelly Parker, Vice President Station Ops and Inflight; William Casalins-Altimar, Manager, Inflight Labor and Performance; Mark Schuck from Finance; Latrice Lee, Senior Corporate Counsel, Alaska Legal; and Robin DeMan, Managing Director, Inflight. 
 
Our federal mediator, Michael Kelliher, is a federal employee. His job is to help us reach agreement. He is neutral and does not advocate for one side or the other. He cannot force us to make or accept any proposal, but he can help management see our point of view (and vice versa). He is also a former American Airlines Flight Attendant (and President of their union, APFA), so he has also negotiated Flight Attendant contracts. That background makes it easier to understand the issues we are negotiating.
 
The mediator began the session by reviewing the entire contract and having each side identify the articles that have been tentatively agreed upon and the issues and articles that remained open. After doing that, we discussed why each side had proposed each of the open issues and what concerns the other party had with each issue. The discussions were lengthy, and we did not complete the entire contract this week. However, the exercise helped familiarize Mr. Kelliher with issues specific to Horizon Flight Attendants and also refreshed some concepts with management that had not been discussed since we deadlocked. 
 
Since we did not pass any proposals during this session, no agreements were made. Although it may feel like a step backward, this is a normal part of the mediation process. Both parties and the mediator need to understand the issues and how they interrelate. At our next session, scheduled for July 30th to August 1st in Chicago, we will discuss Articles 5 (Hours of Service), 6 (Crew Scheduling), and 7 (Reserve). Mick Niemann from Crew Planning will also be attending, so this should help us progress through those articles. 

Our Mobilization Committee Chairs are hard at work on developing our next action, and the Negotiations Committee is planning concourse walks and town halls. Stay tuned for more information. 

We love seeing those red pins out there! Continue wearing them whenever you're at work and share your photos ([email protected]).  Management does notice. As always, we will update you after our next session.