Participants for AMFA:
     Earl Clark –Region 1 Director-Committee Chairman
     Tim Cullen – Airline Representative Local 14
     Mark Dahl – Airline Representative Local 32
     Louie Key – National Director
     Jason Munson – ACC Member

Participants for Alaska Airlines
     Kurt Kinder – Managing Director, Line Maintenance
     Bob Hartnett, Director, Labor Relations Ground
     Sonia Alvarado – Manager, Labor Services M&E

The Negotiating Committee is providing this update to the AMFA Membership at Alaska Airlines. This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee.

On February 22th thru the 25th we met with the Company in Seattle at the Centerpoint Business Center. We began with several Union proposals to enhance, and Company proposals to clarify the layoff process as outlined in Article 9. This led to lengthy discussions culminating in an enhanced selection process.

We moved on to discuss several proposals by both the Union and the Company regarding the assessment language as outlined in Article 10.D.1. After lengthy debate both sides agreed to table the item.

We then discussed several Union proposals on vacation as outlined in Article 13. One that would require the Company to open up additional whole years of vacation, and one that would allow for the cash-out of accrued vacation time. These were discussed at length and tabled until our next session.

We then moved on to discuss a Union proposal to establish minimum manpower requirements and flight deck jump seat priority; these were discussed and tabled until additional information can be presented.

Next we discussed several Union proposals to limit and structure the use of FS-01 supervisors record of discussion. A spirited debate ensued before the proposals were tabled to allow the Company to request some legal opinions.

We ended the week by reviewing the progress that we have made so far. We have 25 of the original 73 openers left to discuss; we have reached agreement on 25, and many of the remaining 23 are awaiting follow-up.

Both sides were pleased with the progress of negotiations and the commitment to make a concerted effort to reach an agreement that addresses our members' and the company’s concerns.  Our Committee would like to thank the observers that took the time to attend.

Tentative Upcoming Negotiation Dates
March 10 and 11 in SEA (location TBD)
March 23, 24, and 25 in LAX (location TBD)
March 28, 29, and 30 in ANC (location TBD)