Please reference www.cdc.gov as the authoritative source for Coronavirus/COVID19 facts:
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
UPDATE Aug 4
We met with the company Monday to discuss the EOP and LILOF applications. Roughly 37 applied for EOP, 88 for enhanced LILOF (3/6/12 month). Most applicants will likely be notified by the company of approval by the end of this week.
These EOP/LILOF number fall short of the staffing reductions Alaska is trying to meet for M & E cost savings and Technician to Aircraft ratio (4 to 1). We will continue to collaborate with Divisional and Labor Leaders to mitigate the impact on our members.
Alaska notified AMFA Nat'l pursuant to the WARN act that furloughs were imminent October 01, 2020 - with reductions of up to 35%. Look for further communication and information about the WARN notices from both the union and company.
Keep in mind AMFA is pursuing Job Protection LOA #9 arbitration August 17th, with a ruling before September 30, 2020.
PPE or face coverings should be utilized in areas to include but not limited to; restrooms, halls, break areas, offices, ready rooms, locker rooms etc. Ramp, hangar and open work areas are not required if you are sure that social distancing is adequate. Currently Alaska has not mandated masks from clock in to clock out, so please follow guidelines in place to keep from draconian rules being implemented.
Please encourage coworkers to scan the QRH code with their smart phone camera in the union bulletin boards - they can sign up with L14 webmaster so frequent updates go directly to them!
UPDATE Aug 01
EOP and enhanced LILOF applications must be submitted before 11:59pm PST 8/02/2020.
Contact myself or Sonia Alvarado for any last minute questions or concerns with EOP and LILOF. My cell is 253.569.1425.
AMFA and AS will meet in the morning Monday to go through the EOP and LILOF applications. You’ll be contacted with approval with in the following week.
WARN notices will go out this week for furloughs at all stations, post CARES Act September 30, 2020. AMFA is still collaborating with Alaska to mitigate the number of employees that could be affected.
Arbitration is sched for August 17 for an outside party to determine if LOA #9, job protection will allow for any furloughs. The arbiter has committed to have a ruling by 9/30/2020.
Second week of October we’ve scheduled arbitration for the Roster Apps grievance.
Contact myself or Sonia Alvarado for any last minute questions or concerns with EOP and LILOF.
Please continue to be vigilant with PPE in the work center.
Fraternally, Jarod
UPDATE July 01
Quick Early out (EOP) and Enhanced Leave In Lieu of Furlough (LILOF) update: Meeting today with M&E Divisional Leaders and Labor, AMFA has met with AS several times over the past month discussing an early out program, we are close to finalizing all docs and specifics. AMFA and AS will have full details on EOP and LILOF out to our work group soon with a joint communication. EOP will be an equivalent program that has already started being an option for other labor groups on property - LILOF discussions are ongoing. Enrolment and selection of the package (EOP and LILOF) should be available by mid-July for a three week opt in or selection process if all goes to our projected evaluation and timeline. Watch for more information to follow. In solidarity, Jarod
Jarod Mills
(253) 569-1425
8th May 2020
We extended the COVID-19 MOU until September 30, 2020. Note that anyone taking a Leave of Absence longer than 90 days, seniority will be affected. Following CBA Article 11 guidelines for Leave of Absence. Seniority penalty does not apply for leaves using sick leave.
Staffing adjustments are available for 1 to 14-day periods, with no seniority or accrual penalties. Pay code should be LSA (Leave Staffing Adjustment) not PO. Staffing adjustments will follow DAT guidelines in CBA Article 13 - Vacations. Requests are processed through your Local management and they will notify Roster Apps if approved.
Currently there are 153 planes parked through out the system in active short term storage, (102) are Boeing and (51) are Airbus. There are (10) Airbus 319’s and (2) 320’s going into long term storage, those 12 planes will be returned to the leasing company. Alaska has (81) planes flying, along with three standby planes for possible cargo flying.
Mark Dahl, Peter Manikoski (AMFA financial advisor) and myself met with the company via teleconference on May 6th. We discussed the the system wide audit AMFA requested regarding all the pay issues since inception of Kronos. We will be meeting every two weeks to discuss progress.
There is ongoing discussion regarding mask requirements at work in addition to other safety precautions.
Please register on the L14 web page so you can get updates pushed to your personal email. The May 20th Local 14 Membership Meeting has been canceled due to State meeting restrictions.
Please follow CDC sanitation guidance and use your PPE - be respectful of coworkers and stay home if sick.
Fraternally, Jarod
Jarod Mills
(253) 569-1425
Update 4.30.20
- AMFA legal will move forward with scheduling arbitration for five (5) open grievances: Kronos (2), Farm out, Roster Apps, and Lunch Punch two (2) hour window. Kronos will be our arbitration priority.
- COVID-19 MOU will be a rolling forward standing letter reviewed every thirty (30) days, note that after ninety (90) days seniority will be affected following Article 11 guidelines for LOA.
- LOA MOU in affect, see local web page and M&E web page for details.
- Staffing Adjustments available for one to fourteen (1-14) days, no pay, no seniority or accrual penalty, following DAT guidelines via CBA Article 13, C, 5b, page 68, and line 18-25. Contact your bid location manager and they will notify Roster Apps if approved.
- AMFA notified today: Company mask mandate coming to all bid locations May 04, if you interface with passengers (gate call or meet and greet), masks will be provided by company. In addition, if your bid location does not provide for social distancing, masks will also be required in the work center. Information will be posted on company wide email and web page distribution in the next few days.
- QRH available for all updates on Local 14 web page, QRH will be posted on work location Bulletin Boards this week. If you are not registered for local updates, please register with AMFA L14. Frequently posted updates will only be on the Local web and you will not have the latest information.
- Please inform the ACC/Airline Rep of any perceived deviations from contract norms, we will evaluate if it is a contract violation. Mark Dahl and I will reply to calls, text, or email within twenty four (24) hours.
- PPE in the work location and CDC cleanliness standards are recommended.
Stay Safe – Fraternally, Jarod
Jarod Mills
(253) 569-1425
UPDATE: 04.13.20
Earl Clark, Mark Dahl, and I have received Natl approval to sign two Memorandum of Understanding, MOU’s this past week. (1) Voluntary leave of absence program due to capacity reduction, and (2) Original COVID-19 leave MOU was extended into Mid May due to many school closures for the remainder of the school year. Both MOU’s will be posted as soon as the signature page is complete.
Please be sure to submit the appropriate leave form posted on Alaskasworld, Covid-19 page. Failure to request pay will default your leave without pay. Be sure to notify RPG, Roster Apps when you request leave through MATRIX so your pay is correct.
Most of the aircraft scheduled to be parked short term are in place. Several Seattle Technicians are on a team working through all possible issues for short term storage and return to service. The team consists of many different groups: A&P, Avi, Engineering, Planning, Production Leads, Safety and Stores.
Now that most planes are in position for short term parking with storage taskcards in work, management has a better understanding of necessary manpower requirements. I expect Constance or Nathan will be communicating their M & E policy for requesting a LOA in your bid location sometime very soon.
Do not hesitate to reach out to your Airline Representative, Mark and I are available via cell, text, or email.
Stay safe - Jarod
UPDATE: 04.06.20
Today, 114 aircraft are in position, 45 already placed into short term storage, and 6 scheduled to be flown to parking. Current count scheduled for storage by the end of this week, 152.
Alaska has instituted cost cutting measures as mentioned in my previous updates. Cost cutting to include new port badge renewal requiring a schedule adjustment with seven days’ notice (Article12, I, page 71 line 34 new book) and lead upgrade requirements with no call in or upgrade if the crew is smaller than CBA requirements (Article 4, and Article 6 G 5, new book, minimum workers for upgrade for each classification) along with all overtime and missed lunches will stop at most bid locations.
Local 14 and Local 32 will file grievances on past practice for both the lead call overtime plus lead upgrades and port ID bagging issues.
Natl has sent a letter to AS and all other AMFA represented carries Indicating we will collaborate and do our best to work through the current industry situation, but we will not allow wholesale abrogation of the CBA.
AMFA is in process of signing another MOU, allowing for time off relating to COVID - 19 related issues and no attendance occurrences related to COVID- 19.
Everett (PAE) short term parking has been scrapped. Ontario CA will be used to short term park many aircraft instead of PAE - temp bids will come out of Southern Cal stations for Ontario CA, a non-staffed station.
Alaska has scheduled many training classes locally to get our technicians fully qualified on Airbus and Boeing equipment. Please contact me if you’re not comfortable attending training at this time.
We have been in discussion with Nathan about out of town training, please contact me if you’re scheduled for out of town training.
Please contact me if you have any issues with leaves and dealing with Matrix - all leaves require you to fill out the form on AW, M&E has not authorized any LOA for our members like several other work groups.
Stay safe and compliant. Regards, J
Update: 3.31.20
Today, 94 aircraft either in position or actioned to be placed into short term storage. The process of completing storage taskcards has started at all locations.
Spokane (GEG) short term parking has been scrapped over the weekend and Everett (PAE) will be used for parking instead. Port of Everett, not ATS, AMFA Technicians will maintain PAE aircraft. Posted PAE temp bids do not provide for hotel or per-diem.
AS and AMFA are working on extending our leave MOU for Covid-19 for another 30 days. We will review all other work groups MOU’s to verify parity.
Central Bidding has posted many “Temp Bids”. Language in article 10 is clear, anyone bidding a temp bid will return to their previous bid location with no loss of seniority (Lead, Avi, OJTI, Insp). We have requested any and all bid locations - classifications be allowed to bid and be utilized prior to inverse seniority placement.
Verified with Alaska Labor: If a Technician was traveling for work or training and became sick to the point of requiring quarantine or isolation and not able to return home because of travel limitations. Alaska confirmed that the hotel and food expenses (the normal expenses) would be paid by Alaska.
We anticipate shift realignments at numerous work locations and will stay engaged with local management.
Continue to utilize PPE, social distancing and stay safe.
Regards, Jarod
March 28 2020
AMFA legal has reviewed Alaska covid-19 protocol and agrees it is following current CDC guidelines.
ACC meeting Thursday. Bottom line, no furlough or layoffs in the next several months. Alaska will park a majority of the fleet by mid April, upwards of 150 aircraft, following many other airlines approach. Watch for requests to volunteer for special projects and field trips to maintain parked planes. Mark Dahl and myself expressed to the company we will have an ongoing dialog on guidelines for field service and SIMF to accommodate the operation allowing any and all bid locations to participate prior to mandatory assignments.
Emphasized Seattle and Portland employees feedback is cleaning and sanitizing does not cut it - Nathan reiterated contract cleaning has been requested and asked that we follow PPE and also help ourselves making sure your work space has been cleaned by individuals (you) with products supplied by the company. In the event your work space is contaminated by a sick and confirmed individual Alaska will implement additional cleaning asap.
LAX, JFK, and SEA have had incidences of employee contamination of the bug. Alaska struggled with the first situation but the protocol guidance has been shared with all of the management team - there are many questions associated with what to do, please talk with your supervisor if you’re unsure or uncomfortable. I’m always available via text and will get back to you quickly.
Alaska Labor and your ALR’s have extended all grievance timelines until the end of April with all the commotion associated with the current situation - please be patient while we deal with current changes. We will address all open grievances and continue to schedule first and second step hearings.
Alaska committed to have a complete audit of past pay discrepancies with the change over to kronos and roster apps, that will not happen by the end of March. They will continue to work the project, but resources are limited due to changing pay codes for all leaves and pay issues related to child care and many others associated dealings with all work groups for covid-19.
With the grounding of so many planes so quickly the day to day operation is changing rapidly. Earl, Mark and I will continue to have direct contact with Sonia, Nathan and CvM to discuss staffing and work place related issues you bring forward.
We were told all areas of the M&E budget are being reviewed and scrutinized from top to bottom to find any and all areas to conserve cash. AMFA and IAM employees in our division will be directed to take their lunch and overtime will be non existent for most bid locations.
Please send Mark and I any questions you may have. We will continue to send out updates as things progress.
Stay Safe - Jarod
March 18, 2020
AS has implements a protocol and flow chart for their management to use for employees who may have been exposed to Covid-19, this information is being updated frequently and therefore not posted.
The information we have received from the company has been their protocol is based off CDC guidelines.
AMFA legal is in contact with AS to review protocol and guidelines.
Will keep you updated, things are changing daily. Please utilize social distancing, safety precautions, and PPE while at work.
Stay safe, Jarod
March 15th, 2020
Many “what if scenarios” going on at work presently. Covid-19 will continue to be an evolving situation.
AMFA has been actively involved in making sure AS follows through with work place cleaning and increased disinfecting - which does not mean dropping off wipes and hand sanitizer. Nathan Engle, DOM, is actively dealing with contractor cleaning in Seattle, Portland, and NY. Please keep me aware of inadequate work place cleaning, after the beginning of the week.
My ask is that you do not come to work if you are ill, or have been exposed to the bug in your household. Self disclosure is imperative to help keep the work place safe. Self report to your immediate supervisor - MATRIX is a nation wide absence management company and overwhelmed.
See company correspondence about leaves, adjusted schedules, and accommodations. AS will work with you.
AMFA will continue to collaborate with Alaska on many evolving options for our members in the event we have imposed limited flying, or are temporarily shut down by the Feds.
Earl Clark, Mark Dahl, and myself are in constant communication with Safety, HR, LR, and divisional leaders.
In the event aircraft maintenance is required at non staffed stations, please consider putting your name on the field trip list, CIMF list, and being available for special assignments.
I am available via email or text for any workplace concerns - do not hesitate to contact me.
Be safe, Jarod
Jmills@amfa14.org
Alaska ALR
March 12, 2020
Mark Dahl, Earl Clark and myself (ALR Jarod Mills) have been in conversation and continue dialog with the company about aircraft maintenance, leaves, healthcare costs for extended absences, Occupational Injury if getting sick at work, and many other issues associated with what is a constant evolving situation for our members.
Nat'l has given the Region 1 Director, Earl Clark and ALR's, approval to discuss and entertain an MOU in regards to loosening contractual guidelines for leaves, vacation, sick pay, and anything that would benefit our members associated with Covid - 19 and the need for extended time off for personal/dependent healthcare reasons.
Please follow recommended personal protective equipment, PPE guidelines at work.
Stay safe.
Jarod Mills
Jmills@amfa14.org
Alaska ALR
