We are getting ready to start negotiations for our new contract this fall. So naturally, it is only fair for us to get to know the people at the bargaining table.

Jeffrey Peterson

He is a San Diego-based Flight Attendant that started flying in 1999. He is our MEC President and has served in that position since 2011. He is also the Negotiations Committee Chairperson. 

Sandra Morrow

She is also a San Diego-based Flight Attendant who started her career in 1984. She has held different positions within the Union in her career. She currently serves on the Grievance Committee and the System Board of Adjustments.

James Bozanich

He is also a San Diego-based Flight Attendant who started his career in 2009 with Virgin America. Currently, he is in the Hotel Committee and the training department, teaching initial or recurrent classes.

Kiara O’Bryant

She is a Seattle-based Flight Attendant who started her career in 2011 and has served as the Grievance Committee Payroll Representative since June 2018.

Paula Mastrangelo

She is the AFA Senior Staff Negotiator. She has over 25 years of experience in that position and has worked with Alaska Airlines in previous negotiations.

The Railway Labor Act is a United States Federal Law that governs labor relations in the railroad and airline industry. Under the RLA, a specific process must be followed when negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.

Step 1: Direct Negotiations

• Exchange of openers

This is the first meeting. The Union and the Company will exchange proposals. Each party states what they want to obtain from this process.

• Direct negotiations

This is the part when the Union and the Company take each other list, review it, and decide what to change and how to change it. Then, the back and forth begins.

• Membership ratification

In a perfect scenario, both parties agree to each other’s stipulations, and an agreement is reached. The full document of the tentative agreement will be released and made available for viewing. Next, the Union will start roadshows to answer questions and clarify points. Finally, ballots will be sent, and we get to vote!

However, if the direct negotiations stall and an impasse are reached, we move to the next level.

Step 2: Mediation and arbitration

• Mediation

The Union or the Company requests the National Mediation Board (NMB) to begin mediation. A third party will conduct sessions to reach an agreement. If an agreement can be made, we move to Membership Ratification. If the NMB representative determines the situation can’t be fixed, they will find a solution for us.

• Proffer Arbitration

Since the Union and the Company can’t reach an understanding, the NMB representative will draft what is called a “Binding Arbitration”: The mediator will look at both proposals and will prepare its version of a contract. Then, the NMB will impose that contract on the Union and the Company. If both parties agree, that’s the end of the story. However, if anybody objects, then we move to the next level.

Step 3: Impasse and Self Help

• Cooling off period

After rejecting the Binding Arbitration, the Union and the Company will have 30 days to cool off. Negotiation meetings can happen during this time. At this point, those meetings are called “Super Mediation.” If at any of the Super Mediation the parties reach an understanding, we go to Membership Ratification.

• Self-help

If, after the cooling-off period and the Super Mediation, both parties are still at an impasse, they can go in search of self-help. For the company, it may be lockouts or imposed work rules. For the Union, it might be a work stoppage or even a call for a strike.

If the situation gets to a point where it could disrupt essential services, we move to the next level.

Step 4: Presidential Emergency Board

• The President (yes, the one in the White House) can create a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). Any self-help activity will be delayed for 60 days when such a group is created. The PEB will then have 30 days to study the issue, report, and develop some recommendations. Then, the Union and the Company will start again at the cooling-off period considering the PEB’s proposals.