Union Break with Council 35

In this episode of Union Break, we take a closer look at one of the most common questions members have: What is a Record of Discussion (ROD), and what does it really mean? Whether you've received an ROD, know someone who has, or simply want to be prepared, this episode breaks down the process from start to finish. We discuss the difference between coaching, an ROD, and formal discipline, how progr...

This week on Union Break, Mischelle and Mya sit down with Council 35 President Melissa Osborne for a candid conversation about the current state of the SFO base. Together, they tackle some of the biggest rumors and concerns circulating on the line, including questions about base staffing, reserve numbers, potential furloughs, and speculation surrounding the future of San Francisco flying. Melissa...

Union Break with Council 35: Dues Increase Explained – Part 2 with Melissa Osborne In this follow up episode, Mya and Mischelle sit down with Melissa Osborne to clarify the upcoming AFA union dues increase for Alaska and Hawaiian flight attendants. Effective June 1, 2026 monthly dues will increase. Melissa breaks down exactly why this change is happening. Learn how the increase will work in practi...

Bids, glitches, and a whole lot of speculation. This special edition of Union Break breaks down the PBS drama that had everyone refreshing their screens and questioning their awards. Mischelle and Mya sit down with our LEC VP and PBS Committee Chair Virginia Fritz to unpack exactly what happened during the June bid award rollout, why the inflight website crashed, and what didn’t happen (spoiler: P...

This week on Union Break, Mischelle and Mya sit down with Melissa Osborne for an honest deep dive into the grievance process. What a grievance actually is, how investigations work, what Flight Attendants can expect during disciplinary meetings, and why union representation matters. From commuter issues and sick leave investigations to common mistakes members make during meetings, the team breaks d...

In this episode of Union Break, we sit down with Melissa Osborne to talk through the key takeaways from the recent Board of Directors (BOD) meeting held March 8–11. We discuss the International election, review major agenda items, and take a closer look at the budget. What it means for members, the upcoming union dues increase, and when members can expect to see those changes take effect. This is...

This week on Union Break, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about—and often frustrating—topics for flight attendants: bidding. Joined by LEC VP Virginia Fritz, we break down how bidding has evolved, especially with the changing flying patterns in SFO, and what that means for your schedule. From understanding how to use the analyzer to building smarter bids in an unpredictable pairing enviro...

In this episode of Union Break, Council 35 leaders Melissa Osborne and Virginia Fritz join the conversation to unpack several important updates impacting flight attendants. From the new B2B contact-ability rules and how Crew Scheduling may reach you during your duty period, to new communication tools like Chime, we breakdown what these changes mean. They also cover updates to sick family reporting...

***Episode Alert! **** On this episode of Union Break – Council 35, we’re talking all about connection, communication, and what’s coming next for our union. Mya steps into the host seat alongside Melissa to welcome special guests Mischelle Fielsch, the new MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson, and Brian Palmer, MEC Communications Committee Chairperson. Together, they break down the upco...

In Part 2 of our conversation, we’re back with LEC President Melissa Osborne and SFO Base Manager Cierra Lewis for an honest, transparent discussion about how the union and management work together at San Francisco. This episode dives into the real dynamics behind the scenes and how communication happens, where challenges arise, and how mutual respect, accountability, and trust help support flight...

Union Break Season 2 Premier Routes are shifting at SFO. We’re kicking off Season 2 of Union Break with a conversation that gets straight to what matters. In Part 1, Council 35 President Melissa Osborne and SFO Base Manager Cierra Lewis join us to talk through the recent flying changes impacting the base. Cierra addresses the biggest concern right away: We also get to know Cierra beyond the title,...

As we close out 2025, we’re sitting down with Melissa Osborne for a meaningful end-of-the-year Union Break conversation. In this episode, we talk through the important items to wrap up before year’s end, reflect on what this year brought our way, and highlight reminders every Flight Attendant should have on their radar. We also want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who tuned in, share...

In this updated episode of Union Break, we revisit our Sick Bank Roll-Over discussion with newly amended and contract-accurate information. Featuring LECP Melissa Osborne. After identifying an error in the original episode, we re-recorded this conversation to ensure you have the clearest and most correct understanding of how sick bank rollovers and options work moving into the new contract cycle....

***New Union Break Episode Alert!*** In this episode, Mya and Mischelle sit down with Jody Ventura, AFA Council 35’s EAP Chair in SFO, to talk about addiction, recovery, and mental health support for flight attendants. Jody breaks down key programs like: FADAP – confidential support for addiction or mental health. FAAS – AFA & Alaska partnership with 3 recovery pathways that can help flight attend...

Welcome to Union Break with Council 35! In this episode, we’re recapping our September 22nd membership meeting in San Francisco, where Council 35 officers and the Joint Negotiating Committee joined us to share insights on the upcoming Alaska–Hawaiian merger negotiations. Melissa walks us through the highlights, including the differences between Section 6 negotiations and JCBA negotiations, why mem...

This week on Union Break, we dive into one of the hottest year-end topics: the 480 TFP requirement. Julie Pearson, Chair of the Benefits Committee, joins us to explain what the 480 means, how it impacts flight attendants’ health insurance, vacation, and uniform allowance, and the key differences between the soft 480 (for benefits) and the hard 480 (for vacation). We also cover the 240 TFP provisio...

In this episode, we break down one of the toughest topics for flight attendants: no shows. What really happens when you miss an assignment? Can you fix it by calling back in? How do no shows affect reserves differently from line holders? And what should you do if commuting issues get in the way? We’ll talk through: -The difference between attendance and performance tracks. -How reserves can protec...

Union Break with Council 35 – Episode #17: Seniority Verification with Camile Caldwell In this episode, Mischelle and Mya sit down with Camile Caldwell from Council 35's Grievance and Seniority Merger Integration Committee's (SMIC) to discuss the seniority verification letters recently mailed out as part of the Alaska-Hawaiian merger. Camile explains why these letters are crucial, what to do if yo...

Union Break – Episode #16: PPP Explained with LECVP Virginia Fritz In this episode of Union Break, Mischelle sits down with SFO LEC Vice President Virginia Fritz to untangle the details of the Productivity Premium Program (PPP). With 2025 being a transition year, there’s a lot of confusion out on the line — and Virginia brings clarity. She explains what the PPP is and how it works. What TFP will c...

Union Break – Episode: Behind scheduling with Jaqui Bellenie This week on Union Break, we sit down with Jaqui Bellenie, our SFO Scheduling Chairperson, for an inside look at how the upcoming months pairings are built. Jaqui walks us through the pairing construction process, how trips are assigned to each base, and breaks down scheduling concepts like "soft time" and how it impacts trip constructio...

Episode Title: Understanding the Sick Bank – Part 2 Union Break is back with another important episode diving deeper into the new sick bank system. Melissa Osborne returns to break down how the sick banks work, clear up common misconceptions, and answer the questions we’ve been hearing from members. If you’re feeling unsure about how or when to use your sick bank hours, this episode is for you. Tu...

On today's episode, we're joined by James Ikehara, Secretary of Council 35 and a new member of the EAP Committee. James shares a fresh perspective on his role as secretary, offering insights into what the position entails beyond the title. We get to know James on a more personal level, and he also breaks down the importance of membership dues—including how to check your dues status and ensure your...

Today on Union Break: Understanding the New Sick Banks In this extended episode, we dive deep into the new sick leave banks with special guest Melissa Osborne. She walks us through the key differences between the CBA Sick Bank and the State Sick Bank, explaining how each one works, how to call in, and how to designate which bank you want to use. Melissa also breaks down: How time is accrued in eac...

🎧 Union Break – Weekly Hot Topics at Council 35 June bidding is now open—get those preferences in! TSA’s REAL ID rollout is coming fast—make sure you’re compliant. EAP and Lyra— support and resources. The Sick Bank implementation is underway—find out what it means for you. Local LEC elections are officially open—don’t miss your chance to vote! Tune in for a quick, informative breakdown of what’s...

Mental Health Matters with Jody Ventura This week on the Union Break Podcast, we're joined by Jody Ventura, Chairperson of EAP, for an important conversation about mental health and the resources available to us as flight attendants. In Part 1 of our discussion, Jody breaks down the wide range of support EAP offers—from Lyra’s confidential counseling services to Professional Standards. We talk abo...