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, reminders about documenting disruptive passenger incidents, new procedures regarding deportee flights, and ongoing discussions around ICE activity in airports. Plus, a quick but important reminder on why updating your AFA Membership Hub profile helps keep you informed and connected with your union.

It’s a packed episode full of contract insights and practical reminders.

Tune in and take your Union Break!

***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 upcoming AFA Alaska–Hawaiian Town Hall on March 3rd and why every Flight Attendant should tune in.

We cover key topics including flying reductions and increases across bases, the new Seattle Hawaiian domicile, JNC negotiations, the AFA Board of Directors meeting, and the rollout of the new AFA Membership Hub — including upcoming changes to voting and member access.

Learn how to submit questions (even anonymously), what to expect from the town hall format, and why keeping your Membership Hub information updated is more important than ever.

This is your union, your voice, and your opportunity to stay informed directly from union leadership. Don’t miss it.

#unionBreak #UnionStrong #AFAcouncil35 #SFO #Solidarity

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 attendants through constant change. From base growth and flying decisions to handling difficult conversations, sick leave concerns, and rumor control, Melissa and Cierra break down what collaboration actually looks like in practice.

You’ll hear stories, lessons learned, and reassurance that SFO remains a strong, resilient base built on community and teamwork. This is a must listen for anyone who wants clarity, context, and a better understanding of how leadership on both sides shows up for flight attendants.

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, hearing her journey from Flight Attendant to base manager and her deep roots at SFO. Melissa brings the contract and industry perspective that helps put the changes into context. This is Part 1 of the conversation. Tune in to Part 2 as we dive deeper into the big hot topics facing SFO and Council 35, and what Flight Attendants should know at the base level.

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, shared episodes, sent questions, and trusted Union Break to help break down information at the base level and systemwide. This year has been busy, informative, and honestly a lot of fun, and we’re grateful to be on this journey with you.

Grab a coffee, take a breather, and join us for our final Union Break of 2025 as we look back, wrap things up, and head into the new year together.

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.

We break down:

✔ Updated sick bank roll-over rules

✔ How to make your selections on roll over and where to find the form

✔ Where to find your bank accruals and how to identify the 2 different banks

✔ How to make the most of your bank before year-end

Union Break prioritizes accuracy and transparency and when new information comes to light, we update it promptly so our members have what they need to make informed decisions.

Welcome back to Union Break! In today’s episode, we’re digging into a topic everyone has been talking about—Sick Banks. There’s a lot of information out there, and it can feel overwhelming, so we’re breaking it all down in a simple, conversational way. We’ll talk about how rollover actually works, what you can use each Sick Bank for, where to find the form if you want to cash out extra hours, how to transfer hours into your CBA Bank, and the deadline you don’t want to miss. We’ll also walk through how to tell the two Sick Banks apart and where to find your balances in Rainmaker. If you’ve been wondering how all of this fits together or just need a clearer picture, this episode is for you.

***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 attendants get treatment, recover, and even return to work.

Mental Health Support – access to Lyra sessions and counseling options for those struggling emotionally.

You’re not alone. There are resources, recovery teams, and confidential help ready when you need it.

Listen now on Union Break to learn more about these vital programs and how to get help or help a friend.

#AFAAlaskaCouncil35 #UnionStrong #SFO #Solidarity #UnionBreak

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 member participation in surveys is so important, and how this process will shape our future contract. Tune in to hear how these discussions are setting the stage for the work ahead—and how your voice matters in shaping the outcome.

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 provision, the importance of planning ahead, and the new 25% vacation credit boost in the latest contract. If you’ve ever been confused about how your TFP affects your benefits, this episode breaks it down step by step.