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 shares what Council 35 is hearing directly from company leadership, explains why rumors and facts don't always align, and offers reassurance about what is actually known today. The discussion also dives into reserve staffing increases, line construction challenges, sick leave trends, premium pay, and how scheduling decisions impact Flight Attendants across the operation. The episode also opens with a heartfelt message of solidarity and support for our union family at Spirit as they navigate an incredibly difficult time. Learn how AFA members can help and why supporting one another remains at the core of our union values. Plus, the team discusses uniform compliance reminders, what a Record of Discussion actually means, and why members should reach out to their local officers when questions arise instead of relying on jumpseat chatter. If you've been hearing rumors, wondering what changes may be ahead, or simply want the latest update on what's happening at SFO, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Stay informed, stay connected, and remember your union is here to support you every step of the way.

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 practice: Increase starting June 2026 Alaska/Hawaiian MEC secured a two year rebate program. Learn how to access your rebate through the Membership Hub your request your rebate. The team also discusses the arrival of the new printed contracts at the SFO Village, the value of the digital version with hyperlinks, and the importance of updating your Membership Hub profile. Whether you’re confused about the dues change or just want the full details, this episode delivers clear, transparent answers straight from your LEC President Episode Notes: Recorded in San Francisco | Council 35 | AFA Alaska/Hawaiian Perfect for all Alaska and Hawaiian flight attendants who want to stay informed and supported. Listen now and share with your crew. Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/union-break-with-council-35/id1798397854 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BFOaeSLb4tQgDk2GKp4x5?si=3-WqAISTRyS-tjv8710wsQ

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: PBS itself wasn’t the issue). Virginia explains the behind the scenes process, clears up confusion about bid protests vs. general questions, and shares how factors like high line averages, reserve percentages, fewer leaves, and summer flying impacted awards this month. If your bid looked unusual, this episode gives the context you’ve been looking for. Transparency, education, and a little humor because bid day stress is real.

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 down the process in a way that’s informative, supportive, and easy to understand. They also discuss the importance of Professional Standards, EAP resources, and why reaching out early can make all the difference. Real talk, real education, and a behind the scenes look at how Council 35 fights for members every day.

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 an important conversation designed to help break down the details and keep members informed about decisions that impact all of us.

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 environment, Virginia shares practical strategies that can help you take back control of your schedule no matter your seniority. We also go behind the scenes of the PBS process, revealing how bids are actually built, why it takes time, and the collaborative effort between the union and the company to create the “least bad” solution each month. Whether you’re new to bidding or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with real talk, helpful tips, and a few laughs along the way. Because at the end of the day—you’re not alone out there, we are all in this together! Together We Are Better!

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.