[dbranson]

I am sitting in Seattle on my way to San Francisci. 4 Alaska Airlkines Flight staff are sitting in the area with me waiting for the flight to depoart. Each one of them is complaining quite LOUDLY about how much they HATE working for Alaska.

Bad form.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

Alaska flight attendants, to my understanding, are organized and may be represented by the International Assn. of Machinists ("IAM"). Recently the company signed an agreement with ticket counter agents and other ground workers. Can't understand what, if anything, might be happening. Slow progress of negotiations?? Perhaps Gromitt may have some info.

This story sounds more characteristic of a carrier like US Airways, American Air, or Spirit.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

Alaska Air flight attendants are represented by a division of the Communication Workers of America ("CWA")--the Association of Flight Attendants ("AFA"). The CWA and Alaska Air management signed a four-year contract this past January.

So, I still can't figure-out the basis of the discontent of the flight attendants mentioned by the OP. I used to belong to the CWA (Public Worker Division) and I can say it's definitely NOT a "company" union. Sometimes you'll find a weak or lazy shop steward and perhaps that may be the problem.

The link below describes the recent contract signing.

http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/o...ontract/3$6274

Finally, is the OP sure these were Alaska flight attendants and not FAs for some other carrier??

[Gromit801]

The only complaints I've heard from Alaska FA's and CSA's lately, is the new uniforms. They're butt-ugly. Also, it was found that a large number of the new uniforms were contaminated by a fire retardant chemical, causing skin irritation and rashes among some employees. That issue has been addressed by the airline, and they are paying to correct that issue.

To be honest, I'm a little suspicious about the original post.