Contract Interpretation

Committee Members

Ken Diaz, JFK Council 5

Ken started his airline career in 1983 with People Express Airlines working in the Accounting Dept. and as a Flight Attendant. He went on to work as a Flight Attendant for Continental Airlines and Carnival Airlines before being hired with United Airlines in June of 1998.

Shortly after 9/11 Ken became involved in lobbying Congress for mandatory Security Training for Flight Attendants. He became Government Affairs Chairperson for Council 6 shortly thereafter. He went on to become Grievance Chairperson as well as being elected Local Council 6 Secretary in 2005.

After transferring to JFK upon the EWR base closure Ken became trained as an EAP Representative and Occupational/Benefits Committee person.

He was elected Local Council 5 President in February 2008 and was recently re-elected to that position in March of 2011. He also serves on the AFA International Legislative/Policy Committee.

Jack Kande, HKG Council 26

After working at another major US airline, Jack emerged as a leader among our ranks even as early as his initial training at United in 1995. In less than a year he was elected by his peers to serve as Local Council President in Hong Kong, where he is currently based. Jack took a break from serving as President of the Local Council after two terms but continued to volunteer on the AFA Grievance, Safety and Occupational Benefits Committees along with acting as Strike Coordinator.

With encouragement from his flying partners, Jack again ran for Local President in Hong Kong last year and inspired the highest voter turnout for Local Elections across the system even though he was running unopposed. We often hear from Members throughout the system who have flown with Jack and were impressed with his ability to tackle domestic legalities, reserve assignment issues or explain a wide range of our benefits.

In addition to all of his volunteer work for our Union he was an officer in the United States Army Reserves. He also has international Flight Attendant negotiations experience and is schooled as an economist. Jack is well respected by his peers in Hong Kong for his demands for justice and commitment to resolving every issue for the benefit of Flight Attendants.  Jack was recently the Chairperson of our Negotiating Committee for our 2012-2016 Contract.

Jack stated to the United Master Executive Council "to me there is no difference between junior/senior, lineholder/reserve or domestic/international issues – there are only issues important to Flight Attendants. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to achieve the best Contract in the industry."

Return to MEC Committees Home Page