September 25, 2024 -- Key takeaways from the hearing...
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July 28, 2024 -- On July 23rd-25th, Rob Cush and CSP met with the following House and Senate offices to discuss aviation safety and workforce development. In the Senate, meetings were targeted with members of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation and the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
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July 18, 2024 -- I am writing to express my gratitude for your steadfast commitment to aviation safety, particularly your efforts to hold Boeing accountable.
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The passing of this bipartisan bill helps solidify our legislative efforts to implement laws aimed at increasing quality assurance and safety standards. The safety of air transportation must always be more important than increasing profits and shareholders' value through cheaper labor. AMFA has a long history of collaborating with Congress to craft powerful language to protect aircraft maintenance jobs, ensure the safety standards of the flying public, and restrict foreign repair stations from circumventing our FAA oversight and regulations.
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February 12, 2024 -- Today, the Aircraft Maintenance Fraternal Association (AMFA), a craft-specific, independent aviation union representing aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs), sent a letter to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Aviation Subcommittee Chair Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) thanking them for their work on passing the FAA Reauthorization Act.
 20240212_AMFA_FAA_Support_Letter_Senate.pdf
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February 12, 2024 -– On February 8, AMFA, a craft-specific, independent aviation union, submitted a statement for the record to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This statement expresses support for the proposed rule-making on implementing a drug and alcohol testing standard for maintenance employees who work on U.S. aircraft at certificated foreign repair stations.
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December 11, 2023 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), a craft-specific, independent aviation union, applauds the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) notice of proposed rulemaking on implementing a drug and alcohol testing standard for maintenance employees who work on U.S. aircraft at certificated foreign repair stations.
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June 19, 2023 -- In June 2023, U.S. House and Senate congressional committees with jurisdiction over the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced bipartisan reauthorization bills. The bills are similar but differ in significant ways, including titles, funding levels, and page numbers.
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June 13, 2023 -- Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), along with Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-GA), announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to ensure fair labor standards are upheld by all airlines operating in the U.S. The Fair and Open Skies Act (H.R. 4021) would increase the US DOT's powers to regulate unfair business practices from foreign airlines that negatively impact workers.
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March 27, 2023 -- The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure introduced the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 1716) last week, calling for increased safety standards by unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations, data gathering and analysis, as well as additional safety improvements. These safety improvements will disincentivize the offshoring of American jobs and implement restrictions for offshoring overhaul of aircraft maintenance.
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October 24, 2022 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is troubled by the deteriorating state of aviation safety in the airline industry due to outsourcing of maintenance to foreign repair stations. Due to improper Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight, less qualified and unvetted technicians continue to work at foreign repair stations. The safety of air transportation must always be more important than increasing profit and shareholder value through cheaper labor. U.S. FAA-certificated aircraft mechanics and businesses should operate on a level playing field with their foreign counterparts to ensure safety, a robust workforce, and the preservation of critical infrastructure.
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October 10, 2022 -- Before adjourning in September, the House of Representatives passed the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 7321), calling for unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations, data gathering and analysis, as well as additional safety improvements.
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June 16, 2022 -- The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed The Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 7321) yesterday, calling for unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations, data gathering and analysis, as well as additional safety improvements.
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March 31, 2022 – House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio introduced The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act today, calling for unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations, data gathering and analysis, and a conditional moratorium on FAA certification of new foreign repair stations among other essential safety reforms.
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August 5, 2021 --As the nation shifts from economic survival to recovery, we again face an acute shortage of aviation technicians that threatens the vitality of the U.S. aerospace sector and the safe, affordable and reliable air transportation system to which Americans are accustomed. The undersigned organizations, representing a broad cross-section of the aviation industry, seek your assistance and leadership in directing the federal government to use its full authority and influence to ensure a vibrant and sustainable aviation workforce.
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August 3, 2021 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is excited to announce a new and unique political action committee (PAC) dedicated to promoting the aircraft mechanic and related craft. AMFA PAC is the first and only PAC funded solely by aircraft mechanics with their specific issues at the forefront, and is poised to change the landscape surrounding the profession by mobilizing mechanics for change and helping to elect officials that will work for them.
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June 22, 2021 -- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) joined Representatives Bob Gibbs (R-OH) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in introducing the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2021. This legislation would protect Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and personnel, and the U.S. aviation industry as a whole, from the effects of future federal government shutdowns.
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May 12, 2021 -- Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today applauded the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s bipartisan passage of their Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act. This bill builds on ongoing COVID-19 response efforts and influenced a Biden administration executive order calling for interagency cooperation to develop national public health recommendations for domestic travel.
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May 11, 2021 -- “AMFA supports the Fair and Open Skies Act and what it stands for: fair competition that benefits both American workers and American consumers. Aircraft mechanics work with our fellow pilots and flight attendants to ensure the flying public is safe, and we are troubled by the ‘flags of convenience model’ that could threaten aviation safety and security. We applaud Chair DeFazio for leading a bipartisan group of Members in introducing this legislation,” Bret Oestreich, National Director, Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said.
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April 20, 2021 -- As you begin the FY 2022 appropriations process, the 42 undersigned organizations, representing aviation maintainers, commercial operators, general and business aviation, manufacturers, labor organizations, educators, airports, and state and local government officials urge you to once again fully fund the aviation workforce development grant programs created by Sec. 625 of the 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) law.
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February 8, 2021 -- On behalf of the Management and Unions at Southwest Airlines, we respectfully ask your Administration to refrain from imposing any federal mandate to require a pre-departure COVID-19 test for air travel within the United States. We believe such a mandate would be counterproductive, costly, and have serious unintended consequences, including for millions of people who have travel needs but may not have access to testing resources and for the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on a stable air travel industry.
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January 13, 2021 -- We write to you as the management and labor leaders at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, representing more than 22,000 employees, to thank you for your continued leadership during this unprecedented crisis and to urgently request your support for including front-line aviation workers at the earliest point possible in Phase 1B of Washington's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan ("Vaccination Plan").
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January 13, 2021 -- We write to you as the management and labor leaders at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, representing more than 22,000 employees, to thank you for your continued leadership during this unprecedented crisis and to urgently request your support for including front-line aviation workers at the earliest point possible in Phase 1B of Oregon's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan ("Vaccination Plan").
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December 21, 2020 -- Congress has reached a tentative deal on a stimulus that includes a PSP Extension. While we wait for the House and Senate to vote, and the President’s signature for it to become law, the following summarizes the extension...
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December 8, 2020 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) applauds Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao for her decision to appoint an aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). AMFA Executive Director of Government Affairs and Southwest Airlines AMT Justin Madden’s appointment to the ARAC fills a critical void in the Committee’s membership.
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December 7, 2020 -- The undersigned organizations, representing a broad cross-section of the aviation community, strongly urge your support of the PARTT 147 Act (S.3043/H.R.5427). The bill would mandate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulatory reform of aviation technician education, empower innovative curriculum development, and reinforce a workforce pipeline that will be vital to a strong, post-pandemic recovery.
20201207_PARTT147Act-IndustrySupportLtr.pdf
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October 22, 2020 -- In an effort to scare its membership into remaining members of a poorly run union, the TWU/IAM Association is trying to play up their clout in Washington D.C. while de-emphasizing AMFA’s contributions and their importance to the aircraft mechanic and related maintenance workers’ class and craft. There is no doubt that the IAM and TWU parent organizations spend considerable resources maintaining offices in and around Washington, D.C. They often lobby on behalf of their membership, but how much of that lobbying and money spent is actually for the aircraft mechanic and related?
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October 9, 2020 -- Today, on behalf of AMFA’s membership and our craft, the National Director wrote a letter to Congressional leadership in support of extending Payroll Support Protection (PSP) for six additional months. In the letter, he indicated that “as the unseen backbone of the aviation industry,” aircraft mechanics and related are essential to the economic recovery of the nation, and urged leadership to either pass the bipartisan stand-alone legislation or include a PSP extension in any impending stimulus.
20201009_Memo_CongressionalLetter_RE_PSP_Funding_Ext final.pdf
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October 1, 2020 -- Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) National Director Bret Oestreich released the following statement: On behalf of the more than 4,000 aircraft mechanics representing Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Southwest Airlines, AMFA applauds Senate passage of the Restoring Safety in the Skies Act of 2020 introduced by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and commends these Senators for their prudence and leadership on this issue.
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September 24, 2020 -- On behalf of the 23,000 employees of Alaska Air Group's wholly owned airlines, Alaska Airlines (Alaska) and Horizon Air (Horizon), thank you for your leadership during these challenging times. We write to you today just six months from our last joint letter to request that you once again come together and sustain aviation jobs with an extension of the Payroll Support Program (PSP), created in the CARES Act, in order to prevent involuntary furloughs at our airlines.
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September 21, 2020 -- When we wrote to you in March, the size and scale of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the airline industry were still largely unknown. Cases were few, death rates low, and yet our industry was instantly decimated. The fate of airlines, including Southwest Airlines, hung in the balance. Your work was critical and appreciated to bring the CARES Act to fruition, providing much needed payroll support and acting as a stop-gap while our country and our industry worked toward recovery.
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September 18, 2020 -- We are less than two weeks from the CARES Act Payroll Support Program (PSP) end date of September 30, 2020. This program has guaranteed wages for airline employees during this period of severely depressed demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while avoiding layoffs that have been announced as being necessary by several major airlines.
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May 29, 2020 -- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many elements of our country and our world — and will affect the aviation ecosystem for years to come. Creating a workable plan for this “new normal” is crucial. Several federal agencies are putting together internal task forces, while Congress has proposed legislation enacting similar advisory groups, most notably the collaborative task force established by the Restoring Safety in the Skies Act introduced by Senators Markey (D-MA) and Blumenthal (D-CT) and supported by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).
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May 15, 2020 -- Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) National Director Bret Oestreich released the following statement: On behalf of the over 4,000 aircraft mechanics representing Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Southwest Airlines, AMFA supports the Restoring Safety in the Skies Act of 2020 introduced by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). The creation of a task force to deal with the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation and to contemplate the new normal is essential...
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March 31, 2020 -- On March 27, Congress passed a massive financial package to relieve the unprecedented economic impact from the global COVID-19 pandemic, which the President signed into law. This includes targeted relief to airlines like the ones where our expert mechanics currently work, Southwest, Alaska and Horizon.
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March 27, 2020 -- Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) National Director Bret Oestreich, released the following statement: On behalf of the over 4,000 aircraft mechanics representing Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Southwest Airlines, AMFA applauds the U.S. Congress passage of bipartisan legislation to provide financial stability to the hard-working men and women on the front lines providing safety and security to the American flying public during this unparalleled time of adversity. In addition to the unprecedented health crisis we are facing, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has brought with it devastating economic consequences. And now, the airline workers are at the front line of one the most economically impacted industries.
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March 19, 2020 -- The swiftly developing COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rapid increase in airline passenger cancellations, while also producing a severe decline in future bookings. To date, most airlines have responded with capacity cuts and flight cancellations. The airlines have both collectively and individually expressed immense concern about the industry’s economic health to the US government, and requested a substantial financial assistance package to help navigate through this difficult time. The White House has indicated support, with the President vowing to “back the airlines 100 percent,” and the task of negotiating a package is now with the Legislative Branch.
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February 28, 2020 -- Legislation was recently introduced in the Senate that would stand up a National Center for the Advancement of Aviation (NCAA). Senator Inhofe (R-OK) and Senator Duckworth (D-IL) proposed this NCAA in S.3360 with the purpose of focusing on four areas: aviation and aerospace STEM curriculum; workforce development; economic and safety data research and sharing; and a forum for cross-disciplinary collaboration. AMFA is joining a broad coalition of support and encourages Congress to act on this proposed legislation.
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November 15, 2019 -- Today House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act, calling for unannounced FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, minimum qualifications for mechanics and others working on U.S.-registered aircraft at foreign repair stations, data gathering and analysis, a conditional moratorium on FAA certification of new foreign repair stations, and requiring the FAA to a create an online repository for carriers to report heavy maintenance history by location and specific aircraft registration number, as well as other safety metrics.
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AMFA supports the Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing Disclosure Act reintroduced by Representative Garamendi (D, CA). This bill accomplishes important changes:
- Requires airlines to disclose the maintenance history for their aircraft fleets, specifically the location and date an aircraft underwent heavy maintenance
- Airlines would be required to post this information online, distribute it with tickets, and communicate it to passengers upon request
- Airlines would also be required to submit an annual report to a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) database that tracks the maintenance history of their aircraft fleet
- Database will also indicate whether maintenance was conducted in the United States or abroad; by FAA-certified mechanics or not; or by airline employees or third-party contractors
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May 24, 2019 -- Each day, millions of Americans rely on our Nation’s strong aviation infrastructure to travel and do business. On Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, we acknowledge the thousands of hardworking men and women who help ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the aviation industry.
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May 24, 2019 – The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) joined several labor and industry groups to encourage President Trump to officially recognize Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Day, May 24. AMFA also galvanized support from members of Congress to formally recognize AMT Day on floor of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
20190500_Ltr_to_WH_re_AMT_Day.pdf
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February 12, 2019 -- We write to inquire about steps the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking to investigate and address reports that airlines are pressuring their mechanics to ignore safety issues and short-cut the critical work they perform.
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February 12, 2019 -- We write today to convey our strong support for the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019
(H.R. 1108) which would authorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to draw from the
Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) in the event of a government shutdown. During the recent shutdown, air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals were forced to work without pay and thousands of others were furloughed.
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October 8, 2018 -- Last week was a busy one in Washington, DC. In addition to the Senate confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice, important legislation passed that directly affects our craft. After years of discussion and a few whirlwind weeks of negotiating a compromise behind closed doors, the House and Senate both passed a FAA Reauthorization Bill, which the President signed into law Friday afternoon, October 5, 2018. Contained within the bill’s 1,200 pages, the most important provision is authorizing the agency for five years.
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October 5, 2018 -- Today, the President signed into law a measure (H.R. 302) that includes a major five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as a package of federal disaster program reforms that will save lives and reduce the growing cost impacts of disasters of all types.
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July 3, 2018 -- Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) National Director Bret Oestreich, released the following statement: “Last week House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio and Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Rick Larsen sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao expressing ‘serious concerns’ of the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of foreign repair stations. Specifically, Mr. DeFazio and Mr. Larsen called attention to the FAA’s continued ‘failure’ to finalize a rule requiring workers to be screened for alcohol and controlled substances at FAA certificated foreign repair stations – implementing the same safety standard the U.S. workforce adheres to.
DeFazio_Larsen_Ltr_to_Sec_Chao_20180628.pdf
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June 12, 2018 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) supports the recently introduced legislation by Senator Claire McCaskill (MO) and the companion legislation introduced by Representative John Garamendi (CA-03) which raises awareness for the dangerous trend of outsourcing aircraft maintenance to foreign repair stations.
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May 25, 2018 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) applauds Transportation Security Administration Administrator David P. Pekoske for his decision to appoint an aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) to the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC). AMFA Legislative Affairs Director Justin Madden’s appointment to the ASAC fills a critical void in the Committee’s membership.
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November 21, 2017 -- The White House recently requested a meeting with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) to discuss foreign outsourcing. Yesterday, AMFA’s legislative affairs team -- Justin Madden, Legislative Affairs Director and Commonwealth Strategic Partners -- and I met with a representative of the White House Domestic Policy Council in Washington, D.C.
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August 16, 2017 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) applauds Chairman John Katko’s recommendation to TSA Acting Administrator Huban Gowadia to include an AMT union on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC).
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December 7, 2016 – The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is opposed to the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian Air International (NAI). AMFA National Director, Bret Oestreich, stated, “Since 2014, AMFA has consistently opposed NAI’s application to operate routes between the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. Department of Transportation decision to approve this permit is another blow to the U.S. aviation workforce. NAI’s ‘flag of convenience’ is an outright attempt to circumvent the US-EU Open Skies Agreement which was established to protect the men and women working in the U.S. aviation industry.”
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July 7, 2016 -- On behalf of the over 3,000 Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines aircraft maintenance technicians, AMFA applauds House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio and Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson for the inclusion of greater oversight and accountability of foreign repair station employees in the FAA Extension bill.
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March 9, 2016 -- Louie Key, National Director of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, released the following statement: On behalf of the over 3,000 Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines aircraft maintenance technicians, AMFA applauds Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune, and Ranking Member Bill Nelson for the inclusion of greater oversight and accountability of foreign repair station employees in the FAA Reauthorization Bill. Safety is the cornerstone of the pact between the aircraft maintenance technician and the American flying public.
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Last October, a Russian plane carrying 224 men, women, and children crashed in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. All 224 people on board were killed. It is now suspected that an aircraft maintenance technician from EgyptAir planted the bomb on the plane. While many of the details surrounding this incident remain unclear, the fact that an aircraft maintenance technician could be involved should horrify all of us. The men and women I represent are fully committed to the safety and security of the passengers and planes we service. Our motto, “Safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground,” underscores our commitment to the American flying public.
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Louie Key, National Director of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, released the following statement: On behalf of the over 3,000 Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines aircraft maintenance technicians, AMFA applauds House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster for the inclusion of greater oversight and accountability of foreign repair station employees in the FAA reauthorization bill.
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Louie Key, National Director of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, released the following statement: AMFA applauds Congressman Ryan Costello, Congressman Dan Lipinski, and Congressman Lou Barletta’s leadership in requesting House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio to include a mandatory drug and alcohol testing policy of foreign repair station mechanics in the upcoming FAA reauthorization.
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The National Director and National Secretary/Treasurer met with various Congressman and a Senator to discuss our legislative agenda and how Congress can help AMFA achieve our craft’s legislative goals. With the FAA Reauthorization Bill process beginning in earnest soon, Louie Key and Justin Madden were able to convey AMFA’s position and urge our elected representatives to take action on our issues.
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The Association has joined the fight against the foreign air carrier permit of Norwegian Airlines International (NAI). Our hope is that the Secretary Foxx will recognize the arguments that we’ve made, which echo the opposition of our industry and labor colleagues both domestically and within the European Union, and send NAI back to the drawing board to craft a business plan that doesn't undermine established international rules and obligations, particularly those involving labor.
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The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) appreciates the opportunity to provide comment on the FAA advance notice of proposed rulemaking. AMFA supports the FAA effort to implement drug and alcohol testing requirements on foreign repair station employees. AMFA further supports a drug and alcohol testing framework that imposes equal standards on both foreign and domestic aircraft maintenance technicians. AMFA is the only craft specific, independent aviation union that represents over 3,000 aircraft maintenance technicians and related support personnel at Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines as well as advocates on behalf of our craft.
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