AMFA

October 19, 2020 -- In accordance with the terms outlined in Article 23, Wage Rules, AMFA and Alaska Airlines met via video conference on October 15, 2020, to discuss the first Annual Wage Review of our current Extension Agreement. Both sides examined all data used for the review. We conducted the external review with the data we had, comparing the all-in wage to our primary competitors in accordance with the Agreement.
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2020 AEI Annual Congress Report

October 19, 2020 -- Last week AEI held its 48th Annual Congress virtually utilizing the Teams Application due to the realities of the Covid-19 virus that has swept the world. At first there was a plan to have the executive board gather in person and have the delegates from our affiliate unions join an on-line meeting; however, as the date got near and the virus started its fall surge, travel restrictions were raised, and that plan had to be abandoned in favor of an all virtual meeting. The Congress was well coordinated and attended, even with the participants being in various time zones around the globe.
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Congressional Letter in Support of Extending PSP

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.
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20201009_Memo_CongressionalLetter_RE_PSP_Funding_Ext final.pdf

Memo: NEC Supports AMFA–SWA Airline Representatives

October 8, 2020 -- Today, October 8, 2020, the National Executive Council (NEC) was notified by the AMFA–Southwest Airlines (SWA) Airline Representatives (ALR) of a meeting with SWA pertaining to requested concessions to begin January 1, 2021, running through the entire year. In addition, any step or annual raises would be frozen during that same period.
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AMFA-SWA ALR Membership Update

October 8, 2020 -- Today, October 8, 2020, your Airline Representatives (ALR) and legal counsel attended an online meeting with the Company at the request of Southwest Airlines (SWA). As you may have seen or heard from Gary Kelly this week, SWA is seeking concessions from its union-represented employees, thus prompting today’s meeting. We denied the Company’s request to sign non-disclosure agreements prior to this meeting that request because you – as AMFA members and Southwest employees -- deserve to know what is going on, especially when the Company seeks to extract concessions from your contracts.
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National Director Update - September 2020

October2, 2020 -- September 2020 was another busy month for your AMFA Officers and Representatives as we continue to monitor the operational activity pertaining to headcount reductions while safeguarding AMFA protected work in this assaulted aviation industry.
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Press Release: Aircraft Mechanics Support Restoring Safety in the Skies Act of 2020

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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Furlough Arbitration Decision at Alaska Airlines

September 25, 2020 -- We wanted to provide all of you with an update on the recent ruling and its implications. The recent arbitration ruling for Letter of Agreement #9, determined that at the six protected stations (Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Diego, and San Francisco) no furloughs will result in station layoff through the amendable date of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), currently October 17, 2023.
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Aviation Safety Action Program at Southwest Airlines

September 29, 2020 -- The Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) was developed to improve safety through a voluntary reporting program that is non-punitive in nature. The ASAP is a partnership composed of the company (Southwest Airlines or “SWA”), regulator (Federal Aviation Administration or “FAA”), and labor union (Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association or “AMFA”). Each partner has a representative seat on the Event Review Committee (ERC), whose primary function is to come to a consensus of acceptance or rejection into the Program of reports that are submitted by employees. These ASAP reports provide invaluable safety information and data.
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Memo: Conclusion of Litigation

September 25, 2020 -- Yesterday, September 24, 2020, all litigation between AMFA and Southwest Airlines (SWA) ended when the Court closed the case after the parties complied with their settlement, ratified by AMFA–SWA members last week, and moved to dismiss all claims and counterclaims.
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Alaska Air Group and Union Letter to Secretary Mnuchin, Chief of Staff Meadows, Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, and Leader Schumer Regarding CARES Act PSP

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.
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20200924_AAG_Labor_Leader_Ltr_re_PSP_Ext.pdf

Southwest Airlines and Unions Letter to President Trump, Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, and Leader Schumer Regarding CARES Act PSP

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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20200921_Ltr _to_Trump_Pelosi_McCarthy_McConnell_Schumer.pdf

Memo: Call to Action Regarding CARES Act PSP Funding Extension

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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AMFA–SWA Article 23 Response Protocols Agreement Referendum Results

September 17, 2020 -- The votes for the AMFA-Southwest Airlines (SWA) Article 23 Response Protocols Agreement Referendum were tallied on September 17, 2020. Votes for this referendum were counted and certified by ElectionBuddy, and the AMFA-SWA Article 23 Response Protocols Agreement has been: Approved.
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Memo: Tentative Protocol Agreement

August 26, 2020 -- AMFA and Southwest Airlines recently reached a tentative protocol agreement for possible resolution to current litigation. During the last week we posted numerous legal correspondence and reference materials related to this Tentative Agreement to the Legal Updates (Members Only) page under Member Resources of the AMFA National website.
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Instructions for Web Reg and App Download.pdf

AMFA National Officer Election Results

August 10, 2020 -- The votes for the AMFA National Officer Election were tallied on August 10, 2020. Votes for this election were counted and certified by ElectionBuddy, and the results are as follows...
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AMFA- AS Furlough Mitigation Discussions Update

August 6, 2020 -- AMFA and Alaska Airlines have met twice this week to discuss the EOP/ELILOF process. There were 33 EOP (Early Out Program) applicants, as well as four that applied for the bridge of ELILOF to the EOP when they turn 62. There are 56 applicants for the 1-year ELILOF, 15 of those were at top of scale, 41 are at various points of the pay scale, and 29 applicants applied for the various short-term leaves. he Company has stated that the mitigation effort to avoid furloughs is short of their target and we are continuing discussions on how to reach that goal.
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AMFA- AS Furlough Mitigation Discussions Update

July 23, 2020 -- I would like to thank you for placing your trust and confidence in the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) in representing you. We applaud your grassroots organizing efforts and collection of Accretion Authorization Cards from your workgroup in favor of AMFA. We are honored and promise to work hard on your behalf as your collective bargaining agent. AMFA filed on your behalf with the National Mediation Board (NMB), and we received a docket number on July 14, 2020, for NMB to perform further review and investigation on accretion representation for your work group.
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AEI Secretary of the Americas Update

July 17, 2020 -- I wanted to share with you how our colleagues in aviation maintenance around the world are dealing with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As the virus has spread and countries across the globe have closed their boarders to foreign travellers and domestic travel being severely reduced, we have seen commercial aviation come to a relative standstill compared to what it was previously.
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National Officer Election - Election Notice & Candidate Profiles

June 22, 2020 -- AMFA National is conducting an election in accordance with Article VII of the AMFA Constitution to fill the following positions: National Director, Assistant National Director, National Secretary/ Treasurer, National Safety and Standards Director, Region I Director, and Region II Director.
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COVID-19 Task Forces Must Have Aviation Industry Labor Representation

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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AMFA Celebrates AMT Day, Recognizing the Expert Aircraft Maintenance Technicians

May 24, 2020 -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is proud to recognize the expert mechanics that make up our field on the annual AMT Day each May 24.“On behalf of AMFA members and members of our craft, we are proud of the AMTs, also known as aircraft mechanics, who use their knowledge, skill and integrity each and every day to maintain our country’s aircraft,” said AMFA National Director Bret Oestreich.
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Press Release: Aircraft Mechanics Support Restoring Safety in the Skies Act of 2020

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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Press Release: FAA Substantiates Yet Another Whistleblower Complaint Against Southwest Airlines

April 27, 2020 -- By letter dated April 15, 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to yet another Southwest Airlines mechanic whistleblower action with the agency’s determination that “a violation of an order, regulation, or standard of the FAA related to air carrier safety occurred. Accordingly, the FAA is taking appropriate corrective and/or enforcement action. Our office will monitor these actions until complete.”
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AMFA’s Position on Southwest Airlines’ Request for Labor Concessions

April 14, 2020 -- Earlier today, AMFA representatives met, via web conference, with Southwest management, at the request of the company, and were presented with presentations entitled: “Proactively Identifying Savings Options.” These presentations focused on concessionary amendments to the existing collective bargaining agreements with AMFA to, as the company phrased it, “potentially implement on October 1, 2020.”
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AMFA National Director Response Letter to Southwest Airlines' Exercise to Identify Cost Savings

April 14, 2020 -- Earlier today, April 14, 2020, AMFA Representatives consisting of Airline Representatives for the four AMFA Locals representing members at Southwest -- Local 4, Dan Burgess; Local 11, Craig Hamlet; Local 18, Wayne Lampley; and Local 32, Ken Patrick; as well as AMFA counsel, Lucas Middlebrook, Esq. -- met via web conference with you and other management representatives. That meeting resulted from your request on April 1, which came a few days after I attended a meeting at Russell McCrady’s invitation on March 26 concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the carrier. AMFA’s participation in both meetings was to listen and confer, but otherwise without any precondition or waiver of rights.
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20200414_AMFA_ND_Ltr_to_SWA_Wafer.pdf

Press Release: Southwest Mechanics Condemn Airline For Continuing Litigation Against Its Own Employees During an Unprecedented Crisis

April 13, 2020 -- In a message to its members, dated April 13, 2020, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) condemned Southwest Airlines’ response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and sharply contrasted the carrier’s approach with that of American Airlines, which has curtailed litigation and engaged in cooperative efforts with their employees to meet the crisis.
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A Tale of Two Airlines: American Forges a New Cooperative Relationship With Its Mechanics While Southwest Continues Federal Litigation Against Its Own Employees

April 13, 2020 -- American Approach - Prior to the advent of COVID-19, American Airlines sued its aircraft mechanics for an alleged job action. American Airlines successfully obtained a permanent injunction from a federal court.
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COVID-19 Safety Recommendations #2

April 7, 2020 -- The Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to study and learn about how Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads. The CDC states recent studies suggest that people that do not show symptoms (asymptomatic) may still spread the virus, therefore, we should all be practicing social/physical distancing (a minimum of 6 feet) in order to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. According to another recently published study, backed by the National Institutes of Health, Coronavirus can survive up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.
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2020 Rescheduled National Convention Notice

April 3, 2020 -- In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the National Executive Council (NEC) issued an Emergency Order to postpone the 2020 National Convention. We are now pleased to announce the 2020 National Convention will convene on September 14, 2020, at the New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
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Primary AMFA – SWA ASAP ERC Representative and OLR Election Results

April 1, 2020 In March 2020, AMFA National called for nominations to fill the positions of Primary AMFA– SWA Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Representative and Primary AMFA–SWA Outsourcing Liaison Representative (OLR). Southwest Airlines members of Locals 4, 11, 18, and 32 were allowed to submit names in nomination for these positions.
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Airlines Must Take The Relief Grants To Help Their Employees

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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Press Release: Aircraft Mechanics Across the United States Applaud the Passage of the CARES Act

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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AEI COVID-19 Update

March 24, 2020 -- As the Coronavirus (Covid-19) has swept the world and brought about an unprecedented change to our understanding of circumstances as normal, the aviation industry has experienced sweeping changes of huge proportions. The result has been a grounding of aircraft at many of the global carriers that surpasses the scale of any previous event. The parking of aircraft brings on a whole new set of maintenance requirements that must be strictly followed to ensure the aircraft’s continued airworthiness. Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, as always one of the main pillars of aviation safety, must ensure that these requirements are being followed.
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Emergency Order #1 - Postponement of National Convention

March 23, 2020 -- The National Executive Council (NEC) is issuing this Emergency Order in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In light of the current situation, the 2020 AMFA National Convention will be postponed to a later date, to be determined by the NEC.
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Memo: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

March 19, 2020 -- Over the past several weeks, airlines and their employees have been under an enormous amount of pressure amid an ever-changing environment in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AMFA leaders have been in communication with our carries on a regular basis and have been taking guidance from the CDC to ensure we are taking effective steps to combat the significant challenges posed by this pandemic.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 12, 2020 -- By now everyone should be aware of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, here and abroad. As updates about COVID-19, are made daily, we encourage you to draw upon information and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Among the best practices recommended by the CDC are to thoroughly washing hands and avoid touching your face.
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Letter to Spirit Airlines AMTs

February 21, 2020 -- First, I would like to thank you for placing your confidence in the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). Your grassroots organizing efforts and collection of Authorization for Representation cards from your workgroup in favor of AMFA is still ongoing with favorable interest and results. We are honored and promise to work hard on your behalf if you continue to collect Authorization for Representation cards under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) and should you choose AMFA as your collective bargaining agent when the times come to vote.
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Download:

Authorization_card.pdf

Press Release: AMFA Announces Card Drive for AMTs and Maintenance Controllers at Spirit Airlines

December 11, 2019 -- On the heels of having won its representational election at Horizon Air, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) announced that a union card drive has begun at Spirit Airlines — the self-proclaimed ultra-low-cost carrier headquartered in Miramar, Florida. While it is unusual for AMFA to publicize card drive initiatives, given that the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) at Spirit Airlines are currently non-unionized, it is important to build awareness that this significant initiative is underway.
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Memo: New Web Page For AMFA Members Only About Legal Affairs

August 20, 2019 -- Many of you know from my August 8 update about the failure to reach agreement with Southwest Airlines in mediation that we hoped would have ended all of the federal litigation between AMFA, some of its current and former officers, and the company. AMFA must now defend itself from two separate federal lawsuits by Southwest against its own Mechanics and Inspectors filed before we reached agreement on the new contract.
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Important Information on AIR 21-Whistleblower

OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than twenty whistleblower statutes protecting employees who report violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, and securities laws. Rights afforded by these whistleblower protection laws include, but are not limited to, worker participation in safety and health activities, reporting a work-related injury, illness or fatality, or reporting a violation of the statutes herein.
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Download:

SWA Supervisor.pdf ,

Its_Your_Call_12-6-17.pdf ,

FAA-SWA-LAX-Report.pdf ,

FAA-SWA-Dallas.pdf ,

FAA-LAS-Violation.pdf