To: AMFA Membership
Re: National President’s Monthly Update for February 2023
Date: March 10, 2023
Dear Members:
AMFA has been busy with Shop Representative Training, contract negotiations and enforcement across the system, as well as growth and outreach initiatives. AMFA is continually striving to increase the recognition and value of our craft/trade.
We conducted our first Shop Representative Training class of 2023 in Orlando in February with more than 50 participants. AMFA National, along with Sam Seham and Lucas Middlebrook of our legal team and Professor Alexia Kulwiec of the University of Wisconsin at Madison School for Workers conducted focused training to educate representatives on the legal rights of the Shop Representative, grievance origination and processing, ten secrets of successful grievance, and dealing with management. We highly encourage any Shop Representative who has not yet received this invaluable training to contact your Airline Representative (ALR) to attend an upcoming session as soon as possible.
The AMFA negotiations schedule for the month of February started with Spirit Airlines (NKS) for a three-day session on February 7-9 in Fort Lauderdale. The parties are scheduled to meet again on March 7-9 in Dallas. Stay engaged, remain informed, and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the Committee’s ability to bargain a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) your hard work deserves.
AMFA and Southwest Airlines (SWA) met on February 13, 2023, to sign the Facility Maintenance Technician (FMT) and Aircraft Appearance Technician (AAT) CBAs that were ratified by an overwhelming vote of the affected membership. These agreements were negotiated within six (6) months and include increases in wages and enhancements in benefits. The AMFA-SWA Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) have started the contract proposals process to provide input to the Negotiating Committee as they prepare for negotiations starting in August.
The AMFA and Alaska Airlines (AS) Negotiating Committees held a two-day bargaining session on February 15-16 in Seattle. The Maintenance Controllers will be added to our CBA via an appendix. The Committee would like to thank all the observers that attended this session. The next bargaining session is scheduled for March 28-30 in Seattle. In addition to Section 6 negotiations, the ALRs continue working with the Company and Arbitrator on the Roster Apps Arbitration case. Also, AMFA and the Company have come to an agreement on notification before hiring new technicians; there will be an unfilled bid within 30 days of the Company’s decision to hire off the street. The following stations have unfilled vacancies and will begin hiring off the street: SFO, SEA, JFK, KTN, SAN, and ANC.
The AMFA and Sun Country Airlines (SCA) Negotiating Committees held a three-day bargaining session on February 21-23 and are scheduled to meet again March 21-23 in Minneapolis. We had the opportunity to meet many SCA members at MSP to answer questions they had about AMFA membership and negotiations. Thank you to those who attended for your time and feedback. Stay engaged, remain informed, and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the Committee’s ability to bargain a CBA your hard work deserves.
We are excited to announce we have concluded the transition period bringing the L3 Harris MAS (L3) members under AMFA representation. Your group had agreed upon a CBA prior to AMFA certification at L3, and AMFA and L3 have finalized housekeeping items in this recently ratified CBA and have reached a final resolution. Now that the CBA is in place, Local 4 will soon be conducting a special election to fill the L3 ALR position in accordance with the Local 4 Bylaws. Stay tuned to the AMFA Local 4 website for election details.
Additionally, after much collaboration with both L3 Harris MAS (L3) management and Edward Jones Financial Group, we are in the final step to complete the transition from the IAM Pension Plan to an L3-funded, individually directed Retirement Savings Plan.
Chuck Clum will serve as the Interim Local 14 Horizon Air (QX) ALR until Local 14 conducts a special election in accordance with the Local 14 Bylaws to fill the vacancy. Chuck has engaged in many talks with management to enforce the CBA, including grievances and arbitration during this transition. We want to thank him again for his assistance during this interim period.
AMFA currently has two active representation filings with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). AMFA’s application to represent employees at WestJet cleared an initial procedural hurdle on February 27 after a CIRB Industrial Relations Officer issued a report setting out the Union's and the Carrier’s respective positions. AMFA’s application will now be considered directly by the CIRB, which will determine the appropriate size of the bargaining unit. On March 2, 2023, AMFA filed an application with the CIRB seeking representation of the AMEs and skilled trade groups at Air Canada. AMFA is honored to have this opportunity to represent and advocate for this professional group that wanted to be part of AMFA. AMFA’s footprint is rapidly expanding in Canada, and we anticipate more AMEs in Canada to pursue AMFA representation.
In continuing AMFA’s membership outreach and communication initiative, AMFA National has deployed a revamped National Website – check it out. Locals 4, 14, 18, and 32 have also implemented websites and smartphone apps to better communicate with their respective members. Please note, each website and app operates independently; therefore, members are encouraged to register with the AMFA National website and AMFA App as well as your respective local’s website and App. Additionally, check out AMFA’s Quick
Links page to discover the many tools the Association uses to spread Association and industry-related updates. We also continue to conduct station and GMM visits system-wide.
Please utilize your carrier’s Safety Reporting System (SRS) when you feel there are safety or compliance concerns while performing your job. In addition to your carrier’s SRS, the FAA Hotline may be utilized to report concerns about aviation safety: https://hotline.faa.gov/. We must realize our immense responsibility as FAA-certified airmen to exercise our judgment on the airworthiness of aircraft and equipment. We, therefore, pledge unyielding adherence to these precepts for the advancement of public safety of aviation and for the dignity of our craft.
I ask you to continue to be vigilant and be engaged with your union and officers. In doing so, monitor your respective carrier page on the AMFA National website for airline-specific details. Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your support and participation – please stay engaged and informed.
Bret Oestreich
National President
