 AMFA was certified at Southwest Airlines on January 27, 2003, and the Association currently represents approximately 1,900 members who maintain the airlines fleet of B737 aircraft. The current contracts become amendable August 16, 2012 for the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians and February 16, 2009 for the Appearance Technicians.
| AMFA - SWA Facilities Maintenance Technician Negotiations Update #1 |
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After a lengthy delay, AMFA and the Company met on June 6, 2013, at Corporate Headquarters in Dallas, Texas to officially begin Section VI Negotiations for the Facility Maintenance Mechanics. To ensure the record is set, the accretion of this work group into AMFA came at a very busy time, and the Company has presented major obstacles to our members’ livelihood that is requiring the highest priority of our service. The Airline Representatives knew when the Company originally refused to incorporate the Facilities Mechanics into the current Mechanics Contract that there would be a delay in negotiating a separate Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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| AMFA’s Participation in the SWA Labor Summit |
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Recently, AMFA made inquiries about joining the Southwest Airlines Labor Summit, which is a coalition of labor unions that represent various Southwest Airlines employees. We believe that the goal of this Labor Summit is to pursue common goals and solidarity amongst the unions on property.
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| Southwest Airlines Membership Solidarity |
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The signs are becoming clearer that we have entered a new era, an era in which Southwest Airline’s (SWA) actions reflect genuine hostility toward your job security. Nothing could be clearer in our CBA than the mandated creation of a fourth line of heavy maintenance once the fleet size reaches 621 aircraft.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #9 (Text and Video) |
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We resumed negotiations on April 2 with the Company at the Mecca Meeting Room in Dallas, Texas. We began discussions where we left off in our last session with Article 8; the International Field Service issue remains the topic of discussions. We currently have language in LOA #1 that gives us ownership over “all international emergency field service where parts are required to return the aircraft to airworthiness.”
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| AMFA - SWA Alternate ASAP ERC Representative Election Results |
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In February 2013 AMFA National called for nominations to fill the position of Alternate AMFA – Southwest Airlines (SWA) Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Representative.
Southwest Airlines members of Locals 4, 11, 18, and 32 were allowed to submit names in nomination for this position.
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| AMFA - SWA Technician Negotiations Update #8 |
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Unfortunately, our negotiation session scheduled for February 27 and 28 had to be cancelled due to airport closures caused by Winter Storm Rocky. We resumed negotiations on March 7 in the Mecca Meeting Room and began with an over-view of negotiations to this point. We discussed the status of information that we were waiting for regarding Articles 4 and 17, affirmed that Articles 8, 21, and 22 are currently in work, and that Articles 12, 26, 27, and 28 have been worked through and are currently TA’d.
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| AMFA - SWA Alternate ASAP ERC Representative Nomination Notice |
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AMFA National is calling for nominations from AMFA Locals representing the Southwest Airlines (SWA) membership for the position of Alternate AMFA–SWA Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Representative. Nominations must be submitted to AMFA National no later than 5:00PM ET, March 20, 2013.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #7 (Text and Video) |
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The Negotiating Committee returned to Dallas for two scheduled days of negotiations on February 12 and 13. The morning of February 12 we spent as a Committee at the Local 11 office going over our Article 8 counter to be presented to the Company. We also spent this time dealing with our approach to an issue that has been brought to our attention in regards to what Company representatives allegedly said about the negotiations during a station visit. After lunch we met with the Company in the Mecca Meeting Room. We first asked the Company about the reports we received concerning messages from Company leaders to our members.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #6 |
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On January 24th and 25th we met with the Company in the newly erected Women in Aviation Conference Room at the Hangar in Dallas. We were scheduled for a full day of negotiations on Thursday and a half day on Friday. We began discussions on the Maintenance Control classification work definition for Article 4. The main point of contention centered on the Company’s ability make changes to the group’s work. After several hours of working together and explaining each side’s concerns, we decided to separate and caucus amongst our own groups. We met with the Company after lunch and were able to tentatively agree (TA) on this item with provisions that any changes to the Maintenance Controller’s work that was not typical to the industry must be mutually agreed upon by the Company and designated MOC shop representative.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #5 |
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On January 9th and 10th we met with the Company in the Texas Stadium Conference Room at the hangar in Dallas. Our Committee was anticipating the finalization of language for the Technical Training Instructors’ classification of work which is to be added to Article 4. At the end of our last session on December 4, we believed that both committees were in agreement on language to accomplish this, but the day before this session we were informed by the Company that they could not agree on the language due to organizational changes that moved Maintenance Training over to the Corporate Training Department headed by Managing Director Elizabeth Bryant.
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| Press Release: The TWU's Act of Desperation |
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Recently the Transport Workers Union (TWU) announced that they have begun a card drive with mechanics at Southwest Airlines. We at The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) believe this announcement is a desperate response to a very successful card drive currently being conducted by the mechanics and related employees at American Airlines. These mechanics and related employees want AMFA to represent them after the TWU allowed thousands of their jobs to be outsourced at American Airlines over the years and getting even worse in the current bankruptcy of the Fort Worth based carrier.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #4 |
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On December 4, 2012, we met with the Company for a one-day session in the Executive Conference Room at the Hangar in Dallas. The discussions started with AMFA providing the Company with a proposal for the classification of work for the Technical Training Instructors which is to be added to Article 4. The Company provided AMFA with four (4) articles they had prepared for AMFA’s review: Article 1 Purpose of Agreement, Article 17 Safety and Health, Article 12 Leaves of Absence, and Article 28 Apprentice Aircraft Mechanic Program.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #3 |
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The Negotiating Committee is providing this update to the AMFA Membership at Southwest Airlines. This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee.
On November 7 and 8, 2012, we met with the Company in the Texas Stadium Conference Room at the Hangar in Dallas. The discussions again started with the Company looking for full relief from having to start the fourth line of heavy maintenance along with the other issues they discussed with the Committee on September 12, 2012. The Committee reiterated that we are not interested in the direction discussed during our previous session and that we are ready to move in a different direction.
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| Re-Establishment of AMFA Local 4 - Chicago, IL |
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On October 18, 2012, the National Mediation Board (NMB) certified the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) as the collective bargaining agent of the Mechanics and Related Employees at Southwest Airlines.
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| Press Release: Congratulations Mechanics and Related at Southwest Airlines |
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We are proud to announce that on October 18, 2012, the National Mediation Board (NMB) certified the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) as the collective bargaining agent of the Mechanics and Related Employees at Southwest Airlines. This certification is granted just 21 days following the NMB’s determination that Southwest and AirTran operate as a single transportation system for representation purposes of the Mechanics and Related Employees craft or class.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #2 |
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The Negotiating Committee is providing this update to the AMFA Membership at Southwest Airlines. This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee. On September 12th we met with the Company in the Texas Stadium Conference Room at the Hangar in Dallas. During our session in August the Company expressed a desire to accomplish these negotiations in an expedited manner; therefore, this session was scheduled for only one day. The Company explained they would like to provide AMFA with a comprehensive proposal in an attempt to further expedite the negotiation process.
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| AMFA-SWA Technician Negotiations Update #1 |
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The Negotiating Committee is providing this update to the AMFA Membership at Southwest Airlines. This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee. On August 21st we met with the Company in Dallas in the Texas Stadium Conference Room at the Hangar. The Company started with a presentation of where they see themselves with respect to the competition and areas that need improvement.
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| Redwood One - AMTs Giving Back to Their Community |
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Redwood One
Three years ago, David Mount and Debbie Wafford from Civic and Charitable Contributions told me about CASA and its purpose in making a difference in the lives of children who became victims of child abuse. David shared his dream to have SWA participate by contributing a playhouse for an annual raffle held to raise funds for the organization.
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| Press Release: AMFA Files for Single Carrier Status at Southwest |
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Today, The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) filed with the National Mediation Board for Single Transportation System Status at Southwest Airlines as agreed to in the seniority and transition integration agreements on April 23rd and ratified by the combined Southwest and AirTran Mechanics and Related groups on June 21st, 2012.
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| AMFA - SWA Appearance Technician TA Referendum Results |
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The votes for the AMFA – Southwest Airlines Appearance Technician Tentative Agreement (TA) Referendum were tallied on May 24, 2012. Ballots for this referendum were counted by AMFA National, and the ballot count was certified by
a Notary Public.
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| AMFA - SWA Seniority List Integration Update |
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On April 23, 2012, a tentative agreement was reached between the AMFA and the IBT providing for seniority integration between the SWA and AirTran mechanics. The principal revisions to the prior tentative agreement reflect membership input received during the AMFA road shows. The highlights of the tentative agreement include:
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| AMFA - SWA Appearance Technician TA Referendum Notice |
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The AMFA – Southwest Airlines Negotiating Committee has requested a system-wide referendum of the Appearance Technician classification regarding a Tentative Agreement. The complete text of the TA was emailed to each member’s company email address on April 9, 2012. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters on April 26, 2012, and the tally will be on May 24, 2012.
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| AMFA - SWA Seniority List Integration Update |
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On April 11, 2012, your AMFA SWA Seniority List Integration Committee met with the IBT/AirTran Negotiating Committee in Dallas, Texas at the Southwest Airlines Maintenance Hangar for further discussions on the SWA/AirTran Seniority Integration. In these meetings your Committee formally presented our proposal of a four (4) year increase for the SWA Seniority with station protections in BWI and MCO. Our proposal was accepted by the IBT/AirTran Committee.
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| Primary AMFA-SWA ASAP ERC Representative Election Results |
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In March 2012 AMFA National called for nominations to fill the position of Primary AMFA – Southwest Airlines (SWA) Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Representative.
Southwest Airlines members of Locals 11, 18, and 32 were allowed to submit names in nomination for this position. Following the close of the Willingness to Serve process of this election, there is only one candidate for this position: Scott Paine.
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| AMFA - SWA Seniority List Integration Update |
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This update is brought to you by AMFA National, and is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications.
On March 20, 2012, the AMFA Proposal was reviewed and found acceptable by Southwest Airlines. We will be meeting with the IBT, AirTran Mechanics Seniority Committee, and Southwest Airlines in Dallas on April 5th at 9am.
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| AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians Negotiations Update #24 |
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At the conclusion of our last two negotiation sessions that were held on Friday, February 24 and Thursday, March 22, 2012, your Negotiating Committee and the Company concluded they now have a Tentative Agreement in Principal.
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| Primary AMFA-SWA ASAP ERC Representative Nomination Notice |
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AMFA National is calling for nominations from AMFA Locals representing the Southwest Airlines (SWA) membership for the position of Primary AMFA–SWA Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Representative. Nominations must be submitted to AMFA National no later than 5:00 PM ET, March 22, 2012.
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| Press Release: AMFA - SWA Members Reject Seniority Integration Proposal |
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Feb. 22, 2012 -- Yesterday, the AMFA-represented Southwest Airlines (SWA) mechanics rejected the Seniority Integration Proposal that was tendered to them by the company. Southwest mechanics felt that that proposal would unduly restrict the seniority rights of both Southwest and AirTran mechanics due to its inclusion of onerous fence provisions that effectively prevent mechanics from bidding into stations throughout the post-merger Southwest system. The AMFA and our members are committed to getting back together with their brother AirTran mechanics to craft an agreement that better serves the interests of both mechanic groups.
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| SWA Seniority Integration Referendum Results |
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The votes for the AMFA – Southwest Airlines Seniority Integration Package Referendum were tallied on February 21, 2012. Ballots for this referendum were counted and certified by TrueBallot, Inc. The results are as follows:
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Seniority Integration Package -- Rejected
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*The detailed breakdown of voting results for this, as well as the recent LOAs to the Mechanic’s contract, are being held for confidentiality considerations for the ongoing process. The typical voting results report will be shared once the process is complete.
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| AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians Negotiations Update #23 |
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On Tuesday February 7th your Negotiating Committee received a counter proposal to Article 4. Your Negotiating Committee countered Article 5 and LOA 2 and gave the Company proposals to Article 6 and 24. Article 4 was tentatively agreed upon with the provision, that a letter of intent would be drafted. The Company then countered LOA 2.
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| AMFA - SWA Facilities Maintenance Technician LOA Referendum Results |
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The votes for the AMFA – Southwest Airlines Facilities Maintenance Technician Letters of Agreement (LOA) Referendum were tallied on February 14, 2012. Ballots for this referendum were counted by AMFA National, and the ballot count was certified by a Notary Public. The results of the referendum are as follows:
Facilities Maintenance LOA - Accepted
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| SWA Negotiating Committee |
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On Wednesday February 1st your Negotiating Committee received counter proposals to Articles 2, 4, 5, 15, the LOA pertaining to the resetting of the Appearance Technicians attendance, and a new LOA, outlining the process of attrition and evolving the routine/planned RON Appearance Technicians work to a vendor. Your Negotiating Committee countered the new LOA along with Articles, 2, 4, and 5.
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| AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians Negotiations Update #22 |
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On Wednesday February 1st your Negotiating Committee received counter proposals to Articles 2, 4, 5, 15, the LOA pertaining to the resetting of the Appearance Technicians attendance, and a new LOA, outlining the process of attrition and evolving the routine/planned RON Appearance Technicians work to a vendor. Your Negotiating Committee countered the new LOA along with Articles, 2, 4, and 5.
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| AMFA - SWA Seniority Integration Package Referendum Notice |
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The AMFA – Southwest Airlines (SWA) Seniority Integration Committee has called for a referendum regarding a Seniority Integration Package at SWA. The four components listed below are being presented as a package requiring a single accept/reject vote:
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| SWA Contract Proposal Prioritization Survey Notice |
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In accordance with Article XXIII, Section 3 of the AMFA Constitution, AMFA National is conducting a survey to prioritize proposals submitted for the upcoming AMFA – Southwest Airlines contract negotiations. This survey gives you an opportunity to indicate your opinion of the level of importance for each proposal by ranking it High, Neutral, or Low priority, and the results of this prioritization vote will be given to the Contract Negotiation Committee to be used during the contract negotiation process.
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| AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians Negotiations Update #21 |
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The Negotiating Committee is providing this update to the AMFA Membership at Southwest Airlines. This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee. The above AMFA and Southwest Airlines Representatives participated in open, formal negotiations, seeking contract changes in Section VI Negotiations.
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| SWA Facilities Maintenance Technician LOA Referendum Notice |
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AMFA National has called for a referendum regarding a Facilities Maintenance Technician Letter of Agreement (LOA) at Southwest Airlines. AMFA National Secretary/Treasurer Steven Nowak will be emailing the complete text of the LOA to eligible voters.
This secret ballot referendum is being conducted by mail...
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| SWA-AirTran Seniority Integration & Transition Agreement Update |
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This update will provide AMFA members at Southwest Airlines (SWA) with current information concerning the status of SWA–AirTran integration as it relates to SWA Mechanics. The Seniority Integration Committee voted today to send the Company’s Seniority Integration Proposal and the Integration/Transition Agreement out to our Southwest members for them to review, consider, and ultimately cast their vote.
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| SWA-AirTran Seniority Integration & Transition Agreement Update |
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This update will provide AMFA members at Southwest Airlines (SWA) with current information concerning the status of SWA–AirTran integration as it relates to SWA Mechanics. This update will first address AMFA’s negotiations with the Company concerning a transition agreement and then provide an overview of the Company’s seniority integration proposal dated November 4, 2011.
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| Tentative SWA-AirTran Seniority Integration Agreement Reached |
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Your AMFA Seniority Integration Committee and the AirTran Seniority Integration Committee met on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th in San Antonio, Texas. The AMFA Seniority Integration Committee was assisted by AMFA General Counsel Lee Seham and attorney Scott Petersen.
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| AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians Negotiations Update #20 |
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Your Negotiating Committee presented a conceptual proposal to Article 5 paragraph 14 of the rejected TA. The proposal suggested revised controls on how and when a member may be moved within a bid location and that acceptable reasons should be limited including the vacancies, Sick leave, OJI, and Leaves of Absence that were less than 30 days. There was no proposal or counter from the Company.
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| AMFA - SWA Seniority Integration Committee meets with AirTran Mechanic Representatives |
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Your AMFA Seniority Integration Committee and the AirTran Seniority Integration Committee met on September 20th and 21st in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the seniority integration process and to continue exploring conceptual ideas for merging the two seniority lists in a fashion that both employee groups could accept as "fair and equitable."
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| SWA Appearance Technicians Reject Tentative Agreement |
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AMFA announces that the Appearance Technicians have rejected the Tentative Agreement with Southwest Airlines. The next step is to conduct a survey of the membership to determine what parts of the TA need to be enhanced, and then to re-engage management in further negotiations.
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| SWA Appearance Technician TA Referendum Notice |
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The AMFA – Southwest Airlines Negotiating Committee has requested a system-wide referendum of the Appearance Technician classification regarding a Tentative Agreement. The complete text of the of the TA was emailed to each member’s company email address on June 15, 2011. If you have not received the TA, please contact the Elections Administrator at 720-744-6629.
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| AMFA – SWA Facilities Maintenance Contract Committee Member Run-Off Election Notice & Candidate Profiles |
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On June 16, 2011, AMFA National tallied ballots for the Southwest Airlines (SWA) Facilities Maintenance Contract Committee Member Election. The election resulted in a tie between Dennis Castelano and Danny York; therefore, a run-off election is required to fill this position. In an effort to be fair and accessible to all Facilities Maintenance Members, AMFA National will be conducting this secret ballot run-off election by mail; therefore, the walk-in voting scheduled for the June 28, 2011 has been cancelled.
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| Southwest, AMFA Appearance Techs Reach Tentative Agreement |
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Southwest and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), who represent the carrier's approximately 260 appearance techs, announced they have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract that becomes amendable February 2015. The current collective bargaining agreement became amendable in February 2009.
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| SWA Station Protection Letter of Agreement Referendum Results |
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The votes for the AMFA – Southwest Airlines Station Protection Letter of Agreement (LOA) Referendum were tallied on May 5, 2011. TrueBallot Inc. conducted the vote and tally by use of the TeleVote® and WebVote® systems. The results of the referendum are as follows:
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Accept |
96.98% |
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Reject |
2.89% |
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Abstain |
0.13% |
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| Alternate SWA ASAP ERC Representative Election Results |
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In February 2011 AMFA National called for nominations to fill the position of Alternate AMFA – Southwest Airlines (SWA) Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Representative.
Southwest Airlines members of Locals 11, 18, and 32 were allowed to submit names in nomination for this position.
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| AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians Negotiations Update #18 |
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The Company and your Negotiating Committee countered Article 15 wage proposals during the negotiations on March 23rd. One of the main points of contention was the Company’s proposed 9 year pay scale. All of the Company’s pay rate increases are based on a 9 year pay scale and the AMFA’s proposals are based on the current 5 year pay scale.
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| AMFA Welcomes our Newest Members |
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The National Mediation Board (NMB) has found that the Southwest Airlines Facilities Maintenance Technicians and Aircraft Maintenance Controllers (including Operations Team Leaders) are a part of the Mechanic and Related Class and Craft and are covered by the AMFA certification.
Congratulations and welcome to the Association.
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| AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians Negotiations Update #17 |
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The Company and your Negotiating Committee repeatedly countered Article 15 wage proposals during the entire negotiations of January 25, 26, and February 16. After AMFA’s last counter of 5%, 5%, 5%, 5%, 3%, & 3%, with a 2% variable in the final two years (2013 & 2014) based on the Company’s financial performance, the Company suggested we jointly file for mediation. Your Negotiating Committee declined their offer stating we could move towards their much lower Article 15 wage proposal, but this would entail reopening Articles 5, 13, and LOA 2, starting with back to book on all three.
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| AMFA-SWA C Check Negotiations Update #1 |
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After the Company sent a formal request to negotiate a settlement to C Check realignment as proposed by the Company, the NEC -- on the advice of two of the Airline Representatives (one didn’t make the conference call) and AMFA legal -- formed a committee to proceed and hear the Company's proposal. The Company presented a proposal on the 27th after the AirTran Integration meeting concluded.
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| Southwest Airlines Seniority Integration Committee Update |
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Since Southwest’s announcement to purchase AirTran there has been a lot of speculation on how this will affect our SWA members and, in an attempt to mitigate any potential impact, your AMFA Seniority Integration Committee met with Southwest Airlines last week in Dallas, Texas.
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| Negotiation Request from Southwest Airlines |
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I take this opportunity to inform you that SWA has formally approached the Union and requested to speak with us regarding their C-Check program. Specifically, they have requested to "…enter into formal negotiations to amend the current Collective Bargaining Agreement with an additional Letter of Agreement (LOA) that would allow the Company to realign the current C-Check program without dispute by AMFA."
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| AirTran Integration Forum Update #1 |
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Lee Rhame and Jack Coonrod attended this first meeting in Dallas Thursday, December 9th from 1:00-5:00pm. Mike Van de Ven was our host. The meeting was not work group or union specific but included leaders from, I believe, all the unions currently on property.
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Page Last Updated: Jun 10, 2013 (08:53:00)
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