May 18, 2015
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) applauds and supports the recent decision by the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) to create and fund a Strike Preparedness Committee. AMFA’s Aircraft Maintenance Technicians and Related at Southwest Airlines have been in negotiations for almost three years and would like to echo the same frustration from negotiations with Southwest Airlines management.
We fully agree with SWAPA that settling labor contracts is in the best interest of Southwest Airlines; furthermore, we believe that it is also in the best interest of the flying public and the shareholders. Any and all stakeholders should be uneasy with Southwest Airlines management’s conspicuous plan to substantially reward executives for their performance while allowing contract negotiations to drag on endlessly.
Ignoring the productivity and expertise of our group, not to mention the intangibles that our members bring every day, is a mistake that we expect Southwest Airlines to correct at the table. AMFA is prepared to further discuss how our members should be rewarded for our part in achieving record profits; however, Southwest Airlines management must be serious and ready to achieve the goal of reaching an agreement.
In the meantime, AMFA is standing in support of the pilots at SWAPA. Although we hope that a disruption of this magnitude does not occur, we will gladly work with SWAPA’s Strike Preparedness Committee as they compose and ready their plan.
In Solidarity,
AMFA National Executive Council
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association was established in 1962 as a craft focused union that represents Aircraft Maintenance Technicians and Related employees. The motto of the Association is “safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground.” AMFA currently represents the craft at Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines. For more information about AMFA, please visit www.amfanational.org.