May 31, 2017
Dear Members:
The National Executive Council (NEC) continues our efforts to achieve the best communication practices to reach you. Communication has been a top priority for the past several months, and a system-wide quest to update member contact information at both the Local and National levels is ongoing. The tools are in place for our members to acquire updates and receive push notifications regarding current events throughout the Association. We are also using social media to increase visibility via Facebook-live and Twitter. Negotiation updates and other news are archived on the carrier specific pages of the National website at www.amfanational.org.
We would like to take the time to thank everyone who participated in the AMFA–SWA Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) Survey that concluded on April 20, 2017. The data collected has been analyzed by the survey consulting firm, and the Chair of your Negotiating Committee, NEC, Negotiating Committee, and Local Presidents have participated in various conference calls to review the applicable data. The results of the survey will remain with the Chair of the Negotiating Committee for confidentiality. This survey was designed to identify the true pulse of how many of you feel about the current state of SWA negotiations and other stated concerns. Your NEC, Local Presidents, and Negotiating Committee are aware of the silent majority’s concerns.
On May 10, 2017, in Seattle, WA, we participated in initial conversations with Alaska Airlines (ASA) Leadership, Greg Mays and Kurt Kinder, regarding the projected timeline and expectations for the integration and transition of ASA and Virgin America. We are scheduling meetings in the near future with the AMFA–Alaska Airlines Integration Committee and Virgin American Integration Committee to discuss the integration process. We are optimistic for a smooth integration and transition process. We will continue to keep you informed as we proceed.
AMFA was a Corporate Sponsor for the 2017 Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) held April 25–27 at the Orlando Convention Center during the MRO Americas Trade Show. This event recognizes and celebrates AMTs and raises awareness of the knowledge and skill required to maintain safe, airworthy aircraft worldwide. AMC was live streamed and our voice reached over 30 countries. AMFA members participating in the event raised awareness of who we are as AMTs and as AMFA, a craft oriented, independent aviation union for AMTs. I was very proud to observe knowledge, skill, integrity, and professionalism of all who participated.
AMFA members, composing three teams, competed against 35 other teams from around the world. Our teams showed that they are the “best of the best.”
Team SEA: Marty Knox (sponsor), Mike Flowers, Vishal Prasad, TJ Spring, Marty Hitt, Chris Dancik, Chris Worley, Brandon Statfield
Team ANC: Steve Wixon, Nicholas McKay, Tom Cook, Eben Fiorentino, Randy Ahrens, Nate Coats.
Judges from ASA: Bob Long, Ken Pitt, Duane Bailey, Ernest Yeun
Team AMFA Local 11 & SWAPA: Karrie Brower, Will Watson, Gordon Carlson, Chris Williamson and Josh Beavers.
Team SEA took second place overall and was honored for winning the Composite Repair Event, Hydraulic Flex Line Event, Aircraft Electrical Power Troubleshooting, American Airlines APU Event, and ASA Dent Evaluation Event. Team ANC took home the win in the Drone Event. Team AMFA Local 11 & SWAPA took runner-up for fastest in the ASA Power Receptacle Event.
The NEC continues to conduct station visits at both ASA and Southwest Airlines (SWA) locations. The NEC attended GMMs in PHX, HOU, MDW, and DAL and visited ATL in the month of May 2017. We would like to thank everyone who helped with transportation at the stations and escorts from each area.
In February 2017 SWA filed a lawsuit against AMFA National, Local 11, and several individual officers and contract negotiators in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The SWA transfer motion was granted to move the suit AMFA filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona to the respective court in Texas. The next stage of litigation for both lawsuits is to meet with the assigned District Judge for discovery and depositions protocol, and the hearing date is set for March 2018.
Please be aware of our members being subjected to increased intimidation and increased fact finding interrogation tactics for being compliant. For more information on AIR21 and your options as a federally mandated certificate holder, please watch the AIR21- Whistleblower video. The recent AIR21 filings by multiple individual AMTs at SWA are still in the two part interviewing stage with both the FAA and OSHA. AIR21 Whistleblowers can be filed by individuals when they feel bullied, threatened, or intimidated by the company for performing their job and being compliant. Passenger safety and maintenance compliance rests in our hands every day – always remain compliant.
We have been in AMT negotiations with SWA for nearly five years – 1749 days to be exact. Negotiations continued this month with a mediated session May 1-4 at the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, DC. Negotiation updates for all sessions have been posted to the AMFA National Website. The next negotiation session for AMTs is scheduled for June 20-22.
In addition to this written update, a video message titled, “National Director Video Message to AMFA Members,” has been posted to the AMFA National Website.
Please stay engaged, and thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National Director