September 30, 2017
Dear Members:
The National Executive Council (NEC) continues our efforts to achieve the best communication practices to reach our member including emails and push notifications as well as website, Facebook, and Twitter posts. The NEC also continues to conduct station visits throughout the system. We would like to thank everyone who continues to help with transportation and escorts at each station.
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have affected several members of Local 18 and their families in southeastern Texas and Florida. A GoFundMe page has been established to help ease the burden while they recover from the catastrophic damage: https://www.gofundme.com/amfa-18-hurricane-benefit. Thank you to all who have already contributed. If you have not already done so, please consider contributing what you can. Every penny counts.
We met with Southwest Airlines (SWA) in Dallas, TX on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, for Facility Maintenance Technician (FMT) negotiations. During this one-day session we again reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) for the initial Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for this workgroup. The Company and the Union are working towards a final document, which will again be reviewed by the Committee before being submitted to the NEC for approval. If approved by the NEC, the TA will be sent out for a system-wide ratification vote of the membership. Please see Negotiations Updates posted to the AMFA National Website for more details.
On August 17, 2017, AMFA and SWA finished the last scheduled Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) negotiation session for the foreseeable future. The AMFA Negotiating Committee has made the decision to go out and explain where we are in the process, what issues remain open, and to answer questions from the membership. The meeting schedule is as outlined: DAL October 2-3, HOU October 5-6, PHX October 24-25, and MDW November 6-7. Stations not listed above will have the opportunity to participate in these meetings via conference call. Your Local will be providing dates, times, and access information for these calls.
AMFA and Alaska Airlines (ASA) will conduct the Annual Wage Review on October 10, 2017. Additionally, we have scheduled our first meeting between the AMFA–ASA Integration Committee and Virgin American Integration Committee in Seattle, WA on October 11-13, 2017, to discuss the upcoming integration process of the two workgroups. We will continue to keep you informed as we proceed through this process.
It is important to highlight that several of your fellow AMTs have recently been terminated for alleged non-compliance with documented maintenance procedures. All AMFA members are urged to carefully review maintenance documentation applicable to the specific maintenance task you are performing. The Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM) should always be consulted when remove and replace or servicing of any maintenance task. Every AMT has both the right and obligation to perform maintenance in accordance with the standards embodied in our maintenance manuals. Please reference this month’s Compliance Reminder for more details.
During the SWAPA Annual Convention AMFA leadership participated in a two-day independent aviation union panel along with APA, SWAPA, VIPA, and ACPA. Topics of discussion at this convention were: contract comparison, government affairs/legislation, effective media management, building successful strike preparation team, update on safety concerns in industry, aviation certified professional shortages, and economic analysis. This year’s keynote speaker was FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
In closing, we want to stress we must that we all exercise caution and be watchful of what we express on all social media outlets, especially Facebook. Even what we post on "closed" or “private” local union pages can be revealed and tracked. We are all being watched by Alaska and Southwest corporate media watchdogs. Any type of negative posts online about individuals or anti-company statements may, and could, be used against you resulting in disciplinary action, including termination. Please be respectful and professional.
Please stay engaged, and thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National Director