March 19, 2019
John Samuelsen
International President
Transport Workers Union
503 3rd St, NW, 9th Floor
Washington DC, 20001
Re: AMFA Support Transport Workers Union Locals’ “American Airlines Should Care” Educational Campaign
Mr. Samuelson:
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) National Executive Council (NEC) fully supports the Transport Workers Union’s “American Airlines Should Care” Educational Campaign. AMFA appreciates and encourages efforts to educate the public on a user-friendly platform that exposes flaws in business practices that compromise safety.
The “American Airlines Should Care” Educational Campaign provides a tool for front-line employees – Aircraft Maintenance Technicians – to voice their concerns about safety practices. This is integral as the front-line employees are the last line of defense in the airline industry. It is not the maintenance program or management teams who are the vigilance of safety – it is the AMTs. Furthermore, AMTs are not currently an equal safety partner with the carriers, manufactures, and regulators. We need to be entrusted as the experts that we are, and maintain a position that enables a proactive approach to safety, not the typical reactive response. This campaign to give AMTs a voice is a step in the right direction.
The culture of safety in the airline industry has been deteriorating. While air travel has an extraordinary safety record over the past decade, it has become too easy to dismiss legitimate warnings. The reality is, the airlines have become more concerned about their shareholders and increasing profit than maintaining safety, particularly where the safe choice might be too costly. We don’t want the industry to be less profitable, but profit should never be valued over the flying public’s safety. This educational campaign will help bring light to the shortcomings, and hopefully, be part of the change for a safer airline industry.
In Solidarity,
Bret Oestreich
National Director
