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National Director's June 2019 Update
Jul 10, 2019

July 3, 2019

Dear Members:

We ended the month of June with a lot of progress and accomplishments that we should all be proud of. We are closing chapters and opening new ones with the year half over.

June was another busy month for both the AMFA and Alaska Negotiating Committees in reaching a Transition Agreement to bring the Legacy Virgin American (Airbus) Aircraft Maintenance Technicians under the AMFA‑AS Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as well as an Integrated Seniority List.  A Transition Agreement was reached and, like agreements for other unions on the property, it includes wage increases for all-in rate, benefit enhancements, a ratification bonus, and a two-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement. It also includes station protections for LAX, SEA, SAN, SFO, PDX, and JFK.  

The AMFA Negotiating Committee conducted several station visits throughout the system to discuss the Transition Agreement and to answer any questions prior to the voting process. Polls opened for the Transition and Seniority Integration Agreements Referendum on June 21. Anyone having questions about the voting process should contact the Administration Director at 720-744-6629 or elections@amfanatl.org. The voting period ends at 10:00 am et on July 18, 2019, the day of the tally. Please monitor the Alaska Airlines News and Updates page of the AMFA National website for further details.

On June 4, 2019, Justin Madden and myself had the opportunity to sit on a panel for the Transport Workers Union’s presentation regarding Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing. The event was organized by the Business Travel Coalition and was a discussion to raise the awareness of foreign and domestic outsourcing of aircraft maintenance as well as the introduction of an Airline Passenger Safety Bill of Rights. This bill would help ensure that maintenance personnel be appropriately trained and certified, have drug and alcohol tests, have proper security background checks, and be US citizens. It also aims to make airline records of critical outsourcing data public, and addresses the rights of travelers to receive regular updates during long delays and routine and frequent oversight of vendors. This bill emphasizes making some of the most fundamental information available to the flying public regarding safely so they can travel with full and complete confidence that all aircraft are properly maintained by certified skilled professionals. FlySafe365 is advocating a single maintenance standard. These steadfast efforts have been a consistent heavy lift by AMFA’s legislative movement for many years. Please monitor the Legislative Updates page of the National website for current legislative topics, agendas, and details that affects your careers and our craft.

On June 12, 2019, the AMFA-SWA Negotiating Committee signed the documents for the amended Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) contract with Southwest Airlines in Dallas, TX. On or about June 20, 2019, AMFA‑SWA AMTs should have received their ratification bonus for efforts to be made whole for losses since the amendable date of August 16, 2012. Additionally, you should receive two checks on August 5, 2019: the first being your full retro difference for April 1- July 31, 2019, and second is your normal check with new pay rate effective August 1, 2019. On August 16, 2019, the amendable date, you will receive another 3% raise on your base pay rate on following August 20th check. It was a long hard historical journey to get to this point, and we all are part of a unified group that will only continue to strengthen from our achievements. Keep your head high with knowledge, be safe-compliant with your skills, and continue to be perform your job with integrity and professionalism. I am again honored to help represent you.

The NEC continues our efforts to achieve the best communication practices to reach our membership. Tools are in place for our members to acquire latest news and updates regarding current events throughout the Association via the National website, AMFA App, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The NEC also continues to conduct station and GMM visits throughout the system. Thank you for your continued support in this communication campaign.

Reminder: the FAA Hotline reporting system may be utilized to report concerns of aviation safety: https://hotline.faa.gov/. We must realize our grave responsibility as FAA certified airman to exercise our judgement on the airworthiness of aircraft and equipment. We, therefore, pledge unyielding adherence to these precepts for the advancement of public safety of aviation and for the dignity for our craft.

As always, I ask you please be safe and to stay engaged with your union and officers. For more carrier specific updates and further information regarding AMFA and the airline industry, please visit the AMFA National Website at www.amfanational.org. Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your continued support and participation – please stay informed.

In closing, when you gather with your family and friends this 4th of July, take a moment and reflect on the patriotic sentiments of United States of America: “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand”- Harry S. Truman.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National Director


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