March 17, 2020
Dear Members:
Reflecting back on 2019, we take great pride in our Association’s achievements and the many hurdles we successfully navigated during the year. We now face our first significant hurdle of 2020, which will affect the entire travel industry as well as the global economy. Throughout the month of February, airlines and their employees were under an enormous amount of pressure in the changing environment focusing on the safety of public health in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
AMFA Officers and Representatives have been in communication with our carries regularly and are taking guidance from the CDC to ensure we are taking effective steps to combat the significant challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. We encourage everyone to monitor the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) to educate yourself and watch for updates. Do not buy into headlines and sound bites; investigate the whole story completely through credible sources. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your Local Safety and Standards Chairman. Additionally, understand the situation and communication is fluid with significant challenges that change daily.
We understand the “fear of the unknown” is real and concerning for you and your family during the spread of the Coronavirus across our country, as well as the economic effects this may have on our carriers and economy. We thank you for your perseverance and dedication in performing your job duties and producing a safe, reliable aircraft. We will be putting periodic updates out on new policies or CDC updates as we receive information from the carriers, government agencies, and Federal Aviation Administration that pertain to you. For more information regarding measures taken by our employers, please visit:
Alaska Airlines Aircraft Cleaning Video
Southwest Airlines Implements Enhanced Aircraft Cleaning Program
At this time, the Seattle area has been hard hit with individuals contracting the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). AMFA and Local Representatives has been actively involved in making sure Alaska Airlines follows through with workplace cleaning and increased disinfecting. Please monitor the Alaska Airlines News and Updates page of the AMFA National website for further details.
Thank you all Horizon Air volunteers who stepped up to represent your work group through the transition. We will continue to conduct station visits after the Horizon ALR election concludes for a meet and greet. Please monitor the Horizon Air News and Updates page of the AMFA National website for most up-to-date information for your group.
AMFA and Southwest Airlines (SWA) are currently in the process of updating the SWA Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU); the FAA has extended the current MOU and we will provide more details when they become available. We want to urge you to be aware of the situation around you while performing your job and duties.
Southwest Airlines is still dedicated to the two Federal lawsuits against AMFA and AMFA representatives. AMFA does not want to be in court or in a battle addressing the degradation of safety culture in the work place. Instead, we want to move forward partnering with Southwest in the many significant challenges they face, and some of these challenges are the biggest this Company has faced in history. We will continue updating you via the secure Legal Updates (Members Only) page of the National website as developments unfold.
The AMFA National Convention is right around the corner as it convenes on May 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. The Rules Committee convened on February 3 to begin their review of constitution amendment proposals submitted by the membership. AMFA is membership driven and this is the membership’s opportunity to be directly involved in shaping the foundation of our Association.
The NEC continues to strive for the best communication practices to reach our membership. Tools are in place for our members to acquire news and updates regarding current events throughout the Association via the National website, AMFA App, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for your continued support in this membership outreach and communication campaign. We will also continue to conduct station and GMM visits system-wide.
Reminder to All Members: 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.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National Director