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National Director Update - October 2020
Nov 03, 2020

November 3, 2020

Dear Members:

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy while the world and our industry tackle this COVID-19 epidemic. As we navigate through these epic times, your AMFA Officers and Representatives continue to monitor the operational activity pertaining to headcount reductions as well as actively conversing with all airlines on potential cost saving measures outside of our Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA).

At the end of September, AMFA won the furlough arbitration at Alaska Airlines (AS) regarding LOA#9, which determined that no furloughs will be permissible through the amendable date of the CBA at six protected stations (Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Diego, and San Francisco). Your ALRs are in further battles with AS management on insufficiencies of third-party Roster Apps and the changes implemented in the Company’s attendance policy program.

We would also like to say a heartfelt farewell to Mark Dahl who recently accepted the Early Out option after 36 years, 5 months at AS. Mark has been a dedicated advocate for AMFA since AMFA was certified at Alaska in 1998. He has held the positions of Local President, delegate for multiple National Conventions, and served as an ALR for 10 years. His contributions to this Association are very much appreciated at all levels, and he will be sorely missed. We welcome Jeff Heard from Anchorage who has stepped up to fill the Local 32 Alaska ALR position. Thank you both for your leadership and service to the AMFA membership.

Horizon Air is in the process of hiring approximately 20 AMTs to fill the understaffing vacancies caused by the Voluntary Early Out for Retirement option and operational schedule. Initially, increased headcounts will be at Seattle, Portland, and Pain Field. There will be another ten openings at Portland in the coming months.

The AMFA–Southwest Airlines (SWA) ALRs have been in discussions with the Company to identify feasible costs cutting options for Tech-ops employees. The ALRs again conveyed the need to bring outsourced maintenance in-house to keep our members employed and engaged. The AMFA ALRs and economist have submitted a request for information in regard to the current state of SWA’s outsourced maintenance footprint and associated costs, and they are waiting for the Company’s to supply the information. Please monitor the Southwest Airlines Updates page of the AMFA National Website to view correspondence from your ALRs and National addressing the possibilities of furloughs:

  1. AMFA-SWA ALR Membership Update #1 – October 8, 2020
  2. Memo: NEC Supports AMFA-SWA ALRs – October 8, 2020
  3. AMFA-SWA ALR Membership Update #2 – October 15, 2020
  4. ND Letter to SWA Labor Relations – October 23, 2020

AMFA-SWA ALRs have asked for further information to help in finding these savings. We believe we have contractional language in all three CBAs that provide protections from furloughs. Our Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Facilities Maintenance Technician, and Appearance Technician workgroups are the most outsourced groups on SWA property. AMFA and SWA are still collaborating to find resolutions on cost savings.

AMFA’s Legislative team continues to contribute and engage discussions related to the Payroll Support Program (PSP) CARES Act, the stand-alone bill or the macro relief package. Furthermore, our team advocates for our craft in COVID-19 related discussions, especially the current CARES Act PSP Extension. Unfortunately, the political landscape while the elections are on-going is causing uncertainty on if and when these bills to bring financial relief for our airlines will be voted on. Be assured, we are adamantly fighting for you under the parameters of the CARES Act. Please to monitor the Legislative Updates page of the AMFA National website for more details.

AMFA Local Safety and Standards Chairman continue to be actively involved system-wide to reinforce adherence to workplace cleaning protocol via CDC guidelines. We urge you to utilize PPE, practice social distancing, adhere to any company policy on wearing masks while performing your job, and remember, safety is always the number one priority.  If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 safety procedures or protocols, please contact your Local Safety and Standards Chairman.

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 while being vigilant and to stay engaged with your union and officers. Please monitor your respective carrier page of the AMFA National website for further airline specific details: Alaska Airlines UpdatesHorizon Air UpdatesSouthwest Airlines Updates. Additionally, I encourage you 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 support and participation – please stay engaged and informed.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National Director


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AMFA
7853 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 1100
Centennial, CO 80112
  303-752-2632

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