July 18, 2024

Participants for AMFA
Earl Clark – Region I Director
Will Abbott – Region II Director
Tony Christner – Airline Representative
Lucas Middlebrook – Legal Counsel
Sam Seham – Legal Counsel

Participants for Sun Country Airlines
Kristen Peterson – Sr. Director, Labor & Employment
Bobby Purzitza – Director of Maintenance
Jacki Thompson – Legal Counsel
Roy Fan – Financial Planning & Analysis

The AMFA–SCA Negotiating Committee (“Committee”) is providing this update to the membership at Sun Country Airlines (“Sun Country”). This is the only officially authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee.

The parties met virtually for a four-hour mediated session on July 12, 2024. This was our third session in mediation under the National Mediation Board (NMB).

The parties had agreed to arrive at the session prepared to resolve previously identified sticking points. Among those issues was Sun Country’s asserted need to use employees in one classification to perform the work of another on an ad hoc basis (“cross-utilization”). At prior sessions, AMFA had offered multiple supposals on the issue to ensure the Company could maintain core aspects of its operations.

Instead of discussing AMFA’s previous supposals, the Company sought to re-hash areas where it sought to cross-utilize classifications. The parties had already covered these issues ad nauseum at prior sessions. AMFA again discussed its view of cross-utilization. Disputes arose when the Company asserted its need to use the Inspector classification to perform maintenance assignments, which AMFA advised could violate federal regulations.

Sun Country continued to assert a broad need for cross-utilization despite AMFA’s concerns. Because AMFA could not accept the Company’s position, AMFA’s negotiators stated that the parties had reached an impasse on the issue. Impasse is a pre-requisite to the exercise of your statutory right to strike. The federally-appointed mediator agreed the parties were no longer making progress on the issue of cross-utilization.

The parties then proceeded to discuss the role of the Traveling Technician. As the limited time allocated for the session expired, AMFA confirmed that it would come to subsequent bargaining with draft contract language addressing concerns around the Traveling Technician position.  Sun Country refused to indicate whether it would be receptive to AMFA’s contemplated ideas on this issue. AMFA’s efforts to develop real solutions may again prove futility.  The Company also stated it would come prepared with additional counters to the Union’s June 14, 2023, comprehensive proposal, but declined to identify what articles it would address.  The parties have another virtual session scheduled for August 23 and will meet in person September 23-25 in Tampa.

On display during this round of bargaining was the Company’s refusal to accept a contract on anything but its own terms.  The Company does not view bargaining as a joint partnership but rather as a means of winning concessions. This perspective has led to an impasse on several critical issues.  As a result, AMFA considers that the parties are now on a path to a legal strike/lockout if this type of stubbornness from the Company continues.

AMFA recommends that, over the next several months, its members refrain from making major purchases or incurring significant financial commitments.  Your continued solidarity is essential to our bargaining position and will help secure the contract that your hard work deserves. In the coming weeks you will receive more information on the status of the Strike Preparation Committee.

Remember – stay engaged, remain informed, and continue to support the Negotiating Committee.

 Fraternally,

Your AMFA–SCA Negotiating Committee