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AMFA-SWA FMT Negotiations Update #4
Sep 08, 2022

September 8, 2022

Participants for AMFA:
Bret Oestreich – National President
Earl Clark – Region I Director
Will Abbott – Region II Director
Louis Upchurch – Local 4 ALR
Craig Hamlet – Local 11 ALR

Wayne Lampley – Local 18 ALR
Ken Patrick – Local 32 ALR
Danny York – Facilities Maintenance DAL
Lucas Middlebrook – Legal Counsel
Peter Manikowski – Economist

Participants for Southwest Airlines:
Anthony Wafer, Sr. – Director Labor Relations
Neal Hanks – Director Labor Relations
Tamara Harrison – Labor Relations Business Consultant
Clint Auten – Sr. Director Corporate Facilities
Tim Hooyman – Sr. Manager Facilities Maintenance
Kris Townsend – Labor Administration Manager
Patrick Breit – Financial - Planning & Analysis


The AMFA-Southwest Airlines (SWA) FMT Negotiating Committee is providing this update to the Facilities Maintenance Technician (FMT) Membership at Southwest Airlines. This is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee.

The Parties held a three-day bargaining session, August 30 – September 1 in Denver to continue Section 6 bargaining toward a successor collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the FMT group. The first day began with AMFA delivering counterproposals on Article 14 – Wage Rules, Article 15 – Wage Rates, and Article 24 – General and Miscellaneous. The sole issue remaining in Article 24 was new language requiring the Parties to meet and discuss reimbursement for the cost of training, tuition, and required books/materials if additional training is necessary in the future to obtain a required license or certification. The Parties were, after a short caucus on Day 1, able to tentatively agree (TA) to Article 24. However, despite productive discussion and exchange of proposals, the Parties were unable to tentatively agree upon either Article 14 or Article 15.

At the outset of the Day 2, the Parties agreed to “table” Article 14 – Wage Rules until the two sides could progress toward agreement on Article 15. Both sides continued discussion and exchanged Article 15 proposals; however, despite productive movement, the Parties were still unable to reach tentative agreement. The Parties had previously agreed to table Article 4 – Classifications; however, given the tabling of Article 14 and the inability of the Parties to reach tentative agreement on Article 15, AMFA proposed a counter with respect to the Lead ratio language in Article 4. AMFA proposed reducing the numbers necessary to require additional Lead positions. Currently, Article 4 requires there to be five (5) or more FMTs on duty on the same shift within a bid location before another Lead position would be required; AMFA proposed reducing that number to four (4). In addition, current book provides that no Lead FMT will be required to lead and direct the work of a group totaling more than ten (10) on duty FMTs, and AMFA proposed reducing that number to six (6). The Company was amenable to this proposal and the Parties were able to TA Article 4 – Classifications at the conclusion of Day 3 in Denver.

The Parties, carrying over from the previous session, remained productive in Denver by TA’ing Articles 4 and 24. There is still significant bargaining work to be done to bridge the gap between the Parties on economics and the other remaining open issues. To that end, AMFA drafted and delivered an information request to the Company designed to further inform your negotiators during these important discussions at the table. The Parties are working to secure dates in October to continue FMT bargaining. We will update you as to those dates when the Parties finalize the schedule.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to your ALR with any questions. Stay engaged. Remain informed. Continue your support for your Negotiating Committee -- it increases its ability to bargain a CBA your hard work deserves.

Fraternally,

AMFA-SWA FMT Negotiating Committee


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AMFA
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Centennial, CO 80112
  303-752-2632

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