To:
Re:
Date: |
AMFA Locals and Members
National President’s Monthly Update for November 2022
December 16, 2022 |
Dear Members:
As we near the end of 2022, we can reflect on our profound success this year. AMFA leadership set ambitious goals for the Association, and we can proudly say we raised the standards and increased the recognition of our craft in the aviation industry across North America. As expressed at the beginning of this year, our Association was fully prepared for growth this year as hiring accelerated system-wide, and our accomplished attracted Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) and Maintenance Controllers (MOC) in the United States as well as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) in Canada who are seeking our craft/trade specific union representation.
In 2022, AMFA organized and won representation of four (4) new Mechanic and Related workgroups: Sun Country Airlines; Alaska Airlines (AS) MOC; Spirit Airlines; and our first employer in Canada, L3 Harris MAS. Through the transition period for each of these new groups we have established their Airline Representatives (ALRs) to help in the oversight of the respective group’s current work rules or contract agreement. We are ecstatic to experience the substantial building of relationships and amplified solidarity as leaders join forces to achieve the goal of achieving their first collective bargaining agreement. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity.”- Amelia Earhart
AMFA will continue to be the voice of the AMT, AME, and related employees by taking action to protect your work, ability to earn, raising wages, and improving benefits. AMFA has ratified industry-changing contracts at Southwest Airlines (Aircraft Appearance Technicians) and Horizon Air. Furthermore, we started the first negotiation session for the Alaska Airlines MOC, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country. AMFA members’ voices were heard in the twenty-three (23) elections, referenda, and surveys the Association conducted this past year.
AMFA PAC, the first and only political action committee (PAC) representing aircraft technicians and related issues, is another tool to help resonate our voice. Nearly every decision affecting the airline industry and your craft/trade is made by someone elected or appointed in government. AMFA PAC opens doors, affording our profession more access, influence, and potential legislative victories for our craft-related issues. Please consider joining AMFA PAC and make our voice louder. Please visit the Government Affairs Updates page of the AMFA National Website for further details.
AMFA provided various training sessions for our union officers and representatives from all six (6) of our represented groups throughout the year, including Local Secretary and Treasurer training in August (DEN), Shop Representative Training in April (ATL) and September (PHX) where 81 members were trained, and Professional Standards Training in March (SEA), May (PDX), and September (DEN) where 105 members were trained. We highly encourage anyone interested in being a Shop Representative to contact your ALR or anyone interested in conflict resolution and professional standards to contact your Local Safety and Standards Chair to attend this invaluable training.
We will be continuing Section 6 Negotiations at SWA (Facilities Maintenance Technicians), Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines as well starting Section 6 Negotiations at Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines (AMT) in 2023. We look forward to continued negotiation success for our craft/trade and our profession. We must be respected for our relevance as licensed professionals and valuable contributors to safety, reliability, and the overall success of our employers. Despite the challenging times we have faced in this industry, our members remain unified and engaged as AMFA negotiates industry-leading contracts for our members.
I want to encourage you to recognize the importance of the responsibilities and work you perform day-to-day. We focus on maintaining a culture of safety compliance, and ensuring the safety and airworthiness of any aircraft is the most important thing we do. Safety in the air begins with quality of maintenance on the ground.
I ask you to please continue to be vigilant and to stay engaged with your union and officers. In doing so, monitor your respective carrier page on the AMFA National website for airline-specific details. Tools remain in place for our members to acquire Association and industry-related updates via the AMFA National Website, AMFA App, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and the AMFA Insider Podcast. We also continue to conduct station and GMM visits system wide. Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your support and participation – please stay engaged and informed.
We would like to wish all our fellow aviation maintenance professionals across the world and most importantly our AMFA membership a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Please stay safe and cherish this holiday time of year with your family and friends. We look forward to continued success and prolific growth in 2023.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President