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National President Update - January 2023
Feb 09, 2023
To:
Re:
Date:
AMFA Locals and Members
National President’s Monthly Update for January 2023
February 9, 2023

Dear Members:

Happy New Year. Last year we had a substantial positive impact on the aviation industry across North America. With the successful ratification of the two collective bargaining agreements, successful representation elections at Sun Country and Spirit Airlines, and the Association’s first certification in Canada at L3 Harris MAS, AMFA is continually increasing the recognition and value of our craft/trade. We continue to set high goals for 2023. 

2023 started off with a bang, as AMFA filed a representation dispute with the Canadian Industrial Relation Board (CIRB) on January 30 to represent the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and skilled trade groups at WestJet Airlines. AMFA’s footprint is rapidly expanding in Canada, and we expect more Canadian airlines AMEs to seek AMFA representation.  

Another ongoing goal of the Association is to provide various training sessions for AMFA leadership. We have the largest attended Shop Representative Training scheduled for February 28-March 1 in Orlando, and we plan to hold future sessions later this year. We highly encourage any Shop Representative who has not yet received this training to contact your Airline Representative to attend an upcoming session as soon as possible.

In continuing AMFA’s membership outreach and communication initiative, AMFA National has deployed a revamped National Website – check it out. Locals 4, 14, 18, and 32 have also implemented websites and smartphone apps to better communicate with their respective members. Please note, each website and app operates separately; therefore, members are encouraged to register with the AMFA National website and AMFA App as well as your respective local website and App. Additional tools remain in place for our members to acquire Association and industry related updates Quick Links, 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.

AMFA has been busy with contract negotiations and enforcement across the system.

The AMFA and Alaska Airlines (AS) Negotiating Committees held a two-day bargaining session on January 17-18 in Los Angeles, and the next bargaining session is scheduled for February 15-16 in Seattle. The Committee would like to thank all the observers that attended this session. In addition, the ALRs continue working with the Company and Arbitrator on the Roster Apps Arbitration case. The Company is hiring experienced and qualified aircraft technicians to achieve adequate staffing levels in ANC, SEA, and PDX.

On January 31, 2023, the AMFA-Southwest Airlines (SWA) Facility Maintenance Technicians (FMT) voted by 88.37% to ratify a tentative agreement at Southwest Airlines. The agreement provides a total wage increase of 38.47% top-of-scale over a five-year term with a 25.03% increase in wages in year one top-of-scale snap all-in (2 licenses, max longevity). In addition to wage increases, the agreement includes new flex schedule options, additional holidays, strengthened overtime rules and pay, and training enhancements for classroom and certification to include reimbursements. The AMFA-SWA ALRs continue working with the Company on arbitration cases. The Company continues to hire experienced and qualified aircraft technicians to achieve adequate staffing levels throughout the system.

AMFA Local 14 Horizon Air (QX) Airline Representative Bobby Shipman has retired from QX, and we wish him great success in the next chapter of his career. Bobby’s unwavering commitment contributed to the negotiation of a two-year CBA extension with unprecedented wage increases for the AMFA-Horizon membership. Thank you, Bobby, for your leadership and dedication to protecting the membership while fighting for the enforcement of the CBA. Mr. Chuck Clum will serve as the Interim Local 14 QX ALR until the vacancy is filled in accordance with the Local 14 bylaws. Chuck has been in a union leadership role in the past and is a tenured union supporter for over 30 years. Thank you, Chuck, for your assistance during this interim period.

AMFA and Sun Country Airlines (SCA) commenced Section 6 negotiations on January 3-5 in Minneapolis, and are scheduled to meet again on February 21-23 in Minneapolis. We are also excited to meet with you at a union meeting on February 22 in Minneapolis to answer any questions you may have about AMFA membership and negotiations; further details will soon follow. Stay engaged, remain informed, and continue to support the Negotiating Committee as that support increases the Committee’s ability to bargain a CBA your hard work deserves. Tony Christner was unopposed in the election for the AMFA-SCA ALR, and his two-year term started on January 31, 2023.

AMFA and Spirit Airlines (NKS) held the second session of Section 6 negotiations on January 3-5 in Dallas, and is scheduled to meet again on February 7-9 in Fort Lauderdale. The AMFA-NKS ALR and Member-at-Large Negotiator Election tallied in January: Jason Salazar of DFW was elected AMFA-NKS ALR and Ernest Harris of FLL was elected Member-at-Large Negotiator.

The AMFA-L3 Harris MAS (L3) Transition Committee is in place, including an Interim ALR and Shop Representatives. A special election will soon be conducted to fill the ALR position in accordance with the Local 4 Bylaws. We have been working with both L3 Harris MAS management and Edward Jones Financial Group to finalize the transition from the IAM Pension Plan to an L3 funded individually directed Retirement Savings Plan. We are reviewing housekeeping items in the recently ratified CBA.

Please utilize your carrier’s Safety Reporting System (SRS) when you feel there are safety or compliance concerns while performing your job. In addition to your carrier’s SRS, the FAA Hotline may be utilized to report concerns about aviation safety: https://hotline.faa.gov/. We must realize our immense responsibility as FAA-certified airmen to exercise our judgment 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 of our craft.

I ask you to continue to be vigilant and be engaged with your union and officers. In doing so, monitor your respective carrier page on the AMFA National website for airline-specific details. Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your support and participation – please stay engaged and informed.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National President


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