For Immediate Release
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – December 10, 2024 – On November 29, 2024, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) filed applications for certification at Jazz Technical Services and Jazz Aviation, LP. The applications cover both the line and heavy maintenance employees at the airline. Jazz is the third largest Canadian carrier by fleet size, behind Air Canada and WestJet, respectively.
This milestone reflects the growing demand among Canadian aviation maintenance professionals for craft-specific representation that prioritizes their unique expertise and challenges in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.
“Jazz Aviation and Jazz Technical Services workers are vital to the safety and reliability of air travel in Canada,” said Bret Oestreich, AMFA National President. “We are honored by the opportunity to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights, fair treatment, and working conditions.”
“AMFA’s applications for representation were accompanied by overwhelming evidence of employee support,” explains Oestreich. “We expect the CIRB to process the applications in the coming weeks and order a representation vote among Jazz maintenance employees soon.”
AMFA has seen a marked increase in union interest among aircraft maintenance engineers, line workers, and heavy maintenance employees across Canada. The Jazz filing occurred hours after AMFA received notification that the CIRB authorized and ordered a representation vote at CALM Air.
“AMFA has been approached by AMEs at other Canadian carriers, too,” says Oestreich. “We are seeing some organizing drives that show support far exceeding AMFA’s internal application threshold and well above the 50% support required by the CIRB.”
Oestreich says he believes much of the support AMFA is seeing stems from the workforce’s “dissatisfaction with the status quo — all those entrenched industrial unions that will organize anyone. AMFA is different. We are the only trade-specific union for aircraft maintenance professionals.”
Oestreich says AMEs are now recognizing the value of their labor. They have also rejected the “one size fits all” approach of the past, choosing instead to join with AMFA to build a better future for themselves and their families.
AMFA has a longstanding history of championing the needs of aircraft maintenance engineers/technicians and related professionals. Its commitment to transparency, member-driven governance, and focus on craft-specific issues has made it a trusted advocate in the aviation industry across North America.
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The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft-oriented, independent aviation union representing licensed and unlicensed Aircraft Maintenance Technicians/Engineers and skilled trade groups actively involved in the aviation industry. These employees work directly on aircraft and/or components, support equipment, and facilities. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians/engineers and achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled professionals it represents. For more information about AMFA, visit www.amfanational.org.
