Primary AMFA-SWA ASAP ERC Representative

I am Duane Mendez, your current primary AMFA ASAP representative. I have worked as an aircraft mechanic for 40 years and at Southwest Airlines for the past 26 years. In that time, I have held numerous union positions, including shop rep, area rep and airline rep. For the last two years, I have represented AMFA union members in ASAP proceedings. Having the opportunity to be a part of the ASAP program in this capacity has been very fulfilling, and I would love to continue being your ASAP representative on the ERC.

During the last few years, we have seen many changes at Southwest Airlines, and the protection the ASAP program offers is more important than ever. With Just Culture coming onboard and Regulatory Affairs doing more investigations, it is imperative for AMFA members to have strong representation. I believe I have been and will continue to be the strong representation that is needed. My years of both maintenance and union experience give me great perspective and having filed an ASAP myself in the past, I understand the weight of the process and the effect on mechanics. As the ASAP rep in an effort to connect with the members, I accomplished station visits and attended GMMs to answer questions and educate members about the ASAP program. Going forward, there is an opportunity to continue those efforts. I am proud of the job I have done representing the members who have filed during my tenure as the primary AMFA ASAP representative, and I hope I have your support to continue in this position for the next term.

Hello, my name is Michael Stanley. I have been a mechanic with Southwest Airlines for the past 16 1/2 years, and throughout that time I have been committed not only to my work but also to supporting my fellow mechanics.

I have been actively involved with AMFA, serving in several roles, including shop representative, area representative and, for the past eight years, ASAP ERC Alternate Representative. These experiences have allowed me to work closely with both union members and leadership to promote safety, accountability, and clear communication.

I am seeking to continue representing Southwest AMFA membership by stepping into the role of Primary ASAP Representative, where I hope to further strengthen member advocacy and enhance our safety programs.

Primary AMFA-SWA Outsourcing Liaison Representative (OLR)

I would like to thank the Local 4 membership for the nomination and the opportunity to be considered for this position.

I have been with Southwest Airlines for 11 years, based out of Chicago Midway. Over the past 7 years, I have served the union in multiple capacities, including Shop Representative, Safety Coordinator, and for the last two years, as Secretary of Local 4.

In my role as Secretary, I took the initiative to modernize how our Local operates by upgrading the website, CRM, converting all PDF forms to digital formats, and creating and implementing the Safety Reporting Portal (SRP). I also transitioned our expense and per diem reporting systems to fully digital platforms. These improvements were designed to increase efficiency, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring information is properly tracked, recorded, and communicated across stations.

If elected, my goal is to modernize how this position is performed by developing the right tools to improve oversight and ensure our contract is consistently enforced. Analyzing hundreds of job cards daily and identifying potential violations requires attention to detail and a disciplined approach. Every outsourcing event that goes unreviewed, and every work package that moves forward without accountability, represents work that could be lost.

I bring a disciplined, detail-oriented approach and will ensure outsourced work is properly reviewed, challenged when necessary, and that opportunities to keep work in-house are not missed.

Thank you for your consideration.

I’m Tyler Nichols, and I’m proud to run for AMFA Outsourcing Liaison with 18 years of experience at Southwest Airlines—11 years as a dedicated Aircraft Maintenance Technician and 8 years as a committed union shop representative. Throughout my career, I’ve worked to protect our contract by monitoring overtime lists daily for accuracy, supporting coworkers through fact-finding meetings, and assisting in irregularity affairs and HR investigations. I’ve also played a key role each year in coordinating both shift and vacation bids, giving me a strong understanding of the operational and personal needs of our mechanics.

I bring not only experience, but integrity, accountability, and a proven record of standing up for our members with fairness and consistency. I’m approachable, social, and committed to clear communication—traits that are essential for an effective liaison. Aviation isn’t just my job—it’s my family legacy. With my father and uncles as mechanics and my wife, mother, and aunts as Southwest flight attendants, I’ve grown up surrounded by the values, challenges, and pride of this company.

Looking ahead, my focus is on strengthening protections against outsourcing while working proactively to identify opportunities to bring more work in-house, improve transparency in decision-making, and ensure our members have a stronger voice in the future of our craft. I believe we can build a more secure and sustainable path forward by staying engaged, informed, and united—protecting not just the jobs we have today, but creating better conditions and opportunities for the next generation of mechanics. I’m ready to bring that forward-thinking approach, along with my experience and strong ethics, to advocate for our members and ensure our work stays where it belongs—with us.