AMFA’s objective for negotiating is to exercise the right of collective bargaining for the purpose of making and maintaining employment agreements covering rates of pay, work rules, and work conditions. Further objectives are to raise the standards of skill and increase the recognition of the class and craft of Mechanic and Related employees.
NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN AND END WITH YOU.
In summary, contract negotiations consist of the following steps as prescribed in Article XXIII of the AMFA Constitution for AMFA-represented carriers with less than 3,000 members:
- Aircraft Maintenance Technicians/Engineers and Related members at your airline submit contract amendment proposals and participate in a prioritization survey to rank those proposals. The feedback from this survey is given to the Negotiating Committee to direct negotiations towards the will of the membership.
- The AMFA Negotiating Committee is comprised of:
- Regional Director, or his designee, will chair the committee, assist through the process, and only votes to break a tie.
- Local Airline Representative(s) are members under your contract at your airline, from each local. As airline negotiators, they are voting members of your Negotiating Committee.
- Member-at-Large (if applicable). As airline negotiators, they are voting members of the Negotiating Committee.
- Professionals and legal counsel assist throughout negotiations but are non-voting members of the Negotiating Committee.
- Contract Negotiation Conference: This occurs when the Negotiating Committee convenes to analyze the prioritization survey results. They use this feedback to determine priorities and construct the Opening Proposal.
- Regular negotiating updates are produced and disseminated to keep the membership informed and engaged. Additionally, AMFA’s practice of allowing observers during negotiations strengthens the democratic process and builds power at the negotiating table.
- Additional surveys, one-on-one discussions, and station visits may also be conducted to ensure negotiations accurately reflect your contract priorities.
- Once a Tentative Agreement (TA) is reached, the full language of the TA is shared with the membership for their review prior to voting. Face-to-face roadshow sessions are also held to answer any questions.
- A Contract Ratification Referendum is conducted, allowing all members in good standing under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to vote on ratifying the agreement. All elections and referenda meet ballot secrecy standards set by the LMRDA.
Letters of Agreement (LOA) Negotiations Between Section 6 Negotiations
What happens if issues arise between full contract negotiations?
These issues can lead to the negotiation of a Letter of Agreement (LOA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Your Negotiating Committee prioritizes provisions that meet the needs of Aircraft Technicians/Engineers and Related employees, not those that simply benefit the carrier. Before an agreement is reached, the terms would be reviewed and approved by the Airline Representatives (ALRs), Member-at-Large Negotiator (if applicable), and National Executive Council (NEC).
In accordance with the AMFA Constitution, all changes to the CBA, including letters of agreement, must be ratified by a majority of the affected membership by a secret ballot vote.
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AMFA has a team of Airline Representatives (ALRs) from each Local who work directly with your CBA, interpreting its provisions, enforcing its terms, and negotiating improvements in pay, benefits, and working conditions for members.
In negotiations, YOUR priorities define our direction at the table. AMFA contracts are not all the same because they reflect the desires of the members at each respective airline.
With AMFA, you have the power to determine what is valuable to your workgroup. AMFA is a truly independent and democratic craft/trade union with a constitution designed to be open and transparent to our members. We are committed to keeping the membership involved, informed, and educated throughout the negotiation process.
