Dear Members:

The beginning of a new year brings fresh momentum—new goals to achieve, new relationships to build, and new opportunities to grow together. As we step into 2025, AMFA's leadership is again going on the record: we remain fully committed to raising the standards and increasing the recognition of our craft across the aviation industry.

As the unified voice for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians and Engineers (AMTs/AMEs), our mission is clear—to elevate our profession across North America. We continue to push for top-tier contracts that reflect the true value of your skills, expertise, and dedication. Our strategy is bold: to empower the carriers we represent to leapfrog each other’s wage scales, driving top-of-scale pay rates ever higher and enhancing quality of life across the board. We aim to show that your knowledge and expertise merit industry-leading compensation. Your work in a highly regulated industry ensures aircraft remain safe, efficient, and reliable—especially in fast-paced, high-demand environments where every decision counts. This approach reflects the demand for our skilled labor and sets the pace for the rest of the industry to follow.

Through ongoing negotiations in the U.S. and Canada, AMFA is actively raising the wage ceiling—driven by your support for a better quality of life and strong benefits. As we lead the way, other labor groups are being pushed to keep pace. It's a clear, tangible example of our belief that a rising tide lifts all ships.

But our focus goes beyond wages. AMFA will continue to take decisive action to protect your work, defend your ability to earn, and secure industry-leading benefits. We are prepared to challenge company tactics that compromise your quality of life and the safety of our profession.

Above all, we respect the critical work you do every day. Your efforts are the foundation of aviation safety, and our goal is to ensure you receive the recognition and respect you've earned—from your employer, the industry, and the flying public.

Thank you for your continued dedication. Here's to another year of raising the bar—together.

Historic Milestone: Welcome to AMFA Local 605

We are proud to share a momentous achievement in AMFA's history: as of April 2, 2025, AMFA has officially chartered its first Canadian local—Local 605. This milestone is historic for our craft-specific trade union and reflects the hard work and unwavering dedication of AMFA members across Canada.

Over the past several months, AMFA National has worked diligently to facilitate a smooth and structured transition for our newly added Canadian membership. From hosting interviews for interim officers to establishing essential operational infrastructure—including banking, administrative systems, and meeting coordination—we've laid the groundwork for a strong and sustainable local presence.

Elections for Airline Representatives (ALR) at Calm Air (Collin Ayotte) and Jazz Technical Services (Joel Moores) have recently concluded, and the election process for Jazz Line ALR is actively underway. Meanwhile, contract proposal discussions for all three groups are progressing and are expected to wrap up in the coming weeks.

Introducing the Interim Officers of Local 605:

• Local President – Matt Finnemore
• Local Vice President – Surinder Jhalli
• Local Secretary – Elizabeth Dugan
• Local Treasurer – Jeremy Loney
• Local Safety & Standards Chairman – Cooper Dahr

We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the interview process and volunteered to take on these important interim roles. In the coming weeks, we will initiate the official nomination and election process for Local 605 Officer positions—bringing the local in line with AMFA's regular election cycle.

This is a pivotal moment in AMFA's expansion, and we are proud to be laying the foundation for strong, craft-specific representation in Canada. Local 605 embodies our mission to advocate for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Technicians with strength, unity, and purpose.

You may be asking why "605" is the assigned number of the Local. This number is derived from CAR 605.85, which remains significant to the AMEs and the flying community as the standard for certifying the airworthiness of flight is maintained by licensed skilled AMEs.

We invite all members to stay engaged and actively participate in our movement across Canada. Together, we will ensure that AMEs and skilled tradespeople receive the international recognition and
support they have long earned.

Welcome, Local 605—we're just getting started.

AMFA Welcomes Jazz Line Maintenance and Jazz Technical Services

We want to welcome the new AMFA- Jazz Line Maintenance and Jazz Technical Services (JTS) members. You should be extremely proud of your accomplishments thus far in your grassroots organizing and choice of AMFA as your union representative. We had over 90% approval for voting in favor of AMFA. You all have been through a lot these last years, and we look forward to helping you control your own destiny and fix the many problems you have expressed. AMFA is honored to represent you. 

While we are in this transition period, we are optimistic that Jazz Aviation management will maintain its professionalism by respecting its obligation to take no unilateral action concerning your working conditions without first negotiating with your collective representative. If issues arise, please stay professional, perform your work assignment, and notify AMFA of any improper company action.

As you know, we have met with the company a couple of times and have discussed the transition items needed to complete the transition to become a new AMFA member. Your ALRs are in place to help enforce your CBA during this transition period. Please stay engaged during this critical time.

Negotiation Updates by Carrier

With negotiations underway at four AMFA-represented carriers (Horizon Air, Sun Country Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and soon Calm Air), our Negotiating Committees have been busy. Thank you to the members who participated in the negotiation sessions. Your attendance and engagement in the bargaining process help to strengthen and increase industry standards for all AMTs/AMEs across Canada and the United States. Please visit the Represented Carriers page on the AMFA National Website for the most current airline-specific news and updates on negotiations.

Alaska Airlines (AS)

AMFA-AS ALRs are continuing to work to implement, administer, and enforce the new work rules prescribed in the recently ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Last year, on September 18, 2024, Alaska Airlines completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Since then, Alaska has started combining the two airlines. Alaska has chosen, however, to sit on the sidelines as it relates to combining the Alaska AMFA-represented and Hawaiian IAM-represented M&E Employees.

AMFA reached out in March to AS executives and requested Alaska to facilitate the negotiation of an integrated seniority list between AMFA and the IAM. The AMFA-Alaska ALRs and AMFA Legal Counsel have conveyed this request to Alaska Labor Relations and its counsel. Following that discussion, Alaska advised it would consider AMFA's position and has suggested that AMFA file with the NMB and follow up accordingly. AMFA continues to remind Alaska of this obligation under our CBA. If necessary, AMFA will take the necessary legal action to enforce the provision.

The question of which union will represent the combined Alaska-Hawaiian group is determined by the National Mediation Board (NMB). Generally, the NMB only initiates its inquiry after one of the two unions files a "single carrier application."

As the Union currently representing a majority of the combined group, AMFA would automatically be on the ballot in any future NMB election. The International Machinists Union (IAM) would only be on the ballot if it obtained sufficient authorization cards from Alaska AMTs so that, when combined with its current representation at Hawaiian, it could assert it, too, had the support of a majority of the combined group. This is why IAM stalkers have been going door-to-door, violating your privacy at home, and sending "junk mail" to your homes, trying to get you to sign an IAM representation authorization card to pad the numbers.

If the IAM receives enough cards signed by Alaska AMTs, all employees in the craft or class of Mechanics and Related Employees will be eligible to vote in any election. The winner would be determined by a majority of votes cast by participating Alaskan and Hawaiian employees.

In AMFA's view, the most effective and expeditious process to combine the two pre-merger groups would be as follows:

• A seniority integration/transition process agreement between the carrier(s), AMFA and IAM.
• Seniority integration process, as discussed above, resulting in a single seniority list.
• Single carrier application with the NMB to determine Union representation.
• Negotiation of a transition agreement to integrate the two pre-merger carriers' employee groups into a single collective bargaining agreement.

As with the past acquisition of Virgin America, any SLI and/or Transition Agreement will be submitted to AMFA members for approval by a ratification vote. We ask you to be patient and stay professional as we proceed through the merger process. AMFA continues to review all potential options to move this integration forward. AMFA will be actively evaluating this situation and the potential impact this merger could have on the union representation of the combined groups.

Horizon Air (QX)

AMFA and Horizon Air resumed negotiations in Seattle to finalize the economic package. On April 6, 2025, AMFA and Horizon reached a tentative agreement (TA) on a successor CBA. The AMFA-QX TA Ratification is underway and will conclude on May 6, 2025.  Eligible members who have not received their voting credentials should contact elections@amfanatl.org.

L3 Harris MAS (L3)

Negotiations continue at L3 Harris MAS regarding a new station in Ottawa, ON, for maintaining A330 aircraft, while the Trenton, ON, station focuses on A310 aircraft. Grievances are ongoing concerning station integration. A recent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was ratified to provide pay increases aimed at addressing staffing and compliance issues.

Sun Country Airlines (SCA)

On February 1, 2025, the National Executive Council (NEC) unanimously voted to assign all Sun Country Airlines and Spirit Airlines members to Local 4, effective immediately. This marks a significant milestone, and we look forward to the opportunities and strength this transition will bring to our members.

Mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) continued in January, March, and April in Chicago to discuss articles for OT, Hours of Service, Overtime Equalization, Field of Service, Traveling Expenses, Traveling Technician, and Vacations. The Mediator continues to review the status of open articles and the non-economic items remaining within each article. The mediator scheduled future bargaining dates/locations and assigned tasks for the parties to prepare for the April 22-24 session in Chicago. The Company is tasked with preparing a comprehensive proposal on all open items, including economics. The Mediator asked AMFA to prepare the framework for a term sheet response to the Company's forthcoming comprehensive proposal.

Southwest Airlines (SWA)

Southwest has avoided mass layoffs for 53 years but has recently faced pressure from activist investors and rising labor costs. The cuts affect 1,750 corporate employees or 15% of SWA's nearly 12,000-person corporate workforce in efforts to cut costs by $210 million in 2025 and $300 million in 2026. The airline will begin letting go of employees in April and finish the layoffs by the end of the second quarter of 2025 or the end of June. The cuts will not affect technicians, pilots, or flight attendants.

The Arizona Industrial Commission's Labor Department has investigated complaints from AMFA-SWA members and has sided with the employees. The department said SWA is subject to the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, a law requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, and makes it illegal to retaliate against them for using that accrued leave outlined in the CBA. Southwest, however, contends that the bargaining agreement between Southwest and AMFA is subject to federal labor laws, which the airline contends preempts many state and local laws. SWA is appealing fines of more than $300k after Arizona workers filed complaints stating that SWA retaliated against them for taking their earned sick time.

Spirit Airlines (NK)

Spirit Airlines officially emerged from Chapter 11 and completed its financial restructuring on March 12, 2025. During this restructuring period, Ted Christie stepped down from his role as Spirit Airlines President and CEO and from the Board. Matt Klein, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, also stepped down. Fred Cromer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will remain and help in the transition of finding their replacements.

AMFA and Spirit met in Fort Lauderdale from February 19-21 for the first in-person session with our newly assigned mediator, Michael Donatelli. We are familiar with Mr. Donatelli, who is also assigned to mediate negotiations between AMFA and Sun Country Airlines. During this session, the parties reached a tentative agreement on three separate articles, partly due to AMFA's suggestion to defer certain issues until a comprehensive economic discussion. We believe this approach will bring the parties to that economic discussion sooner, which will help move the parties to a full TA on your first CBA. We were thankful for the open discussion during the last session and implore the Company to continue this approach in the future.

The Mediator only had one block of dates available in March, which AMFA accepted. Unfortunately, the Company was unavailable on those dates. Therefore, the next bargaining dates are scheduled for April 15-17, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale at Company HQ.

WestJet Airlines (WJA)

The AMFA-WJA ALR is working to implement, administer, and enforce the new work rules prescribed in the recently ratified CBA. The first Master Seniority List (MSL) was completed and released for bidding for vacation, training field service trips, and specific bid shift lines. An automation bid system was established and is being tuned for implementation.

On December 17, 2024, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered AMFA, the IAMAW, and WestJet to discuss issues arising out of the merger of WestJet and Sunwing. Under the Canada Labour Code, the Board must afford the parties an opportunity to resolve issues on their own before it can refer outstanding disputes to binding arbitration. Pursuant to the Board's order, the parties met on January 14-15, 2025, in the Board's offices in Toronto.

AMFA's goal in these talks was to secure recognition for the industry-changing contract it achieved last summer through its members' solidarity and collective strength. It also sought to uplift the AME profession and preserve the craft solidarity of both WestJet and former Sunwing employees. In the next weeks, Sunwing employees will join the WestJet ranks in the agreed-upon classifications and bases. After marathon bargaining sessions lasting past midnight on both days, the parties reached a tentative agreement. We are still waiting on approval subject to the board's review.

Calm Air (CAV)

We have met with the Company several times and discussed the transition items needed to complete the transition to becoming a new AMFA member. You have recently elected Collin Ayotte as your Airline Representative. We would like to congratulate him on being the first AMFA-Calm Air ALR. Please continue to stay engaged during this critical time. Contract negotiation sessions will be scheduled and start after your contract proposal ranking concludes.

Safety is Paramount

With AMFA, your profession is recognized throughout the world for your skills and responsibilities in certifying aircraft airworthiness under the highest safety standards. Please use 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 used to report aviation safety concerns: https://hotline.faa.gov/.

Looking Forward

Our mission remains clear: to elevate aircraft maintenance standards and improve aviation professionals' livelihoods. Your unity and engagement are critical to achieving these goals. We ask for your continued support as we:

• Negotiate at Horizon Air, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines
• Negotiate at Calm Air, Jazz Line, and JTS
• Navigate and start the Representation of Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines Merger
• Conclude Jazz Line ALR Election
• Conduct elections for Local 605 officers
• Elect Region IV Director
• Pursue representation elections in Canada
• Advocate for consistent safety standards and labor standards globally

Thank you for your dedication and support. Together, we will continue strengthening our profession and ensuring recognition of your essential contributions to aviation safety.

In solidarity,

Bret Oestreich
National President