September 16, 2025
Dear AMFA-Represented Members at Alaska Airlines & Future Hawaiian Members:
Today, September 16, is the deadline for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines to submit signature samples to the National Mediation Board (NMB) so that the NMB can begin verifying the showing of interest that was submitted by the IAM. The NMB has stated that this verification process can take 1-3 weeks to complete. As that process evolves and we learn more from the NMB, we will share updates.
Today is also the deadline for the Unions to submit their objections to the NMB regarding the eligibility list. AMFA is an Aircraft Mechanics focused Union, which professionally represents Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) who are skilled, licensed aviation professionals. This is an important issue, and you may have heard that the IAM is arguing that Cleaners and Line Servicemen—many of whom perform fueling and lavatory work—should be included in the election for the “Mechanics and Related” group. AMFA respectfully disagrees with the IAM, and we want to explain why.
Mission Remains the Same
AMFA’s mission has always been to represent licensed aviation maintenance professionals and those who support and assist that work with a shared skillset and training standard. Cleaners and Fuelers do important work, yes, but their job duties, training, licensing, pay structure and even supervision are fundamentally different from those of AMTs. Cleaners and Line Servicemen are not required by the FAA to hold an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license, are not classified as safety-sensitive employees under federal law, and do not undertake the same technical training or certification processes.
Protecting Workers
This issue is about protecting workers. The reality is that Cleaners and Fuelers have already been isolated at Alaska as a direct result of IAM-negotiated agreements that allow other groups (like Ramp Agents and Customer Service Representatives) to do their jobs. Even worse, at Alaska, the IAM allowed their cleaning and fueling jobs to be outsourced to a separate company entirely—McGee Air Services—and then agreed that McGee workers could never be part of the same bargaining unit as Alaska Airlines employees. This language is outlined within the McGee/IAM CBA. That decision by the IAM weakens the position of Cleaners and Fuelers and makes them more vulnerable to losing their work.
AMFA believes that Cleaners and Line Servicemen will be better protected in a craft or class that aligns more closely with the actual duties they perform, where their work is already contractually recognized. Given the IAM’s isolation of these groups at Alaska, trying to place them into the Mechanics and Related group, where their work is not aligned or protected, only sets them up for more job insecurity and potential outsourcing.
AMFA’s Commitment
Our commitment is to preserve and strengthen the professional standards of AMTs. Including job roles at Alaska that don't share the same qualifications, responsibilities, or work protections undercuts that goal—not just for our current members, but also for the Cleaners and Fuelers. Finally, to be clear: AMFA will fight for every worker the NMB includes in the Mechanics and Related Employees craft or class. Our position here is not about exclusion—it’s about precision and protection. If the NMB determines any group falls within our jurisdiction, we will fight with the same intensity and purpose we bring to every member we represent.
We remain focused, active, and prepared as the merger process continues to unfold, and we thank you for your continued trust in AMFA.
Deadlines:
• September 16: AMFA submitted to the NMB its objections to the carrier-submitted eligibility list as discussed above.
• September 30: Deadline for Unions to submit their response to any objections that were submitted by the September 16th deadline.
Sincerely,
Brandon Statfield, AMFA Local 14 ALR
Jeff Heard, AMFA Local 32 ALR
