December 2, 2025
AMFA has received reports that an IAM representative has been asserting that AMFA would “end tail” Hawaiian employees to any post-merger integrated seniority list.
We first observe that such scaremongering reflects the bankruptcy of the IAM’s platform. That organization’s campaign is one based on fear rather than a history of accomplishment and aspirations for the future.
As a practical matter, federal law does not permit any airline union to dictate post-merger seniority integration. The McCaskill-Bond Amendment, enacted by the United States Congress in 2007, mandates that post-merger seniority integration in the airline industry will be governed by the labor protective provisions of Sections 3 and 13 of the Civil Aeronautic Board’s decision in the Allegheny-Mohawk merger (59 C.A.B. 45).
Put simply, federal law mandates that representatives of the two pre-merger employee groups and the carrier negotiate for the implementation of a “fair and equitable” seniority integration (Section 3). In the event that the parties cannot reach an agreement, the fair and equitable integration of the two pre-merger employee senior lists is determined by an arbitrator selected from a panel of seven names furnished by the National Mediation Board (Section 13).
At Alaska Airlines, AMFA negotiated for the integration of Virgin America employees on the basis of date of hire into the classification with limited conditions and restrictions designed to prevent bumping that would displace an employee from his/her pre-merger station. AMFA representatives at Alaska have stated that, in order to promote post-merger solidarity between the Alaska and Hawaiian Mechanics and Related Employees, they intend to adhere to this past practice. Only as a united group will we be able to optimize our wages, benefits, and work rules.
The National Mediation Board has held that misrepresentations of law violate the “laboratory conditions” under which inter-union elections must be conducted. AMFA requests that Alaska and Hawaiian employees advise us of any future misrepresentations by IAM officials so that we may take responsive action.
The pending election will impact your working lives far into the future. Educate yourselves. Make an informed decision. Facts, not empty threats, should inform your election decision.
Earl Clark
Region I Director
