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National Director's October 2018 Update
Updated On: Nov 306, 2018

November 1, 2018

Dear Members:

Can you believe Christmas is just 54 days away and 2019 is just around the corner? October has again been a very busy month across the Association. I have looked back at all the station visits we have accomplished to date in 2018: 24 system-wide to visit with our Alaska Airlines membership, 13 system-wide to visit with our Southwest Airlines (SWA) membership, as well as multiple video conferences. Thank you to those who have helped in security escorts and acting as Driving Miss Daisy.

It is that time of year again, all AMFA Locals are preparing to conduct their Officer and Representative elections in accordance with the AMFA Constitution and Local Bylaws. Thank you to the individuals who have served and best of luck to all who have chosen to step up and run for office. The only way we continue to be united in this Association is by getting involved and staying engaged.

The AMFA–ASA Negotiating Committee and Alaska Airlines met in Seattle, WA on October 22, 2018, for a one-day session to discuss an AMFA–Alaska Airlines and Virgin America (VX) Transition Agreement. We delivered a Transition Agreement proposal that was constructed from your feedback in the recent membership survey. Even though we agreed on points and were very close to reaching an agreement in principal, we were unable to fully reach an agreement. We are trying to schedule a session in the next several weeks to meet, and we are hopeful that an agreement to bring our two workgroups together may soon be reached.  Please stay tuned to the Alaska Airlines News and Updates page of the AMFA National website for further details and meeting dates.

The AMFA–SWA Negotiating Committee has completed their review and analysis of the AMFA–SWA AMT Rejected Tentative Agreement (TA) Survey. I would again like to express my great appreciation for your participation in this survey. The survey identified the reasons the membership rejected the TA. On October 17, 2018, your Negotiating Committee met in Dallas, TX to formulate an offer that will be presented to the Company. We have agreed to meet with the Mediator and the Company on November 19-20. Please stay tuned to the Southwest Airlines News and Updates page of the AMFA National website for further details and meeting dates.

AMFA Local 32 will be leading an Informational Picket on November 12, 2018, from 8:00-10:00 am at Los Angeles International Airport, Terminal 1, Southwest Airlines Departure Level. For more information, contact Drew Johnson 818-693-6886 or Ray Hodge at 661-435-9231.

As we predicted in our roadshows, the Company continues to resort to scare tactics as a means to pressure our group. Just recently, in another attempt to threaten and intimidate your AMFA representatives and your workgroup, Russell McCrady addressed a letter to the Chairmen of your Negotiating Committee reiterating pending litigation. Southwest Airlines has requested to direct the courts to release the two pending federal lawsuits from a stay to pursue civil personal damages against your National Officers and Negotiating Committee while negotiations continue.

Bargaining in good faith has NOT been a priority for SWA for years. You can account for a couple years without a new contract as business decision, but now more than six years – that is personal to all of us! You can make your own assumptions as to why this Company continues to play games daily with your future and your career after six years of, at best, mediocre negotiations. SWA executives need to shift their focus on working with us to achieve a deal that improves your quality of life, work rules, benefits, and brings us back to the justifiable economic trajectory you so well deserve.

As always, I ask you to stay engaged with your union updates and officers.  For more carrier specific updates and further information regarding AMFA and the airline industry, please visit the AMFA National Website at www.amfanational.org. Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your continued support and participation – please stay informed.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National Director


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AMFA
7853 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 1100
Centennial, CO 80112
  303-752-2632

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