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National Director Update - May 2020
Jul 07, 2020

June 4, 2020

Dear Members:

In the month of May we celebrated Memorial Day to honor all those who gave their lives in active military service. Never forget their sacrifices, tell their stories, celebrate their legacies, and honor the fallen. God bless our loved ones.  

We also had the opportunity to celebrate National AMT Day on May 24, honoring the hard work of those who keep our aircraft flying safe, for crews and flying public. The first aircraft mechanic and the original unsung hero of aviation was Charles E. Taylor whose birthday was on May 24. He worked for the Wright brothers in their bicycle shop in Dayton, OH. When the brothers could not find a company to build them an engine for their glider, Charles made one from scratch in about six weeks. Today, in this time of uncertainty and crisis, the work our Mechanics and Related perform each and every day is even more valuable.

AMFA representatives continue to have regular communication and follow guidance from the CDC to ensure we are taking effective steps to combat the significant challenges posed by the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We continue to be actively involved at all three airlines to reinforce adherence to workplace cleaning protocol, and we continue to urge you to utilize PPE, practice social distancing, and remember safety is always the priority. Please follow the CDC recommendations and guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 safety procedures or protocols, please contact your Local Safety and Standards Chairman.

I would like to reiterate again this month, despite the challenging times, our members are the most unified we have ever been as mechanics and related aviation professionals. We commend for your perseverance and dedication in performing your duties and producing a safe, reliable aircraft.

AMFA proudly contributed to the outcome of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and we are continuing to advocate for our craft in COVID-19 related discussions. The COVID-19 task forces must have aviation industry labor representation, and we believe, as the sole craft-specific union, AMFA is the best suited to represent mechanics on any task force or collaborative body. We encourage members to monitor the secure Legislative Updates page of the AMFA National website for more details.

Over the last several months all three carriers -- Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Southwest Airlines -- have significantly reduced the number of flights per day and placed aircraft into short-term storage across the system. Our technicians are now in the phase of transiting from short-term storage to return to revenue service, and thus our technicians’ workloads have only increased in this phase of aircraft returning to service. 

Please monitor your respective carrier page of the AMFA National website for further airline specific details: Alaska Airlines Updates, Horizon Air Updates, Southwest Airlines Updates.

Southwest Airlines continues to pursue the two Federal lawsuits against AMFA.  The lawsuits are still ongoing because SWA has not dismissed its last two remaining claims for monetary damages against AMFA National and AMFA Local 11. We will continue updating you via the secure Legal Updates (Members Only) page of the National website as developments unfold.

Reminder to all Members: The FAA Hotline reporting system may be utilized to report concerns of aviation safety: https://hotline.faa.gov. We must realize our grave responsibility as FAA certified airman to exercise our judgement on the airworthiness of aircraft and equipment. We, therefore, pledge unyielding adherence to these precepts for the advancement of public safety of aviation and for the dignity for our craft.

As always, I ask you please be safe and to stay engaged with your union 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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