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National Director Update - August 2020
Sep 02, 2020

September 2, 2020

Dear Members:

The AMFA National Officer Election concluded on August 10, 2020, with 26.17% membership participation. I would like to sincerely thank all candidates as well as all who participated in this election process. Voting is one of the most important responsibilities of an AMFA member. Thank you to those passionate candidates who ran for office with a profound goal of being part of the solution and AMFA’s future. Congratulations to those who will be sworn into office on October 5, 2020. I sincerely encourage all who did not win their race to continue to stay engaged and actively influenceable.

August was busy month for your AMFA Officers and Representatives as we continue to monitor the current state and operational activity pertaining to headcount reductions while safeguarding AMFA protected work. We have requested headcount to reduction numbers -- specific to the furlough, Early-Out Program (EOP), Voluntary Separations Programs (VSP), Extended Emergency Time Off (EXTO), Emergency Time Off (ETO), or In-Lieu-of-Furlough (ILOF) options -- from each carriers, but we have not yet received confirmation.

The NEC would like to say our goodbyes, farewells, and extend our appreciation to the AMFA members taking the retirement options at each carrier. Thank you for your tenure and service as a professional and talented Aviation Maintenance Technician and Related AMFA member. We wish you a happy and prosperous transition into your next chapter. Your decision to retire will be preserving jobs for junior members as we navigate through obstacles during these unprecedented times. We are proud to have the opportunity to represent you. We have accomplished many battles together and we are better leaders because of our unity. God bless you and your family during this transition period into retirement.

We have also been monitoring many aviation forums, and according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), recorded screened passenger traffic is down roughly 65-70% from 2019. We are hopeful and optimistic that load factors will increase as the reports of new Covid-19 cases decreased by 38% in August 2020. 

AMFA’s Legislative team continues to contribute and engage discussions related to the CARES Act and continues to advocate for our craft in COVID-19 discussions related to the recent CARES Act PSP Extension. Be assured, we are adamantly fighting for you under the parameters of the CARES Act. Please monitor the secure (members only) Legislative Updates page of the AMFA National website for more details.

Our Local Safety & Standards Chairman remain actively involved system-wide to reinforce adherence to workplace cleaning protocol via CDC guidelines, and we continue to urge you to utilize PPE, practice social distancing, adhere to any company policy on wearing masks while performing your job, and reminder, safety is always the number one priority.  Please follow the CDC recommendations and guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 safety procedures or protocols, contact your Local Safety and Standards Chairman.

After a full year in settlement talks, on August 7, 2020, AMFA and Southwest Airlines reached a tentative settlement agreement of all parties’ claims and counterclaims in the federal litigation (Consolidated Case No. 3:17-cv-00431-N).  On August 18, 2020, AMFA and SWA released a joint statement announcing this tentative agreement that would end, once and for all, the ongoing litigation. This settlement is now contingent upon membership approval.

We currently conducting the AMFA-SWA Article 23 Response Protocols Agreement Referendum to end litigation. I urge all AMFA-SWA AMTs to review documents posted under Members Resources on the secure Legal Updates (Member Only) page of the AMFA National Website prior to casting your vote. The voting period concludes at 10:00 am et on September 17, 2020. If you have questions about the voting process or have not received your personalized voting credentials, please call 720-744-6629 or email elections@amfanatl.org.

Reminder: 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 while being vigilant and to stay engaged with your union and officers. 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. Additionally, I encourage you 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 engaged and informed.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National Director


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