July 2, 2021
Dear Members:
Throughout the month of June, AMFA National and Locals 14 and 32 officers and representatives continued to perform station visits at all represented carriers. With the high demands of travel seen over these last months, the industry has been tested with transitioning from cost saving practices focused on shedding and restructuring valuable frontline jobs and experienced workforce to now filling vacant positions and as well as staffing expansion within operations to meet the recovery demand for the 2 million passengers per day milestone on June 11, 2021, as reported by the TSA (current versus prior years). Our three represented carriers are planning on hiring new AMTs this year. As we navigate through the everchanging rehiring period, uptick in more flights per day, new training and understaffing in your workplace while more heightened stress, we encourage you to perform your job in a professional, safe, and compliant manner.
Over the last several months, AMFA National has been in the process of implementing a Shop Representative Training course, compiling resources, and streamlining processes assigned to that position. This face-to-face training will be held August 10-11, 2021, in Seattle, WA. We have revamped the training video library on the Shop Representative Resources page of the National website for a high level view pertaining to the importance of being the first line of defense for our members and added information pertaining to the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to successfully execute the duties of this position.
AMFA–Alaska Airlines (AS) Airline Representatives (ALRs) continue working with the Company and Arbitrator on the Roster Apps arbitration case. Alaska plans on hiring 12 AMTs for the next 12 months for a total of 144. AS ALRs and National officers conducted station visits this month at LAX and PDX. We want to thank everyone for all the feedback and for the security escorts who contributed to making these station visits valuable and successful.
At Horizon Air the Local 14 LEC and National officers conducted a station visit at PDX on all shifts for hangar and line. We continue to prepare for negotiations, so please be on the lookout for the Contract Proposal Prioritization survey in the coming months where the affected membership is asked to rank the importance of proposals. Please engage in this process via the Local14 website and app for further updates and communications.
It has been two months since the launch of the Southwest Airlines (SWA) Maintenix (MXi) program within SWA recordkeeping, and the observations and reports received from AMFA members have understandably not been favorable. While SWA continues to try and correct issues that have been identified with ordering parts, which are problematic functions for Maintenance Control and AMT problem-solving, we must remain vigilant in uncovering anything that may compromise the integrity of safety or compliance. The SWA TechOps extended the help desk to now August 28 with review by mid-August, and the Company continues to issue numerous “Know Before Fix” notices via Read and Signs to ensure that those MXi program shortcomings are addressed, subsequently increasing the information load to the end users. If you encounter any concerns, stop your task and get sufficient clarification in order to confidently sign-off that work.
SWA also has expressed the need for hiring approximately 135 more AMTs this year to fill the understaffing gaps at several stations, more aircraft being returned to revenue service, firm orders of new aircraft, and increased demands of active aircraft on op-spec of approximately 700.
On June 25, 2021, the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) investigator issued extensive rulings regarding the challenges and objections filed by the TWU/IAM Association and AMFA to the proposed Eligibility List of American Airlines containing 13,211 individuals less duplicative entries. The rulings determined that the number of eligible voters as of the cut-off date is 14,403. AMFA believes there are a number of individuals on the eligibility list that are not part of Mechanic and Related craft or class and un-conscionably, several are deceased and retired. All appeals are now due by July 12, 2021, and any responses to appeals are due by July 26, 2021.
AMFA anticipated the TWU/IAM Association would make every attempt to lie, misrepresent the facts, and prevent this election by any means necessary. Here they are, seven (7) months after cards were filed with the NMB, and the TWU/IAM attempts a “hail Mary” to inflate the eligibility list with other workgroups. More importantly, it’s another clear example of the unions acting in their own self-serving interest rather than in the interests of their membership. Consequently, the TWU/IAM alliance is being threatened from within its own membership and we support the membership’s right to decide who will best represent them. If the TWU/IAM alliance were effective in representing its membership, AMFA would not have the opportunity we have right now to offer American Airlines AMTs a better choice. AMFA remains eager to represent your group and unify your power under one craft union. AMFA is always transparent with our members because we respect employee choice and never forget that our power as an organization comes from you, AMFA is Powered By Our Members. For further updates and information, please visit the AMFA at the American Airlines page.
As the only craft-specific labor group in the US, AMFA strives to ensure the technician’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government and industry. We accomplish this by participating in the advisory committees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transportation Security Agency (TSA), where stakeholders gather to discuss and advise regulators on the most important issues facing aviation. Please monitor the Legislative Updates page of the AMFA National website for more details.
Reminder: Please utilize your carrier’s Safety Reporting System (SRS) when you feel there are safety or compliance concerns while performing your job. In addition to your carrier’s SRS, the FAA Hotline 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 to please be safe while being vigilant and to stay engaged with your union and officers. In doing so, 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. For 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 support and participation – please stay engaged and informed.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National Director
