Dear Members:

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with friends and family. We accomplished a lot in 2021 and persevered through many obstacles with our families and co-workers. Thank you all for your engagement and support throughout the year. As we forge into the 2022 New Year we will continue our responsibilities and mission to further raise the standards of aircraft maintenance and to increase the recognition and standards of living for our aircraft mechanics and related professionals.

AMFA National and Local leaders and Airline Representatives continue to meet each week regarding the potential vaccination mandate, and we have been in constant contact with AMFA legal regarding updates regarding ongoing litigation, including the current Supreme Court case. Our government affairs team is also observing the COVID vaccination federal mandate and collaborating with our carriers to have influence in achieving OSHA standards/guideline that yield reasonable accommodations for our membership. Our primary focus remains to protect your collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) as well as your job and ability to earn.

In 2021, AMFA established the first and only political action committee (PAC) representing solely aircraft mechanic and related issues: AMFA PAC. Nearly every decision affecting the airline industry and your craft is made by someone elected or appointed in government, and AMFA PAC opens doors, affording our profession with more access, influence, and potential legislative victories. All AMFA members, including Associate Members, are eligible to join AMFA PAC. We have started an Associate Member outreach initiative to persons involved in the aviation industry who are not covered under an AMFA-represented CBA. Please visit the Government Affairs Updates page of the AMFA National Website for further details.

AMFA–Alaska Airlines (AS) ALRs continue working with the Company and Arbitrator on the Roster Apps arbitration case. AS continues to hire and fill positions in Anchorage, Seattle, and Portland; however, they continue to struggle with the impending shortage of experienced and qualified aircraft technicians to achieve adequate staffing levels.

The AMFA and Horizon Air (QX) Negotiating Committees met in Seattle on December 15-17 and 20-21, 2021, and our next session is scheduled for January 11-12, 2022, in Seattle. Horizon Air continues to hire and fill positions in Spokane, Seattle, and Portland; however, they also continue to struggle with the impending shortage of experienced and qualified aircraft technicians to achieve adequate staffing levels. Retaining tenured and experienced trained Technicians are now becoming a major factor in staffing levels. Please visit the Horizon Air Updates page for further details.

AMFA–Southwest Airlines (SWA) ALRs continue working with the Company in response to the COVID vaccination mandate and medical and religious accommodations, and they are reviewing the numbers associated with compliance of vaccination and accommodation requests.

Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your support and participation ­– please stay informed and 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 your local website and/or the AMFA National Website at www.amfanational.org.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National President