January 13, 2022 -- AMFA and Horizon Air met again in Seattle on January 11-12, 2022, to continue negotiations. The Company, on Day 1, veered from the parties’ previous article-by-article process and provided AMFA with a proposal that included monetary increases in exchange for a two-year contract. This is often referred to, in the industry, as a time-for-money proposal. The economics of the proposal were complicated and required analysis.
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January 5, 2022 -- The Company has been changing or updating the COVID policy at a rapid pace. We would like to keep the Membership informed of three important updates. These updates are only accurate at this time and are subject to change at anytime.
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January 4, 2022 -- 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.
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January 3, 2022
The AMFA National Executive Council has begun the process to fill the position of National Vice President, which recently became vacant. This vacancy will be filled in accordance with Article VIII, Section 1 of the AMFA Constitution by conducting a special election.
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January 3, 2022 -- Due to the retirement of the National Vice President, Gene Painter, the AMFA National Executive Council (NEC) will soon be calling for nominations to conduct an election to fill the position for the remainder of the term.
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November 12, 2021 -- We are excited to announce that a new card drive to replace the so-called “Association” has begun. The outcome of the previous drive was suspicious, to say the least, and your union along with the National Mediation Board (NMB) did everything they could to once again thwart your right to choose your representation. This outcome, and the outrage so many of you have expressed, has reenergized the movement and its organizers to pursue fairness and democratic ideals once again.
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Download:
 20211112_NVP_Announces_New_Card_Drive_at_American.pdf
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November 4, 2021 -- Your Airline Representatives (ALRs) were in discussion with Southwest Airlines (SWA) yesterday regarding vaccination related issues and we wanted to inform you of an important update to the Company’s Vaccination Participation Pay Program, which now extends to those employees that submit a request for an accommodation before November 24, which is later approved by SWA. The Company provided the following explanation of the VPPP’s extended applicability...
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October 21, 2021 -- Mandatory vaccine policies have in many ways added to the stress of the ongoing pandemic, and many of you have expressed your frustration to AMFA leadership about this divisive and sensitive matter. This message is not an update nor is it a change in course for AMFA. Our primary focus remains to protect your collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) as well as your job and ability to earn. This message is directed to those of you who for any reason have not yet either been vaccinated or applied for an exemption from mandatory vaccine policies at Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or Southwest Airlines.
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Download:
20211021_Memo_COVID_Vaccination_Mandate.pdf
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October 18, 2021 -- I write in follow-up to recent correspondence (Ref. 1-3), grievance SWA-7687, and representations by Southwest in a recent court filing. First, notwithstanding my request to commence bargaining (Ref. 1) regarding effects of the recent policy change implementing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, and some back and forth since then (Ref. 2, 3), we still await the start of meaningful discussions. Time is of the essence on this particular issue and AMFA stands ready and willing to enter into meaningful discussions on the effects of Southwest’s compliance with the September 9, 2021, Presidential Executive Order 14042 now. Of particular concern is how Southwest will reasonably accommodate those who object to COVID-19 vaccination on grounds of religion and disability. To this effect, we note that United has accommodate maintenance personnel with these objections via a combination of twice weekly COVID testing and masking.
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Download:
20211018_Abbott_ltr_to_McCrady.pdf
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October 8, 2021 -- We have reached the conclusion -- after multiple hours of meetings, review of past and pending federal litigation, and counsel from AMFA Legal – that implementation of the airline industry vaccination mandate cannot be prevented. It is still possible, however, that an employee who objects to vaccination based on sincerely held religious beliefs may be eligible for a reasonable accommodation by your carrier that does not require vaccination. For those who believe they may qualify for such a reasonable exemption, we provide the following guidance.
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Download:
3-20211008_Memo_Mandatory_Vaccinations-Seeking_a_Religion-Based_Accomodation.pdf
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October 8, 2021 -- This is a publication by AMFA National. It is intended to provide general educational information about recent vaccine mandate policies at carriers where AMFA represents employees, or to provide information about AMFA’s response to those policies. This document is not legal advice.
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Download:
2-20211008_Vaccination_Mandate_Q&A.pdf
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October 8, 2021 -- Southwest Airlines Co. and Alaska Air Group Inc. both recently announced they are subject to a legal obligation as federal contractors to require employees to submit to a compulsory vaccination process during a national crisis. Your National Executive Council’s (NEC) primary focus is, as it has always been, to protect AMFA Members’ collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and job security. While our carriers assert that they are bound by the federal government contract mandate, several questions remain pertaining to application of this program to our members.
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Download:
1-20211008_Memo_COVID_Vaccination_Mandate_Update.pdf
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October 4, 2021 -- Southwest Airlines Co. just announced it is subject to legal obligation, as a federal contractor, to require that its employees submit to a compulsory vaccination process that must be completed by November 24, 2021. We write at this time to address two issues: !) That the Company furnish the necessary documentary evidence to confirm that its federal contracts are subject to a renewal or re-opener such that the November 24 deadline would apply; and 2) That the Company immediately commence negotiations with AMFA to address the reasonable accommodations that will be provided to individuals who object to vaccination based on sincerely held religious beliefs or disability.
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Download:
20211004_Ltr_to_SWA_re_Good_Faith_Negotiation_of_Accomodation_of_Disability-Religious_Beliefs_Related_to_COVID19_Vaccination_Mandate.pdf
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October 1, 2021 -- Alaska Air Group Inc. (Alaska Airlines Inc. &. Horizon Air Industries Inc.; hereinafter together “Alaska”) has recently announced that it is subject to legal obligation, as a federal contractor, to require that its employees submit to a compulsory vaccination process that must be completed by December 8, 2021. We write at this time to address two issues: 1) That the Company furnish the necessary documentary evidence to confirm that its federal contracts are subject to a renewal or re-opener such that the December 8 deadline would apply; and 2) That the Company immediately commence negotiations with AMFA to address the reasonable accommodations that will be provided to individuals who object to vaccination based on sincerely held religious beliefs or disability.
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Download:
20211001_Ltr_re_Good_Faith_Negotiation_of_Religious_Beliefs_Related_to_COVID19_Vaccination_Mandate.pdf
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September 29, 2021 -- Alaska and Horizon published a letter introducing a vaccine incentive of $200 for those employees who complete their COVID-19 vaccine series, report their vaccination status, and upload an image of their vaccination record card on PeopleSoft by October 15, 2021. Southwest has recently published a letter addressing “vaccine incentives” accompanied by an FAQ that addresses Southwest’s Vaccination Participation Pay Program (VPPP).
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September 29, 2021 -- With the Biden Administration’s announced intention to promulgate new federal regulations mandating vaccination programs for large employers, it appears that widespread compulsory vaccination may be part of our future.
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