National Director Updates

National Director's April 2013 Update

Apr 30, 2013

On April 3, Southwest Airlines (SWA) formally announced their plans to close the line stations of Philadelphia and Sacramento by the end of 2013. The signs are becoming clearer that we have entered a new era, an era in which SWA’s actions reflect genuine hostility toward your job security. I hope all of you have taken the time to read the SWA Membership Solidarity Letter that was posted on the National Website for a greater perspective on the situation. This announcement, coupled with the fourth-line of maintenance arbitration resolution proceedings, has caused the immediate contract negotiation dates to be re-allocated to address these issues.

National Director's March 2013 Update

Mar 28, 2013

On March 5, 2013, Paul Kanitra, President and Nile Elam, Senior Lobbyist of our lobbying firm, Lobbyit.com, hosted a conference call for the NEC and the Local Legislative Points of Contacts (LPOCs) to review the legislative initiatives we are working on. We had great participation from the locals and anticipate a busy year working on legislation that benefits our membership.

National Director's February 2013 Update

Feb 28, 2013

February started off with our first Joint Advisory Council (JAC) meeting of the year. The JAC meeting was in Atlanta, GA which provided the National Executive Council (NEC) and Local 4 Transition Committee Airline Representative Bob Cramer the opportunity to visit members at the Atlanta Southwest Airlines (SWA) maintenance base during the evening-to-graveyard shift overlap. There was a good exchange of information and several members attended the JAC meeting the following day to learn more about the Association and to address local and national officers.

National Director's January 2013 Update

Jan 31, 2013

2013 is off to a blazing start. The new national officers were sworn into office on January 7th at the National office in Denver, CO. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize the outgoing national officers for their outstanding service to the Association.

National Director's December 2012 Update

Dec 31, 2012

As 2012 closes and we prepare for 2013, I hope all of you had a fantastic holiday season and are looking forward to all of the opportunities that the New Year will bring. On December 20, 2012, the National Officer Re-Run Election concluded, and the newly elected officers will be sworn into office on January 7, 2013. The National Executive Council (NEC) will be meeting at the National Office that week to start the transition of officers. Now we all must work together to advance our craft and continue to advocate for our members as we face the challenges to our profession.

National Director's November 2012 Update

Nov 30, 2012

November started off with National Safety & Standards Director Fred Digne and I attending the Aircraft Engineers International (AEI) Annual Congress in Malta. AMFA has been an affiliate of AEI since 2007 but this year’s congress was the first opportunity for me to attend and I am very glad that I did. It was insightful to learn that aircraft engineers across the world are facing the identical challenges that we face here in the United States. When company pressures to meet schedules and protect revenue conflict with maintenance defects, it can place individual "engineers" in a vulnerable position. Furthermore, engineers abroad do not have the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) protections that we enjoy here in the US. I believe we have many opportunities to work in conjunction with AEI to raise our collective voices to aviation regulators and ensure positive changes are made that address the shortcomings we are all too aware of.

National Director's October 2012 Update

Oct 31, 2012

On September 27, 2012, the NMB issued their determination establishing SWA and AirTran as a single transportation system for representation purposes under the RLA. And on October 18th, the NMB certified AMFA to represent the combined group bringing the former AirTran members into the AMFA contract. We welcome our new members and look forward to providing them much improved representation. With the additional new members we have an opportunity to re-establish Local 4 in Chicago, and both Local 18 Local Executive Council (LEC) and the Local 4 Transition Committee are working hard to bring about this positive change.

National Director's September 2012 Update

Sep 28, 2012

On September 10, 2012, the National Officer Election concluded with sweeping changes occurring on the National Executive Council (NEC). The new officers were due to be sworn in on October 1, 2012; however, election protests have been filed which will delay that process. The current National Officers whose names were not on the ballot will be investigating the protests.

National Director's August 2012 Update

Aug 30, 2012

Section 6 Contract Negotiations at Southwest Airlines (SWA) formally began in Dallas, Texas on August 21 and 22, 2012. The Company opened negotiations with an overview presentation of their perspective of the industry, how they see themselves positioned in the industry, and what areas they believe need to be addressed in the contract during these negotiations.

National Director's July 2012 Update

Jul 31, 2012

As mentioned last month, with the passing of the Southwest Airlines (SWA) Seniority Integration and Transition Agreements on June 21, 2012, both AMFA and the IBT have petitioned the National Mediation Board (NMB) to make a single carrier determination and to certify AMFA as the representative union of the combined group. This filing is the next step for AMFA to bring both groups together under our contract, which is one of the best in the airline industry. Both groups are meeting in Dallas, Texas on August 7, 2012, to sign the Seniority Integration and Transition Agreements. We are looking forward to welcoming the former AirTran technicians into our democratic craft union.

National Director's June 2012 Update

Jun 29, 2012

As you may already be aware, after a long and at times contentious process, the Southwest Airlines (SWA) members ratified the seniority integration and transition agreement on June 21st. The AirTran mechanics likewise approved the deal which will now start the process of bringing the former AirTran mechanics under AMFA representation and the SWA Mechanics’ Contract. The next steps will be for the two unions to petition the National Mediation Board to make a single carrier determination for representational purposes and certify AMFA as the representative union.

National Director's May 2012 Update

May 31, 2012

What an extraordinary and busy month May was across our Association. On May 7th we held our National Convention in San Diego, CA where the convention delegates debated the membership’s proposed amendments to the AMFA Constitution. Proposed amendments that were endorsed by the delegates will soon be sent to the membership for ratification.

Page Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 (10:42:00)