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National Director's October 2016 Update
Updated On: Oct 305, 2016

October 31, 2016

Dear Members:

On October 3, 2016, at AMFA National Headquarters, the newly elected National Executive Council (NEC) was sworn in to office by Region I Director, Earl Clark. The NEC’s first order of business was to appoint Mike Nelson as the Interim Region II Director, in accordance with the AMFA Constitution, until a special election can be completed.  During the week of October 3–7, the NEC transition and turnover took place. Both the former and incumbent NEC covered most of the documents, procedures, vendors, payroll, insurance, leases, computers, server, and budgets of the Association as well as the current status of events for a productive transition and turnover. During our week at the National Office we wanted to take the time to make the first station visit in Denver (DEN) with GSE and AMTs. The NEC and DEN Area Representative met with the line and we discussed several topics: NEC introduction, current status of events that are in the pipeline, and had a Q&A session to hear the members’ feedback.

I would like to thank Louie Key, Justin Madden, Aaron Hansen, and David Brooks for their service over the past years and for assisting with the transition of their roles and responsibilities.  I would also like to thank Earl Clark, Mike Nelson, Ryanne Pelletier, and Trevor Flint for their involvement, dedication, and continued support in helping the Association stay on track during all the important current events that are taking place and during the NEC transitional period

This month we have been busy working on seven upcoming elections, referenda, and surveys. On October 4, the NEC and the AMFA-SWA Negotiating Committee approved the AMFA–SWA Appearance Technicians Letter of Agreement (LOA); ballots were mailed on October 25, and will be tallied on November 22, 2016. A Call for Nominations has been posted for Region II Director and AMFA–Southwest Airlines (SWA) Cleaner/Utility (Appearance Technician) Negotiator. On October 17, 2016, the NEC and the AMFA-SWA Negotiating Committee approved the Facilities Maintenance Technicians (FMT) Tentative Agreement (TA) and the full agreement language will be sent out over the next several weeks for FMT’s to review 30 days prior to a vote.

On October 3-5, 2016, the Southwest Airlines contract negotiations continued in Dallas without the mediator due to October government budget restrictions. Discussions were had in regards to the Appearance Technician four year contract extension, Facilities Maintenance Technician (FMT) Agreement in Principle (AIP) final language, and Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) Article 2, Scope. Article 2, Scope is the most important article of our Collective Bargaining Agreement, and we must ensure we protect our work. We also understand that we may need to make minor modifications to Article 2 to address the new MAX maintenance program. We must be cognitive of the various AMT contract increases in wages. It is paramount that we stay patient, regardless of Company propaganda on bringing back a premature agreement to the membership. We should not vote on a premature agreement where clear language is not written, just to vote. Please do not buy-in to the false accusations that the Negotiating Committee does not have your best interests in mind. Please give the ALRs the full support they need to assess the perspective language. The Committee’s Update #46 is posted to the National Website. Our next SWA AMT session is scheduled for November 1–3, 2016, in Dallas, TX.

On October 10-13, 2016, the Alaska Airlines contract negotiations continued in Blaine, WA where we worked through open language issues, including wages/duration, license premiums, retirement, and healthcare modification caps. We also spent a considerable amount of time reviewing and did an exercise on the current state of the airline industry as various AMT contracts continue to change monthly. The Committee’s Update #14 is posted to the National Website for members to review. Our next ASA session is scheduled for November 1–3, 2016, in Seattle, WA.

On October 10–14, 2016, Louie Key and Tim Cullen represented AMFA at the 44th Annual Congress of the Aircraft Engineers International (AEI) in Reykjavik, Iceland; AEI represents Aircraft Engineers, Mechanics and Technicians across the globe.

On October 18–19, 2016, the NEC and Local 32 President and ALR did a PHX station visit for both ASA and SWA members. The SWA meetings were at the hangar and the line, and we met with the members on all shifts and all workgroups. We met with the ASA members on the line. We discussed several topics, such as NEC introduction, AMFA current status of events that are in the pipeline, and had a Q&A session to hear the members’ feedback.

On October 25–26, 2016, the NEC and Local 4 President, VP, Safety and Standards Chairman, and Atlanta (ATL) Area Representative did an ATL station visit for SWA members at the hangar and the line; we met with the members on all shifts. We discussed several topics, including NEC introduction, AMFA and Local 4 current events, and had a Q&A session to hear the members’ feedback.

On October 26–27, 2016, due to scheduled time left over, the NEC made a last minute station visit with SWA member at the Orlando (MCO) hangar and line; we met with the members on all shifts. We discussed several topics, including NEC introduction, AMFA and station current events, and had a Q&A session to hear the members’ feedback.

I would like to say thank you to the AMFA members – it was important to get out and meet you and to talk with many of you in person. I would also like to thank the many members who helped in transportation, security escorts, and scheduling of meetings during the station visits.  I feel a face-to-face forum provides for much more productive and effective communication flow and allow for the much needed member feedback and putting and face with a name. I am looking forward to continuing visits to the large stations, small outstations, and GMM meetings for both ASA and SWA in the next several months and into 2017.

The NEC is confident and excited that we will lead with professionalism, dedication, and accountability during the present, future, and challenges AMFA faces.  The NEC is looking forward to meeting you during our station visits to gain your input as well as to communicate our ideas, vision, goals, and future growth for AMFA.  We look forward to working for you.

The NEC intends to utilize all of AMFA’s resources that are in place to identify issues, concerns, and challenges of the membership, ALRs, and LEC. Our objective is to make necessary changes to improve our communication processes and to make AMFA members informed, unified and to create stronger, wiser members.

I am personally excited about what lies ahead for our members and for our Association. I am extremely honored to be working for all of you and to being given the opportunity to lead, promote, and protect the Association’s interests for you – the members of Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. I am also ready, prepared, and up for the challenge in the promotion of our profession in this rapidly changing industry; most importantly, with professionalism and maintaining our foundation of knowledge, skill, and integrity, which will allot the raising of the standards and increasing the recognition of Technicians and Related Members.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National Director


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AMFA
7853 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 1100
Centennial, CO 80112
  303-752-2632

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