×
Register an Account
Forgot Login?
AMFA - SWA Technician Negotiations Update #34
Dec 07, 2015

October 13, 2015

Participants for AMFA:
Earl Clark – Region I Director
Michael Nelson – Region II Director
Bob Cramer – Local 4 Airline Representative
Matt Townsend – Local 11 Airline Representative
Shane Flachman – Local 18 Airline Representative
Mike Young – Local 32 Airline Representative
Lucas Middlebrook – AMFA Counsel


The Negotiating Committee is providing this update to the AMFA Membership at Southwest Airlines. This report is the only official authorized source of negotiating communications by the Committee.

First, we would like to notify you that we have dates scheduled for our first mediated Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) negotiations. We will meet in Irving, Texas at 1:00pm on November 30, 2015, and two full days are scheduled for December 1 and 2, 2015. This will be our first negotiation session since we sought the assistance of the National Mediation Board in July 2015. Although the mediator stated that observers would not be allowed in the room for our initial meetings, if there is interest, we will establish a break-out room that we can give updates during caucuses for any members who desire to attend. Please contact your local representative if you choose to be present during this session so that prior arrangements can be made.

Secondly, the Committee feels we must briefly respond to the “Update on AMFA Negotiations,” authored by Mike Ryan that most of you have recently seen posted around the system. One of our expectations upon entering the mediation process was that the Company would spend more time preparing and focusing on productive dialogue at the table as opposed to creation and dissemination of its extraordinarily inaccurate and divisive propaganda. Although we strive to take the high road and negotiate at the table in an effort to keep this process moving forward as efficiently as possible, the Company cannot resist any opportunity to use its vast network of emails, crew meetings, leadership station visits, and Company paid dinner dates to deliver its propaganda to our members. The Company’s attempt to sway the few who they feel are subject to this repeated and increasingly skewed misrepresentation of the “facts” surrounding our negotiations is not only insulting to our membership, but it is disrespectful to the entire negotiation process.

In reference to the latest “negotiation realities according to Mike,” our Committee only needs to reiterate our most simple and constant message: Southwest Airlines has made BILLIONS of dollars in profits with our current Technician Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Company now wants to expand its profits even more, off your backs, by trying to convince you that you need to sacrifice work rules and job protections in exchange for a pittance. Normally, neither side would be foolish enough to believe that they would walk away from negotiations with everything they desired, but not in an unfortunate and unproductive manner that closely resembles Mr. Ryan’s position. After three years of negotiations, the Company has entrenched itself in their latest negotiating position that similarly mirrors its opening position of 2012. We know the majority of you see through the misrepresentations and innuendoes that are rampantly abundant throughout the memos and messages from the Company regarding our negations. Always read and listen to anything that the Company says about negotiations through the paradigm of “this messenger wants to take as much away from my family and my livelihood as they possibly can;” then ask yourself if you’re going to let them. Please help us to ensure that the facts are commonly known on the floor. Educate yourselves and stay informed, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Your Negotiating Committee


In This Section

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

Top of Page image
Powered By UnionActive - Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.