Air Cananda files for AMFA Representation

SWAMECH

Veteran
Apr 26, 2005
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We can add the Air Canada Mechanics (AME's) to the list of airlines flooding to get the Class and Craft AMFA Representation.
Below is the filing news as well as an updated version where it appears the IAM is starting to try and interfere with the AMFA Representational GRE filing.
AMFA snowball effect continues in Canada...


NATIONAL PRESIDENT LETTER TO AIR CANADA AME AND SKILLED TRADE GROUPS
Mar 02, 2023​
March 2, 2023
Dear Air Canada AMEs and Skilled Trade Groups:
I am pleased to take this opportunity to introduce myself to your skilled, professional trade groups at Air Canada. My name is Bret Oestreich, National President of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). I have been in the aviation industry for 32 years, and I am an FAA-licensed Airframe and Powerplant Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT).
I want to personally thank you for all that you do and recognize your impact on our profession. Your dedication to prioritizing safety every time you touch an aircraft makes you critical to the success of any aviation maintenance operation. The lives of our crew members and the flying public depend on your knowledge, skill, and integrity, as reflected by AMFA’s motto: “safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground.” While I respect the work that you perform day to day, it is my goal to demand increased recognition, from your employer and the general public, for your critical contribution to aviation safety.
As AMFA’s footprint is rapidly expanding in Canada, it is important that you hear directly from me to get a sense of what AMFA is truly about. One of the primary reasons I accepted the position of National President was that AMFA is the only union that constitutionally limits itself to representing aircraft maintenance technicians/engineers and related skilled trade groups, thus avoiding conflicts of interest with other larger non-aviation workgroups. I am proud to lead our trade-specific union and plant the AMFA flag in Canada starting with L3 Harris MAS in 2022, and I am eager to do the same at WestJet Airlines and Air Canada in the coming months at Air Canada with your help and support in your grassroots movement.
Other labor organizations combine skilled trades in a single bargaining unit that includes a majority of unskilled workers. This results in an industrial union with an ignoramus system of governance suppressing the wages, benefits, and collective voice of trade-specific workgroups. Since their inception in Canada, industrial unions have repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises to AMEs and skilled trade groups. This failure is not an isolated event, but rather a pattern that has unfolded over Canadian labor history. The core problem, demonstrated time and time again, is that unfocused industrial unions put their own power and financial interests ahead of the workers’ interests they are obligated to protect.
AMFA follows a different path. Our objectives are to raise the standards and increase the recognition of AMEs and skilled trade workgroups, and the AMFA Constitution is the catalyst for our members to control their destiny via the direct election of all local and national officers and contract ratification votes. Our members’ voices are heard.
AMFA believes you have the right to choose, and you have made the right choice in seeking to be represented by an independent, trade-specific union. One Craft, One Union! Your Air Canada group will continue as pioneers, promoting a single-trade union dedicated to aviation safety and protecting your livelihood.
We expect some resistance from management and your current union representation, but I ask that you actively engage in our movement across Canada so that AMEs and skilled trade groups will finally be given the international respect, recognition, and support that they deserve.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President


AIR CANADA FILING UPDATE
Mar 21, 2023​
March 21, 2023
Dear Air Canada AMEs and Skilled Trade Groups:
On March 20, 2023, AMFA’s attorneys filed the Union’s response to briefs submitted by Air Canada and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (“IAMAW”) opposing AMFA’s request for certification of a bargaining unit at Air Canada of skilled maintenance workers. AMFA’s response, includes the following statements:
For generations, skilled airline maintenance workers have been victimized by [the IAMAW]. Their work has been outsourced. Their skills denigrated. Their wages suppressed below market levels. And their craft-specific leaders subject to intimidation and threats by the very entity that bears a legal duty to fairly represent them. The incumbent union has deliberately constructed a house divided that cannot stand . . . .
They have asked the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), a trade union founded on the principle that skilled airline maintenance workers have distinct interests, to serve as their bargaining agent. Recognition of a skill-based bargaining unit is the only means of addressing the [IAMAW’s] subordination of the economic and political interests of skilled maintenance workers to those of the unskilled workers who predominate in terms of numbers and political power. . . .
Skilled maintenance workers at Air Canada ask that the [CIRB] recognize their basic right to organize and grant them a bargaining unit of their own, served by a union of their choice.
We have received reports that the IAMAW has engaged in acts of coercion and retaliation against Air Canada skilled maintenance workers suspected of supporting AMFA. AMFA encourages employees to report those illegal actions directly to the CIRB or to AMFA.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President


 
Well congratulations AMFA you organized a NON REPRESENTED Group. Bravo 👏

 
Looks like WestJet slid past Air Canada in getting AMFA to represent their AME's.
Congrats to all involved. Nice to see AMFA grow and expand so rapidly. Keep growing AMFA!
Now we await Air Canada to come on board as well for a total of 8 airlines/entities...


CIRB CERTIFIES AMFA AS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT AT WESTJET
Mar 31, 2023​
March 31, 2023
Dear WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Skilled Trade Groups:
On March 30, 2023, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) granted AMFA’s application for certification as the bargaining agent at WestJet for a unit comprising of:
All employees of WestJet, an Alberta Partnership, integral to the coordination and performance of aircraft maintenance, including aircraft maintenance engineers (AME), apprentice AMEs, aircraft maintenance leads (AML), avionics technicians (AVT), apprentice AVTs, inspector crew leads (ICL), structures AMEs, apprentice structures AMEs, maintenance planners, day-of operations planners, technicians furnishing, apprentice technicians furnishing, maintenance controllers, senior specialists configuration control, fleet engineers, instructors technical, senior instructors technical, technical representatives and senior specialists technical services, excluding receiving inspectors, lead receiving inspectors, maintenance auditors, quality assurance auditors, GSE positions, management coordinators and positions above.
The Board confirmed that the unit “share a community of interests in that the work performed is directed towards the repair, maintenance and trade certification of aircraft.” Responding to Company objections, the Board reaffirmed its exclusive power to shape and define bargaining units. The certified unit covers approximately 670 employees.
AMFA could not be more excited to work with its newest members and advocate for your interests in raising the standards and elevating the craft/trade. AMFA’s footprint in Canada continues to expand – it now represents AMEs and skilled trade groups in Canada at L3 Harris MAS and WestJet. The CIRB is currently seized with AMFA’s application to represent skilled maintenance employees at Air Canada. Employee groups at other major Canadian airlines have expressed interest in AMFA representation as being a craft/trade-specific, independent aviation union.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President

PRESS RELEASE: AMFA WELCOMES WESTJET AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS AND SKILLED TRADE GROUPS
Mar 31, 2023​
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Bret Oestreich, National President
(720) 744-6628
[email protected]
AMFA WELCOMES WESTJET AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS AND SKILLED TRADE GROUPS
CENTENNIAL, Colo.
– March 31, 2023 – The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) officially announced yesterday that WestJet Airlines Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and skilled trade groups chose the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) as their collective bargaining agent. And today, AMFA is proud to continue to lead a craft/trade-specific labor union movement in Canada, while also continuing to be a force at the negotiating table and the voice of our skilled professionals in the United States. The North American wage comparison data in Canada for AMEs and Related professionals has been suppressed for too long.

On January 31, 2023, the AMEs and Related at WestJet Airlines submitted signed authorization for representation cards from nearly 74% of its workgroup to AMFA, requesting that they file for a representation election with the CIRB on behalf of their workgroup.

“This is a critical time for these talented professionals to be represented by a craft-specific union that has extensive success and proven experience related to merger protections and provisions for securing work rules through collective bargaining for seniority integration, transition agreement, and single carrier status,” said Bret Oestreich, AMFA National President. “We are honored to give these professionals a voice as stakeholders and to help them take control of their own destiny through democratic representation.”

“AMFA is the first and only craft-specific union to represent this skilled trade workgroup. The grassroots organizing committee started this union campaign, and today’s outcome was the culmination and affirmation of their dedication and hard work,” said Oestreich.

Prior to today’s announcement, WestJet Airlines skilled aviation trade groups were the last non-union major employee workgroup at the airline since its founding in 1994.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is the second-largest Canadian airline, behind Air Canada, operating an average of 777 flights and carrying more than 66,130 passengers per day. WestJet is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, near Calgary International Airport. In 2018, WestJet carried 25.49 million passengers, making it the ninth-largest airline in North America by passengers carried.
As of March 2023, WestJet’s merger with Sunwing Airlines has been approved by Canada’s transportation minister.






 
The IAM over at Air Canada is getting even more restless over the AMFA taking over representation of their AME's. They are scrambling like crazy to save their a$$es from getting booted to the curb by the current membership.
Grab the popcorn as the comedy show begins:-

Clink on link below to read all the latest updates since they started the GRD to bring AMFA in and replace the IAM for representation.

 
The IAM over at Air Canada is getting even more restless over the AMFA taking over representation of their AME's. They are scrambling like crazy to save their a$$es from getting booted to the curb by the current membership.
Grab the popcorn as the comedy show begins:-

Clink on link below to read all the latest updates since they started the GRD to bring AMFA in and replace the IAM for representation.

 
The IAM over at Air Canada is getting even more restless over the AMFA taking over representation of their AME's. They are scrambling like crazy to save their a$$es from getting booted to the curb by the current membership.
Grab the popcorn as the comedy show begins:-

Clink on link below to read all the latest updates since they started the GRD to bring AMFA in and replace the IAM for representation.


There hasn’t been any new updates since March 27.

Are you bored?
 
Oh wow! How embarrassing is that? AMFA addresses the "extensive legal and factual errors" within the IAM's filings to the CIRB. A perfect reason to replace them as Air Canada's AME's representation.
I was told it was so bad that the CIRB board even giggled a bit when they were informed of the many mistakes by the IAM legal team and associates.
The CIRB has been very impressed with the AMFA movement on representing their country's workers within the airline and a/c maint professionals workforce and hopes it continues forward.
Keep growing AMFA!!!


AIR CANADA FILING UPDATE #2
Apr 10, 2023​
April 10, 2023
Dear Air Canada AMEs and Skilled Trade Groups:
Last week, AMFA completed legal briefing in connection with its Air Canada certification application. In its final reply, AMFA addressed the extensive legal and factual errors contained within the IAMAW’s sur-reply. AMFA also offered corrections to the CIRB Industrial Relations Officer’s Letter of Understanding, which set out the positions of the respective parties. AMFA has now submitted nearly 800 pages of briefing in the course of the application process. It has made powerful arguments regarding the history of skilled labor at Air Canada, the non-viability of the current TMOS unit, and the appropriateness of a unit covering all Air Canada skill maintenance employees.
Based on its experience organizing skilled maintenance employees at L3 Harris MAS and WestJet, AMFA expects a final Board decision in approximately two months. The CIRB’s Officers have stated that AMFA’s application represents a case of national importance. AMFA anticipates that, after proper review, the Board will recognize that a skilled trade-based unit at Air Canada will best serve the interests of Canadian labour stability.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President
 
Oh wow! How embarrassing is that? AMFA addresses the "extensive legal and factual errors" within the IAM's filings to the CIRB. A perfect reason to replace them as Air Canada's AME's representation.
I was told it was so bad that the CIRB board even giggled a bit when they were informed of the many mistakes by the IAM legal team and associates.
The CIRB has been very impressed with the AMFA movement on representing their country's workers within the airline and a/c maint professionals workforce and hopes it continues forward.
Keep growing AMFA!!!


AIR CANADA FILING UPDATE #2
Apr 10, 2023​
April 10, 2023
Dear Air Canada AMEs and Skilled Trade Groups:
Last week, AMFA completed legal briefing in connection with its Air Canada certification application. In its final reply, AMFA addressed the extensive legal and factual errors contained within the IAMAW’s sur-reply. AMFA also offered corrections to the CIRB Industrial Relations Officer’s Letter of Understanding, which set out the positions of the respective parties. AMFA has now submitted nearly 800 pages of briefing in the course of the application process. It has made powerful arguments regarding the history of skilled labor at Air Canada, the non-viability of the current TMOS unit, and the appropriateness of a unit covering all Air Canada skill maintenance employees.
Based on its experience organizing skilled maintenance employees at L3 Harris MAS and WestJet, AMFA expects a final Board decision in approximately two months. The CIRB’s Officers have stated that AMFA’s application represents a case of national importance. AMFA anticipates that, after proper review, the Board will recognize that a skilled trade-based unit at Air Canada will best serve the interests of Canadian labour stability.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President
When are you going to realize NO ONE from AC is on the boards and no one else cares?

What’s embarrassing is negotiating SEVEN years and gaining nothing except a raise in exchange for foreign outsourcing.
 
This campaign is DOA. The AMTs at Air Canada will not be allowed to split away to form a separate group to go AMFA. Seeham knows this but will gladly take current AMFA members dues to drag this on. Nice try Raiders. Move on.
 
This campaign is DOA. The AMTs at Air Canada will not be allowed to split away to form a separate group to go AMFA. Seeham knows this but will gladly take current AMFA members dues to drag this on. Nice try Raiders. Move on.
They tried the same crap numerous times and the NMB and the Courts have shot them down every time