AMFA files with NMB for representational election vote @ Spirit Airlines

swamt

Veteran
Oct 23, 2010
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And there you have it folks. CONGRATS!!! To all Spirit's Mechanics and related for their overwhelming interest in AMFA representation. Ideal timing before an all important merger of two airlines (Frontier). With more than 50% of cards collected even at the newly combined Spirit/Frontier merger is a good indication that AMFA should be able to maintain their representation after the merger as well. I am sure there are plenty of Frontier Mechanics ready to also bring in AMFA as their representational entity.
With the results from the Sun Country Mechanics coming by end of this month and now the Spirit Mechanics filed with NMB; A busy month for AMFA Organization. Now we wait for the JetBlue Mechanics to get thru the MC's interest to bring in AMFA with the mechanics too. C'mon AA, you guys got some catching up to do fellas, LOL :)


PRESS RELEASE: AMFA FILES AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRESENTATION CARDS WITH NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD ON BEHALF OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS AND RELATED EMPLOYEES AT SPIRIT AIRLINES
Updated On: May 06, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Bret Oestreich, National President
(720) 744-6628
[email protected]

CENTENNIAL, CO – May 6, 2022 – The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (“AMFA”) filed Authorization for Representation cards today with the National Mediation Board (NMB) on behalf of the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (“AMTs”) and Related Employees at Spirit Airlines.
“AMFA is thrilled the AMTs and Related Employees at Spirit Airlines have placed their faith in us to act as their union representative,” said Bret Oestreich, AMFA National President. “Their confidence in our abilities to represent them is evidenced by AMFA now having signed authorization cards from significantly more than 50% of the craft or class at Spirit Airlines. In fact, the number of signed authorization cards filed by AMFA is sufficient to be a majority of the craft or class at a combined Spirit-Frontier carrier.
Like other union organizing drives sweeping the nation, this grassroots campaign was led by the AMTs at Spirit Airlines. “As a workgroup, we need a unified voice to ensure a safe workplace, fair pay and benefits, and seniority protection. With AMFA as our collective bargaining representative, we feel confident we will finally have a seat and voice at the table,” declared one of the AMFA organizer employees at Spirit.
“We look forward to working with these experienced professionals to elevate their standards and improve their working conditions,” said Oestreich.
Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low budget airline headquartered in Miramar, Florida. In recent months, the carrier has entertained offers to merge with Frontier Airlines and more recently received an unsolicited acquisition offer from JetBlue. Should a merger or acquisition be completed, AMFA feels confident in its ability to help facilitate that transition.
“Having union representation during a carrier merger is more important than ever as seniority and aircraft maintenance standards may become precarious,” said Oestreich. “AMFA has successfully navigated these waters before and should we be given the opportunity, we will vigorously represent Spirit’s AMT and Related Employees’ interests during any merger or acquisition transition and beyond, while also welcoming the AMTs from the merged carrier into our craft-specific union.”


And here's a little more details on next actions with NMB and Spirit Mechanics Filing:

National President Letter to Spirit AMTs and Related Employees regarding the NMB Filing and What to Expect Next
May 7, 2022-- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is honored to have filed an Application for Investigation of Representation Dispute on your behalf with the National Mediation Board (NMB) on Friday, May 6, 2022. Now that the cards have been filed, we wanted to give you a brief overview of the NMB investigation process and what to expect next.
Read More
 
Very nice to see AMFA helping out the Spirit Mechanics even though they do not represent them "YET". Can't wait to hear from the NMB on an election @ Spirit.
Sun Country's vote tally only a week away 6-8, maybe we will hear from NMB by then or around then, such sweet justice for the Mechanic and Related.

Hint: You may have to refresh page after loading to get article to come up as I did.


 
Looking forward to the tally for the AMFA election @ Sun Country today sometime.
Meanwhile, here are some great reasons for the Spirit as well as JetBlue Mechanics, to look at AMFA for their representational entity...


NATIONAL PRESIDENT UPDATE - MAY 2022
Updated On: Jun 07, 2022
To:
Re:
Date:
AMFA Locals and Members
National President’s Monthly Update for May 2022
June 7, 2022
Dear Members:
The AMFA Membership is the primary influence in allowing AMFA to be a major voice, raising aviation industry standards at both the regional and the major carriers and increasing the recognition of our craft. AMFA’s structure, as designed in the AMFA Constitution, empowers our membership to control the union and their own destiny. Unlike most unions, AMFA Members have the right to vote on all Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBAs), Letters of Agreement (LOAs), and elections for officers and representatives at both the National and Local levels.
AMFA is the advocator and voice for our craft and our profession. Tools are in place for our members to acquire Association and industry related updates via the National website, AMFA App, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and the AMFA Insider Podcast. Thank you for your continued support in this membership outreach and communication campaign. We also continue to conduct station and GMM visits system-wide.
AMFA National officers are still conducting station visits across the system to educate the membership about AMFA’s mission and about the important role of AMFA PAC, the first and only political action committee (PAC) representing aircraft technicians and related issues. Please visit the Government Affairs Updates page of the AMFA National Website for further details.
AMFA–Alaska Airlines (AS) Airline Representatives (ALRs) continue working with the Company on the Roster Apps issues, and Alaska Section 6 negotiations are scheduled for October 2022. Local 32 and Local 14 proposal committees will meet first weeks of June to catalog and compile the proposals submitted to the locals to prepare for the contract proposal prioritization survey process. AS continues to hire during this impending shortage of technicians throughout the industry. Most stations are working shorthanded as the Company continues filling positions with technicians to achieve adequate staffing levels across the system; this has been extremely difficult. Please welcome this next generation of technicians -- and future generation of AMFA leaders -- into our workplaces and help them get established as engaged members of AMFA.
The AMFA-Horizon Air (QX) membership has ratified the tentative agreement (TA) #2. I would like to congratulate the AMFA members voted in this process. This agreement is not only industry-leading, it is an industry changing agreement for the regional carriers. This agreement has significant pay increases over the two-year duration, with negotiation openers in 18 months, industry-leading license premiums, industry-leading shortened pay progression scale, and ratification payout on June 15, 2022, that is equal to retroactive pay to January 28, 2022. The membership’s loud voice was heard across the industry when the referendum was ratified on May 10,2022. Please visit the Horizon Air page of the AMFA National Website for further details.
Southwest Airlines (SWA) continues to hire during this impending shortage of technicians throughout the industry, and filling these positions to achieve adequate staffing levels across the system has proven to be extremely difficult. We have new hires at most SWA stations now. Please welcome the next generation of technicians – and future generation of AMFA leaders -- into our workplaces and help them get established as engaged members of AMFA.
AMFA-SWA Appearance Technicians (AAT) extension talks resulting in achieving a tentative agreement on a contract extension LOA. This LOA will give pay increases to all scales with 6.25% snap-up minimum, an efficiency bonus to members within the middle of the pay scale to top of scale, and a shortened pay progression scale. The Company will hear the membership’s voice when the referendum is tallied on July 1, 2022. Any eligible voter who has not received their personalized voting instructions should contact the Director of Administration at [email protected]. Please visit the Southwest Airlines page of the AMFA National website for further details. Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact your ALR with any questions or to clarify SWA propaganda.
The AMFA-SWA Facilities Maintenance Technicians (FMT) Negotiating Committee met on May 17-18 to review the survey report on the ranked proposals submitted by FMT membership and to prepare openers. Section 6 negotiations will start June 21-23 in Dallas, TX.
As we have said since the beginning of the year, we will be expanding AMFA’s footprint and growing our membership in 2022. We currently are proud to share the National Mediation Board (NMB) authorized a representation election for the technician and related class and craft at Sun Country Airlines and the tally will be on June 8, 2022. A Transition Committee is in place and is ready to start representing our new membership day one. For further information , please visit the AMFA at Sun Country Airlines page.
I want to encourage you to recognize the importance of the responsibilities and work you perform day-to-day: increase awareness of performing your jobs safely; maintaining compliance; being aware of your surroundings; and above all, working safely side-by-side with your co-workers. I ask you to please continue to be vigilant and to stay engaged with your union and officers. In doing so, monitor your respective carrier page of the AMFA National website for further airline specific details: Alaska Airlines Updates, Horizon Air Updates, Southwest Airlines Updates. For further information regarding AMFA and the airline industry, please visit your local website and/or the AMFA National Website at www.amfanational.org.
Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your support and participation – please stay engaged and informed.
Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National President
 
As we wait for the NMB announcement on an election for AMFA @ Spirit, below are some facts about AMFA and it's real history, as well as some real good reasons on why to bring AMFA in to represent the Mechanics @ Spirit Airlines:


TWU, RATTLED BY AMFA VOTE, RESPONDS IN DESPERATION
Updated On: Apr 22, 2022
April 22, 2022
Dear American Airlines Mechanics and Related Employees:
As you are all aware, a grassroots movement within the TWU/IAM “Association” launched a card drive to allow members an opportunity to unify their representation under AMFA and escape the internal politics and distraction of being represented by two different unions.

The card drive vote was extremely close, but your opportunity to have a choice was blocked by the incumbents. It was so close, in fact, that amongst mechanics and related workers, more than a 60% majority of TWU and IAM paying members requested the representation election without a visit from AMFA. It was the added 1,200 individuals that included the deceased, voluntarily retired and fleet service workgroups that tilted the scales in the other direction.

Most organizations would interpret this outcome as a sign that they needed to work on better representing their membership, or else the next time around, that vote would pass. Not your union and their leadership, however. The TWU, seeking revenge against AMFA (even though the card drive was truly an internally organized movement), is now using your dues to fund an ill-advised raid on AMFA at Southwest Airlines. Southwest mechanics and related workers have the best contract in the commercial airline business today and would never accept being a booby prize for an antiquated mega-union hellbent on revenge. Obviously, the TWU-appointed leadership isn’t doing this because they have the Southwest mechanics’ true and best interests at heart. This move will most certainly backfire, and unfortunately your money will be wasted, again.

In addition, there is a second movement within the Association to petition the AFL-CIO to allow the Association members to vote on being represented by either TWU or IAM, but no longer both. This smoke screen and phantom movement, initiated by TWU Locals 514, 567, and 591, acknowledges the failure of the dual-union Association to faithfully represent its members, the incompatibility of the two unions forming the Association, and that the creation of the Association was a compromise to benefit the union leadership at the expense of its members. In short, TWU was more interested in dues revenue than representation. In appealing to its members, the letter concludes that, “Unfortunately, we will never be able to truly stand as one, as long as there are ‘two’ unions in the Association.” What this means is that TWU is effectively raiding two unions at the same time – AMFA and its own Association partner, IAM. That is the definition of desperate.

The vital lesson in all this is that industrial unions (including TWU & IAM) lack focus, are fearful of choice, and have no authenticity of purpose. This makes them inwardly oriented and selfishly driven to expand their reach and enrich their union leaders at the expense of the dues-paying membership they represent.

It is now clear that the TWU and IAM has struggled with an identity crisis since the day the “Association” was formed. The Association is broken, and always has been. The only question on the table now is how to fix it. One route would be eliminating one of the unions forming the Association via a vote and unifying all the members under the winner. To all of us, this seems more like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic than a solution. In the end, whichever existing union wins the internal “Blue Card” non-sanctioned vote, you are still beholden to the antiquated, top-heavy AFL-CIO mega-union and its army of high-paid executives focused on enriching themselves.

The other route, of course, is to switch to AMFA. AMFA is an independent union with an unparalleled track record of getting its members industry-leading contracts. AMFA is effective because it is dedicated to faithfully representing their members and ensuring they are heard. AMFA is not a general union pretending to be everything to everyone; AMFA is laser-focused on the unique needs and craft of mechanics and related workers. AMFA is better equipped to support these workers because they are the only workers we support – or as we like to say, “One Craft, One Union.”

There has been a lot said during this campaign for representation about job protection, and we would like to put this issue to bed once and for all. In the 10-year period that we were able to identify comparable data (2004 – 2014) for, AMFA increased the SWA Mechanics and Related headcount at Southwest Airlines by 44%. During that same period, TWU Mechanics and Related headcount at American Airlines decreased by 39%![1]

SWA_Headcount_2004-2014.jpeg

And more recently, during the pandemic, AMFA vigorously enforced its no furlough provisions through arbitration, and not a single AMFA member was laid off during Covid. Sadly, we know that was definitely not the case for TWU/IAM membership at American.

AMFA wants you to have a real choice, and to that end, we are supporting the grass roots AMFA AA organizers in their continued card drive to give you the right to choose and vote for AMFA. If anything has become obvious in the last 18 months, it’s the desperation of the TWU and IAM to cling to the past and protect a status quo that never served you well. AMFA will bring new leadership, new vision, and greater strength against management. AMFA will finally allow you to be heard, and have representation that puts you first, not your money. We ask that you consider this issue carefully, and if you do, we know you will support having a greater say in your future and sign a NMB Sanctioned AMFA card.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President
 
Shouldn't be long now that we will hear from the NMB on the Spirit Mechanics filling for a representational election for AMFA. It took approx one month to hear on the SC Mechanics. Although there was some interference within the election process at Spirit Airlines, I would expect possibly up to 2 weeks more so hopefully within the next week we might hear something. But, as we all know, the NMB takes their time. Stay strong, stay united, your time is coming to have your voices heard loud and clear...
 
As we wait for the NMB announcement on an election for AMFA @ Spirit, below are some facts about AMFA and it's real history, as well as some real good reasons on why to bring AMFA in to represent the Mechanics @ Spirit Airlines:


TWU, RATTLED BY AMFA VOTE, RESPONDS IN DESPERATION
Updated On: Apr 22, 2022
April 22, 2022
Dear American Airlines Mechanics and Related Employees:
As you are all aware, a grassroots movement within the TWU/IAM “Association” launched a card drive to allow members an opportunity to unify their representation under AMFA and escape the internal politics and distraction of being represented by two different unions.

The card drive vote was extremely close, but your opportunity to have a choice was blocked by the incumbents. It was so close, in fact, that amongst mechanics and related workers, more than a 60% majority of TWU and IAM paying members requested the representation election without a visit from AMFA. It was the added 1,200 individuals that included the deceased, voluntarily retired and fleet service workgroups that tilted the scales in the other direction.

Most organizations would interpret this outcome as a sign that they needed to work on better representing their membership, or else the next time around, that vote would pass. Not your union and their leadership, however. The TWU, seeking revenge against AMFA (even though the card drive was truly an internally organized movement), is now using your dues to fund an ill-advised raid on AMFA at Southwest Airlines. Southwest mechanics and related workers have the best contract in the commercial airline business today and would never accept being a booby prize for an antiquated mega-union hellbent on revenge. Obviously, the TWU-appointed leadership isn’t doing this because they have the Southwest mechanics’ true and best interests at heart. This move will most certainly backfire, and unfortunately your money will be wasted, again.

In addition, there is a second movement within the Association to petition the AFL-CIO to allow the Association members to vote on being represented by either TWU or IAM, but no longer both. This smoke screen and phantom movement, initiated by TWU Locals 514, 567, and 591, acknowledges the failure of the dual-union Association to faithfully represent its members, the incompatibility of the two unions forming the Association, and that the creation of the Association was a compromise to benefit the union leadership at the expense of its members. In short, TWU was more interested in dues revenue than representation. In appealing to its members, the letter concludes that, “Unfortunately, we will never be able to truly stand as one, as long as there are ‘two’ unions in the Association.” What this means is that TWU is effectively raiding two unions at the same time – AMFA and its own Association partner, IAM. That is the definition of desperate.

The vital lesson in all this is that industrial unions (including TWU & IAM) lack focus, are fearful of choice, and have no authenticity of purpose. This makes them inwardly oriented and selfishly driven to expand their reach and enrich their union leaders at the expense of the dues-paying membership they represent.

It is now clear that the TWU and IAM has struggled with an identity crisis since the day the “Association” was formed. The Association is broken, and always has been. The only question on the table now is how to fix it. One route would be eliminating one of the unions forming the Association via a vote and unifying all the members under the winner. To all of us, this seems more like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic than a solution. In the end, whichever existing union wins the internal “Blue Card” non-sanctioned vote, you are still beholden to the antiquated, top-heavy AFL-CIO mega-union and its army of high-paid executives focused on enriching themselves.

The other route, of course, is to switch to AMFA. AMFA is an independent union with an unparalleled track record of getting its members industry-leading contracts. AMFA is effective because it is dedicated to faithfully representing their members and ensuring they are heard. AMFA is not a general union pretending to be everything to everyone; AMFA is laser-focused on the unique needs and craft of mechanics and related workers. AMFA is better equipped to support these workers because they are the only workers we support – or as we like to say, “One Craft, One Union.”

There has been a lot said during this campaign for representation about job protection, and we would like to put this issue to bed once and for all. In the 10-year period that we were able to identify comparable data (2004 – 2014) for, AMFA increased the SWA Mechanics and Related headcount at Southwest Airlines by 44%. During that same period, TWU Mechanics and Related headcount at American Airlines decreased by 39%![1]

SWA_Headcount_2004-2014.jpeg

And more recently, during the pandemic, AMFA vigorously enforced its no furlough provisions through arbitration, and not a single AMFA member was laid off during Covid. Sadly, we know that was definitely not the case for TWU/IAM membership at American.

AMFA wants you to have a real choice, and to that end, we are supporting the grass roots AMFA AA organizers in their continued card drive to give you the right to choose and vote for AMFA. If anything has become obvious in the last 18 months, it’s the desperation of the TWU and IAM to cling to the past and protect a status quo that never served you well. AMFA will bring new leadership, new vision, and greater strength against management. AMFA will finally allow you to be heard, and have representation that puts you first, not your money. We ask that you consider this issue carefully, and if you do, we know you will support having a greater say in your future and sign a NMB Sanctioned AMFA card.
Sincerely,
Bret Oestreich
National President
More Jobs Than Scamfa, More Work Than Scamfa, More Money Than Scamfa, More Clout Than Scamfa, More Scope Than Scamfa, More Protections Than Scamfa and not unhappy with TWU or IAM as you want people to think.
 
Now that Sun Country Mechanics have overwhelmingly elected the Class and Craft Mechanics Union, AMFA for the representational Union we await for the NMB's announcement on the Spirit Mechanics Election status. Below is the certification of the SC Mechanics with AMFA;



And here below we all see the application is filed for the Spirit Mechanics and should be hearing soon on yet another election for AMFA representation;



And soon we will be hearing of the JetBlue Mechanics also filing for an AMFA Representational Election. A great year for AMFA indeed.
 
Have a feeling that this possible election interference issue is part of the hold up in the NMB pausing to post the election notice for Spirit Airlines Mechanics. Great that AMFA Legal was able to bring it to the NMB's attention, but now going into 2nd month.
With the merger war leaning towards a Frontier/Spirit merger, Spirit Mechanics will bring in AMFA and then after merger will vote again on which union to keep and from what I have been told it will go AMFA's way @ Frontier as well. With that said, Frontier would be the 5th Airline attempting to bring in AMFA in 2022. So let the merger happen between Frontier and Spirit and keep the cards coming in from the JetBlue Mechanics and Related...


Letter to the NMB Regarding Spirit Airlines Election Violation
May 24, 2002 -- We are in receipt of reports from Mechanics and Related Employees at Spirit Airlines that they have been subject to threatening comments constituting a violation of the “laboratory conditions” that a carrier is required to maintain during an NMB-supervised election. Specifically, witnesses have reported to us that, on May 18, 2022, Spirit Airlines Director of Maintenance Operations Control Vincent Giudice told employees that “unions are bad for you” and that, in the event a union is certified, “if you commit a fireable offense, we have no reason to be lax about it – you’re fired.”
 
Have a feeling that this possible election interference issue is part of the hold up in the NMB pausing to post the election notice for Spirit Airlines Mechanics. Great that AMFA Legal was able to bring it to the NMB's attention, but now going into 2nd month.
With the merger war leaning towards a Frontier/Spirit merger, Spirit Mechanics will bring in AMFA and then after merger will vote again on which union to keep and from what I have been told it will go AMFA's way @ Frontier as well. With that said, Frontier would be the 5th Airline attempting to bring in AMFA in 2022. So let the merger happen between Frontier and Spirit and keep the cards coming in from the JetBlue Mechanics and Related...


Letter to the NMB Regarding Spirit Airlines Election Violation
May 24, 2002 -- We are in receipt of reports from Mechanics and Related Employees at Spirit Airlines that they have been subject to threatening comments constituting a violation of the “laboratory conditions” that a carrier is required to maintain during an NMB-supervised election. Specifically, witnesses have reported to us that, on May 18, 2022, Spirit Airlines Director of Maintenance Operations Control Vincent Giudice told employees that “unions are bad for you” and that, in the event a union is certified, “if you commit a fireable offense, we have no reason to be lax about it – you’re fired.”

Again with Seeham Seeham Meltz and Peterson. This is the Lawfirm sucking the blood 🩸 out of Southwest Airline AMT’s. $$$$

This whole thing is nothing but one big scam.
 
Reading our National Directors mid yearly update seems to reflect ANOTHER airline Mechanics group, once AGAIN will get a vote to bring in the Class and Craft AMFA Union to represent their Mechanics group. Below I leave you his update and I highlighted the para where he says the NMB has identified enough cards warrant a vote for the Spirit Mechanics...


NATIONAL PRESIDENT UPDATE - JUNE 2022
Updated On: Jun 30, 2022
To:
Re:
Date:
AMFA Locals and Members
National President’s Monthly Update for June 2022
June 30, 2022
Dear Members:
As we hit the halfway marker of 2022, the start of July, we can already begin to reflect on the tremendous amount of success we’ve achieved thus far as our steadfast determination to raise the standards and increasing the recognition of our craft in the aviation industry is fruitful. We would also like to wish you a great celebration in honoring the 4th of July. Please be safe and enjoy this great day in history- Happy Independence Day!
As I expressed at the beginning of 2022, this Association is prepared for growth this year. All three carriers continue to hire the next generation of skilled technicians and new hire classes have been full. We want to eagerly welcome you all as we face an impending shortage of technicians throughout the industry, and we strive to achieve adequate staffing levels across the system. Additionally, our industry changing contracts – at both in regional and legacy carriers – are being recognized throughout the aviation industry.
Our results and successes are attracting mechanics and related employees from other carriers who are seeking our craft-specific union as their bargaining representative, and we have already received positive affirmation on two fronts: 1) we are honored be recently be certified as the collective bargaining agent for the mechanics and related professionals at Sun Country Airlines, and 2) on June 15, 2022, the National Mediation Board (“NMB”) verified and sufficient signed authorization cards were filed for AMFA and thus authorized a representation election for the mechanics and related employees at Spirit Airlines, Inc. AMFA will continue to grow, acquiring professional, skilled workforces and furthering our visibility into the future.
There is no longer the loyalty or allegiance to industrial, self-interest unaccountable labor unions on the “power in numbers” vs “technological and skilled professionals” mentalities, which are very different than AMFA’s knowledge, skill, integrity ideology. The core problem, demonstrated time and time again, is that unfocused industrial unions have put their own power and financial interests ahead of the workers’ interests they were obligated to protect. An important lesson learned from this critical time in labor history is that industrial unions lack focus and authenticity of purpose, which makes them inwardly driven on expanding their reach and enriching their leaders at the expense of the people they represent. Craft unions threaten their model because their purpose is more focused, pure, and noble: to create appreciation for, and fully monetize, the value their specific craftspeople contribute to the business. Their job is to build the craft and highlight its importance, so the company values it more. It is evident, the days of the industrial union are numbered, as people increasingly come to realize that their leaders put the interests of the union ahead of the interests of the professionals they represent. The future belongs to focused craft unions because they are designed to serve their members, advocate for their skills, and profession and not profit from them. As Albert Einstein said, “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means.”
AMFA is the advocator and voice for our craft and our profession. Tools are in place for our members to acquire Association and industry related updates via the National website, AMFA App, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and the AMFA Insider Podcast. We also continue to conduct station and GMM visits system wide.
AMFA‑Alaska will be filing for Section 6 negotiations in October 2022 with negotiations to start shortly thereafter. Local 32 and Local 14 Contract Proposal Committees have been busy preparing proposals for the contract proposal prioritization survey process; stay tuned as this survey will be sent to members later this summer. Please visit the Alaska Airlines page of the AMFA National Website for further details.
The AMFA-Horizon Air (QX) membership ratified their new contract in May 2022, and I would like to congratulate them on receiving their first pay increases and retro checks as a valued stakeholder in this process in June. The retirement of the “workhorse” Q400 will start the grounding of 6-9 aircraft in September 2022 and an additional 12 aircraft by December 2022. There is currently a total of 31 Q400 aircraft and these are projected to all be taken out of service by the end of 2023. There are 12 firm orders of E175 aircraft and budgets for furthering future orders. Please visit the Horizon Air page of the AMFA National Website for further details.
AMFA-Southwest Airlines (SWA) Aircraft Appearance Technician (AAT) extension talks resulted in achieving a tentative agreement on a Contract Extension Letter of Agreement (LOA). The Company will hear the membership’s voice when the referendum is tallied on July 1, 2022. Please visit the Southwest Airlines page of the AMFA National website for further details. Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact your ALR with any questions.
The AMFA-SWA Facilities Maintenance Technician (FMT) Negotiating Committee met on June 21-23 in Dallas. This initial 3-day session was productive, in large part, due to AMFA’s advanced preparations, including the development of an opener document and written proposals to drive the discussion. Your Committee expects the Company to be better prepared for the start of the next session, which is scheduled for July 26-28 in Chicago. Please do not hesitate to contact your ALR with any questions For further information regarding these negotiations, please visit the Southwest Airlines page of the AMFA National website.
We currently are proud to announce the successful representation election for the technician and related class and craft at Sun Country Airlines (SCA) that was tallied on June 8, 2022, and AMFA’s subsequent certification as the collective bargaining agent for the group. Following the tally, we met the SCA Transition Committee in Minneapolis and reached out to the Company to schedule dates to meet for transition discussions and Section 6 negotiation notification to start representation of this group. We went to the SCA maintenance hangar for an outside station visit to meet, greet, and answer questions. We will be conducting multiple zoom calls with participants from all departments and shifts in the near future regarding the direction moving forward. We are scheduled to meet the SCA management team and their legal team on July 21, 2022, in Minneapolis. For further information, please visit the Sun Country Airlines page.
I encourage you to recognize the importance of the responsibilities and work you perform day-to-day: increase awareness of performing your jobs safely; maintaining compliance; being aware of your surroundings; and above all, working safely side-by-side with your co-workers. Please be vigilant and stay engaged with your union and officers. In doing so, monitor your respective carrier page of the AMFA National website for further airline specific details: Alaska Airlines Updates, Horizon Air Updates, Southwest Airlines Updates, and Sun Country Airlines Updates For further information regarding AMFA and the airline industry, please visit your local website and/or the AMFA National Website at www.amfanational.org.
Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your support and participation – please stay engaged and informed.
Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National President


"Our results and successes are attracting mechanics and related employees from other carriers who are seeking our craft-specific union as their bargaining representative, and we have already received positive affirmation on two fronts: 1) we are honored be recently be certified as the collective bargaining agent for the mechanics and related professionals at Sun Country Airlines, and 2) on June 15, 2022, the National Mediation Board (“NMB”) verified and sufficient signed authorization cards were filed for AMFA and thus authorized a representation election for the mechanics and related employees at Spirit Airlines, Inc. AMFA will continue to grow, acquiring professional, skilled workforces and furthering our visibility into the future."

How sweet is that??? First Sun Country Mechanics, now Spirit Mechanics will vote, soon JetBlue will be getting a vote chance for AMFA Representation and of course Frontier will also get voted into AMFA after the merger is completed IF Frontier does in fact win the merger for Spirit. Not to mention American Airlines Mechanics are also in the middle of a card drive for AMFA Representation to finally get rid of the Pathetic Asso. of the twu/iam combination fiasco. :)
 
Spirit Mechanics gets your votes in ASAP, the merger is coming. Better to be represented by a Class and Craft Mechanics union as you guys will see if Frontier gets the vote for merger as they are represented by an industrial union that is still dealing with all kinds of charges against their international as well as local level officers. I haven't seen anything official as of yet, but according to this update AMFA already knows...



My bad folks, forgot to add the punchline where NMB has verified (as of 6-15-22) that there IS a sufficient amount of cards signed and filed for an AMFA representational election at Spirit for their Mechanics and Related. QABM:

"Our results and successes are attracting mechanics and related employees from other carriers who are seeking our craft-specific union as their bargaining representative, and we have already received positive affirmation on two fronts: 1) we are honored be recently be certified as the collective bargaining agent for the mechanics and related professionals at Sun Country Airlines, and 2) on June 15, 2022, the National Mediation Board (“NMB”) verified and sufficient signed authorization cards were filed for AMFA and thus authorized a representation election for the mechanics and related employees at Spirit Airlines, Inc. AMFA will continue to grow, acquiring professional, skilled workforces and furthering our visibility into the future."
 
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And so organize with fear tactics over a merger that will be blocked by the feds....how cute.
 
Congrats to the men and women Mechanics at Spirit Airlines for getting the election thru the NMB with their grass roots efforts to get a Mechanics Class and Craft Union to represent their industry. The election is now in works and the count will be on 8-25-22 for R-7587.
Now, with all the fiasco cancelations with the Spirit BOD shareholders meeting to vote on merger, maybe the Mechanics can show the BOD and the shareholders how to do actually follow thru with an election vote properly. :) Just saying...


Elections Underway:

Case #CarrierOrg.Approx. No. of Emp. Craft or ClassCount DateInvestigator
R-7579Buffalo & Pittsburgh RailroadIAM14 – Machinists & Machine HelpersJuly 13, 2022Baustista
R-7584Lake State RailwaySMART47 – Train and Engine Service EmployeesJuly 19, 2022Yoder
RD-7586Northern Cargo AirIBT10- DispatchersJuly 20, 2022Hennessey
R-7583Breeze Aviation Group, Inc.ALPA66 – Flight Deck Crew MembersAugust 11, 2022Yoder
R-7587Spirit Airlines, Inc.AMFA544-Mechanics and Related EmployeesAugust 25, 2022Hennessey/ Bautista
Cases Closed:

Case #CarrierOrg.Craft or ClassDispositionInvestigator
R-7581Eastern Airlines LLCAFA/ CWA60 – Flight AttendantsCertificationHennessey
R-7592 (CR-7233)TransitAmerica Services, Inc.ATU17-DispatchersWDI-DismissalGross
Interference Cases: None

ARBITRATION (estimates)
Please click on the link below to view open and closed Arbitration cases.

NMB Open/Closed Report

Full weekly report from NMB below:

Weekly Activity Report June 27 – July 1, 2022



Weekly Activity Report June 27 – July 1, 2022 MEDIATION/ADR New Dockets: Case # Carrier Org. Craft/Class Mediator(s) GM-190 UP BLET Locomotive Engineers Durham Mediation Cases Assigned/Reassigned: None Settlements: None Meetings, Training, and Facilitation: None REPRESENTATION New Applications: None Ballot Instructions Mailed: Case # Carrier Org. Approx. No. of Emp. – Craft or Class Investigator Read More
 
Checking the weekly report on NMB site shows the 544 Mechanics at Spirit Airlines listed under "Elections Underway" with a card count date of August 25, 2022.
Congrats to all those involved with getting this election kicked off PRIOR to a merger, now if JetBlue could get it done as well before the shareholders vote for them to purchase Spirit.


 
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