[P align=justify]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2003[/P]
[P]FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:[BR]O. V. Delle-Femine, AMFA National Director[BR]603-527-9212[BR]Steve Lanier, AMFA National Secretary[BR]770-954-0212[BR]Jim Young, Region II Director[BR]612-387-8061[/P]
[P align=center][FONT size=5]Southwest Airlines Employees Win[BR][/FONT][FONT size=5]Election for AMFA Representation[/FONT][/P]
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[P align=justify]Laconia, NH – January 24, 2003 – The National Mediation Board (NMB) has certified the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) as the bargaining agent for the mechanics and related employees at Dallas, Texas, based Southwest Airlines.[/P]
[P align=justify]AMFA received 805 votes from the 1459 votes cast in today’s representation election ballot count.[/P]
[P align=justify]"We are pleased that the Mechanics and Related employees at Southwest Airlines have selected AMFA to represent them. The AMFA supporters at Southwest Airlines have worked hard to achieve this success and should be proud of their efforts," said O. V. Delle-Femine, AMFA National Director. He continued, "We look forward to developing a positive relationship with Southwest Airlines officials, one that will benefit both the company and our new members."[/P]
[P align=justify]AMFA is an independent craft union not affiliated with the AFL-CIO. AMFA currently represents more than 11,000 aircraft technicians and related personnel employed at Alaska Airlines, American Trans Air, Atlantic Coast Airlines, Horizon Air, Mesaba Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.[/P]
[P align=justify]AMFA’s credo is "Safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground." To learn more about AMFA, visit their website at www.amfanatl.org.[/P]