To: AMFA Locals and Members
Re: National Director’s Monthly Update for July 2016
Date: July 29, 2016
Dear Members:
IT WAS A HOT DAY IN DALLAS AND AMFA TURNED UP THE HEAT on Southwest Airlines
(SWA)! Almost 300 AMFA members, SWAPA Pilots, and SWA TWU Flight Attendants gathered to
picket and bring attention to the dismal state of the ongoing contract negotiations for all three labor
groups. The July 22, 2016, event was a success and received a good deal of media attention, including
The Dallas Morning News and KERA News. Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) negotiations
resumed on July 26–28, 2016, in Dallas, Texas where both sides again outlined exactly what they see
as the remaining open issues (there are many) and exchanged economic proposals. The Company’s
proposal has not changed since our session in Chicago, but with AMFA presenting our proposal the
ball is now back in their court. The full update for this session will be out soon. On July 14, 2016, the
Facility Maintenance Technician (FMT) negotiations resumed and the Committee’s full update has
been posted to the National Website. There are two negotiation sessions for the AMTs and one session
for the FMTs scheduled in August. Institutional investors are starting to pay serious attention to the
situation at SWA; click here for a very interesting article on the issue.
On July 18 and 19, 2016, Alaska Airlines contract negotiations continued in Seattle, Washington
where we presented our proposals for medical benefits and retirement, both the defined benefit
(pension plan) and the defined contribution (401k plan). Our Committee was assisted by our subject
matter experts on pensions and 401K plans and the Committee’s full update has been posted to the
National Website. Our next session is scheduled for August 3 –5, 2016, in the Bay Area of California.
On July 26, 2016, the Virgin America shareholders voted to approve the merger agreement. The
merger still requires federal regulatory approval, which the airline expects to happen later this year.
On July 14, 2016, the Constitutional Amendment Ratification Referendum was tallied and all sixteen
(16) proposed amendments passed. Also, the Referendum Notice and Voting Instructions for the
AMFA National Officer Election were mailed on July 1, 2016. If you have not received your
personalized voting instructions in the mail, please be sure to contact the Administration Director at
720-744-6629 as soon as possible to request a ballot. Voting will conclude at 10:00AM ET August 8,
2016. Please be sure to make your voice heard and participate in this important AMFA vote.
For more carrier-specific updates and further information regarding AMFA and the airline industry,
please visit the AMFA National Website at www.AMFANational.org and download the AMFA App to
your smartphone or tablet. Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your continued support
and participation – please stay informed.
Sincerely,
Louie Key
National Director
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