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Aircraft maint issues

1AA said:
Quite on negotiations from BOD meeting.

but the biggest thing is it's affecting us today from an operating perspective is unfortunately the fact that we are in negotiations with our IAM and TWU represented team members. We're working very hard to get that negotiation to a point where we can deliver to our team what we want to deliver, which is by far the best contract in this industry for all of those team members.


We haven't been able to crack the code to do that. We're now -- the parties are now with National Mediation Board who now has control over those negotiations and is working with us together to try and get through joint collective body agreement.

We are optimistic that will result in a contract, which is what our team deserves. And again, as it relates to that contract, we've communicated a lot to our team and for our shareholders, what you should know is, we have put a contract out there that is superior to any contract that any other airline has in place as proof of that -- as proof point of that.

We have told our team and the unions representing our team that we would happily sign any other contract for these workgroups that's in place, just change the name of the airline to American and we'll happily sign those. That, obviously, is not what they want to do because we have on table is much better than that.

So we will get this done at some point in time or having trouble getting there. And unfortunately, as far as it relates to the operation is, as these negotiations continue, the unions have taken it upon themselves to try and influence those negotiations by orchestrating any legal work actions, it doesn't take many of our team members certainly in the maintenance group to have to get to the point where we don't have enough airplanes ready to fly in the morning.

So our team is fantastic. They're trying to do what they can to make sure that their voices are heard. We -- that's -- but again, under the Railway Labor Act, that activity is illegal. So we've filed a lawsuit against the unions and for a preliminary injunction to stop the illegal behavior that lawsuit is -- should be heard sometime this month and we hope that will have a difference.
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Was anything said about the poor stock performance?
 
swamt said:
No sir, SWA is one of the gems in the industry. Can you pls tell us who YOU think the SWA mechanics sold out to get the contract we just voted in? With great detail. Be prepared.
Click to expand...
We have always ran lean, we maintained what we have plus we are hiring.
 
1AA said:
Quite on negotiations from BOD meeting.

but the biggest thing is it's affecting us today from an operating perspective is unfortunately the fact that we are in negotiations with our IAM and TWU represented team members. We're working very hard to get that negotiation to a point where we can deliver to our team what we want to deliver, which is by far the best contract in this industry for all of those team members.


We haven't been able to crack the code to do that. We're now -- the parties are now with National Mediation Board who now has control over those negotiations and is working with us together to try and get through joint collective body agreement.

We are optimistic that will result in a contract, which is what our team deserves. And again, as it relates to that contract, we've communicated a lot to our team and for our shareholders, what you should know is, we have put a contract out there that is superior to any contract that any other airline has in place as proof of that -- as proof point of that.

We have told our team and the unions representing our team that we would happily sign any other contract for these workgroups that's in place, just change the name of the airline to American and we'll happily sign those. That, obviously, is not what they want to do because we have on table is much better than that.

So we will get this done at some point in time or having trouble getting there. And unfortunately, as far as it relates to the operation is, as these negotiations continue, the unions have taken it upon themselves to try and influence those negotiations by orchestrating any legal work actions, it doesn't take many of our team members certainly in the maintenance group to have to get to the point where we don't have enough airplanes ready to fly in the morning.

So our team is fantastic. They're trying to do what they can to make sure that their voices are heard. We -- that's -- but again, under the Railway Labor Act, that activity is illegal. So we've filed a lawsuit against the unions and for a preliminary injunction to stop the illegal behavior that lawsuit is -- should be heard sometime this month and we hope that will have a difference.
Click to expand...

Why does American call the current "verbal" agreement industry leading when it is NOT. They have only offered to "match" SWA's wages for their mechanics not beat or top them. And they are also not offering anything near our 401K. Ours is dollar for dollar at 9.3%. Plus out profit sharing is another 10-16% annually. We also have a total time off of 7.5 weeks plus 9 holidays. Unlimited day trades for even more time off. We can bank up to 2400 hours of sick time, sell back 2 weeks vac., bank a weeks vac., So how can American say they are offering better than any other contract out there? A bold face lie. American just lied to the BOD. To me that is grounds for replacement.
I say the union needs to send a letter to the BOD's explaining how American just flat out lied to them and show them in writing how it is NOT an ILC offer.
I'm also not convinced that AA is offering industry leading in house work (outsourcing) %'s. Since they want to go the IAM's way of outsourcing pretty sure that is NOT industry leading as well.
An industry leading offer would be LUS medical for all, current outsourcing from LAA, bump 401K to 10% matched, 10-15% PS annually, more vac time off, and holidays etc...
 
WeAAsles said:
newsletterheading.png



The TWU organizing machine is in full swing.

Under this new leadership, the Transport Workers Union has just won our 20th new worker organizing drive. We continue to grow and thrive across the entire transport sector. Since 2017, our membership has increased from 137,000 to 151,000.

The TWU is by far the fastest growing union in the country. Our most recent victory came on June 6, when Envoy Air Pilot Simulator Instructors voted unanimously to join our union. We’ve secured organizing wins with the following workgroups:

  • JetBlue Airway InFlight Crewmembers
  • Spirit Airlines Customer Service Agents
  • PSA Airlines Dispatcher Coordinators
  • Kalitta Air Cargo Dispatchers
  • Envoy Air Pilot Ground Simulator Instructors
  • San Francisco Bike Share
  • Washington, DC Big Bus Workers
  • New York City Big Bus Workers
  • Miami Big Bus Workers
  • Las Vegas Big Bus
  • Chicago Big Bus
  • Los Angeles Big Bus
  • San Francisco Big Bus
  • Phoenix-Mesa-Temple Arizona Bike Share Workers
  • Cleveland, Ohio Bike Share Workers
  • SP Plus Transportation Ferry Bus Drivers
  • SP Plus Transportation Shuttle Bus Drivers
  • Bronx, NY Quality Schoolbus Company Drivers
  • NYC Mt. Sinai Hospital Network Shuttle Drivers
  • NYC MTA Bus White Collar Unit
  • NYC MTA Staff Analysts
Thank you to our organizing teams! Thank you to the workers who stepped up to fight back against the bosses and take action to improve the economic security of your families.

It is the goal of our leadership to demonstrate every day that we are America’s Fighting Democratic Union!

In Solidarity,
John Samuelsen
International President
Click to expand...

Hey weezal boy,
Look how busy a "mechanics" union is over at SWA and ALK. Getting 2 different agreements together at 2 different carries by the same "mechanics" union AMFA. Some well deserved kudos to all involved in getting us an ILC, I say, don't you weezal boy???

NATIONAL DIRECTOR'S MAY 2019 UPDATE
Updated On: Jun 11, 2019
lg-share-en.gif

June 10, 2019

Dear Members:

We ended the month of May celebrating Memorial Day. I hope we all can remember those who gave their lives, never forget their sacrifices, tell their stories, celebrate their legacies, and honor the fallen. God bless our loved ones.

I would like to acknowledge the tremendous effort and dedication our Legislative Affairs Director, Justin Madden and our lobbying firm, Commonwealth Strategic Partners has put forth to encourage the White House to recognize the importance of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) in this aviation industry and continuing to elevate our craft. I was impressed and encouraged that so many groups supported our joint efforts, and I offer my sincere thanks to Senator Duckworth and Congressman Larsen for their work to acknowledge the AMT on our special day – Aviation Maintenance Technicians Day, May 24. Additionally, I extend a special thanks to the Aerospace Maintenance Council and Ken MacTiernan, who we worked with closely to accomplish this letter. Impressively, our hard work paid off, and we were recognized by the President of the United States in the “Presidential Message on Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.”

May was extremely busy for both the AMFA and Alaska Negotiating Committees in trying to reach a Transition Agreement to bring the Legacy Virgin American (Airbus) Aircraft Maintenance Technicians under the AMFA CBA as well as an Integrated Seniority List. After the release of Update #8 on April 30, 2019, our membership was very vocal about their wishes; therefore, we continued talks the following week. We presented the Company with a proposal on May 10, 2019, and asked for definition purposes, “all-in” be defined as including base pay, license premiums, line premium, and top scale longevity.

The parties met again on May 14, 2019, and Alaska provided information that was requested by AMFA related to the terms of the other agreements on the property as well as other AMT groups in the industry. Neither side presented additional proposals, but scheduled another session for the following week for.

The parties met again on May 21, 2019, and May 30, 2019, which included open discussions on a deal that would pass if voted on, legal timelines if vote failed, and the process and timeline to go to arbitration. The ALRs conducted several station visits and received face-to-face feedback from the membership of the line and hangars regarding the supposal and fine tuning it to reach an Agreement in Principal (AIP). Hoping to reach a Transition Agreement and Seniority Integration to vote on, the following meeting was scheduled for June 3, 2019. Please monitor the Alaska Airlines News and Updates page of the AMFA National website for further details.

We are proud to report that our members’ voices were heard loud and clear on May 21, 2019, when the AMFA-Southwest Airlines membership voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with a participation rate of 93.62% and approval of 94.62%. Congratulations AMFA-SWA AMTs. I want to express my undaunted appreciation to the AMFA-SWA membership for their support, dedication, and unity in getting this deserved and justifiable contract. I am extremely honored to represent all of you.

We cannot forget this was a long 6+ year endeavor, and we must give great appreciation to former AMFA-SWA Airline Representatives and Officers as their commitment and dedication played important roles in paving the road of negotiations: Jack Coonrod, Nino DiMaggio, Matt Townsend, Shane Flachman, Mike Nelson, Mike Young, and Bob Cramer. These leaders fought this fight and contributed at various stages of negotiations.

A continued thanks and appreciation goes out to our Negotiating Committee; Local Officers and Representatives; Seham Legal Counsel; AMFA Economist; National Officers; National Administrative Team; public relations firms of Mayes Media, Kenefick Communications, and Commerce House – all who unconditionally supported our AMFA- SWA members in getting a well-deserved industry leading contract. Tremendous job and well done by all!

I would like to share some highlights of a recent article by Bloomberg Law Article - Bloomberg law legal analyst, Robert Combs:

“[AMFA-SWA Contract] with its mechanics union is single handedly responsible for a boost the average union wage across the country.”

“One analyst says it’s the largest average bonus he’s ever seen.”

“But that’s what happens when a company's employees work 7 years without a ratified contract in place. Those missed annual raises just don’t evaporate they accumulate.”

Going forward I am optimistic about a viable and professional working relationship with management at Southwest Airlines. We still have problems that need to be acknowledged and addressed by both sides. This continues to be a challenging time for Southwest – and the aviation industry as a whole – specifically with the two recent fatal crashes with the Boeing 737MAX aircraft, grounding of the entire MAX fleet, Leap 1B Engine revisions, recent leading edge slat track AD, MCAS revisions, other country’s federal regulators participation of approval of MAX re-introduction, flying public and media opposition to 737 MAX, public opinion of Boeing and FAA oversight, Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit-findings, public hearing and findings of investigation of Flight 1380, and on-time scheduling issues. With hard work, respect, and professionalism we can conquer these challenges together.

The NEC continues our efforts to achieve the best communication practices to reach our membership. Tools are in place for our members to acquire latest news and updates regarding current events throughout the Association via the National website, AMFA App, and social media. The NEC also continues to conduct station and GMM visits throughout the system. Thank you for your continued support in this communication campaign.

Reminder: the FAA Hotline reporting system may be utilized to report concerns of aviation safety: https://hotline.faa.gov/. We must realize our grave responsibility as FAA certified airman to exercise our judgement on the airworthiness of aircraft and equipment. We, therefore, pledge unyielding adherence to these precepts for the advancement of public safety of aviation and for the dignity for our craft.

As always, I ask you please be safe and to stay engaged with your union and officers. For more carrier specific updates and further information regarding AMFA and the airline industry, please visit the AMFA National Website at www.amfanational.org. Our most determined efforts will only succeed with your continued support and participation – please stay informed.

Sincerely,

Bret Oestreich
National Director

Safety
 
1AA said:
View attachment 14485
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The Asso. screwed up big time. With the recent video of a sup or manager (I forget which) belittling the mechanic that wrote up a safety issue. It went viral and I believe the company has put said management on leave to further investigate. Again pathetic association, where was the countersuit??? This viral video just proves there was intimidation and heavy, heavy pressure on the mechanics to not write up aircraft, and this one was in fact a safety item. This mechanic was interviewed by a local news station as well. I am shocked that video has not made it here yet. I would post it but I not my position to do so, maybe if it was my airline.
The absolute "no action" (countersuit included here) by this asso. is just sad and pathetic. It's time to move on to a new union for the mechanics.
 
swamt said:
Why does American call the current "verbal" agreement industry leading when it is NOT. They have only offered to "match" SWA's wages for their mechanics not beat or top them. And they are also not offering anything near our 401K. Ours is dollar for dollar at 9.3%. Plus out profit sharing is another 10-16% annually. We also have a total time off of 7.5 weeks plus 9 holidays. Unlimited day trades for even more time off. We can bank up to 2400 hours of sick time, sell back 2 weeks vac., bank a weeks vac., So how can American say they are offering better than any other contract out there? A bold face lie. American just lied to the BOD. To me that is grounds for replacement.
I say the union needs to send a letter to the BOD's explaining how American just flat out lied to them and show them in writing how it is NOT an ILC offer.
I'm also not convinced that AA is offering industry leading in house work (outsourcing) %'s. Since they want to go the IAM's way of outsourcing pretty sure that is NOT industry leading as well.
An industry leading offer would be LUS medical for all, current outsourcing from LAA, bump 401K to 10% matched, 10-15% PS annually, more vac time off, and holidays etc...
Click to expand...

I think it has to do with the fact that AA has about 12k more mechanics the SWA and on a whole AA is paying more for mechs then SWA.

I think it’s telling when the airline CEO says he will sign any contract out there that the association wants to sign. But the union won’t do that either.

AA fleet 965 a/c
SWA fleet 754 a/c

As awesome as AMFA is, I don’t think you would be having such a great contract with our scope
 
Last edited:
bigjets said:
I think it has to do with the fact that AA has about 12k more mechanics the SWA and on a whole AA is paying more for mechs then SWA.

I think it’s telling when the airline CEO says he will sign any contract out there that the association wants to sign. But the union won’t do that either.

AA fleet 965 a/c
SWA fleet 754 a/c

As awesome as AMFA is, I don’t think you would be having such a great contract with our scope
Click to expand...

I can understand that AA does pay more for their mechanics by just the sheer numbers. But all that is always considered when throwing out the SWA pay scale.

That is odd about signing any airline contract out there. But I don't think you guys would want our ratios and outsourcing %'s.

Are you indicating we have better scope than AA? I don't think so. You all do way more in house than we do, I think. I honestly think AA has the best in house maint. than all the airlines, am I wrong??
Even in past postings we have discussed the 35% of maint cost could very well be close to 50% of maint. all together, but brother, we outsource nearly 70-75%. It has been this way from day one at SWA. If I am not mistaken SWA has 22 Maint. lines outsourced at different FBO's

I hope I didn't read your last statement wrong, but I have always been under the impression that AA did more in house than SWA.
 
The bottom line is we will never be able to get down to the mechanic ratio that SWA has due to the amount of fleet types that we have and that we have wide body aircraft. If we were to get to that ratio of mechanics we would be outsourcing 90% most likely. AA would go the route of Peoples Express. Lets not forget that we would be getting even more crappy work and UNSAFE work that we are getting now. Look at the Oasis mode when the vendor up in Seattle was putting zip ties in place of bolts to hold the overhead bins up and on the antenna on the crown skin rivets were being oversized and knife edging the metal creating stress points where cracks could form in the outer skin. Using these vendors are dangerous to the flying public. Its funny how the executives don't learn from the past. Remember Value jet or even the one that hits closer to home the commuter in Charlotte a few years ago when contractor rigged the elevators wrong. When things like this happen the company says we didn't do this its not our fault when it is their fault because they were the ones that wanted the outsourcing The mro files bankruptcy and the families of the dead are the ones picking up the pieces.
 
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