March 5th Card Update

(Corrected)
Click here to read the twu 'response' to the AMFA appeal (55 pages).

It is truly scary how convoluted the logic of the twu is when it comes to protecting its' dues revenue machine.
When we receive the company response, we will try to post it as well, depending on the size of the document.
As we have not been notified of a Company response by either the NMB or the Company, they have apparently chosen to not respond.

(Corrected)
On August 5th, the twu submitted their response to the AMFA appeal of the Hennessey decision.
After the AMFA National received that response, they submitted a request for the opportunity to rebut the twu response and were quickly denied by the NMB. Click here to read the NMB refusal letter.

As of now, we must wait for the NMB Board of Appeals to review the case before them and render a decision based upon all the previously submitted data.

We have no specific time-line for when this may be completed, but we will keep you informed of any changes or news as it becomes available.

Today, the the AMFA National submitted our final Appeal of Investigator Hennessey's decision to the NMB on behalf of the employees of the Mechanic and Related Craft and Class at American Airlines.
Click here (approximately 1/2 megabyte) to read the 89 page Appeal document.
Click here to read the July 15th Update from the AMFA National.
The Company now has until August 5th to submit their response to this final appeal. After that date, the NMB will review all the pertinent facts and render a decision. We do not have a concrete time frame for the decision of the NMB Appeals Board after the August 5th final deadline.

Click here to read the entire Hennessey Decision referred to in the July 1st update.

The Company has requested, and been granted, an extension by the NMB. The new response deadline for the Company is August 5th. The NMB also notified all parties that no further extension requests would be considered. At this time, after the Company response deadline, the last date to be announced will be when the NMB finalizes their appeal decision.

The NMB Investigator rule last month that the AMFA had not demonstrated sufficient 'interest' with over nine-thousand cards submitted. Click here to read the AMFA response to this decision.

The AMFA National is in the process of submitting an appeal to the decision made by NMB Investigator Hennessey. The AMFA National has requested, and also received an appeal extension and now has until July 15th to submit their appeal document with responses to the appeal from either the twu or the Company required to be submitted no later than July 22nd.
Click here to read the extension request and response.

Click here to view a PowerPoint presentation provided to us by a fellow member analyzing the twu objection, specifically pertaining to the Cabin Cleaner numbers. It is very interesting to see how, using their own numbers, the Company has so many more cleaners doing so much less outside of DFW & ORD. It is our position that the twu has once again proven to be incompetent, dishonest and incapable of taking the 'high-ground'.

The twu wasn't even willing to notify their affected Fleet Service Clerk membership that they were being placed, by the twu and without their consent, into the middle of a situation where they may be permanently forced into their current non-Fleet Service Clerk job classification with limited ability to ever return to a Fleet Service Clerk position in the event of an election!

In the twu Final Position paper referenced below, we find it disturbing that the twu continues to claim that the AMFA@AA Organizing Committee somehow was granted elevated status by the Company. This same twu claims they were not afforded the same database access, yet the twu has represented us, and we use that phrase 'represented us' VERY loosely, for over 50 years and they don't apparently keep a database or records of their own to use as a watch-dog tool to ensure the Company does not make any errors or abuse the Contract, whether intentional or not. The twu is apparently so close with the Company that the twu prefers to rely on the Company supplied information, not only in this but most everything, instead of ensuring the veracity of EVERYTHING the Company tells them for themselves!

On Monday, May 24th, The AMFA, with the AMFA@AA Organizing Committee, filed with the NMB their Final Position documents with the NMB for both the Company original submission as well as the initial twu objection. At the same time, the Company, in their Final Position, magnanimously admitted to having previously added approximately 1100 ineligible employees, but then decided they want to add another approximately 1250 people to the list! The twu, in a surprise move, removed approximately 1000 of their own erroneously added employees on their previous objection, and they didn't attempt to add any additional employees either!
We apologize, but due to the size of these documents, they are not being made available on this site at this time.

Please remember, we, the AMFA@AA Organizing Committee, originally requested a 5 week extension from the NMB to complete our examination of the original, Company supplied, Eligibility List, but we were only given 2 weeks from the NMB. Because of the severity of the time constraints, we were never able to completely, nor to our satisfaction, evaluate and dispute the original Company list. We then requested an additional 2 week extension from the NMB, and were refused. Apparently after seeing our overwhelming, but in our opinion incomplete, objection to the original Company list, the Company requested, and was immediately granted, a 2 week extension because they claimed needed more time to review and correct their own obviously grossly flawed original submission. We did not object to the extension request, as it also afforded us, the AMFA@AA Organizing Committee, valuable additional time with which to continue examining both their original submission as well as the twu objection.

Click here to read the Press Release from the AMFA National regarding the current state of affairs with the representational election at AA.

(Due to server space, the 3 below referenced files are no longer available on this site)
The NMB approved, click here to view, the AMFA one week extension, which means the process described below will continue on Monday, May 24th, not May 5th as was originally scheduled. Also, here and here is the twu response to the AMFA extension request.
We believe you'll find it interesting that the twu has located some 18 people on THEIR OWN OBJECTION LIST who are DECEASED! Once again, the twu displays impeccable administrative and organizational skills, yet some still claim they can provide the best representation for the Mechanic and Related!

The NMB approved, click here to view, the Company requested 2 week extension, which means the process described below will continue on May 20th, not May 5th as was originally scheduled. We apologize for the delayed update.

We have received many requests for a timeline of the events to come in the election process. Basically, this is not currently possible with any reasonable accuracy, rather; please follow the news on our site. The number of changes in dates is mounting, and there is no set time-frame for the NMB to reach its' decision, and previous NMB election decisions do not assist us in reasonably estimating the length of time it may take the NMB Investigator, Eileen M. Hennessey, to reach her decision.

We can assure you, the interested members, that all that can be done is being done to protect both your right to chose the representative of your choice as well as accurately defining the current membership eligibility roster for the upcoming election with the information we have available to us.

Please read the updated

portion of the April 22nd update!

Yesterday, on April 29th, the Company requested a 2 week extension from the NMB because apparently the volume of data provided by the AMFA and twu disputing their initial submission to the NMB is too overwhelming. Click here to read the requested extension. This request comes from the SAME Company that provided the massively erroneous list in the FIRST PLACE ! They would not need all that "Considerable efforts and time to review the status of this large number of persons" had they done their job correctly in the first place ! !
Then again, we all know how well they performed their jobs in the past, so why should we expect them to now manage their affairs any more efficiently or accurately than in the past ?
It will be VERY interesting to see in which direction the Company and the twu go from here. We place them both in the same sentence as we all know how 'closely' they work together!

On another interesting note, click here to read the response from jim little complaining about how well the AMFA@AA Organizers compiled their data for the initial appeal, blaming sympathetic management! We all know how sympathetic management has been to the AMFA on the Bases and on the Line in the past! We especially love his 'veiled threat' referencing specific Company Rules violations! We honestly WANT to know what possible HARM could come from us PROVING beyond a shadow of a doubt who is and who is not an active employee in the Craft and Class of Mechanic and Related! He says, and we quote "AMFA will continue to use these records to unfairly influence its case before the NMB, as well as any future election." jim, we're interested in the truth, and ONLY the truth! We expect an HONEST and ACCURATE list from the Company to settle this representation dispute in an HONEST and OPEN fashion! Why didn't you and the Powerful twu find the dead people, the retirees, or even the terminations on the original Company supplied list?

Do you want a union with an administrative staff so incompetent or underhanded that they either could not or were unwilling to even recognize when their members were deceased, retired or had been terminated?

(Due to server space, the first below referenced files are no longer available on this site)
OK folks, here's the latest news from the NMB, the company, the twu and the AMFA@AA Organizing Committee regarding our pending Union Representation Election filing:
First, the AMFA filed their objections with the NMB to the company supplied seniority list, identifying over 2400 names as not eligible. Click here to read the AMFA Objection brief to the company provided eligibility list. We're not able to provide a complete list of the names and explanations as to why they were excluded, as the complete AMFA Objection document was approximately 22 pounds in weight!
Second, the twu filed their objection, and it should come as NO surprise that not only did they NOT object to the inclusion of 16 deceased persons, but the twu also neglected to object to the 269 Retirees, 140 Resignations, 72 Terminations, as well as numerous other inconsistencies, including objecting to 10 names that were never even on the company supplied list. Click here to read the original twu objection document. Now, if that weren't enough, the twu also filed 2 objection attachments to ADD an additional 2087 names that weren't on the company supplied eligibility list! Included on the same objection list to be ADDED to the Craft and Class of Mechanic and Related are Fleet Service Clerks, Food Service Employees, Fleet Service Clerk Helpers as well as many other names which we have not yet even been able to identify! Also, a list of apparently previous TWA employees was added as an attachment. Click here and

here to view scans of these lists. We believe you will be very interested in the job titles of many of the people that the twu proposed be added to the Craft and Class of Mechanic and Related on the second list that was just loaded to this site. We apologize for the quality of the 1st page of this newly uploaded 2nd scanned list.

At this time, the AMFA has until May 5th to object to the NMB on the twu objection filed today, and the twu has until the same date to object to the NMB on the AMFA objection filed today.

We at the AMFA@AA Organizing Committee ask you to read the brief objections from both sides, and then ask yourself which has your best interests as members of the Mechanic Craft and Class at heart, and which is flailing desperately using any unscrupulous means necessary to maintain their dues revenue machine.

If you have current information regarding the employment status of any of the names on either twu attachment, feel free to submit that information to us before May 5th, 2004 at AMFA@AA Organizing Committee.

Click here to read the official AMFA National Update regarding the election process!

As most of you are aware, the twu-atd claimed to want to debate the AMFA. The AMFA response made it clear that the AMFA wants to take the 'high-road' and have debates on days that are most advantageous for the MEMBERSHIP, not either organization!

Why would the twu-atd want anyone, other than AA Mechanic and Related employees, invited to a debate that ONLY affects the Mechanic and Related Craft and Class? Our opinion: to muddy the waters and once again, not give the Mechanic and Related workers what they should expect, the truth and the facts and the right to make their own decision!

Click here to read the AMFA debate response to the twu-atd. As we, the AMFA@AA Organizing Committee have not been provided a URL link or copy of a SIGNED invitation to the staged 'debate' from the twu-atd, we cannot provide you with it on this site to read.

We look forward to the response from the twu-atd and the opportunity to observe both the twu-atd and the AMFA in and open debate with a NEUTRAL debate chairperson in the future!

The National Mediation Board granted an extension to challenge the Company supplied List of Potential Voters until April 22nd, 2004. This extends the ability of both the Company and the twu to contest or object to these challenges until May 6, 2004.
Click HERE to read the Actual NMB Document.
We, the AMFA National and AMFA@AA Organizing Committee, are challenging the Company provided List of Potential Voters because the numbers provided to the National Mediation Board in the decision dated April 29, 2002 was 16,501 persons (16,629 with SimTechs) (Reference HERE), whereas, the number of 'eligible voters' on the list provided to the NMB less than 2 years later was an amazingly increased 18,698 employees! (Reference HERE). Needless to say, we found it amazing that the Company, while employees are on twu international endorsed concessionary lay-offs, increased their eligible employee payroll by a startling near 2,200 persons!

The AMFA National requested an extension for the purpose of challenging to the Company supplied List of Potential Voters with the National Mediation Board.
Click HERE to read the entire document.

At approximately 3:40pm, the AMFA National, along with a group of dedicated Organizers, presented all the signed Representation Cards (a full 60 % !) to the National Mediation Board and filed for a Union Representational Election!
Please visit this site often for clarifications and information pertaining to your rights during the election, as well as when the AMFA is elected your new Union Representative!

It's not too late to sign a Card! We can continue to submit Cards until the National Mediation Board makes their final decision.
Please continue to submit your cards to your local organizer or directly to the AMFA National!
Click here to print a card.
All cards submitted to the National Mediation Board do not expire after they are submitted.

As of March 1st, the AMFA National is auditing/reviewing the current AA Mechanic and Related Election Authorization Cards and will announce their decision on filing with the National Mediation Board when they have completed their audit.

January 17th 2004 at the Brady Theater!
The Brady Theater
105 West Brady Street
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-58-BRADY
918 (582-7239)
Click here for the Map and flyer.
The elected twu international was invited months ago, and we're expecting a lively discussion.
Click here to hear our invitation at the September Tulsa AMFA Information meeting!
Click here to see the AMFA National response to the UNSIGNED letter supposedly from the twu international, but not confirmed!

Here is a Classic example of why ALL AMTs need to look at the AMFA as the means to solving the problems for the entire Mechanic and Related profession. Notice the willingness to fight to protect their members using any tools necessary.

Click here to read the Update from the AMFA National Director, and also notice he provides his cell number for the membership to call him.

Airline Made Mistake of Making Money

The following statement was issued Thursday by Jim Atkinson, president of Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) Local 33, in response to Northwest Airlines' earnings report for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003:

When a company reports a $42 million profit for the quarter, as Northwest did today, their cries of poverty become irrational. They say the profit isn't meaningful because demand is always greater in summer months, but Northwest lost $46 million in the same period last year. That's an $88 million positive swing in 12 months. The airline industry is cyclical. Both the overall economy and the airline industry are coming out of a down cycle that was exacerbated by the tragic events of September 11. We're pleased that Northwest's finances have improved and hope this will result in rehiring some of our laid-off members. We expect Northwest to honor our current contract.

FMI: www.amfa33.org

In the first 6 months of the Election Authorization Card Drive, together we have reached this milestone! Now, only 10% more and we file for an election!

We ask everyone interested in change to discuss the AMFA with someone who has not signed a card! Let us, the membership, finally make THE DECISION for QUALITY REPRESENTATION!

Thanks to those who came to the Tulsa Informational AMFA Meeting and for the GREAT showing of interest. It was both enlightening and showed the difference in professionalism between the twu and the AMFA!

Posted with permission from Aero-News Network, The Aviation World's DAILY News Service, www.aero-news.net

Remember The Wrights? Remember Their Mechanic

Online Effort To Commemorate Charles Edward Taylor

Mechanics get no respect. Take, for instance, the man who built and maintained the motor on the airplane that made man's first powered flight.

May 24th is the birthday of Charles Edward Taylor, the first aircraft mechanic who designed and built the engine that powered the Wright Flyer into history. Now, there's a nationwide move afoot to remember Aircraft Maintenance Day on Taylor's birthday.

Joe Escobar, editor of Aircraft Maintenance Technology Magazine, worked closely with Wisconsin State Representative David Ward, along with Richard Dilbeck, a safety program manager for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to get the 2003 Assembly to pass Joint Resolution 28.

"Charles Taylor is an unsung hero whose achievements and importance have been overlooked until now," says Escobar. "Although just about every child knows Orville and Wilbur Wright, most have never heard of Charles Edward Taylor and we hope to change that."

On April 30, 1903, at the Wright Brother's bicycle shop in Dayton (OH), Charles Taylor began working on the first engine built for Orville and Wilbur Wright's airplane named "The Flyer." Mr. Taylor pioneered uncharted theories of engine design by using only a lathe and drill press to construct a 4-cylinder piston engine weighing 179 pounds and producing 12 horsepower -- a feat accomplished in just six weeks.

On the morning of December 17, 1903, at the base of Kill Devil Hills (NC), south of the village of Kitty Hawk, the Wright Brothers made aviation history by successfully flying the first powered airplane. This achievement would not have been possible if it were not for Charles Edward Taylor, the man responsible for designing, building, and maintaining their engine.

FMI: www.amtonline.com

Below is a link to the St. Louis Today Article explaining why we, the Mechanic Craft and Class, are working to remove the incompetent twu and replace them with the AMFA, a Real Craft Union that is focused solely on issues that pertain to us, The Mechanic Craft and Class!

Here is another excellent example of WHY we believe the AMFA is better equipped to represent us, the Mechanic Craft and Class, than the TWU. The AMFA hires people interested in and able to defend their beliefs and the AMFA is willing to tell you EXACTLY what those beliefs are! Protect the Mechanic!

Click HERE for an EXCELLENT group of pages explaining how bad things really are when we are mis-represented by the twu!
If you need the PowerPoint viewer, click here.

for voting in the AMFA and kicking the useless iam out, proving once again a skilled craft union is the best decision for the Aircraft Mechanic!
Here's the NMB vote count.

AMFA wins election at United Airlines, that makes 8 Airlines and over 20,000 Mechanics that AMFA now represents it’s time for AA Mechanics to join the revolution,

AMFA has the best contracts in the Airline Industry and thanks to the TWU, AA Mechanics have taken the largest concession in Airline History.

American Airlines Mechanics have less vacation time than the top 6 Airlines, up to 5 years we have only 1 week whereas the other Airlines have at least 2 weeks at 4 years.

The top 6 Airlines all have at least 12 paid sick days a year except American Airlines Mechanics we have 3 at full pay and 2 at 50% pay at each occurrence !!

The top 6 Airlines all have at least 10 holidays a year at double-time or double time and one half except American Airlines Mechanics, we have 5 holidays a year at time and one half.