10/17/2026
National President's Update - Q3 2026
Oct 16, 2026
To: AMFA Members
Re: National President’s Update - Q3 2026
Date: October 16, 2026
Link: https://www.amfanational.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=1012167
Dear Members:
The third quarter of 2026 reinforced AMFA’s purpose: securing the recognition, compensation, and working conditions aviation maintenance professionals deserve. Through collective bargaining, organizing, contract enforcement, and advocacy, we continued to strengthen our craft and advance members’ interests across North America.
This quarter’s achievements included ratifying the L3Harris MAS agreement, improving compensation and job protections, and continuing to build representation at Ornge Air, home to AMFA’s first rotorcraft Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs). At Ornge, representative elections and contract proposal development mark the next steps toward securing improvements for the skilled professionals who maintain Ontario’s helicopter and fixed-wing air ambulances.
We also advanced work between the Alaska and Hawaiian seniority committees, continued defending Air Canada maintenance professionals’ right to choose their union, and enforced the new Sun Country agreement while addressing merger integration and growing interest in AMFA representation at Allegiant.
These efforts reflect a clear commitment: protecting our members, elevating our craft, and turning solidarity into meaningful results. This report summarizes developments from July through September 2026 and includes relevant upcoming milestones.
Represented Carrier Updates
The following updates cover July through September 2026, with upcoming bargaining dates and activities noted where applicable. Members with workplace concerns or grievance matters should contact their Local Airline Representative (ALR) or AMFA representative.
Calm Air, Horizon Air, Jazz Aviation LP (Line), Jazz Technical Services, and WestJet Airlines
While there were no major developments this quarter at Calm Air, Horizon Air, Jazz Aviation Line, Jazz Technical Services, or WestJet, AMFA representatives remain focused on enforcing agreements, addressing workplace concerns, and supporting members while monitoring developments at each carrier.
Alaska Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines
Following certification at Hawaiian Airlines on February 25, 2026, transition and outreach activities continue.
Seniority integration remains the immediate priority, followed by Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations. Existing contracts at both carriers remain in effect under the Railway Labor Act. Members are encouraged to stay engaged through Local 14 in Seattle and Local 32 in Phoenix.
AMFA submitted and discussed Merger and Transition Protocol (MTP) proposals with Alaska Airlines via virtual and in-person meetings on May 1, July 8, July 30, and August 2. An MTP establishes the rules, schedules, timelines, expense reimbursement, and other procedures needed to advance integrated seniority list (ISL) discussions and JCBA negotiations.
Alaska has finalized similar agreements with its other major unions, including substantial reimbursement for negotiation time and related expenses. With AMFA, however, the Company continues seeking concessions as a condition of moving forward.
For context, Article 3, Subparagraph F.2.c. of the Alaska collective bargaining agreement states:
The aircraft (including all orders and options to purchase aircraft) and the maintenance operations of each pre-transaction air carrier will remain separate until the seniority lists for the technician and related groups are integrated and the collective bargaining agreements are combined…
AMFA remains dissatisfied with the Company’s MTP responses and continued delays. After repeated efforts to resolve the outstanding issues, AMFA has scheduled another meeting with the Company for October. Nevertheless, the Alaska and Hawaiian committees continue their work, and members will establish priorities for the combined workgroup’s first JCBA.
Once seniority integration is finalized, AMFA is prepared to move into JCBA negotiations. While the merger process may take time, our combined solidarity will be essential to protecting members’ interests and securing an agreement that recognizes their work. In the meantime, AMFA will continue pressing for an acceptable MTP while monitoring potential violations and strictly enforcing both pre-merger agreements.
L3Harris MAS (Military Aviation Services)
On August 31, 2026, during bargaining session four, the AMFA–L3Harris MAS Negotiating Committee reached a Tentative Agreement extending beyond the original scope of Appendix F. The agreement addresses previously unresolved elements of the CC-330 program and related tasking assignments.
AMFA National initiated the ratification referendum on September 8. AMFA emailed the full agreement to affected members and made it available on the voting website. A roadshow during the week of September 14 provided members with data/documents and opportunities to ask questions. Members ratified the agreement on September 24, with 65% support and 80% participation.
Fleet transition protections and preservation of every member’s job were central achievements. Although the operation will change during the transition, the agreement provides for no workforce reductions at any point.
Improvements include:
Base wage and premium increases.
Additional Company contributions to employee Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs).
Introduction of 200% overtime pay.
Contractual medical and personal leave.
Job protections and other contract language improvements.
Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) tasking will operate under the new Appendix G, which provides improved standby premiums for flyers, rules for fair distribution of assignments, and stronger protections for personal scheduling.
This agreement demonstrates what focused bargaining and member solidarity can achieve: meaningful economic improvements alongside protections for members’ jobs and quality of life.
Ornge Air
Following AMFA's certification at Ornge Air in June 2026, transition activities, member outreach, and preparations for contract negotiations are underway. Nathan LaPierre has been elected Airline Representative, and elections for Area and Shop Representatives will conclude in the coming months.
The Contract Prioritization Survey is scheduled to conclude in October 22. Member feedback from this survey will help guide the Negotiating Committee in establishing priorities for upcoming contract negotiations.
Southwest Airlines
Following the proposal prioritization survey for Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) and Aircraft Appearance Technician (AAT) bargaining, negotiations moved forward during the third quarter.
AMT bargaining began in August, with sessions in Denver and Chicago, including August 31–September 3. AAT negotiations took place September 29–October 1 in Austin, Texas.
For both workgroups, the parties discussed potential paths toward successor agreements to the AMT Blue Book and AAT Orange Book. They agreed to begin with off-the-record exploratory discussions to determine whether extensions of the current agreements could provide a viable path forward.
A negotiated Protocol Agreement establishes the parameters for those discussions. Either party may terminate the protocol by written notice if the exploratory process proves unsuccessful, at which point the parties would move into comprehensive negotiations. The protocol also provides that exploratory discussions will be without prejudice to either party’s future bargaining positions.
The parties made progress on their respective exploratory proposals and will continue discussions at the next sessions in Orlando:
AMTs: November 17–18, 2026.
AATs: November 19–20, 2026.
AMFA will continue monitoring Southwest’s operational and business-model changes and keeping members informed throughout bargaining. Local and National officers will also conduct station visits in the coming months.
Sun Country Airlines
AMFA’s Airline Representative continues to implement and enforce Sun Country’s newly ratified collective bargaining agreement.
Allegiant Acquisition of Sun Country Airlines
On May 13, 2026, Allegiant completed its acquisition of Sun Country Airlines after satisfying customary closing conditions. Both carriers continue operating under separate brands and booking sites while working toward a single FAA operating certificate.
Frontline maintenance roles will not change immediately, and members remain in their current bid positions. AMFA National and the AMFA-Sun Country ALR are working closely with Sun Country and Allegiant labor representatives throughout integration.
The current collective bargaining agreements remain in place. AMFA will firmly oppose any attempt to use the merger to weaken jobs, benefits, or safety standards and will continue monitoring developments to protect members’ interests.
AMFA is also receiving requests from Allegiant mechanics and related employees for representation cards in support of AMFA. We will continue supporting their interest in independent, craft-specific representation.
Air Canada Certification Campaign
AMFA continues to pursue representation for approximately 2,250 Air Canada Tech Ops employees and defend their right to choose independent, craft-specific representation.
AMFA’s application for judicial review remains before the Federal Court of Appeal, and we are awaiting the Court’s response. The representation ballots remain protected while the proceedings continue.
Our commitment remains clear: to preserve the integrity of employees’ votes and pursue the appropriate legal avenues to protect their right to choose their bargaining representative.
Safety is Paramount
Every AMFA member plays a vital role in aviation safety. Continue using your carrier’s Safety Management System (SMS) and Safety Reporting System (SRS) to report concerns and use the FAA Hotline whenever appropriate. Thank you for your continued professionalism and commitment to the highest standards of aircraft maintenance.
Looking Ahead
As we head into Q4 2026, AMFA’s national leadership remains focused on clear priorities: advancing member-driven seniority integration at Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines and preparing for Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) negotiations; protecting Sun Country members’ interests through Allegiant–Sun Country merger integration and implementation of their collective bargaining agreement; advancing the Ornge Air transition while negotiating improvements in wages, benefits, and quality of life; and pursuing the Air Canada judicial review process. At Southwest, we are committed to negotiating industry-leading collective bargaining agreement for our AMTs and AATs – agreements that continue to set the standards while recognizing the essential contributions of both workgroups. We will continue to elevate our craft and keep members informed through our quarterly updates.
The third quarter reaffirmed the strength of AMFA’s craft-specific, member-driven approach and our determination to deliver results at the negotiating table. The ratified agreement at L3Harris MAS, the first agreement at Sun Country, our legislative accomplishments, and our continued pursuit of representation for Air Canada’s maintenance professionals reflect the independent voice and solidarity of this union. These achievements carry a clear responsibility: to build on our progress and demand the recognition, compensation, and working conditions our members deserve.
I am honored to serve as your National President. My commitment remains unwavering: to strengthen your professional standing, protect your interests, and secure improvements in wages, benefits, and quality of life for you and your families.
Thank you for your dedication and professionalism. Together, we will continue to strengthen our craft and ensure your vital contributions to aviation safety are recognized.
In Solidarity,
Bret Oestreich
National President
