AMFA Calls Alaska Airlines Maintenance Reductions `A Blatant Contract Violation'; Union Will Seek Expedited Arbitration.

SEATTLE -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) called today's decision by Alaska Airlines' to substantially reduce the number of its mechanics and related employees "a blatant contract violation" and said this flies in the face of the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) admonition for the airline to bolster in-house maintenance following the 2001 crash of flight 261.

According to AMFA National Director O.V. Delle-Femine, "The contract Alaska signed with us requires them to meet with us prior to any outsourcing decision. They didn't do this. The contract further requires the company to demonstrate, with hard data, that outsourcing would save them money. They didn't do this, either. They unleashed this decision without giving us an opportunity to discuss the matter and potentially come up with better alternatives, creating tremendous disruption for our members and their families. We are assessing the number of members who will receive layoff notices. Our legal firm is already preparing for legal action."

"Our contract calls for both parties to promote the safety of air transportation, 'to the fullest extent possible.' Today's decision flouts this agreement and the NTSB mandate by putting heavy aircraft maintenance into the hands of private repair stations whose employees are not subject to the same licensing requirements, background security checks, and drug and alcohol testing, as mechanics employed by Alaska Air," said AMFA Region I Director Louie Key.

"AMFA will seek expedited arbitration and use all avenues available to ensure our membership is represented to the fullest extent possible under the terms of the contract and the law," Key said.