Aircraft Technicians Not Responsible for Bay Area Air Quality Violations.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) issued a press release March 19 regarding fines United Airlines was forced to pay arising out of a series of air quality violations at United Airlines San Francisco Maintenance Center. The BAAQMD press release served as the basis for several reports in the media.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association Local 9 represents technicians who work at United Airlines SFO Maintenance Center. The original BAAQMD press release and the subsequent media coverage created a misconception that United Airlines' technicians were the source of the problem. These technicians neither caused the failure of exhaust air scrubbers installed at the airline's plating facility nor did they delay any needed repairs.

Alexander Crockett of the BAAQMD agreed in a phone conversation that responsibility for the violations and fines rests solely with United Airlines management and not with the technicians who operate the machinery.

Our technician members remain keenly aware of the need to protect public as well as their own safety by following established regulations and procedures.

AMFA was created in 1962 and now represents Mechanics and Related nationwide at 7 of the 10 largest domestic airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Trans Air, Horizon Airlines, Mesaba Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.