A local aircraft mechanics association is holding a picket in Dallas Friday morning in response to talk from Southwest Airlines of outsourcing local maintenance workers to unlicensed workers in foreign countries.
The Local Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Organization, or AMFA, said they are trying to educate their “flying customers” about demands from managers of Southwest Airlines to try and outsource labor to “low skilled, unlicensed workers,” a press release said.
AMFA locals from Dallas, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix are all holding informational pickets at the same time: 9 a.m. Friday morning.
Dallas’ picket is being held at the Love Field Airport.
Employees said they have been negotiating an agreement with Southwest Airlines for almost four years, and “yet they continue to demand a concessionary deal,” said Louie Key, the national director of the AMFA, in a press release.
“The time is now for Southwest Airlines to remember its culture and the employees who have built this airline through shared sacrifices,” Key said.
The picket is informational, the press release said. This is different than a protest or strike; instead of complaining, the organization will likely distribute information and attempt to educate people about what is going on instead of marching or protesting.
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“This again will be a peaceful and professional demonstration,” the AFMA local chapter’s website said.
The mechanics association is going to be joined by representatives from the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association and the Transportation Workers Union Local 556, which represents Southwest Airlines flight attendants.
“AMFA has the best technicians in the industry–bar none–and we will not accept further outsourcing of maintenance and the loss of job security at the Company’s whim,” Key said in the press release.
Southwest offered the following response following the AMFA picketing:
"We have the utmost respect and appreciation for our Mechanics, and are working hard to reach a deal that rewards them for their contributions. However, the claim that we are trying to outsource our Mechanics’ work to unlicensed workers in other countries is completely false. Anyone remotely connected to our maintenance activities knows that the safety of our Customers and Employees is our highest priority. Further, we have committed to maintain our current mechanic-to-aircraft ratio, allowing the workforce to grow as our fleet grows."
The picket was held from 9-11:30 a.m. Friday at the Dallas Love Field Airport Baggage claim, 8008 Cedar Springs Road.
