The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is an independent union that represents aircraft maintenance employees of commercial airlines in the United States. AMFA is committed to the principles of craft unionism, in that it seeks to represent only airline mechanics and related employees, a "craft or class" recognized by the National Mediation Board under the Railway Labor Act applied to airlines. It is a particularly vocal opponent of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and has found itself in competition with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Transport Workers Union of America as well.

AMFA was created in 1962 but did not represent any carrier until 1964, when it won recognition at Ozark Airlines. AMFA has since won bargaining rights at Alaska Airlines, ATA, Horizon Air, Independence Air, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. AMFA traditionally favors high wages in collective bargaining, often trading away the right to subcontract in return. The union has also garnered their membership from other unions like the International Association of Machinists and Transport Worker's Union, a practice the latter view as membership raiding. The role of the McCormick Advisory Group, a real estate agency operated by Kevin McCormick in Laconia, New Hampshire, has also been attacked by AMFA opponents. They have pointed to the role of McCormick Advisory in funding AMFA's early activities and collecting over one million dollars annually in vague services rendered to the union. AMFA's national office is also quartered with that of the McCormick Advisory Group in Laconia. Notably, AMFA's sister union, the Professional Flight Attendant's Association (PFAA) recently rid themselves of McCormick over fears of corruption.

Most recently, AMFA launched a strike against Northwest Airlines on August 19, 2005. The strike failed to significantly disrupt flight operations, as Northwest, in preparation for a strike, organized for replacement workers to immediately begin performing maintenance at hub cities. In the subsequent months, hundreds of AMFA members have crossed their own picket lines and returned to work at the airline, rescinding their membership of the union. Union leaders have been quick to brand anyone crossing their picket lines negatively. AMFA Local 33 in Minneapolis St-Paul has taken pictures and listed names of "Scabs" who crossed picket lines, by listing these people on their website. However, many who have crossed and others who have not point out that AMFA refused to allow its members a vote on any of the company's first three offers. Critics have also pointed to voting irregularities when AMFA finally did allow a vote on Northwest's fourth proposal in December. The offer was rejected.

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Alaska Airlines, Union Agree to Contract: The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) and Alaska Airline.. http://tinyurl.com/m9wa6e
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Alaska Airlines, Union Agree to Contract: The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) and Alaska Airline.. http://tinyurl.com/m9wa6e

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