AMFA and Alaska Airlines have met twice this week to discuss the EOP/ELILOF process. There were 33 EOP (Early Out Program) applicants, as well as four that applied for the bridge of ELILOF to the EOP when they turn 62. There are 56 applicants for the 1-year ELILOF, 15 of those were at top of scale, 41 are at various points of the pay scale, and 29 applicants applied for the various short-term leaves.
The Company has stated that the mitigation effort to avoid furloughs is short of their target and we are continuing discussions on how to reach that goal. They would like to reach those numbers by the EOP and LILOF offers to our membership to avoid furloughs.
Alaska is trying to meet M&E cost savings by maintaining the current 4 to1 (4:1) ratio of technicians to aircraft due to the projected smaller fleet size. We will continue to collaborate with Divisional and Labor Leaders to mitigate the impact on our members, and we have offered various suggestions to enhance the leave options to avoid the possibility of furloughs. Since those goals have not been met yet, the Company is considering re-opening the EOP and ELILOF for a limited time, with several different options for our members to consider. Look for some additional information coming out by next week.
National has notified all the individuals that received a WARN Notice via company email and USPS mail. Before any furloughs can happen, we will attain a ruling from an arbitrator regarding the interpretation our Job Protection language in LOA # 9. AMFA is proceeding with arbitration for that case, which will be on August 17,2020, with a ruling anticipated before September 30, 2020.
Fraternally,
Your Negotiating Committee
Participants for AMFA:
Earl Clark – Chairman and Region I Director
Jarod Mills – Airline Representative, Local 14
Mark Dahl – Airline Representative, Local 32 Participants for Alaska Airlines:
Participants for Alaska Airlines:
Constance von Muehlen – VP Maintenance & Engineering
Nathan Engle – Managing Director, Line Maintenance
Jenny Wetzel – VP, Labor Relations
Bob Hartnet – Director, Labor Relations
