AMFA & American Airlines

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), headquartered on Water Street, moved a step closer to representing the 16,014 mechanics and related personnel employed by American Airlines on Friday by filing with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for an election.

Before the NMB can conduct an election, it must determine that a sufficient number of employees have submitted valid "authorization cards" for an election. Terry Harvey, Assistant National Director of AMFA, emphasized that the filing was the culmination of a "grass roots movement within the airline." Unlike other unions, AMFA employs no organizers, but relies on the voluntary efforts of employees to collect the necessary number of cards to warrant an election. The 16,014 mechanics and related personnel at American Airlines are presently represented by the Transport Workers Union of America (TWUA)— AFL-CIO.

An independent, craft union not affiliated with the AFL-CIO, AMFA was founded in 1962 by O.V. Delle-Femine ("Dell"), who serves as its National Director. The union struggled until 1999, when Dell teamed up with Kevin McCormick, whose Laconia firm managed condominium associations in the Lakes Region. McCormick took on the task of managing the day-to-day operations of AMFA by coordinating a staff of professionals — attorneys, accountants and actuaries. McCormick also represents AMFA in contract negotiations.

In 1999, AMFA negotiated a contract with Northwest Airlines and, when similar deals followed with Southwest and United, its membership more than trebled to near 20,000.

AMFA has campaigns underway at US Air, Allegheny , America West Continental, and Delta. But, success at American would be especially sweet for Dell, who worked for American as a member of the TWUA at LaGuardia and Logan before establishing AMFA.

American Airlines is headquartered in Dallas.