May 29--The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said federal labor regulators have denied its request to be a part of a union representation election of American Airlines' mechanics.
On Tuesday, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters filed for a representation election with the National Mediation Board. AMFA then asked the NMB to "obtain intervenor status" in the election.
Currently, American's 11,000 mechanics and related employees are represented by the Transport Workers Union. The Teamsters and AMFA have both undertaken campaigns to get the mechanics to switch unions as the Fort Worth-based carrier prepares to merge with US Airways. Mechanics at US Airways are currently represented by the International Association of Machinists.
AMFA says that the NMB applied a technical rule that required the union to present additional authorization cards from mechanics on the same day that the Teamsters filed for the election and American produced an eligibility list.
The union's national director, Louie Key, said he was disappointed with the NMB's ruling.
"We were approached some time ago by mechanics at American Airlines who were unhappy with their current representation, and concerned about what representation would be like should the Teamsters be successful in their drive," Key said.
The NMB, which oversees union representation elections, will review the Teamsters' application to see if the union collected authorization cards from over 50 percent of the mechanics and related employees at American. If it is determined that the Teamsters met the requirement, a representation election would be held later this year.
Andrea Ahles, 817-390-7631 Twitter: @Sky_Talk
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