As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines move closer to completing their $1.9 billion merger, a behind-the-scenes union battle could influence how aircraft maintenance is managed — and shape the future of local jobs and operational efficiency.
Two unions — the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)) and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) — are competing to represent aircraft technicians, also known as mechanics, and related jobs such as utility workers, fuelers, planners and maintenance control staff. The outcome will determine work rules and seniority systems for thousands of employees, which could affect staffing flexibility, cost structures, and the overall integration.
The merger recently cleared a major hurdle: Alaska secured a single operating certificate from the FAA, allowing the two airlines to function under one system while keeping separate brands.
Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson Alex Da Silva said in an email that the merged company is working to negotiate joint collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) for unions representing flight attendants, pilots and certain ground workers. But representation for aircraft technicians and related work groups — IAM at Hawaiian and AMFA at Alaska — is more complicated.
A representation election, delayed earlier by the federal shutdown, is expected to move forward soon under the Railway Labor Act with oversight from the National Mediation Board. Mechanics and related workers will choose which union represents them in the combined contract.
The outcome of the election is not likely to visibly impact travel. However, the unions argue that it could influence long-term service quality and the local economy.
The integration process is expected to take months, and the union vote will be a key milestone.
“Joint CBAs are an important integration milestone as they officially bring our union-represented members together under common work rules, programs and combined seniority lists,” Da Silva said. “Until joint CBAs are ratified, existing contracts remain in place.”
Both unions frame the election as critical to safeguarding jobs and shaping future work rules.
IAM has represented Hawaiian mechanics since 1951 and emphasizes its existing contract provisions, including grievance rights, seniority protections and job security. IAM officials warn that the merger could shift maintenance work away from Hawaii, reducing local jobs and slowing aircraft repairs. The union argues that losing skilled mechanics could hurt reliability and raise costs.
David Figueira of IAM District 142, a general chair of Phoenix-based IAM District 142, whose union members work in the aviation industry, told the Star-Advertiser earlier this month, “It could mean that some of the people living here now would have to move away to maintain their employment with this company going forward.”
John Coveny, IAM District 142 president/directing general chair, told the Star-Advertiser Monday, that active membership in IAM District 142, which represents 44 union locals across the nation and in Puerto Rico, has grown 30% since 2022. He said IAM represents 2,549 union ground workers and mechanics at Hawaiian Airlines and 5,103 union ground workers at Alaska, where AMFA represents mechanics.
AMFA counters that it has protected jobs in past mergers, including Alaska-Virgin America and Southwest AirTran, and emphasizes its democratic structure, which lets members vote on seniority integration and agreement. AMFA National President Bret Oestreich noted large pay disparities with top-scale licensed technicians on day shift earning about $28,000 more annually at Alaska than at Hawaiian.
“That’s a huge life-changing amount,” Oestreich said, during an interview with the Star-Advertiser on Friday.
Richie Johnsen, IAM union air transport territory general vice president, told the Star-Advertiser that Alaska’s fleet was about three times larger than Hawaiian’s, yet AMFA represents only 1,000 mechanics compared to IAM’s 900.
“This is also a demonstration of how they don’t protect specific pieces of work at Alaska Airlines and that’s why that group is much smaller for an airline that is that large,” he said.
IAM leaders say the stakes go beyond mechanics. Coveny said that 40 to 60 Hawaiian employees in line service jobs could be affected because AMFA’s Alaska contract does not cover those positions.
AMFA Region I Director Earl Clark said if AMFA wins, the National Mediation Board will decide whether those workers can join AMFA; if not, they could move under Hawaiian’s ramp service agreement with IAM. Coveny warned that IAM does not represent line service workers under ramp contracts, which he argued would put those jobs at risk for outsourcing.
Coveny said IAM stuck by Hawaiian workers through bankruptcies and has experience representing other airline workers in mergers, including U.S. Airways’ combinations with Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines and America West and American Airlines.
Johnsen said, “Our contract is nearly 5 years old, so there are big gains to be made.”
In addition to higher pay, AMFA highlighted its governance model, which allows members to vote on agreements and observe negotiations. “We’ve seen 83% (membership) growth since 2012,” Oestreich said.
Clark, a 34-year Alaska Airlines veteran, dismissed concerns that maintenance on Hawaiian’s Boeing 717 fleet could shift to Seattle. “That work should remain in Hawaii as long as the fleet exists—about five years,” he said.
While unions cannot dictate flight routes, he pledged AMFA would fight to protect local jobs.
Source: The Garden Island