Preamble
Objectives of the Association
Member Oath
Article I - General
Article II - National Officers & Duties
Article III - National Executive Council
Article IV - Election of National Officers
Article V - National Conventions
Article VI - National Finances

Article VII - Recall of National Officers
Article VIII - Local Charters
Article IX - Rules of Order & Local Government
Article X - Local Officers & Duties
Article XI - Election of Local Officers
Article XII - Local Finances
Article XIII - Membership
Article XIV - Recall of Local Officers & Membership Trials
Article XV - Contract Negotiations & Grievance Procedures
Conventions – Dates

To encourage a higher standard of skill, to raise the standards, and increase the recognition of the Aircraft Technician.

To assist and encourage those members who do not have appropriate licenses, to secure the same, through establishment of an educational branch of the Association.

We consider the Aircraft Technician to be highly skilled and responsible individuals, with a public trust, and we shall continually strive for higher standards in aircraft maintenance, servicing, and handling in the interest of public safety and the industry.

We recognize the similar needs and interests of all Aircraft Technicians regardless of race, creed, color, sex, marital status, or religion, and bar no individual from membership as defined in Article XIII except those disloyal to the government of the United States of America.

The duration of this Association shall be perpetual, or until if is dissolved. The Association may be dissolved at any time by a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of all the Association active members thereof in good standing, such vote to be conducted by the National Executive Council.

The National Executive Council of the Association shall act as agent for the members and dispose of all physical assets of the Association by public auction, or otherwise, and any and all questions relating thereto shall be decided by a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of the National Executive Council. All liquid assets of each Local separately shall be prorated to the active members of record in good standing of the respective Locals at the time of such dissolution in proportion to the dues then being paid by each of such members. All assets now or thereafter owned by the Association shall continue as the separate property of the Association.

The Official Seal of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association shall be as follows:

1. Dark blue on a white background.
2. 360 degree segmented circle.
3. Hands holding a commercial jet aircraft.
4. Motto- Knowledge. Skill, Integrity.
5. Initials - A.M.F.A.
6. Around the perimeter of the emblem shall be "Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association" so that the words "Aircraft Mechanics" are on the top circle half and the words "Fraternal Association" are on the bottom circle half. On emblems below 1" in diameter, items 6 and 7 may be deleted.
7. Initials -North, South, East, West.

Every member of this Association shall receive a membership card. The membership card shall contain thereon the name of the member, and such additional information as may be deemed necessary, and shall be signed by the Secretary, and shall bear the seal of the Association.

All members in good standing who joined the Association prior to October 1, 1964 shall be chartered members and receive membership cards in the color "gold" in recognition for the time. effort, and money spent by these members in the creation of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, and all members in good standing who joined the Association after October 1,1964 until and inclusive of the first air carrier represented by the Association shall receive membership cards bordered in the color "silver" in recognition for the effort and money spent by these members in the step of organizing and representing the first carrier.

The National Executive Council shall have the authority to grant special dispensation of the per capita tax and may grant subsidies to a local that, through organizational functions, finds itself in financial instability. Such dispensation and subsidies shall be granted on a uniform and non-discriminatory basis.

No amendment to this Constitution or to any Local by-laws shall be proposed or adopted that would:

1. Infringe upon the rights and power of the members.
2. Take away the right of the members to hold office.
3. Take away the right of the members to select and elect all officers, both National and Local.
4. Take away the right of the members to select and elect all convention delegates.
5. Take away the right of the members to recall any officers.
6. Take away the right of the members to approve and ratify all contracts and letters of agreement.
7. Take away the right of the members to approve all AMFA strikes and other AMFA recognized unions’ legal picket lines (sympathy strike).
8. Take away the right of the members to propose and submit changes to this Constitution or any Local by-laws.

When feasible the Association/Local shall organize and establish any appropriate training deemed necessary to upgrade the membership at any level after being submitted to the National Executive Council for co-ordination.

AMFA and its Local affiliates shall have the authority to assist, promote, advise, and give support to the organization and continuing operation and activities of other labor organizations whose objectives are consistent with AMFA’s, including labor organizations representing or seeking to organize flight attendants, working foremen, subordinate officials and other supervisory employees within the meaning of the Railway Labor Act.

The Association, and each of its Local affiliates, shall have the power, incidental to carrying out their purpose and objectives, to assist, cooperate with, and give support to any auxiliary organization formed by spouses, friends, relatives, or supporters of AMFA whose purpose is consistent with the goals and objectives of AMFA.

DEFINITIONS:

1. The words Constitution and By-laws as used herein mean the Constitution and By-laws of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.
2. The word Association when used herein means the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.
3. Fiscal Year. Shall commence on the first day of January and expire on the thirty-first day of December of the same year.
4. Referendum - As described in this Constitution shall be the practice of submitting matters to vote of the membership through the Locals in good standing with the National Association.
5. The word Amendment - Wherever used in this Constitution shall apply to any and all portions and sections of this Constitution.
6. by-laws - Are the rules and regulations governing all Locals after receiving the approval of the National Director.
7. The National Association - As used in this Constitution shall mean the National Executive Council, and qualified delegates, duly elected and seated at the National Convention. It shall have the power to supervise and control and generally direct the Locals in any State, Territory, or Dependency of the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.
8. All officer elections shall be held under the guidelines of Title IV of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act as amended.
9. Secret Ballot - As used in this Constitution shall mean, "the expression by ballot, voting machine, or otherwise but in no event by proxy." of a choice with respect to an election or vote, cast in such a manner that the member expressing such choice cannot be identified with the choice expressed.
10. Member in Good Standing - Shall mean any person who has fulfilled the requirements of membership and who has not voluntarily withdrawn from membership, has not been expelled or suspended in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws, and is free of all fines, and is no more than two (2) months in arrears of payment of dues, fees, and assessments, If said dues are by check-off system under a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to his voluntary authorization and said dues become in arrears, it shall not be cause to remove a member from good standing, unless said dues in a period in which are not subject to check-off (ie., strike, etc).
11. National Assessment - The amount, reason for, and other details for a National Assessment shall be put before the membership in a secret ballot referendum.

The Assistant National Director shall assist the National Director in his duties and shall in the absence or upon the incapacitation of the National Director perform the duties of the National Director. When performing such duties, he shall have the power of and be subject to the restrictions of the National Director. The Assistant National Director shall perform such other duties assigned to him by the National Director or the Executive Council.

The National Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence of the Association and shall be the custodian of the Association records and its seal and shall affix the seal to all documents and correspondence as required. He shall keep correct records of all Executive Council meetings and National Conventions and shall send a copy of the minutes of the meetings to all Locals within fourteen (14) days after the conclusion of such meetings. The National Secretary may visit Locals to assist Local Secretaries in the methods and ways of their office and to inspect Local records.

The National Treasurer shall administer the fiscal matters of the Association as provided by Article VI of this Constitution. He shall keep a systematically arranged book account of all monies received and disbursed and shall cause a certified financial audit of such books to be prepared annually by a Certified Public Accountant. He shall present a quarterly financial report to all members of the Executive Council and send such report to each Local Treasurer. The National Treasurer’s and the National Director’s signatures shall be the only valid signatures on Association checks, drafts, or money orders. In the event of the incapacitation of the National Treasurer, the Executive Council may authorize a member of the Council to countersign. In the event of the incapacitation of the National Director, the Assistant National Director shall be authorized to countersign.

Upon approval of the majority of the National Executive Council, the National Treasurer shall have the power to audit the books of any or all Locals, with due cause and upon his demand a Local shall turn over to him all such books and records.

The Offices of National Secretary and National Treasurer may be combined subject to approval of the National Executive Council, provided either office is vacant.

The National Safety and Standards Director shall supervise the functions of the Industrial Safety Co-ordinator and the Maintenance Standards Co-ordinator. He shall concern himself with the issues of air safety, industrial safety, aircraft maintenance standards, safety and standards technical education. He shall be a member of the National Executive Council and shall represent the views and the goals of the Industrial Safety and Maintenance Standards Co-ordinators at the National Council.

The Regional Directors shall initiate the policies and directives of the Executive Council at the Local level and co-ordinate the activities of the Locals within his region. He may attend Local meetings and sit at Local Executive Council meetings; he may take part in such meetings but shall have no voting privileges. He shall represent the National Executive Council within his region and he shall represent the interests of the Locals within his region at the National level. He may assist in the organization of new Locals within his region and perform such other duties as assigned by the National Director or Executive Council.

The National Executive Council shall decide the location of the Regional Director’s office within each region. The maintenance of such offices and locations shall be approved by the Executive Council and paid by the National Treasurer.

(A) Each Local shall establish and maintain an Executive Council which shall consist of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or a Secretary/Treasurer. a Safety & Standards Chairman, plus two (2) additional seats shall be made available if so desired through Local By- Laws. In no event shall the Executive Council exceed more than nine (9) persons or have less than five (5) persons.

(B) The Executive Council of each Local shall execute and cause to be filed all financial and other reports on behalf of the Local which may be required by civil law to be prepared and signed by all members of this Local Executive Council. This Council shall also make available the information contained in such reports to the membership of their Local in such form and manner as shall constitute compliance with legal requirements.

(C) Two thirds (2/3) of the members of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum. This Council shall meet not less than once a month and shall act as governing board for the Local between meetings.

(0) This Council shall make arrangements to keep the membership informed of all latest developments within the Association. They shall be the final say as to the disposition of a grievance when a dispute arises within the guidelines of Article XV. Section 10.

(E) Upon request of any member in good standing, the Executive Council will make available two (2) additional seats at the

6. In the event that more than two (2) members submit requests for seats as described in Sub-Section "F, a vote shall be taken by the members at the regular monthly meeting. The two (2) persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be awarded the seals.

2. Any Officers or members of a Local who use this seat without permission of the Local shall be fined, suspended, or expelled at the discretion of the Local of which they are members, after charges and a trial in accordance with the appropriate provisions of Article XIV.

(A) Each Local shall hold no less than one (I) membership meeting every quarter. Local by-laws shall specify the number of regularly scheduled meetings to be held during each quarterly period. Meetings shall be scheduled as to provide all members equal opportunity to attend.

(B) Each Local shall through its by-laws determine the number of members that will constitute a quorum by the minimum requirements as follows:

For Locals with less than 250 members - not less than 3

For Locals with more than 500 members - not less than 5

For Locals with more than 750 members - not less than 7

For Locals with more than 1000 members - not less than 10

For Locals with more than 1250 members - not less than IS

For Locals with more than 1500 members - not less than 15

For Locals with more than 1750 members - not less than 17

For Locals with more than 2000 members - not less than 20

Special meetings may be called by the President with approval of the Executive Committee, or by written request at fifteen percent (15%) of the membership. In Locals having less than one-hundred-fifty (150) members, no less than ten (10) members shall be able to request such meeting.

1. Whenever the membership has met the numerical requirements of the Constitution for a special meeting and has presented the petition to the President, he shall take immediate action to notify the membership of the meeting. The meeting shall start no earlier than twenty-four (24) hours after the notification has been given and no later than seven (7) calendar days after the President has received the petition. Such notice shall be posted on all Association bulletin boards, or by other means that will be effective. The notice of such meeting shall contain the purpose for such meeting. Discussion and action at that meeting shall be confined to the subject for which the meeting was called.

2. The order of business for each Local meeting shall be as follows:

(1) Pledge to the Flag.

(2) RoIl call of Officers and identification of non-members.

(3) Reading of minutes and correspondence.

(4) Applications for membership and withdrawals.

(5) Report of the Treasurer. (6) Report of the President.

(7) Report of Committees. (8) Unfinished business.

(9) New business.

(10) Adjournment.

3. All Association meetings shall be considered closed and confidential.

1. Each Local shall establish a monthly meeting of Airline Representatives with the President as Chairman and with the Secretary In record the minutes. Twenty-five percent (25%) of all Airline Representatives shah constitute quorum. The purpose of such meeting will be to acquaint the Executive Council with the needs and problems of the members of each Airline. The agenda shall also include discussions on grievance handling and Local policy on grievance procedures, and discussions on Local safety and standards problems, safety campaign, and special projects.

2. The Airline Representatives meeting shall not have the power to set policy, but a motion of policy that is carried by a seventy-five percent (76%) affirmative vote of all voting Airline Representatives shall be presented to the Local Executive Council for discussion and handling. The Executive Council shall then. along with their recommendations, present the motion before the membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting for a vote. This section shall not apply to Locals having less than ten (10) Airline Representatives.

3. In Locals having less than ten (10) Airline Representatives, the Locals shall establish a meeting of Airline Representatives and Shop Representatives. One (1) meeting a month shall be held for the purposes outlined in Sub-Section "At A motion on policy made at this meeting end carried by a seventy-live percent (75%) of all voting Shop Representatives and Airline Representatives shall then be presented to the Executive Council for handling as outlined in Sub-Section "B".

4. A motion as described in Sub-Section "B" of this Section having been presented to the membership and receiving a negative vote shall not be put on the floor for discussion and debate for a period of at least six (6) months. Any motion made on the motion at any regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Airline Representatives, combined Shop Representatives, or Executive Council meeting shall be deemed out of order.

1. On motion, the regular order of business may be suspended by a two-thirds (%) vote of the meeting at any time to dispose of anything urgent.
2. All motions (it requested from the chair) or resignations must be submitted in writing.
3. Any conversation, whispered or otherwise, which is calculated to disturb a member while speaking, or hinder the transaction of business, shall be deemed out of order.

MOTION

1. A motion to be entertained by the presiding Officer must be seconded, and mover as well as the seconder must rise and be recognized by the chair.
2. Any member having made a motion can withdraw it by consent of his second, but a motion once debated cannot be withdrawn except by a majority vote.
3. A motion to amend an amendment shall be in order. but no motion to amend an amendment to an amendment shall be permitted.

DEBATE

1. A motion shall not be subject to debate until it has been stated by the chair.
2. When a member wishes to speak, he shall rise and respectfully address the chair, and if recognized by the chair, he shall be entitled to proceed.
3. If two (2) or more members rise to speak at the same time, the chair shall decide which is entitled to the floor.
4. Each member when speaking shall confine himself to the question under debate, and avoid all personal, indecorous, or sarcastic language.
5. No member shall interrupt another while speaking, except to a point of order, and he shall definitely state the point, and the chair decide the same without debate.
6. If a member while speaking be called to order, he shall take his seat until the point of order is decided; when if declared in order, he may proceed.
7. If any member shall feel himself personally aggrieved by a decision of the chair, he may appeal to the body for the decision.
8. When the appeal is made from the decision of the chair, the Vice President shall then act as chairman, said appeal shall then be stated by the chairman to the meeting in these words: "Shall the decision of the chair be sustained as the decision of the Local?". The member will then have the right to state the grounds of appeal, and the chair will give reason for his decision; thereupon the members will proceed to vote on the

appeal without further debate, and it shall require a majority to sustain the appeal.

9. No member shall speak more than once on the same subject until all members desiring the floor shall have spoken, nor more than twice without unanimous consent, nor more than five(S) minutes at any time without consent of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all members present.
10. The presiding Officer shall not speak on any subject unless he retires from the chair, except on points of order, and in case of a tie he shall have the deciding vote. Should the presiding Officer retire from the chair to speak on any subject before the Local, he shall not return to the chair until that subject matter is properly disposed of.

PRIVILEGE QUESTIONS

1. The Officers of a Local shall consist of at least a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Safety & Standards Chairman, and Airline Representative. A Local may combine the positions of Secretary and Treasurer and establish the position of Secretary/Treasurer.
2. Each Local shall incorporate In its by-laws the duties of each Officer, and no other Officer shall be established without a by-laws change. All changes in Officers by any means shall be immediately forwarded to the National Secretary.

1. PRESIDENT - will preside at all meetings of the Local, decide all questions and disputes not controlled by the law of the Association, will co-sign all checks properly drawn on or by the Treasurer. He shall appoint all committees not provided for by this Constitution. He shall enforce the law of the Association as pertaining to the Local. He shall render an accounting of his activities once a month to the Local Executive Council. He shall be custodian of the Local Charter. He shall provide briefing reports periodically on industrial and air safety issues to the National Safety & Standards Director.
2. VICE PRESIDENT - will preside at all meetings in absence of the President. He shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of that Officer, or when such office Is made vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise. He shall see to it that the property of the Local is maintained in good order He shall assist the President in carrying out the policies of the Local.
3. SECRETARY - shall conduct all correspondence in the name of the Local. He shall be custodian of the Local seal. He shall keep a permanent up-to-date record of the minutes of his Local. He shall keep the correct minutes of all Local meetings and preserve all documents and correspondence. A record of attendance shall be kept at all meetings, both regular and special, and such attendance records shall be part of the minutes of the meetings. He shall present all communications and bills to the Local. He shall draw all orders on the Treasurer & Secretary/Treasurer, when passed by the Local, and attest the same by properly signing and attaching the Seal of the Local thereto. He shall prepare and sign all credentials of delegates and alternate delegates to the National Convention and send duplicates to the National Secretary, and perform such other duties as required by this Constitution.
4. TREASURER - shall receive all funds of the Local, give receipts therefore and deposit the same in a bank of sound financial standing in the name of the Local. He shall cosign all checks with the President drawn from such account, pay all bills upon approval of the Executive Council. He shall keep an accurate account of all disbursements in such a way as to show the balance of cash on hand at the beginning of each meeting of the Local; file all receipted bills; keep a correct account between the Local and its members; notify all members Who become two (2) months delinquent in dues. At the end of each month, the Treasurer shall complete the monthly report form in duplicate, furnished by the National Treasurer, send original report to the National Treasurer and remit an amount equal to the per capita tax called for by the report. This report shall also include a correct statement of the number of members on the books of the Local and shall set forth in detail all additions made and subtractions from the membership roll, together with a list of members who have been expelled and persons whose applications have been rejected, with reasons therefore. Monies collected by the Local Treasurer on behalf of the National as indicated on monthly reports shall be used for no other purpose and must accompany the report. Treasurers who receive dues from a member under the jurisdiction of another Local shall immediately notify the Secretary of such Local, with full particulars as to name, address, card number, and amount. When a member transfers to another Local, the Treasurer shall bring his record up-to-date and notify the National Secretary of such transfers.
5. LOCAL SAFETY & STANDARDS CHAIRMAN- he shall correlate the duties and functions of all Local Airline Safety & Standards Co-ordinators and their committees. He shall be directly responsible to and report to the National Safety & Standards Director. Local by-laws shall prevail.

1. Each Airline with a Local shall be represented by one (1) Airline Representative. In Locals that serve more than one (1) location, there may be an Airline Representative for each airline at each location.
2. The Airline Representative shall be elected as outlined in Article Xl and only members of the airline to which he will represent shall be eligible to vote. The term of office is two (2) years with no restrictions as to the number of successive terms. The position of Airline Representative shall not be held by a member of the Local Executive Council.
3. Qualifications for this position shall be: a member in good standing, free from delinquency of any nature to the Local or National Association, attended 50% of all regularly scheduled membership meetings held during the two (2) years preceding nomination. Meetings which a member is unable to attend because of verified illness, death In the immediate family, vacation, official Association business. working hours, jury duty, service in the armed forces of the United States, or because they reside and work beyond a fifty (50) mile radius of where the meeting is held will not be counted in determining such member’s eligibility under this Section.
4. The duties of Airline Representative shall be to thoroughly familiarize himself with the contract agreement between the airline and this Association, appoint, with approval of Local Executive Council, any Shop Representative positions the members have not elected, within his Airline at his location; be a co-ordinator for the Shop Representatives and the Executive Council; provide the Shop Representatives with accurate up-to-date information on all grievance matters. He shall be a member of the grievance committee. Attendance at the monthly Airline Representative meeting is mandatory. Three (3) absences in succession for any reason except while on Association business or for personal medical reasons shall deem his position vacant. An Airline Representative may be recalled from office in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV, Section 2 upon written request to the Local President by twenty-five percent (25%) of the members in good standing of the airline with that Local.

In order to insure proper representation and where Local structure needs representation expansion, the Local Executive Council, at their discretion, can propose a Local By-Law change to implement an Area Representative(s) who shall represent and serve the out-lying station membership of that Local. The Area Representative(s) shall be nominated and elected by the respective members of the airline involved in the areas so designated by the Local Executive Council. The Area Representative(s) shall come under the jurisdiction of the Local Executive Council and receive instructions and duties from the Local Airline Representative.

1. The Area Representative(s) shall be elected as outlined in Article Xl, and only members of the airline to which he will represent shall be eligible to vote. The term of office is two (2) years with no restrictions as to the number of successive terms. The position of Area Representative shall not be held by a member of the Local Executive Council
2. Qualifications for this position shall be: a member in good standing free from delinquency of any nature to the Local or National Association, attended 50% of all regularly scheduled membership meetings held during the two (2) years preceding nomination. Meetings which a member is unable to attend because of verified illness, death in the immediate family, vacation, official Association business, working hours, jury duty, service in the armed forces of the United States or because they reside and work beyond a fifty (50) mile radius of where the meeting is held will not be counted in determining such member’s eligibility under this Section.
3. The Area Representative(s) will be utilized for grievances, contractual interpretations with the Airline Representative for co-ordination and precedence. The Area Representative(s) will service their respective stations as problems and situations arise with sanction and coordination from the Airline Representative or the Executive-Council.
4. The Area Representative(s) will be responsible for compiling contract proposals from their respective stations and will submit them to the Executive Council in ample time for investigation, co-ordination, and preparation prior to negotiations as per the Constitution and by-laws. They may be utilized for counsel and communication to the negotiators. The Area Representative(s) will be kept informed regarding the progress of negotiations and may be requested to attend negotiations by the Executive Council. They will receive a copy of the proposed contract prior to negotiations and minutes concerning negotiations as well as Local meetings.
5. The Airline Representative will communicate as deemed necessary to keep the Area Representative(s) up-to-date regarding grievances, negotiations, and contractual interpretations. Prior to ratification, the Airline Representative will call a meeting to acquaint the new contract to the Area Representative(s).

The Local Executive Council may also, at their discretion, propose a Local By-Law change to provide for a Local Airline Safety and Standards Co-ordinator and Industrial Safety and Maintenance Standards Committee Chairman.

1. LOCAL AIRLINE SAFETY & STANDARDS CO-ORDINATOR-he shall be directly responsible to the Local Safety & Standards Chairman and will correlate the duties and functions of both Industrial Safety and Maintenance Standard-s Committees & Chairman. Local by-laws shall prevail.
2. The Industrial Safety and Maintenance Standards Committees Chairman will be appointed by the Local Safety & Standards Co-ordinator. Committees shall investigate all safety matters and report to both Airline and Local Safety & Standards authorities. Local by-laws will prevail.

1. Nominations for all Local Officers shall be called for at the meeting in October. If a quorum is not present at this meeting, nominations will be called for at a special meeting called for the purpose of taking nominations.
2. To be nominated, a member shall be in good standing, an active or associate member, attended fifty percent (50%) of regular Local meetings held during the last year, six (6) meetings total, or present to the Local Secretary a nominating petition containing signatures (valid as certified by the Local Secretary) of 10% of the members in good standing in the Local; this petition must be submitted when nominations are accepted at the Local meeting, and have been free of all fines and assessments to the National and Local for the preceding twelve (12) months prior to nomination (except for the first election after receiving charter). Members who are unable to attend a meeting because of verified illness, death in the family, vacation, official Association business, or because they reside and work beyond a fifty (50) mile radius of where the meeting is held will be given credit for having attended that meeting for purposes of meeting the minimum attendance requirements.

1. Notice of such nominations will be posted on all bulletin boards and/or Local papers, stating the time, place, and positions of nominations at least seven (7) days prior to nominations, as to provide ample time to all members in good standing to participate there in.
2. Not less than thirty (30) days prior to the time when the elections specified in this Section are to beheld, notice of time, place, and positions shall be mailed to each member at his last known home address. Notification of nominees and elections, stating time, place, and positions may be contained on the same notification.
3. At the first meeting in December, each Local shall elect the aforementioned Officers by secret ballot vote of its members in good standing, following the procedure required for such voting as set forth in Article IV, Section 6. If a quorum is not present at this meeting, elections will be held at a special meeting called for this purpose. No member shall be entitled to hold more than one (1) office at this time.
4. Members who reside more than twenty-five (25) miles from designated balloting place, members who are ill and confined under orders of a physician, and members temporarily away from city or town in which the election is to take place, may be furnished absentee ballots as set forth in Article IV, Section 12. The execution and return of absentee ballots must conform to the provisions as set forth therein.
5. Ballots cast for candidates not nominated in conformity with Local by-laws (write in) shall not be tabulated.
6. Balloting shall take place in the Local room where regular Local meetings are held, excepting in those Locals where circumstances require some other arrangements. The Local through its by-laws may provide other methods, subject to the approval of the National Executive Council.
7. The President shall appoint three (3) election tellers to assist in conducting the election in a fair and impartial manner. Each candidate for office shall be entitled upon request to have an observer present at the preparation end mailing of the ballots. More than one (1) observer may be appointed if necessary to effectively observe the counting of the ballots.
8. A member shall be considered elected if he received the highest number of votes cast by members in good standing. The Recording Secretary shall preserve for one (1) year the ballots and all other records pertaining to the election.
9. The term of office for all Local Officers shall be not less than one (1) year nor mare than two (2) years as outlined by Local By-Laws.

10. The installation of Officers shall take place at the first meeting In January. The ceremony of installation shall be conducted by an Officer of the Association.

11. Vacancies occurring in Local Office, due to death, resignation, or other causes shall be filled for the unexpired term in such form or manner as is prescribed by the Local and set forth in Its Local by-laws.

1. Upon notification of a National Convention by the National Secretary, each Local within sixty (60) calendar days shall elect convention delegates and alternate delegates for a term of two (2) years.
2. All Convention delegates shall be members in good standing, free from all assessments, fees, and fines to both the National Association and the Local, be an active or associate member in the Local of election for a period of one (1) year prior to the opening date of the Convention and shall have attended fifty percent (50%) of all regular Local membership meetings held during the one (1) year preceding nomination. Meetings which a member is unable to attend because of verified illness, death in the immediate family, vacation, official Association business, working hours, jury duty, service in the armed forces of the United States, or because they reside and work beyond a fifty (50) mile radius of where the meeting is held will not be counted as meetings held in determining such members eligibility under this section.

1. Election of National Convention delegates shall be by secret ballot of the members in good standing. This section shall be conducted as described in Section 2 of this Article.
2. When the results of elections are known, the Local Secretary shall, as described in Article V. Section 5, forward a complete list of Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the National Secretary.

Any member in good standing may protest the election of any Officer or delegate by filing in writing a notice of his protest, specifying the reasons therefore, each element of which must be separately stated, with the National Director within ten (10) days of the announcement of the election results. The National Executive Council, excluding any member whose election is being protested, shall decide by majority vote on the validity of any protest. If the Executive Council decides the protest is valid, a new election wilt be held for the position protested. lithe Executive Council decides the protest is not warranted, the election shall be upheld. Pending a decision of the Executive Council. the incumbent shall retain the office protested. The decision of the National Executive Council shall be final and binding.

All applications for membership shall be on a standard form provided by the National Secretary.

Any applicant who is a member of the Communist Party or encourages communism, fascism, Nazism, or any other totalitarian philosophy or supports any subversive organization shall not be considered for membership.

Any applicant who has falsified his application for initiation or reinstatement shall be fined or suspended at the discretion of the Local of which they are members after charges and trial for misconduct as provided for in Article XIV.

Every member of this Association shall receive a membership card which shall bear numbers designated by the National Association and shall be free of all charges. It shall be the obligation of each member to see to it that his credentials are kept in good order and up-to- date.

A member of this Association shall accept and agree to abide by the Constitution and by-laws of the Association as they are in force at the time he is accepted for membership, or as they may be thereafter amended, changed, modified, or adopted by the members. All new members shall be provided with a copy of the Constitution and they shall take oath in the prescribed manner to support this Constitution when they become members at a Local meeting.

Members shall discourage the working of overtime especially when fellow members are furloughed.

Each applicant for membership shall be thoroughly investigated by the Local Secretary with the aid and advice of the Local Executive Council having jurisdiction. Acceptance or rejection to membership shall be determined by the members with the recommendation of the Secretary. The Executive Council shall be notified immediately upon his acceptance or rejection. Upon his acceptance, he may become a member.

There shall be four (4) classes of membership:

1. ACTIVE 3. INACTIVE

2. ASSOCIATE 4. HONORARY

In the event a member chooses to withdraw from this Association due to taking a position in management or seeking employment in a field not represented by this Association, he may request an honorary withdrawal card from the Association. Request for such a card shall then be presented to the membership for their approval. Any member issued a withdrawal card by the Association shall be entitled to return to the membership of the Association with a reinstatement fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

Any member of this Association shall be entitled to transfer to another Local if such transfer is due to job relocation. No new initiation tee shall be levied by the Local. II said member shall have paid his dues one (1) or more months in advance, such monies shall remain the property of the Local from which he is transferring. Members verified to be in good standing by the National Secretary shall immediately become members of said Local.

A member on notice of transfer to a new location due to relocation of employment shall notify the Local Treasurer. The member shall then contact the Secretary of the Local to which he is transferring who shall place the member’s name on file and issue the member a copy of the Local By-Laws.

If any member tenders a resignation to the Association after a strike vote has been taken and voted upon affirmatively, his resignation will not be effective until termination of the strike, or, in the event that there is no strike, upon ratification of a collective bargaining agreement.

(A) During the period between the tender of resignation and the effective date of that resignation, the member shall have all the rights and obligations of membership.

(B) Any member who has tendered his resignation to the Association following an affirmative strike authorization vote may be readmitted to membership only upon approval of the Executive Council of the Local to which application is made. The Executive Councils of AMFA Locals may, among other things. require the re-applying member, either as a precondition to readmission or as an obligation imposed after readmission, to pay all dues and assessments that he would have paid had he not resigned, and reimburse the Association for the costs of a substitute picket during the strike period, or they may prescribe other conditions or limitations on the membership rights of a readmitted member.

Any Officer of the Local Association may be removed or recalled from office if he fails to perform duties as provided in the Constitution or violates any of the provisions of this Constitution. If he fails to act upon valid orders or directives of Officers and/or Convention of the National Association or any conduct unbecoming a Local Officer of the Association.

Recall of Local Officers shall be accomplished as follows: If twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members in good standing petition the Local President (Vice-President if the President is charged) requesting a recall, said Officer shall be relieved of all duties and responsibilities of that office within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of petition, but shall not be relieved of his office or title. The President shall then appoint a trial committee to investigate the charges to decide if there is enough substance to warrant a trial. If a trial is conducted, the trial committee upon its completion shall present its verdict to the members. The members in good standing shall then, by ballot, vote upon the verdict of the trial committee. If the membership votes to accept his writing and under seal of the verdict, recall shall take effect immediately. If the members vote to reject his recall, said Officer shall immediately be reinstated to his duties and all money and salary shall be paid to him back to date of suspension from duty.

Any member may be fined, suspended, or expelled for any of the following reasons, after the charges and trial:

Any member is subject to disciplinary action for any of the following reasons, after notice and trial as provided for herein:

Entering the meeting hall under the influence of intoxicating liquids.

Use of indecent or profane language during a meeting.

Conduct disgraceful to himself and the Association.

Performing the work of a member on strike, or otherwise working for an employer when AMFA or one of its Locals is striking that employer.

Crossing an AMFA picket line or a picket line recognized and supported by AMFA or one of its Locals.

Failure to perform picket line duty during a strike or to meet other similar strike related obligations imposed during the strike

Acting in any manner to circumvent, defeat, or interfere with the collective bargaining between the Association and an employer with existing collective bargaining agreements.

Acting in any manner which is against or derogatory to the best interests of the Association.

Entering into any "Yellow Dog" contracts or any act which will be detrimental to the Association.

2. The term "discipline" as used in this Article shall include, but not be limited to, fines, suspension, or expulsion from membership, placing a member in bad standing (with consequent loss of the right to participate in union activities).
3. The Association or any of its Locals have the right to judicially enforce any fine levied or discipline pursuant to this Article.
4. In order to fulfill the objectives of this Association and effectively represent all employees in a class or craft for which AMFA is the recognized or certified bargaining agent, it is deemed essential that this Association and its Locals have power to discipline any member who resigns from the Association during, or in anticipation of, a strike called by AMFA.

A charge or charges may be preferred against any member of this Association. All members active, associate, inactive, and honorary shall have the right to trial.

Whenever a charge is made against a member, the President shall supply the accused with the charges in writing and under seal. He shall appoint a trial committee to investigate the charges. If charges are found to be just, a trial date shall be set except that the National Director may. when he deems such action necessary in order to provide a fair trial or to protect the best interests of the Association, direct that the accused be tried either by a special committee designated for that purpose or by the National Convention.

In the event the President and Vice President are involved in charges, the next ranking Officer shall appoint the trial committee. For the purpose of this Article, the line of succession shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer or Secretary/Treasurer, Safety & Standards Chairman, and the most senior Airline Representative.

Whenever charges have been preferred against a member, that Local President shall appoint a trial committee of not less than five (5) members who are in good standing, one (1) of whom shall act as Chairman and one (1) to act as Secretary. The trial committee shall conduct an investigation of the charges to decide if there is sufficient substance to warrant a trial. If the committee decides a trial is warranted, the committee shall, within seven (7) days (calendar), notify the member of the charges arid when and where to appear for trial. The trial shall not be set for less than two (2) weeks after notification to allow the accused ample time to prepare his defense; however, a member by written request shall be granted up to a thirty (30) day postponement. If a member fails to appear for trial when notified to do so, the trial shall proceed as though the member were in fact present. The only exception to this rule shall be in the case where the accused member is hospitalized under the orders of a physician, in which case the trial may be postponed until thirty (30) days after the accused is discharged from said hospital.

Both the plaintiff and the defendant shall have the privilege of presenting evidence and being represented either in person or by his representative (the representative being a member of the Association). The trial committee shall keep a written record of the trial including all testimony and documents introduced either by the plaintiff or the defendant.

Trial procedures shall be as follows:

1. Clear the trial room of all persons except those directly involved in the trial.
2. All members in the trial room at the start of the trial shall remain in the trial room until completion of the trial.

3. The Chairman shall read the charges and ask the defendant if he is guilty or not guilty; the trial shall then proceed. If the plea is guilty, the trial committee shall then issue the recommendations for punishment.

4. The plaintiff and his attorney shall present his case first.
5. Witnesses shall be called into the trial room one at a time
6. and shall leave upon completion of testimony, subject to recall by the committee, plaintiff, and the defendant. Each witness shall be required to affirm that his testimony is the truth.
7. Both the plaintiff and the defendant shall have the right to cross examine any witness.
8. The defendant shall present his case.
9. Following the cross examination of all witnesses, the plaintiff and defendant shall be given the opportunity to make a statement or summation of their case with the plaintiff having first opportunity with remarks.
10. Upon completion of all testimony and statements, the trial room shall be cleared before the trial committee begins its deliberations.

The trial committee, after considering all the evidence, shall arrive at a verdict of either guilty" or "not guilty’. If the verdict is that of guilty, the committee shall then recommend the punishment. If part of the punishment is "member in bad standing," the committee must define the "member in bad standing" status. Notice of the verdict shall be given to both the plaintiff end defendant in writing and under seal as soon as possible after being reached by the committee. The trial shall contain a synopsis of the evidence and testimony of both sides, together with the findings and verdict of the committee. After the report has been made as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant, the verdict shall be submitted without debate to a vote by secret ballot of all members in attendance. If the Local concurs by majority vote with the guilty verdict, a second vote shall be taken without debate upon the punishment recommended by the trial committee.

The penalty recommended by the committee may be amended, rejected, or another punishment submitted by a majority vote of the members present, except that it shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those voting to expel a member from its Local. Disqualification from holding office as a penalty for misconduct shall not exceed two (2) years.

An appeal may be made to the National Director by either the accused or the one preferring the charges within forty-five (45) days alter the decision of the Local. Such appeal shall be made in writing and shall contain the grounds for such appeal. Any argument in support of the appeal may be enclosed if so desired by the appellant. Copies of the appeal shall be sent to the opposing party and said party shall have fifteen (15) days in which to reply.

The National Director shall obtain from the Local the complete transcript of the trial and shall make a decision based upon those records which shall be final and binding, unless further appeal is instituted. The decision of the National Director shall contain the findings, conclusions, and the penalty. When such an appeal is made to the National Director, he shall have full authority to affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the Local, or call for a retrial before the Local, or to impose any penalty or fine which he deems is necessary and essential to the case of the Director may accord such a privilege. The National Director shall furnish each party to the appeal a copy of his decision in writing and under seal,

An appeal may be made upon the decision of the National Director or to the National Executive Council within forty-five (45) days of such a decision. The appeal shall be in writing and shall contain specific details and arguments in support of these grounds. The National Secretary shall notify the opposing party of the appeal and shall furnish said party with a copy. The opposing party shall have fifteen (15) days in which to file any written argument in opposition to the appeal with the National Secretary. The National Secretary shall then transmit to the Executive Council any arguments for or against the appeal along with the records of all previous hearings before the Local as well as those before the National Director, and the decision of the Council shall be based on those records. No party to the appeal shall have the right to appear in person before the Executive Council, but if the Council deems it necessary end essential to the appeal may accord such a privilege. No member of the Executive Council who has been involved in the case shall be entitled to participate in a decision on the appeal.

An appeal may be made from the decision of the National Executive Council to the National Convention within forty live (45) days of such decision. The appeal shall be in writing and shall contain specific details and arguments in support of the appeal. The National Secretary shall notify the Executive Council and the opposing party of such appeal and furnish them with a copy. Such parties may within fifteen (15) days file with the National Secretary a written argument against the appeal. The appeal shall then be referred to the Appeals Committee of the National Convention (as appointed by the National Director and approved by the Convention Delegates) and the National Secretary shall then transmit to the Appeals Committee any arguments for or against the appeal along with all records of all previous hearings, including the Local, the National Director, and the Executive Council The Appeal Committee shall then set a time and place to hear in person both parties to the appeal, then based upon all testimony and records shall make its recommendations to the Convention Delegates and shall contain its findings, conclusions, and recommendations and amend, accept, or reject their findings. The Convention Delegates shall be the only body within this Constitution to have the power to expel any member or Officer. The decision of the National Convention shall be binding and no other appeal is provided for in this Constitution.

No member while exercising his right to appeal shall have his financial standing impaired by refusal to accept dues nor shall any member or Officer of this Association resort to any court of law or any other civilian authority for the purpose of securing a decision in connection with any alleged grievance with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association until such party or parties have exhausted all rights or appeal as granted by this Constitution.

Contract proposals shall be submitted in writing by the members to the Local President at meetings so stipulated for that purpose, and the Local Resident shall submit the proposals to the Local Proposal Evaluation Committee. The Committee proposals, endorsed by the membership at the next meeting, shall be submitted to the Negotiation Committee.

The Contract Negotiations Conference shall convene at least eight (8) months prior to the expiration date of a contract and shall include all the Regional Directors and/or Regional Co-ordinators involved, plus each Airline Representative involved. The cost of the Local Representative shall be paid by the Locals involved.

The Negotiating Committee shall be formed no later than ninety (90) days prior to the start of negotiations. The Regional Director selected by the Conference to chair the Committee shall be responsible for the details of the contract negotiations.

The National Director and Legal Counsel shall assist the Negotiating Committee in any manner he is able, as may be requested by such Committee. The Chairman of the Committee shall keep the National Director advised as to the progress of the negotiations.

At all negotiating sessions, there will be a minimum of two (2) negotiators present.

The Regional Director shall request the Local Presidents to call a special meeting of the members of the airline involved in the negotiations, contact ratification, or strike vote. At no time shall such meeting be called unless the members are notified at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such meeting.

1. All Contracts shall be ratified by a majority vote of those voting at meetings as called for in Section 5. The voting shall be by secret ballot, and each Local Secretary shall cause the votes to be counted and Regional Director, who is Chairman of the Committee, to be notified of the results. The results, National and Local, shall be posted within seven (7) days on the bulletin boards of the airlines involved and the votes shall be retained by each Local for a minimum of ninety (90) days after such voting has taken place. Any Airline Representative shall have the right to examine votes and tallies of any vote taken as outlined in this Article.
2. Any proposed changes and/or Letters of Agreement will be presented to the affected Membership to evaluate and ratify by a majority vote in a secret ballot

A strike shall only be called by the National Director upon the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the members voting at meetings as outlined in Section 5 of this Article.

The National Director shall declare a strike over upon the majority vote of the members voting at a meeting as outlined in Section 5.

Each Airline Grievance Committee shall consist of the Airline Representative(s) of the Local, The Chairman of the Committee shall be the Local President.

If a grievance cannot be resolved by the Airline Representative it shall be presented by him to the Chairman of the Committee. The Chairman shall convene the Local grievance committee (Executive Council) and together with the Airline Representative, Area Representative and other Airline Representatives, Shop Representative, and chosen legal counsel, they shall resolve the grievance by proper procedure.

Conferences or negotiations shall not be initiated, carried on, or concluded in the name of the Association or any member, group, or groups of members thereof to make or establish employment agreements relating to rates of pay, rules, or other conditions of employment, or any other agreements, contracts, or documents of a similar or related character, or any other form of agreements, contracts, or documents without the prior approval of the National Executive Council or the National Director. Any and all agreements, contracts, or documents of any and every character whatsoever shall not become effective, binding, or operative unless and until they bear the signature of the National Director or other officer duly authorized to sign by the National Executive Council.

The original AMFA National Constitution was adopted at the 11/63 National Convention.

The Constitution was subsequently amended on the following dates:

5/65,8/65, 11/67, 11/69, 5/71, 11/71, 11/73, 5/75, 11/77, 8/79, 8/83, 10/89, 12/96

This Constitution, therefore, reflects the latest amendments of the 12/96 AMFA National Convention.

End!