The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is competing with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (Machinists) in a drive to organize mechanics at United Airlines. The AMFA is a relatively small union; unassociated with big labor. However, recently they have beat the more powerful Machinists union in organizing drives such as the one for Southwest Airlines. The AMFA feels that they are more able to look after the interests of the mechanics than a giant union like the Machinists. The Machinists union feels that workers will choose to stay with the union they know in these times of financial crisis.
See "Union Sees Opening in United's Turmoil", Micheline Maynard, The New York Times, June 11, 2003