The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is an independent craft union representing aircraft maintenance technicians and related employees in the United States and Canada. AMFA is committed to the principles of craft unionism. It only seeks to represent aircraft maintenance technicians and related employees, a "craft or class" recognized by the National Mediation Board under the Railway Labor Act applied to airlines. It believes that three characteristics in particular separate AMFA from all other unions: first, direct member control over their local and the finances of it; second, a democratic process where officers are elected instead of appointed, and those same officers can be recalled by the membership; and third, open negotiations where members are invited to attend and participate in collective bargaining sessions. These three things allow the AMFA membership to effectively maintain control over their union.