Dispatchers Union Calls Pilots’ Claims Disinformation
TWU Members at US Airways Say Pilots Lack Neither Fuel nor Hot Air
Pittsburgh -- US Airways flight dispatchers, charged with preflight planning and insuring that aircraft have sufficient fuel to handle any delay, strongly object to claims made by the US Airline Pilots Association that the airline is pressuring pilots to use less fuel than is safe.
“These claims are nothing more than hot air. Fuel loads are carefully planned by a certificated aircraft dispatcher who shares responsibility for the preflight planning and safety of the flight with the pilot. The company does not determine or plan the fuel loads. I can say unequivocally that there has been absolutely no pressure on the dispatchers at US Airways to reduce the fuel loads. If a crew requests more fuel, dispatchers have been trained to ask them if there is anything we failed to consider in our planning. We want our crews to be comfortable with the fuel supply and we work to accommodate their needs,” said Don Wright, President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 545 which represents dispatchers at US Airways. “We have one of the most professional and experienced group of pilots in the industry and I believe that the overwhelming percentage of our pilots support our effort to maintain the safest of operations.”
On Wednesday, the pilots’ union made these charges in a full-page ad in USA Today. The ad accuses the airline of "a program of intimidation to pressure your captain to reduce fuel loads."
“Everyone is concerned about trimming weight,” added Wright, “but we’re also concerned about making sure that planes have more than enough fuel. Most airlines allow for 45 minutes of extra flying time, at our airline we carry enough to go an additional 60 to 90 minutes.”
Dispatchers at US Airways and other commercial airlines are certified by the FAA and share responsibility with pilots to determine fuel allowances. Dispatchers monitor air traffic, weather, distance to destination, weight, field conditions and other factors that affect safety and operations. Flights, by law, cannot depart unless the dispatcher provides authorization and is satisfied with flight conditions.
TWU Local 545 is an affiliate of the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) and the AFL-CIO. Across the nation, TWU represents 200,000 workers and retirees primarily employed in public transportation, rail and aviation.
Contact: Jamie Horwitz, 202/549-4921
jhdcpr@starpower.net
Letter from Barack Obama
Thank you for the endorsement of the Transport Workers Union of America. Your hard work and support during the primary season contributed to this historic victory, and I appreciate the endorsement of you and your members.
You can read the entire letter here
Political activists: Click Here to apply now for 2009 Washington internships
TWU SUPPORTS UAW RALLY ATLANTIC CITY
Amtrak Members (JCC) to Receive First Retroactive Payment
TWU (JCC) members will receive the first installment of retroactive wage payments provided for in recently signed agreements on May 9, 2008. To assist members who may have questions concerning their retroactive wage payments click on the links below to view or download a Special Employee Advisory or FAQs posted by Amtrak. Click Here For SPECIAL EMPLOYEE ADVISORY Click Here For FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TWU LAUNCHES GAMING DIVISION
Building on Recent Victories at Caesar’s Palace and the Wynn Casino, Union to Focus More Resources on Organizing Dealers and other Workers in the Gaming Industry Hollywood, Fla. -- The Executive Council of the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), voted at its winter meeting to create a division of the union dedicated to organizing casino dealers and other workers employed in the gaming industry. “TWU’s phones are ringing off the hook from casino workers seeking representation,” said TWU International President James C. Little. “Our intention is to help these dealers by expanding our organizing efforts in Las Vegas, across Nevada and elsewhere. These workers need a voice on the job and our union can give it to them.” The division will be based in Las Vegas and be headed by Joseph Carbon. Carbon had played a pivotal role for the union in organizing dealers at both the Wynn and Caesar’s Palace. Both elections held in 2007 were won with more than 70 percent of the vote of eligible voters despite aggressive efforts by employers to oppose the organizing effort. “TWU is here to stay,” said Little. “We intend to be long-term players in the gaming industry. We will devote ourselves to increasing our presence on more casino properties. We intend to negotiate contracts for the workers we represent and serve as the voice for dealers and others who work on the casino floor.” Added Little, “TWU is perceived as a transportation union, but the fact is we have members employed in government service, utilities and various customer service jobs and we have been involved with gaming for years and gaming is where we will be for years and years to come.” Contact: Jamie Horwitz, 202/549-4921
jhdcpr@starpower.net |
