Let’s be Thankful for the Amazing Work that Transit Workers Do Every Day

By James C. Little

“Some of what they’re doing,” said Gene Russianoff of New York City’s Straphangers Campaign, “borders on the edge of magic.”

Russianoff, a consumer advocate, is a frequent critic of New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) executives.  Right now, he’s joining other New Yorkers who are amazed by the efforts of the region’s transit workers – including members of TWU Locals 501, 504, 562, 101, 252, 2001, 106, 1400, Local 100, Locals 225 and 229 in New Jersey, and well at State Conferences throughout our union  – in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Mass Protests in Michigan Against Right to Work

On December 11, 2012 a new kind of history was made in a state that prided itself as being at the forefront of the labor movement’s history as nearly 15,000 people gathered in Lansing, Mich. to protest the right to work bills.

Durham Drivers Vote TWU

TWU welcomes its newest members the bus drivers and monitors of Durham School Services in Burleson and Weatherford, Texas as they overwhelmingly voted to join TWU for a voice on the job.

This Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, I would like to honor and thank the men and women who have selflessly served our country, as well as those who continue to do so today, risking and sacrificing their lives to fight for our freedoms.


TWU Applauds Pilots Agreement with American Airlines

DALLAS – Leaders of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), representing more than 26,000 workers at American Airlines, applauded today the agreement in principle reached by members of the Allied Pilots Association (APA) and AMR, the airline’s parent company.

Statement from James C. Little on Election

Whether you voted democrat, independent, libertarian or republican, America made their voice heard last night.

You Made it Happen!

The results are in and President Obama has won!

Make Sure Your Vote Counts Today

Today is Election Day and polls have opened as early as 6 a.m. in some states. So to make sure your vote counts today, here are six simple steps to take to protect your vote today.

Disaster Grants Available To Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Sandy

Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help eligible participants in the Union Plus Credit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs who are facing financial hardship due to the disaster. The money does not have to be repaid.  Funds are limited to the nearly $370,000 available in the Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund.

TWU and Transport Workers Union of Australia Form the Trans-Pacific Transport Unions Alliance

In another step to further mobilize and strengthen our resolve in the fight for economic and social justice for our members and working people, the Transport Workers Union of America has entered into an agreement with the Transport Workers Union of Australia to form the Trans-Pacific Transport Unions Alliance.

U.S., Australia Transport Unions form Alliance

Two unions that represent airline and transit workers in the United States and Australia said on Wednesday they have formed an alliance in a bid to coordinate activities globally.

ATD Local Restructure - Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

At the meeting of the International Executive Council of TWU on October 23 and 24, important decisions were made that will affect the future of the ATD plan to restructure the M & R Locals at American Airlines so as to successfully cope with the conditions that now prevail at the airline.

The plan was presented in detail to the IEC, along with the economic data and projections that, in our view, establish the need to do the restructuring. However, the IEC determined that, without an adequate opportunity to study, consider and evaluate the comments of the plan submitted by Locals and members, it was unable to properly pass on whether to implement the restructuring plan. As a result of this, the IEC decided that it would appoint a subcommittee that would be given the responsibility of studying and evaluating the ATD plan in light of the comments submitted. The subcommittee will have full power to call upon those who formulated the ATD plan, as well as TWU experts and those who submitted comments both pro and con regarding the plan, to help them in their deliberations.

Download the entire letter and By-Laws here

Is Allegiant Skirting Hawaii’s Health Care Law?

Flight Attendants Call for Investigation; Airline Says Flight Attendants Won’t Make 20-Hour Threshold to Earn Health Care – But Each Trip to Mainland and back is 14 Hours

Local 513 Update

Local 513 Allied Fuelers negotiators along with the TWU International met this week in negotiation openers with the management of Allied Fueling Company.

Obama vs. Romney: What’s Their Track Record on Air, Rail and Transit?

by James C. Little
International President, Transport Workers Union

Did you catch the exchanges in the first and second presidential debates where President Obama and Governor Romney discussed their plans for improving our nation’s airports, roads, rails and bridges, mass transit and commercial airlines?

Mitt for American Workers?

Gov. Mitt Romney has made his plan for the American worker very clear.

TTD Launches Romney Off the Rails

Rail service and jobs would be on the chopping block under a Romney administration.

Romney's Bain Selling Out American Workers to China

See how selling out American workers and moving jobs to China continues to line Romney's pockets.

TTD Launches Site Permanently Delayed For Aviation Workers

The TTD has launched another site, this time for aviation workers PermanentlyDelayed.com detailing Mitt Romney and President Obama.

Action Week Campaigns for Safe, Secure Work

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and its member unions worldwide will hold a variety of activities from Oct. 7-13 to highlight issues linked to the slogan, "Transport Workers Fighting Back! Organising Globally!"


Statement by Robert Gless Deputy Director, Air Transport Division Transport Workers Union of America

The Transport Workers Union of America, which represents aircraft mechanics and other maintenance workers at American Airlines, has launched an investigation into problems related to loose seats on recent flights.

AMTRAK WORKERS TAKE A STAND FOR AMTRAK

Nearly 100 Amtrak workers filled the hearing room on Sept. 20 for the hearing held by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T & I) regarding Amtrak’s operations.

Teamster Myth and Teamster Reality


Over the past few days representatives of the Teamsters have been in the press saying that they can protect Tulsa workers against the threat of foreign maintenance and outsourcing of heavy overhaul.

TTD Launches Romney Wrecks The Bus

There are huge differences between where Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama will take this country’s transportation system.

Southwest Ground Workers File for Federal Mediation

DALLAS –Transport Workers Union Local 555, representing 8,500 Southwest Airlines ramp, operations, provisioning and freight agents, informed Southwest Airlines on September 11, 2012 of the decision to file for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board as provided for in the Railway Labor Act

We Remember 9-11

Eleven years ago today, Americans endured the greatest attack on our liberties and freedom since Pearl Harbor.

This Labor Day


Today, that celebration of appreciation will continue as thousands across this country gather to celebrate Labor Day.

Time to Stand Up for the Middle Class

By James C. Little
International President, Transport Workers Union

According to a newly released book by Daniel L. Barlett and James B. Steele, “The Betrayal of the American Dream,” since 1985, corporations have killed 84,350 pension plans – plans that were designed to bring retirement security to millions of Americans.

Judge Lane’s Ruling / APA Contract

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I am sure by now that most of you are aware of Judge Lane’s recent ruling on August 15, 2012 as to the issue of whether or not he should rule in favor of AMR’s motion to abrogate the collective bargaining agreement of the Allied Pilots Association.

Since his ruling was made denying the Corporation’s motion based on a couple of technical matters, specifically restricted to the issues of Code Sharing and Pilot furloughs, within minutes of the decision being released, all of a sudden, there was an avalanche of emails that were sent out to hundreds of our members, our offices and the offices of many of our Local Presidents. These emails were offensive in nature and highly critical of the bankruptcy experts the TWU retained in order to provide our members with the best legal and professional representation to assist all of us in navigating through the arduous tasks associated with the bankruptcy process.

Facts on Representation

Some TWU members are hearing promises from those that wish to decertify the TWU as their collective bargaining representative.

TWU Members Join Thousands at Workers Stand for America Rally

TWU members from local 234 and a contingent from Local 100 joined nearly 30,000 of their brothers and sisters from other unions on Aug. 11 in Philadelphia to bring forth America’s Second Bill of Rights for the middle class and to rebuild the American Dream at the Workers Stand For America Rally.

President of Gordian Group Interviewed on Fox Business

Watch this short interview with TWU advisor Peter Kaufman President of the Gordian Group. He explains TWU’s optionality benefit - a result of TWU member’s recent ratification of two more labor agreements with AA.  TWU members are well positioned now rather than risking an uncertain future with the judge’s ruling.

TWU members at American Airlines Ratify Agreement for Mechanics and Related (M&R) and Stores Worker

Letter from James C. Little on AA M&R and Stores Ratification Results

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

As I stated in our press release, there is legitimate frustration associated with this entire bankruptcy process, which is designed to facilitate concessions and to ensure the reorganization of the debtor, rather than advance the interests of working people.

Workers Stand for America Rally

On Aug. 11, thousands of American workers will come together in Philadelphiain the first major action of the Workers Stand for America campaign.

TWU Members at NASA Launch Campaign

NASA Firefighters are under attack but they’re fighting back.

TWU Vegas Dealers Win Big at Caesars Palace

More than 500 Dealers at Caesars Palace won big as they overwhelmingly voted last week to ratify their first contract securing their wages, benefits and seniority rights.

Casino Dealers Ratify First Labor Pact at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

TWU Local 721 Wins Pact Including Health Care Protections, Seniority Rights and Job Security;
Caesars Dealers Join TWU Members at Wynn As Only Dealers in Vegas with Negotiated Contracts

Flight Attendants Now Included in KCM Initiative

Flight attendants who are members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) applaud  the U.S. Transportation Security Administration decision to  include flight attendants in its Known Crewmember (KCM) initiative, which will offer identity verification and expedited security screening to flight attendants employed by U.S.-based airlines.

TSA Makes the Right Decision on Flight Attendants, says TWU

Flight attendants who are members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said today that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has made the right decision by including flight attendants in its Known Crewmember (KCM) initiative, which will offer identity verification and expedited security screening to flight attendants employed by U.S.-based airlines.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT COALITION PRAISES INCLUSION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS INTO KNOWN CREWMEMBER

The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions, representing nearly 90,000 Flight Attendants in the United States, applauds the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for announcing inclusion of all U.S.-based Flight Attendants into the risk-based, Known Crewmember program.  Veda Shook, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International President; Laura Glading, Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) President; Sito Pantoja, International Association of Machinists (IAM) General Vice President; Captain David Bourne, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airline Division Director; and Jim Little, Transport Workers Union (TWU) International President, today issued the following statement:

US Flight Attendants to Get Expedited Airport Screening in 2nd Stage of Known Crewmember Program

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in cooperation with the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Airlines for America (A4A), today announced plans for the second phase of the industry’s Known Crewmember (KCM) initiative, offering identity verification and expedited security screening to flight attendants employed by U.S.-based airlines.

Better Flight Plan for American Airlines Workers

As leaders of American Airlines’ unions — the Allied Pilots Association, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transport Workers Union — it’s our responsibility to further the interests of our respective memberships while working to restore the airline to profitability and viability. This mandate took on unprecedented importance when American filed for bankruptcy last November.

In Bankruptcy, American Airlines Looks at All Options

Listen to this morning’s interview on NPR's Morning Edition as reporter Wade Goodwyn interviews TWU International President James C. Little on the fast moving developments involving mergers in the American Airlines bankruptcy.

Local 525 Brings Public Attention to Their Fight

The rain couldn’t even stop TWU Local 525 members as they kicked off their informational picketing about their fight for a fair contract with G4S GS at the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, Florida.

Caesars Palace Dealers Set to Vote on Contract

After five years of fighting for a contract with Caesars Palace,  a contract will be presented to nearly 560 Caesars Palace dealers for ratification on July 27.

Maintenance and Related and Stores Workers Achieve Improvements from Previous Offers

Dallas – Members of the Transport Workers Union at American Airlines have reached new tentative agreements with the company for workers in the Maintenance and Related (M&R) and Stores bargaining units, the union said today.

Fire Fighters Picketing at Kennedy Space Center

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL, JULY 9TH, 2012 - Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 525 will engage in informational picketing at the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, Florida, beginning July 11th, 2012. The TWU is the Union that represents Fire-Rescue Personnel who work at the Kennedy Space Center. These Fire-Rescue workers are employed by a new government contractor named “G4S GS”, formerly known as “Wackenhut”. G4S GS was recently awarded the contract with NASA to provide fire-rescue services at the Kennedy Space Center.

Banks Get Bailed Out, Transit Riders and Workers Get Sold Out

The City of Philadelphia, the School District and SEPTA, at a time when all are hard pressed to make ends meet, are paying millions of dollars to Wall Street banks to service debt.   These payments include bad interest swap deals the banks negotiated that have cost the City an estimated 331 million dollars. 

The July issue of the ATD-Insider is out

The Insider has several informative articles that can help members understand 401k plans and fees, stopping home foreclosures, and dealing with this summer’s heat. Local 550 Dispatchers recently signed a new agreement with Southwest Airlines, while Local 555 members protested Southwest at Midway Airport in Chicago.

Check out the latest issue, click here.

TWU Stops SEPTA Outsourcing in its tracks

TWU Local 234 won the first round in the fight to keep the overhaul of 176 wheel-assembly units for the Market Frankford El rail cars in Philadelphia.

AMR Bankruptcy Update- American Airlines - Special Update “Me Too” Clause

Today TWU leaders and the Company signed the “me too” clause enhancements for Fleet Service, Dispatchers, Simulator Technicians, Ground School Instructors and Maintenance and Control Technicians.

TWU Bargaining Units Meet in Dallas Today to Negotiate “Me-Too” Clauses with AMR

Dallas ‒ Negotiators for five Transport Workers Union bargaining units, representing American Airlines’ Fleet Service Clerks, Dispatchers, Ground School Instructors, Maintenance Control Technicians, and Simulator Technicians will meet in Dallas later today to negotiate improvements to the offers accepted on May 15.