Air
Amtrak and Transit Funding Victory
Posted OnMarch 6, 2024 byTWU International President John Samuelsen issued the following comment regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ adoption of H. Res. 1061, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. “This is a big win for Amtrak passengers, mass transit riders, and union workers who move America. Far right ideologues – with zero care or concern for the nation’s wellbeing – tried…Read More…
Statement on Cancelled JetBlue-Spirit airlines’ merger
Posted OnMarch 4, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America issued the following statement on the announcement that Jet Blue and Spirit airlines will no longer pursue a merger.
Our main concern throughout this process was protecting and advancing the livelihoods of our members. We achieved those goals. For our JetBlue Inflight Crewmembers, we secured 17% mid-contract raises, millions of dollars in potential bonus payments, and more.
After Another Temporary Patch, Aviation Workers Need a Final FAA Bill
Posted OnMarch 1, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union of America is calling on the House and Senate to finally finish a final Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill by May 10 – a deadline that gives Congress more than enough time to complete negotiations on vitally important legislation that would advance several TWU pro-worker goals. The House voted…Read More…
TWU Calls for Congressional Action to Avert Harmful Shutdown
Posted OnFebruary 27, 2024 byThe Transport Workers Union is urging House and Senate leaders to work together this week to prevent a shutdown of some federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. A shutdown would begin on March 2nd if Congress does not act. A government shutdown would halt the training of new air traffic…Read More…
TWU Local 555 Reaches Tentative Agreement with Southwest Airlines
Posted OnFebruary 22, 2024 byTWU Local 555, representing nearly 20,000 ramp, operations, provisioning and freight agents at Southwest Airlines, reached a tentative agreement Wednesday on a contract that provides top-of-the-industry wage rates and average pay increases over 18 percent. The contract, which would provide pay increases to hardworking Southwest employees who last saw a wage increase nearly three…Read More…
TWU Members Rally for Flight Attendant Day of Action
Posted OnFebruary 13, 2024 byTWU members at Locals 556, 577 and 579 rallied with flight attendants at more than 30 airports across the country to demand better contracts, better work rules, and liveable wages. More than 100,000 flight attendants across the country are currently working without updated contracts. The Day of Action united flight attendants across different airlines and…Read More…
Senate Makes Progress on Pro-Worker FAA Bill, More to Come
Posted OnFebruary 8, 2024 byTWU International President John Samuelsen said the markup is a “great development” but the House and Senate “must seal the deal and pass final legislation.”
“Our front-line airline flight attendants and boots-on-the ground mechanics have been waiting far too long for Congress to adopt critically important measures needed to address long-standing problems – like unhinged passengers attacking and abusing crewmembers, and greedy airline executives sending aircraft to questionable repair shops in China, and other low-wage countries, for maintenance and repairs.”Read More…
Transportation Technology Newsletter #17
Posted OnJanuary 25, 2024 byTWU leaders descended on the CES tech show and co-sponsored the 5th Annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit, together with the AFL-CIO, its Technology Institute and several unions.Read More…
JetBlue Purchase of Spirit Blocked
Posted OnJanuary 16, 2024 byA federal judge issued a ruling Tuesday blocking JetBlue Airways proposed purchase of Spirit Airline. The judge sided with the U.S. Justice Department that the merger would violate anti-trust laws aimed at maintaining competition and consumer choice in the marketplace. Passengers who rely on Spirit’s low fares would be harmed in that the cost of flying either airline would likely increase, the judge ruled. Consolidation of the industry to just a few major carriers has resulted in higher prices. TWU International President John Samuelsen issued the following statement.
Massive Victory For Airline Passengers And Union Workers
Posted OnDecember 6, 2023 bySTATEMENT FROM TWU INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT JOHN SAMUELSEN The FAA announced a proposed new rule that would apply drug and alcohol testing standards to all airline heavy maintenance mechanics, regardless of where they are on the planet. This is a massive victory for US airline passengers and workers. Airline mechanics in China and other lower-wage, lower-standard…Read More…