TWU International Leadership administered the oath of office and swore in Local 555’s executive board in Texas as the group of Ramp, Operations, Provisioning and Freight Agents at Southwest Airlines begins a new three-year term.
International Executive Vice President Alex Garcia, International Secretary-Treasurer Jerome Lafragola, International Administrative Vice President Curtis Tate and International Administrative Vice President Mike Mayes swore in the new Local 555 Executive Board and said they are excited to work with the newly elected leadership.
“This is a great opportunity to build a good relationship between TWU International and Local 555,” Garcia said. “We’re looking forward to the next three years and are eager to see what the new Local 555 leadership can achieve.”
Local 555 President Abilio Villaverde said he plans to utilize the TWU International’s leadership and expertise along with holding a board meeting at the International headquarters in Washington.
“I knew all of them in the past but it wasn’t at that level. These guys are going to see me a lot, hear from me a lot and it’s not me begging for help, it’s working together,” said Villaverde. “I think they can offer great advice and solutions to anything that comes up. I’m looking forward to working with them.”
International Administrative Vice President Mike Mayes said the new Local 555 leadership can be a major asset for the TWU since Local 555 represents nearly 20,000 employees at Southwest.
“The next three years will be important for Southwest employees as the aviation industry continues to plot their post-pandemic plans,” Mayes said. “Local 555 and TWU International will play a big role in ensuring the economic security of hardworking Ramp, Operations, Provisioning and Freight Agents at Southwest.”
Villaverde and the executive board took office beginning on April 1. The board also includes First Vice President Tony Slavings, Second Vice President Bryan Gaulle, Financial Secretary-Treasurer Jason Sonnabaum, Recording Secretary Nicole Salinas, District 1 Representative George Davis, District 2 Representative Edgar Jimenez, District 3 Representative Dan “DC” Chriss, District 4 Representative JP Loregnard, District 5 Representative Mark Koudelka, District 6 Representative Tyler Cluff, District 7 Representative James Barrett, District 8 Representative Sam Conte and District 9 Representative De Mon Murphy.
Villaverde said within days of taking over, Southwest management told Local 555 members they couldn’t wear new TWU-branded hats while on the job. The new executive board took their concerns to management, who agreed to back off and allow TWU members to wear their hats.
“We went to the company and we advocated for our members to wear those hats, wear them proudly, and we won,” Villaverde said. “I think it was a good first thing for leadership to do for its members. We didn’t side with the company, we sided with our members and we got business taken care of.”
