Air Transport Local 501
TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA
Affiliated with the AFL-C1O
LGA � JFK � EWR � PHL � BDL � ALB � SJU � ISP
1010A JERICHO TURNPIKE, NEW HYDE PARK, NY 11040
TEL: (516) 354-6900 FAX: (516) 354-6903
August 7, 2009
State of the Union Message
Dear Brothers and Sister,
I've found the old adage that "no news is good news" to be completely false, especially as it relates to our contract negotiations for Titles II, III, and IV. Almost, two years have passed since the opening of negotiations and there really is no good news to report, except to explain that the Title III and IV groups have been placed in what has been described as a holding pattern by Mediator Terry Brown. This occurred during our mediation meeting in Chicago on July 29, 2009, in which your negotiating committee expected a counter proposal from the company based on the proposals that we made in early June, The company arrived at the session and gave a financial overview, and effectively stated that they had no money, to give us and rather than continue to meet and waste everyone's time and money that we adjourn for a brief period of time. The mediator agreed, in consideration of the fact that it appeared the company was not going to make a financial offer in the near future. The next time your committee is scheduled to meet is sometime in late October, however no firm date has been established.
The Title II negotiations, I believe will be heading in the same direction as Title III and IV after what occurred at their meeting in Kansas City on July 13 through July 17, 2009 during which the TWU committee expected a response from the Company from their early June comprehensive proposals and received nothing from the company during this session. As of the time of this writing, no new dates have been setup for the next Title II Mediation, If you want more information, please go to the following web-site http://aa.twu.org/default.asp
As of this past Tuesday August 4, 2009, the second round of the only reduction in force I've ever seen in the summer during my thirty five (35) years with American Airlines was completed. This marked the third layoff in the year of 2009 alone. Since our election last June/08 there have been five (5) reductions in force directly related to the current economic conditions of our country. This local has been hard hit for several reasons, first, was American's decision to permanently ground the Air Bus, A-300 Fleet and in consideration of the fact this aircraft fleet type was primarily based here at JFK. Secondly, the Americans Airlines decision to cut the flight schedule in SJU by half and reduce the station staffing by 50% has been devastating to the fine people of SJU and this local. I recently posted a letter to inform the membership that with our declining membership we had no choice but to begin reducing our shop steward staffing at most of the stations within the local. Since taking office we have seen the economy erode well over 500 jobs from the men and women of this local union.
Shifting gears here, both Victor Gonzalez and Vinnie Morales have been the point men for this local with regard to this year's NYC Labor Day Parade. We have signed our Union up to participate and we will be Providing additional information as it becomes available. So, mark your calendar, and keep open Saturday September 12, 2009 to attend the parade in Manhattan and march with the rest of organized labor on the only day in the year that is set aside for the working men and women of this country. Please notify your Dept. or Station Chairman that you are going to attend and the local will provide a free tee-shirt for all members that attend the parade. I have been in contact with other TWU affiliate locals and they have indicated they would like to walk in the parade with our local.
Veterans Committee, over the last six months this local has setup a standing Veterans committee and they have been collecting information to aid those who have served and sacrificed so much for us and our country. The members of the committee are the Chairman John McCaughern- JFK Air Cargo, Willy Torres-LGA Line Cargo, and Walter Allen- JFK Air Cargo. If you are veteran, and wish to become involved please contact us at the Union Offices. If you need help or information from the veterans committee you can contact them by calling the Union Office at 516-354-6900.
HOT- NEWS -NYC- The Local has received information that indicates that TSA is going to increase the frequency of their spot checks at all of the employee entrances and exits, it is our understanding that the new spot checks will include checks of your personal belongings as well as pat-downs or wanding. Please, remember no piggy backing,
Fraternally,
David J.Virella
David J.Virella
President
TWU Local 501
AFL-CIO
Cc:
The Officers and Executive Board
Department and Station Chairman
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