James Little assumed the office of International President upon the retirement March 31, 2006 of Michael T. O'Brien for medical reasons.  His elevation to International President from Executive Vice President was provided for in the TWU Constitution.  He will serve out O'Brien's unexpired term until the fall of 2009.

The International Executive Council unanimously elected James Little TWU's International Executive Vice President September 21, 2004. He was then elected to a full four-year term to that post by TWU's 22nd Constitutional Convention in September 2005. Jim, who previously served as TWU's Air Transport Division Director, has a strong technical background and has extensive experience in negotiations, arbitrations, and organizing.

Jim has been serving TWU in numerous capacities for three decades, including: TWU Local 540 Section Chairman for three years; President of TWU Local 542--Aircraft Dispatchers & Meteorologists--for 12 years; TWU International Representative for 7 years, and Air Transport Division and TWU International Administrative Vice President since 2001.

He became a member of TWU in 1971 after hiring on in Fleet Service for American Airlines after service to the nation as an AMT and Crew Chief for the U.S. Air Force's Strategic Air Command.

As Air Transport Director, Jim oversaw 44 ATD Local affiliates, 11 Government Service contracts, and 31 Airline Contracts.

Prior to American, he worked as an Overhaul Mechanic for Central Aviation Inc. and for Pan Am World Services as an Instructor. He holds an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate and a NYS Teachers Certificate.