Brothers and sisters of the TWU: we are at a critical crossroads, one where we can choose the politics of hope and change, or reward the politics of division and gridlock, such as we’ve seen by anti-worker forces in Congress and their ‘party of no’ backers.

I call on all officers, members and activists who are able to join the TWU International in “One Nation, Marching for One Dream,” a mobilization to take America forward on October 2, 2010 in Washington D.C.

As we struggle to climb out of a deep recession we must awaken public attention to the huge political clash now looming over these elections. This November’s congressional and state races will decide our country’s direction for years to come and have vital importance for TWU members and other working Americans. October 2 is just one month before Election Day. This mobilization will demonstrate the power of our united One Nation coalition, created by forces of goodwill that stand for hope and change.

The TWU is one of the founding forces in the One Nation coalition, driving the mobilization which shows we’re not going to cede the political agenda to a phony, pseudo-populist party, created by wealthy interests and extremists — we’re going show that the real majority of working Americans stands for economic stimulus and growth based on jobs and investment in our communities.

At the TWU’s June International Executive Council meeting, the IEC discussed the importance of this political era and the march in October, knowing that if the voices of working America are not heard against those of hate and division, we will suffer increased anti-labor forces blocking legislative and policy changes that we desperately need in order to have a level playing field in Washington.

Our grassroots and activists networks must be fully engaged in these weeks leading up to the march on Washington. Locals will receive information on how to get involved in the mail, which will also be available on twu.org.

Get involved in the movement to take America forward into a hopeful future for working families.

Jobs and Growth — Or More Political Gridlock?
A Stark Choice this November

The march will emphasize that America has a stark choice on November 2 over the course of recovery efforts.

One camp — the Obama administration and a majority (right now) of lawmakers— says: focus on putting 15 million jobless Americans back to work. Stimulate the economy by investing in our infrastructure, including neglected, under-funded transit systems. Bolster our sagging state economies and invest in clean energy programs that both spur job growth and address energy and environmental threats.

On the other side, calling themselves deficit hawks, are a nearly lock-step Republican caucus determined to block anything the Obama administration proposes. Most recently, millions of jobless workers lost benefits because of filibustering by Senate Republicans, joined by a couple of Democrats, who refused to extend approval of long-term unemployment aid that expired in May.

For 8 weeks, those 2.5 million working families suffered until pro-worker forces finally, on July 20, mustered the 60 votes required to break the GOP filibuster and restore long-term assistance. Benefit extension is viewed by many economists as a needed stimulus to the economy as well as the right thing to do in a long economic slump. (Today, there is only one available job for every five job seekers.)

The GOP gridlock strategy is especially apparent in the Senate. It sounds undemocratic, but majority support for a Senate bill isn’t enough to pass it – 60 out of 100 votes are needed if opponents dig in. That’s why the health care battle was such a marathon struggle, and why TWU and other unions had to fight so hard to battle the insurance lobby and protect workers’ interests in the final bill.

Anti-worker forces in both houses have cynically decided that obstructionism –whether on health care, Wall Street regulatory reform or programs to create jobs and revitalize the economy – is the key to defeating candidates they try to brand as “big spenders.”

The One Nation mass march is just the official start for a major, nationwide TWU election mobilization. Activists will coordinate with the AFL-CIO in phone banking and door-to-door canvassing, member education and networking, and getting out the vote. Visit http://www.twu.org to get involved and stay updated on the One Nation March in Washington on 10-2-10.

For More Information on 10-2-10
Time to Mobilize, March, Organize
Why ‘One Nation’ - Marching for Hope and Change?

On Wednesday September 1, 2010 TWU International President James C. Little sent a letter of support to Stuart Appelbaum, President of RWDSU (Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union). Since May 23, 2010 over 300 full time manufacturing workers at the Mott’s plant in Williamson, New York, were forced to strike after company executives demanded painful wage cuts while the company enjoyed a record year of $555 million in profits. President Little followed his letter of support for RWDSU with a letter to Larry D. Young, President & CEO of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. urging him to negotiate fairly and reach an agreement that respects the workers. Below are both of the letters that President Little sent.

Dear President Appelbaum:

The Transport Workers Union would like to extend our support to the members of RWDSU Local 220 who are standing up for their rights against the injustices of the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. I have written to Mr. Young expressing our outrage over their actions and stressing the need to negotiate a reasonable and fair contract. Profitable companies should not be exploiting the weak economy to hurt working families and boost executive pay.

We are proud to support the RWDSU and will do what we can to help combat this rampant example of corporate greed. We must take a strong stand against this abuse of corporate power and protect workers from being treated as commodities. I wish you strength in your fight and know that you are not alone.

Sincerely,
James C. Little
International President


Dear Mr. Young:

On behalf of the men and women of the Transport Workers Union, I would like to express my grave concerns over your company’s stance towards the workers at the Mott’s plant in Williamson, NY. Demanding wage and benefit cuts while the company and its executives profit are unjust and unreasonable. Our communities and our nation suffer when profitable companies use the weak economy as a guise to short-change their employees.

The Transport Workers Union will do all we can to support the cause of the Mott’s workers and ensure they get a fair contract. The New York and national economy will continue to stagnate if companies like your squeeze profits out of workers and slash wages.

I urge you and your company to negotiate fairly and reach an agreement that respects the workers. It is time to do what is right for your company and the working families in Williamson, NY.

Sincerely,
James C. Little
International President

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Our office has received numerous E-mails and phone calls as a result of confusion created by newspaper and media coverage of our AA negotiations and the contract rejection by two of the work groups. In view of this, I decided that it was important to clarify some of the key facts about where we stand today.

First, the fact that the contract was rejected does not place us on a 30 day countdown to a strike. We are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the NMB and in order to be on the 30 day clock the Board has to release us. That determination is in the exclusive jurisdiction of the NMB and is made only when the NMB comes to the determination that further bargaining without a release would be futile.

That being said, we have planned to meet with the negotiating committee in order to discuss priorities and our further steps and options. Once accomplished (September 14-15) our next step will be contacting the NMB in order to advise them that we are willing to sit down at the bargaining table with American. However, now that we are in mediation, future meetings must be scheduled by the NMB.

As you know, several months ago, the TWU and the APFA both requested that the NMB release us. Neither request was granted. We will not renew or request without the full consideration with the negotiating committee and the Presidents. Obviously, we can only make this decision after reviewing the progress of the renewed bargaining. Clearly the NMB will make no judgment about the need for a release until it reviews the progress of any further bargaining.

Hope that this helps clear up some of the misinformation that has been spread by some media accounts.

Fraternally,

James C. Little
International President

Download the PDF

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Our contract votes are in, and now we must re-start the contract campaign. We will continue to push forward to secure an equitable agreement, to be recognized for our sacrifices, and most importantly to stop the continuing erosion of the future of all airline professionals.

Our next steps must be initiated immediately.  I have asked the ATD to call for an urgent meeting of the entire team to develop a renewed strategic plan.   

While the team will help design our campaign, there are four changes I am instituting now until we can fully review the current negotiating structure at AA.

1.There will be two equal co-chairs of the team, one from ATD staff and another elected by the team. This hopefully avoids much of the miscommunications we are currently experiencing.

2.The co-chairs will BOTH attend their meetings with the company and the NMB with no exceptions.

3.We will also make sure that every member of the negotiating team is fully engaged in the process and demonstrates their ability to get real time information to our members at the drop of a hat. As an example: having dedicated team captains in the field to disseminate the information directly from the negotiating committee.

4.I have asked the ATD to provide additional electronic communications sent out as the “Contract Connection” after every negotiating session. Regardless of how you voted, the time is now to be more united than ever. The company may be counting on us to fight one another and destroy ourselves from within; I can assure you that will not happen unless you and I allow it to happen.

Again, now that the membership has spoken, we must put the past behind us and come together and speak with ONE VOICE with the ultimate goal to get the best contract we can for our members.

The ride is not going to be easy, but we are in this together for as long as it takes. It is a proven fact that ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall”.

In solidarity and fraternally,

James C. Little
International President

Download the PDF

Transport Workers Union of America's President James C. Little sent a letter today to UPS CEO Scott Davies condemning their companies abuses against workers in Turkey. Over 150 UPS workers who have engaged in organizing a union have been fired and many others have faced intimidation and threats. See President Little's letter below:

Dear Mr. Davies:

I am writing to you to express my grave concern over the serious violations of trade union rights at UPS in Turkey.

I have reason to believe that more than 150 workers who work for UPS and its sub-contractors in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir have been dismissed in the recent months because they support the union, TÜMTIS. Other workers are constantly harassed by the management not to join the union. There was a shooting incident in Izmir involving a senior manager of the company's sub-contractor.

These recent events violate the fundamental workers' rights as enshrined in the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization. It also goes without saying that accession to the European Union will require some fundamental changes to the current climate of industrial relations in Turkey like the one we witness at your company. Actions taken by the UPS Turkish management and its subcontractors are damaging the reputation of your company which enshrines in its Code of Conduct the promotion of a sound relationship between trade unions and the management. We find it very inappropriate that UPS is one of the official sponsors to the 2012 London Olympic Games under the current circumstances.

I urge your immediate intervention to resolve this situation so that (1) all the sacked workers are reinstated unconditionally; (2) steps are taken to ensure that no further victimisation takes place at UPS and its subsidiaries and (3) the local management enters into formal dialogue with TÜMTIS to establish a sound industrial relationship.

Both TÜMTIS and my union are members of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that represents 4.5 million transport workers worldwide. We fully support the Day of Action that the ITF has called on 1 September 2010 in solidarity with the Turkish UPS workers. We are hoping that you will be able to resolve this dispute most urgently.

Sincerely,

James C. Little
International President

You can download a .pdf of this letter here

Transport Workers Union of America announces that a four year tentative agreement has been reached with Horizon Air Industries and its Flight Dispatchers represented by TWU Local 542.  Local 542 President John E. Plowman said "This agreement provides surety and certainty regarding wages, working conditions and hours of work for a meaningful period of time."

Specific details of the Tentative Agreement will be discussed in upcoming membership meetings currently scheduled to take place in early September with a ballot ratification vote taking place in early October.

Brothers and sisters of the TWU: we are at a critical crossroads, one where we can choose the politics of hope and change, or reward the politics of division and gridlock, such as we’ve seen by anti-worker forces in Congress and their ‘party of no’ backers.

I call on all officers, members and activists who are able to join the TWU International in “One Nation, Marching for One Dream,” a mobilization to take America forward on October 2, 2010 in Washington D.C.

As we struggle to climb out of a deep recession we must awaken public attention to the huge political clash now looming over these elections. This November’s congressional and state races will decide our country’s direction for years to come and have vital importance for TWU members and other working Americans. October 2 is just one month before Election Day. This mobilization will demonstrate the power of our united One Nation coalition, created by forces of goodwill that stand for hope and change.

The TWU is one of the founding forces in the One Nation coalition, driving the mobilization which shows we’re not going to cede the political agenda to a phony, pseudo-populist party, created by wealthy interests and extremists — we’re going show that the real majority of working Americans stands for economic stimulus and growth based on jobs and investment in our communities.

At the TWU’s June International Executive Council meeting, the IEC discussed the importance of this political era and the march in October, knowing that if the voices of working America are not heard against those of hate and division, we will suffer increased anti-labor forces blocking legislative and policy changes that we desperately need in order to have a level playing field in Washington.

Our grassroots and activists networks must be fully engaged in these weeks leading up to the march on Washington. Locals will receive information on how to get involved in the mail, which will also be available on twu.org.

Get involved in the movement to take America forward into a hopeful future for working families.

Jobs and Growth — Or More Political Gridlock?
A Stark Choice this November

The march will emphasize that America has a stark choice on November 2 over the course of recovery efforts.

One camp — the Obama administration and a majority (right now) of lawmakers— says: focus on putting 15 million jobless Americans back to work. Stimulate the economy by investing in our infrastructure, including neglected, under-funded transit systems. Bolster our sagging state economies and invest in clean energy programs that both spur job growth and address energy and environmental threats.

On the other side, calling themselves deficit hawks, are a nearly lock-step Republican caucus determined to block anything the Obama administration proposes. Most recently, millions of jobless workers lost benefits because of filibustering by Senate Republicans, joined by a couple of Democrats, who refused to extend approval of long-term unemployment aid that expired in May.

For 8 weeks, those 2.5 million working families suffered until pro-worker forces finally, on July 20, mustered the 60 votes required to break the GOP filibuster and restore long-term assistance. Benefit extension is viewed by many economists as a needed stimulus to the economy as well as the right thing to do in a long economic slump. (Today, there is only one available job for every five job seekers.)

The GOP gridlock strategy is especially apparent in the Senate. It sounds undemocratic, but majority support for a Senate bill isn’t enough to pass it – 60 out of 100 votes are needed if opponents dig in. That’s why the health care battle was such a marathon struggle, and why TWU and other unions had to fight so hard to battle the insurance lobby and protect workers’ interests in the final bill.

Anti-worker forces in both houses have cynically decided that obstructionism –whether on health care, Wall Street regulatory reform or programs to create jobs and revitalize the economy – is the key to defeating candidates they try to brand as “big spenders.”

The One Nation mass march is just the official start for a major, nationwide TWU election mobilization. Activists will coordinate with the AFL-CIO in phone banking and door-to-door canvassing, member education and networking, and getting out the vote. Visit http://www.twu.org to get involved and stay updated on the One Nation March in Washington on 10-2-10.

For More Information on 10-2-10
Time to Mobilize, March, Organize
Why ‘One Nation’ - Marching for Hope and Change?