TWU mourned the unexpected passing this month of Local 540 President David Durkin.

Brother Durkin had served the Local for more than 20 years, the past decade as its top officer.  The Local represents Flight Dispatchers, Meteorolgists and Operational Control Specialists at 10 domestic carriers.

Brother Durkin, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was introduced to TWU during his career as a Meteorologist at United Airlines.

International Representative Gary Shults, who worked closely with Durkin during contract negotiations with the Local’s contracted carriers, said: “Dave’s love of people and his desire to help his co-workers is what drove him, and is why his members kept reelecting him.  The recent downturn in the industry, which has so negatively affected the jobs and economic security of the workers, really bothered him and I have no doubt contributed to his sudden death.”

Former co-worker at United, Henry P. "Hank" Krakowski, who is currently the Federal Aviation Administration’s Chief Operating Officer for America’s Air Traffic Control system, said: “David was one of the best aviation meteorologists I have ever seen.  He was an expert at convective thunderstorm weather and helped United’s flight operations deal well with the worst mother nature could throw at us.  He was passionate about weather, aviation and more importantly - people.  He sacrificed his time and energy to making the working life the best he could for his union constituents.  A very able negotiator and leader of people.”

Another co-worker at United, Dennis Michelsen, remembers: “Dave was a man who was the most brilliant storm forecaster in the aviation weather business I ever worked with but he never forgot to keep that balance in life and have fun every shift.”

Brother Durkin was born in Danbury, CT.  He attended Colby College in Maine, and has been a resident of Barrington, IL for many years.  He is survived by his wife, Carrie; son, Scott, and daughter, Emily.