TWU’s International Executive Council met Oct. 14-15 in San Francisco for its final meeting of 2008. Chaired by International President James C. Little, the Council reviewed the activities of the organization over the past quarter.

President Little announced that the Southwest Airlines Employees Association (Flight Dispatchers) had recently voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with TWU under the banner of newly chartered Local 550. He also praised the successful efforts of Transit Division Local 291 to crush a plan by Miami officials to drastically cut back on transit service and eliminate nearly 700 TWU jobs.

In other actions, Secretary Treasurer Joseph C. Gordon reported that the union’s finances are stable despite the severe economic downturn.

Political and Legislative Director Roger Tauss gave a detailed report on the union’s activities on Capitol Hill, as well as the union’s substantial mobilization efforts to help elect the Obama-Biden team, as well as other candidates well disposed toward working families. He reported that TWU has members “in every battleground state” as part of the AFLCIO’s Labor 2008 action plan. And he said that many of those TWU people “are in positions of real responsibility” in the presidential campaign as well as Senatorial and Congressional races.

Tauss added that the union would be mounting an all out campaign in the new year to win back transit operating assistance as part of any transit funding measure or economic stimulus package

Transit, Utility, Universities and Service Division Director Hubert Snead reported on recent settlements of contracts in the Division, including settlements for Local 226 members at First Student in Paramus, NJ and Local 100 members at Super Trans and Bauman Bus. He further updated the Council on ongoing negotiations, and added his congratulations to Local 291 leaders for their successful job-saving drive.

Air Transport Division Director John Conley gave a detailed report on ongoing negotiations in his Division with special emphasis on the talks at American Airlines, Southwest and American Eagle.

Railroad Division Director Gary Maslanka reported on Congressional passage of two major rail funding and safety bills, and said that he would continue to work with other rail unions to shore up weak outsourcing language in the funding bill.

Civil and Human Rights Department Chair Sandra Burleson reported on activities of her Department and the TWU Working Women’s Committee (see story this issue on the Civil and Human Rights Department meeting).

Other reports were presented by General Counsel David Rosen, Organizing Director Frank McCann; COPE Director Peggy Olstein-Wiedman, Education and Research Director Bob Wechsler, Safety Coordinator Carl Martin, Appeals Committee Chair Michael Bakalo, Gaming Division Director Joe Carbon and Communications Director Jim Gannon.