Although the “Great Recession” currently gripping the country is a major threat to the livelihoods of America’s working families, the mood at the recent meeting of TWU’s International Executive Council and Board was largely upbeat. The reason was the recent change in the White House and the many positive initiatives Barack Obama has already put forth.

Nearly everyone reporting to the three-day meeting in Hollywood, Florida, February 10-12, saw a reason for optimism as the country moved out from the economic malaise.

TWU International President James C. Little set the tone in his opening report when he said, “It took us eight years to get back to the White House. It makes a big difference.” He noted that the eight years of the Bush presidency were some of the most hostile to labor, ameliorated only by labor’s success in adding worker-friendly legislators to the House and Senate.

Little said Obama’s stimulus legislation would create and retain jobs for America’s workers, but added that while it was good for transportation as a whole, it was short on funding for mass transit. He vowed that TWU would join with allies to rectify that problem. Little detailed a number of previously reported staff changes and how the realignment will improve service to the locals and strengthen the union in legislative and organizing initiatives.

Little also introduced, for the first time as Administrative Vice President, Susan Resch to the meeting, who received a standing ovation.  Resch is the first woman to fill that role.

The union’s finances were reviewed by Secretary-Treasurer Joseph C. Gordon, who said that while TWU was not immune to the economic meltdown, “the effect was minimized by our conservative investment approach.”  Gordon continued: “We take our financial responsibility seriously, but we’re not here to make a profit. We’re here to service the locals. We’re ready to spend for the right reasons.”

Political and Legislative Director Portia Reddick White gave a positive report on the union’s activities on Capitol Hill, underscoring President Little’s pledge to lobby for maximum funding for public transportation in the stimulus and budgetary processes. 

Transit, Utility, Universities and Service Division Director Susan Resch reported on recent settlements of contracts in the Division, including settlements for 6 TWU-covered groups and 17 ongoing negotiations.

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.  He added with dismay that 33 of 44 ATD Locals were at some stage of federal mediation on their agreements.  “I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” said Conley.

Railroad Division Director Gary Maslanka reported on Congressional passage of a major passenger rail funding bill that among other things authorizes funding for Amtrak through 2013.

Civil and Human Rights Department Chair Sandra Burleson reported on TWU’s participation in this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in New Orleans, as well as issues discussed at the annual TWU Working Women’s Committee meeting in San Francisco late last year.

Special guest speaker Karen E. Philbrick, Assistant Director of the National Center for Intermodal Transportation gave a powerpoint presentation on how stress and fatigue in the workplace effects safety.  Health and Safety Coordinator Ed Watt has worked with Karen’s organization in examining these factors among New York City transit workers. 

Other reports were presented by General Counsel David Rosen, Organizing Director Frank McCann; COPE Director Hubert Snead, Education and Research Director Bob Wechsler, Gaming Division Director Joe Carbon and Communications Director Jim Gannon.