NY Supreme Court Justice Upholds Local 100 Contract

A Manhattan Supreme Court Justice on December 11 upheld provisions of the Local 100 contract decided by an arbitration panel earlier this year. The MTA, pleading poverty, said the panel had made legal and factual errors.

Justice Peter Sherwood ruled that the arbiters had logical reasons for their decision, most notably that the Local 100 terms are similar to those the city granted other municipal workers. The TWU members are due 11.3% in raises over three years. Police officers, firefighters, sanitation workers and other city employees received annual 4% raises in those contracts, some of which extend into 2012. “In the current economic environment, the award ….is a rich package, but it is not unique,” Sherwood wrote.

Current Local 100 President and TWU International VP Roger Toussaint, who did not run for another term as Local 100 President, issued the following statement:

Statement by Roger Toussaint

The court has upheld our arbitration awards and rejected the MTA’s petition to vacate them. This takes us an important step closer to Local 100 members getting what is rightfully ours.

The MTA went to court to hold up the award in order to punish transit workers and also because elements at the MTA and outside the MTA - notably, the Mayor and certain tabloids - were genuinely upset with the terms.

One term that upset those elements was the 11.3% wage settlement. This settlement is in line with what other public sector employees got in the previous year, but these elements did not want transit workers to get the same terms as other public employees.

Especially upsetting for them was the cap on the health benefits contribution at 1.5% on 40 hours pay. This change is worth nearly an additional 1% in wages. The panel carefully weighed the dollar value of this change, but for these elements this change hurt far more than its dollar value.

Making this change was a priority of ours in the negotiations and in arbitration. Coming out of the strike, we said this was fixable and we are delivering on that. This change is significant in itself and opens up a pathway to further address and resolve this issue in coming years.

The Court has found that the award was made with a solid legal footing, amply complying with the law. The MTA should do the right thing and honor the award now. Anything else would just be stalling out of sheer meanness.

The MTA has been given a small window to avoid continuing on its perilous course. The rule of law must be applied to them as it was applied to transit workers.
Transit workers have won an important victory in having our right to a solid contract award confirmed. We should continue to take all appropriate measures to safeguard this.

Keep the Flying Public Safe

Offshore aviation maintenance is a disaster waiting to happen. American Airlines is the only major air carrier that keeps the bulk of its repair work here in the United States. TWU members who go through necessary background checks and training maintain AA planes and ensure passenger safety. Foreign maintenance allows companies to forgo employee background checks and FAA inspectors are forbidden from making spot checks and surprise inspections.

TWU continues to fight to keep aircraft maintenance here at home and keep the flying public safe. Read more here.

HR 4217 Extended - Again

With time running out, the House passed HR 4217 on December 8th, extending funding of the Federal Aviation Administration through March 2010.

The FAA has been operating under a series of extensions since its authorization expired back in 2007. Without Tuesday’s critical “yes” vote to extend funding, the latest extension would have expired Dec. 31, 2009 with Congress in recess for the holidays.

"Although the House passed an FAA reauthorization bill last Congress, the Senate did not, resulting in the need for a series of short-term extension acts that, unfortunately, continues to this day," said Representative James Oberstar (D-MN) Chair of the House Transportation Committee.

Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL), Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, echoed Oberstar's comments. "The FAA has been operating under a string of short-term extensions for over two years since the last FAA reauthorization bill expired," he said in the well of the House. "Short-term extensions and uncertain funding levels can be disruptive to the aviation industry and communities because they do not allow them to plan for long-term growth. Frankly, every month that goes by without a long-term FAA authorization is a lost opportunity to improve aviation safety, security, and to create and maintain jobs around the country."

Additionally, HR 4217 extends aviation taxes and allows the FAA to spend those tax revenues on programs it deems necessary to safe operations in the aviation industry.

Local 550 Enters Negotiations with Southwest

Dispatchers at Southwest Airlines, represented by TWU Local 550, opened negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement today, Dec. 11.

"We look forward to continuing a positive relationship with Southwest Airlines during the negotiation and obtaining an agreement that truly recognizes the outstanding service and unparalleled safety records our dispatchers provide Southwest every day," said International Representative Gary Shults. “We are confident that the current relationship the TWU has with the airline will bring a fruitful contract for our members that recognizes their value to the daily operation.”

Southwest dispatchers’ previous 12-year contract became amendable November 30, 2009 and the Local looks forward to negotiating the solid new contract. Local 550 was formed when the dispatchers’ independent employee association merged with the TWU last fall. The Local now represents about 180 employees.

DLPA Selects 2010 Interns

The Department of Legislative and Political Affairs is happy to announce the interns who have been selected to participate in the 2010 DLPA Internship Program. 

Bernie Burkett- Local 1
Agnes Carbonell-Local 542
Shannon Jones- Local 555 (alternate)
Andrew Jordan- Local 208 (alternate)
Daniel Knasick-Local 562
Jeffrey Mitchell-Local 291
Tracey Moore-Local 100
Bryan Orozco-Local 556 (alternate)
Flora Ortega - Local 291 (alternate)
Sharon Polk-Local 502
Martin Ribarich - Local 505 (alternate)
Sharon Riffle-Local 565
Joe Tolbert- Local 513
Ricky Towers-Local 721 (alternate)

TWU Women’s Committee Empowering Union Leaders

The TWU Women's Committee was formed to fill a clear need for union women to collaborate and learn from each other; members genuinely adhere to their powerful motto "Each one, teach one." Since the seed of the WC was planted over ten years ago in the form of a subcommittee within the Civil and Human Rights Committee with eleven appointees, it has grown to include the regular participation of more than 100 TWU women and several TWU men.

Today, both the Transit and Air Divisions and some locals have their own Women's Committees called Working Women's Committees (WWCs) and they are continuing to grow at the local level out of the dedication of women involved with their Division WWCs.

The great success of WWC pioneers is a testimony to the importance of a Committee dedicated to women and their specific concerns. Examples of ground-breaking TWU women leaders and Women's Committee pioneers include: Director of Transit, Utility, University and Services Division and Administrative VP Susan Resch, Director of the Civil and Human Rights Committee and current Chair of the WWC Sandra Burleson, Director of the Department of Legislative and Political Affairs Portia Reddick White, President of Local 101 Marsha Spinowitz, Sec. Treasurer of Local 101 Josephine Arroyo, Organizer Linda Dill, Local 502 Rec, Secretary Sharon Polk and many other local officers.

"The Women's Committee is the reason I am here today," said the first Chair of the ATD WWC and Organizer Linda Dill. "It allowed a platform of education and volunteering opportunities I wanted to be a part of, that growth led me to a chance to become an Organizer within our TWU."

Other TWU women leaders share Dill's sentiments. Director of the Transit Division Susan Resch said, "I've always felt the support among all the leadership in the TWU in recognizing the role that women play in the union, but the assistance of my sisters really gave me the re-enforcement I needed to know I could make a difference in a leadership role."

"There is a clear connection between women in the Committees and those taking leadership positions in their Locals," said Burleson. "When we first started we had no women leaders in the Air Division at all and now we have evolved to the point where many women are holding higher offices and are on Executive Boards."

Director of the DLPA Portia Reddick White, formerly a Southwest flight attendant and the first co-chair of the ATD WWC, explained that many union women who were performing non-traditional female jobs, such as fleet service clerks, were not becoming involved in the union the same way men were. In a male dominated world, some women felt they wouldn't be taken seriously, others did not feel confident enough to initiate necessary changes on their own behalf.

"So, we saw the situation where there was a void and a necessity to help move women into leadership roles and we started to do so," said Reddick White. "Today I see women who are much more poised and have more self-esteem and are expressing how they feel and what they need. We've come a long way."

The Transit Division, which historically has had more women members and leaders than other TWU Divisions, has seen an increase in female leadership since the start of the WC.

Support from Union Brothers
When he was Director of the Air Transport Division, International President James C. Little, approached some women involved in local WWC's to help develop a Working Women's Committee specifically for the ATD. Today, as the Int'l President, Little continues to support and allot resources to the WC and WWC's, helping to foster their growth. "I recognized the need to get our union sisters more involved with the TWU and with the movement," said Little. "It was very important to me to make sure we had the voices of all our members represented, including women. The WWC has helped strengthen the union by successfully encouraging women to step into leadership roles." TWU Brothers are always welcome and encouraged to join the WWC; many male leaders at the local and International levels regularly participate.

There are a whole host of issues that affect us both," said Resch. "There are a lot of single parents, whether male or female. And everyone is interested in health care and getting updates on the issue; the WWC is a great place for us to share our individual stories and to network and be resources to each other." Recognizing Women Leaders Recently, Local 100 held it's 6th annual women's conference where Burleson, Resch and Spinowitz were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments: Resch is the first-ever female Int'l Admin. VP and Director of Transit of TWU; Burleson serves as both the head of TWU's Civil and Human Rights Department and the Women's Committe, and Spinowitz has served as president of TWU Local 101 for 23 years, making her the union's longest serving local president.

In early October the ATD Working Women's Committee met at the ATD headquarters for its third meeting of the year. At the meeting Local 513's Angi Tucker was elected Chair, Local 555's Margaret Sadler was elected Co-chair and Local 575's Diana Thomas was elected Secretary (shown in the photo on page 3).

Transit Division officers are: Chair, Local 171 President Delisa Brown and Secretary, Local 234 VP Allison Cooper.

Also, at the recent Coalition of Union Women (CLUW) Sandra Burleson was elected a Vice President, Sue Resch was elected to the executive board and Sharon Polk was elected an E-Board alternate. The women of the WC urge all TWU brothers and sisters to get involved with the Committees and to become members of CLUW. For more information go to www.CLUW.org.

Learning From the Students

The smarter we are the more we learn from those around us. That's certainly true of a group of students who have been working to better conditions for sweatshop workers overseas.

United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) learned their social activism and tactics from the labor movement and now we in the labor movement can relearn some valuable lessons from the students.

USAS scored its biggest victory in November when its campaign convinced Russell Athletic, one of the largest U.S. sportswear firms, to reopen a plant in Honduras and rehire 1,200 workers. Russell closed the factory in January shortly after the workers had unionized.

The key to the students' success was convincing a number of major universities to cancel their licensing agreements with Russell. Sales of sweatshirts and other apparel with the colleges' logos are a lucrative part of Russell's business.

USAS also took their campaign to professional sports teams licensed to Russell and some big retailers who sell the garments.

In addition to rehiring the 1,200 workers, Russell also agreed not to fight unionization at its other factories in Honduras. Not surprisingly, union leaders in Honduras - some of whom had received death threats over the years - hailed the agreement.

The big lesson for those of us in the labor movement who are often discouraged by the slow pace of progress is that this was not an overnight victory. It followed 10 years of creating a movement to convince universities to adopt codes of conduct for the factories where their logo apparel is produced. The students also used sit-ins over the years to get the universities to finance an independent group to monitor factory working conditions.

Mike Powers, a Cornell official who is involved in the monitoring group, said Russell's closing of the Honduran factory was a direct violation of the university's code of conduct, which includes workers' right to freedom of association - and that includes joining a union if they wish.

Another lesson for us in the labor movement is that the students reached out beyond the schools where USAS has chapters. The additional support at 100 other colleges gave them greater strength. USAS also got 65 members of Congress to sign a letter expressing concern over Russell's actions.

Because the students had used militant tactics, such as lengthy sit-ins, in the past, they didn't need them now. The schools remembered.

I don't know about you, but if I were grading these students, I'd give them an A-plus.

Local 291 Wins Prestigious Political Awards

Earlier this year, Local 291 won the Reed Awards, presented by the Campaigns & Elections Politics magazine, for its work on a political campaign in fall of 2008 to stop layoffs and service reductions in Miami-Dade County. The award is in recognition of excellence in political communications. The Local campaigned heavily against County Manager George Burgess through extensive leafleting, phone banking, talk show appearances and newspaper ads, including the "Rain Lady," shown at right. Congratulations to Local 291 on its award for outstanding work on behalf of its members and community. You can read more about the campaign in the October, 2008 issue of The Express, found at www.twu.org/international/members.

Third VMO Training Held at Local 514

The Volunteer Member Organizing training program held its third class recently at Local 514 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The day was a great success with more than 30 participants. At the training sessions, participants learn about basic union organizing: how to approach workers about unions, how to identify targets for TWU and situations where locals may be losing work to non-union companies, how to home visit potential union members and the basic laws of worker's rights.

"You guys have re-motivated me, re-reminded me and rejuvenated me," said training participant Marco Enriquez. "It brings it back to me that if I don't stay engaged, if you don't stay engaged, if we all don't stay engaged then who's going to do all the work that needs to be done for our union?"

The program builds member engagement and teaches members how to strengthen the union through organizing, help their communities and make a difference in the lives of working people who need help becoming union.

"We are on a great movement here with training and reminding our members it is time to take ownership of their union and be a part of the solution," said Organizer Linda Dill who runs the training sessions along with Organizing Director Frank McCann.

Become a VMO and strengthen your local and your union. To learn more about becoming a VMO and to find out about upcoming sessions visit www.twu.org/International/vmo or call 1-888-JOIN-TWU.

Local 100 Holds WIdows & Orphans Gala

More than 200 guests gathered for the annual Local 100 Widows & Orphans Gala on November 18, including Int'l President James C. Little and Administrative Assistant to the Int'l President Jeffrey L. Brooks Sr.

International Representative Carl Martin (left) administers oath of office to newly-elected officers of Local 222, who are employees of RailCrew Express in Nebraska. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted during training session for elected and appointed officers and stewards coordinated by TWU's Education and Research Department with help from the University of Nebraska's Institute for Labor Studies. Omaha Local 223 President Joe Boncordo also lent an assist.225 Swears In new officers International Representative Jerome Lafragola swore in Local 225's new officers on Oct. 1, 2009. The Local represents bus company workers in New Jersey.

Local 241 Turkey Give-Away to All Members

For its 20th year in a row, Local 241 sponsored its annual holiday turkey give-away to all of its 800 members this Thanksgiving. Pictured are members and Local officers who helped with the distribution, including President Enso Rodriguez, Treasurer Dino Centrone, Vice President Sebastian DePalma, and Board Members Juan Diaz and Steve Jones.

TWU State Conferences Continue to Spread

TWU local 225 branch 4 scores big victory TWU Local 225 Branch 4 mobilized its membership to trounce a raid of TWU's Brick Township New Jersey schools unit in the middle of delicate contract negotiations. Members turned back this attempt by a renegade group to disrupt negotiations by an overwhelming 85% vote with nearly all members voting.

Transit Director and Administrative Vice President Susan Resch, a former Brick municipal employee, complimented Local 225 Branch 4's President Chris Mikkelson and his teams quick response in mobilizing his membership and Local activists to beat back the hostile takeover.

A number of rallies and meetings were held in Brick where various TWU and labor representatives spoke. "We have been here for almost 40 years negotiating strong contracts, said Resch, and clearly our members understand that the TWU provides the best representation." TWU International President Jim Little added, "The TWU appreciates the loyalty and support that the Local 225 membership vote spoke to; as well as their mandate entrusting us with the ability to continue to provide them with strong contracts in the future."

President Mikkelson thanked the volunteer core of members and retirees who made the landslide victory possible: "It couldn't happen without the tireless work of our volunteers who went door-to-door and made phone calls."

That volunteer group included Sec'y Treas. Joyce Kramer, Rec. Secretary Margaret Reddan, VP Scott Sargent, Brick Chair and E-Board Member Lisa Hand, Sue Carbone, Kathy Bennett, Bobbie O'Brien, Maureen Bresee, Diana DesJardins, Pete DeRosa, Ann Morgan, Claire Gianettino, Hank Sneyers, Tom and Ann Fiorentino, Ann Morgan, Gloria Dykes, Dale Cali, Celina Suckiel, Holly Miller, Joe Ernst, Kenneth Estelle, Robert Gianettino, John Gianettino, Annmarie Hubert, Arthur Johnson John Mills and Diane Nase. TWU's State Conferences continue to spread across the nation, with three recent successful Conferences in Nevada/Arizona in late October, Ohio in late November and Georgia in early December.

The Ohio State Conference was held at Local 208's Union Hall in Columbus, Ohio with participation from all TWU Locals located in the area, and largely addressed the issue of how high-speed rail stimulus money was going to be allocated in the area. Along with Ohio State Rep. Robert Hagan, COPE Director Hubert Snead, COPE Political Field Assistant Terry Daniels and Acting President of Local 208 Kenny Rawls attended the Ohio Rail Development Commission and met with the Ohio Department of Transportation. Sec. Treasurer of Local 2019 Greg Petkosh represented his Local and President of the Local Fred Fink. Also during the Conference Snead presented Carol Perkins (photo above), President of the Columbus County Board of Education with a check for $1,000 to support her campaign.

Daniels, who is the Chairman of the Ohio State Conference, explained, "The state conferences really give us a great opportunity to make ties to communities and to go into states and cities and lobby on behalf of members and work with legislators to make decisions that favor Labor and working families."

The first Nevada-Arizona State Conference was held in Las Vegas at the Gaming Division Office on Oct. 27, hosted by Director of the TWU Gaming Division Joe Carbon and Int'l Organizer Steve Roberts. Locals 502, 555, 556 and 721 were represented and COPE Political Field Assistant Gwen Dunivent and Legislative and Political Rep. Alex Garcia chaired the meeting and explained the State Conference program vision to build relationships with local legislators and the community in order to promote legislation that is favorable for working families. All participants were very enthusiastic and discussions focused on the up-coming elections in 2010 and each Local's particular political challenges.

See the next issue of the Express for information on the Georgia State Conference held in mid-December.

American Airlines Closes MCI Maintenance Base

Local 542 Dispatchers Sign Contract After 8 months of intense negotiations with Horizon Airlines, Local 542 Dispatchers and the company reached an agreement. The new contract was ratified and signed on September 25, 2009. The agreement is two years in duration and covers 16 members working at Horizon's Flight Control Center in Portland, Oregon. American Airline's maintenance operations in Kansas City, Detroit, the Twin Cities and San Jose will be closing over the next year. The ongoing and unrelenting pressure created by economic uncertainty, instability, unpredictable revenue streams and overcapacity has contributed to an overall industry contraction. The lingering effect of frequent mismanagement and a deregulated environment combined with cutthroat domestic and international competition has led to the disheartening turmoil that has now affected TWU members at the Kansas City maintenance base and their families.

"The men and women impacted by this closing are of the highest caliber, consistently meeting or exceeding expectations while responding to every challenge," said ATD Director John M. Conley. "We know this decision by AMR is completely unrelated to the quality, skill, work ethic and professional behavior exhibited by those affected – performance is not the question."

The TWU has worked closely with AMR in recent years, even before the current recession, to market our facilities to other airlines and to find new ways to boost productivity. However, TWU efforts to save jobs have been hindered by the decline in travel over the past year. The TWU does not expect the base to close until late 2010 and remains hopeful that industry conditions will improve and allow many of our members to find work elsewhere in the company.

Local 1400 Tunnel & Bridge Agents Rack Up ‘Green Cross’ Awards

Since 1973 thousands of firefighters and rescue workers have received the prestigious Green Cross award. This award is a symbol of recognition for those who have used Hurst Jaws of Life tools to extricate trapped drivers in motor vehicle accidents. At the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, and George Washington Bridge, 75 awards have been issued to Tunnel and Bridge Agents who are members of TWU Local 1400.

On October 21, the union's Tunnel and Bridge Agents were saluted for receiving multiple awards. Pictured at the George Washington Bridge are TBAs with 15 or more Green Cross awards. They are Howard Cohen (GWB), Richard Cravello (Lincoln Tunnel) and Troy Mosby (GWB). TBAs Kenneth Zimmer (Lincoln Tunnel) and Moises Gomez (GWB) were similarly honored but not available for the photo.

Willie James

Willie James, the first African American president of TWU Local 100, passed away on Oct. 30 at the age of 73.

Willie James was a pioneer in many regards and will be remembered as such," said TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint. "The entire Local 100 membership mourns his passing."

Then Secretary-Treasurer of the Local, he was appointed President by the Executive Board in 1996. He was subsequently elected to that office and served in it through December 2000.

James was raised in Harlem by a working mother and served in the military and as a police officer before hiring on in 1967 as a Bus Operator at the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transportation Operating Authority.

Before becoming Secretary-Treasurer and President, he held several other Local offices. As Director of Training and Upgrade, he saw the first two women members advance from the title of Cleaner to Bus Maintainer.

He also served at various times on the Board of Directors of the Municipal Credit Union, where he was Acting Chairman and Chairman from 2007 to 2009, the Executive Board of the NAACP, and as Deacon at Mount Harmon Baptist Church. He was also a founding member of the Society of African American Transit Employees.

His wife Rosabelle passed away in 2005. James is survived by his children, Daisy Moyd and Charles James, his three grandsons, eleven great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, his sister Janet Surrency Monroe, and the 38,000 members of his Union.

“When We Fight We Win” Strike Ends in Victory

TWU's Philadelphia Local shut down the city's transportation system after months of extended deadlines and little progress forced Local 234 to strike in the middle of the night in early November. The tactic resulted in a solid contract that provides an 11.5% raise over five years with a $1,250 signing bonus; the right for the union to select which contract grievances go to arbitration and in what order a win that will help to eliminate the discrimination caused by lack of "picking" rights (the right for employees to choose their equipment and job placement based on seniority); the prevention of the authority to place the burden of health care benefit tax on the backs of workers and the ability to maintain the existing dental plan, among other provisions.

SEPTA attempted to use the country's recession as an excuse to give little in the new contract and ask for a lot in return by proposing to cut members' wages and pensions significantly. Local 234 President Willie Brown would not stand for this, especially because the authority has been operating at record-high levels. "Ridership and revenue levels are the highest the authority has seen in years putting them in a position to really work with us, but they just would not budge," said TWU Administrative Assistant to the Int'l President and former Local 234 President Jeffrey L. Brooks, Sr.

Another key issue in the negotiations was a provision the authority proposed that would make workers responsible for tax on benefits passed in health care legislation. This issue was resolved when TWU negotiators referred the provision to the Joint Labor Management Cost Containment Committee. "Meaning that if the union and management can't come to an agreement, then the provision is resolved in committee," said Brooks.

The Local held its strike authorization vote on Oct. 25, where members unanimously voted to strike. The strike was planned for 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 31 when the World Series games would be played at Philadelphia's Citizen's Bank Park. Late on Oct. 30 Pennsylvania's Gov. Ed Rendell pleaded with Brown not to strike and promised to mediate between the two parties.

Another key issue that led to the last resort of a strike was a question over an audit of the authority's pension funds. SEPTA has always underfunded its workers' pensions and, in the proposed contract, was asking them to contribute more for less in return.

While reviewing SEPTA's predicted costs for the provisions in the contract, the Local noticed that responsible and honest management of the funds was in question. When asked to allow a forensic audit of the pensions the authority refused and told Brown, "take (the contract) or leave it."

Brown could not accept that contract so several hours later, at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, all of Local 234's City, Frontier and Suburban division members went on strike. The rank and file held down the picket lines as the negotiating team battled with SEPTA over the right to a fair and equitable contract.

"The strike was something I had to do, not something I wanted to do to inconvenience anybody," said Brown. "It is our only tool of survival, and it was effective in the end."

The tactic was also a way for the Local to fight for other city unions whose contracts would expire soon and who the local government wanted to force to accept zero percent raises. "If we didn't take zeros, they'd have a hard time giving others that," said Brown. We were the first, so they figured if they make us take it they'll make everyone else take it too," but SEPTA is in much better financial condition than the city.

Local 234 members and leadership remained steadfast and refused to take a poor deal. "They say cut backs, we say fight back," became a regular chant at picket locations around the city.

On Nov. 9, Local 234 negotiators reached a tentative agreement with SEPTA, ending the six-day strike, and members overwhelmingly ratified the contract on Nov. 20.

Read more about the strike and the contracts for each transit division at www.twu.org/International/transit.

Top That!

When three local activists engage in a friendly rivalry with their contributions to COPE, the union's political fund, the big winner is TWU's legislative agenda, which is likely to enjoy a better reception in Congress.

The Local 556 officers, representing Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants, have recently taken the lead in their COPE contributions. President Thom McDaniel, Stewards Don Shipman (Chicago) and Steven Romero (Baltimore) have engaged in a friendly "bidding war" and stepped up to the plate financially to sign up for monthly contributions far beyond their previous levels - above $100 per month. Here are what these three COPE heroes have to say about their decision to donate such a significant portion of their paychecks to COPE:

Thom McDaniel: "I began contributing $1.00 per month to COPE in 1996 when a Union Officer explained to me how important it was to elect politicians who would support working people. He explained that TWU can not use dues money, but that if we each contributed a little we could make a difference."

Although he steadily increased his contributions over the years, the huge problems facing working people convinced McDaniel to up his contribution at the TWU Convention this fall. "When I found out what the highest contribution was, I filled out a card for $5.00 more. I should have known that Don and Steven would one-up me and I'm glad they did. I owe my great job and great contract to my Union, but we need to continue to elect strong labor friendly leaders to protect what we have worked so hard for."

Steven Romero: "My decision to contribute more to TWU's Committee on Political Education (COPE) was an easy one. When my friend and mentor, (Political Field Service Assistant) Gwen Dunivent, proudly announced recently at a COPE meeting that our Local had the highest contributors to the COPE fund, I knew I wasn't among them. It was then that I decided to join the friendly and ongoing rivalry between fellow TWU members, Thom and Don. I believe strongly in COPE's purpose to educate and support candidates who will vote for working families and I know that since we cannot use our dues money, we have to contribute to COPE if we want to have a voice."

Don Shipman: "I have always been politically active and observed how our lawmakers at the State and Federal level can impact our lives at work and at home. Most importantly, I want a way to hold these elected officials accountable for their votes and their voices - after the election is over. I know that our COPE dollars not only help elect the right people, but also help guarantee us a voice after the election. I think it is great that Thom and Steven are willing to engage with me in a competition for such a worthy cause."

No one is happier with the Local 556 rivalry than COPE Director Hubert Snead, who'd like to see more members up their contributions. "So how about it TWU?" he asks. "Is there a Local out there that is ready to bump Local 556 from the top spot and raise those COPE contributions? Thom, Steven and Don are certainly all COPE heroes, but the sky is the limit on your COPE donations, so go to www.twu.org, click on the Legislative tab, and then click on COPE to raise your donation today."

Columbus Restoration

Ever since President Obama signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on February 17, 2009, the benefits of this legislation have slowly been arriving in the towns and cities where TWU members live and work.

TWU Administrative Vice President Susan Resch, the union's Transit Division Director, is pleased that the government money is "aiding our members, working men and women who need a boost during these difficult economic times."

Local 208 in Columbus, Ohio has been an early beneficiary of the stimulus funding, which has added or preserved scores of jobs. The public has also gained from improved service.

According to Ken Rawls, who has been serving as Acting President of Local 208, the government money allowed COTA, the local transit agency, to completely refurbish a closed depot and return it to 24-7 service. The rededication of the Fields Avenue facility was a major event, drawing U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Mayor Michael Coleman and other dignitaries.

According to Rawls, the other major depot, McKinley Avenue, also operates around the clock, but only five days a week, so getting the Fields Avenue facility back was a major boost for the transit system. The newly renovated bus storage and maintenance facility occupies a 275,130-sf building. The facility accommodates 180 coaches, 12 vehicle maintenance bays and two bus washes. Two of the three phases of the project were completed in September of 2009, with the remainder scheduled by the end of the year.

Rawls estimates that reopening Fields Avenue, which was closed for four years, has already added 20 jobs for Bus Maintainers and 50 for Operators, with possibly more on the way as COTA expands service.

Local 212 members in Columbus are also benefitting from stimulus funds as the city has opened a new paratransit center. Local 212 represents the drivers, but TWU hopes to convince management to bring maintenance work, currently contracted-out, back in shop. International Administrative Vice President Hubert Snead, COPE Director and a former Local 208 President, was impressed with the makeover of the Fields Avenue facility and predicted it would benefit TWU members and the community for years to come.

"It underlined for me the importance of our COPE contributions," he said. "Those dollars and the lobbying we do ensure that the politicians take the kind of actions that will create and preserve jobs, as well as make life better for those who rely on public transportation."

TWU Across the Nation

AKRON, OHIO
Following TWU's entrance in the Committee for Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1937, Local 1 was chartered to cover employees of the Akron Transportation Company.

A first contract established union pay scales and working conditions. The following year the contract renewal included a closed shop clause. Further progress was made in 1939, 1940, and 1941 pacts.

With the war-time controls on prices and pay, the union had to petition the War Labor Board for any increases. In 1943, the union was able to break through the Little Steel Formula of 15 percent by securing Local 1's members a 25 percent increase.

Following WWII, employers in America set out to break organized labor's back. Workers in Akron, the nation's rubber center, were a principle target. Local 1 was pushed into a bitter 13-day strike in 1945, and a 12-day strike in 1946 to win decent contracts.

Today the Local represents about 300 employees of the Metro Regional Transit Authority.

THE LONG ISLAND STORY
TWU arrived on Long Island, NY, when it won a State Labor Board representation election over two company unions among Bee-Line, Long Beach Bus and Utility Lines workers on Feb. 17, 1941 and was chartered as Local 252.

The Long Island story is replete with strikes and struggles to save the jobs and lift the pay, benefits and working conditions of these workers to TWU standards. A 14 percent pay increase to 80 cents an hour for Operators highlighted the first contract. Later, the 1944 agreement secured time-and-a-half after 40 hours a week with the guarantee of 48. In January of 1946 these Long Island busmen had to strike for 13 days to raise the Operator's rate 12 cents an hour to $1.35. That top rate was obtained after two years. Today, the Local continues to represent bus and transit workers on Long Island.

COLUMBUS, OHIO
The Columbus & Southern Electric Co. bus workers voted for TWU representation in a Nov. 12, 1941 National Labor Relations Board election. In April of the following year, the fist contact raised wages 7, 8, and 9 cents an hour. The 1943 agreement added 8 cents more.

In October, 1945, an agreement added 9 cents an hour in wages and improved hours, vacation, and meal relief. In December of the following year, an arbitration victory netted 15 cents an hour more.

Today, Locals 208 and 212 represent workers in Columbus, Ohio.

NEW JERSEY
Bus workers at Manhattan Transit and Westwood Coach in New Jersey abandoned their company unions in November, 1941 to enroll in the rapidly growing ranks of TWU. They were soon joined by their cohorts at Orange and Black and Mohawk Coach Lines. Contracts were negotiated for these three groups.

Orange and Black negotiators successfully reached agreements, but a 10-day strike was necessary in December, 1945 to secure a 14-cent-an-hour increase and time-and-a-half after eight hours in a day, with a nine hour guarantee for Manhattan Transit, Westwood Transportation, and Mohawk Coach Workers.

The O & B workers added a 15.8 percent boost in Jan. 1946, and bus men at the other three lines got 16 cents more to $1.28 an hour on Jan. 1, 1947. Gray Line employees, who had just joined Local 225, went to $1.25 an hour in the same month.

Local 225 representation had expanded to seven companies by January 1, 1949, when wages were boosted by 15.1 cents an hour, and holidays, vacations, and benefits were also improved. The following year O & B and Gray Line had to be struck to win small pay increases, extra men's guarantee, and better vacations. The Manhattan and Westwood members were later granted the same gains.

Today, Local 225 has four separate branches and represents bus and transit workers and employees of several municipalities in New Jersey.

REAPING GAINS IN OMAHA
When TWU first came on the property of the Omaha Transit Company in 1941, Operators there earned a measly 56 cents an hour. They had no paid vacation or holidays with pay, no protections if illness or injury struck, and the pension plan was not up to TWU standards.

The first contract was ratified on Nov. 28, 1941 and provided pay increases of 11.6 to 13.5 percent and secured other valued improvements.

The union made substantial gains in each contract over the next 10 years. But those improvements were then endangered when Omaha Transit merged with the nearby Council Bluffs Iowa transit company, and tried to weaken the union's effectiveness by splitting the workers.

But Local 223 rose to the occasion by conducting a hard-hitting organizing and education effort among the Council Bluffs workers. It paid off with a smashing TWU NLRB election victory. A new contract covering the recently merged work force secured the highest pay rates in this Midwest region.

Today, Local 223 continues to represent transit workers in Omaha.

Building the Future

Angela Cox of TWU Local 555 has been selected to receive a Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship from the AFL-CIO's Union Plus benefits program. In addition to a small cash award to pursue her studies, Cox gained access to years of experience: She will be mentored by International President James C. Little, who will share his knowledge and help Cox become a better union leader.

The Union Leaders of the Future Program provides scholarships and mentoring to women and people of color who will help form the next generation of union leadership. This year 13 women and people of color representing 10 unions were awarded over $33,000 in scholarships.

"This is another example of the union movement not just talking the talk but walking the walk when it comes to diversity," says AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. "We're committed to developing a leadership that mirrors our workforce, and my message to women and people of color in that you can be anything you want to be."

Although only 29, Cox has compiled a strong union track record since becoming an Operations Agent for Southwest Airlines. She is a Shop Steward for Local 555 and worked full-time for the AFL-CIO's Labor 2008 Campaign and has been a TWU Legislative Intern in the Washington Office.

"It's not really a big base for Southwest here," Cox said, referring to Dulles International Airport in Virginia. "I used to speak up for my co-workers, and finally they told me to run for office, so I did."

She hopes that by advancing her education, she can advance her career and the interests of working families. "This scholarship and mentoring program will help give me direction in choosing my path," she says. Cox is attending the National Labor College to obtain a certificate in union administration.

When reached by the Express during a break in her studies, she was looking forward to attending her first system board meeting the following week. She praised the classes for giving her a good overview of union work, from arbitration to contract administration to organizing.

Cox believes President Little will be an ideal mentor because he will supplement classroom work with actual field experience. She hopes to be able to sort through which union roles she's best suited for. Although Cox loved her political work, she's not sure she would make it a full-time career.

President Little, who also started in the airline industry, has 35 years of experience building a strong and stable future for TWU members and working families everywhere. He said he views developing a diverse leadership as part of his legacy. "Acting as a mentor in this Union Plus program is a way of giving back. As a movement if we don't evolve, we dissolve. By sharing some of my experiences, I hope that I can help Angela overcome some of the obstacles I, and others, have faced."

The Union Leaders of the Future Program is open to union members, leaders and staff. The program provides annual awards of up to $3,000 to women and people of color to help them pursue union career goals and develop leadership skills.

For more information or to apply for a 2010 Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship, visit UnionPlus.org/Diversity.

TWU Gears Up for Changes in Passenger Rail Sector

Stimulus money allocated to rail and changes made in rail industry legislation translate into great opportunity for the TWU. The Rail Division is working hard to ensure the union is prepared to handle both opportunities and the significant challenges associated with the new focus on Passenger Rail. Rail Division Director Gary Maslanka implemented a program to keep Division officers up-to-date on current developments. As part of this program Maslanka held a Passenger Rail Workshop at the International offices on Nov. 5, where officers were provided information on significant changes in both legislation and regulations that govern Passenger Rail improvement and expansion.

The ambitious workshop covered a lot of ground including the "Vision for High-Speed Rail in America," the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA); the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), High-Speed Rail Provisions; FRA Interim Guidance for the High-Speed Rail Program; and High-Speed Grant Applications and State Rail Planning Process. The workshop included presentations and discussions with Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Portia Reddick White, Director of Organizing Frank McCann Jr. and TWU attorney Rich Edelman as well.

"I believe it is vital to keep our rail officers informed of exactly what is going on in our industry where exciting changes are happening," said Railroad Division Director Gary Maslanka.

The change in the industry started with the Obama Administration's "Vision for High-Speed Rail in America," released in April, 2009, which signaled the Administration's true commitment to Passenger Rail improvement and expansion and triggered a frenzy of interest in Passenger Rail projects throughout the country.

On July 16, the FRA reported that it had received 278 pre-applications with a price tag of $102 billion. Just days after the deadline for Track 2 Corridor Applications in early October, FRA Administrator Joe Szabo reported that the agency had received a total of 259 applications from numerous states with a total price tag of $57 billion. As stated in one news report, these applications exceeded allocated funding by 700 percent. Administrator Szabo outlined in a press release on Oct. 6 that, "due to the overwhelming response and our desire to lay the groundwork for a truly national high-speed and inter-city passenger rail program, we will be announcing all awards this winter." Announcements are expected to be made sometime after January 1, 2010.

"This is an opportunity for rail that we have not seen for a long time and we can't miss a beat in being involved and making the most of a positive change for the industry," said Maslanka.

Go to the rail blog to read the "Vision for High-Speed Rail in America," and other relevant information on changes in the industry.

Mr. Chairman

Local 513's Mark Johnson will be the first TWU member to chair the Labor Division of the National Safety Council when it meets again next spring. The gavel was passed to Johnson following the NSC's October 23-25 fall meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Johnson, a member of TWU's Health & Safety Task Force, had been Vice Chair of the NSC Labor Division for one year. Terms were recently extended so he will be the first chairperson to serve for two years, a move that is expected to provide more continuity in program development.

TWU has long been active in the NSC, which includes most of the country's largest industrial unions. Ed Watt, Director of TWU's Health & Safety Department, attended the Orlando meeting and looks forward to TWU playing a bigger role in the Labor Division. "Mark Johnson is the right man for this job at a time when safety issues can once again be addressed," Watt said. "His selection is a tribute to his hard work and dedication around safety issues. It is also a great opportunity for all trade unionists to come together around safety concerns. Every TWU member should be proud of Mark."

For Johnson, the NSC post is another role in an already busy union career. He serves as Local 513's Benefits Coordinator and Safety Chairman, as well as serving on the American Airlines System Safety Committee and Chairperson of the AA System Benefits Committee.

After becoming a Fleet Service Clerk at AA in 1987, Johnson was introduced to health and safety issues when he handled Workers' Compensation cases. "I tried to help co-workers through the process," he said, "but I also became interested in how to prevent injuries."

As a member of American's ergonomic team, Johnson was able to make recommendations to make jobs more worker-friendly. While attention to safety issues can also benefit the company's bottom line, he said, "For me, the people are more important than the money. Successful programs prevent many injuries, some of which could be life-threatening or career-ending."

Johnson is bringing his enthusiasm for health and safety to the chairperson's role at the Labor Division. A member of NSC since 2000, he believes the organization's biggest draw is the networking opportunities. "It's a great place to meet folks in your industry and come up with solutions to mutual problems," he says.

As chairperson, Johnson hopes to increase involvement by more TWU locals as well as other unions, saying that greater participation will lower overall costs and lead to safer workplaces.

"The NSC is a valuable resource," he says. "It's worth the small investment by locals. The return will far exceed the investment."

The ‘Stimulating’ New Year

The bailout of Wall Street got a lot of press this year, as taxpayers fumed about helping the rich while much of Main Street remained mired in the sharpest economic downturn since the Great Depression. The rescue of the financial industry may have been necessary, but it sure wasn't pretty.

Now that some of the money has been returned to the government - and the investment bankers are again awarding themselves huge bonuses - it's time to look at another part of President Obama's economic recovery package: the federal stimulus program.

The stimulus - an almost $800 billion package - hasn't gotten a lot of media attention, probably because it's spread out far and wide around the country. Nevertheless, the consensus among economists is that it's been a success. We in TWU agree, as we've already seen some benefits for our members, as recent articles in the Express have pointed out (see page 10 on Local 208).

While the Wall Street bailout didn't create jobs (the financial services industry actually laid off a lot of workers), stimulus projects have created many jobs, while saving even more. Stimulus projects have other benefits, such as rebuilding our fraying infrastructure and moving the U.S. towards energy independence.

One economist, Mark Zandi of Moody'sEconomy. com, says without the stimulus unemployment would be over 11% and we'd have 1.1 million fewer jobs. If anything, the experts believe the stimulus should have been bigger and that we need a second dose in the New Year. I couldn't agree more, but it must be done right. Here are some suggestions and some of the areas we are focusing on:

• Extend the lifeline for jobless workers. Unless Congress acts now, supplemental unemployment benefits, additional food assistance and expansion of COBRA health care benefits will expire at the end of 2009. They must be extended for another 12 months to prevent working families from confronting bankruptcy, home foreclosure and loss of health care. Extending benefits also will boost personal spending and create jobs throughout the economy.
• Return highly technical Aircraft Maintenance and related jobs back to U.S. maintenance bases.
• Rebuild America's infrastructure, including our transportation systems. We also need to allow transit agencies to use funds for operating assistance, so service isn't cut back at a time when more people are switching to mass transit.
• Increase aid to state and local governments to maintain vital services. State and local governments and school districts have a $178 billion budget shortfall this year alone - while the recession creates greater need for their services. States and communities must get help to maintain critical frontline services, prevent massive job cuts and avoid deep damage to education just when our children need it most.
• Put TARP funds to work for Main Street. The bank bailout helped Wall Street, not Main Street. We should put some of the billions of dollars in leftover Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to work creating jobs.

As we enter the New Year, the economic picture looks a little brighter. We saved Wall Street. Now, let's create some more jobs on Main Street.

Time to Stand Up

When I was young my Dad always told me to "Stand up for what you believe in." That was good advice then, and equally good now. We in the labor movement need to heed those words and speak up on the issues that directly affect our lives.

Fortunately, our COPE contributions give us a way to speak up loud and clear. Maybe our political friends are not hearing us, or maybe they just aren't listening. The voters (us) have spoken loud and clear on the need for mass transit. This last election saw voters pass pro-transit ballot initiatives in Colorado, Michigan and Maine, while defeating one anti-transit measure in Ohio on November 3. Taking into account the successful passage of two additional transit-related initiatives earlier in the year, the support for public transportation ballot initiatives in 2009 was overwhelming.

These votes for public transportation make it clear that the public wants more public transportation service and is willing to pay for it. And for us in the labor movement that means more jobs, good paying union jobs.

While the public has spoken by passing these ballot initiatives, Congress has still not passed the operating assistance bill, HR 2746, which is still in committee. Listen to us Congress: Pass the bill!

At a time when unemployment is high and economic uncertainty is foremost in people's minds, you might not expect people to vote to tax themselves for better public transit services. But they did time after time when given a choice at the ballot box. The fact that a majority of transit- related ballot initiatives passed means that people recognize the value of public transportation.

We need to remember that using public transportation has many benefits, not the least of which is the benefit for our environment. For us in the labor movement, the main benefit is that public transportation creates jobs, good union jobs that provide a higher quality of life.

So, listen Congress, pass the bill, or we will speak louder. And we will speak louder by increasing our political donations to the TWU COPE program so we can support those already in Congress who listen to us, as well as help elect those who want to go to Congress who will listen to us.

We cannot do this without your help. We need you to give to COPE if you are not already contributing. If you already contribute, we need you to increase that COPE donation by at least a dollar a month.

We need your help now, so that we can make sure our voices are heard as we stand up for what we believe in.

Join COPE for a Better Future.

TWU Local 225 Branch 4 Scores Big Victory!

TWU Local 225 Branch 4 mobilized its membership to trounce a raid of TWU’s Brick Township New Jersey schools unit in the middle of delicate contract negotiations. Members turned back this attempt by a renegade group to disrupt negotiations by an overwhelming 85% vote with nearly all members voting.

Transit Director and Administrative Vice President Susan Resch, a former Brick municipal employee, complimented Local 225 Branch President Chris Mikkelson and his teams quick response in mobilizing his membership and Local activists to beat back the hostile takeover.

A number of rallies and meetings were held in Brick where various TWU and labor representatives spoke. “We have been here for almost 40 years negotiating strong contracts, said Resch, and clearly our members understand that the TWU provides the best representation.” TWU International President Jim Little added, “The TWU appreciates the loyalty and support that the Local 225 membership vote spoke to; as well as their mandate entrusting us with the ability to continue to provide them with strong contracts in the future.”

President Mikkelson thanked the volunteer core of members and retirees who made the landslide victory possible: “It couldn’t happen without the tireless work of our volunteers who went door-to-door and made phone calls.”

That volunteer group included Rec. Secretary Margaret Reddan, VP Scott Sargent, Brick Chair and E-Board Member Lisa Hand, Sue Carbone, Kathy Bennett, Bobbie O’Brien, Maureen Bresee, Diana DesJardins, Pete DeRosa, Ann Morgan, Claire Gianettino, Hank Sneyers, Tom and Ann Fiorentino, Ann Morgan, Gloria Dykes, Dale Cali, Celina Suckiel, Holly Miller, Joe Ernst, Kenneth Estelle, Robert Gianettino, John Gianettino, Annmarie Hubert, Arthur Johnson John Mills and Diane Nase.

ATD Director John Conley on Carmine Romano’s Retirement and Jim Ream’s Promotion

Statement by John M. Conley, Director of the TWU Air Transport Division, on the Retirement of American Airlines’ Senior Vice President and Former TWU Member Carmine Romano and the Promotion of Jim Ream as New Senior Vice President for Maintenance & Engineering:

Carmine Romano has been a critical link in developing and maintaining a cooperative relationship between American and TWU maintenance professionals. Largely because of this relationship, American and the TWU have produced award-winning results and received recognition, while successfully defending the craft and class against the outsourcing trend that has pervaded our industry. Carmine’s leadership, respect for our members, and commitment to continuous improvement have been integral to the preservation of American jobs. We thank him for his dedication and professionalism, and wish him a happy and healthy retirement.

Additionally, the TWU welcomes Jim Ream, as Senior Vice President of Maintenance & Engineering, who is taking over for Carmine on January 1st. In the coming months, we anticipate forging a strong working relationship with Jim that builds on the one shared over the past several years on Carmine’s watch, one that will continue to put American jobs first.