Campaign Unit

 

The TWU Campaign Unit was created in 2015 by the International Administrative Committee (IAC) to help execute strategic organizing, contract, and political campaigns. The unit is managed by International Administrative Vice President and Transit, Universities, Utilities and Services Division Director Curtis Tate.

Initially, the Campaign Unit took on three major campaigns: the American Airlines unity campaign, the Southwest Airlines contract campaign, and the 2016 GOTV campaign, each with different models. Today, TWU International aims to help its locals run similar campaigns, and for the Campaign Unit to create a menu of options and capacities from which locals can choose should they want to collaborate with the unit and utilize some of its expertise and resources. This reflects TWU’s ongoing commitment to move from a servicing model to an organizing model: as locals face big contract challenges, political hurdles, or internal organizing opportunities, we hope they will consider engaging with the International not just to request guidance on union administrative duties or advice on an arbitration or an appeal, but rather, to work collaboratively on developing messaging strategies, a campaign plan and calendar, metrics to measure success, communications materials, and other key elements of a successful campaign.

The unit works at the direction of the IAC on the union’s largest campaigns across every division, every local and every region, assisting with campaign identification, budgeting and strategic planning; audience and target assessment; data, metrics and information collection; organizing 101; materials generation; social, digital and traditional communication; polling, research and message development; solidarity and other actions; and legislative and political efforts. Get involved with our campaigns  on our home page to support your TWU brothers and sisters.

Join The Letter Campaign!

Tell Your Elected Official to Support the Cabin Air Safety Act of 2019

Join the Campaign

Cabin air contamination onboard aircraft on commercial flights has become increasingly common in recent years.

 

Protect Your Job and Your Health

 

If you experience sickness due to a cabin air fume event, note the following in your report:

  • Flight number and tail number of aircraft
  • Departure and landing location • Approximate time of incident
  • Length of the incident
  • Maintenance records on the aircraft — was there any malfunction or problems with the bleed air system?

 

When you see the Doctor, it is important that you tell him/her what happened on the aircraft and the following:

  • Any odors/smells, or visible mist?
  • When did you first start having symptoms?
  • What immediate symptoms did you have, i.e. headache, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
  • What symptoms you still have. While many cabin crew members get better in a few days, you may experience symptoms that can last for weeks or months.

 

While there are still no specific routine tests for the chemicals in bleed air, there are some tests that can be done by your doctor that can help diagnosis and guide treatment. Make sure you ask for an arterial blood gas test.

These “fume events” refer to a potentially toxic environment created by contaminated bleed air used to pressurize and ventilate aircraft cockpit and cabins, and are accompanied by reports of abnormal odors, smoke, haze or fumes in the cabin.

Bleed air contamination is not the only cause of fume events or medical symptoms among passengers and crew. Reduced oxygen levels, ozone, de-icing fluids, insecticides, fuel vapor, and fumes from ground service vehicles or other aircraft may also be responsible.

Respiratory symptoms appear to be the most common initial symptoms following air quality incidents. Although they often resolve quickly, irritant-induced asthma may persist for more than 3 months following the exposure episode.

Neurological and psychiatric symptoms may in some cases be more persistent. These include headaches, confusion, loss of balance, lightheadedness, muscle weakness, movement disorders, numbness, cognitive dysfunction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, sleep and anxiety disorders.

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