On April 18-20th, labor leaders from aviation unions spanning the globe came to Washington, D.C. to discuss new strategies and tactics to match globalization in commercial aviation. The meeting of unions that represent workers employed at airlines in the oneworld alliance, included representatives from Argentina, Australia, Chile, Finland, Jordan, Panama and the United Kingdom. It concluded with the formation of the One World Of Labour Council.
View members in action at DFW over Super Bowl weekend.
TWU Talks, a new online video magazine, is THE way for American and Eagle ground workers to stay informed. Union members who register for TWU Talks will receive regular updates on contract negotiations, AMR's financial picture, developments inside TWU, and other issues affecting members.
Please take the time to register to receive future installments of TWU Talks. And encourage your union brothers and sisters to do the same. Not only will it enable you to stay current on the issues affecting your job, but you can also join the conversation at TWU Talks. In every issue you'll find "Talk to TWU", a place where you can voice your concerns and ideas.
The commercial aviation industry is in a state of flux. Now more than ever, it is important to stay engaged and abreast of changes. Be committed to "getting it" and be part of the conversation-- register for TWU Talks. An informed union is a stronger union.
To celebrate the premiere of TWU Talks, the first 1,000 members who register to receive this online video magazine will win a TWU luggage tag. Just another reason to join your fellow TWU members in keeping informed about your union's progress during these uncertain times at American and Eagle.
TWU local presidents, who represent workers at American Airlines, explained to the media on Feb. 24 next steps in the union’s contract campaign. Also discussed was TWU’s plan to work with overseas unions in the Oneworld alliance to forge common strategies and tactics. The goal is to capture more work for union members from partner airlines and to keep global union pressure on companies that are acting more as one organization than as a collection of corporate partners. A first meeting of what is being called the “One World of Labour Council” has been scheduled for April at TWU’s Washington headquarters.
“I’m outraged it has taken this long to get a good contract,” says TWU International Vice President Garry Drummond. “And I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’ve heard from a lot of people who are outraged that it’s taken this long to get what we deserve.”
Drummond, who heads the union’s Air Transport Division, speaks here on TWUTalks.com about the four-year fight for a fair contract at American Airlines, and about the TWU’s new Campaign for Justice.
In exchange for the sacrifices union members made in 2003 to keep American planes in the air, and to save the airline from bankruptcy, says Drummond, “you deserve a return on that investment.”
“During this campaign, we’re going to share the outrage that I know you feel and that I feel with you. We’re going to share this outrage through demonstrations, through advertisements, through getting our members involved. It’s member driven, it’s by the members, it’s for the members.”
“Communication needs to be a two-way street,” says Drummond, who began his career at 38 years ago at JFK airport as a ramp worker for American, and is new to his post as ATD director. “Let us know where we need to go, and help us get there. Together, we can win this battle and get a contract you all deserve.”
Union workers, their families, and TWU supporters can sign up below for information on how to get involved in campaign actions. Updates on TWU-AMR negotiations can be found on the TWU website at http://aa.twu.org.