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| Joseph Rosende, First Vice-President |
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Happy New Year to all of our membership and your families!
As we start the 2008 year we would be smart to review 2007. Miami has expanded, added TWU jobs and work areas, Ft. Lauderdale has seen new routes, additional heads and Tampa has been able to maintain its' headcount while other cities suffered reductions.We have been able to hold the line on our full time- part time ratios and even increase the numbers in some areas. The company was able to declare a profit for the year, lower its' debt even further and somehow, " share SOME of the gaain", with us. Every one of us was involved in the process and sacrifice that made these things possible, each of us deserved to be rewarded and recognized for these successes, and while I do not agree with the methods, I agree that IT IS ABOUT TIME!
So in 2008 let us negotiate for an industry leading contract, second to none in any way. Let us look for new jobs, in Miami we encouraged both Cargo and Ramp management to seek out new sources of work so as to expand even faster. Growth and expansion are the answer to job security, giving us the tools and eguipment to do the jobs is the foundation to our performance. Management has been told,"give us the tools and the people, we are here to do the work". Let's see what they can come up with.
From my position of 1st Vice President I should thank the steward body for their excellent work in documentation and grievance handling. They are the eyes and ears of this local and the sheriffs for our labor contract. Use them, meet them and when you deal with them be polite and thank them. They have done a great job for very little money.
Please be aware of the issues that are driving discipline to you the membership. Safety, attendance and aircraft damage are the the most frequent reasons for terminations at American. So please, work safe, watch your attendance and move around the aircraft with the greatest of care. If you do not feel that the situation is safe, stop and correct your concerns first, your job and health depend on it.
To quote other union leaders before us," Let us negotiate together, so we don't have to beg alone".
Fraternally yours,
Joe Rosende
First Vice President
T.W.U. Local 568
MIA-TPA-FLL
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