| Presidents Message 07-16-08 |
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| Tom Lee, President |
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July 16, 2008
Dear Member,
We have approached MIA management and expressed the need to have a retirement seminar for our members who are planning to take advantage of the current VBR/SIS programs and for others that are planning to retire in the near future. There was a positive reaction to our recommendation and the matter is currently being worked out with AA headquarters. We hope to have retirement counselors here and available to you in Miami next week. As soon as firm dates and times are set, we will communicate them to you. This service will provide you with face to face access to HR experts who can answer many of your questions about retirement. Please check your emails and watch for postings on the field for additional information. Any information obtained in these seminars will most definitely be shared with our represented cities (TPA/FLL).
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568 |
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| Tom Lee, President |
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June 28, 2008
Dear 568 Members,
Many of you have expressed your concerns over the ongoing flight schedule reductions occurring within American Airlines. We have been in touch with Miami's George Hazy, Fort Lauderdale's Marixa Franco, and Tampa's Greg Klein, and asked each to give us any information effecting our 568 stations. This is what we have been told.
The Miami flight schedule will not be impacted due to current flight schedule reductions. No flights, other than regular seasonal adjustments, will be reduced in the Miami Hub. I have been assured by George Hazy and Mike McKanna that if any changes on that front should occur, that 568 would be advised immediately. We will of course, make any information available to you as soon as we receive it.
The Fort Lauderdale schedule will be impacted mainly due to the reduction at the San Juan Hub. Fort Lauderdale will lose three (3) daily departures to SJU, and one (1) daily departure to LAX. However, the LAX flight will be replaced by the addition of one (1) daily departure to ORD. We will be reviewing Article 46 - One Station Complex Agreement with the FLL management team to insure a complete understanding and application of this article should any headcount reduction become necessary.
The Tampa schedule will be impacted by a reduction of one (1) daily departure to LGA, along with possible adjustments in equipment size to various other cities. We will pass along to you the aircraft equipment changes as we are made aware of them.
Currently, SJU, ORD, and DFW are targeted to take the biggest hits in the flight reductions. We encourage our members to check the daily "Jetwire" communication under the NEWS toolbar of "JetNet" for further developments. As news of any headcount reductions in our respective cities becomes available, we will pass it along to you as soon as possible. Please attend your membership meetings and sign up for email updates to stay as informed as possible during this difficult time.
Remember, an informed membership is a strong and united membership! We thank you all for your continued support.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568
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| Tom Lee, President |
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May 16, 2008
Dear Members,
The Negotiation Committee was presented with a comprehensive monetary package from the company on Tuesday of this week. In order for the package to be taken to the membership for a vote, all TWU work groups had to accept the conditions of the monetary package. After working very long hours all week with much discussion, and with some changes in the original package, the Joint Committee (which includes fleet service) voted to accept the package and offer it to our members for a vote. The Maintenance & Related group declined the company's economic package. Being that the offer was declined by maintenance, the tentative agreements reached by Title III Fleet Service are now being shelved. Listed below are the key areas related across all seven (7) work groups.
Duration:
Two years - option to open early within 18 months of amendable date.
Pay:
Lump sum payments:
- 5% on date of signing. Full Time member at top of pay scale lump sum = $2,232.00 Gross
Part Time member at top of pay scale lump sum = $1,116.00 Gross
Full Time Crew Chief at top of pay scale lump sum = $2,449.00 Gross
- 3.5% one year from date of signing. Full Time member at top of pay scale lump sum = $1,562.00 Gross
Part Time member at top of pay scale lump sum = $781.00 Gross
Full Time Crew Chief at top of pay scale lump sum =$1,714.00 Gross
Holidays:
An additional holiday in 2008 (Day after Thanksgiving)
Two additional holidays in 2009 (MLK Day & Memorial Day)
All holidays paid at double time (2XPay)
Sick Leave:
Increase in sick accrual rate to six (6) days in 2008.
Increase in sick leave accrual rate to eight (8) days in 2009.
Full pay for sick leave in all groups.
Vacation:
Three additional days called Day-at-a-time (DAT) Personal Days per year effective in 2009.
- Flexibility in choosing which days to take off, subject to operational requirements.
- Employees have the option of being paid in lieu of these days.
Health and Retirement Benefits/Pensions:
All benefits and pensions remain the same.
Profit Sharing:
Adoption of a new profit sharing plan effective in 2008 to be paid in 2009.
- Plan pays out at the first dollar of profit.
- Plan accumulation as follows:
$1-250 Million = 30%
$250 Million - $500 Million = 25%
$500 Million and above = 20%
Eagle ASM Cap:
The company requested a modest increase in the Eagle ASM Cap.
We will keep you informed of any changes in the current situation.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568 |
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| Tom Lee, President |
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March 10, 2008
Dear Member,
Applications are now available for fifteen 2008 Michael J. Quill Scholarships of $1,200 each, annually renewable for four consecutive years. Sons and daughters and dependent brothers and sisters (claimed with IRS) of present, retired or deceased TWU members who are now High School Seniors (2008 graduates) and who will enter an accredited college beginning with the fall term, 2008, are eligible.
To obtain an application, fill out the coupon found in the January, February, or March editions of THE TWU EXPRESS. An application will be mailed directly to you. Coupons are also available at the union hall, or can be accessed on this web site under TWU Publications in the downloadable version of THE TWU EXPRESS.
All applications must be received by the Michael J. Quill Scholarship Fund by May 1, 2008. Winners will be decided by a public drawing to be held in May 2008; the time and place to be announced later. The winners will be notified immediately thereafter. All funds are paid directly to the college or university which the successful applicant actually attends.
We encourage you to take advantage of this important union benefit. If you need assistance in obtaining a coupon, feel free to contact us at the union hall.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568
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| President's Previous Messages |
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| Tom Lee, President |
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March 4, 2008
Dear Members,
We know that you all are very much interested in the progress of contract negotiations. If you have been receiving weekly email updates and checking the chart, you will notice that the company still owes the union many responses to articles that have been proposed. When confronted, the company gives reason that their delay is due to many of the open proposals are tied together, such as Article 15 (Reduction in Force) with Article 16 (Recall), and Article 12 (Promotions and Jobs to be Posted) with Article 46 (One Station Complex Agreements) and more time was needed for a proper response. Yes, I would agree that these articles are related, however many open proposals are not. Is there some strategy involved here, or are they purposefully delaying the process? Only time will reveal the answer to that question.
Meanwhile, the goal of the Negotiation Committee is to get our members a solid agreement by the amendable date of April 30. We have held the issues that you indicated were most important to you and worked through the less complicated articles in the contract. Again this week, we will be meeting with expert analysts that will examine the remaining articles to define a cost value associated with each article. The Committee will take that data and consider any final changes to proposals if any, and then move forward with presentation of those articles to the company.
This negotiaton has truly turned out to be a long process, but it also has been a long time since the 2003 concessionary contract. We still believe we all made the right choice by not going towards bankruptcy, and while we did not lose jobs and pensions the way other legacy carriers did, we lost plenty in wages and work rules. Contract issues that had been hard bargained for and gains made over 30 years were lost at the snap of a finger. Brothers and Sisters, the loan payment is due. Our turn is now to share the gain. We kept our end of the bargain. It is time for the company to do the same.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568 |
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| Tom Lee, President |
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February 15, 2008
Dear Members,
In this letter, I would like to share with you a range of important information from Miami hub headcount, equipment purchases, Article 12-n, and contract negotiations.
I am proud to report that in the last two weeks, forty-nine (49) of our fellow Brothers and Sisters in Miami were granted their request for transfer from part-time to full-time positions. Many of us can remember that in recent years, to obtain a full-time position on the ramp in Miami, one could potentially have been waiting for up to seven (7) years. Currently, we have members being offered full-time positions that have just recently completed their probationary period. With that said, I would encourage anyone who desires a full-time position in Miami to submit their request as soon as possible. To back-fill the part-time positions vacated by the recent transfers to full-time, Miami interviewed forty-seven (47) applicants to fill thirty (30) new part-time positions and we currently have new hires attending training classes. Your executive board, bid committee, and training crew chiefs have all been taking an active role in the new hire screening process in attempts to bring in the most qualified applicants to work beside us as new members. We welcome each and every one of them and know that each of you will do your best to guide them to using good work habits and safety practices while on duty.
Also, after much discussion with this Local and in hearing repeated request from members to address the shortfalls of equipment at our Miami hub, management has just approved a $4.5 million purchase of 185 dollies, 60 bag carts, 1 rug truck, 1 stair truck, 3 lav trucks, 1 tow truck, 1 hot shot van, 25 electric tractors, 21 electric belt loaders, 2 ground power units, and 5 preconditioned air units. Delivery of the equipment is based on the manufacturer’s availability to build and deliver these items. It is likely that you will see them come online in small increments over time. We all welcome the new equipment as it should relieve shortages and make our jobs more manageable.
On March 1, the opportunity for any crew chief to self-demote becomes available. This is an annual contractual provision that allows a crew chief to self-demote within a fifteen (15) day window each March. Details of this process may be found in Article 12-n (2) of the contract. I have also posted information on the union bulletin boards in MIA/TPA/FLL on how to submit request for demotion relative to each city.Any request for demotion must be submitted to the company by the deadline of March 16 at 0600AM.
And finally, I would like to inform you on what is taking place in current contract negotiations. If you have been receiving my emails, you can see that this week was a very productive one at receiving tentative agreements. However, you will also note that there are sixteen (16) articles that your Joint Negotiation Committee is waiting to receive counter-proposals on from the Company. One might question if they are dragging their feet or purposely delaying the process? I do not know the answer to that question. I can tell you that the negotiation process is not a fast one. Each proposal and counter proposal has to be carefully considered for any language that could possibly make changes to current understandings, and that language must be clarified and discussed, then voted on by the committee, before moving on to being considered for approval as a tentative agreement. It is a tedious and time consuming process which requires us to be away from our homes, our families, and our membership. But, it is also the most important job that I can do as your President, and I take it very seriously.
I will close by saying that I hope I have shared some positive news as it relates to us all in this letter. A growing work force and new equipment purchases tell me that we are headed in the right direction. Now, what we want is a good contract that gives us the “shared gain” that we were all promised for our sacrifices since 2003. Let us achieve that by April 30, 2008. Thank you all for your support.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568
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| Tom Lee, President |
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January 16, 2008
Brothers and Sisters,
The AMR Board of Directors has approved a one-time AIP payment of $800 to eligible employees in efforts to recognize and thank everyone for their professionalism and hard work. All employees that are Level 7 and under, and worked a minimum of 50% of their monthly shift are eligible for this one-time payment. Paper checks will be issued to each employee in order to give your manager an opportunity to thank you for all your efforts.
While this $800 payment (minus taxes) may be a step in the right direction, the Board of Directors has fallen far short of the true recognition that the TWU deserves. As we voted to accept concessions in 2003 to maintain our work force, pensions, and benefits, we still have yet to recover what was lost. Remember that this April the top executives at American Airlines will share a $57 million dollar "PUP" payout to be divided amongst themselves. TWU members still wait for the promised gains of the "Pull together, Win together" concept.
As your representative at the contract negotiatons table, I continue to work towards the goals you identified to me as important, and I am completely focused and dedicated to that task. Also, I remind you that this $800 gesture from the Board of Directors comes as a direct result of TWU's constant reminder that we all sacrificed and we all should "share the gAAins".
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568
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| President Tom Lee |
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January 12, 2008
Brothers and Sisters,,
I want to take a moment and recognize our fellow 568 members who served our country at some time in 2007, either in active service or in the reserves. Many of these members are presently still serving in various places, either stateside, in Iraq, or Afghanistan. Please join me in a salute to our brave and distinguished Brothers who keep our homeland safe, and we wish them a speedy return home to their families, friends, and co-workers.
Raul Acosta Jr.
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Allen Alvarez
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Kvaven Barker
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Jason Bravo
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Antonio Bruno
MIA - Crew Chief Fleet Service Clerk
Javier Cruz-Sanchez
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Lincoln Francois
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Dallas Payne
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Albert Gooch
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Jorge Grande
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Raymond Irizarry
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Paul Rojas
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
James Seymour
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
Alborn Tatum
MIA - Fleet Service Clerk
This tribute recognizes all TWU 568 MEMBERS who have served in some capacity of U.S. military duty (active and reserve) during 2007. And in spirit, includes all members of the military, past and present. The names on this page were gathered from AA employee leave reports as of Oct. 1, 2006.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568 |
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| President Tom Lee |
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January 2, 2008
Fellow Brothers and Sisters,
As we leave 2007 behind, let us take a moment and look back with optimism. There were positive changes in the past year for our members. We have managed to maintain a steady growth of jobs in our local, particularly in Miami and Fort Lauderdale where the international market grew substantially. We have steadily improved our full time to part time ratios which means more full-time shifts for our members. More full-time shifts means more weekend days off and a broader option at selections of shifts and work areas. Jobs that were once performed by TSA in Miami’s oversize bag room are now being done by fellow fleet service clerks. We were able to influence the decisions of AA to purchase more wide body loaders and look for more options on equipment such as electric powered belt loaders and leased dollies for the high demand seasons. Your union was also instrumental in bringing about a stronger awareness of the necessity of a safe working environment and has resulted in AA embracing OSHA standards training for many managers as well as union representatives. The emphasis on safety in Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale has reverberated throughout the AA system making safety once again a priority concern in every city. Miami’s freight capacity continues on an upward climb and your union was successful in bringing back critical crew chief positions at cargo that have proven to be beneficial in streamlining the handling of inbound and outbound freight. Miami’s mail facility continues to exceed expectations on mail handled through this city and the work of fleet service clerks and your union will show AA there is room for growth in capacity and head count in that area as well.
As you see, 2007 was no doubt challenging but successful. As we move into 2008 be assured that your union will continue to look for more options and benefits for all of our fellow members. We thank you all for your continued support.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568
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| President Tom Lee |
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January 2, 2008
Fellow Brothers and Sisters,
I hope that you will find your TWU Local 568 web page to be useful and informative. Please help us in getting word to our fellow members that this site is now being updated and active. I believe that this is one tool that can be used to keep all members informed on many different issues that effect all of us, such as political and governmental issues, changes in TSA regulations, local airport policy, job safety and benefits, as well as TWU specific issues like our current contract negotiations, union meeting dates, bid alerts and more.
Another avenue of communication that we are testing is mass email. Many of you have already supplied the union hall with updated contact information including your email address. The first of a series of test emails was sent on December 31 which contained some important January dates and information of value to you as a union member. This email system will allow me to contact you directly from within the Contract Negotiations Committee with any breaking news updates as they occur. If you have not signed up to receive these emails and you wish to do so, or have signed up and are not receiving them, simply contact the union hall during regular business hours, or fax a note with your name, employee number, address, phone, and email to 305-874-2789 anytime day or night. Contact forms will also be available at monthly membership meetings.
On another subject, again this year your local will be participating in the Martin Luther King Parade (MLK) on Monday, January 21. We will be meeting at the union hall at 8:00 AM and depart to the parade site to take our place in line. Please contact the local if you plan to participate and wear your TWU t-shirt if possible. We encourage our members to join us in celebration of the MLK legacy, and to honor his battle for civil and human rights for all.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568
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| President Tom Lee |
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December 14, 2007
Brothers and Sisters,
Your Joint Contract Negotiating Committee has just wrapped up its sessions for the year and is not scheduled to meet again until the week beginning January 7, 2008. The process of negotiating can be slow, but with what is at stake I believe we should not be rushed. Every word and any intent must be reviewed and checked, and then reviewed again for complete accuracy. Progress is being made as some articles discussed have been identified as tentatively agreed, and your Joint Committee remains confident, focused, and united. The most current contract updates are listed here in the President’s Corner page under contract updates and also on www.twu.org. You can also hear the latest information on the local’s hotline 305-874-3865.
Other business of importance this month is shop steward elections, which will occur on Tuesday, December 18, at the Hotel MIA 7th floor. Ballots will be filled out in the meeting room and your Election Committee will be there to collect them. After all votes are counted, the results will be posted and positions will be effective January 1, 2008. There are many qualified members on the ballot and I thank all that accepted their nominations. Plan to attend and give your vote to those who will best represent you and uphold your labor agreement.
As we bring a close to 2007, I ask you to take a moment to remember our co-workers that passed away this year in untimely partings, to remember our military brothers and sisters serving our country, many from within our own membership. And mostly, remember your families that look up to you for support, and also to your extended family here at work that we all call Brother and Sister, for it is truly the core of what makes us UNION.
On behalf of the Officers and Executive Board, I extend wishes to you for the Happiest of Holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568 |
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| President Tom Lee |
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December 8, 2007
Brothers and Sisters,
The following is a brief update of the progress made during contract negotiations this past week. Several articles were discussed in the Joint Negotiating Committee and were presented to the company. Those articles were:
Article 17-Leaves of Absences
Article 21-Rotation of Shifts
Article 23-Attendance at Hearings, Investigations, or Training Classes
Article 26-Field Work
Article 33-No Strike - No Lockout
There were also some articles that were tentatively agreed to by both parties. Those articles were:
Article 10-Seniority
Article 24-Absence from Duty
Article 26-Field Work
Article 33-No Strike - No Lockout
In the best interest of keeping the membership informed, the Negotiating Committee has revised its weekly update on the www.twu.org webpage to include a score card type document which allows you to see which articles have been passed between the union and company and are currently still in work, which articles have been tentatively agreed to, and which articles have yet to be discussed. We hope that you will find the webpage modification to be a more effective and informative way to indicate the progress of the negotiations.
The Negotiating Committee will be in session again from December 10 to December 14. Following that session you will find an update to the scorecard on the web, as well as new information available on our local's hotline 305 874-3865.
Please plan to attend the December membership meetings. More information will be shared with you on the contract, as well as shop steward elections for the 2008 year will be taking place. I look forward to seeing you there, and thank you for your continued support.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee, President
TWU Local 568
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November 29, 2007
Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of myself and the rest of your Negotiating Committee, I want to express our thanks to all members for your continued support during this time. We have the best interest and the demands of the membership as the focus of our efforts while we continue the process of securing a labor contract that will meet the needs and expectations of each of you. Informational sources available to you are:
· TWU Local 568 hotline @ 305-874-3865.
· www.TWU.org /Divisions/Air Transport Division/Contract Communications Memo.
The TWU Local 568 hotline will be updated on an as needed basis due to any new developments and the scheduling of the Negotiating Committees. The web link www.TWU.org will have Contract Communications Memos posted as each scheduled weekly session ends. As I reported at the November membership meeting, some articles have been exchanged across the table between the Union and the company. Those articles exchanged are:
Article 2-Definitions, Article 9-Probationary Period, Article 10-Seniority,
Article 14-Loss of Seniority, Article 15-Reduction in Force,
Article 24-Absence from Duty, Article 28-No Discrimination and Recognition of Rights,
Article 38-Union Security, Article 39-Physical Examination.
Articles 9, 14, 20, and 38 have been tentatively agreed to by both parties but are still subject to change until all articles are agreed upon. The remaining articles listed above are still under review.
As always, I encourage each of you to stay informed on union issues by attending the monthly membership meetings and taking advantage of the informational sources provided. You may also call the union hall with any questions and we will do our best to provide you the most up to date information possible.
Again, knowledge is power, and unity is strength. Thank you all for your support, and have a great and successful holiday season.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee
President,
TWU Local 568
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| President Tom Lee |
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October 24, 2007 Fellow Members of Local 568,
The month of November will no doubt prove to be a time for all of us to remember who we are as a group and practice the ideals of true brotherhood that belonging to a Union should inspire.
As you know, contract openers begin between us and the company on Wednesday, November 7. Over the past few months I’ve traveled to Fort Worth, Texas on your behalf, training in the skills I need to best represent you as a member of the Negotiating Committee. It has been a true challenge and learning experience that I will remember for many years. As a result of these works, I am now headed with pride and confidence into my most important role as your President which is to negotiate our labor contract. After having met face to face with you in Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale this past week I am energized by your complete support and faith in the Negotiating Committee and that we have the backing of the members to do whatever it takes to secure a contract that will not only restore the pride of working in fleet service, but also re-establish a sound financial foundation and benefits for our members and their families.
Again, I take this moment to thank you for this honorable opportunity to serve you, and I encourage all members to remain united in the deeds and practices you perform in the weeks to come.
Fraternally,
Tom Lee
President
TWU Local 568
Posting 10/24/07
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| President Tom Lee |
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August 17, 2007
Brothers and Sisters,
By now you are all aware of the fact that Brother Alex Garcia was chosen by President Jim Little to work in the political and legislative offices in Washington, DC for the TWU. We are very proud to have Alex representing us in his new capacity and wish him well, and know that he will do all in his power for the benefit of the TWU and its members.
Also, Brother Greg Cosey has been recalled back his original station, BNA, to be re-united with his friends and family after a thirteen (13) year presence in Miami, during that time working faithfully for the cause of the TWU and its membership. It is a bitter-sweet moment for us to see Greg depart, but we understand the ties with family and wish him the best, and I have assured the BNA local president that he is receiving a faithful soldier.
With Brother Cosey’s departure, the Executive Board met on August 16 and concluded that the successor to the office of Recording Secretary will be Brother Miguel Pumariega. Miguel has excelled as a member of the board, and has been in the forefront of the cause of safety not only in Miami, but in the AA and TWU system serving as the TWU Safety Chairman. I have every belief that Brother “Puma” will do as well in his new position.
The above movements created two (2) openings on Local 568’s executive board. After much discussion and deliberation on some very qualified candidates, the board has concluded that the positions will be filled by Brother Manny Lorenzana and Brother Rudy Camacho (both section chairmen). These members together have over 25 plus years of union experience, loyalty to the TWU, this local and its members, a true passion to enforce the contract, and a will to step up to the plate and work tirelessly for what is right for all of us.
I hope you will join me in supporting Miguel, Manny, and Rudy in their new roles within our local which will be effective September 1. A solid group with a strong foundation and the backing of the membership will be required to navigate the coming difficult times of contract negotiations. I believe that solid group is now in place, and as your President, I will do all that is required to gain your confidence and give you the best representation possible. This board stands UNITED.
In Solidarity,
Tom Lee
President
TWU Local 568
CC: Joe Gordon, TWU-ATD Director
TWU 568 Officers and Executive Board
Field Postings 8/17/07
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