Local 514’s Digest for the week of April 4th, 2025

President:

This week, while at the NMB training in Chicago, I, several IAM leaders, Rollie Reaves and Gary Schiable, had lengthy discussions centered around crew chief known outage issues. We worked on a flow chart that the company uses to determine if and when to replace an absent crew chief. In Tulsa, we have had approximately 700 grievances since March 26, 2020, related to the crew chief known outage overtime. It is apparent that the company has buyer’s remorse on what we have in the contract. Gary Peterson and Tom Regan made an agreement that you could not take an absent crew chief and replace him with another crew chief from another location or blend their crews. When that was agreed upon, the company took the locations away and began playing the shell game. TWU International Rep Rollie Reaves and IAM Rep Ken Coley had a meeting with the company Thursday morning to discuss the crew chief issue before our training began. In that meeting, it was decided that the company would sit down with the Union leaders to see if an agreed-upon process could be reached. If an agreement is successful, that would allow for a better understanding of the “dodge-ball” grievance that I filed several years ago. The company did express interest in taking the “dodge-ball” case to mediation. If we do that and a resolution is not accomplished, we have a date in December to arbitrate.

Dale Danker

---

Vice President:

Dale, Joe, Jason, and I attended the National Mediation Board (NMB) training this week in Chicago, along with representatives from TWU Locals 567, 591, IAM, and American Airlines. In the extension, we were allowed to mediate before going to arbitration, and this training was required for us to participate in that.

The May Re-bid will be electronic. You should have received emails in your AA email account on the process. The dates are as follows:

Monday, April 14 @ 8:00 am –  shift bid is open for preliminary preferences.

Monday, April 21-22 @ 8:00 am – Live bid (5-minute windows) conducted for Crew Chiefs, TCC, Sr. Planners, and Inspection.

Wednesday, April 23-25 @ 8:00 am – Live bid (5-minute windows) conducted for all other workgroups.

Monday, May 12, 2025- New shift bid starts.

The electronic bid lets everyone see what shift, days off, and who you will work with during your bid. Please go into the Bid application and choose your preliminary preferences, like the paper bid sheet, you would have filled out previously before your 5-minute window of the live bid. During your 5-minute window, you could watch to see, for example, if you swap with someone what they received and then bid to accommodate your shift swap schedule, giving you an advantage you didn’t have before.

April Union Steward Meeting is Apr 14, 2025.

April Membership Meeting is Apr 28, 2025. We hope to see you there.

Marla Johnson

---

Chairman of Material Logistics Specialist:

Headcount:  We have 483 MLS on Base with 25 on LOA. 

Overtime:  Management has started having Performance Coaching for people not showing up and showing up late. 

Safety: Make sure you are wearing your harness and seatbelts. 

Bids &  Transfers: No postings this weekend.

Grievances: 5 open grievances.

May Bid: If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Family Party: June 21st at the WE Street Center. Save the Date. 

B.J. Rackers 
(918) 346-8918
bjracker@twumail.org 

---

Chairman of Facilities Maintenance:

Careful …Is it your work ?

We have had several different groups doing what they have thought was their work, which in fact has turned out to be someone else’s work, excluding emergencies, we should ALL respect each others skill, we have even had security repairing doors and securing disconnects (only reports no proof) in my opinion very few incidents of any kind constitute an emergency and we as a title group will address accordingly.

It may not be blatantly obvious but with the help of our new senior manager we are making headway on both headcount and TMA

We currently have several openings in FMG but due to the admin blackout ( hiring freeze) we won’t see any postings until after the next bid process is complete.

We lost another Brother in our Union family Aquarius Mayes an msp in the furniture movers past away recently. 

I want everyone to know that I personally build relationships with a lot of people and feel the loss personally and professionally with every single person that passes, although I never thought of announcing it in this forum, I always try to respectfully acknowledge everyone that does pass and will continue to do so unless otherwise directed.

As always feel free to contact me anytime. 

Jim Holt
(918) 378-2079
JHolt@twumail.org

---

Executive Board Members at Large:

George Albano:

• The grievance meeting with HGRs 1, 2, and 3 management was canceled this week due to Bryan Beene attending the NMB Mediation Training in ORD. We will resume next week.
• Overtime—Please be aware that if you sign up for OT but fail to show up for work, you are subject to disciplinary action from management. Additionally, your absence negatively impacts your fellow union Brothers and Sisters. 
• Alight has found an issue with Voluntary Term Life. If you’re in the age group of 60-64, please look at your paychecks & see if the amount being deducted is consistently the same every paycheck. If it is not, please contact me.
• We had a great turnout for the retirement seminar.

George Albano
918-378-1947
GAlbano@twumail.org

---

Gene Chapin:

• Continue covering the midnight shift at the base at 5:00 am, working the grievance office, and walking the floor daily.
• Continue working on new and old grievances.
• Attending 32J’s and attendance discussion at admin.
• No grievance meeting this week with management.
• Make sure your training is current. Management is having meetings with members and having coach and counseling discussions and documenting into file.
• As always if you know of any members retiring get in touch with you E-board officer or union rep to receive their Bible and Watch.

Gene
918-640-2097
GChapin@twumail.org

---

Tracy Hardin:

AERO:

I have continued to work on old grievances from 2022-2023. This drives a little extra effort due to information unavailable or lost. That is why we really stress to provide as much accurate data at the time the violation happens.

BENEFITS:

The retirement seminar went very well, but I had some members unsure on how to access the sick leave election. The new look of Jetnet does add to the confusion, so this is an option to get there.

Search retirement eligibility page;

• Scroll down to “Make your retirement sick leave election”
  • Click on “submit your election request” highlighted in blue!
  • That should get you there

Tracy
(918) 409-5962
THardin@twumail.org

---

Don McCormick:

• February –      Resolved 44 with 41 paid and 3 W/D
• March –          Resolved 23 with 20 paid and 3 W/D
• April –            Resolved 6 with 3 paid and 3 W/D

Grievances – 239 open for multiple areas.

Staff Admin has had a ton of issues the past few weeks.  We have had over 25 grievances filed in Hgr 5/6 due to their mismanagement in not being able to successfully contact members on shift or code training qualifications to Workbrain.  Make sure to check your OT reports.

HGR 5/6
1.  Public Service Announcement- Thief in Hgr5.  Lock up your tools, apple watches, etc. challenge anyone without a visible badge.

GPM SECTION 11.05 – Event Investigation Policy

MEAA investigation is conducted anytime there is damage to aircraft or equipment.

Hangar 1-6 have seen a rash of complacency from the members in safety and procedures. Look around and be observant of your surroundings.

We had some mechanics working on a Landing gear strut task card and It was determined that they needed to deflate the strut.  They did not perform the basic safety procedures by communicating with the CC and other Team members on the airplane while it was in-dock.  This led to some A/C Damage due to not clearing the docking, sliders, and ladders.

Safety 101 –  Anytime you are performing a job dealing with Cranes, hydraulics, flight controls, landing gear, etc. you need to clear your surroundings including docking as needed to perform your job including communicating your intentions to the members involved in the area.

Welfare and Entertainment

• Tulsa Oilers Hockey Upcoming schedule
• April 4-6th   TWU Vouchers will be good for the upcoming playoffs.
• Tulsa Oilers Football starts April 19^th; vouchers at the Union Hall on Pine.
• Tulsa Drillers Baseball starts tonight.  April 4-6 homestand  Vouchers are available at the Union Hall.
• Family Day will be June 21st at the WE Street Center.  Registration will begin April 18th.  

Don
(918) 378-5823
DMcCormick@twumail.org

---

Daron Morgan:

• Continue to cover the grievance office daily
• Continue working new and old grievances
• This last week, there was a workbrain issue, that deemed a lot of team members ineligible for Overtime in the CRO Area.  I was able to get most of those team members paid on the verbals/1step of the grievance process.  I am still working on some. 
• I have also helped multiple team members with workbrain/ payroll issues 
• Knowing the fact that the crew bids are going to be live for the May Rebid, I strongly recommend that you check your company email and educate yourself on the electronic  bidding process and ask all the questions you can.  
• The Retirement Seminars that were put on on Apr 2, 2025 and Apr 3, 2025 were full of good information.  Thank you to everyone that attended.  
• If  you work in a location with less than 3 people, and the Supervisor  takes on the CC role,  keep in mind that they cannot do productive work, but only direct/assign
• The next Tulsa Oilers Hockey Game will be on Friday April 4th.  Check their website for promotions.  We have tickets available in the grievance office 
• The 1st Tulsa Oilers Football Home Game will be on April 19th
• Twu Family Day will be on Saturday Jun 21, 2025, at the WESTREET ICE CENTER  Registration will begin soon.  Watch for updates.
• We still have 2025 calendars available in the Grievance Office

Daron
918-402-0089
DMorgan@twumail.org

---

Jay Potter:

This week, I have been working on old “Known Outage” grievances that were labeled “no info.” No info meaning they lack specific details when they were written.  VP Marla Johnson has been doing a great job training our Union Representatives on the importance of including as many details as possible at the time of the actual violation.  Please upload all relevant information into the grievance app when the details are still fresh. When old grievances are investigated, it can be difficult  to recover the applicable rosters, bid sheets, or determine who may have been swapping shifts, etc.  

Hiring 

• For available vacancies in Tech Ops, check jobs.aa.com.
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician
  • Plant Maintenance Mechanic – Industrial Electronics

Retirement Committee – Jay Potter & George Albano

• Retirement Seminar scheduled for April 2 – 3, 2025, at the Tulsa Base Townhall Room
  • The presentations went well for all three shifts.
  • The company has said they will share the presentations with the union and we will make them available to the members
• Retirement Resources are available on Jetnet for those looking to retire..
  • In Jetnet, click Resources at the top of the  page
  • Under Information and Help, click Team Member Services
  • Scroll down and click on Retirement
    • There you will find several links:
    • Retirement eligibility
    • How to access retirement income
    • Retirement gift selection
    • How to stay connected with American
    • Retirement benefits and privileges 
    • Travel privileges for retirees
    • Retirement gift FAQ
    • Signing up for an electronic W-2 
• Fidelity has a designated phone number for AA employees
  • (800) 354-3412
• Fidelity offers designated Medicare Advisors to answer any questions (this is a free service)
  • Call (833) 886-0033 to schedule an appointment
  • You may also schedule an appointment at medicare.fidelity.com
    • In addition to setting up an appointment, this site is an excellent resource for Medicare   
• Visit the Local 514 website for your retirement resources 
  • twu514.org

Retirements / New Hires

• We had two (2) members retire the week of Mar 24 –  Mar 30, 2025
  • 1 AMT
  • 1 MLS
• We had zero new hires the week of Mar 24 – Mar 30, 2025

MRO Americas 2025 – April 8 – 10, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia

• I will be attending the MRO Americas in Atlanta next week.  
• American Airlines will have two (2) teams competing in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC). The company has highlighted the teams on Jetnet. We thank all that are competing and wish them good luck. In addition, we have several members that will be utilized as judges for the AMC; we thank them for their participation as well.
  • Base Team
    • Scott Bell (TUL)
    • Luis Cervantes-Bustios (TUL
    • Brent Duvall (TUL)
    • Sergio Lozada Chinea (TUL)
    • Lisa Prince (TUL)
    • Nick Wiseman (DWH)
  • Line Team
    • Edgar Danis-Montero (IOC)
    • Jason Ferguson (PHL)
    • Erik Lopez – Isidro (CLT)
    • Robert “Bobby” Mack (MCO)
    • Damian Navas Moreano (PHX)
    • Albert “Al” Padilla (IAH)

May Rebid will be by the electronic Bidding Hub 

• You can access the Bidding Hub by going to the TechOps TUL Bulletin Board
  • Go to TechOps home page
  • Scroll down to Base Maintenance Promoted Links
  • Click on Bulletin Boards and select TUL under Base
  • Click on Bidding Hub
• You can also access the Bidding Hub through Worbrain
  • Click on TechOps Bidding Hub
• The Bidding Hub preliminary preferences will become available on Monday,April 14, 2025, at 0800
  • You will be able to pre-load your selections similar to the vacation picks
  • Live bid (5-minute window) will be April 21-22  for Crew Chiefs, TCCs, Sr. Planners, and Inspectors
  • Live Bid (5-minute window) will be April 23-25  for all other work groups
  • New Shift starts on Monday, May 12, 2025
  • I would highly recommend you take a screen shot of the available options. With this new electronic system we will lose the written visibility (paper bid sheet) showing how many members are posting for each available preference/location/slot.

Jay
(918) 845-8059
JPotter@twumail.org

---

American Airlines Anniversary

---

Passages

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

The Passing of Retired Brother Barney Ray Busby

We share with you in great sorrow the passing of retired Brother Barney Ray Busby on March 25th, 2025. Barney started working with us here at American Airlines back in 1990 and retired from the position of Mechanic Overhaul – Machinist in 2008. Please keep the Busby Family in your thoughts and prayers. Barney Ray Busby passed from …

Read more…

The Passing of Retired Brother Arthur Brassfield

With a heavy heart we share with you the passing of retired Brother Arthur Brassfield on March 26th, 2025. Arthur stated working with us here at American Airlines in 1990 and retired from the position of Aviation Maintenance Technician in 2007. Please keep the Brassfield family in your thoughts and prayers. Arthur Jefferson Brassfield Jr. Obituary With solemn reverence, …

Read more…

The Passing of Retired Brother Stuart Bernard

It’s with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Stuart Bernard on March 11, 2025, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma at the age of 73. Stuart started working here with us at American Airlines in 1985 and retired from the position of Aviation Maintenance Technician in 2013. Please keep the Bernard family in your thoughts and …

Read more…

The Passing of Retired Brother G.T. Bunch

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved brother, G.T. Bunch, a devoted union member and cherished family member. G.T. passed away on March 28th, 2025, at the age of 82, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. G.T. started working here at American Airlines in 1987 and retired from the position of Machinist in 2009. G.T. was a …

Read more…