President:
I continued to work with TWU International Representative Rollie Reaves on preparing for the next round of negotiations. We have finalized the survey postcards and they are mailing them out starting on the 28th of August.
As always I handled many phone calls and text messages this week from members about issues on the base.
I try to return all my messages, if you have not heard back from me, please do not hesitate to reach out to me again.
I can be reached at (918) 636-6089
Vice President:
I’ve been in Atlanta along with Dale, George and Don at the TWU President’s Council meeting.
Dale and I will be going to headquarters next week to present at the GRB. We continue to have multiple terminations due to attendance issues which include “no call – no shows”, and sick issues. If you are having medical issues that qualify for FMLA reach out to the LTA’s to get the process started.
Membership Meetings
Monday, August 28
- 7:15 am
- 11:45 am
- 3:45 pm
Recording Secretary:
Retirement Seminar
A Retirement seminar was held at the TWU Union Hall on Aug 22, 2023 over 200 members attended along with spouses. Mark Loeber cover several subjects to include the following for members and spouses
- Retirement Issues: Before age 60; Between 60 – 65; After age 65
- Getting out of debt: how to do it and special situations (401k loans)
- Medicare: HSAs, RHRAs, Original Medicare & Med Advantage
- Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA): Medicare B&D
- Social Security: when to claim; spousal benefits; taxation of benefits; working and claiming benefits; early penalty & delayed credits; survivor’s benefit
- Federal & State Tax Withholding: Social Security, Pension & Distributions
- Retirement Accts: IRA & 401(k) – withdrawals <55, 55 to 59½, RBD & RMDs
- Selecting your AA Pension Benefit Option: Double Dip, Leveling, Survivor
- AA Pension: Surviving Spouse; Special Needs Adult Child/Grandchild(ren)
- Completing your Pension Benefit Election Packet: On-line Packet
- Beneficiary Designations: life insurance, 401(k) and IRAs
Chairman of Maintenance:
Work around the base
* Continued meeting with Supervisors and managers in A/O
* Addressing safety issues in all areas
* Working on shift betterment for CCs in hangar 3
* Attended 32J meetings
Field trip
- When being proffered for a field trip, ask for a clear start time so you know when your field trip pay will start and what time you need to report to work.
FLOC Meeting
- The FLOC meeting will be on September 7th at 100pm and 330pm
Work experience review
- If you need help, please contact us. you only get one entry t, without new info.
Cleaners
- The wash-rack cleaners are currently washing inside the hangars because they can’t get to the wash-rack
Chairman of Material Logistics Specialist:
- Currently have 104 open Grievances. We have been hovering around this number for a couple of months now. Cleared 15 last week, people should be receiving settlement letters in the mail.
- 490 MLS on Base with 19 on LOA. Increase of 4 from last week.
- September Bids are being posted in areas. If you feel it’s wrong please contact me.
- I have been working with Vendors on donations for our TWU Adult Party. Please log on to our website to register. If you can’t log on, email me with your employee number and I can reset your password.
- Don’t forget to make your Labor Day selection.
- TEO will not be separating Load Center from shops.
B.J. Rackers 918-346-8918
Chairman of Facilities Maintenance:
This month I’ve attended several 32j meetings along with separate meetings with management and Supervision.
We had one RO meeting in August that consisted of contracting out the windbreak wall that collapsed in the TEO north end during this month’s wind storm and the contracting out of the WAP’s (wireless access point) that the TWU has traditionally done in the past.
This shift bid management chose not to proceed the MSP progression program due to staffing concerns in Hazardous waste.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Jim Holt (918)378-2079
Executive Board Members at Large:
Gene Chapin:
- Continued working grievances
- Settled some OT & Field Trip grievances
- Distributed contract book to 20 new hires in HOC in hangars 5 & 6
- Advised new hires to strictly adhere to break and lunch times as they are currently ‘at will’ employees
- Attended 32Js for attendance – no new policy at this time
- September Blood Drive will be held September 11-19 ~ serving hamburgers
Don McCormick:
TWU Presidents and Officers meeting – Atlanta August 21-24th. Highlights
- AI Automation taking over several industries from Movies, buses, rail, and Air.
- COPE selects Pro Labor Candidates regardless of Party
- AFL-CIO trying to organize 1 million people in 10 years. Last year over 100K organized in year 1.
- Veterans are now allowed to wear a Veteran patch on their uniforms TWU 591
- TWU Express continues to look for stories – Working on one about Foreign Aircraft Maintenance
- Metro North in mediation and ready to Strike. Largest rail Service in the US serving the New York area. Could be as early as next month. Looking for Support with State officials, and strike preparation.
- Legislative update FAA Reauthorization Bill. House passed 351-69 Senate – Train Wreck, Stopped the vote by Schumer. Hoping for it to pass in September but expect an extension. (1987 is when we started offshoring our Aircraft Maintenance from the US)
- Advanced Air Mobility (American has orders with Vertical) seeking FAR Part 135 which would not require dispatchers and the company can sign off maintenance. 400’ Ceiling and a 350 mile range. Electric VTol
- LAP/EAP reports on substance abuse, suicide, depression, Grief/Loss and signs how to identify. Local 591 had a great presentation with 3 videos and reported out on these issues.
- Legal Responsibilities of the Locals was presented discussing roles of each office.
- Meeting with Air division of issues and items to go forward
Jay Potter:
Base Outsourcing Committee
- Today we have 22 aircraft at our 4 In-house Maintenance Bases (CTO, PIT, DWH, and TULE); 9 of these aircraft are check aircraft (MBV or C11).
- The HMP vendors have 26 aircraft; 23 of these aircraft are check aircraft (MBV, C11 or S).
- If you have questions about Contractual Scope Language, you can reach me at (918) 845-8045 or Jpotter@twumail.org. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Tulsa Aviation Maintenance Group (AMG) Headcount
- TCC – 68
- CC – 258
- AMT – 2118
- OSM – 413
- INSP – 232
- Total – 3089
- Currently – 94 on LOA
Tulsa Cleaner Headcount
- CL CC – 15
- CL – 133
- Total – 148
- Currently 5 on LOA
Have a great day,
Jay Potter
Passages
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
The Passing of Retired Brother Kavin Adams
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The Passing of Retired Brother Timmy Wayne Wolfe
We are deeply saddened to share with your the passing of retired Brother Tim Wolfe on August 16, 2023. Tim had started working here at American Airlines in 1991 and retired in 2019 from the position of Mechanic Plant Maintenance. Please keep the Wolfe family in your thoughts and prayers. Obituary Timmy Wayne Wolfe, known affectionately as …
The Passing of Retired Brother Nicholas Guagliardo
It is with a sad heart that we share with you the passing of retired Brother Nick Guagliardo on August 8, 2023. Nick had retired from American Airlines from the position of Aviation Maintenance Technician back in 1983. Nick was instrumental in starting the AA blood drive and the United Way Drive. Please keep the Guagliardo …