Working on Grievances – meeting with company in 2 weeks
Executive Board Member
MEDICAL BENEFIT Sign Ups ARE ONGOING next to the Grievance Office (upstairs in HGR 3/4) 5:00AM to 6:00PM. The union benefit counselors are available all next week through the 13th of November!
Rumor
A concerned Union Stewards shared members in hangar 5 wanted to know if ‘closed door’ meetings were going on with Executive Board Officers and company on ‘deals’ regarding Tues/Wed off out of hangar 5, that is a strong No. Conversations on that union request might begin in January 2027 or after. There are no changes. Don McCormick and I met with workers in hangar 5 on all three shifts to answer that Tue/Wed off questions. Regular meetings happen with our company on union work or business. Those conversations are shared at our monthly union meetings to update members across the base with ongoing work, safety issues or work area discussions. For anyone talking just to hear their-self talk, please share valid info. Thanks to all Union stewards across the base for correctly handling shop floor chatter. Much appreciated.
TWU 514 By-Laws/Constitution
Take the time to read and correctly understand these important agreements of TWU. It’s not about twisting them one way or another. It is about what is written, voted and agreed upon. Every union member should read these union documents. It’s not about feelings; it’s about facts. Always ask to clarify something you read or when you have a concern. Find out more at www.twu514.org
Cameras at Work
Once again cameras are everywhere on base. Please be mindful & respectful of them. If you try to disable any this may lead to discipline because; smile, you are on camera. If you carry items in or out the turnstiles-they can be seen and/or reported if suspicious.
FMLA
Please notify your CC or Supervisor (or both) if you leave work early. This is for everyone’s safety. If you sign up for OT-show up to work it – unless an emergency.
Global Picks
Be sure to CHECK and change your Global Picks if needed. If you have moved areas of work remember to check by December 2026 so your choices on the next Crew Bid are correct. If you are part of the 1 of 3 9FF’s that have taken place on base, check your Global Picks. Everyone should, just to be sure.
Survivor Annuity
If you have questions on spouse annuity and any paperwork you filled out for this from years ago or recent please go to; retirement.services@aa.com Check this to make sure paperwork is correct. It will not take long and could save issues down the road.
VETERANS DAY is November 11th, 2026! Enjoy that morning watching the parade in downtown Tulsa! THANK YOU and may God Bless each and every one of our veterans; past, present and future!
Oklahoma Senior Law
Help for those dealing with Senior issues, Caregivers, Loved Ones that need help and roadblocks in the way. Contact Jorjana Marx – 918-901-7777
Did You Know:
Thicker skin is really a ‘thing’! I grew up in the country running around our land, riding horses, feeding our livestock, fishing, etc. I developed a slight thick skin as a country girl, my dad made sure of that. While he taught me hard farm work, he would tell me when I did a good job but if warranted, he criticized me as needed. I deserved it & most of us do at times, if we are honest. Criticizing is only a correction on what could be done better. His correction helped me shoot straight and drive the tractor better than my big brother. What happened the last time someone criticized you? If you’re anything like most people, you let it work you up until you’re mad. While this response is very human, it’s not healthy. We all benefit from building a thicker skin sometimes. Developing thick skin helps us navigate life’s curveballs with grace. You begin to live from a point of valuing your own opinions above others and this allows you to put both the good and the bad in life into perspective. What exactly is thick skin? Thick skin means you’re able to control your reaction in relation to comments made by others. Controlling your reaction means not getting easily upset or offended by the situation. It’s obvious it’s easier said than done and your skin might be a little thicker or thinner than some and that’s okay. Emotional reactions may be influenced by our response and oftentimes generationally, yet despite these we can still develop a healthy layer of thick skin for our mental health.
Let me make it clear that I’m not saying sensitivity is a bad thing. It’s important to feel feelings. But if you are overly sensitive to the point your reactions quickly blow up, that isn’t serving you – it’s hurting you. Developing thick skin helps sharpen emotional health & heart. Being able to regulate emotions can positively influence physical and mental well-being. I can tell you personally that working on getting thick skin was critical for me when I started at AA-there were very few women on base. A few of my tougher union brothers helped me ‘grow up’ out here. Sure I got my feelings stepped on, but I gave back as good as I got. I didn’t use HR then when my feelings got hurt, I learned from it and became a better version of myself. If you blow up every time a friend or co-worker messes up or says something you consider offensive, it’s hard to have a real conversation or be an honest friend. If you can’t handle criticism, people will be afraid to give you useful feedback you may actually need but refuse to hear. The hard conversations can create growth while feedback pushes us to be better; helping to gain ‘thicker skin’. Yet even with all this, we will still have hard days – when those happen we re-set and go on. What are the perks you ask?
Like yourself first: When you clearly see who you are, you see qualities you admire about yourself. You then acknowledge accurately where you have room for improvement.
Give up the need to be liked by everyone: We like it when people like us, that’s just the truth. So when someone says something that indicates they don’t like you, it’s easy to feel offended. Here is another harsh truth; there are going to be people at work who don’t like you. This may have nothing to do with who we are or even our actions. Remind yourself of those in your life that like and value you for being you.
Think on why you’re offended: Sometimes take a deeper look at why you’re offended in the first place. What is it about the words/behavior that is setting you off? Truth or Lie of their perspective?
Try to flip your perspective: If you are getting offended you may need to pull a 180 flip on a situation. If you ask yourself what the person may have been thinking, you may come to realize their words have more to do with them than you. I try to ask myself, “What would it take for those words NOT to offend me?” Sometimes the answer tells me how to have thicker skin.
Look for useful feedback in criticism: Sometimes hidden in the thing that is upsetting us is valuable insight or advice. It can be hard to get past emotions in the moment because you are upset. Sometimes if we take a deep breath and step back, there is a lesson to be learned.
Obviously, if anyone says vile & threatening words or physical actions-seek help immediately with the union or HR. We are all here to grow our company, if we make friends along the way, great. If not, that’s ok too, we are here to work. Getting thick skin won’t make you calloused, but it may help you emotionally mature with work or home relationships. I think a new thick skin frees up emotional energy to put towards things that matter most to us. When was the last time you’ve been told to develop a thicker skin?
Chuckle for Thanksgiving table this year: Question: What is the best thing to put into a pumpkin pie? Answer: Your teeth!
Linda
(918) 954-4709
LDill@twumail.org