We are deeply saddened to share with you the passing of retired Brother Marion Finley on February 18th, 2024
Marion had started working at American Airlines in 1967 and retired from the position of Inspector, Aviation Maintenance Technician in 2005.
Please keep the Finley family in your thoughts and prayers.
Marion Lou Finley Obituary
We are sad to announce that on February 18, 2024 we had to say goodbye to Marion Lou Finley (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma). You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. You may also light a candle in honor of Marion Lou Finley or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral service.
He is survived by : his children, Susie Coburn (John), Julie Finley and Mike Finley (Michelle); his grandchildren, Zack Jenkins, Summer Hoffman (Dalton), Stone Coburn, Steele Coburn, Andrew Finley and Lindsay Barnes; and his great grandchildren, Evie Hoffman, Sam Barnes and Claire Barnes.
A reception will be held on Friday, February 23rd 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Floral Haven Family Center.
Here is a portion of the “An Abridged History of TWU, Local 514 (Or “Through Their Eyes”)” written by Brother Jim Cook in 2000 (i believe) that mentions Brother Marion Finley and his time as President of Local 514.
Marion L. Finley started his time in office with a decisive victory in arbitration. The company had instituted a plan to close the Maintenance Base during the week of Christmas and Finley believed this to be a contract violation. Finley was proved to be correct when the arbitrator ruled in favor of the Union, stating that the International Union and the company negotiated the contract and a local could not agree to anything that violates the basic agreement. He ruled that because the plan was so far along for that year that the company could have the closure for that year but not again unless it was negotiated during regular negotiations or by way of agreement with the approval of the International Union. In 1995 the company insisted on this being part of the contract, and got it. As it has turned out, what the Union didn’t want and what the company did want has turned exactly around. Most Union members like that time off and the company can’t seem to get ready for it. Marion insisted that we live by the contract because it is written in our favor, “Without it we would be in sad shape,” he said.
Marion instituted the Local 514 dates at Bell’s and at Big Splash. And before he left office had laid the plans for the first Labor Fest over Labor Day weekend. These days provide the Union member and his family a time to be with other Union members and their families and gain camaraderie. The days have been vastly successful and have become a tradition that he hopes will have a long tenure.
One of the more memorable times was when Marion organized a 3,000 member march through the administration building and by the AA Vice President of Base Maintenance’s office. The march was spurned by the company misapplication of the S.R.P. Program. They were using it far differently than what had been negotiated. The misapplication was eventually referred to arbitration and with TWU Counsel Art Luby presenting the case the Union won the case hands down in a great victory for the Union.
Marion first hired on at American in 1967 and within six months was a Shop Steward. He was involved in one position or another during all of his more than 30 working years at American Airlines. He was an Executive Board member, Recording Secretary, Vice Chairman of Maintenance, a job he says Harold Nichols fired him from, and he was Vice President and President from 1992 until 1998. Marion was a scholar on contract language and prior arbitration cases. His incredible memory on contract and arbitration cases is truly amazing. Marion probably presented more arbitration cases than any other officer in Local 514 history. Marion admits that he lost several of the cases but he won the respect of those opposing him on the company side. Because they knew he would challenge them, they often backed away from actions they would have otherwise taken. Marion is proud of the Junior Mechanic Training Program that was instituted under his leadership. It gave scores of workers in lower classifications the opportunity to advance to mechanic and get a good mechanical training base to boot. With but one exception these mechanics all passed their FAA Airframe and Powerplant tests and work as A & P Aviation Maintenance Technicians. Everyone benefited from the program.
In 1993 Marion was unanimously elected to a TWU, International Vice Presidents position, a position he still holds. He still participates in the International Union as a member of the International Executive Council.
Marion stated that, “I really enjoyed representing the membership and I have received much more from it than I was ever able to give it. One of the things that I am most proud of is giving credibility back to Local 514, not only with management but with other locals and other Unions in general.” That credibility paid off here in Oklahoma with the election of Local 514 member Jim Curry as President of the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO. Curry is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the great labor leaders of our time in the State of Oklahoma. Without the credibility that was established under Finley’s leadership a great voice for Oklahoma workers would never have been heard.
Marion reminds Union members, “An injustice to any one member of the Union is an injustice to every member and we should stand together and see that everyone’s rights are complied with and taken care of not just one or two but all of us. Be credible with the people that you work with and management.”