19-April-2022
To the TWU and IAM Members of the Association:
This TWU Local 591 Executive Board has listened, and continues to listen, to the Membership within the TWU-IAM Association. With the confidence that our Local 591 Members already know that this Board believes that they deserve to be heard, it has become clearer to us that many IAM Members also want to be heard as well. Because we continue to listen to Members, both our own and those in the IAM, this TWU Local 591 Executive Board has come to the realization that the fundamental differences between our two Union internal structures, and not the Membership, are simply too great to overcome.
Based upon a long series of previously unsuccessful attempts to work through the structural differences between our organizations, it is clear that the Association status quo since the JCBAs were ratified cannot continue. We, as an Executive Board, have come to the conclusion that in order for the Association to succeed for all Members moving forward, some sort of internally managed separation within the TWU-IAM Association is necessary.
We have heard from some who claimed that this democratic appeal to the AFL-CIO is just some ‘rogue individuals’ attempting a “division between the Line, Base, and Title II.” This is simply not true. Our TWU Local 591 President takes his direction and guidance from this Executive Board. This Executive Board takes our direction from our Membership. This call for democratic action is not just “a few individuals” as some have falsely claimed. It is WE, the TWU Local 591 Executive Board, who chose to prompt our Local 591 President, on behalf of our Membership, to seek this course of action. To be clear, our TWU Local 591 President speaks as the voice of his Executive Board, and both he and this Executive Board speaks for the Membership we are elected to represent.
We want to make clear that our chosen path to resolve the internal issues within the Association now are not seeking to wholly abolish the Association. Any such claims are simply not the case. We are very well aware that abolishing the TWU-IAM Association at this time could have consequences for the Membership with some specific language within the JCBAs, and that is something we would never willingly consider doing. We, from listening to the Members, believe that calling upon the same AFL-CIO who helped create the TWU-IAM Association to once again assist us, this time in providing EVERY Member the long overdue voice they deserve, is the right path to take. We are calling for a democratic voice that should be each Union Members right. A democratic voice to determine which Union will ultimately represent all Members within the existing Association moving forward.
In closing, from listening to the voice of our Members, this TWU Local 591 Executive Board is galvanized in our resolve to solve once and for all this lingering problem within the TWU-IAM Association. In addition, from the uptick in positive input and inquiries we at Local 591 are receiving from current IAM Members, it appears that many IAM Members are also more motivated to seek a change, and to have their democratic voices heard as well. As a Board and as a Local, WE STAND AS ONE, and we ask you to sign card and stand with us!
Sincerely and fraternally,
Gary Schaible –President
Pete Caruso – Vice President
Jorge Rojas – Recording Secretary
Glenn Olsen – Financial Treasurer
Steve Halter – SW Regional Vice President
Richie Rivera – SE Regional Vice President
Brian Coyne – C Regional Vice President
Philip Jugnet – W Regional Vice President
John Iuliano – NE Regional Vice President
Mike Bush – MLS E-Board Member
Santos Dorta – GSE/Facilities E-Board Member
Mark Erler – AMT E-Board Member
Eric Alburquerque – E-Board Member At-Large
Russell Dittmer – Admin E-Board Member
Please see attachment for signitures
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