Happy Thanksgiving From TWU Local 591

November 25, 2021

To the Membership:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking back to last Thanksgiving to now, to say this past year has been difficult would be a tremendous understatement.  This time last year we were faced with a reduction in force, and much uncertainty with the pandemic. And although it has been an arduous year, there are many things that have happened in our Local that I am thankful for.

For starters, I am thankful of the work this Local, and the Local Membership, did to help secure three rounds of Payroll Support Program (PSP) from the federal government.  Two rounds alone since last Thanksgiving, when we were headed into a tremendous uptick of Covid over the winter.  The emails, calls, visits, tweets to/with Congress from our Members made a huge difference. I am proud and thankful for the participation that far exceeded 100,000 emails and tweets from our Local’s Membership.  The fact that outside of a short period of time for a small group, we kept our Members employed during the worst downturn in aviation history is a testament to the strength and unity our Local can have when we all participate.

I am very thankful for each of our Local 591 Representatives, including those in Safety, ASAP, MAP/EAP/Benefits, who have served every member to the best of their outstanding abilities.  They have enforced our contract, kept our Members safe, helped keep our Members out of harm’s way with the FAA, kept our Members informed, worked tirelessly to help our Members with personal and/or benefits issues, and all of this often despite far too much reluctance from many in management. So, when I say I am very thankful for the work our Local 591 Representatives do, understand, that I know that every day is a struggle for them as well with this management group. 

Finally, and when looking at where we were a year ago to now, I am very thankful for our negotiated contractual Line Scope language that now has American hiring and opening positions in all workgroups. This is a testament to the Scope language our Local led the fight for and won, and something each of us should be very proud of.  Our fight then has led to the openings now as we hopefully are emerging from the pandemic.  We also welcome our new Members and look forward to them joining us in the upcoming challenges and fights, the most significant of which will be here in a short few years when we once again start up the negotiations process.

On behalf of the Local 591 Executive Board, we wish each of you, and your families, a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Fraternally:

Gary Schaible

TWU Local 591 President

Thanksgiving 2021 Letter .pdf