August 26, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Yesterday, the company put out a letter with a much distorted view of our contract negotiations. The company would like you to believe that they have offered an industry leading contract proposal. The fact is that the only place that the company proposal will lead us to is right out of a job. The proposal is full of outsourcing of our jobs and concessions of our benefits. This is true for the Fleet Service and the Maintenance contracts.
The company should be ashamed of themselves. Their desire to outsource deicing and Title II work in Chicago is only a small part of their overall plan to shift our work to outside vendors. The Local 512 membership has proven over and over again that we deice planes, fix jet bridges and ground equipment better than anyone. This is our core work and we have bailed out their substandard vendors time and time again when they fail. For the company to ask for more of our work is insulting. To do so in a manner that it is part of an “industry leading contract” proposal is reprehensible. This company is making grotesque profits and we have done our share. Just look at the pathetic job that the vendor is doing with bus driving. Look at the poverty wages paid to the cabin and building cleaners. Let’s not forget that we are working under the bankruptcy contract that is already full of concessions; frozen pensions, higher health insurance costs, and outsourcing of our work.
And let’s not forget about our IAM brothers and sisters. The company is quick to propose draconian changes to their benefits too. US Airways went through bankruptcy more than once. They have felt the pain.
The TWU is not standing idle. The protests in DFW and MIA have shaken management. Now it is our turn. Local 512 and Local 591 are planning a major event next weekend and we need your participation. The event will take place on Friday, September 1 and Sunday, September 3 from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM. If you chose not to participate, we need you to CSW for someone that will. Lunch will be provided. Transportation will be provided to the event site. Details will be communicated to you ASAP.
I understand that this event will take place on Labor Day weekend. That being said, this is the most appropriate holiday to fight for workers’ rights. This is the fight for our job security and for our livelihoods.
Fraternally,
Tim Murphy
President TWU Local 512
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