Subject: State Of The Union January 16, 2024
Dear fellow TWU 557 members:
Following is a review of your Union’s activities and ongoing actions over the past year. Before we address that however, I want to thank you all for your generosity and concern for our fellow LUV workers. Thanks to your efforts, we were able to give meaningful gifts of over $700 to Pam and Joe (though their efforts for our group are worth far more) as well as provide $100 to Isabella (our primary janitorial worker) and $50 to Donna, Carlos, Maria and John (the high fiving guard at the front gate). You all are the best!
January 1 marked the close of the busiest and most productive year our training center has ever experienced. Our ranks grew from 233 on the seniority list at the end of 2022 to 286 at the close of 2023 and our membership grew to 185 (dues paying member off probation). We embarked on the first year (actually 2nd year for pay) of our newly ratified CBA. A recap of some of the features that were facilitated and activities of your Union over this past year include:
1. Flexible scheduling provided for line builds with 11 to 14 days off for 30% of our FCTIs based on seniority. (Flex-Bid via Quick Base)
2. Monthly Open-time (MOT) was initiated providing for opportunities to enhance work schedules with the potential of premium pay.
3. Daily Open-time (DOT) has also enhanced the opportunities for extra events with provisions for premium pay and duel events.
a. Enhancements to DOT have been instituted to provide for prioritization of events and specific selection of duel events.
4. Part-time opportunities were afforded to 18 instructors (in seniority order).
5. Two grievances were filed and pursued to fruition (DOT prioritization and member rights).
6. We established a Scheduling Committee to address scheduling issues/questions and a direct web link has been set established. twu557schedcomm@googlegroups.com
7. Additional Incentive/Retention bonuses were offered and established with Letter of Agreement (LOA) 2023-02.
8. In an effort to address Commuter issues, we established a Hotel/Commuter Committee chaired by Patrick Arter (contact information: @ patarter@icloud.com or Patrick.Arter@wnco.com).
9. We finished the year with a strong balance sheet and on budget. (Thanks to Treasurer Tom Simonds’ diligent efforts).
Although we’ve been busy this past year, there’s still work to be done. To that end, we will continue our monthly feedback meetings with Lead Ops to address ongoing scheduling and quality of life issues. We continue to refine and clarify interpretation and enforcement of our CBA. This year we also have the election of two Board members (President and Secretary/Treasurer). These will be upcoming in March, so give thought to stepping up or who you’d like to represent you. I’ve attached a letter from your Vice President, Gordy Purcey detailing the election process as well as our 2024 budget.
In closing, I have great admiration for the professionals that you all are. It’s been a pleasure serving with you this past year.
Fraternally,
Jim Baird
President, TWU 557