2-2-12 BK Negotiations Update:

Brothers and Sisters:

As we all know, the AMR bankruptcy has exacerbated an already difficult time for our members. TWU recognizes the anxiety and fear inflicted by their actions on you and your families. Be assured, we are taking all actions possible to protect your job, your wages and benefits.

On Wednesday Feb. 1, AMR announced their restructuring plan, a plan that deals a heavy blow to nearly 9,000 of our members. Their reorganization plan will be evaluated and challenged by our negotiating teams.

AMRs proposed business plan would terminate all existing pension plans, eliminate nearly a third of its maintenance employees at the Tulsa base, and close the Alliance maintenance base in Fort Worth, Texas. Only the Texas Aero Engine Services (TAESL) joint venture with Rolls Royce LTD could remain.

AMR also proposed outsourcing 27 stations that would affect over 4,000 fleet service workers and a variety of other job classifications across the AA system.

In total, the AMR plan will slash at least 13,000 jobs - over 15 percent of its workforce. This is a devastating hit to families already suffering through economic hard times. It is even more troubling for those who gave up so much in 2003 to keep this company from filing bankruptcy.
To counter this unbelievable proposal, the TWUs plan is in full operation. We need you to join us. We all realize that this is the most critical time in our member’s lives and their careers.

Our action plan includes:

•Nationally recognized legal counsel specialized in 1113 airline bankruptcy
•A team of leading labor attorneys
•Expert economists and financial advisors to review AMRs balance sheet
•Members mobilization, communication and outreach to business communities
•Political and civic leader involvement, locally and nationally
•External national media communications plan

We are counting on your support to rally your coworkers, friends and family members. You can help us get the message out - AMRs plan is devastating to working families and our communities. We will continue to update you via the web site, texts and email blasts.


Negotiating Committee Confidentiality Letter-Post BK
Attached is a letter requiring signature of all participating TWU Negotiating Committee members.  To see the letter, please click HERE.

Mother of SAN AMT CC Bob Norris passes away
Please keep Brother Bob Norris (SAN AMT CC) and his family in your thoughts and prayers. His mother passed away earlier this week. A service will be held at The Woodland Cemetary in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday, 2-4-12.

1-27-11:
PBGC Responds to American Airlines’ Letter on Employee Pensions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2012

WASHINGTON—The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today pushed back on misleading statements to American Airlines employees by its management about their pension plans.

"American Airlines is telling their workers and retirees not to worry, but they should," said J. Jioni Palmer, PBGC's director of communications.

A recent letter to employees from management downplayed the serious consequences of what could happen if the company terminated its pension plans, Palmer said. The letter ignored that PBGC doesn't insure retiree health benefits, which are usually canceled when companies terminate pension plans.

The American letter also downplayed the pension cuts that would occur if American's plans are terminated and PBGC benefits are substituted. Although the figure appears nowhere in the management letter, the airline itself estimates that some 13,000 current or retired employees will have their pensions cut.

American's recent statements, through its lead bankruptcy counsel and in employee communications, have signaled the airline's intent to dump its retirement obligations on the PBGC. "American said nothing's been decided yet, but didn't even bother to pretend that it was trying to preserve its employees' pensions," Palmer said.

Since the airline sought Chapter 11 protection on Nov. 29, 2011, the agency has been working to try to preserve American's pension plans. PBGC has repeatedly stated that the airline must be preserved, but that if it can do so while preserving its plans, that would be better both for PBGC and American's employees. PBGC noted that other airlines had reorganized successfully without terminating their plans.


Jacquelyn "Jackie" Randle Hospitalized:
LAX Title II Cabin Cleaner Jacquelyn "Jackie" Randle was hospitalized yesterday (1-25-12) after suffering a stroke.  She is currently under physician care at Kaiser-Cadillac in West LA.  She is in good spirits and will begin recovery therapy tomorrow.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

1-26-12:
BK/Negotiations Update
AMR Bankruptcy – February 1st Meetings
Published 01/26/2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The meetings scheduled for February 1, 2012 will take place at Flagship University in the Americana Room.

The AA group will meet at 10:00 am and the purpose of this meeting is to initiate the process for changes to our collective bargaining agreements pursuant to Section 1113 of the Bankruptcy Code. At this meeting, the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer, Beverly Goulet, will make a presentation on the company's restructuring Business Plan, and provide supporting information relating to the plan. Following that presentation, Jeff Brundage will discuss proposed changes that affect all Unions. Then, company negotiators will meet separately with each of the Unions to present specific proposals and supporting information.

The American Eagle group will meet at 2:00 pm to receive the same presentation of the AA restructuring Business Plan. Their negotiations will begin in the weeks following completion of the AA discussions.

Fraternally,

Robert Gless
Deputy Director Air Transport Division
AA System Coordinator


1-25-12: Negotiations Update
American Airlines has asked its three major unions to meet on February 1 to talk about changes it plans to make now that the carrier is in bankruptcy.

The Allied Pilots Association, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transport Workers Union represents about 54,000 pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, ground workers and other personnel at the Fort Worth-based carrier.

The TWU told its members that it has not been notified of any meeting for its American Eagle workers.

American did not give specifics on what it planned to discuss at the meeting.

"American has asked the leadership of each union representing AA employees – the APA, APFA and TWU – to attend a meeting on February 1 to discuss the kinds of changes we believe are necessary for our airline to compete effectively in order to prosper and grow in the future.  Our challenges are great, but so are our opportunities," said spokesman Bruce Hicks. "We plan to discuss these issues with the union leadership before providing any information publicly."

Retiree Update:
Congratulations to LAX Stores Clerk Gladden McKnight who retired from AA after 26 years of service. Local 564 wants to wish you a happy retirement......

1-22-12 Update
Special thanks to TWU BK lawyers Sharon Levine (LAX/SFO) and Mark Richard (SFO) for taking the time to come out to the west coast and address the membership.  Also, special thanks to Locals 502 and 505 for use of their hall for the meetings.

1-20-12 Letter from Air Transport Director Garry Drummond Regarding TWU Retirees representation in bankruptcy court
To read this letter, please click HERE .

Upcoming Meetings in LAX (Saturday Jan 21) and SFO (Sunday Jan 22) with TWU BK Attorneys
TWU Bankruptcy Attorneys Sharon Levine and Mark Richard will be visiting the west coast this weekend.  Meetings will be held in LAX and SFO this weekend.  To see the meeting times for LAX, click HERE.  To see the meeting times for SFO click HERE.


TWU International Press Release Regarding AMR Bankruptcy
To read the 1-19-12 press release, please click HERE

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Local 564 would like to wish everyone a Happy MLK Day.....

PBGC Director Josh Gotbaum discusses American Airlines' Pension Plan
To read the article, please click HERE

1-12-12 TWU International Press Release regarding today's meeting with the National Mediation Board (NMB)
To read the press release, please click HERE

Phil Pasco Funeral Service Update
A beautiful church service and funeral were held for our lost Brother Phil Pasco last Friday, January 6th.  Many of Brother Pasco's family, friends and co-workers were present to pay their respects.  If you wish to see photos of the service, you can see them by clicking on the Facebook link on the upper right-hand corner of this page.

Mother of LAX AMT Edwin Joseph passes away
Local 564 has been made aware the mother of LAX AMT Edwin Joseph has passed away in New York. Please keep Brother Joseph and his family in your thoughts and prayers.


1-7-12 Update:

To All AA Local Presidents and Benefit Coordinators;

I am receiving a large volume of calls regarding a letter from Transamerica cancelling policies.  Please inform your members they are now covered under the Standard STD Policy. Last year when we changed companies, anyone with Transamerica was automatically rolled over to the Standard, Transamerica is actually sending this letter out a year too late.  Unless the member actually withdrew from the STD plan, they are covered and the deduction will show under TWU VOL Benefits on their paystub.

Cara D. Steelman
LTD / STD Administrator
ATD Secretary               
Transport Workers Union of America
1791 Hurstview Drive Hurst, Texas 76054               
817-282-2544 - ATD Office
817-282-1906 - FAX
***************************************************************************************************


BK Update letter from ATD Director Garry Drummond
To read the updated January 2, 2012 letter click HERE

Retiree Update:
We have just received word Al Hughes (LAX AMT) will be retiring tomorrow, after nearly 20 years of service.  We will miss him.  Local 564 and all of its members want to wish him a happy retirement!!!

Happy New Year:
On behalf of all incoming and outgoing TWU Local 564 Officers, I would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  As we welcome in 2012, let us never forget the loved ones we lost in 2011.  Please be safe tonight.

Sincerely,
JOHN "J.R." RUIZ
President
TWU Local 564 AFL-CIO

Newly Retired Update:
Title II LAX Cabin Cleaner Julie A. Chan will be retiring tomorrow.  Mr. Chan began his career with American 16.5 years ago.  We wish him well and want to extend our thanks to Mr. Chan for his length of service and friendship.  You will be missed.

SFO AMT Phil Pasco passes away
On 12-23-11, Brother Phil Pasco suffered a massive heart attack.  He was immediately admitted to a local hospital.  According to reports, he was unresponsive and in critical condition.  Later that even, at approximately 9:15 p.m., we received word he passed away.  This was truly a very unexpected and traumatic experience for friends and family alike who knew and loved Brother Phil Pasco.  In addition, Brother Pasco recently won an election for Northern Executive Board Member for Local 564.  He will be missed.  Once we receive the funeral information, we will post it on this site.  Keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.


******URGENT******
Please keep Brother Phil Pasco (SFO AMT) and his family in your thoughts and prayers.  This morning, Brother Pasco's wife notified a friend and co-worker Brother Pasco had a heart attack.  He is currently in the hospital receiving treatment (at this time not sure which hospital).  Rather than speculate, Local 564 will wait until more information comes in and will give updates accordingly.  Brother Pasco recently won the Local 564 Election for Northern Executive Board.  Obviously, this is a difficult time for Mr. Pasco and his family this Holiday season.  If you wish to send Brother Pasco a note, his email address is: pasco1955@gmail.com


RECENTLY RECEIVED LETTER FROM TWU LOCAL 567 (AFW), DATED 12-8-11

To read about this letter and how it can potentially affect you, click HERE


A MESSAGE FROM TWU INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

TWU President Jim Little's comments will be published in The Hill regarding the recent BK by AMR. Read HERE


BK INFO NOV 30, 2011

The TWU has a site for the latest BK updates. Click HERE for the page.

BAD ADDRESS LIST - NOV 22, 2011

There are over 100 members that do not have good mailing addresses on file with the Local. Officer Elections and Contract Ballots cannot be sent without a valid address. Download list HERE

LOCAL 564 OFFICERS - DECEMBER 16, 2011

President
  • John "JR" Ruiz

Northern Vice President
  • Aaron Mattox III

Southern Vice President
  • Jim "Flip" Filippell

Financial Secretary
  • David M Goldbach

Northern Executive Board
  • Philip Pasco

Southern Executive Board
  • Bill Tomaras

Title Specific Executive Board
  • Bill Houseman

PREFUNDING EXPLAINED BY TWU REP ROBERT GLESS

The TWU has provided the answers to how Pre Funding works. The letter can be found HERE

OPEN ENROLLMENT IS HERE!!!

Check you benefit selections now on Jetnet and for TWU sponsored additional health, LTD, STD, and life insurance go HERE

BYLAW CHANGE VOTES IN

The votes are in and all changes passed. Posting HERE

TWU PRESS RELEASE ON AA AIRCRAFT ORDER - JULY 20, 2011

Read TWU Press Release regarding the recent purchase aircraft HERE

REPORT ON FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL

On Capitol Hill Senators and Representatives debate the future of aviation security, safety, and aircraft maintenance outsourcing. Read the TWU report HERE

BENEFITS COMMITTEE

Meeting minutes posted on Letters of Agreement

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES/IBT CONTRACT COMPARISON TO AA/TWU

The IBT CAL membership has ratified the M&R TA and a side by side comparison can be viewed HERE

APFA, APA, AND TWU URGE FAA TO FOLLOW UP ON SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES

All three unions acknowledge that there are safety and security issues that need attention and ask the FAA to move forward. Read the Three Union Letter, OIG Outsourcing Report, and 2009 OIG DOT Report.

TWU OFFERS LTD, STD, AND LIFE INSURANCE

Many of the existing TWU offered insurance plans have changed in the past year and improvements to the plans may be of benefit to you. For information on LTD, STD, and Life Insurance can be found by clicking on the links. If you have further questions regarding how the policies work or specific information contact Lori Goldberg with Union Benefit Planners.

TWU Local 564, AFL - CIO
100 West Imperial Ave, Suite R
El Segundo, CA 90245
Office: 310-640-7430FAX:  310-640-7432
Toll Free: 800-657-1097
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