A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

May 7, 2008

Brothers and Sisters,                                                                                                       

I would like to start this letter by thanking our entire Executive Board for a continued effort in representing our Members.  I would like for you the members of Local 502 to be as grateful and appreciative as I am for our Vice President, Lance Price and Secretary Treasurer, Steve Marr for their continued effort and dedication in running our Local.  With me in DFW partaking in Contract Negotiations these two gentlemen are being swamped with a number of extra duties.  So I for one THANK both of you.

I thank you, the members for being patient during the Negotiation process.   Knowing the amendable date of April 30 has passed, and bringing us to where we are today (May 2). I’m very aware of all members waiting for news of any economic proposals from the company. Let me just say I am very disappointed that there has not been a response on the economic package that was passed to the Company on March 6 and 7, until yesterday May 1^st, 2008, the Company contacted the TWU and made it clear that they would like to try to work with our labor group (TWU), they just needed a little time to prepare an economic proposal to submit to the Joint Negotiation Committee.  Our Union Officials after great deliberation decided to grant the Company extra time (ONE WEEK).

The week of May5–9 talks have been cancelled in hopes that the Company will be sincere in their request.  The Joint Negotiation Committee will resume Talks on May 12.      

Please understand, although the contract amendable date has passed, per the Railway Labor Act we continue to work under the current agreement.  Meanwhile your Joint Negotiation Committee will continue to work towards a new agreement.

I’m sure we have a few members that might be confused with our May 1^st raise of 1.5%.  Let there be no confusion we did receive that raise on May 1^st 2008.

For up to date information on your Negotiations please visit or call one of the following:

·      1-888-4TWUupdate (1-888-489-8873)             

·       http://negotiaate.twu.org

·      Local502.twuatd.org

Fraternally, 

Donald F. Tyndall