Steward Training Underway

March 7, 2013

American Airline agents recently completed a two-day “train-the-trainer” session at DFW, preparing to train other activists to become union stewards as we begin to build our union at our larger merged airline.

Steward training already is set for April in New York, and other stations are working through training schedules. You can nominate yourself to participate in the steward training by filling out and mailing the form in our Resources section.

“We need to be ready for the next vote, and that means we must act like a union,” said Steve Langhi, DFW, one of the activists who participated in the train-the-trainer session. “We’re taking the bull by the horns, reaching out to our fellow agents and identifying those who will help us build the union.”

The steward training teaches what a union is all about, including how to assist agents with grievances, conduct surveys to identify issues for collective action and mobilize agents to act on those issues. Volunteers are needed from all sectors – Reservations, Airport, Admirals Club and CBS.

“The important thing we need to stress to our fellow agents is that we’re not going away,” said Bridget Powell, SRO. “We intend to keep working hard until we get our union.”

Although American Airlines says it will create committees to represent our agents during the seniority integration process, “nothing can be done until after we have our vote,” Powell said. “US Airways agents have their seniority protected by their CWA contract. We don’t have any such protections, and the company setting up committees will not change that.”

“I’m getting involved because I want to make a difference in helping myself and my coworkers retain their jobs and improve compensation and working conditions,” Langhi said. “Activists must remember that WE are the union.”

Raquel Maue, who flew in from LAX to participate in the training at DFW, agreed. “We are forming a union, the union is not forming us!” she declared. “Everybody needs to get involved to have a voice and prevent the nonsense of management making up rules as they go.”