Transport Workers Union Local 512

08/20/2026

TWU/IAM Association Tech Ops Contract Proposals/Survey remains open through August 31, 2026.

08/19/2026

The TWU Air Division is gathered together for a safety summit on National Aviation Day, with Flight Attendants, AMTs, Dispatchers, Ramp Workers and more uniting to discuss critical safety issues and how to make our workplaces safer!

08/15/2026

Local 512

Weekly Update

August 15, 2026

My fellow 512 family,

We want to take a moment to welcome the few hundred new members joining TWU Local 512. Many of you are currently in your orientation and training phase and will soon be joining us on the ramp here at Chicago O’Hare.

We know the last few years haven’t always been perfect. We’ve faced our share of challenges, changes, and difficult times here at ORD, as well as in other stations and hubs. But through it all, your union has continued to stand up for our members each and every day. Through our safety team and field office, we have created a bigger footprint on the ramp than in this local's 80 years of existence.

As you begin your careers here at O’Hare, remember that you are not alone. You have a union behind you, and we encourage you to learn your contract, know your rights and responsibilities, and never hesitate to ask questions.

We look forward to working with all of you. Welcome to TWU Local 512—and to the family.

Let’s start by reviewing a few important things so your transition into your career at American Airlines goes as smoothly as possible.

As a new employee, you will be considered a probationary employee for your first 100 days. During this period, you will be accruing sick time and vacation time. However, it will not appear in Workbrain until after you complete your 100 days. Both accrue monthly, and vacation accrues for the following year.

ATTENDANCE DURING PROBATION

Attendance is especially important during your probationary period. You should not call in sick simply because. Absences during probation can have serious consequences.

If you experience a serious illness, accident, or other circumstance that requires you to miss work, make sure you follow the proper company call-in and notification procedures and provide any required documentation.

Illinois Kin Care leave will not be available to you because you are on probation. Using Illinois Kin Care, you must have sick time in your bank for your absence to be coded, so you won’t incur a point. Full-time accrues 40 hours, and part-time accrues 25 hours. Illinois Kin Care is for caring for a family member; use it wisely.

When in doubt, contact the field office before making a decision that could affect your employment.

Your first 100 days are important. Show up, be on time, learn your job, follow the rules, and ask questions. We want to see every one of you successfully complete probation and become a strong member of the TWU Local 512 family.

Lastly, during our weekly meeting, we had a general discussion and requested updates on several items addressed over the past month.

The company is still waiting for the CDA to paint the required boxes on the outer H-side. Until this work is completed, the company has suspended push and pull operations on the outer H-side.

There are still four open positions for facility Maintenance Mechanics. We will continue to follow up with the company regarding these vacancies and the need to properly staff the department.

We requested another update regarding the cables needed for the new printers in the bag room. We were informed that the cables are on the way.

We also requested information regarding how tornado warnings and severe weather alerts are communicated to employees working on the ramp. We want to ensure our members receive timely, effective notifications when severe weather threatens operations.

If you have any concerns or any questions, you can contact us at the field office at 773-894-0077 or our safety team.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Juan Elvira

President – TWU Local 512

08/12/2026

Happy Retirement, Roman!

Wishing our longtime TWU Local 512 family member, Roman Cholewinski, a very happy and well-deserved retirement!

Thank you, Roman, for your many years of dedication, hard work, and commitment to our union family. May this next chapter bring you good health, happiness, and plenty of time to enjoy life.

Congratulations, Roman, and enjoy your retirement!

08/10/2026

08/08/2026

Local 512

Weekly Update

August 8, 2026

My fellow 512 family,

The TWU/IAM Association Negotiating Committee for Fleet met this week in Chicago, Illinois, to begin laying the groundwork for our upcoming contract negotiations with American Airlines.

Formal negotiations are scheduled to begin in June 2027, with an earlier contract opener in April 2027. Make no mistake, your negotiating committee is already preparing for a strong fight at the bargaining table.

We know what our Fleet members contribute every single day. We keep this operation moving through long hours, demanding conditions, extreme weather, staffing challenges, and increasing workloads. Our members deserve a contract that recognizes their hard work, protects their rights, improves their quality of life, and provides the wages, benefits, and working conditions they deserve.

The TWU and IAM are united, and our negotiating committee is committed to standing together and standing strong. It will also be about respect, fairness, dignity, and the future of our Fleet workforce.

Unity will be our greatest strength. Stay informed, stay engaged, and stay united. When we stand together, management knows that our members are ready to fight for a better future for all. One Voice – One Fight – One Contract.

We continue to see growth here in Chicago, and that growth means more opportunities for our Fleet workforce.

This coming week, American Airlines will hold another hiring event. ON Monday, the company will be recruiting for Crew chief positions, with plans to hire approximately twenty additional people. Then on Tuesday, American will hold another hiring event for a combination of full-time and part-time Fleet positions.

As the workforce expands, we will continue to make sure that our members have a strong voice, proper representation, and a union that is fighting to protect the jobs, rights, and future of our entire Fleet workforce.

Safety Reminder: When working on aircraft, do not take shortcuts when it comes to safety.

Please make sure that all cargo compartments are properly secured with the required safety net before closing the compartment. Even when dealing with late bags or tight turns, take the time to follow every procedure. Late bags are never a reason to skip a safety step.

A properly secured safety net can prevent baggage and cargo from falling out when a cargo door is opened. We work in a fast-paced environment, but safety must always come first. Take the extra moment, follow the. Procedure, and make sure the compartment is secure.

Attendance continues to be a major issue throughout the system, and the company is closely scrutinizing attendance. We want to make sure our members understand the policy and avoid putting themselves in situations that could lead to unnecessary discipline.

If you are going to call in sick, call as early as possible. Remember, calling in within one hour of your scheduled start time can result in two attendance points. Don’t wait until the last minute if you know you are unable to report for work.

If you are running late, make sure you badge in when you arrive. If you need to submit an exception, enter the actual time you arrived and badged in, not the time you were scheduled to report.

For example, if you were scheduled to start at 6:00 AM but arrived at 6:20 AM, your exception should reflect 6:20 AM, not 6:00 AM.

Be accurate. Be honest. Protect yourself. Entering an incorrect time can create an unnecessary issue with the company and potentially lead to serious consequences.

We understand that things happen, but please do your part to protect your attendance record. If you have questions or believe an attendance occurrence was issued incorrectly, contact your Union representative before assuming the company’s determination is final.

The celebration continues as we proudly recognize 80 years of TWU Local 512 representing our members here in Chicago!

On Thursday, September 3, 2026, we will be celebrating Members Appreciation Day and this incredible 80-year milestone with our Union family. We’ll have a taco truck available for our members as we take a moment to recognize and thank everyone for their hard work, dedication, and commitment.

Please keep an eye out for the flyers that will be distributed soon, which will provide the exact time and location at the airport.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Juan Elvira – President

TWU Local 512 – Stronger Together

08/05/2026

The officers and members of TWU Local 512 extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Omadath "Omar" Seecharan, who passed away on August 1, 2026, at the age of 83.

Omar was a proud retiree of TWU Local 512 who dedicated many years of service to the aviation industry and was a valued member of our union family. He will be remembered for his hard work, friendship, and the lasting impact he had on those who had the privilege of knowing him.

A Puja Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 8, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bucaro Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 485 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, Illinois.

May his memory bring comfort and strength to his loved ones during this difficult time.