Local 512

April 11, 2026

My fellow 512 family,

I want to take a moment to bring everyone up to speed on what we are seeing here in Chicago and across the system, and how it is directly impacting our day-to-day operation.

Right now at O’Hare, we are in the middle of a very real operational battle between American Airlines and United Airlines. Both carriers are pushing aggressive schedules to control Chicago, but the reality is that the airport simply cannot handle the volume being scheduled.

As always, that pressure is failing on the frontline.

We are seeing tighter with little to no room for error, delays stacking quickly, aircraft waiting on gates, and crews being constantly reshuffled. On top of that, there is increased pressure from management to keep the operation moving regardless of the conditions on the ground.

Just as concerning is the lack of communication in Chicago, which has become extremely unacceptable. We continue to see delayed responses on the radio, little to no coordination between departments, and frontline crews left without direction during critical moments.

If the company expects this summer operation to go above and beyond and bring Chicago back to the levels it once had in the 80s and 90s, then that starts with full support from management. That means clear communication, accountability, and stronger operational control. Our members cannot be expected to carry out this operation without that level of support. 

Your union is actively engaged with local management on these issues. We are pushing for strict contract enforcement, protecting our members on the job, and holding the company accountable when they push beyond what is safe.

We are also demanding clear answers and compliance on key issues.

Three-man base crews must be maintained. We are seeing attempts to stretch or work around this, and that is unacceptable. We ask the Crew Chief to report on these events and provide real-time updates to us.

Dual offload and upload operations must be clearly defined. We will not accept grey areas that increase workload or compromise safety.

With that being said, remember this:

Stay within the contract.

Do not take unsafe shortcuts.

Document and report issues when they occur.

If the company wants a high-performing Chicago operation, it starts with properly supporting the people doing the work. Right now, that support is not where it needs to be, and we are making that clear.

A quick clarification on Article 14 – Hours of Service, paragraph (H). If your part-time shift includes an unpaid lunch break, you are not afforded a break. If your part-time shift has no unpaid lunch built in, you are entitled to one 15-minute break during a five-hour shift. Any part-time shift over five hours is entitled to two 15-minute breaks. For any other issues, please contact us at the field office or a steward.

We will continue to push, continue to hold the line, and continue to protect our members.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Juan Elvira

President – TWU Local 512

TWU Local 512 is proud to announce the Local 512 app for your smartphone is available for download in the Apple store and the Google play store.
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