Local 512

May 8, 2026

My fellow 512 family,

Our hearts go out to the Delta Ground Service employee who tragically passed away this week in Orlando while on the job. The reported accident involved a push-out tug, or what many of us here in Chicago call a huff. This incident is a painful reminder of the tragedy we experienced in Austin, Texas, involving the loss of one of our own TWU members.

Please keep the employee’s family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

These tragedies remind all of us that ramp work is one of the most dangerous environments in the industry. Every day we work around moving equipment, aircraft, tight clearances, noise, weather conditions, and constant operational pressure. Situational awareness is not optional on the ramp; it is critical to making it home safely to our families.

Take the extra second to look around your surroundings. Stay alert around operating equipment. Wear your PPE, maintain eye contact and communication with coworkers, and never allow distractions or rushing to override safety procedures.

No operation is more important than your life.

If any member needs assistance, support, or someone to talk to, please reach out to the EAP resources through the field office or the union hall. We are here for our members and their families.

This past week, I was in our nation’s Capital alongside more than 150 TWU activists and officers meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to help build support for federal legislation that would benefit union members and working families across the country.

One of the major issues we discussed was legislation focused on providing tax relief for overtime earnings. During our meetings, we strongly supported an amended version of the bill that would include our members and provide relief by eliminating federal taxes on overtime pay.

We understand this is a very sensitive issue, especially given that many transportation and airline workers were originally excluded from the current language under discussion. That is unacceptable to us, and we made it clear that the workers who keep this country moving, including airline workers, ramp workers, mechanics, dispatchers, and all frontline transportation employees, deserve equal treatment and equal tax relief for the overtime hours we sacrifice away from our families.

While this fight is far from over, your union will continue pushing lawmakers from both parties to recognize the value of our work and the sacrifices our members make every single day.

We will continue to advocate, lobby, and fight until our members receive the same benefits and protections afforded to other workers across the nation.

We understand that the company has been scheduling training for Wheelchair and Pristine operations, yet in several situations, they have failed to properly schedule breaks and lunches for members attending the training.

Members should not be placed in a position where they are required to remain in training for extended periods without appropriate break periods or the ability to take their contractual and legally required lunches. Proper scheduling and staffing must be accounted for before assigning members to these training sessions.

If you experience issues regarding missed breaks, lunches, or scheduling concerns during training, please document the situation and notify a union steward.

We continue to have ongoing issues with the company stretching assignments as far as possible when assigning trips and workloads. We have had members working right up to the last minute of their scheduled shift and, in some cases, going beyond their scheduled time.

Let’s be clear, we do not work for free!

Our members come to work every day to perform the job professionally and safely, and you deserve to be properly compensated for every minute worked. If you are placed in a situation where your assignment runs over your scheduled time, you should submit an exception to management documenting the overage. The same applies to any missed breaks, interrupted lunches, or paid lunches that were not properly handled.

Please continue documenting these situations so your union can monitor the pattern and address it with the company. We will continue pushing management for accountability and proper staffing levels.

Unfortunately, this is another example of the company attempting to add more work with fewer people. Work safely, protect yourselves, and make sure you are paid properly for the work you perform.

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.
 click the iTunes or Google Play logos below to download the app today!