Local 512

May 02, 2026

My fellow 512 members,

As of today, Saturday, Spirit Airlines has officially shut down operations and is winding down immediately after failing to secure financial support. All flights have been canceled, and thousands of aviation workers across the country are now directly impacted. 

This is a major moment in our industry. When an airline shuts down, the effects don’t stay contained. They ripple across the system, routes shift, market share gets absorbed, and pressure increases on workers at other carriers, including American Airlines.

We’ve seen this before. When competition disappears, companies adjust, and not always in ways that benefit frontline workers.

Let’s be clear: American is not Spirit. But the forces that brought Spirit down, rising costs, tight margins, and industry pressure, exist across aviation.

That’s a major development in our industry, and it deserves a clear, honest look, especially for those of us doing this work every day on the ramp. Let’s start with the truth: This did not happen because of frontline workers.

It wasn’t caused by ramp agents, mechanics, or anyone turning wrenches or working bags. What we’re seeing is the result of a business model and management decisions that left no room for error in an industry where disruption is guaranteed.

When weather hits, when flights stack up, when aircraft go down, when staffing is stretched, there has to be a buffer. At Spirit, that buffer wasn’t there, and it’s not at American Airlines.

Workers were expected to do more with less, move faster with fewer people, and keep the operation together under constant strain. That’s not a workforce failure; that’s a system pushed beyond its limits. 

Here at American Airlines, we operate under a different structure, but we are not immune to the same pressures. When airlines feel financial strain or see shifts in the industry, they respond in predictable ways: Pushing for higher productivity, reducing staffing where they think they can, and expecting more output with fewer resources.

We’ve all seen it. And we know exactly where that road leads. The lesson here isn’t about one airline, it’s about what happens when “efficiency” goes too far and turns into fragility. Staffing is not a luxury, safety is not optional, and our workers are not a line item to be squeezed when times get tough.

A few important reminders: 

Your union is currently in discussions with local management regarding giving Crew Chiefs the authority to manage and assign breaks within their crews. We understand how important this is on the ramp, and we’ll provide an update as soon as those discussions progress.

When submitting exceptions to management, make sure your statements are clear, concise, and accurate. Stick to the facts of the situation. Submitting incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to serious issues, including accusations of falsifying company documents.

This coming week, I’ll be heading to Washington, D.C to meet with members of Congress and the Senate to advocate on behalf of you and workers across the country.

Why? There is a bipartisan effort underway, the “No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act”, which is to fix this by expanding the definition of overtime in the tax code so that all hourly workers, including our members, are treated fairly and equally. 

In my meetings, I will be pushing for lawmakers to support and co-sponsor this effort. Our message is simple: if you’re putting in the extra hours, you deserve the same benefit, no matter what industry you work in. 

This won’t be an easy road. But we’ve never backed down from a fight when it comes to fairness, respect, and recognition for the work we do every day on the job.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Juan Elvira

President – TWU Local 512

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