| | | Inside this issue: | To My Flying Partners
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To My Flying Partners,
I write to you today for the last time as your Council 11 President.
First and foremost I would like to begin by thanking our Local Officers and Volunteers. These dedicated Flight Attendants selflessly provide their expertise to assist Council 11 Members whenever called upon. I am very proud to have facilitated their efforts, and I consider myself lucky to have worked along side each and every one of these special individuals!
I am grateful for the relationships I have developed and nurtured with the other unions on the property. Our council has bonded like family with our Brothers and Sisters from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The San Mateo Central Labor Council, with over fifty affiliates, has always supported our cause. I cannot thank Secretary-Treasurer, Shelley Kessler, enough for her years of personal support and guidance. Her enthusiastic chanting at our monthly ‘Days of Action’ kept our picket line energized and motivated. Last, but not least, I want to recognize the Communication Workers of America-District 9 and the Retiree Association of Flight Attendants-CWA who have always been there to lend a helping hand.
Over the years all of these professional organizations and their Members have wholeheartedly supported us without hesitation, many taking time off work or setting aside personal time to join us on our picket line.
We have traveled down a very long, hard road in order to secure a Joint Tentative Agreement. Earlier this week, I met in Chicago with our Joint Negotiating Committee and LEC Presidents from UA/CAL/CMI to review and finally approve a joint TA. After lengthy discussion and debate your leadership voted unanimously to bring the agreement forward for a ratification vote. Having the opportunity to be a part of bringing this tentative agreement to you has truly made my term in office complete.
Moving forward I will continue to be a unionist. It is in my blood and part of who I am. I will always support our union and our local council. I wish the new leadership well.
It has been an extreme honor and privilege to serve as your Local Council President for the past nine years. I would like to thank you, the Members of Council 11, for allowing me the opportunity to serve as an advocate on your behalf.
Regardless of any differences we may have, at our very core we are all Flight Attendants. We are in this together, and together we are SFO STRONG!
Respectfully and In Solidarity,
Chris Black
LEC President
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