About Us
The Transport Workers Union of America was founded in 1934 as an industrial union dedicated to the promise that an organization built on trust and equality for all workers cannot be denied. Our motto is “United-Invincible.”
TWU is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the worldwide International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). We are a trade unin representing workers in Mass Transportation, Airline, Railroad, Utility, University, Municipalities, Service, and Allied Industries.
Our union operates on three levels- the International Union, Industrial Divisions, and Local affiliates. All TWU members belong to Locals formed on the basis of interest and geographic location. The members elect their own Local officers who handle most of their problems. The International Union coordinates the activities of the Divisions and the Locals and assists in negotiations, organizing drives and legislative campaigns. It provides professional, legal, education, research and public relations services to the Locals and Divisions.
The supreme policy-making body of the union is the International Convention, which is held every four years. International officers are elected at the Convention. The International Constitution, which governs all union activities, is reviewed and amended at that time as well.
Between Conventions, the policy-making body of the union is the International Executive Council and an International Executive Board, Division Councils meet at regular intervals to discuss and formulate policies affecting their own particular memberships.
The Air Transport Division Veterans Committee was established November 11, 2008 as a viable means to support all military members, defenders of the nation, Veterans and their families of the Air Transport Division.
The TWU Veterans Committee is headquartered at:
1220 19th street NW, 6th floor
Washington DC 20036
202-719-3900 office
202-347-0454 fax
Chairman’s Letter
Welcome to the Transport Workers Union Veterans Committee (TWUVC) where we are dedicated to helping veterans. Our committee is comprised of dedicated TWU Veterans members from the airline, railroad and transit which are divisions of the TWU.
The TWUVC meets quarterly to discuss veterans’ issues and ways we can help improve their lives. Our committee is comprised of 4 sub-committees. They are Benefits, Legislative, Events and Communications. These sub-committees bring important information whether it’s VA benefits, political issue and fund raising for veterans causes. Our communications committee wraps it all up and shares it through social media and our website.
In the past the TWUVC has supported and volunteered at the annual Hank Trujillo Memorial Free PX in cooperation with “Operation Military Embrace (501©3). This program has since ended its need. We continue our support with the Spartan Sword (made from steel from the World Trade Center) and its cause to prevent veteran suicide. This sword is solemn and dignified as the souls lost on 9/11/2001 are in this steel. Our committee took the Spartan sword to the 26th TWU International convention where we all took the Spartan pledge and raised over $100,000. All donated monies went to www.gallantfew.org & www.spartansword.org where two Trac Chairs were purchased for 2 triple amputees as well as assisting in the evacuation of Afghanistan translators that were working with the US Military at the end of the war. We continue to support and send the Spartan Sword across the US to prevent veteran suicide. When our quarterly meetings are over, our mission is not. We continue our mission – Veterans helping Veterans.
The Spartan Pledge
“I will not take my own life by my own hand until I talk to my Battle Buddy first. My mission, is to find a mission to help my Warfighter family.”
Respectfully,
Christopher Kiernan
TWUVC
Chairman
Chairman’s Letter, Emeritus
Welcome to the Transport Workers Union
“VETERANS HELPING VETERANS” it’s more than a motto its who we are and what we represent.
Starting as the Transport Workers Union-Air Transport Division Veterans Committee on November 11, 2008, we have grown to become the TWUVC encompassing the entire Transport Workers Union organization. I believe this committee has become the business model for other organizations which means more of our nation’s Military Veterans are better informed!
We are dedicated volunteers serving our Union Brothers and Sisters and family members with anything relating to military duty. Whether Active-Duty, Reserve, Guard, or Veterans as it relates to their civilian employment, benefits, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA) and benefits our Veterans earned at home and abroad, in peacetime or war.
The TWUVC is comprised of various sub-committees such as Benefits, Legislative, Events, and Communications to name a few. These sub-committees bring new and important information to regularly scheduled meetings from representatives across the nation from their stations and respective locals so we can share news with our members to better serve our Union Brothers and Sisters, our Armed Forces, and Veteran community.
The TWUVC regularly goes above and beyond assisting any and all veterans as well as military personnel and their families. This committee is currently working in cooperation with a non-profit organization to build a mortgage-free home for a wounded warrior and his family. The TWUVC is also working with another non-profit organization (our third year assisting) collecting and distributing donations for “Operation Free PX”. It is largest of its kind providing our nations warfighters currently stationed at Brooke Army Medical Center the opportunity to shop for everything they need, free of charge to ease the burden of financial pressure before the holidays.
The TWUVC’s primary objective is to assist the TWU’s military veterans with needs and challenges arising due to Military Leave Of Absence (MLOA) , and understanding their contractual rights and benefits as written in their respective collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, we share information on legislative issues past and present that directly affect them, their families as well as their quality of life.
Moving Forward, the bar has continued to rise and the TWUVC will strive to meet its expectations as our motto is…
“VETERANS HELPING VETERANS”
Respectfully,
Peter C. Meyer
TWUVC
Chairman, Emeritus
