Transport Workers Union of America President Sonny Hall Retires; Michael O'Brien Takes Over
9/21/2004 9:58:00 AM
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To: National Desk, Transportation Reporter
Contact: Jim Gannon of the Transport Workers Union of America, 212-259-4936
NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- TWU International President Sonny Hall has retired after 10 years at the helm of the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, and 54-year old Executive Vice President Michael O'Brien was elected by the union's Executive Board to succeed him.
Hall, a 50-year member and officer of TWU, passed the gavel to O'Brien at the Union's International Executive Council meeting in Los Angeles on Sept. 21.
Under Hall's leadership, TWU dramatically expanded its political action program and organizing efforts. He leaves with TWU's membership base nearly 30,000 (30 percent) greater than when he was first elected International President in 1993. TWU membership now stands at 135,000.
Hall said: "I did my very best. I am proud of what I have accomplished and I am proud that I have respected every T.W.U. Sister and Brother, even when we disagreed. Mike is an excellent leader who will continue and expand the growth of T.W.U. and protect the rights and jobs of every T.W.U. member."
Upon taking the gavel, O'Brien thanked President Hall for his years of service pledging that he will "continue to build upon the tremendous record of activism and vision brought to this union and the labor movement by Sonny Hall." O'Brien also pledged to "aggressively position the TWU in the forefront of the labor movement's expansion of organizing efforts and political activity, while simultaneously working to strengthen our TWU Local Unions."
O'Brien joined TWU Local 282 in 1972 as a school bus driver in Bristol Township, PA. He began representing fellow Local 282 members as a Shop Steward in 1975. He served on the Local union's Executive Board from 1978 to 1981, and President of the Local from 1981 to 1985, where he negotiated several gain-filled contracts as a Local officer.
O'Brien was named an International Organizer in 1983 and he participated in the successful drive to organize a number of regional airline carriers now known as American Eagle, which today numbers 6,000 workers. He also keyed drives to organize many more workers employed by school districts and municipalities in New Jersey and Georgia.
After the organizing victories, O'Brien was promoted to International Representative where he built a reputation as a tough and savvy negotiator and was elected Vice President in 1993. Overall, O'Brien has helped Local leaders negotiate more than 100 contracts for TWU represented mass transit properties, municipalities, school districts, universities and utilities. He also led a highly publicized strike of women food service workers against the mighty anti-union Marriott Corporation.
He was named Executive Vice President in 2003 and will be running for a full term as president in 2005.
I hope he enjoys his retirement and Michael O'Brien will have his hads full!
Have you noticed the 35 thousand increase in the last 10 years? That almost doubles Amfa's record in the same time frame!
9/21/2004 9:58:00 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: National Desk, Transportation Reporter
Contact: Jim Gannon of the Transport Workers Union of America, 212-259-4936
NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- TWU International President Sonny Hall has retired after 10 years at the helm of the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, and 54-year old Executive Vice President Michael O'Brien was elected by the union's Executive Board to succeed him.
Hall, a 50-year member and officer of TWU, passed the gavel to O'Brien at the Union's International Executive Council meeting in Los Angeles on Sept. 21.
Under Hall's leadership, TWU dramatically expanded its political action program and organizing efforts. He leaves with TWU's membership base nearly 30,000 (30 percent) greater than when he was first elected International President in 1993. TWU membership now stands at 135,000.
Hall said: "I did my very best. I am proud of what I have accomplished and I am proud that I have respected every T.W.U. Sister and Brother, even when we disagreed. Mike is an excellent leader who will continue and expand the growth of T.W.U. and protect the rights and jobs of every T.W.U. member."
Upon taking the gavel, O'Brien thanked President Hall for his years of service pledging that he will "continue to build upon the tremendous record of activism and vision brought to this union and the labor movement by Sonny Hall." O'Brien also pledged to "aggressively position the TWU in the forefront of the labor movement's expansion of organizing efforts and political activity, while simultaneously working to strengthen our TWU Local Unions."
O'Brien joined TWU Local 282 in 1972 as a school bus driver in Bristol Township, PA. He began representing fellow Local 282 members as a Shop Steward in 1975. He served on the Local union's Executive Board from 1978 to 1981, and President of the Local from 1981 to 1985, where he negotiated several gain-filled contracts as a Local officer.
O'Brien was named an International Organizer in 1983 and he participated in the successful drive to organize a number of regional airline carriers now known as American Eagle, which today numbers 6,000 workers. He also keyed drives to organize many more workers employed by school districts and municipalities in New Jersey and Georgia.
After the organizing victories, O'Brien was promoted to International Representative where he built a reputation as a tough and savvy negotiator and was elected Vice President in 1993. Overall, O'Brien has helped Local leaders negotiate more than 100 contracts for TWU represented mass transit properties, municipalities, school districts, universities and utilities. He also led a highly publicized strike of women food service workers against the mighty anti-union Marriott Corporation.
He was named Executive Vice President in 2003 and will be running for a full term as president in 2005.
I hope he enjoys his retirement and Michael O'Brien will have his hads full!
Have you noticed the 35 thousand increase in the last 10 years? That almost doubles Amfa's record in the same time frame!
