Brother Bill Huston has worked in a variety of functions both below and above the wing in his 51-year career at United Airlines. He started working on the ramp in Norfolk while he was attending college and later transferred to customer service at IAD.
141 Report: Bill Huston and Capital Lodge 1759
In this 141 Report, we speak with the president of one of the oldest airline locals in the IAM, Capital Lodge 1759, based in Herndon, VA, just outside Dulles International Airport.
Brother Bill Huston has worked in a variety of functions both below and above the wing in his 51-year career at United Airlines. He started working on the ramp in Norfolk while he was attending college and later transferred to customer service at IAD. Since the CS group joined the IAM in 1999, Bill has served as Shop Steward, Building Committee Rep, Trustee, and Vice President before he became president of the local. He also currently serves as a Safety Advocate in IAD.
Capital Local 1759, named after Capital Airlines, whose workers founded the local, represents 2,000 members who work for 5 airlines at 7 airports in four states. Capital Airlines merged with United in 1961, and the local also represents workers at Southwest, American, Alaska, and British Airways, and also airline support workers from Ogden, Menzies, and UGE.
Bill values the proud history of the IAM and works to ensure all members see the importance of solidarity. “We are as strong as the weakest member,” he says, which is why he devotes time to member education and mentoring.
Dave wraps up the interview recognizing the work that Local 1759 members do in community service. In 2018, they held a golf outing honoring the late District 141 AGC and Local 1759 member Rich Pascarella, which raised $70,000 for Guide Dogs of America. As we resume in-person events after COVID, Bill is looking forward to planning events like that one.
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