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Machinists Union members at IAH are rallying around a critically injured ramp agent who many know as a humble and hard-working friend.
Ulysses Cruz was severely injured by an Allied Aviation van, according to officers of the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union in Houston.
Cruz was struck as he was wing-walking an aircraft from the gate on the morning of September 7.
Witnesses say that Cruz’s actions may have prevented the van from crashing into the aircraft.
Surveillance video shows Cruz spotting the approaching van, raising his wands to alert the driver about the moving aircraft, and then bracing himself just before being hit. Safety experts who have reviewed the footage say that Cruz had only a split second to react after seeing the van. Had the van continued past Cruz, it may have collided with the departing aircraft, potentially resulting in a larger incident. The van’s impact knocked Cruz about 15 feet back onto the concrete, causing extensive injuries.
According to witnesses and security videos, Cruz was positioned correctly at the rear of the plane as it began to push away from the gate when he was struck. Witnesses and video of the event indicate that the vehicle may have been traveling above the posted speed limit, giving Cruz very little time to react.
Coworkers at IAH who know Cruz were not surprised that he would instinctively place the safety of others before his own. “I believe he thought that his first job was to protect the people on that plane,” said Local 811 Committeeman Bruno Pereira, who was working at the Control Center at the time of the accident. “That’s the person Uly is. He would have tried to protect his passengers and the driver of that van,” adding that Cruz might not have been able to avoid injury, even if he wanted to.
The driver of the van, whose identity has not been released, said the morning sunlight blinded him just before the accident. He is a lead agent with Allied, an aircraft fueling contractor for United Airlines. Sources at the company said that he is an experienced lead agent with over 40 years of service. Charges have not been filed against him.
Cruz, a native of Guam, transferred to Houston seeking more secure work at the IAH hub. The move was risky, but friends say Cruz was willing to “sleep in his van” to make it work. He eventually gained a full-time position and made his home in Houston. He also built a reputation as a hard-working and modest coworker. “His paycheck would all go to his family. I never see him wearing expensive clothes or jewelry or have the latest gadgets,” said Simi Edwards, a friend of Cruz’s for 22 years.
Cruz has been unable to return to work and faces urgent and possibly long-term medical needs because of the accident. His coworkers are collecting donations to help cover expenses that his family is incurring while he recovers.
The Cruz family has asked for privacy throughout the ordeal. Those wishing to make donations or send their good wishes to the family may do so on the IAM Houston BTW Facebook Page.
This summer has been particularly dangerous for airline ramp workers. In August, an agent in Charlotte, North Carolina, died when the tug he was driving flipped over, pinning him underneath. The same week, another ramp agent was killed at JFK airport while working short-handed at Delta. In that incident, the tug he was operating shifted into gear as he was connecting carts, crushing him.
The District 141 Ground and Flight Safety Committee works to promote a safety culture within our members at every airline. More information and links to educational and reporting tools are available at https://iam141.org/safety/ and UnionSafe141.org.
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John Staton, Jr. was appointed to the position of District 141 Vice President At-Large, effective immediately.
District 141 President and Directing General Chair Mike Klemm announced the decision at the annual IAM141 Committee Conference.
Staton joined the Machinists Union as a United Airlines Ramp Agent in 1989. A veteran of the US Marine Corps and Army National Guard, he entered the commercial aviation industry with a strong commitment to service. This commitment drove him to become a Shop Steward while he was still a probationary employee.
“I got active in this union because I’ve worked hard my whole life. I’ve seen that working hard by itself isn’t going to get it done. We’re going to need to work hard, and work smart,” said Staton.
Staton got married while still in the Marine Corps, and moved to Alabama where he worked at a series of blue-collar, non-union factory jobs before entering the aviation industry. “I worked hard every day. I saw how they did people. And, I said, ‘I’m done.’”
Since then, Staton has never stopped fighting for his union sisters and brothers in his three decades of service with the IAM. In 2016 he became a District 141 Trustee, responsible for safeguarding assets and enforcing high standards to ensure the financial health of the Machinists Union.
“John is deeply motivated by a lifelong call to service and a commitment to integrity,” said District 141 President Mike Klemm. “He is unquestionably tough; John has never ducked a fight in his life. But, he is also fair and thoughtful. John Staton embodies the finest qualities of our great Machinists Union.”
IAMAW District 141 President Mike Klemm has announced the appointment of Barb Martin to the position of District Trustee, effective October 1, 2019.
Barb Martin, District 141 Trustee
“Barb has always been a great asset to the IAM, and a great defender of airline workers,” said District 141 President and Directing General Chairman Mike Klemm. “She brings professionalism and competence to the airline industry and to our great union, and we are thankful to have her on our team.”
Martin began her career in commercial aviation as a CSR with United Airlines in 1991, becoming a Service Director/Lead Agent based in Washington, DC. She worked in IAD Reservations for two years before transferring to Airport Customer Services at IAD in 1993. Martin was elected Shop Steward in 1999 and immediately began finding ways to create a more unified and cooperative workplace. Her dedicated and effective approach to union activism lead her to become Recording Secretary of Local 1759 in 2007. She was elected CS Committee Representative at IAD in 2009.
Today, Martin serves as the Grievance Committee Chair for both IAD and DCA.
As District Trustee, Barb Martin will be responsible for the administration, safeguarding and oversight of the financial assets of District 141.
District 141 Legislative and MNPL Director Dave Roderick introduced the first MNPL 141 Club Awards to union activists who support legislation and public advocacy that improves workplaces in the airline industry.
The awards were presented on the second day of the 2019 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 141 Committee Conference, held this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Among those honored were airline workers from Charlotte, North Carolina, who raised more than $9,000 in voluntary donations for the Machinists Union’s legislative and political work. Victory Lodge 1725 was also recognized earlier this month by the North Carolina AFL-CIO with the PR Latta Award for its outstanding advocacy on behalf of American Airlines workers.
Representatives of Charlotte Local 1725 and 141 MNPL
President Craig Vanderhoof accepted the award alongside representatives from Victory Lodge 1725 and Assistant General Chairs Mike Baskett and Mike Fairbanks.
The awards ceremony was one of the highlights of the conference, which assembles unionized airline workers from 5 airlines. Delegates at the conference represent more than 40 thousand current and retired airline workers affiliated with the Machinists Union.
The annual Committee Conference is an opportunity for elected union representatives to share ideas, network, and debate the priorities of airline workers in the United States.
Also honored at the conference was Denver Local 1886, which raised nearly $16 thousand for the political fund. Local 1886 MNPL Chairman Jim Stellini, Instructor Mark Chavez, District 141 Special Rep Terri Crandall and AGC Richie Robinson accepted the award on behalf of the members.
Representatives from Denver Local 1487
Top honors went to Chicago’s Local 1487, which raised $26,600 last year. Among those present to receive the award were Chicago Committee Chairman Craig Krzewina and Recording Secretary Greg Klewjewski, and District 141 Assistant General Chairs Mike Quartuccio and Laura Stone.
Overall, members of District 141 contributed $133,000 to the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League in 2018.
Representatives of Chicago Local 1487
The Machinists Union was instrumental in pushing lawmakers to adopt stronger protections for airline customer service agents, longer rest periods for flight attendants, better in-flight security, and critical pension protections for airline workers. MNPL donations also support legislative work that succeeded in preventing air carriers from considering household credit scores when making employment decisions. Other public policy concerns included stopping proposed policies to force airport workers to stand in TSA Security lines instead of using employee entrances as they go to work each day.
The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League is funded entirely through voluntary donations from members of the IAM and their families. No union dues are used for campaign contributions or political lobbying work. To become a contributing member of the IAM141 MNPL, visit IAM141.org/MNPL and sign up to make a recurring donation of any amount.
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Negotiations continued at the National Mediation Board offices in Washington, DC this week. Some progress on issues other than Scope, Retirement, Healthcare and Wages was made. Your Executive Negotiators remain committed to achieving the best contract in the industry.
The Mediators scheduled additional dates at the Mediation Board offices October 8 through October 10. We are hopeful progress continues and increases at the next meeting.
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