As you read this, we’re only a few short months away fromstarting up contract negotiationsagain. I say again but realizethat for some this will be the firstlabor contract negotiations theyhave ever been involved in. Forothers, the feeling may be oneof, oh, it’s that time again. Eitherway we all must understand thatour voices, participation, andultimately our vote will shapethings to come.What kind of things to come?Well, that is where you, themembers, come in. Surveys—bytaking a small amount of timeand completing your survey as honestly as possible, you helpshape the direction and even tone of how the NegotiatingCommittee will proceed. Does that mean everything that getswritten in a survey will be discussed at the table with thecompany? Unfortunately, it does not. But keep in mind that allsurveys will be read and that if enough fellow union members feelthe same way and included it in their survey as well, it stands astrong chance of being included.Remember it is the collective voice of the members that isrepresented at the table by your negotiating committee. Of courseit doesn’t mean that if enough people wrote in about trying to get“free lunch Fridays” that it would be a high priority topic. Wealso have to be a bit realistic.At the time I am writing this article, the early stages of getting thesurveys out to the members has begun. I hope that at the timeyou’re reading this, you’ve at least received your PreliminarySurvey, and hopefully have already turned yours back in. If not,and if you still have time to complete it, please realize theimportance of taking that first step in participating in the process.Let your voice be heard. These are the opportunities to get yourconcerns and issues to the forefront. When it comes to gettingyour opinion out there, there’s no wrong view, just your view.I usually make a few references to the contract, work ruleinterpretations, and/or the contract fast facts, and this time will beno different. Why? Simply put, because those are the guides thateach of you should be referencing regularly. Included within thosepages are the building blocks of what and how we do what we doat Southwest Airlines. They also lay out the guidelines for howthe company treats us, interacts with us, and yeah even howdiscipline may be doled out to employees. It’s not about “good orbad” people; it’s about all our fellow union members.I’m not suggesting that we all have to memorize the contract orany particular interpretation but you should know at least thebasics: where to look for answers when you have a question. I’mfairly certain everyone knows that Article 28 has to do with wagerules, but how many know what’s in 18 or 6? If the plan was totransfer one day, how many would reference Article 11 to findsome pertinent information. Or Article 21 if that transfer camethrough and now the question becomes, “Who is [or, am I]responsible for paying for that move?” These are just examples tomake the point that each and every one of us has the ability to atleast try and get the answers to questions. It is more thanunderstandable if the attempt is made but still leaves someconfusion that needs to be clarified. That’s why they have a wordfor it—learning. And that’s where union reps at all levels can helpin understanding and interpreting to the best of their ability whatmay or may not exactly be clear to you at first glance. Especially,as we all know (at least those that didn’t skip the first part of thisarticle), negotiations for a new amended contract are just aroundthe corner. Let’s be as informed and involved as possible.In closing, I would like to thank all the members who havestepped up to be station representatives or union committeemembers, both past and present. It’s a thankless job and whileyou may not hear it regularly you are all and always have beenappreciated. Be safe, strong, and united.

Fraternally,

albert.barbosa@twu555.org

Albert Barbosa

District 8 Representative