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OAK E-Connection April 2025

by | Apr 1, 2025 | Base News, Oakland

Note: The following update was emailed to Oakland-Based Flight Attendants on April 21, 2025. If you’d like to receive emails from TWU Local 556, please email communications@staging1.twu556.org.

I believe it’s important to begin with the most significant change in our Local. Our former President, Bill Bernal, has resigned, and our First Vice President, Kristina Peterson, has taken on the role of President. Sam Wilkins has stepped into the position of First Vice President. Additionally, our former Treasurer, John Parrott, has resigned, and Nancy Kallas has accepted the role. It is fitting that these changes took place during Women’s History Month. All three women have eagerly and enthusiastically embraced their new positions.

I am encouraged by the changes that spring has brought!

What You’ll Find Below

  • Get Involved
    • May Lounge Mobilization
    • Volunteer Opportunity
    • Virtual Roundtable
  • Base News
    • March Lounge Mobilization
    • Future Leaders Organizing Committee
    • Alameda Labor Council Delegate
    • The Covenant House
    • Lounge Remodel and Lock
    • OSCK Update
  • Union News
    • SIPs
    • Save The Dates

Get Involved

Lounge Mobilization

The Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team, Southwest Inflight Mentor (SWIM) Team, and I (your TWU Local 556 Domicile Executive Board Member) will be in the lounge to welcome new-hire Flight Attendants to Oakland. Curious about where to stay, the commuter policy, or reserve obligations? Come out, have a snack, grab a Union Pin, say hi, and get familiar with your Base, Contract, and resources.

What, when, and where:

  • New Hire Welcome Event
  • Friday, May 9, 2025
  • 1000 to 1600 Local Time
  • Oakland Flight Attendant Lounge

Save and share this flyer!

Volunteer Opportunity

Join your fellow Oakland-based Union Siblings and me at the Seaplane Lagoon Promenade to show up for our Community and Mother Nature. Coffee, water, and snacks provided. Send me an email if you are interested!

What, when, and where:

  • Coastal Cleanup in Alameda
  • Sunday, June 8, 2025
  • 1000 to 1200 Local Time
  • 2151 Ferry Pt.
    Alameda, CA 94501

Save and share this flyer!

Virtual Roundtable

I’ll be hosting a Virtual Oakland Roundtable in June to connect, share updates, and hear directly from you about the issues that matter most to our Base. The exact date will be determined and communicated soon.

Base News

March 2025 Lounge Mobilizations

We had a New Hire Lounge Mobilization in March 2025. Thank you, Kimberly Clark and Francine Ferguson, for helping members with Contract education, bidding questions, and more. You are appreciated!

Future Leaders Organizing Committee

James Holden-Counts represented Oakland at the TWU International Future Leaders Organizing Committee (FLOC) Conference in Washington, D.C., where Members from across TWU’s divisions gathered to strengthen their grievance handling, organizing, and leadership skills. James participated in a mock arbitration focused on safety-related discipline and was part of the team that successfully argued to reduce the termination to a written warning.

Alameda Labor Council Delegate

Conrad Arnold was officially sworn in as a delegate to the Alameda Labor Council, representing TWU Local 556. Having already shown his dedication by attending meetings and volunteering at canvassing and campaign events, I’m proud to see him step into this official role and continue strengthening our Union’s presence in the broader Labor movement.

The Covenant House

We recently made an additional donation to Covenant House, delivering hats and socks generously gathered by our Members and office staff. Thank you to everyone who donated during the Thanksgiving season — and a special thank you to Lori Strand, who joined me in representing our Oakland Flight Attendants at the Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks to your generosity, there were enough donations to provide extra gifts for the Christmas season. It truly warms my heart to see the impact we’ve made together.

Lounge Remodel and Lock

The lock on the lounge door has been replaced and should now be working properly. Pilots are expected to continue using our lounge through at least June 11, 2025, while their space is being remodeled. I hope to have an update on our own remodel soon — as you can imagine, much of the current focus is on completing the pilot lounge. As soon as I receive any information, I will share it immediately.

It has been confirmed that a door will be reinstalled on the quiet room after the remodel. Thank you to everyone who raised their voices on this issue. I hope we continue organizing around the issues that matter to us — always with respect for one another. As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly.

OSCK Update

I’m sharing my letter to the Oakland City Council regarding the application of Oakland Sick Leave. My sincere thanks to TWU Local 555 President Abilio Villaverde for his leadership and partnership as we continue advocating for fair and consistent access to this earned benefit for our Members.
I also want to thank the Oakland-based Members who submitted impact statements — your voices help make our collective message stronger. I recently met via Zoom with newly elected City Council Member Rowena Brown to continue this important conversation, and I’ll be sure to keep our Base informed as we move forward.

Tap the preview graphic to expand.

Union News

SIPs

I know SIPs have been a hot topic lately — and for good reason. They play a critical role in our quality of life. I encourage you to read the email sent by our Union on April 4, 2025, titled “Where We Stand on SIPs” and to complete the SIP Survey sent on April 11, 2025. It only takes about 3 minutes to complete. Please let me know if you are unable to locate it, and I can resend it to you. You’re also encouraged to share your personal impact statements via text or a brief video. Email them to activists@staging1.twu556.org.

Save The Dates

  • April 29, 2025: Virtual Member Town Hall
  • May 9, 2025: In-person Oakland Lounge New Hire Welcome and Lounge Mobilization
  • May 19, 2025: Virtual Special Membership Meeting, Delegate Nominations for the TWU Constitutional Convention.
  • May 21 and 22, 2025: Virtual Town Hall (I will be presenting a Base Update on May 22, 2025)
  • May 23, 2025: Virtual Membership Meeting

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email at jtorres@staging1.twu556.org.

In Unity,

Janell Torres

TWU Local 556 Oakland Domicile Executive Board Member

The views contained herein do not necessarily represent those of TWU Local 556 or TWU International. The purpose of this email communication is intended only to educate and inform TWU Local 556 Members. It is not intended to officially establish or clarify past practice, Contract language, or grievance/arbitration positions. It is therefore not to be utilized or relied upon by any person or party as evidence of the Union’s position on any past practices, Contract language, grievances/arbitrations, or any other disputes or issues between TWU Local 556 and Southwest Airlines.