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MEC PRESIDENT:
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Veronica Tenerelli
Email: vtenerelli@aol.com
I started my career with American Eagle over nine years ago when we
operated as four separate carriers. I was a Simmons flight attendant, and back then we only had two domiciles, ORD and DFW. For most of my career, I have served as a union activist.
I am based in Chicago, where I reside as well. Early on in my career it concerned me how it didn't
take much to move up at American Eagle - flight attendants resigned in large numbers at a steady pace. I was very concerned, had I made mistake in my career choice - a choice I had been so
excited about
Often times I resented the fact that I was called a safety professional by the airline, and yet as far as
I could tell, my own safety meant nothing. Momentary breaks that are considered rest, being run ragged with 6/7 legs and 14/16 hour duty days. How many times have you had no time to eat
because of quick turns or you're playing catch up all day? In Illinois, and most states, law requires that you must be given a 30 minute break before your 6th hour of service in a 8 hour day.
Companies can be brought up on charges for not complying with labor laws mandated by the
Department of Labor. Yet for us, "the safety professionals," eating, rest and humane conditions, are something we have to negotiate for!
Why must we negotiate for basic rights such as food and rest when they are given so freely to other
employees in America? It is proven that lack of rest or food prohibits people from performing at their
best. I'm surprised in our post September 11 environment, where even more responsibility has been
placed on us, conditions have worsened. I often find irony in our title "safety professional." The
frustrating and sometimes inhumane conditions that we face on the job, is what started me on the journey that I have taken with AFA.
I'm often surprised at one of the most frequently asked questions I receive as a Union
representative, "Why do you take on all of this extra work?" My response always is, when so may
things are wrong, how do you not? I believe in what we do and the people we represent, together I
hope we can make this one of the best places of employment. My commitment to that inspired me to
further my education where I'm currently working on my Bachelors for Labor Studies. I will graduate in the summer of 2005.
In closing, it is the goal of the Negotiation Committee, and the AMR/AFA Master Executive Council that
in the future fighting for all of these basic rights and a quality of life will not be necessary, as it will be
your contractual right. But, your elected leadership can't do it alone - it's going to take all of us, working together. We are all the union. Together, we will make positive change.
In Solidarity,
Veronica Tenerelli
Master Executive Council President Duties
The President shall be the official Union spokesperson and chief executive officer for that
airline and shall have the authority and duty to:
(1) Be responsible for and charged with administering the policies of that Master Executive
Council, and implementing the objectives and policies announced by the Board of Directors and Executive Board.
(2) Be responsible for the expeditious processing of members' complaints and grievances.
(3) Be the Union representative on that airline for the purpose of furthering and
implementing the objectives and policies announced by the Board of Directors and Executive Board.
(4) Coordinate and compile Master Executive Council policy, review reports and
recommendations and submit such material to the appropriate committees of the Union.
(5) Be a member of the Negotiating Committee.
(6) Be a member of the Executive Board.
(7) Be granted the privilege of the floor at all meetings of the Board of Directors, but shall
have no vote, if not also a Local Council President.
(8) Be responsible for and supervise the business and managerial functions of the Union on
that carrier.
(9) Consult with and be assisted by the Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer.
(10) Ballot the Master Executive Council if necessary or when required.
(11) Keep a current and accurate inventory of all Union property and supplies purchased or
provided by the Union and submit a copy of this to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.
(12) Inform all Master Executive Council Officers and committees that all files,
correspondence, documents and other materials resulting from the work of such committees are the property of the Union, not the personal property of individuals, and are to be safeguarded.
(13) Maintain the Union's files and transfer them to her/his successor promptly.
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