I have worked at SWA since 2007 as a Ramp Agent, both in PDX and STL.  In that time, I have held various positions within our Union since approximately 2010 as an Alternate Ramp Rep, Elected Ramp Rep, Alternate District Rep, Negotiating Committee Member for the Gold Book CBA, Gold Book Interpretations Committee Member, and Grievance Specialist.  My passion lies with organized labor, specifically fighting for our Members’ rights,  whether that be though the grievance process, education, or collaborating to effect and uphold pro-worker policies.

My name is Cort Heywood. I started in RNO in 1999 as a Ramp Agent. In 2003 I became an Alternate Station Rep and served in that capacity up until my termination in 2013 for an act I had no part in. I had been enrolled in a bar certified Paralegal program at the time of my termination and, following my reinstatement (with full back pay plus OT/DT) I became even more involved with the Union. I applied to be a Grievance Specialist but was ultimately a runner up that first attempt.

I would go on to be an Alternate District Rep, the 555 Arbitration Consultant and eventually Vice President. Following an election loss, I returned to RNO as a Ramp Agent (at which point I served as the elected Station Rep) and would eventually transfer to Operations in early 2022. I have presented System Boards and Arbitrations previously and now find myself with the great fortune of returning to the Union's grievance staff as one of the newest Grievance Specialists.

I look forward to serving the Local in fighting to support contractual language as well as your right to just cause in any disciplinary proceedings.

I have been a proud member of Transport Workers Union Local 555 since joining Southwest Airlines in 2007. My passion for advocating for my fellow workers led me to get involved with the Union at the MCO station around 2011, where I began actively representing my coworkers in various workplace matters.

As a Local Representative, I gained extensive experience in fact findings, Employee Relations (ER) investigations, grievance filings, and local issue resolutions. My commitment to ensuring fair treatment and upholding our contract led me to take on a greater role in supporting our members.

In 2017, I began serving as a Grievance Specialist, focusing on representing terminated members. I have successfully represented members at System Board and Arbitration hearings, fighting to ensure fairness and due process in termination cases and getting members their livelihoods back.

Since 2021, I have served as the dedicated Covered Work Grievance Specialist, working to enforce our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). I take immense pride in successfully defending our agreement in arbitration and holding the Company accountable to the contract we have fought to secure.

I remain committed to protecting the rights of our members, resolving disputes, and strengthening the collective voice of TWU Local 555. It is an honor to stand alongside my fellow workers and advocate for fairness, job security, and workplace justice.

Hello, my name is Mike Martinez and I am one of the newest Leave/Grievance Specialists. I am currently a ramp agent based out of the LGA station and have been a ramp agent for 23 years. I have served as a Union Rep in some shape or form for about 22 of those years at 4 different stations. I was an Alternate Rep for about 7 years, a Station Rep for 6 years, Alt District Rep for 3 years and a District Rep for 6 years. Each position has helped me in gaining the knowledge that I have today. I am familiar with fact finding procedures, system boards and have presented several arbitrations in the past. A large part of my newest role will be concentrated on the Leave Specialist part, which will be dealing with the various sick leaves and OJIs that our members deal with during their careers. I look forward to meeting and interacting with our members in helping to find solutions to our problems moving forward.

I started with the Company in December of 1993, as a Ramp Agent in HOU and worked in that role for 25 years prior to having the honor to serve the Membership as a Grievance Specialist since April of 2019. While working at the station, I was involved with the Union in different roles and served as an alternate Ramp and Safety Representative, Elected Ramp Representative, Station Safety Chairman, Alternate District 5 Representative, Board Player, and also participated in Fact Findings, System Boards of Adjustments, Arbitrations, and Med./Arbs.

I have been with the company for 21 years and my involvement with the Union started right off of probation when I became the Alternate Station Rep. in MSY. I was then Elected as the Station Rep in MSY and held that position for approximately 16 years. During that time, I also served as the Alternate District Rep. for Jerry McCrummen and was the interim District Rep when Jerry took a staff position. I then served as the Alternate District Rep. for Patty Adams when she held the office of District Rep. I also served as the alternate District Rep. for outgoing District Rep. Mark Waters. I served as a System Board Player for approximately 6 years. Currently, I have been serving the membership as a Grievance Specialist for the last 6 years. The best part of my current position is that I get to represent terminated members in arbitration. I absolutely love this part of my job and can think of no better way for me to serve our membership.

I began my career on the Ramp in Tulsa in June of 1987. In 1989, I transferred to Phoenix and continued working on the Ramp through 1990 before returning to Tulsa later that year. From 1991 to 1994, I served as a Ramp Supervisor, followed by a transition into Operations and Cargo, where I worked from 1994 through 2005.

Since April 2005, I’ve been dedicated to serving as a Grievance Specialist. Additionally, I was a member of the Negotiating Committee from 2011 to 2016, contributing to the successful bargaining of the Black CBA.