Meet the TAMC

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Meet the TAMC Steering Committee

Chris MooreChris Moore
Continental Airlines
cjm91@sbcglobal.net

I have been a mechanic at Continental Airlines since 1986. I have spent my entire career—23 years—at IAH . In that time, I have worked on every version of the 737, from gear changes to engine changes, DC – 9 / MD 80, 727s, 747s, 757s, 767s and the last few years I have worked on the 777 phase A ck line and A300s which we operated for a few years. Most of those years have been spent on graveyard shift working either out of service or PSV crew with a couple of those years being spent on the Tech Support crew where we worked aircraft with “chronic” problems. In addition, from 1986 to 1990, I was part of the IAH engine change crew where, along with our normal line maintenance duties, we performed most of the scheduled and unscheduled engine changes in our region.

Mechanics and related at Continental Airlines became Teamsters in 1997. I became a shop steward in 2000 and chief steward from 2004 through 2007. During the period from 2000 through 2005, I also chaired the IAH Maintenance Safety Committee. During the US Airways/America West merger in 2005, I was asked by my local union to assist the Teamsters Organizing Department on a campaign to help our brothers and sisters at American West remain Teamsters. Since then I have worked with the Organizing Department on the United Airlines and FedEx mechanics campaigns. In September of 2007, I was elected to and currently chair the TAMC.

 

Dave SaucedoDave Saucedo
United Airlines
bittenonce@comcast.net

I am a new member to the steering committee of this prestigious group, the TAMC. My aviation career began after cross-training to the maintenance field and becoming a B-52 crew chief in the U.S. Air Force. After serving in the Air Force, I hired on at United Airlines as an A&P Mechanic. That was just over 20 years ago.

At United, my first two assignments were working narrow-body “C” checks in an area affectionately known as the “bat cave,” and then I went on to the narrow body “special routs” crew. After about 15 months at each, I moved on to line maintenance, five years in SFOMM and the last 12 years as part of the prominent Seattle Aircraft Maintenance Team.


Bob Friend
UPS
Bob.Friend@local2727.org

I joined the Air Force in 1978 where I worked on F-4s, OV-10s and SR-71s. I was honorably discharged after eight years and nine months in May of 1987. From there, I went to work at Page Avjet in Orlando where I worked on DC-8s, and 707 Heavy checks. In March of 1988 I went to work for Airborne Express and did overhaul and line work in Wilmington, Ohio. I then worked for TWA in Kansas City at the overhaul base where I worked on 727s, DC-9s, MD-80s and 747. In 1990, I joined UPS and have been there almost 18 years. I work on DC-8s, 727s, 747s, 757s, 767s, A300s and MD-11s. I’ve held the position of a shop steward for many years and from 1993 to 1995 I was elected as a trustee on the E-board. In 2005, I was elected as Secretary-Treasurer and was most recently elected to be a trustee again in January.


Cedric Washington
ExpressJet
Washingtoncb@hotmail.com

I’ve worked for ExpressJet Airlines for the past six years. Prior to working in the airline industry, I spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. ExpressJet Airlines Inc. completed the change to an all-jet fleet in 2003 and we now maintain over 200 EMB-135/145/145XR aircraft.

I have been a chief steward since May of 2008. Before receiving this position, I’ve actively been participating with Teamsters Local 19, dealing with other issues. I am a strong supporter of my local union as well as the Teamsters as a whole. I’m one of the newest members of the TAMC and I look forward to providing the service that the members need.


Daniel Pimentel
Frontier Airlines
danieljpimentel@yahoo.com

I have been a mechanic for Frontier for 10 years. I was born and raised in a Teamster home and have been a proud Teamster myself for seven years. I was part of the Teamster negotiating committee during Frontier’s recent bankruptcy and subsequent 1113 filing. That experience has made me keenly aware of the dangers to American families caused by the outsourcing of aircraft maintenance.


Lloyd Smith
US Airways Piedmont-Allegheny
lesmith240@gmail.com

After graduating from high school, I worked in the automotive industry (predominately parts) until 1995. I attended Fredrick Community College from 1986 to 1998 where I earned an AS in Aviation Maintenance Technology. I started work at Henson Airlines (SBY) in 1989. I was a charter member of my local union when we organized in 1991. In 2001, I transferred to ROA. I currently sit on the negotiating committee for joint contract meter of Piedmont (formerly Henson) and Alleghany.


Ralph Salzano
Continental Airlines
Ralfsalz@aol.com

I am honored to have been asked to sit on the Aircraft Maintenance Technician Steering Committee of the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition, representing the mechanic and related at Continental Airlines. I look forward to brining the concerns and ideas of my co-workers at CAL to the table in an effort to help move the agenda of the aircraft mechanic and related forward.

I obtained my A&P License at Aviation High School in Queens, New York. I was hired by New York Air as a Line Mechanic in August of 1985. New York Air was a subsidiary of The Texas Air Holdings Corp. In 1987 New York Air was acquired by Continental Airlines. I was able to stay on as a Line Mechanic with Continental and am currently in my 24th year of service.

I am a Shop Steward and Assistant Business Agent for Local 210 representing the Continental Airlines Mechanic and Related at Newark Airport. Back in 1996 I was heavily involved in the organizing campaign at CAL. I have been fortunate enough to serve as a member of the negotiating committee in three rounds of traditional contract negotiations and, unfortunately, one round of concessionary bargaining. I am deeply involved in the day-to-day enforcement of our collective bargaining agreement. I consider myself very fortunate and I am grateful to have experienced all three major aspects of representation (organizing, negotiating and contract enforcement).


Thomas Perusi
FedEx
Tducksoup1@yahoo.com

I joined the army in 1975 where I worked on Hawk Missile Systems. When I left the army, I worked for Bendix Avionics in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for three years repairing radar systems. I then moved on to general aviation in Florida, working on all types of aircraft. In 1993, I joined FedEx and have been in the avionics line in Memphis, Tenn. since.

I have been on special projects including AMCM, which allowed the AMTs to talk directly with pilots at the aircraft to prevent delays. I was also on the MD-10 Program in which I helped to convert the DC-10 over to the MD-10, changing the complete avionics package from Boeing.

I started to drive for the Teamsters in December 2006 with the launch of the Fedxmx.com website. We went into full-drive mode in the March of 2007 when FedEx took our retirement, along with many other benefits.