Dave Atkinson

Secretary-Treasurer - A New Direction 08

Dave Atkinson began his career with United Airlines on June 3, 1975 in PHL. He followed that by working in BOS, SFO and currently, DEN. His active membership includes two strikes, more than twenty years as a shop steward, flight safety coordinator, grievance committee chairperson, Rocky Mountain Political Coordinator for District 141, as well as delegate to eleven District 141 conventions and two Grand Lodge conventions. Dave is currently president of Local Lodge 1886 and has served his local as Vice President, Recording Secretary, Communicator and Educator. Dave has also served the Machinists in Colorado as president of the Colorado Machinists Council. Along with his active participation in the Machinists Union, he is also the Vice President of the Colorado AFL-CIO and coordinates the political program in Colorado.

For Dave, becoming an activist was second nature, “I would see a wrong and I knew it needed to be corrected.” Through the years, he has seen far too many examples of companies that are willing to treat their employees as subordinates to human beings, “Unfortunately, there is always another incident to keep me moving forward.”

Dave believes representing, organizing and politics are all tied together, “They can equally affect every member’s life the same.” Legislation can change working conditions, laws, regulations and rules that foreign companies do not have to contend. Landing fees and fuel can all adversely affect people from getting a raise. OSHA and working conditions are all representative of organizing discussions that should be used in organizing drives. In regards to representing the membership Dave said, “Representing is enforcing the contract. If you have negotiated a great contract and do not support it, you devalue your self-worth.”

It is said that no one chooses the time to be a leader, the times determine the leader. It is time for new leadership in District 141. How much sacrifice and abuse must be endured before someone steps up to speak and lead with courage and conviction? Dave is running for Secretary-Treasurer because we need a new voice for justice.