Mike Klemm

Assistant General Chair (AGC)
Four-Year Term - A New Direction 08

Michael Klemm has worked for United at JFK for sixteen years. He has served the membership of Local Lodge 1322 as a Shop Steward, Committee person, Committee Chairman as well as President.

Mike is a strong believer in leading by example, "It's not just the words that come out of my mouth. I don't pay lip service to a belief; I want my actions to speak louder than words." As an active member and leader, Mike would never ask those he represents to do something he would not. He has a desire to help others and is very passionate about helping those that cannot help themselves.

Mike sees the links in the chain of organizing, politics and representing the membership and the way the three overlap. Organizing more members gives more power at the ballot box and fights against the non-union carriers that drive the wage base down. Politics gives us easier methods of organizing, OSHA standards, worker's comp legislation and true backing under the Railway Labor Act. Great representation becomes the best advertisement for any organizing drive and opens avenues for more leads. With great representation also comes the trust and desire to become active politically to better a members' situation. Mike does hold a higher regard for representing his membership, he explained, "I can control how I represent the membership, what I can't control are the politicians we elect or the potential members votes in an organizing drive."

Mike is concerned with the path the current leadership of District 141 is taking. He realized it was time to join forces with other like-minded individuals from New Direction and earn the respect that once went with the title, Assistant General Chairman.