Retired Transport Workers Union International President James Little dedicated much of his working life to his union and the labor movement. Little was first elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Council in November 2006. His committee service while on the council included the Civil and Human Rights Committee and the Organizing Committee. But beyond committee assignments, Little always understood the important of the federation’s work to unify working people around an agenda about good jobs and workers’ rights.
Little succeeded Mike O'Brien as president of TWU in 2006 and was elected to the same post from 2008 to 2013. He began his career as a fleet service clerk at American Airlines in 1971. He was elected president of his TWU local in 1990 and became director of TWU's air transport division in 2000.
Little was an active member of the council and always supported federation programs designed to activate the members as vocal advocates in our communities. He was also a long-time member of the Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD). In that capacity Little strongly supported TTD’s work to unify transportation unions around an aggressive agenda focused on job creation, increased investments in our transportation system, safety and security and the right to form and join unions.
We wish to thank Little for his years of service and dedication to America's working families and to the AFL-CIO Executive Council.