Buffenbarger Names Gardner and Manzo Transportation Department Special Representatives

International President Tom Buffenbarger today announced the appointment of Sandy Gardner and Michael Manzo as Transportation Department Special Representatives.

Sister Gardner initiated into Denver’s Local Lodge 1886 in 1998 after the IAM’s historic organizing victory of approximately 20,000 Passenger Service Employees at United Airlines. Sandy was instrumental in the organizing campaign and then hit the ground running, holding the positions of Shop Steward, Customer Service Grievance Committeeperson, Chairperson of the Local Lodge 1886 Women’s Committee and Local 1886 Vice president.

In 2008, Sandy was elected as District 141 Vice President West. In 2013, she was elected as District 141 Assistant General Chairperson, a position she currently holds.

 

Michael Manzo initiated into New York City’s Local Lodge 1894 in 1974 as a Customer Service Agent for British Airways. Brother Manzo became a Shop
Steward in 1982 and was elected as Chief Steward in 1985. In 1995, Mike was elected as Chairperson of Shop Stewards until he was elected as District 142 General Chair in 2010.

Brother Manzo has been a member of the British Airways negotiating committee since 1982 and has vast collective bargaining experience at airlines and airline service companies.”Sandy Gardner and Mike Manzo bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Transportation Department that will greatly benefit our members,” said General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “They have been on the frontline of all our battles in Transportation and our union is better because of their activism.”

Both Sister Gardner and Brother Manzo will assume their new roles effective December 1, 2015.