The ATU is sad to report the passing of retired International Vice President Tommy Mullins.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to the daughter Susan Thurman, granddaughter Blair Thurman, and the entire family of retired International Vice President Tommy Mullins," said ATU International President John Costa. "From playing a key role in the Greyhound strikes to organizing new members, to fighting for strong contracts to better the lives of our brothers and sisters, Tommy dedicated almost 40 years of his life to the ATU."
A native of Wise County, Virginia, Mullins first joined the ATU in March 1970 as a member of Local 1544-Washington, DC, working for a subsidiary of Trailways. He began his career in the industry five years earlier as a Bus Operator.
Mullins was elected Shop Steward of his Local in 1971 and two years later was elected to the Local's Executive Board. He then served as President of the Local from 1975 to 1980. During that time as Local President, he also served as President of the ATU Trailways Joint Council. In January 1980, he was appointed an International Representative/Special Organizer.
In 1987, Mullins membership transferred to Local 1493-Raleigh, NC. Since January 1994, he's been a member of Local 1700.
In September 1985, upon the recommendation of then ATU International President Jim LaSala, the ATU General Executive Board, at its semi-annual meeting, elected Mullins as an International Vice President. He was elected as International Vice President at the 1986 International Convention and re-elected until he retired in March 2009.