Show the Power of the Young Worker Vote -Contact Congress Today!

Remind the Senate that young worker are politically engaged and are paying attention. 

Stop Senate from imposing rules for union organizing votes they wouldn't agree to for their elections! Tomorrow is too late! The vote is at 5:30 p.m. today.  Please email and call both of your U.S. Senators today!

http://t.co/cK0sdSOw

IAM's Connection to Black History Month

The recently released movie Red Tails details the accomplishments and contribution made by African-American pilots commonly known as the Tuskegee Airmen.  These famed airmen fought against the enemy in the air and against racism and segregation on the ground.  Their patriotism and combat success led to military integration in 1948 when President Truman's Executive Order 9981.

The Tuskegee Airmen are often referred to as the Red Tails, or Red Tail Angels, due to the distinct red tail of their aircraft.  Many Red Tail missions were flown in the P-51 Mustang.  An aircraft built by what is now The Boeing Company.  Following the war, many Tuskegee Airmen were employed as civilians in the aircraft industry.  International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger is said to have apprenticed under a former Tuskegee Airmen in IAM Local Lodge 912. 

Among other significant African-Americans in aeronautics was Bessie Coleman, the first black woman in the world to earn her pilot's license.  It is said she paved the way for the Tuskegee Airmen to fly.  Additionally, African-American women working in the factories building the planes played a large part in the war effort.  Among these black Rosie the Riveters were IAM members from District Lodge 751 (pictured right).

Detailed history of the Tuskegee Airmen can be found on the Tuskegee University website.

New Financial Education and Resources for Working Families

Regardless of what stage of life you are in, financial planning and responsibility is a must. Many people don't fully understand the financial implications of credit card debt, or are financially prepared for a birth, a death, a wedding, a divorce or retirement.  The National Labor College (NLC) has partnered with the AFL-CIO to provide a website resource intended to help working families understand the concepts and tools that enhance everyone's financial security.  This site is for educational purposes and is not intended to sell investments. 

Visit the site now.

District Lodge 110 Locals Participate in Fleet Readiness Center Safety Fair at Cherry Point N.C.

On January 9, 2012 a Safety Fair was held at the Marine Corps Air Station known as Cherry Point near Havelock, North Carolina.

Celebrating 50 Years of Collective Bargaining

Fifty years ago, federal employees obtained the right to engage in collective bargaining when President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 10988, "Employee-Management Cooperation in the Federal Sector." Secretary Solis and Deputy Secretary Harris joined Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, labor union leaders, and others for a reception Tuesday celebrating the order's anniversary. In her remarks, Solis noted, "In America, perhaps our most basic value is a belief that hard work should be respected. It is my honor to celebrate our federal workers and to celebrate the history of bipartisanship — from Kennedy to Nixon to Ford to Carter — that gave them a voice on the job."

50th Anniversary website

The above info received from the Dept. of Labor

Solis Honored at MLK Event

Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis accepted the "At the River I Stand" Award as part of the AFL-CIO Martin Luther King Jr Labor Observance festivities.  Secretary Solis vowed not to stand silent while, "collective bargaining rights are under attack; not when middle class jobs are under attack; not when voting rights, immigrant rights, and human rights are under attack. Not when right-wing politicians appear on our TVs every night, attack our President and try to convince the American people to turn back the clock on the progress we have made. We can't afford to fall backward. Progress is made by marching forward!"

Read the full text of her remarks

Voter ID Laws are a Young Worker Issue

With the primary in South Carolina occurring this week it is a good time to think about the “Voter I.D.” issue that is popping up in states all across America. Why is this issue important to the youth of this country? Because it will shape the electorate for years to come. How these voter i.d. laws come about could affect who votes at all. The Brennan Center for Justice has put together a brief looking at the Voter I.D. laws and how it would affect the voters. Please review the brief and pay attention to the issues surrounding voter fraud and how it could affect you.

Brennan Center for Justice Brief

Interactive State Map of Voter ID Initiatives