The Forest Products Industry National Labor Management Committee was formed in 1990 by the International Woodworkers of America, US (IWA), United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (UBC), American Forest Products Association (AFPA) and American Forests Resource Alliance (AFRA). The committee was later expanded to include other labor organizations, forest industry organizations and forestry associations.
The FPINLMC is a formal Labor Management committee recognized by federal labor law. Its purpose is to improve job security of our members and economic development of the forest products industry. This is done by constantly monitoring legislation and regulation at both the federal level and state level for proposed legislation and/or regulation that affects the industry and our members job security. The committee and the represented labor and management organizations jointly lobby at both the federal and state level on all manner of issues affecting the industry and jobs.
The Committee only works on issues of interest to both labor and management. Issues are wide ranging, from federal budgetary appropriations for National Forest access roads to "Total Maximum Daily Load" regulations imposed by the EPA. From setting a national standard for forest sustainability to international trade regulations concerning both import and export of forest products.
The FPINLMC and the IAM Trustees on its board are working hard to protect, preserve and expand jobs for our members in this industry. Current IAM Trustees on the FPINLMC are;
- R. Thomas Buffenbarger, International President
- Richard Michalski, General Vice President
- Rod Kelty, AA and Director of the Woodworkers Department
- Randall Rice, GLR assigned to the Woodworkers Department
- Charles Macrae, Directing Business Representative, Woodworkers District W1
- Steve Wilson, Business Representative, Woodworkers District W1
