07/12/05: A team effort by members and officers at Local Lodge 1255 in Amarillo, TX led to a pair of organizing victories recently at the PANTEX Nuclear Weapons Facility.
Following an election in late April, Local Lodge President Rick Flores and IAM member Henry Bagwell, President of the Metal Trades Council, worked to organize the Occupational Health Nurses at PANTEX. The nurses stood together through a company challenge of eligibility and voted unanimously for IAM representation.
During the same period President Flores and President Bagwell began the campaign to organize the Laboratory Technicians and the Radiology Health Technicians at the facility. The election was held on July 8, with the technicians voting 20-7 for IAM representation.
“It’s clear that our members had a lot to do with these wins by talking to the Nurses and Technicians about wages and benefits of an IAM Contract,” said Local 1255 President Flores. “Organizing is everyone’s job,” added GVP Bob Martinez. “We owe it to our fellow workers to bring the protections and better pay and benefits to all workers. Thanks to all our members at PANTEX for this win.”
