IAM Leaders Meet with Obama Transition Team

General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr., and staff from the IAM Transportation, Legal, Legislative and Strategic Resources Departments met this week with members of President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team at the headquarters of the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, DC.

GVP Roach shared his concerns about recent NMB rulings that eliminated union representation for workers without their consent. Roach also detailed examples of excessive carrier interference in union organizing campaigns and prolonged contract negotiations in air and rail industries.

“After eight years of anti-worker decisions, IAM members have high expectations for the mediation board under President Obama,” said Roach, who also addressed staffing at the board. “Beginning in 2009, we will have several major negotiations underway. The NMB must be properly staffed to ensure negotiations are not delayed due to a lack of mediators.”

An open seat on the three-member NMB is currently being filled by a temporary appointee named by President Bush. GVP Roach emphasized the importance of appointing someone who is fair toward employees and giving the board sufficient resources to protect workers. President-elect Obama’s Team indicated it could take more than six months after he takes office before the open seat is filled.