IAM District 5 won a unanimous vote at Doss Aviation Inc. bringing 17 new members into the IAM on July 21, 2008. Our new members work as helicopter mechanics, in quality assurance and as supply technicians. Doss aviation is located at Minot Air Force Base near Minot, ND.
(1st shift - from left to right) Doug Frazier, Kimberly Clarkson, Robert Pederson,
Frank Kostelnik, Jr., Brian Nelson, James Warner, Clanton Myers, Mark Pullen
Ole Silva, Bradley Leonard, and Kevin L. Murch - IAM District 5 Organizer
1st shifter not pictured, David Van Lith
(2nd shift - from left to right) Kevin L. Murch, IAM District 5 Organizer, Jeff Marcille,
Phil Johnson, Lynden Hickman, Frank Thomson, Rick Reisenauer, and Dennis German
2nd shifter not pictured, Jon Janowski
According to District 5 Organizer Kevin Murch, our new members want better wages, better fringe benefits and fairness in the workplace. Murch proudly said, "This group stood strong. They clearly understood the benefits of organizing under the Service Contract Act for themselves and their employer.”
"Just as organizing interest peaked at Doss Aviation, the IAM was holding a Service Contract Act organizing seminar in Minot, ND," said Murch. "The seminar was conducted by the William W. Winpisinger Center, the IAM Organizing Department, the IAM Midwest Territory and IAM District 5."
During the Service Contract Act seminar a call was made to contacts at Doss who came out to meet with GLR Rod Hoffman, Organizer Kevin Murch and Jim Hogoboom.
IAM Local 2525 member Jim Hogoboom had been in contact with employees at Doss Aviation. Jim works for another contractor at Minot Air Force Base called Yulista. Murch praised Hogoboom saying, "It was Jim’s efforts at the base that made this win possible."
"The IAM represents workers at two other Doss Aviation locations and a recent contract settlement at one of those facilities was a very important factor in the decision to vote for the IAM," said Murch.
IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber praised everyone involved in the effort saying, "We appreciate the hard work and dedication of DBR Dennis Walworth, District 5 Organizer Kevin Murch and Local 2525 activist Jim Hogoboom in their efforts to grow our great union."
