Grand Lodge Representative Maria Santiago-Lillis announced an overwhelming victory in Hawaii recently, when workers at BAE Systems at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) voted YES to join the IAM, despite a fierce anti-union campaign. The group consists of motor vehicle operators, ammunition handling clerks and warehouse specialists, who had not seen a wage increase in four years and sought improvements to benefits such as medical costs and pension.
“What made a difference was at least two of the workers were experienced Stewards/members of other unions,” said Sister Lillis. “The workers’ solidarity was awesome!”
Territory Organizing Leader, Steve Cooper, remarked, “Sister Lillis is a one woman show in Hawaii, yet she manages to make time to G.R.O.W. our Union. Thank you, Sister Lillis, for that ‘Fighting Machinists’ spirit.”
Western Territory General Vice President Lee Pearson added, “This is a great victory for the workers at BAE and hopefully this will spur the workers at another BAE unit Sister Lillis has been working over the last few months. Thank you to Maria, as well as to the helping hands from other members and our newest members at BAE.”
