Obama Taps California Congresswoman for Labor Post

President-elect Barack Obama has chosen California Representative Hilda Solis for Secretary of Labor in his new administration.

New Accord Bolsters Pay, Benefits for Aircraft Mechanics

December 5, 2008 - IAM Aircraft Mechanics at Airport #2 in West Jordan, Utah, and Harry Reid Army Base in Reno, Nevada, ratified a new agreement this week with employer DynCorp International.

Guide Dogs Rescued in California Wildfire

November 19, 2008 ~ Fueled by 70 mile-per-hour Santa Ana winds, wildfires roared through the hills around Los Angeles, CA last week, destroying nearly 1,000 homes and burning within a mile of the Guide Dogs of America (GDA) breeding and training facility in Sylmar, CA, where 69 puppies and dogs were evacuated as smoke filled the air and sparks rained down.

Machinists Ratify Accord With United Launch Alliance

Nearly 900 IAM members in five different local lodges in Alabama, Florida and California will benefit from a newly ratified master agreement with United Launch Alliance (ULA), the joint rocket-building and launch venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Western Territory GVP Pearson to Retire

iMail, November 7, 2008 - IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger announced today that Western Territory GVP Lee Pearson will retire on June 30, 2009, at the end of his current term.

Machinists at Boeing IDS in Southern California Settle on Contract

Over 500 IAM members of District Lodge 725 employed by the Boeing Company in Huntington Beach, Torrance and Edwards Air Force Base, ratified a new contract October 26, 2008.

Machinists Prevail at Boeing

iMail, November 4, 2008 - After 57 days on the picket line, Machinists at the Boeing Company voted by 74 percent to ratify a new contract that far exceeded the company’s “last and final” offer and assured all 27,000 members at Boeing a place of honor in the history of hard won union victories.

27,000 Machinists Approve New Boeing Contract

As published on www.goiam.org :

http://www.goiam.org/content.cfm?cID=14187

Sacramento Classic Auto Show Raises $16,000 for Guide Dogs

Sunshine, bar-b-que and classic cars - these made for a great day at Hagan Park in Rancho Cordova, California, site of the IAM's 9th Annual Sacramento Classic Auto Show.

Environmental Management Inc. Employees Ink First Agreement

Less than six months after employees at Environmental Management Inc. (EMI) at March Air Reserve Base voted overwhelmingly for IAM representation, they were rewarded with a first contract, ratified on October 25, 2008.

Machinists Back Charlie Brown for Congress

California's 4th Congressional District, which spans Northern California along the eastern side of the state from the Oregon border to Amador County, will elect a new Congressman on November 4th, the only question remaining is which candidate it will be.

Maintenance Crew in Yellowstone Garners New Agreement

Fifteen members of Local Lodge 88 in Butte, Montana, garnered a new contract with Xanterra Parks and Resorts at Yellowstone National Park last week.

Boeing Strikers Determined to Prevail

iMail - 10/7/2008 - International President Tom Buffenbarger joined IAM members this weekend on picket lines outside Boeing facilities in Everett, WA, Portland, OR and Wichita, KS, where the strike over wages, pensions, health care and job security is entering its second month.

GLSR Bobby Martinez Honored in Arizona

Robert "Bobby" Martinez, Grand Lodge Special Representative for the Western Territory, was honored at this month's meeting of the Arizona State Council of Machinists for over nineteen years of service and commitment to the council and its members.

Western Territory Shines at Grand Lodge Convention

Delegates from the Western Territory had their work cut out for them at the recent Grand Lodge Convention in Orlando, Florida. 

Organizing Even in Tough Times

Despite the current economy and an Unfair Labor Practice strike at Boeing, Western Territory district and local lodge organizers continue to bring union membership and hope for a brighter future to members in a wide array of industries.

Raytheon Retiree Testifies on Capitol Hill

iMail - 9/25/2008 - Local 933 member David Lillie, a retiree from Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ, testified today before the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, about the severe personal and financial consequences of Raytheon’s decision to eliminate health care coverage for its retirees.

Western Territory Gears Up to Get Out the Vote

Possessing 124 electoral votes, the 13 states of the Western Territory are positioned to play a key role in this year's presidential election - and in many other key races for Senate and House of Representative slots.

First Contract Ratified at L-3 in Yuma

A first contract was inked September 17 in Yuma, Arizona for new IAM members working at L-3 Vertex Aerospace, LLC. 

Strikers Stand Firm at Grace Honda

Seventeen automotive Technicians and Service Advisors employed by Grace Honda in San Bruno, California, walked off the job September 12, 2008 after unanimously rejecting the dealership owner's "last, best and final" offer. 

Utah Local Picks 'Machinists Choice'

The 2008 Labor Day Car Show and Picnic, benefiting Utah's AFL-CIO programs, added a new tradition this year - the first-ever "Machinists Choice Award." 

Picket Lines Remain Strong as Boeing Strike Enters Third Week

Picket lines at Boeing facilities across Washington, Oregon, Kansas and California remain strong as the strike enters its third week.  Western Territory General Vice President Lee Pearson and some of his staff visited nine sites in Washington and the Portland, Oregon strike line last week.

Local Lodge 946 Member Wins Union Plus Scholarship

Two IAM members are among 13 union activists who will receive financial scholarships as part of the Union Plus Leaders of the Future Scholarship program.

Machinists Strike Boeing After Contract Talks Fail

September 6, 2008 - 27,000 IAM members at Boeing locations in Washington State's Puget Sound, Portland, Oregon, Wichita, Kansas and Edwards Air Force Base, California, walked off the job and directly to the picket lines after extended contract talks between the IAM and Boeing failed yesterday. 

2009 IAM Scholarship Applications Available

The 2009 Scholarship Competition begins in August 2008 and runs through February 27, 2009.  Beginning in August 2008, applications will be accepted for the 2009 Scholarship Competition.  Applications will be available to seniors in high school and IAM members and may be downloaded and printed from here.