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A pig roast hosted by the IAM for members of the Armco Employees Independent Federation in Middletown, Ohio was a family event and time for members of both unions to become aquainted. IAM members employed in the region attended to extend a welcome to their brothers and sisters of the AEIF.
Brian Daley, AEIF president said with the AEIF executive board endorsing the IAM as its new union representative, the momentum is there. I can see the members are solidly behind the Machinists, he said. We understand that some of our members are in need of financial assistance and believe the route to go is with the Machinists.
He is concerned about the future of AEIF members if they vote to join the USW. It would be the worst choice ever made by our rank and file.
Our goal is to secure the long-term future of the Middletown community. We believe it is best done through the Machinists and not to deliver our members to a union and a company that has more concern of our customer base and less concern about the long-term future of our Middletown Works.
R. Thomas Buffenbarger, IAM president who is originally from Lebanon, attended the picnic and walked the picket lines during the day.
The people I met today humbled me, said Buffenbarger. I came away with a good feeling that these folks are dedicated to the cause. I hope to link our brothers and sisters to achieve a good contract and a good contract that these members deserve When you stand up for what’s right, there is something good at the end of the struggle.