Noteworthy


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District 751 member Roman Mayfield, left, with fellow delegate Mark Little at the 35th Grand Lodge Convention

IAM Bids Farewell to a True Hero
The IAM lost a true hero with the passing of District 751 member Roman Mayfield. Mayfield devoted his life to his fellow members. One of just a handful of District 751 members to participate in all five strikes at Boeing, Mayfield did more than just walk the picket line. He distributed strike checks, coordinated food delivery to the picket lines, counseled others, and helped anywhere there was work to be done.

Mayfield first went to work for Boeing in 1946. Because he was an African-American, he was not eligible for full IAM membership at the time.

The first order of business at the 2000 IAM Convention was to restore full seniority to Mayfield and any other IAM member who did not accrue IAM membership between the time they were hired and when membership restrictions were removed in 1948.

“Despite the early barriers, Roman Mayfield worked hard for his fellow brothers and sisters every day,” said International President Tom Buffenbarger. “His legacy is one of compassion and caring that we can all admire and cherish.”

Growing public pressure and grassroots campaigns by union members forced Stanley Works to abandon plans to move its headquarters to Bermuda.

Stanley Surrenders on Offshore Move
Growing public pressure and grassroots campaigns by union members forced Stanley Works to abandon plans to move its headquarters to Bermuda.

Bowing to intense pressure from the IAM, Connecticut-based Stanley Works abandoned its plan to move   its headquarters to Bermuda. The move, primarily to evade U.S. taxes, would have netted Stanley about $30 million a year.

“It will be a cold day in hell before John Trani gets any thanks for not moving Stanley out of this country,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “The offshore tax loophole was closing before his eyes and he wants credit for blinking? I don’t think so. We won’t be satisfied until the thousands of jobs he sent overseas begin to return.”

Stanley found itself at the center of the national debate over corporate inversions, the practice of setting up headquarters offshore to evade taxes on profits made overseas.

Local 1377 members at the Waukesha Engine Company in Waukesha, WI stand with one of six generators that survived the World Trade Center attack. The generators provided emergency power on September 11, helping many survive.  

IAM-Built Engines Helped Save Lives on 9/11
Among the wreckage pulled from the World Trade Center are a half-dozen diesel-powered emergency generators built by IAM members at the Waukesha Engine Co. in Waukesha, WI. During the September 11th attack, the engines came on-line and provided crucial lighting that helped hundreds of survivors escape the burning towers.

Of the six engines built by Local 1377 members, three were unsalvageable and two are being rebuilt for another productive service life.

The final engine was returned to the Waukesha plant where it will be given an honored position near its original production line.


Aviation High School student Kevin Deeble reaches into the toolbox he was awarded as part of the IAM’s partnership with this unique trade school.

IAM Supports Innovative Aviation Trade School
With rollaway tool kits   from the Machinists Union   and training from New York’s Aviation High School, five graduating students will have a head start in the highly specialized field of aircraft maintenance and engineering.

Aviation High School prepares students for careers in aviation-related industries. The IAM began working with the school last year, escorting students into area airports to spend time in the workplace and meet experienced aircraft technicians.

“We believe these students are the future of the aviation industry, and we wanted a way to support their careers from the very beginning,” said IAM GVP Robert Roach, Jr.

Additional toolboxes went to two students who submitted winning designs for an IAM banner that will hang in the school’s hangar bay.