Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

IAM's Political Fight For Families
January 2, 2008 - Iowa is a Midwest make up of farm land, faith and close knit neighbors. At IAM Local 831 in Cedar Rapids family is number one.

A Christmas Story
December 19, 2007 - Police officers, firefighters, EMS workers and the like are the people you only call when you need them the most. But you need to know that these men and women give of themselves both on and off the job.

A Global Solution
December 19, 2007 - Capitol Hill set the stage for a momentous event recently. Two hundred union leaders from sixty three countries met to come up with ways to stop the worldwide attacks on trade unionists.

Iowa Rallies For Clinton
December 18, 2007 - On January 3, 2008, Iowa is going to make headlines as the first state in the nation to hold its presidential primary, the earliest date in history for a primary to be held.

Fingers Crossed At The PEB
December 13, 2007 - This is a story that's been going on for nearly a decade. For the past eight years, 10,000 Amtrak workers have been without a contract or a raise.

United Airlines Forgets Its Roots

December 11, 2007 - United Airlines has come up with a plan. It's going to pay its stockholders a special, one-time per share dividend to keep them coming back for more. But labor leaders wonder why United isn't worried about its employees coming back.

Behind the Candidates
November 27, 2007 - As the presidential election gets closer, you are going to see a lot more of the candidates. But sometimes it's the faces you don't see, like those of the candidate's economic advisors.

The Dogs Take Vegas
November 20, 2007 -More than sixty years ago a Machinist named Joseph Jones founded an organization called the Guide Dogs of America. Through his work he and countless others have given thousands of people the gift of sight.

U.S. Senators Hold Nominees Accountable
November 20, 2007 - The U.S. Senate's Labor Committee recently held a hearing on President Bush's nominees for two powerful positions at the Department Labor.

CAFTA Strikes El Salvador
November 9, 2007 - CAFTA was supposed to change the world. The promise was that this would increase the economies of many countries but workers from both sides of the continent agree, CAFTA didn't deliver.

Rally the Troops
November 9, 2007 - This Fall, the National Labor Relations Board has not been kind to workers in its decisions. The men and women of organized labor want the NLRB to know, they aren't going away quietly.

Hot Days Are Over!!!
November 5, 2007 - The IAM strike at the Kennedy Space Center is finally over! After nearly five months of walking the line, hundreds of Machinists are heading back to work.

Bridging the Gap: Part Two
November 2, 2007 - Last week we aird a story about the millions of Americans who work full time but because of low wages and no benefits, still can't make ends meet. This week, we bring you a story on ways organized labor can help close these income gaps.

2007 Automotive Conference: Thinking Outside the Box
October 30, 2007 - The last few decades have dramatically changed America's industrial landscape. The automotive field is no stranger to this new world. The challenge for the IAM is to harness this power by thinking outside of the box.

Bridging the Gap: Part One
October 26, 2007 - The middle class is caught in a trap. Although most work full time becasue of low wages and no benefits, millions of Americans still can't make ends meet.

NASA On Notice
October 19, 2007 - Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio took the floor in the US House of Representatives this week in support of the IAM workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Labor's Red Carpet
October 19, 2007 - For the past seven years, the DC Labor Film Fest has been celebrating workers around the world. Premiering at the American Fil Institute Theatre in Silver Spring, this event turns the Hollywood spotlight on what really matters.

Pushing State Politics
October 11, 2007 - The Northern Virginia CLC canvassed the community last weekend in support of Chap Peterson for State Senate.

A New World Order
October 5, 2007 - Globalization is something organized labor has been talking about for years. But nowadays, the issue seems to seep into conversations around the world, no matter your economic status and many are starting to notice its' dramatic effects.

Financing the Future
October 2, 2007 - House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer, doesn't paint a promising picture of the country's long term fiscal growth if nothing changes.

A Call To Duty
September 28, 2007 - National Service or working for a non-profit organization may not be something you think of as a job option. But some people are starting to look at it as a key for developing future leaders.

Sharing Bankruptcy Backlash
September 27, 2007 - Unfortunately, most workers know the hardships of corporate bankruptcy. That's why Congress is trying to pass a new bankruptcy bill to protect the men and women who helped build the organization.

Uninsured America
September 26, 2007 - Families USA, a national non-profit voice for health care, just came out with startling statistics about uninsured Americans. According to their data, the health insurance issue in the U.S. is worse than it looks.

Fresh Faces on the Hill: Congresswoman Laura Richardson
September 21, 2007 - IAM member Laura Richardson is the newest additon to Capitol Hill, representing California's 37th District.

Something About A Harley
September 17, 2007 - Machinists never say no to the Guide Dogs and most members won't turn down a Harley ride either. For the IAM, Hogs and Dogs just works.

Protecting Programs That Work
September 14, 2007 - The Alliance for Retired Americans is a substantial voice for senior issues and one that may impact the next presidential race.

Congress's Machinist
September 11, 2007 - The IAM has always had some friends on Capitol Hill. But until now, they never had one of their own. On September 4th, Laura Richardson became the first Machinist in Congress.

IAM's Seal of Approval
September 10, 2007 - At the 2007 National Staff Conference held just weeks ago, the IAM endorsed two presidential candidates...Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Mike Huckabee.

Hot Days At NASA September 7, 2007 - Since June 14, 2007 nearly 500 members from IAM's Local Lodge 2061 have been on strike at the Kennedy Space Center. The place that once helped to launch a man on the moon, can't seem to put a fair contract on the table.

Conversations with the Candidates
Hear what the candidates have to say about jobs, globalization, healthcare and the other domestic issues that matter most to you.

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Amtrak PEB Report Supports Rail Labor

The Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) that was appointed in December to investigate the long-running contract dispute between Amtrak and nine labor unions issued its report to President George W. Bush on December 30, 2007. The lengthy report recommends adoption of nearly all of labor’s proposals.

The PEB agreed with labor that the National Freight Agreement should serve as a pattern for resolving this dispute. The board’s recommendations include wage increases proposed by the unions, full retroactive pay and no work rule changes.

When considering retroactive pay, the PEB agreed with the union’s position that Amtrak had, in essence, received an interest-free loan from its employees. The members of the PEB found that, “Amtrak appeared content to continue to work its employees at 1999 wages levels…” The board also determined that, “In this case, nothing short of full retroactivity is fair and equitable and appropriate to restore to employees lost wages that resulted from their inability to obtain a successor agreement over the unprecedented eight year period that employees have continued to work without a new agreement.”

In rejecting Amtrak’s proposal for dramatic work-rule changes, the members of the PEB noted Amtrak workers’ increased productivity and said, “The evidence introduced by Amtrak in support of its claimed need for these sweeping reforms was weak, at best, and with respect to many of the proposals bordered on non-existent.”

The Amtrak Shopcraft Coalition, consisting of the Machinists Union, Transportation Communications Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Transport Workers Union will attempt to resume negotiations with Amtrak, using the PEB’s non-binding recommendations as the roadmap to a new agreement.

If no agreement is reached by midnight on January 30, 2008, Amtrak workers will finally be able to strike. However, the possibility still exists that Congress may intervene in the dispute and impose an agreement. The Amtrak Shopcraft Coalition is preparing for all three scenarios: a negotiated settlement, Congressional intervention or a strike.

PEB 242 Report (pages 1-32)
PEB 242 Report (pages 33-65)

**Machinists ‘America’s Edge’ Campaign Invites Input**

Earlier this year, the IAM unveiled ‘America’s Edge: Our Skills, Our Kids,’ an issue campaign aimed at drawing public attention to skills training, apprenticeship programs and greater funding for technical and vocational education. The Machinists campaign kicked off with a pair of TV ads in key states, membership mailings and a feature article in the upcoming IAM Journal.

In the next stage of the campaign, IAM members are invited to show their support by adding their names to the Blackboard on the America’s Edge website. The goal is to visibly demonstrate the growing demand for a national skills initiative.

A special section on the America’s Edge website has also been created where members can post video clips of themselves and their coworkers on the job. To sign the Blackboard and to learn more about posting your own video on the America’s Edge website, go to www.americasedgetv.com

Click here to view the America's Edge Campaign.

Click here to view the Training Wheels ad.

IAM Urges Halt to China Tech Transfers

The IAM is calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce to suspend a new program that allows companies in China to gain expedited access to sensitive U.S. aerospace technology, including telecommunication and composites technologies with potential military applications.

“It is naïve to assume that relaxing export restrictions on sensitive aerospace technology does not represent a significant threat to U.S. jobs, companies and communities,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “It is equally naïve to ignore the national security implications of such technology transfers to China.”

In a letter to the Under Secretary of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Buffenbarger took issue with one company in China that was recently approved for such expedited technology transfers under the Commerce Department’s Validated End-User program.

“The approval of one of these companies, Boeing Hexcel AVIC I Joint venture, will involve work on the Boeing 787 program that could have been performed by U.S. workers,” said Buffenbarger. “We find it very difficult to believe that your actions are good for U.S. workers or the U.S. economy.”

The Boeing Hexcel venture represents additional national security concerns, according to a report by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, an independent research foundation that monitors the spread of arms technology.“Reducing control on exports to such companies increases the risk that American goods will help China improve its armed forces, and that American goods will be sent illicitly to Syria or Iran.” The Wisconsin Report also noted that Boeing and Hexcel have been cited in the past for multiple violations of export controls.

Parker Named to Southern Territory Education Post

Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez announced this week that Local 776B Educator James Parker became the Southern Territory Education Representative, effective January 1.

Parker, a 30-year member, has also served as an IAM CREST Associate Instructor since 1998, as well as the Safety and Health Coordinator on the Safety Committee at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, TX.

“James will be a great addition to our staff,” said GVP Martinez. “He is an experienced Educator, and will bring a great deal of knowledge to his new role for the Southern Territory.”

Deadline Nears for Communicator and Web Class

Enrollment deadlines are fast-approaching for the Communications Department’s Communicators and Intermediate Web classes held at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.

Registration forms for the Communicators Class, scheduled for March 2-7, 2008, must be received by Friday, January 11. This class is geared for Local or District Lodge Communicators who are not currently publishing newsletters or websites.

The deadline for enrolling in the Intermediate Web Class is January 18. This course, designed for IAM lodges currently operating websites and whose web stewards have attended Basic Web Design (not in the same year) will be held March 16-21, 2008.

Click here to download the official calls outlining class requirements and application forms. Completed Registration Forms should be faxed to the Communications Department at 301-967-4586.

Ohio Elects Delegates to Democratic Convention

While Iowans held the first-in-the-nation caucuses last week, Ohioans held their caucus to choose delegates for the Democratic National Convention. The event is considered to be the official start of Ohio's March 4 presidential primary election on the Democratic side.

Labor was well represented and successful in three of Ohio’s Congressional Districts. In the 1st, 2nd and 8th districts, organized labor scored a total of 15 delegates, including Eastern Territory GVP Lynn Tucker, Jr. and GLR James Smith.

Delegates from each congressional district will be divided among the presidential contenders who win 15 percent or more of the vote in the state’s democratic primary on March 4, 2008.

IAM Mourns Retired GLR Roy Covington

The IAM suffered a loss recently when retired Southern Territory Grand Lodge Representative Roy Covington passed away after an illness. An IAM member since 1962, Covington held many local and district leadership positions in the Great Lakes Territory before GVP Don Wharton tapped him to serve as a Special Representative in 1990. Roy retired as a GLR in March 2002.

“Roy was a true journeyman Machinist and a great representative,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “We will miss him a great deal, and our condolences go out to his wife, Lattie Sue, and the family.”

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2006 IAM Newsletter & Website Contest Awards
Newsletter Award entries are judged on Layout & Design, Best Feature and General Excellence. Local lodges and Districts are judged separately.

The goal of the USA is to create an outdoor hunting and fishing club exclusively for union members and their families. TRCP Launches Union Sportsmen’s Alliance

IAM members can now purchase union gear online at the IAM Store.

IAM Journal
Fall 2007

Choices!Americans can choose to register to vote or not, select a political party or remain independent; follow the campaigns closely or tune in later; switch off the debates or debate with friends over the merits of various candidates; and, finally, choose to cast a ballot or stay home.

The 2008 Convention website is online. The site features updates, travel tips, convention news reports, info for the media, and official convention gear. Check it out.

IAM Member Benefits mean money-saving discounts for IAM members and their families.

Your union source for Sharp® and Océ® copiers, high-speed duplicating and archiving equipment, fax machines and Hasler® postage equipment, along with over 35,000 items you can order online.

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Enter member ID PS16626766 when ordering online or call 1-877-289-9437. When ordering, you must reference code: PS16626766 to receive your union discount.

See who works for you, how the IAM is structured, and what services the IAM offers.
Go to: IAM2007

Read the International Metalworkers' Federation magazine 'Metal World'

FlatRateTech is an organization “created for and by Ford and Lincoln Mercury service technicians solely to speak as one loud voice rather than 50,000 smaller voices.” according to their website The fast-growing site offers forums for Ford customers, technicians and dealers to exchange information.

IAM
Executive Council

Tom Buffenbarger
International President

Warren L. Mart
Secretary-Treasurer

Lee Pearson
GVP Western Territory

Dave Ritchie
GVP Canada

Robert Roach,Jr.
GVP Transportation

Lynn Tucker
GVP Eastern Territory

Robert Martinez
GVP Southern Territory

Richard Michalski
GVP Headquarters

Philip J. Gruber
GVP Midwest Territory