Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Watching Congress
January 9, 2009 - The economy, the War in Iraq, the automakers trouble, the state of America hasn't been in this much chaos since the days of FDR. That's why it's even more important for President Elect Barack Obama and Congress to work together, starting day one.

True Christmas Spirit
December 19, 2008 - For 24 years the spirit of Christmas has come alive in Prince George's County. Especially during the annual holiday food basket program.

Workers First
December 17, 2008 - For 120 years the IAM has been protecting workers. This week at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC, the idea of putting workers first took the spotlight.

NWA/Delta Merger: December 08 Update
December 11, 2008 - Whether you are for or against it, the merger between Northwest and Delta Airlines is happening.

N.C. Machinists - Obama's Team Wants Change
December 9, 2008 - Striking members of IAM LL W369 in North Carolina were in Washington, DC to attend a forum on Community, Faith, & Democracy.

A Green Recovery
December 5, 2008 - For some, it's hard to think about a greener tomorrow when families are having to choose today between paying the mortgage or putting food on the table. But many people believe that investing in a green recovery may help to solve America's current economic crisis.

Guide Dogs Diamond Anniversary
November 26, 2008 - The Guide Dogs of America celeberated its 60th Diamond Anniversary in Las Vegas last week.

The Face of Foreclosure
October 21, 2008 - As lawmakers work to find a solution to the US foreclosure crisis, thousands of working class Americans, including some IAM members, struggle to keep homes in the midst of this economic downturn.

NWA/Delta Merger: A Future Bailout?
October 15, 2008 - In one of the most volatile financial times in history, it seems wrong to many that a possible airline merger is still being considered.

A Fresh Look At Healthcare
October 12, 2008 - With the presidential election just weeks away, Americans are taking a serious look at the issues. As always healthcare is close to the top of the priority list.

Retirees Take On Raytheon
September 26, 2008 - After 26 years, IAM member Dave Lillie retired from Raytheon. At the end of his more than two decades as a tool and die maker, he believed retirement would be bliss. Raytheon saw it another way.

Closing Day for the 37th ConventionSeptember 12, 2008 - Welcome to the closing day for the IAM's 37th Grand Lodge Convention. It's been a busy week but alot has been accomplished.

Freedom Of ReligionSeptember 11, 2008 - No matter how, when or why you do it, every person in the U.S. and Canada has the right to Freedom. "Freedom of Religion" was the theme on the fifth day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

Freedom From Want
September 10, 2008
Freedom from want is another one of the four freedoms Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke about more than 60 years ago. "Freedom From Want" was the theme on the fourth day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

New Dues Structure
September 10, 2008
More than 32 years ago, union delegates gathered in a room like this, changed the financial structure of the IAM. Today, that decision was again in front of this year's delegaes who voted o amend the current financial structure.

HRC Becomes Honorary IAM Member
September 8, 2008 - Nothing seems to bring the Machinists to their feet like Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. She spoke at the the 37th Grand Lodge Convention where she became an honorary lifetime member of the IAM.

Freedom From Fear
September 8, 2008 - In some of the most famous words ever spoken, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." "Freedom From Fear" was the theme on the second day of the 37th Grand Lodge Convention.

Opening Day for the 37th Convention
September 7, 2008 - Today the IAM opened its 37th Grand Lodge Convention. This week promises a nod to the past as we look for solutions to the problems of the future.

Legally Protecting Our Green Jobs
August 28, 2008 - US manufacturing has lost millions of jobs due to outsourcing. But can you keep that from happening? Some labor advocates are ready for a radical pro manufacturing political agenda, and they want it applied to America’s next economic craze, “Green” energy.

A Plan For Greatness
August 13, 2008 - For years the Machinists have told anyone who would listen that this country's in trouble. Unfortunately, many times these warnings fell on deaf ears.

Spirit Aerosystems: A Conversation With IP Tom Buffenbarger
July 2, 2008 -
IP Tom Buffenbarger discusses unique wage negotiations at Spirit Aerosystems.

Hawker Beechcraft: A Conversation With IP Tom Buffenbarger
July 2, 2008 -
IP Tom Buffenbarger discusses the latest developments at Hawker Beechcraft.

IAM College Graduating Class of '08
July 2, 2008 -
Last weekend 11 Machinists graduated from the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Media Library
IAMpodcast

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U.S. Jobless Figure Tops 11 Million

The U.S. economy is in a free-fall and taking millions of U.S. jobs down with it.

The Department of Labor reports the unemployment rate soared to 7.2 percent last month – the highest since World War II. According to the department, 2.6 million people lost their jobs last year alone, bringing the total number of people currently without work to a whopping 11.1 million.

The manufacturing sector continues to experience the steepest losses with a record number of plant closings and mass layoffs. Factory job losses totaled 791,000 in 2008, with nearly half of the decrease occurring near the end of the year.

Unfortunately, all signs indicate things will only get worse before they get better. Boeing announced it will put 4,500 people out on the street by the end of 2009. The same goes for AK Steel, which expects to let go of about 45 Ohio workers after announcing a five percent pay cut for 1,500 salaried workers just last month. The list goes on.

President-elect Barack Obama says the latest numbers are “sobering.” He’s proposing an $800 billion stimulus package, which includes an emphasis on infrastructure and energy. Obama asserts his plan will create between three and four million jobs by 2010, with manufacturing and construction experiencing particularly strong growth.

Congress is currently analyzing and debating the particulars of the proposal. A final package is expected to hit Obama’s desk shortly after he is sworn into office.

House Passes Equal Pay Measures

The U.S. House of Representatives passed two landmark bills to help end the pay gap between men and women and make it easier for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims. The two bills were some of the first items of business considered by the new 111th Congress, and demonstrate the increased commitment to working family issues after the Democratic victory in November.

The House passed the Paycheck Fairness Act by a 256 to 163 vote. The bill will help close the pay gap between men and women who are performing the same jobs. U.S Census Bureau data shows women still earn just 78 cents for every dollar earned by men.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay act passed by a 247-171 vote.

The bill reverses a May 2007 Supreme Court decision made it extremely difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims. The bill restores the law to what it was prior to the 2007 decision. For more information on the legislation, go to http://edlabor.house.gov

District 837 Members Reject Contract Offer from GKN

Members of District 837 in Hazelwood, MO, voted this week to reject a contract offer from GKN Aerospace in St. Louis, MO, and followed it with a second vote authorizing a strike.

The outcome of the vote, however, does not initiate an immediate strike. The current contract requires the issuance of a seven-day letter of intent to strike required before such strike actions would occur.

District 837 representatives notified the company of the vote results and proposed a prompt return to the bargaining table to address unresolved issues. “If the company does not notify the union shortly of their intent to meet, we will exercise our right under Article 2, Section 3 of the contract by issuing a seven-day notice of intent to strike,” said District 837 President and Directing General Chairman Gordon King in a bulletin to members. “It could be much better for you to continue drawing a paycheck while we wait to see if the company will offer a new proposal worthy of your acceptance.”

Additional information and updates can be found on the District 837 website at http://www.iam837.org.

Community Service to Highlight 2009 MLK Observance

Union members cleaned lots and painted over gang grafitti during the 2008 AFL-CIO Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance activities in Memphis, TN.

Hundreds of union members from across the U.S. will travel to New Orleans, LA, this week for the 2009 AFL-CIO Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Observance. The annual event will be marked by speakers, workshops and community service activities that will include restoration of residences and playgrounds damaged by Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

This year’s MLK observance marks the second time in three years that the AFL-CIO is returning to the storm damaged Gulf Coast, where evidence of the historic 2005 hurricane season is still clearly visible in working class communities.

In addition to community service activities, union members will also celebrate the election of President-elect Barack Obama to the highest political office in the country and examine what this election will mean for the nation and working families.

Visit here for more information about the 2009 MLK Observance.

Quebec Members Ratify Contract at ABB Lachine

IAM members of Local 1660 in Lachine, Quebec, who are employed there by Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) Incorporated, have won a new collective bargaining agreement.

In addition to wage increases of three percent in each year of the three-year accord and the establishment of new job classifications, members will also receive a signing bonus upon ratification of the agreement. The creation of a summer schedule and improved sick pay rules are also included.

The 19 members of Local 1660 ratified the agreement by a margin of 88 percent. The IAM also represents ABB employees at the company’s St. Laurent facility in suburban Montréal.

Kansas City Machinists Raise $20,000 for Food Pantry

Despite the economic downturn, IAM members of Local 778 in Kansas City, MO, who work at Honeywell FM&T were able to continue an annual tradition of supporting a local food pantry known as Harvesters. The 2009 drive surpassed the previous year’s giving by over $990, netting a total of $22,105.35.

The effort to support Harvesters includes management representatives, who stand side-by-side with union members seeking donations as employees enter the plant. Local 778 members have supported Harvesters for over 10 years, with yearly donations increasing even as head counts decreased.

"My thanks also go out to all the employees here at Honeywell FM&T for their kind contributions that help our community to be one of the best in helping each other,” said Local 778 President Leo Berroteran.

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2008 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 2008

During the days of the Republican-controlled Congress, GOP-insiders replaced the open debating and crafting of legislation with midnight votes and backroom deals.

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