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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Capitol Prepares for Historic Inauguration

The nation’s capitol is bracing for record crowds in anticipation of the historic Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on January 20 as the first African-American president in U.S. history. Estimates range from 1.5 to three million people who will make the trip to the National Mall, far more than the 400,000 who attended President Bush’s inauguration in 2005. The inauguration comes the day after the nation honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who galvanized the Civil Rights movement on the same Mall 45 years ago with the famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

“The record crowds expected for President-elect Obama’s Inauguration reflect working families’ enthusiasm for a new day in Washington and America,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “We look forward to working with the Obama administration to rebuild America’s middle class families and craft a speedy economic recovery to end the devastating nightmare of unemployment that is gripping millions of Americans.”

GKN Agrees to Return to Negotiating Table

GKN Aerospace in St. Louis, MO notified District 837 that it will return to the bargaining table. The notification came three days after IAM District 837 members rejected GKN’s contract proposal on January 11, 2009.

“The Machinist Union will use every resource at our disposal to negotiate a contract that meets the expectations of the District members here in Missouri,” said IAM Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin.

The IAM expects to work out the issues that did not meet the members’ expectations in the last contract offer during these follow-up meetings.

“The issue is not if the membership is prepared to strike, it is if GKN is prepared to make significant changes to those areas of the contract the members are unhappy with,” said District President Gordon King.

Additional information and updates can be found on the District 837 website.

Public Support Strong for Employee Free Choice Act

Support for free choice remains strong, despite anti-worker campaigns aimed at disarming U.S. employees of their right to unite for better wages, better working conditions, and better health care.

A new survey shows 78 percent of those polled support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – legislation that protects workers who wish to form a union.

The survey covered individuals from across the country and across party lines. Even after the barrage anti-Free Choice Act ads, seventy-four percent of those who identified as moderate or liberal Republicans were in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act.

The report also shows 64 percent of those polled support strengthening penalties against companies who illegally intimidate or fire workers trying to form a union. And, 61 percent favor binding arbitration if a company will not agree to a first contract.

“I am not at all surprised by the numbers,” says IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “In today’s economy, where companies are wheeling and dealing their numbers at the expense of their employees; forcing them to submit to low pay and less than adequate health care coverage. It’s high time workers get to do some negotiating of their own.”

Don’t forget to sign a “Million Member Mobilization” card to support The Employee Free Choice Act. The AFL-CIO will present the cards to President-elect Barack Obama and the new Congress to demonstrate the widespread support for stronger laws to protect the right to choose a union and bargaining a first contract free from unfair employer tactics.

Cards were sent to every IAM local and district lodge in the United States. Signed cards should be returned to local or district lodge representatives who will then forward them to their respective territory offices. For information about the Employee Free Choice Act, including a fact sheet and other background information, click here.

To sign an online version of the AFL-CIO card, click here.

IAM Members Answer Call to Help Moncure Strikers

IAM members and their families answered the call to help fellow members at Moncure Plywood by joining the campaign to send letters to Moncure’s major customers (www.goiam.org/moncure) alerting them about Moncure’s outrageous behavior toward IAM Local 369 members in Moncure, NC.

“We processed more than 1,000 letters in the initial weeks of this campaign. Our goal is to double this amount every week until the owners of Moncure Plywood agree to put our striking IAM members back to work,” said IAM Woodworkers Department Director Rod Kelty. “If you do go furniture shopping, please tell the sales person that you do not want furniture containing wood from the strike breakers now working at Moncure Plywood.”

Moncure workers have been on strike since July 20th after the company demanded 60-hour work weeks, the elimination of almost all aspects of seniority and unfair increases in health premiums.

Moncure management then unilaterally implemented a contract and with the consent of its corporate owner, Atlas Holdings, striking members are in the process of being permanently replaced. Moncure management also allowed a noose to be displayed just inside the plant gates in clear sight of the picketers – most of whom are African-American.

Click here to send a letter to Moncure customers and help your fellow brothers and Sisters at Moncure Plywood.

New Dates for Communications Conference

The 2009 Communications Conference, previously scheduled for Sept. 13-16, 2009 will now take place on Sept. 27 – 30, 2009. The location remains Vancouver, British Columbia. The official call for the conference has not been issued, but members in the United States who are interested in attending the conference should note that they must have a valid and current U.S. Passport to travel to and from Canada.

Passport applications are processed by the U.S. State Department and can take from several weeks to several months to process. Additional information, instructions and a passport application form are available at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Holiday Closure

In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and Inauguration Day, IAM Headquarters will be closed January 19 and 20, 2009.

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Machinists News Network @ YouTube
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We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry

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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