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President Barack Obama's Inauguration
January 22, 2009 - January 20, 2009 was a clear but bitter cold day in DC that will go down in history. Millions of people in Washington and worldwide watched as Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States of America, making him the first African American to hold the highest office in the land.

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.

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Obama Sworn In, Pledges Bold Action

On January 20, 2009, millions braved the bitter cold and billions more tuned in to witness “change.” Barack Obama was sworn in as our nation’s 44th president, and became the first African American Commander-in-Chief in U.S. history.

The day marked the long-awaited start of a new era which Obama promises will “reaffirm the greatness of our nation.”

“In the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things,” Obama told the country. “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

In his speech, President Obama acknowledged the country is in the midst of a crisis, and promised to do what is necessary to help the American people.

“Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered,” said the new president. “Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.”

Just before taking office, the president proposed an $800 billion stimulus package combining tax cuts and credits and infrastructure investments that will create three million jobs, many of them blue-collar.

“The Machinists welcome the changing tide brought about by President Obama,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “He is a man of the people, specifically working families, and has promised to reverse the injustices that have taken hold of our great nation over the last eight years. We now look to the future, and pledge to work with the president in meeting the challenges of tomorrow.”

Machinists at GKN Aerospace Ratify New Agreement

Machinists at GKN Aerospace in St. Louis, MO attend a ratification vote meeting. Members voted to accept the agreement.

Nearly 1,000 Machinists employed at GKN Aerospace in St. Louis, MO, will enjoy the benefits of a new contract after members voted by a more than 88 percent margin to accept a revised contract offer.

The 966-member bargaining unit rejected GKN’s previous offer on January 11, 2009, which sent the negotiating teams back to the table to hammer out unresolved issues.
Significant changes included increased pension benefits, a return to previous language regarding overtime and retention of benefits.

“I am proud of the professional manner in which our members acted these past few months,” said District 837 President and Chief Negotiator Gordon King in a message to members. “Your strength in the shop enabled your Bargaining Committee to act with one unified voice and it paid off. The three-year contract you accepted will allow each of you to move forward in these uncertain economic times with an assurance your pay and benefits will be there every week.”

“I am pleased we were able to offer the members a contract they can be proud of,” said Aerospace Coordinator Mark Blondin, who credited the achievement to shop floor solidarity and sophisticated collective bargaining with assistance from the IAM Strategic Resources Department.

Tennessee Strikers Return to Work at Vought

Members of Local 735 in Nashville, TN, voted January 15, 2009 by a 72 percent margin to approve a new three-year contract with Vought Aircraft Industries, bringing an end a strike over a company proposal to cut pension benefits.

Throughout the 17-week that endured through the collapse of the nation’s credit and banking sectors, Vought representatives refused to consider alternate pension proposals, threatening instead to move large amounts of work from the facility and hire permanent replacements for the striking workers.

“Throughout this long and bitter struggle, the members at Vought displayed a resolve and solidarity that deserves to be admired and remembered,” said Aerospace Coordinator Ron Eldridge who worked with the Local 735 Negotiating Committee to broker a resolution.
“The dignity they displayed in the face of insulting proposals and offensive treatment by this company will far outlast the terms of this punitive contract.”

Vought's Nashville plant, which is 90 percent owned by the shadowy Carlyle Group, builds wings and tail sections for military, commercial and general-aviation aircraft.

Union Members Heed Obama’s Call to Service

Hundreds of union volunteers, including IAM members from across the country, honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with community service projects in New Orleans, LA.

Hundreds of AFL-CIO union members traveled to New Orleans, LA, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by taking part in community service activities aimed at helping residents still struggling to overcome the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

IAM members joined with fellow union members who fanned out to 20 locations around the city with shovels, rakes, tools and supplies to provide a grassroots answer to President Obama’s call for volunteer service as a way to honor the late civil rights leader.

“Community service has always been a cornerstone of the Machinists union,” said IAM Executive Assistant Diane Babineaux, who led the IAM delegation to the Crescent City. “And there is no better time than Dr. King’s birthday to continue that tradition.”

In addition to helping to rebuild local members’ homes, the surge of union volunteer activity included providing electrical service to a local church, resurfacing ball fields and restoring a local African-American museum.

“There is a mistaken perception that New Orleans is fully recovered,” said Babineaux. “While the French Quarter and the Central Business District are doing well, many working class neighborhoods are still reeling from the effects of the storm and the growing economic recession.”

Sections of the city, including parts of St. Bernard’s Parish and the infamous Ninth Ward remain uninhabitable, while determined homeowners throughout the city continue to repair roofs, foundations and utilities damaged in the flooding. Federal assistance, which was all but absent in the days and weeks after the levees broke, continues to be difficult for homeowners to access.

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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