Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Our Skills, Our Kids...
February 1, 2008 - The IAM lead a seven day, eight state tour across the country to talk to thousands about the importance of educating the next generation and making sure our kids have a future.

The Pivotal Powers
January 30, 2008 - Pick up a newspaper or tunrn on the television and you will probably quickly find a story about China, India or one of the other countries experiencing new growth. The changing faces of these countries touches us here in America, but many wonder if it's a good or bad thing for the U.S.

Stimulating The Economy
January 28, 2007 - Right now it's the question on everyone's mind. How do we fix the economy? Many believe a temporary solution is needed right away to stop the United States from slipping into a devastating recession.

Behind The Chinese Miracle
January 24, 2008 - For the past few decades China has seen unprecedented growth. Unfortunately, many of these workers in the country aren't reaping the benefits of this expansion.

There's No Place Like Home
January 18, 2008 - Hurricane Katrina may have hit the Gulf Coast more than two years ago but for many the nightmare continues.

Taking The Lead
January 15, 2007 - It's an election year and already things are in full swing. So far both of the candidates chosen by the IAM membership are taking the lead and making headlines around the world.

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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‘America’s Edge’ Campaign Reaps Big Dividends

Washington's Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire announces plan to add $3 million to the state budget for aerospace and technology apprentice programs.

The IAM campaign to draw attention to the nationwide shortage of skilled workers hit pay dirt this week when Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire announced a $3 million addition to the state’s budget for aerospace and technology apprentice programs.

“It’s great to see Gov. Gregoire make investments like this in aerospace workers,” said District 751 President Tom Wroblewski following the governor’s announcement at an ‘America’s Edge’ rally in Seattle. “This will pay long-term dividends for our competitive place in the world as we vie for these jobs in the global market.”

The bid to fund additional apprentice programs also drew strong support from Washington House leader Frank Chopp and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, vastly increasing the likelihood the state budget proposal will win final approval.

Following the announcement in Seattle, WA, the week-long ‘America’s Edge’ campaign moved to Chicago, IL, where IAM leaders and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend were welcomed by students and staff at Austin Polytechnical Academy. In addition to a traditional curriculum, the inner-city high school provides precision skills training and the entrepreneurial know-how for students to become the next generation of local business owners.

“We must partner with schools like this the same way we have with Aviation High School to improve our children's futures,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., who spoke at all of the America’s Edge events during the four-day whirlwind tour. “We cannot afford to wake up one day and find we have ignored our most valuable resources; our skills and our kids."

IAM members can show their support for the ‘America’s Edge, Our Skills, Our Kids’ campaign by adding their names to the Blackboard on the America’s Edge website. There is also a special section for members to 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.americasedge.tv.

IAM Fire Pilots Featured in 'Popular Mechanics'

Military C-130s battling fires that blackened Southern California in October refuel at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station.Photograph by Chad Hunt for "Popular Mechanics"(caption and photo as featured on the web)

The February issue of Popular Mechanics features an in-depth article about fire-fighting pilots and the mechanics and components personnel who keep their aircraft flying.

The PM article, titled ‘America’s Toughest Wildfire Pilots,’ describes the workday of Joe ‘Hoser’ Satrapa, a member of IAM Local 946 in Rancho Cordova, CA, as he raked Southern California wildfires with fire retardant in October 2007. Local 946 represents nearly 80 mechanics and components employees in addition to more than 50 pilots who are employed by Dyncorp Corp.

“No two drops are the same,” says Satrapa in the article. “You're close to the ground; you're looking out for trees and poles. You've got wind shears and crosswinds and convection columns that can flip you right on your back, and smoke and pieces of ember the size of grapefruits. You've gotta plan your escape route every time.”

A Navy veteran with 17 years of tanker-flying experience in addition to 162 combat missions and nearly 500 carrier landings, Satrapa and other IAM-represented pilots fly S-2 Trackers and OV-10 Broncos for Dyncorp in conditions that test the absolute limits of man and machine.

An on-line version is available on the "Popular Mechanics" website - including video.

NSPS Reform Cheers Federal Workers

Defense Department workers scored a major victory this week when President Bush signed into law the fiscal 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which includes language to fundamentally reform the Pentagon’s flawed National Security Personnel System (NSPS).

The law includes language that would restore collective bargaining and appeal rights under NSPS and exempt all wage-grade employees from NSPS.
“Our members have been in a long, tough fight to get changes made to NSPS and everyone who helped make this victory possible should be proud,” said IAM Government Employees Director Frank Carelli.

It wasn’t until Democrats took control that Congress was able to get legislation passed altering NSPS. In December, President Bush vetoed the previous authorization bill over an unrelated provision. Rather than attempt a veto override, Congress drafted a new bill without the offending Iraqi provisions.

“We are glad to see this process has finally come to an end,” said NFFE-IAM Federal District 1 President Rick Brown.,” “It has been almost two months since we learned what was in the conference report. We fought very hard for changes to NSPS, and we are happy these reforms are finally signed into law.”

Rail, Airline Members Work Side-by-Side

Railroad machinists from Local 112 in St. Paul, MN, are joining forces with Air Transport Local 1833 members in Bloomington, MN, to get the vote out this primary election season.

Working the phone banks earlier this week at Local 1833 in support of Hillary Clinton were Railroad Local 112 members Adam Brown and John Lucchesi, Air Transport Local 1833 Recording Secretary Mary Sansom and Minnesota State Council of Machinists president and Local 1833 member Lisa Stager (standing). Minnesota is one of 22 states that will be holding their primary election on February 5, 2008.

Increase in Union Members Highest in Decades

The number of U.S. workers belonging to unions rose to 15.7 million in 2007. That 311,000 gain was the largest single-year increase in union membership since 1983 when the government first started keeping track, according to a recent report by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Construction and health services showed the strongest growth, the report showed, and more women than men joined unions last year.

“In 2007, among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had median usual weekly earnings of $863 while those who were not represented by unions had median weekly earnings of $663,” said the report.

More and more workers want to join unions according to data from independent research firm Peter Hart Associates. In fact, some 60 million U.S. workers - more than half of all workers - say they would join a union if they could. But for many, employer intimidation and retaliation keep them from having a voice on the job. This could change dramatically if the next Congress passes, and the new president signs, the Employee Free Choice Act, which will increase penalties for employer misconduct and make it easier for workers to organize.

Click here to read a summary of the BLS report, and here for the full report.

Register Now for Human Rights Class at WWW

The 2008 Basic Human Rights Class will be held on May 4-9, 2008, at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Maryland.

“In our continuing commitment to civil and human rights for all IAM members throughout the United States and Canada, I strongly urge all lodges to participate in the Human Rights training,” said IP Buffenbarger.

The training provides practical information and guidance on how to establish a viable Human Rights Committee, as well as utilizing strategies to ensure that the committee operates in a proactive measure capable of assisting in the protection of our members’ civil and human rights.

Click here for more information and to download an application form.

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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
Winter 2008

Skills Pat Maloney examines parts before they are put on Boeing aircraft. Any primary processing defects, problems with the metal or even the smallest crack, Maloney is the one who needs to catch it.

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