Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Americans Want Bush to Follow Lead of Democrats
February 5, 2007 - A majority of Americans are fed up with President Bush’s job performance and believe the country should head in the direction congressional Democrats want to take it.

Fresh Faces on the Hill February 5, 2007 - The elections in November brought many new faces to Capitol Hill.

Senate H.E.L.P. Committee January 22, 2007 - The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing this week to talk about soulutions for working class Americans who are having trouble making ends meet.

Changing The Future January 22, 2007 - The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It's a saying that's at least 100-years old and according to the Economic Policy Institute, one that still holds true today.

Will Your Vote Count? January 22, 2007 - In addition to changing the look of Congress, Election Day 2006 did something more. It brought to the forefront a variety of voting problems experienced across the country.

Senator Kennedy On Iraq And Healthcare
January 17, 2006 - In a speech meant to focus onn America's health care crisis, Senator Ted Kennedy instead took the time to criticize President Bush's plan to surge troop levels in Iraq by 20,000.

America’s Most Wealthy Bask in Bush Tax Cuts
January 11, 2007 - Reaffirming what middle class families know all too well – the Bush tax cuts primarily benefit America’s wealthiest families.

New Speaker Of The House, Nancy Pelosi
January 10, 2007 - In the first full week of the 110th Congress, House Speaker Nanacy Pelosi has taken her place as the unquestioned leader of the 435-member body. But the IAM was one of the few unions to recognize her potential long ago.

Surviving On Mimimum Wage
January 3, 2006 - As you stroll down city sidewalks, you're bound to see poverty, pain, strife and struggle.

Mayor Ray Nagin Talks About Rebuilding New Orleans January 3, 2007 - New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin discusses the obstacles facing the city since the devistation of Hurricane Katrina.

The Employee Free Choice Act
December 19, 2006 - The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is a piece of legislation for the middle class that limits an employer's ability to prevent workers from forming unions. If passed it could ultimately improve the lives of working men and women across the nation.

Middle Class Squeeze
December 19, 2006 - Median household incomes for families headed by non-retirement age, or working age folks incomes are down about 5.4% which translates into about $3000.

Bush Administration Signs Another Faulty Trade Deal
December 11, 2006 - Despite calls from the incoming Democratic Congressional leadership to strengthen labor protections in current and future trade agreements – the Bush administration has signed the U.S. – Columbia Free Trade Agreement - without including adequate worker protections.

Machinists Take Back Ohio December 7, 2006 - Machinists canvassed all 88 counties in Ohio, educating union members about the candidates who care about American Workers.

Video: Working Families Expect Results from Governor Elects
November 20, 2006 - Thanks to a critical push by working families – Democrats picked up six governor seats across the country last week.

Video: Voters Offer a Clear Mandate for Minimum Wage Increase
November 20, 2006 - Voters in six states voted overwhelmingly to increase the minimum wage last week – a clear sign that Americans are ready for Congress to finally raise the federal minimum wage.

Video: 2007 Day of Action
From air and rail to auto and trucking, transportation is essential to our lives. But the industry has fallen on tough times over the last few years, leaving its workers unsure about the future.

To view these videos you will need to download the free Windows Media Player 9

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Federal Workers Take Aim at NSPS

With the newly-elected Democrats now in control of Congress, the IAM is working closely with the United Defense Workers Coalition (UDWC) to repeal the Bush administration’s faulty National Security Personnel System (NSPS).

Despite a ruling last February by District Court Judge Emmett G. Sullivan declaring certain parts of NSPS infringed on employees’ collective bargaining rights, the Bush administration is pressing forward in a relentless campaign to cut the pay, benefits and collective bargaining rights of civilian workers in the Department of Defense (DoD). The Bush administration appealed Judge Sullivan’s decision in April and the court of appeals will render its decision in the coming months.

After being authorized by Congress in the aftermath of 9-11, the Secretary of Defense and the Bush administration drafted NSPS regulations that exceed the authorizing language passed by Congress and were inconsistent with congressional intent. The new NSPS rules drastically reduce federal worker protections, gut the current pay system and virtually eliminate collective bargaining and union rights for DoD employees.

Manufacturing Jobs Continue Decline

Despite the Bush administration’s claims of a robust economy, manufacturing jobs are continuing their rapid decline. According to data released last week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), manufacturing employment declined by 16,000 in January and by 110,000 over the last 12 months. January marks the seventh month in a row with job declines in manufacturing.

That wasn’t the only bad news for manufacturing employees. The BLS also reported the factory workweek fell by .2 hour to 40.8 hours, and overtime declined by .1 hour to 4.1 hours. Since peaking in July, the manufacturing workweek has dropped by .7 hour.

Also buried inside the BLS numbers was disturbing news regarding wage growth. Hourly earnings for non-supervisory production workers, the majority of jobs in the U.S., rose by only .2 percent in January, the smallest wage gain since last September. Weekly earnings also fell by .1 percent in January, the first such decline since May 2006.

Local 2191 Ratifies Pact, Ends Strike

IAM District 66 and Local 2191 ended a strike yesterday by ratifying a new three year agreement with Chart Energy and Chemical in La Crosse, WI. The 312 members there had been on strike since 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, February 4, 2007.

Strike issues were wages, health care plan availability and shift assignment. Following the ratification of the new 3-year agreement, DBR Rick Mickschl proudly said, “Our members were solid in their resolve to maintain the wages, benefits and working conditions they deserve. They were true trade unionists braving sub-zero temperatures on the strike line and holding strong.”

Wages will increase $1.85 over the term of the agreement, there is a substantial increase in the company contribution to the IAM Pension Plan, the company 401(k) match doubled, new health care options provide a substantial savings and choice for members, and the profit sharing program was maintained.

Work resumed at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 with the start of 3rd shift. Local 2191 members at Chart Industries work in fabrication, welding, brazing, machining and maintenance making brazed aluminum heat exchangers. Chart is the only company making this product in the United States.

Women’s Department Names February Sisters of the Month

The IAM Women’s Department has named Cheryl Stockebrand (pictured left) of IAM Woodworkers LL W261 in Oregon the U.S. Sister of the Month for February. Jacqueline Schmidt of Local Lodge 1927 in Ontario was the pick for Canada.

Sister Stockebrand, who has been an IAM member for 13 years, is a Hyster-Utility/Stock Clerk with Timber Products. During her time with the IAM, she has served as Editor and Communicator for her local as well as on the Southern Oregon Labor Council. Stockebrand has also completed a two-year apprenticeship with the IAM Grand Lodge Organizing Department and various trainings at the IAM’s Winpisinger Educational Center.

Seven-year IAM member Jacqueline Schmidt currently serves as the Recording Secretary for Local Lodge 1927 in Ontario, Canada. She also served on the Executive Board as a Lodge Trustee. Sister Schmidt, who is employed as a General Labourer at Dura Automotive, says she became more involved in her lodge activities as a result of a strong belief in the strength of solidarity and a genuine interest in unionism.

The IAM “Sister of the Month” program is an effort to motivate women to become more involved in their union by recognizing their hard work and dedication. If you’d like to nominate someone, download the nomination form and submit it to the IAM Women’s Department.

Adams County proposed contract with EMTs is DOA

The Adams County Emergency Medical Technicians in Quincy, IL voted overwhelmingly to reject a tentative three-year agreement recently. The 35 members of IAM District 9, Local 822 and the Adams County Ambulance Board have been working toward a settlement through the help of a Federal Mediator.

Mark Conner, Business Representative for IAM District 9 said, “The Medical Technicians made it clear that they are not happy with the wage package in the tentative agreement. It’s obvious from the overwhelming approval of the strike vote.”

There are separate wage scales for EMTs and Paramedics in the current agreement. However, if an EMT possesses a paramedic’s license they are required by law to perform all the duties at the paramedic level for lower pay. Another major issue is EMTs with a paramedic’s license do not receive credit for work done when moving up into the Paramedic classification. They start at the bottom rate even though they have been obligated to do the work.

The Adams County solution was to offer a 3% across the board increase to both EMTs and Paramedics with an additional 75 cent increase to EMTs with paramedic licenses.

The membership rejected this deal. Conner voiced his displeasure saying, “This is just flat wrong. If there aren’t enough openings on the paramedics’ list throughout the years, you could have scenarios where people take 20-plus years to get to the top pay. They may be retired first.”
There will be a bargaining session scheduled for February 13th and the union negotiating team is optimistic about reaching an equitable agreement.”

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Machinists News Network @ YouTube

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. Members can buy a variety of IAM related products such as t-shirts, jackets, jewelry and caps — all emblazoned with the IAM logo.

IAM Journal
Fall 2006

Gridlock in Washington, D.C. makes state capitols the place for innovative action working families care most about.

Get Ready for the Day of Action.
The Transportation Department is preparing for a major March and Rally on May 17, 2007, in Washington, DC. Thousands of working men and women from every state of the Union will join us on that day to say “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”
For more information, visit 17may07.org

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.

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

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