Thursday, February 22 , 2007

Read past iMail Email your opinion Visit www.goiam.org Print-Friendly version Sign up for iMail


Labor issues you care about in streaming video
.

Chi-Town Tear Down Pit Crew Competition 2007 February 16, 2007 - The command “Begin your teardown now….” marked the start of the annual Chi-Town Tear Down Pit Crew Competition.


Cold Day At Harley February 16, 2007 - At one minute after midnight on February 2nd, nearly 2,700 workers began picketing at the Harley-Davidson plant in York, Pennsylvania.


To Merge Or Not To Merge?
February 16, 2007 - US Airways planned hostile takeover of Delta Airlines is off the table. General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr, testifed at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing.

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


2004
December

November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2003
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2002
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2001
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February




 

Machinists at Harley Ratify New Contract

Local 175 IAM members in York, PA, today voted to ratify a new three-year contract with Harley-Davidson that preserves established healthcare coverage, boosts wages and ends a three-week old dispute at Harley's largest U.S. facility.

The contract was approved by 83 percent following a unanimous recommendation by the Local 175 negotiating committee. “This agreement is a significant improvement over the proposal rejected by workers earlier this month,” said Tom Boger, lead negotiator and District 98 Directing Business Representative. “I applaud the Machinists in York for their determination to win a better contract for themselves and the next generation of workers.”

Among the key issues in the dispute were healthcare costs and wage rates for new employees. Under the new contract, Harley will continue to pay full healthcare premiums for employees and new hires will progress to the same top pay as current employees. Wages will rise 12 percent over the life of the accord to a maximum hourly rate of $27.89.

“There is a time for sharing sacrifices and a time for sharing success,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “And after eighteen straight quarters of record profits and sales at Harley, these workers know what time it is.”

Harley-Davidson earned nearly $1 billion in profits last year amid surging worldwide demand for the company’s iconic line of motorcycles and related products.

Additional information about the agreement and a return-to-work schedule for Harley workers in York will be posted on the Local 175 website at http://www.iamlocal-175.org.

 

Beno Named to IAM Law Committee

District 190 Directing Business Representative (DBR) Jim Beno of Oakland, CA is the newest member of the IAM Law Committee. Beno was chosen to fill the unexpired term held by Mark Blondin, who will leave the Committee when he assumes the duties of IAM Aerospace Coordinator after the retirement of Dick Schneider.

“It’s an honor to be asked to serve,” said Beno. “Many people I admire and respect serve or have served on this important committee, and I’m humbled by the opportunity.” Beno, a 30-year member of Local 2182, has been a representative for District 190 over 20 years, serving the last six as DBR. Last November, Beno was honored at the 26th Annual William W. Winpisinger Charity Banquet for his devoted work raising money for Guide Dogs of America.

“Jim Beno will be a valuable member of the Law Committee,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “We look forward to working with him as we prepare for the IAM Convention in Orlando, FL in 2008.

Beno joins current members DBR Phil Zannella, Jr., Local 1363; DBR Jean-Leo Cote, District 11; DBR Roger Poole, District 9; and P/GC Randy Canale, District 141. Elected by the membership every four years, the Law Committee reviews proposed amendments to the IAM Constitution at the IAM Grand Lodge Convention.

 

Missouri Members at RTI Tradco Ratify New Contract

Members of District 837 who fabricate and machine aerospace parts at RTI Tradco in Washington, MO, ratified their first contract after winning the right to bargain in May 2006.

The four-year agreement includes a signing bonus, health care benefits, an additional holiday each year, the creation of a joint Labor-Management Safety Committee, seniority rights and shift work guarantees. In addition to wage hikes in each year of the contract, the members are entitled to an incentive plan that guarantees at least a $1,000 bonus each year.

“This is the first of many improvements we can expect to see in the lives of our newest members,” said District 837 President Rick Smith following the vote. “The people have chosen a better way of life for themselves, their families and their community. We look forward to working with their Company to prove, as we have in so many other shops, that Machinists are the best workers in the aerospace industry.”

The IAM sponsored an organizing drive at RTI that led to certification by the National Labor Relations Board on May 24, 2006. The next eight months were spent hammering out the agreement just ratified by RTI workers.

 

Canadian Agreements Provide Significant Wage Boosts

Members of IAM Local Lodge 1522 in Chalk River, Ontario have ratified a new five-year agreement with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, securing significant wage gains over the course of the contract.

The 65 members, who provide maintenance services for the Canadian designed and built Chalk River reactor, will see wage increases of 3 percent retroactive to January 4, 2006, 3.5 percent retroactive to January 4, 2007, 4 percent in the third year and 3.5 percent in years four and five.

Members of IAM Local Lodge 412 in Ottawa, Ontario will also see significant wages gains as a result of their new four-year agreement with BA International Inc.

“We were able to secure a sizeable increase to the members’ hourly rate as compensation for changes to their hours of work,” said IAM Grand Lodge Representative Bill Shipman. “The membership is extremely happy with the results of the bargaining.”

The 12 members perform machine shop and maintenance services for BA International, which prints currency paper for the Bank of Canada.

 

Airport Screeners Closer to Collective Bargaining Rights

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last week approved an amendment that would grant more than 40,000 airport screeners at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) collective bargaining rights.

The amendment, which repeals a portion of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) that gave the Bush administration authority to terminate collective bargaining for employees of the Transportation Security Administration, was part of legislation to follow through on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

The House in January passed similar legislation that would give airport screeners at the TSA collective bargaining rights. If the bill is ultimately signed into law, airport screeners at the TSA will gain bargaining rights, appeal rights and whistle-blower protections.

 

Eastern Territory Appoints New Education Rep.

The IAM Eastern Territory has announced the appointment of Donna Perinetti as the Eastern Territory Education Representative. The appointment will be effective on March 1, 2007.

“We’re proud to welcome Sister Perinetti to the Eastern Territory staff,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn Tucker. “She has done an outstanding job and her experience in organizing will be a tremendous help in our education program.”

Perinetti joined IAM Local Lodge 2363 in 1994 while working at Human Service Providers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Later that year, she was elected President of her local and served in that capacity until 1998.

After serving as an Apprentice Organizer, Sister Perinetti became the Organizer for District Lodge 26.

Perinetti has been very active during her time with the IAM, serving on the Rhode Island AFL-CIO Executive Committee, the IAM Blue Ribbon Commission and the Grand Lodge Convention 2004 Host Committee.

 

Enrollment Open for May Human Rights Class

The enrollment deadline for the IAM Human Rights Department Class to be held May 20-25, 2007, at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center is March 16, 2007. The May 20-25 class is the first of two training classes held by the IAM Human Rights Department. The second class will be held October 21-26, 2007.

The course will help local or district lodges set up an effective Human Rights Committee and focus on strategies to better protect members’ rights for lodges with existing Human Rights Committees.

Go to www.goiam.org for a copy of the official call and enrollment form. For more information, contact IAM Human Rights Department Director Charlotte Sund at (301) 967-4572.




Past iMail | Your Email |www.goiam.org | Print Version

Machinists News Network @ YouTube



Announcing the IAM Photo Contest

The IAM is repeating its members-only photography contest again this year and you are encouraged to enter. You can download a complete contest entry form by clicking here.




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
Spring 2007


FOCUS America’s union members do not need to be told what to do. They do what they believe is right, and let the chips fall where they may.


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.


Union Plus
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


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