Tuesday, February 27 , 2007

Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Fresh Faces on the Hill: Congresswoman Betty Sutton
February 26, 2007 -As our Fresh Faces on the Hill series continues, it’s now time to turn our attention to Congresswoman Betty Sutton of ohio’s 13th district.

Free On The Job
February 23, 2007 - The Employee Free Choice Act is a piece of legislation that allows employees to form unions by card check.

Bush Trade Policies Failing American Families
February 22, 2007 -The Bush administration ’s failed trade policies and their impact on American workers are once again on full display.

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.

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.

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.

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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IAM Sues US Airways over Bankruptcy Ploy

The IAM filed a federal lawsuit this week over US Airways’ attempt to avoid a scheduled grievance arbitration by seeking to have the matter resolved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, despite having exited bankruptcy more than a year ago.

“US Airways is attempting to use the bankruptcy court to shield itself from its contractual obligations 17 months after exiting bankruptcy,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “If companies can get bankruptcy court protection without filing for bankruptcy, no business contract, labor or otherwise, is enforceable. Lessors, vendors, bondholders, stockholders and other creditors are also at risk.”

All IAM-US Airways collective bargaining agreements provide for automatic wage adjustments upon a change in control of the airline. IAM Districts 141 and 142 each filed grievances to enforce the change of control provisions in October 2005, following the US Airways-America West merger.

“US Airways is obligated to resolve collective bargaining disputes through the process set forth in our contracts and the Railway Labor Act,” said Roach. “Companies cannot hide in bankruptcy court forever.”

The arbitrator postponed the scheduled arbitration hearing as a result of US Airways’ refusal to attend. The IAM’s complaint, filed in Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, asks the court to order the arbitration to go forward. The IAM represents 15,000 Fleet Service, Mechanic & Related and Maintenance Training Specialists employees at US Airways.

Swissport Canada Members Win First Agreement

IAM members of Local 16 in Richmond, British Columbia who are employed by Swissport Canada Handling, Inc., have ratified their first ever collective bargaining agreement. The 150 members who joined the IAM last year provide ramp and cabin services for Westjet and Northwest Airlines at Vancouver International Airport. The three-year agreement provides for wage increases of seven percent in each year.

“Not only was the wage package outstanding but we also obtained benefits coverage for part-time workers, something they’ve never had in the past,” said Mike Clegg, General Chairperson of District 140.

Agreement highlights include full dental and eye care for both full and part-time workers and improvements in medical coverage, shift bids and overtime pay.

“Our record of service to our members is what convinced these workers to join the Machinists last May and this first agreement is proof they made the right choice,” said Clegg.

Mexican Truckers Ready to Roll over US

The Bush administration is drawing harsh criticism for a plan that would allow 100 Mexican trucking companies to haul cargo deeper within the United States.

“The Bush Administration’s announcement that the Department of Transportation (DOT) is forging ahead with a pilot program that would open our U.S. highways to Mexican trucking companies is deeply troubling,” said Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who cited a 2005 DOT Inspector General report that confirmed the Administration had failed to meet strict congressional guidelines aimed at protecting the American driving public.

The plan, announced last week by the Department of Transportation (DOT), broadens the North American Free Trade Agreement’s list of potential victims to include the U.S. driving public. Mexican trucks were to be given full access to U.S. roads under NAFTA, but the trucking provisions were suspended due to safety concerns.

Mexican trucks are currently only allowed to make limited deliveries beyond the 20-25 mile commercial zones currently in place along the Southwest border.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, announced a March 8 hearing to determine whether the Bush administration’s plan meets U.S. safety requirements. 

House Set to Vote on Employee Free Choice Act

The Employee Free Choice Act is set for a full vote in the House on March 1, offering lawmakers the opportunity to pass long overdue legislation that would restore the right to form unions in the U.S. without undue employer interference.

Despite bi-partisan Congressional support and overwhelming public support, the Bush administration has threatened to veto the bill if it makes it to Bush’s desk. The bill currently has 233 co-sponsors and passed the House Education and Labor Committee by a party line vote of 26-19.

Visit the Pick a Fight section of GOIAM to voice your support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Gulf Coast Shipbuilders Weigh Contract Offer

More than 11,000 union shipbuilders in Mississippi and Louisiana will vote this week on a four-year contract offer that would raise their pay over the life of the agreement but add to the monthly health care premium paid by employees.

Workers at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) in Pascagoula, MS and Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans, LA, are individually represented by more than a dozen unions that bargain together under the auspices of the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council and the New Orleans Metal Trades Council. IAM Local 1133 in Pascagoula, MS, represents 330 members who are part of the Pascagoula bargaining unit and 104 who are part of the New Orleans unit.

The current contracts expire on March 4 and voting is planned for March 1-2. In the 2003 negotiations, bargaining that lasted right up to the expiration date led federal mediators to extend the agreement by two weeks.
 

Log Trucker Bill Introduced in Washington

A new bill in the Washington State Legislature will ensure the economic health of rural communities in Washington by giving log truck drivers the right to collectively bargain with the state’s large forest products companies. The bill, HB 2247, is similar to one introduced in Oregon that the IAM is supporting.

“The current rates offered by most large commercial forest land owners hasn’t changed since 1986,” said IAM Woodworkers Department Director Rod Kelty. “Without a way to negotiate for higher wages, log truck drivers cannot feed their families or make the necessary investments in new equipment to ensure public safety. IAM members in Oregon and Washington should tell their representatives to support this important legislation.” Go to www.goiam.org/woodworkers to send an email message to either the Washington or Oregon state legislature.

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.



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