Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Homeless Vets Need Housing and Healthcare
March 14, 2008 - Some of our U.S. Veterans who once served this great country are homeless and Congress is taking action.

Defending America
March 14, 2008 - About a week ago, the United States Air Force awarded a $35 billion dollar defense contract to a European aircraft manufacturer called Airbus. The Machinists and their allies didn't take this news lightly.

Going Green
March 12, 2008 - Many in the labor movement say if you want to keep the USA strong, you need to bring back American manufacturing. Some say the way to do that is to go green.

The Skills Needed
March 10, 2008 - The IAM's America's Edge Campaign doesn't start and stop with the Machinists. The word is out and people are listening.

A 'No Win' Situation
February 29, 2008 - For years the Machinists Union has fought against airline mergers and with good reason. A merger doesn't just hurt employees but also the American public.

Looking At Transportation's Future
February 29, 2008 - The Winpisinger Center was the meeting place this month for the IAM's Transportation Principal Officers Conference.

Lockheed Martin Negotiations Begin
February 20, 2008 - Negotiations between the IAM and Lockheed Martin kicked off this weekend in Palm Springs, California.

The Battle of Valley Ford
February 12, 2008 - In January, America's midwest turns cold and windy. That becomes more obvious if you're spending January on strike like the workers in Hazelwood, Missouri.

Our Skills, Our Kids...Seattle
February 7, 2008 - As the America's Edge Tour wound its way across the USA, support for its message swelled and a stop in Seattle gave the tour even more of a push.

Our Skills, Our Kids...Wichita
February 6, 2008 - From St. Louis to Wichita, that's where the IAM's America's Edge Tour headed next. To see the faces and hear the voices of those people who have made Wichita the Air Capital City of the world.

Our Skills, Our Kids...St. Louis
February 4, 2008 - After the Space Coast and a visit to the South, it was time for the IAM's America's Edge Tour to visit the heartland.

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.

Media Library
IAMpodcast

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

IAM Survey: Voters Support Tech Training

The Machinists Union has released results of a national survey that found widespread support among likely voters for two years of tuition-free, post-secondary education for every qualified American.

The survey, which is available here, was conducted for the IAM by Fingerhut Granados Opinion Research and examined voter attitudes about vocational education and the level of interest in a national tuition program similar to the GI Bill.

“Persons of every income, education and political affiliation would all support a national education policy that included two years of tuition-free education for qualified Americans,” said Vic Fingerhut. “They rightly view this type of education policy as critical for the U.S. to compete successfully in today’s skills-based global marketplace.”

According to the survey, 97 percent of respondents agreed that it was very important or somewhat important to increase the level of training and skills development. Surprisingly, the combined figure is greater than the importance given to assuring affordable health care, keeping mortgage rates down and increasing the minimum wage.

By an overwhelming six to one margin, respondents indicated they would be more likely to support a candidate who supported two years of tuition-free post secondary education, either at a community college, vocational or high-tech institute or apprentice program.

“This issue has the potential to resonate for any candidate that embraces it,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger.

Pratt & Whitney AutoAir Members Sign New Accord

Members at Local 2184 in Lansing, MI have voted overwhelming to ratify a new three- year contract with Pratt & Whitney AutoAir. The agreement guarantees wage increases of 3.5 percent in the first two years and a 3.25 percent increase in the third year, as well as a $2,500 signing bonus.

Other improvements for the more than 170 members include increases in pension contributions to the IAM National Pension Plan over the life of the agreement and the removal of two-tier language.

“The bargaining committee stood strong through a long and difficult negotiating process,” said IAM Eastern GVP Lynn Tucker. “This agreement and the ratification results are proof of that. “Our thanks to IAM Aerospace Coordinator Frank Santos for his assistance in these negotiations, and congratulations to District 60 Business Representative Stacey Arnold and the entire bargaining committee.”

Canadian Machinists Tame the Antarctic

Claiming Antarctica on behalf of the Machinists is (L to R) Chard McIntyre, Ragnar Olafson, Kyle Hegedus and Jamie Neggers.

Members of IAM Local 2583 from Field Aviation in Calgary, Canada who have been mastering the weather of Antarctica for a British survey team since late October 2007 recently returned home to Calgary.

Ragner Olafson, an avionics technician, leads a group of four aviation mechanics from Field who have been providing technical support for the survey’s four De Havilland Twin Otters and single De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft.

The job requires the Machinists to go wherever the aircraft takes them, which could have them away from their base for weeks at a time.

Los Angeles Mechanics Say ‘IAM Yes’

IAM organizing team at Johnson Controls (left to right): Gabriel Santiago, Carlos Gonzalez, Eddy Salcedo, Jesus Bobadilla, Juan Carlos Cerpa, Javier Garcia and Leon Torres. Jesus Bobadilla and Jesus Archila (not pictured) were elected to the Negotiating Committee.

Workers employed by Johnson Controls who maintain and service the vehicles for the Los Angeles County fleet services are the latest to say “yes” to IAM membership. These 42 new members are the mechanics who keep the fleet of automobiles, trucks and tractors moving.

A main concern for the workers was job security and a successor clause. Should the company lose the contract with the county, the mechanics wanted an IAM contract to ensure that their wages and benefits would still be in force with a new contractor.

One of the big challenges in the campaign was the logistics of the site locations, which number six in all and range from 20 to over 100 miles apart from each other. But logistics wasn’t the only obstacle.

“The company had their union buster moving from site to site holding meetings with the employees to create doubt and confusion in the work force,” said Organizing Department GLR Macario Camorlinga, who headed up the campaign. “They gave it their best effort, but the vote was in favor of the IAM 20 to 19.”

Having just voted on their Negotiating Committee members, mechanics at Johnson Controls are now looking forward to getting their first contract.

“Communication won the day in this campaign,” said Headquarters GVP Rich Michalski. “Our organizing team held meetings in Spanish and English so the workers would be comfortable in understanding exactly what was being explained to them. It was great teamwork by GLR Camorlinga, Apprentice Organizer Larry Olinger and District 947 Organizer Felix Osuna.”

Machinists File Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Toyota Canada

With 3,100 workers at the Toyota Canada assembly plant in Cambridge, Ontario set to vote March 20 on IAM representation, the IAM yesterday filed unfair labour practice charges against the company with the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

“We’re taking this step to protect the rights of Toyota employees to a free and democratic vote in which they will be able to express their true wishes without intimidation,” said IAM District 140 Organizer Ian Morland.

The application alleges that certain of Toyota’s recent communications with employees have crossed the line set by the law, which prevents employers from intimidating and unduly influencing employees to vote against a union in a certification vote. The IAM is also addressing Toyota’s attempt to have the Ontario Labour Relations Board depart from standard voting arrangements that have been designed over the years to facilitate a free and democratic vote.

“It’s clear by their recent actions that Toyota is afraid of a free and democratic vote and afraid to give their employees a proper opportunity to express their wish to be represented by the Machinists Union,” concluded Morland.

The IAM represents thousands of members in the Canadian automotive transportation sector at assembly and parts manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.

Deadline Nears for Advanced Web and Advanced Editors Classes

The enrollment deadline is fast-approaching for the Communications Department’s Advanced Web and Advanced Editors classes held at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.

Registration Forms for the courses, both scheduled for June 1-6, 2008, must be received by Friday, March 21.

The Advanced Web class is geared for IAM lodges currently operating websites and whose Web Stewards have attended the Basic and Intermediate Web classes. Advanced Editors is for experienced local and district lodge newsletter editors, web stewards or Communicators who have a strong record of producing newsletters, materials and information for their lodges.

Click here to download the official calls outlining class requirements and Registration Forms.

Completed Forms should be faxed to the Communications Department at 301-967-4586.

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

Machinists News Network @ YouTube

Launch Video Player

You Tube For You!
We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry

Order your 2008 IAM Calendar Today

Individual Order Form
Bulk Order Form

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.

Click above image for flyer
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