Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

China's Taste for Trash
March 20, 2007 - According to recent statistics, in 2006 the U.S. exported nearly 60 billion dollars of goods and services to China. But what were those products? It may surprise you to know that a good portion of it was garbage.

American Workers Want a Union Contract
March 16, 2007 - As the battle over the Employee Free Choice Act heats up – a new report from the Economic Policy Institute shows workers want to join a union NOW, more than any time in the recent past.

Latest Job Numbers Don't Bode Well for Working Families
March 15, 2007 - Employers added only 97,000 jobs last month – marking the slowest month of job growth in two years.

Korea's Turn Now?
March 14, 2007 - For hundreds of years america has been trading. And most agree that’s a good thing. But how to do it in today’s global world, without hurting america or its workers, is the next big question to answer.

What Happened to Good Trade?
March 14, 2007 - For decades, Congressman Sandy Levin has been part of a lot of trade issues on the hill. He’s seen what’s worked and what hasn’t. And in a global world that’s constantly changing, he knows our future depends on what we do now

EFCA Takes the House
March 9, 2007 - The Employee Free Choice Act has passed the house. That’s good news for the labor movement. And even better news for the men and women who want to organize.

HIV Epidemic
March 8, 2007 - HIV/AIDS infection rate is increasing in minority communities, especially in areas of poverty. In the video a man with HIV, chronicles his struggle with the virus and AIDS advocates call for more community awareness.

Fast Track to Nowhere
March 8, 2007 - Is trade important you? It should be. In the past, bad trade policies only hurt blue collar laborers by sending jobs overseas.

Fresh Faces on the Hill: Congressman Phil Hare
February 28, 2007 - Phil Hare used to hold a union job as a cutter in a factory. Today, he’s working to pass legislation to protect his brothers and sisters.

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.

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.

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

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Lou Dobbs Examines China’s Aircraft Ambitions

IP Tom Buffenbarger is scheduled to appear Thursday, March 22, on CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight as part of a news segment about China’s entry into the global commercial aircraft market.

“The recent announcement that China will be entering the large commercial aircraft market comes as no surprise to the IAM,” said Buffenbarger. “ China developed its capacity in large part due to U.S. policy that allowed the transfer of U.S. technology and production—technology that was often developed by U.S. aerospace workers and paid for by U.S. taxpayers.”

The Emmy-award winning Lou Dobbs Tonight airs from 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, 7 days a week. Check your local listings to confirm time and channel.

GVP Roach Testifies on Aviation Safety

GVP Robert Roach, Jr. speaks with Cleveland, OH-based Express Jet Flight Attendant Nicole Washington prior to a Congressional hearing on airline and Flight Attendant safety issues.

Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. testified today before the Aviation Sub-Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the subject of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operational and safety programs.

Roach urged the Committee to resolve jurisdictional conflicts between the National Mediation Board and the National Labor Relations Board; address Flight Attendant fatigue and self-defense training issues and correct lax enforcement of workplace health and safety regulations. Roach also called for improved oversight of overseas aircraft repair stations and urged lawmakers to reject proposals to allow increased foreign ownership and control of U.S. airlines.

“Since 9-11, airline workers have sacrificed their wages, pensions, work rules and thousands of jobs in order to rescue the airline industry,” said GVP Roach. “Industry conditions have imposed great burdens on workers as carriers compete to reduce costs. Such an extraordinary focus on the bottom line demands more, not less, government oversight.”

Shipyard Strike Draws Local Business Support

Pascagoula Local 1133 Shop Stewards James Lankford, right, and Steve Lankford, left, distribute donated Kentucky Fried Chicken meals to union members on strike at Northrop Grumman’s Ingalls Shipyard. (Photo by R.B. Boulware)

The Ingalls Shipyard strike in Pascagoula, MS moved into its second week, with local business donating food and supplies to union members walking picket lines outside the sprawling Northrop Grumman facility. More than 350 Machinists are among nearly 6,500 union workers from the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council on strike at Ingalls.

“Our community is showing a great deal of support for the workers,” said District Lodge 73 Directing Business Representative Benny Wallace. “We are getting lots of donations from the area businesses.”

One local KFC manager refused to donate anything to the strikers, saying the restaurant was in the business of selling chicken, not giving it away. After word of the refusal reached area KFC franchise owner Bill West, he and his brother drove four hours to deliver buckets of chicken for the strikers, feeding around 200 picketers.

Mr. West apologized to DBR Wallace, saying that he grew up in a union household, and that he understood and supported the strikers. He said that the local KFC would continue donating food to the strike.

Settlement Reached at Dana Corp

Under a tentative settlement between the IAM and bankrupt auto parts maker Dana Corp., the company will distribute $2.25 million to approximately 150 IAM retirees in Churubusco, IN, and Corinth, MS., to help cover future health care and life insurance costs.

The IAM represents workers at four Dana Corp. plants in the U.S., but three of those plants, including the one in Churubusco, were recently sold to a German company. The German firm will assume the existing benefit package for employees who retire during the current collective bargaining agreement. In addition, the IAM negotiated a new contract for about 215 employees at a Dana Corp. plant in Robinson, IL, that includes modifications to health care and pensions and wages.

Dana, one of the largest auto parts makers in the world, filed for bankruptcy protection on March 3, 2006, claiming it needs to reduce costs and move its manufacturing capabilities overseas to emerge as a competitive, viable company.

Enroll Now for Spanish Leadership Class

Spaces are still available in the Spanish Leadership I program scheduled for May 20-25, 2007 at the William W. Winpisinger Center in Hollywood, Maryland. The Spanish Leadership I program covers the subjects included in the regular Leadership I program, but with all classroom instruction and materials in Spanish.

Lodges are encouraged to take action as soon as possible to enroll participants in this new program. The deadline for submitting completed enrollment forms for the May Spanish Leadership I program is April 15. Enrollments in the Spanish Leadership I program do not count against a lodge's regular leadership program allotment.

Click here for the Spanish Leadership I enrollment form or call Pam Kinney at 301-373-8820.

Matricúlese Ahora para el Programa de Liderazgo 1 en Español

Todavía hay espacio disponible para el programa Liderazgo en español 1 programado para el 20-25 de mayo del 2007 en el Centro educacional William W. Winpisinger en Hollywood, Maryland. El programa Liderazgo 1 en Español cubre las mismas áreas que el programa de Liderazgo 1 en Ingles pero con todos los materiales e instrucción traducidos al español.

Se les pide a todas las Logias Locales a que tomen acción lo más pronto posible a que matriculen participantes en este nuevo programa. La fecha tope para someter las formas de matriculación para el programa de Liderazgo 1 en Español de Mayo es; abril 15. Las matriculaciones en el programa de Liderazgo 1 en Español no cuentan en su matriculación regular para los programas de Liderazgo 1 en Ingles para los Locales.

Para la forma de matriculación para el Programa de Liderazgo 1 en Español Presione aquí o llame a Pam Kinney al 301-373-8820.

Derek Ferguson Wins Canadian Labour Award

Derek Ferguson,left, with Jason Rees, Vice-President, Waterloo Region Labour Council.

Long-time Canadian IAM member Derek Ferguson is the proud recipient of the 2006 Max Saltzman Award for outstanding contributions to labour and the community. The award is presented annually by the Waterloo Region Labour Council, in honor of Max Saltzman, the former public school board trustee and long serving federal NDP member for Cambridge, ON.

Ferguson was presented with the award by Council Vice President Jason Rees on March 13, 2007. A resident of Cambridge Ontario, Ferguson serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of Local 2330 and as a Vice President of the Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists as well as a member of the shop committee for his local at Dana Long Manufacturing where he is employed as a Tool and Die Maker.

2006 Newsletter and Website Contest Winners Announced

The results of the 2006 IAM Newsletter and Website Contest are in, and this year’s winners include District Lodge 141 and Local Lodge 1781 who took top honors in General Excellence for newsletters and District Lodge 143 and Local Lodge 1782 who won top honors for General Excellence for websites. Click here for a list of all winners and comments by the independent panel of contest judges.

“These winners represent just a few of the many hard-working and talented newsletter editors and web stewards who help get the IAM’s message out to our thousands of members on shop floors across North America,” said IAM Communications Director Rick Sloan. “The IAM’s editors and web stewards are a dedicated and indispensable part of what makes the IAM a strong and diverse union.”

Newsletter and Website Contest awards will be presented to the winners at the IAM Communications Conference set for May 14 —18 at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center (formerly the Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor) in Baltimore, MD.

The cutoff date for the special room rate of $172 for a single or double is April 13. If you plan to attend, please complete and return the registration form included in the official call letter. Click here for the French version of the official call.

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 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

Video: 2007 Day of Action

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.