Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Degree Week at NLC
March 23, 2009 - Hundreds of students, including Machinists, are on campus attending the National Labor College’s “Degree Week,” an intense time of study and classes for students taking the majority of their coursework online.

New Recovery, New Jobs
March 13, 2009 - People across the country and around the world are asking themselves, what's going to happen to me in this economy?

Solis Heads DOL
February 27, 2009 - Finally after more than two months of waiting a game of political cat and mouse, Congresswoman Hilda Solis of California became the new Department of Labor Secretary.

A 'Green' Education for Unionists
February 27, 2009 - The National Labor College is partnering with the AFL-CIO to develop the Green Workplace Representative Certificate Program. Union members will be trained to identify areas where employers can save money by going “Green.” For more information please browse the college’s website at www.nlc.edu.

The Future Looks Green
February 20, 2009 - Once upon a time, the term "GREEN JOBS" was a concept for the future. Today, the idea is very much a reality and many say a way to help secure this country's economic standing.

Protecting the Skies
February 18, 2009 - Protecting IAM members and the flying public is priority number one for the Machinists Union's Transportation Department.

Middle Class Forced to Use Food Banks
February 13, 2009 - As the number of job losses mount and as the recession rages on, unemployed Americans are turning to food pantries for support.

Rallying for EFCA
February 11, 2009 - Statistics state that nearly 60 million workers would form or join a union tomorrow if they had the opportunity. Passing the Employee Free Choice Act would guarantee those 60 million get that chance.

Lily's Leading the Way
February 9, 2009 - No matter your race, religion or gender, everyone should be paid the same amount for the same job. With new legislation signed just weeks ago by President Obama, it's now easier to make sure an injustice like unfair pay doesen't happen.

Trade Policy Now or Never
February 3, 2009 - Right now Congress is at work putting together an economic stimulus package. Trade experts say as part of that package, now is the time to start reforming the U.S. trade policy.

Remembering MLK
January 21, 2009 - For many the "I Have A Dream" by MLK is more than just history. It's the idea that together we can do anything. That very thought is what ties the labor movement and the civil rights movement together and brought nearly 1,000 brothers and sisters to New Orleans to help those who need it most.

NWA/Delta Merger: January 09 Update
January 26, 2009 - The merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines leaves many workers wondering about their future. Especially because Northwest Airlines is unionized, but Delta is not. This has workers asking alot of questions.

President Barack Obama's Inauguration
January 22, 2009 - January 20, 2009 was a clear but bitter cold day in DC that will go down in history. Millions of people in Washington and worldwide watched as Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States of America, making him the first African American to hold the highest office in the land.

Watching Congress
January 9, 2009 - The economy, the War in Iraq, the automakers trouble, the state of America hasn't been in this much chaos since the days of FDR. That's why it's even more important for President Elect Barack Obama and Congress to work together, starting day one.

True Christmas Spirit
December 19, 2008 - For 24 years the spirit of Christmas has come alive in Prince George's County. Especially during the annual holiday food basket program.

Workers First
December 17, 2008 - For 120 years the IAM has been protecting workers. This week at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC, the idea of putting workers first took the spotlight.

NWA/Delta Merger: December 08 Update
December 11, 2008 - Whether you are for or against it, the merger between Northwest and Delta Airlines is happening.

N.C. Machinists - Obama's Team Wants Change
December 9, 2008 - Striking members of IAM LL W369 in North Carolina were in Washington, DC to attend a forum on Community, Faith, & Democracy.

A Green Recovery
December 5, 2008 - For some, it's hard to think about a greener tomorrow when families are having to choose today between paying the mortgage or putting food on the table. But many people believe that investing in a green recovery may help to solve America's current economic crisis.

Guide Dogs Diamond Anniversary
November 26, 2008 - The Guide Dogs of America celeberated its 60th Diamond Anniversary in Las Vegas last week.

The Face of Foreclosure
October 21, 2008 - As lawmakers work to find a solution to the US foreclosure crisis, thousands of working class Americans, including some IAM members, struggle to keep homes in the midst of this economic downturn.

NWA/Delta Merger: A Future Bailout?
October 15, 2008 - In one of the most volatile financial times in history, it seems wrong to many that a possible airline merger is still being considered.

A Fresh Look At Healthcare
October 12, 2008 - With the presidential election just weeks away, Americans are taking a serious look at the issues. As always healthcare is close to the top of the priority list.

Media Library
IAMpodcast

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IAM Demands Proper Use of TARP Funds

The IAM is urging Department of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to set rules regarding the use of bailout dollars and how they are to be used by the banking industry.

Among the latest series of reports regarding the widespread misuse of Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds are those in which banks are using the money to finance mergers between major pharmaceutical companies. Those mergers are projected to result in the loss of 35,000 jobs, mostly in the United States.

JPMorgan Chase is reportedly putting up $8.5 billion to finance a merge between Merck and Schering Plough. The merger is expected to result in the loss of 16,000 jobs – some of which may include members of Local Lodge 315 in New Jersey. Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citigroup and JPMorgan will provide $22.5 billion to finance a Pfizer and Wyeth deal, which is expected to cause 19,000 layoffs.

In a letter to Secretary Geithner, IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger expressed his outrage over the latest developments.

“The purpose of TARP and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) is to restore liquidity and stability to the financial system and assist middle-class Americans by protecting their home values, college funds, retirement accounts, and life savings,” Buffenbarger wrote. “These big mergers in the pharmaceutical industry are not doing anything to stimulate the economy. Instead they are costing thousands of working families their jobs.

“By financing big mergers in the pharmaceutical industry, TARP funds are being directed in a manner that may force more American families into foreclosure, destroy retirement savings, and make it more difficult to meet daily economic needs.”

Buffenbarger is calling on the Treasury Department to quickly issue clear guidelines to TARP recipients on how the funds are to be used. He says it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure the funds “provide tangible economic benefits to American families.”

Mass Layoff Rate Hits New Record

Mass layoffs for all industries, including the manufacturing sector, rose to their highest levels on record last month, says the Department of Labor.

The latest report shows 2,769 mass layoff events during the month of February, which resulted in 295,477 people losing their jobs. That’s 57,575 more claims for unemployment insurance due to mass layoffs than in January.

In manufacturing, employers took 1,235 mass layoff actions last month, which resulted in 152,618 new unemployment claims. That’s an increase of 50,041 new claims compared to January.

A mass layoff is defined as when 50 or more people file for unemployment insurance benefits against a single employer during a five-week period, regardless of duration. This does not include workers who lost their jobs due to a plant closing.

Amtrak to Issue Back Pay on May 1st

Amtrak announced it will make the second installment of back pay to eligible employees on May 1, 2009. The payment covers the remaining 60 percent of retroactive pay due to Amtrak employees under several rail agreements, including members of the IAM and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU).

Amtrak could have spread the second payment out over a longer time period, but Amtrak President Joe Boardman and the Amtrak board authorized that all of the $145 million would be paid on May 1, 2009, Amtrak’s 38th anniversary.

All employees who received the first retroactive payment are eligible for the second.

Click here for the letter from Amtrak announcing the payment.

Enroll Now for Spanish Leadership I

Local Lodges and Districts are encouraged to send in enrollments soon for the Spanish Leadership I program scheduled for April 5 – 10, 2009, at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Maryland.

The Spanish Leadership I program covers the same subjects included in the regular Leadership I Program but with all classroom instruction and materials in Spanish. Enrollments in the Spanish Leadership I program do not count against a Lodge's regular leadership program allotment.

Click here for the enrollment forms for Spanish Leadership I and Spanish Leadership II or contact Anne Wiberg at 301-373-8823.

Inscribase Ya al Programa de Liderazgo en Espanol I

Se hace una invitación a Locales y Distritos a mandar sus inscripciones para la clase de Liderazgo en Español I que está programada para el 5 – 10 de Abril, 2009, en el Centro Educativo William W. Winpinsinger en Hollywood, Maryland.

El Programa de Liderazgo en Español cubre los mismos temas que son incluidos en la clase regular de Liderazgo en Inglés, solo que las clases son instruidas con materiales totalmente en Español. Inscripciones en la clase de Liderazgo Español I no cuentan en contra de los Locales o los Distritos para las clases regulares de Inglés.

Marque aqui para obtener la solicitud para la clase de Liderazgo en Español I y Liderazgo en Español II o por favor llame a Anne Wiberg al 301-373-8823.

Reservation Deadline Near for Legislative Conference

The 2009 IAM Legislative Conference will be held May 11-14 at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, D.C. The cut-off date for reduced room rates is April 2, 2009. Call the hotel at 202-737-1234 to make your room reservations.

Delegate registration will be on Monday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday May 12 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. The conference will kick off on Monday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. with opening remarks by Headquarters GVP Rich Michalski, who will serve as permanent chairperson. IAM President Tom Buffenbarger will deliver the keynote address.

The general session will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13. There will be no afternoon sessions scheduled those days so that delegates may lobby on Capitol Hill.

For a copy of the official call letter, click here.

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Machinists News Network @ YouTube
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We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry

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2008 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
Fall 2008

Millions of Americans braved the cold and the crowds to listen to President Barack Obama give his Inaugural Address. Billions - yes, billions - watched his historic speech on television in hamlets and cities across the globe. No one was disappointed.

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: IAM Profiles

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