Tuesday, March 27, 2007

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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Maytag Veteran Calls on Congress to Fix Trade Agreements

Former Maytag worker and IAM Local Lodge 2603 President Dave Bevard testified before Congress about the devastating effects of unfair trade agreements. More than 1,500 IAM members lost their jobs when Maytag shifted production to Mexico.

Former IAM Local Lodge 2063 President Dave Bevard testified before Congress today, speaking about the shortcomings of Trade Adjustment Assistance and the need for fair trade agreements.

Bevard worked at Maytag Refrigeration Products in Galesburg, Illinois for 32 years when, on October 11, 2002, the company told him and more than 1,500 of his fellow IAM members, including Bevard’s wife Pat, that Maytag was closing their plant and moving production to Mexico.

Workers at the Maytag facility qualified for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits, but many found they trained for jobs that weren’t available or didn’t replace the income and benefits they lost. “Trade Adjustment Assistance and other programs are no substitute for fair trade agreements,” said Bevard. “Bad trade policies are devastating our manufacturing industry and are hurting millions of workers. We must have fair trade agreements and ways to create and keep good jobs so that we can keep our middle class which is the bedrock of our democracy.”

Bevard also told lawmakers there are many improvements that could be made to help workers get more out of Trade Adjustment Assistance. Bevard called for increased funding, improved financial counselling and more affordable health care.

Congress is currently debating whether to extend President Bush’s Fast Track Trade Authority which will make more unfair trade agreements possible.

Vancouver, BC Members Protest Air Canada Layoffs

Local 764 members in Vancouver BC protested the loss of more than 860 aircraft maintenance jobs at Air Canada.

Undaunted by the rain, members of IAM Local 764 employed by Air Canada were joined by hundreds of other unionized airport workers in a mass solidarity demonstration at Vancouver International Airport Saturday to protest the layoffs of over 860 heavy maintenance jobs by Air Canada.

In mid-March, Air Canada announced the permanent layoffs of 700 IAM members from its Vancouver maintenance facility and the temporary layoffs of another 161 members following the termination of a maintenance contract with Delta Airlines. Atlanta-based Delta signed a five-year deal two years ago with Air Canada Technical Services (ACTS) for the heavy maintenance of its wide-body Boeing 767 jets. Delta is terminating the contract early and transferring the work offshore to El Salvador and China.

Members are angered with Air Canada’s failure to even try to seek new work for the Vancouver facility. Demonstrators called for government intervention to stop the export of these highly-skilled and well-paying jobs to overseas maintenance facilities.

“The maintenance of modern transport aircraft is a labor-intensive and technically-challenging industry that must not be controlled solely by the narrow profit motives of corporations like Air Canada,” said Jim Coller, IAM District 140 President and Directing General Chairperson.

“When they needed to survive bankruptcy in 2004, management didn’t hesitate to ask for our help,” said IAM Local 764 President Tania Canniff. “Now when it’s time to return the favor, management wouldn’t lift a finger to help us by replacing the work they lost.”

Senate to Start Hearings on Employee Free Choice Act

The U.S. Senate will begin holding hearings this week on the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that would directly benefit this country’s working families.

The Employee Free Choice Act, which the House passed earlier this month by a vote of 241-185, would enable workers to bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions by strengthening their rights to form unions.

Send a message to your Senators urging them to support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Tom Wroblewski New District 751 President

District 751 in Seattle, WA has a new president. Tom Wroblewski was elected to lead the more than 20,000 Puget Sound area members as of April 1, replacing Mark Blondin, who accepted a position with the Grand Lodge to serve as Aerospace Coordinator.

Wroblewski joined the IAM in 1976, and served the last 14 years as a District 751 business representative and grievance coordinator.

“I want to unite the membership to ensure we have a strong bargaining position for upcoming negotiations and hope to get more members involved in our Union,” said Wroblewski. “We have many issues ahead of us and by working together, we will continue to have the best contracts in the aerospace industry.”

Adams County Ambulance Members Ratify Agreement

Members of Local 822 in Quincy, IL reached a new four-year agreement with the Adams County Ambulance Board, covering 35 paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

Because EMTs are required to perform paramedic duties as long as they hold a paramedic license, a stumbling block in negotiations concerned EMTs receiving proper pay for that knowledge and experience.

Paramedics will receive 3 a percent raise in each of the first 3 years and 3.5 percent in the fourth year of the agreement. EMTs licensed as paramedics will receive an additional $100 a month for obtaining and holding that license.

The new agreement also provides wage increases for EMTs with up to three years of experience 6 percent in each of the first three years and 3.5 percent the fourth year; EMTs with four to seven years’ experience will receive 5 percent, 3 percent, 3 percent and 3.5 percent; EMTs with 8 years or more, 4 percent, 3 percent, 3 percent and 3.5 percent.

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.

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