Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Fresh Faces on the Hill: Congressman Keith Ellison
March 26, 2007 - Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota’s 5^th District has had a lot of firsts.  He’s the first muslim ever elected to Congress.  And the first African American elected to the House from Minnesota. 

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.

Media Library

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District 4 Organizes 770 at Patuxent River Base

Aircraft on the flight deck at Patuxent River Naval Base in Southern Maryland.

The IAM recently scored a major organizing victory at the Patuxent River Naval Base in Southern Maryland, bringing representation rights to 770 aircraft repair technicians employed by DynCorp International.  This win is the latest in a series of organizing wins for the Machinists Union under the Service Contract Act, including last year’s dramatic victory for 600 employees of Eagle Group at Ft. Stewart, GA.

“The IAM is fast becoming the unquestioned leader in organizing new employees and negotiating first contracts under the Service Contract Act,” said Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. “Our experience and professionalism are major reasons why government contract workers nationwide are spreading the word about the benefits of joining the IAM.”

Key issues for the employees at the Patuxent River Naval Base included having a voice on the job, rising health care costs and unpredictability over wages. The successful organizing drive drew on the assets of IAM headquarters, located approximately 50 miles north of the base and the William W. Winpisinger Center, located several miles away.

“Congratulations and thanks are due to and all the representatives and districts that helped on this campaign, but particularly to Business Rep. Rick Compher, Apprentice Organizer Jimmy Alexander and District 4 organizer Ron Jacobs,” said District 4 DBR Tony Provost. ‘They worked day and night for months to secure this victory.”

“On behalf of the Eastern Territory and its members, I extend our congratulations and appreciation to GLR Stephen Miller, District Lodge 4 DBR Tony Provost, Business Rep. Rick Compher and all the volunteers who participated in this winning campaign,” said GVP Tucker. “A special thanks also goes out to the in-plant committee at DynCorp for a job well done.”

IAM Delegation Meets with Pacific Fleet Commander

Pictured (L-R) are AMI Advisor Will Lent, IAM Local 282 President Jim Pappas, PSNBA's President Tim Thomson, Admiral Roughhead, AMI Naval Analysis & Advisors Guy Stitt, President & CEO Paladin Data James Nall.

A delegation from the Puget Sound Naval Bases Association (PSNBA), which includes IAM District 160 and Local 282 representatives from Bremerton, WA, traveled to Pearl Harbor to meet with Admiral Gary Roughead, Commander of the Pacific Fleet. The delegation's primary purpose was to highlight the cost-effectiveness of home porting the Navy’s next West Coast Aircraft Carrier at Bremerton, where the Navy could save approximately $150 million over the next ten years.

PSNBA's delegation also met with the head of Pacific Fleet Maintenance, Bill Ryzewic, and the Commander of Submarine Forces/Pacific, Rear Admiral Joseph Walsh to discuss issues vital to IAM members. The delegation attended a luncheon hosted by Rear Admiral Walsh and his staff to celebrate USN Captain (retired) Will Lent and his father for their combined contributions to the Submarine Force. Lent's father was a notable Submarine Commander in WWII whose picture hangs in the SUBPAC's Hall of Fame.

Midwest Automotive Workers Say IAM Yes!

The good wages, benefits and secure pension in the Local 701 standard automotive agreement are what helped organize new members at Napelton's Northwestern Hyundai in Chicago, IL. Local 701 represents automotive professional under the standard agreement throughout the Chicago area.

In Kansas City, MO, Local 778 signed up nine auto technicians at Westfall-Odell Motors in Excelsior Springs. The local represents auto technicians in Kansas City and the surrounding area. “Congratulations to organizer Howard Brown for another win,” said DBR Joe Capra. “He’s doing a great job.”

District 8 in Chicago, IL filled out the hat trick with an organizing win at Ryder Transportation Services in LaSalle, bringing five new members into the IAM. “Our new members were looking for an IAM contract that would guarantee the wages, benefits and working conditions they deserve,” said Business Representative Joe Nuske.

"We have had a good start to 2007 with a series of organizing wins and new contracts due to the hard work and dedication of our Territory staff, District and Local Lodges," said Midwest Territory GVP Phil Gruber.

Gwendolyn McMahan Named Sister of the Month

Local 2210 Vice President Gwendolyn McMahan has been named Sister of the Month for April. A Reservations Agent for Southwest Airlines, McMahan has held the position of Local Lodge Trustee, Vice President and is currently a Texas State AFL-CIO Board Member.

A union activist to the core, McMahan says she’s always felt a calling to be actively involved. She says she views her work in the lodge to be like that of a minister, providing help and support to others, working to ensure justice on the job and in the community.

McMahan draws motivation from her desire to be a part of better things for the membership. She suggests anyone looking to be more involved start by helping to organize the unorganized. “Nothing makes you appreciate your union benefits more than talking to unorganized workers,” declared McMahan.

Job Training Not a Labor Dept. Priority

At a time when top labor, business and economic leaders are calling for more investment in education and training to close a “skills gap” among American workers, the Bush administration’s Department of Labor is proposing to cut $1.1 billion from training programs in its fiscal 2008 budget.

The proposal baffled Congress members at recent hearings of both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. House Chairman Tom Udall (D-NM) observed that Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke each recently made “impassioned statements” that absent improved education and training, the U.S. risks its competitive position in the global economy.

Udall went on to ask why “our business and economic leaders understand the importance of education and training” while the Bush administration apparently does not. At the Senate hearing, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) told Labor Secretary Chao that U.S. competitiveness “depends on the investments we make in the workforce of the future” and that “success requires a genuine commitment of resources, not rhetoric.”

“Last May, leaders from the labor movement, the military and the corporate world gathered at the IAM for a SURGE Roundtable and we discussed the loss of skilled jobs,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “One issue on which we all agreed is the need – the urgent need - for highly-trained workers. The fact is that this administration has consistently pushed to eliminate funding to train our workers, especially at this critical juncture in American history, is an absolute disgrace to those who built this great country.”

EPI: The Rich Get Richer

As middle-class families continue to struggle with skyrocketing living and housing expenses, recent income gains disproportionately benefited America’s wealthiest families, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

A new EPI report shows that all of the income gains in 2005 (the most recent year data is available) went to households in the top 10 percent of the income scale.

Furthermore, those who were in the top 1 percent saw the largest gains of all. These households, whose average annual income is already $1.8 million, was up another 16 percent in 2005 alone.

For those families in the bottom 90 percent of the income scale, there was actually a slight decrease in income.

Conference Cut-Off Dates Looming

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