Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Violence In Colombia
March 20, 2008 - The words "Colombia" and "Labor" have almost become synonymous with the word "Violence". In fact, some labor leaders argue there's not a moment in the history of unions in Colombia untarnished by violence.

Linking Catholics With Organized Labor
March 20, 2008 - An independent group of labor activists share their religious perspectives on worker rights.

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.

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Machinists Slam Obama Tanker Comments

"Senator Barack Obama just walked away from another fight for American jobs," declared IAM President Tom Buffenbarger, after the Illinois Democrat failed to speak up for U.S. workers affected by the refueling tanker scandal. “This is becoming his trademark, but never before has he done so with 44,000 American jobs at stake.”

At a town meeting in Wilkes Barre, PA, this week, Senator Obama suggested the Air Force’s decision on the tanker deal was justified if it turns out the Airbus bid was 10-15 percent better than Boeing’s.

“He just doesn’t get it,” said Buffenbarger. “For him to equivocate on this issue is a complete embarrassment. But for him to take a neutral position in the fight to protect 44,000 American jobs just shows he’s no friend of blue collar workers.

“Maybe Senator Obama doesn’t mind the Pentagon procuring from other countries, but I sure as hell do,” said Buffenbarger. “What’s at stake is America’s manufacturing sector. What’s at stake is billions in American taxpayer dollars being used to create jobs overseas.”

Milwaukee Local Reaches Tentative Pact with Harley-Davidson

IAM negotiators for 150 members of Local 78 in Milwaukee, WI, announced this week they reached a tentative agreement with Harley-Davidson Motor Company on a new four-year contract. Members will vote April 4 on the accord, which is unanimously recommended by the union bargaining committee.

Harley-Davidson also reached tentative agreements with members of the United Steelworkers (USW), which represents 2,100 members at two locals in Milwaukee and Tomahawk, WI. Both unions extended their current labor agreements, which expired March 31, 2008, through April 4 to accommodate ratification voting.

IAM Welcomes IG Metall President

IAM President Tom Buffenbarger welcomed the President of the German Metal Workers’ Union, IG Metall, Berthold Huber, to IAM headquarters this week, as part of the two unions’ ongoing effort to deal with globalization.

“The IAM and IG Metall will continue to develop innovative strategies for representing our members throughout North America and Germany,” said Buffenbarger.

The two presidents discussed the many challenges each union faces in the growing global economy. They also reaffirmed their commitment to work together as outlined in the IAM-IG Metall historical Alliance signed in 2003.

“Unions worldwide need to join forces in order to live up to the challenges of globalization,” said IG Metall President Huber. “The Alliance between the IAM and IG Metall precisely accomplishes this task.”

Sheila Hammond Named IAM ‘Sister of the Month’

The IAM Women’s Department has named Sheila Hammond of Local Lodge 2339H in Houston, TX, as Sister of the Month for April. Hammond first became active in the labor movement in 1968 when she began her in-flight career with Trans Texas Airlines (later renamed Texas International). Within a year, she was serving on several union committees and in 1970 won her first elected office. In 1982, Texas International merged with Continental Airlines, which ultimately brought Hammond to the IAM.

As a member of the IAM, Hammond has served as President of the Local and participated in numerous contract negotiations and grievance processes over the years, always doing her best to protect the interests of her union sisters and brothers. Additionally, she has given authoritative testimony before the National Mediation Board, the National Transportation Safety Board and lobbied both houses of Congress regarding issues important to flight attendants. As a breast cancer survivor, Hammond is a strong advocate for awareness and encouraging annual mammograms and monthly self-exams.

The IAM “Sister of the Month” is an effort to motivate women to become more involved in their union by recognizing their hard work and dedication. If you’d like to nominate someone, download the nomination form and submit it to the IAM Women’s Department.

Deadline Nears for 2008 IAM Legislative Conference

This year’s IAM Legislative Conference will be held May 19-22 at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, D.C. Delegate registration begins on May 19 at 9:00 a.m. and again on May 20 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

The conference will kick off on May 19 at 1:30 p.m. with opening remarks by Headquarters GVP Rich Michalski, who will serve as permanent chairperson. IP Tom Buffenbarger will deliver the keynote address.

The general session will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon on May 20 and 21. There will be no afternoon sessions scheduled those days so that delegates may lobby on Capitol Hill. Call the hotel at 202-737-1234 to make your room reservations. Cut-off date for reduced room rates is April 11. For a copy of the official call letter, click here.

IAM Airline Districts Unveil Merger Survey

Although the IAM strongly opposes mergers among major airlines, some airline executives remain fixated on merging one or more U.S. carriers.
IAM Airline Districts have prepared a brief survey to give airline employees an opportunity to weigh in on potential mergers.

You can take the survey here, or from the Merger Pages on the Districts 141, 142 and 143 websites.

Cards Keep Coming in Canada Toyota Drive

The IAM campaign to organize workers at the Toyota Canada assembly plant in Cambridge, ON, is back on track and building momentum. “If anything, the temporary roadblock we encountered March 19 has stiffened the resolve of the workers here who want union representation,” explained District 140 Organizer Ian Morland.

The IAM had originally filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board for certification on March 13, 2008 but withdrew the application on March 19 after a bargaining unit employee list submitted by Toyota revealed the union may not have had enough signed membership cards. Armed with that revised employee list, the IAM has stepped up its efforts to sign more membership cards and those efforts are having an impact.

“The number of signed cards we have collected since March 19 is truly impressive and I’m confident we’ll soon have more than enough to re-file for a certification application before the end of April,” said Morland. “The workers here approached us for union representation and we want it known that we’re not backing down and we intend to honour that request.”

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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.

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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