Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Flight Attendant Coalition
April 9, 2009 - In the early 1980's, the Flight Attendant Coalition was created. Today, that group is still going strong, looking at ways to better the lives of flight attendants.

A Bill Protecting Organizing Rights
April 9, 2009 - In addition to honoring majority signup, and forcing binding arbitration, the Employee Free Choice Act would also raise penalties for employers who fire, or harass workers who desire to form unions. Hollywood activists, politicians, and economists recently spoke out in support!

Women and the Economy
April 3, 2009 - According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate has climbed to 8.5 percent, which means more than five million jobs have been lost during this recession.

Frances Perkins
March 27, 2009 - In 1933, President Delano Roosevelt made history as he appointed the first woman ever to hold a cabinet position. That lady was Frances Perkins and her amazing story as FDR's U.S. Secretary of Labor has once again been brought to light.

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.

Media Library
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Take Action Now to Preserve F-22 Raptor Jobs

Urge Members of Congress and the new Administration to take immediate action to release funds already authorized to continue production of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor. Keeping the production line of this model aerospace program open currently requires no additional taxpayer dollars, and is not a rescue or bailout. Rather, it will allow us to maintain a healthy program that delivers considerable economic benefit while providing our Air Force with appropriate numbers of the best fighter aircraft ever made. Production of this aircraft is in jeopardy―and with it more than 95,000 American jobs, over $12 billion in national economic activity and the air superiority of America’s Air Force.

Read More & Take Action Here.

Obama Urges Skills Training in Georgetown Speech

President Obama this week calls for skills training in a speech at Georgetown University.

President Barack Obama echoed the IAM’s call for 21^st century skills training and a much needed rebirth of the U.S. manufacturing sector during a speech at Georgetown University.

“We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand,” he told the crowd. “We must build our house upon a rock. We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity.”

The president outlined five “pillars” to help grow our economy, one of which included new investments in education and skills training. As he did at a joint session of Congress back in February, Obama once again asked every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or technical career training.

“In the 20^th century, The G.I. Bill helped send a generation to college,” he said. “For decades, we led the world in educational attainment, and as a consequence we led the world in economic growth. But in this new economy, we’ve come to trail the world’s leaders in graduation rates, in educational achievement, in the production of scientists and engineers. That’s why we have to set a goal that will greatly enhance our ability to compete for high-wage, high-tech jobs of the 21^st century.”

Obama said he’d like to once again see “our best and our brightest commit themselves to making things.”

“For so long, we have placed at the top of our pinnacle folks who can manipulate numbers and engage in complex financial calculations. And that’s not good. We need some of that, but what we can really use is some more scientists and some more engineers who are building and making things that we can export to other countries.”

Obama says he’ll be talking more about technical career training in the coming weeks.

His remaining four pillars include setting new rules for Wall Street, making new investments in renewable energy and technology, new investments in health care, and creating new savings in our federal budget to bring down the deficit.

Union Training Helps Maersk Alabama Crew

The entire crew of the piracy target Maersk Alabama are union members. The Seafarers International Union (SIU) represents 12 of the mariners aboard the vessel. Some of the officers are represented by the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), while the rest are represented by the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P).

The SIU members aboard the Maersk Alabama have undergone safety training at the union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, which is located in Piney Point, Md. Among the school’s course offerings are an anti-terrorism briefing that is given to every student; security awareness; vessel security officer; basic and advanced fire fighting; chemical, biological and radiological defense; small-arms training and damage control.

On NBC's April 16th, 2009 Today Show, crew member John Cronin acknowledged the importance of being a union member when he explained the crew's defense of their ship by saying, "We are American seamen. We are union members. We stuck together and we did our jobs."

The interview can be viewed by clicking here.

Thunder Bay Airport Workers Join Machinists

Airline workers employed by Wasaya Airways at Thunder Bay International Airport in Thunder Bay, Ontario, are the newest members of the IAM. The new members of Local 714 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, include Ramp agents, Passenger service agents, Cargo agents and Ground Equipment Maintenance personnel.

“When these workers saw that management didn’t object to the pilots forming an association, they were quick to seek out the Machinists,” explained District 140 Organizer Ian Morland. “The security of a union collective agreement was foremost in their mind.”

Wasaya Airlines provides scheduled passenger service to 21 First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario. The airline operates a fleet of Beech 1900D passenger aircraft.

Railroad Retirement System to Provide Stimulus Payments

If you receive benefits from the Railroad Retirement system, you may be among those eligible for a one-time economic recovery payment as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This Act, recently signed into law by President Obama, provides a one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to nearly 540,000 railroad retirement beneficiaries.

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has received $135 million from the Treasury for the one-time payments to qualified individuals. The RRB plans to issue advance notice to beneficiaries about the payments in late April, and expects to issue the one-time payment to entitled beneficiaries in late May, 2009.

Click One-Time Economic Recovery Payment to learn more.

Future Union Member Supports Employee Free Choice Act

Millions of adults know about the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act, but what about our children?

Alycia Melvin clearly knows the score. The seven-year-old granddaughter of District W2 Business Rep. Melvin Montford wrote a letter to her senator, Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), asking Hagan to co-sponsor the Employee Free Choice Act. The letter was featured on the AFL-CIO's blog.

Alycia says when she grows up, she wants to “have a choice” just like her grandparents.

Join Alycia and thousands of others in the fight to give workers a choice in the workplace. Click here to send a message to your member of Congress to support the Employee Free Choice Act today.

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Machinists News Network @ YouTube
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MNN Archive 2006 - 2009

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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.

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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: 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