Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Fixing Immigration
April 22, 2009 - For more than a century, American society has been described as a melting pot, welcoming people from all countries, races, and religions. But in recent years that phrase has become more criticism than flattery.

Union Busting
April 17, 2009 - According to recent statistics, someone is fired every 15 minutes for trying to form or join a union. If that wasn't bad enough, there's a whole industry working to see that continues.

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.

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Retro Pay Highlights Accord for 5,300 IAM Members

Members of District 142 will vote on a tentative agreement reached this week with Southwest Airlines that covers the carrier’s 5,300 customer service and reservation agents and features retroactive pay going back to the contract’s amendable date of October 31, 2008. Negotiations for the new contract began on August 28, 2008.

In addition to the retroactive pay, the four-year agreement expands existing job security protections and provides for increased employer 401(k) contributions. The contract won the unanimous recommendation of the District 142 negotiating committee and members are being urged to ratify the accord.

“This tentative agreement recognizes the vital role IAM members play in Southwest’s success by providing wage increases today and enhanced retirement benefits tomorrow,” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. “The tentative agreement provides retroactive wage increases, increased employer 401(k) contributions and expands job security provisions.”

Complete terms will be released to the membership in the coming days and will be available at the District 142 website, www.iamdl142.org.

Machinists Union Celebrates May 5th Anniversary

The first IAM Charter was signed by Thomas Talbot and issued to Local Lodge 1 of the National Association of Machinists.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers celebrates its 121st anniversary today. On the evening of May 5, 1888, railroad machinist Tom Talbot held a secret meeting with eighteen fellow machinists in a locomotive pit in Atlanta, Georgia. That meeting was the beginning of the IAM.

Tom Talbot went on to become the union’s first president and with the help of traveling Machinists organizers known as “Boomers,” the union’s membership grew to 4,000 in just two years.

Recessions back then were known as “panics” but one thing that never changed was how workers suffered most during bad economic times. Unemployment was high in the 1880s and people were still hurting from the ravages of a severe panic in the 1870s. Work days were longer, conditions unsafe and journeymen machinists were earning about half as much as they did twenty years earlier. The need for workers to unite and organize was never greater.

“The IAM started in tough times, has endured through some of North America’s darkest days of wars, recessions and the Great Depression, and it will continue to prevail,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “As we endure some of the toughest economic times in our lifetimes, our members have the same type of bravery and resolve that inspired those original 19 railroad men to fight for justice on the job and a better future for their fellow members and families.”

Census to Determine Key Legislative Boundaries

The 2010 Census is underway and the IAM is urging members to support the once a decade effort to compile a complete and accurate count of the U.S. population.

“The data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau is used to allocate more than $300 billion in state and federal funding in areas that affect every citizen in this country,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “The information collected will be used to make decisions on health care, transportation, education, social services and other vital services.

Additionally, the Census data will be used to determine how many seats a state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to draw boundary lines for federal, state and local legislative districts.”

In the previous census, one in six households received a long questionnaire seeking detailed socioeconomic data. In the current census, every household will receive a short questionnaire that is simple and fast to complete and return. More information about the 2010 Census is available at www.census.gov/2010census.

Senate Confirms Szabo for Federal Railroad Administration

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Joe Szabo, the Illinois state legislative director for the United Transportation Union, as the 13^th administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Szabo is a fifth-generation railroader and the first FRA administrator to come out of the ranks of rail labor. President Obama nominated Szabo for the post in February.

The FRA is a key federal agency that enforces rail safety regulations; administers railroad assistance programs; supports improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy; provides for the rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service; and consolidates government support of rail transportation activities.

Szabo started with the Illinois Central (now part of Canadian National) in 1976 where he worked as a yard switchman, road trainman and commuter passenger conductor. Szabo has been UTU’s Illinois state legislative director since 1996, and has also served on the FRA’s Rail Safety Advisory Committee.

Canadian Health Care Professionals Join Machinists
Technicians employed by LifeLabs Laboratories in Toronto, ON, are the latest in a growing number of Health Care professionals to join the ranks of the IAM.

The 30 new members of Local 1295 in Toronto perform blood and E.C.G. tests at laboratories in Oshawa, Whitby and Ajax and Markham, ON. Since the beginning of this year, the IAM has organized 270 non-emergency ambulatory patient transfer workers in Toronto and Hamilton. The IAM also represents Patient Transfer workers at Medi-Van in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“The goal of wage parity with Health Care Professionals in the public sector was the catalyst in bringing these workers to the Machinists,” explained IAMAW District 78 Organizer Scott Jackson. “Privatization of health care in Ontario has driven down wages in the private sector and there’s a desire here to gain a decent wage.”

Letter Carriers’ Food Drive Set for May 9

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will hold the nation’s largest one-day food drive this year on Saturday, May 9, 2009. On that day, letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.

In 2008, mail carriers collected a record 73.1 million pounds of food that was distributed to food banks, pantries and shelters. The drive is held annually on the second Saturday in May in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

“Millions and millions of families are suffering – struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table,” said NALC President William H. Young. “More than ever, food banks, pantries and shelters need our help this year. As families count on them for support, they’re counting on us and we must not back off on our commitment.”

In New York City and Chicago, where transportation limitations preclude mailbox pickup, citizens are being asked to take donations to their local post offices between May 4 and 9.

Persons who have any questions about the drive should ask their letter carrier or contact their local post office. For more information about the nationwide food drive, visit http://www.nalc.org/commun/foodrive/.

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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.
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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.

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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