Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Fallen But Never Forgotten
May 5, 2009 - IAM brothers and sisters, family and friends gathered at the Lighthouse Memorial at the Winpisinger Center last week to remember those workers who lost their lives in the workplace.

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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Your Tax Dollars at Work?

Question: If a troubled U.S. bank is kept afloat with $25 billion in taxpayer assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), should that bank be allowed to promote the liquidation of a 120-year old U.S. company, eliminating nearly 4,000 U.S. jobs in the process?

That’s the question raised by Illinois Democratic Congressman Phil Hare in an editorial published today in the Chicago Tribune. “When I voted to provide the Treasury Department $350 billion in taxpayer assistance through the Troubled Asset Relief Program, it was with the understanding that the money would be used to help stabilize the financial markets, make credit more readily available to working families, and ultimately, save jobs,” writes Hare. “Unfortunately, this has not happened.”

Hare describe the troubling situation at Hartmarx Co., a Chicago-based maker of high quality men’s suits that filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2009.

“There are three companies bidding for the right to own Hartmarx,” explains Hare. “Two of them would keep the company together. They believe there is strong logic for continuing operations because of Hartmarx's reputation. The third bidder prefers liquidation -- an outcome that would result in the loss of thousands of jobs, many in Illinois.”

Hartmarx's main creditor is Wells Fargo & Co., which is leaning toward the liquidation route. Wells Fargo also recently received $25 billion in taxpayer assistance through the taxpayer-funded TARP program. “In other words,” says Hare, “the workers Wells Fargo may throw out on the street have been subsidizing its operations during these tough economic times.”

Click here to read the full editorial in the Chicago Tribune.

“The loss of good-paying American manufacturing jobs is why I got involved in politics more than 30 years ago,” said Hare. “The closing of a factory is more than just the loss of jobs. It hurts local businesses, home values and tax revenues. It also takes an emotional toll on the workers and their families, changing everyday life as they know it.”

Labor Department Paints Grim Jobs Picture

New claims for unemployment benefits over the past few weeks indicate a possible tapering off of layoffs, but leaves little evidence new jobs are being created.

A weekly report from the U.S. Department of Labor shows the total number of people who filed for unemployment benefits for the first time last week fell by 34,000 to 601,000.

This is the fourth decline in new unemployment benefit claims in five weeks, and the lowest level since late January.

Still, the total number of unemployed persons remains at a record high. New numbers to be released by the Labor Department Friday for the month of April are expected to keep in sync with the three previous monthly reports released so far this year – indicating the U.S. economy still has quite a way to go. Economists estimate another 600,000 or more people lost their jobs last month, which would push the unemployment rate to somewhere around 8.9 percent.

That’s up from 8.5 percent during the month of March, 8.1 percent in February, and 7.6 percent in January.

Guide Dogs Featured at Alabama River Festival

Guide Dogs of America (GDA) was a hit with folks at the 34^th Festival on the Rivers in Geneva, AL. Thousands of people stopped by the GDA and Machinists union booth during the three-day festival. Visitors got information about the Guide Dogs program and could speak with GDA representatives. Coordinators even received applications from two festival attendees who were visually impaired.

“I was very excited that we had two people come by our booth that we were able to talk to and start the process of a life changing experience,” said Adam Beasley, the Guide Dog volunteer for Local 2003, Daleville, AL. “They told me they would have never dreamed of finding a booth at the festival about Guide Dogs. It just goes to show the importance of outreach and getting out into the community. You never know how many people’s lives you’ll change. That’s what Guide Dogs and the IAM are all about.”

Guide Dogs of America was founded by an IAM member more than 60 years ago. The independent charitable organization provides professionally trained dogs to blind and visually impaired individuals free of charge.

IAM Elected to Maritime Task Force

The IAM was recently elected a position on to The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF). Founded in 1992 in Toledo, Ohio, the task force promotes waterborne commerce and related industries on the Great Lakes as well as preserving a strong U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes.

The GLMTF advocates full application and enforcement of the U.S. sabotage laws, including the Jones Act. The IAM has long argued that exemptions to these laws will create an unfair playing field, driving U.S.-Flag vessels from their own waters.

Eastern Territory GVP Lynn D. Tucker, Jr. appointed GLR Karl Heim to serve as the IAM Representative on the GLMTF. Earlier this month, GVP Tucker launched the Joint Seaway Task Force (JSTF), a joint organizing effort developed in partnership the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA).

Union Sportsmen’s Journal Available Online

The second issue of the USA newspaper, The Union Sportsmen’s Journal, is now available online. The publication aims to add value to USA membership by providing useful information and special offers while reaching out to the larger community of union sportsmen and women.

District 78 Organizes Transfreight in Ontario

A drastic pay cut for workers at Transfreight Logistics in Woodstock, ON created a keen appreciation for a collective bargaining agreement and helped drive a District 78 organizing effort to a rapid and successful conclusion.

“The employer used the recession as an excuse to cut the wages of each employee here by $1.50/hour,” explained District 78 Organizer Scott Jackson. “If the wages were cut once the workers feared the employer would do it again. Our Apprentice Organizer Derek Ferguson was instrumental in this organizing victory. He advised the workers that a collective agreement would protect their wages and prevent the employer from cutting wages just because they felt like it.”

The 55 members perform warehouse and stores related duties at the Woodstock facility which services the automotive industry in southern Ontario.

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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
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