Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Read past iMail Email your opinion Visit www.goiam.org Print-Friendly version Sign up for iMail


Labor issues you care about in streaming video
.

Straight Talk From John Edwards May 9, 2007 - IAM District 751 in Seattle was the backdrop for Machinists and other union members to talk openly with presidential candidate John Edwards about the issues that matter to the middle class and his plan to help organized labor.

Earnings Aren't Stagnant, They're Plummeting!
May 3, 2007 -  With housing and living expenses steadily climbing, it’s no secret many middle class families are struggling with stagnant wages.

Remembering the Fallen May 2, 2007 - May 1st or May Day in an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers around the world.  For the Machinists it was also a day to remember those who have passed.  The IAM honored its own at a ceremony earlier this week.

Making Work Safe May 2, 2007 - On December 29, 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law.  Created to protect workers and the workplace, it cut on the job deaths in half.  But now it needs to be updated because it's not keeping up with the times.

A Level Playing Field April 26, 2007 - April 24th is Equal Pay Day.  A day on the calendar that indicates the point of the year when women's wages catch up to men's.  But for union workers, it's always been a level playing field.

Flying Rights
April 19, 2007 - Satisfied workers equals satisfied customers.  This is a notion plaguing the airline industry, especially with so many carriers trying to stay out of bankruptcy or away from mergers.  But now these actions are trickling down to the customers.

Health Care For All April 19, 2007 - From the politicians in Washington to the family next door, everyone seems to be concerned with health care costs.

American Manufacturing: Flourishing or Floundering
April 17, 2007 - Many analysts point to manufacturing as a cornerstone of the American middle class. 


Oldest U.S. Manufacturer Threatened By China Trade
April 10, 2007 - More than 200 years ago the legendary Paul Revere created what is now the oldest manufacturing company in the United States, Revere Copper.

Space: The Next Generation April 5, 2007 - The last generation only knows space travel by the shuttle.  That's going to change in 2010 when the shuttle fleet is retired and replaced with a new program.

Families On Shaky Ground
APRIL 5, 2006 - According to the folks at the Center for American Progress, the economy has been great for those at the top but stagnant for those in the middle or lower income classes.

Safety In The Skies April 4, 2007 - Safety in the skies is everyone's issue, especially after 9-11.  Robert Roach Jr. testified on Capitol Hill about what more needs to be done.

Fresh Faces on the Hill: Congressman Keith Ellison
March 26, 2007 - Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota’s 5th 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.

Media Library

To view these videos you will need to download the free Windows Media Player 9



2004
December

November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2003
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2002
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2001
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February



IAM Legislative and Communications Conferences Kick Off


International President Tom Buffenbarger addresses the delegates of the 2007 IAM Legislative Conference in Washington DC.

Nearly 400 delegates are gathering this week for the IAM’s Legislative Conference and the Communications Conference, culminating in the participation of both groups on Thursday in the IAM’s Transportation Day of Action on the National Mall.

Included in the schedule for the Legislative Conference in Washington, DC is the opportunity for delegates to meet with their Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill to tell them in person about the issues affecting them, their families and communities.

Up the road in Baltimore, MD, Communications Conference delegates are participating in workshops on news writing, digital photography, website content, and video production.

International President Tom Buffenbarger delivered the keynote address at both conferences, and General Secretary-Treasurer Warren Mart, General Vice President Rich Michalski and General Vice President Dave Ritchie also welcomed attendees to reiterate what the IAM’s 2007 Transportation Day of Action is all about.

“It’s time to change the direction of this country,” declared IP Buffenbarger at the Communications Conference in Baltimore. “We’ve had enough of the incompetence - enough of the dishonesty - enough of the disgusting corruption of this Bush regime. Enough is enough!"

For more information on the 2007 Transportation Day of Action, go to http://www.goiam.org/content.cfm?cID=8728.


Strike a ‘Definite Possibility’ at Boeing St. Louis


Time is running out for the Boeing Company to put an acceptable offer on the bargaining table for the members of District 837 in St. Louis, Missouri.  The company has proposed cutting future hires out of the Boeing defined benefit pension plan as well as circumventing union seniority by instituting a system that lets the company decide who gets laid off and who doesn’t. 

Mark Blondin, IAM Aerospace Coordinator, declared that both issues are non-movers and ensure the possibility of a strike if left on the table. “We will not allow the Boeing Company to continue the trend of cheating the next generation of union families out of core union benefits. There is time to bring sensibility to the bargaining table, but if they want a fight – we will bring it,” said Blondin.

Additional unresolved issues that must still be addressed include health care costs, wages, seniority and job protection, according to District 837 DBR Rick Smith. A so-called “best and final offer” from Boeing is expected by May 16.


IAM Opposed to Flawed Trade Deals

The IAM announced this week it will vigorously oppose any trade deal in Congress that fails to fully incorporate internationally recognized labor standards as defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions.

“The actual text of the latest agreement has not yet been made available and widely varying reports of its contents raise serious and troubling questions,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “Any agreement must be clear and unambiguous with respect to all of its provisions.”

Based on initial reports, the IAM is highly suspicious that the trade deal is seriously deficient in many respects. In addition to concerns over internationally recognized labor standards and adequate enforcement mechanisms, the IAM is also raising questions over other provisions of the proposed trade deal, including procurement and investment issues.

“The Machinists Union will vigorously oppose any trade agreement that does not benefit our members,” said Buffenbarger. “This Administration has demonstrated all too often its unwillingness to defend workers’ interests and enforce our trade laws.”


GST Mart Fills Eastern, Midwest Auditor Positions

GST Warren Mart has named Local 743 Secretary-Treasurer Michael Gonzales to become a Grand Lodge Auditor (GLA) in the Eastern Territory. Gonzales will take over for departing GLA Earl Evans, who is retiring after a distinguished IAM career that began more than 40 years ago. GST Mart also named Eastern Territory Communications Representative and 41-year IAM member Jim Tyler to serve as Grand Lodge Auditor in the Midwest Territory. Both appointments will be effective June 1, 2007.

“These appointments assure that locals, districts and members will continue to enjoy the high level of service and support they are rightfully accustomed to,” said GST Mart. “Between these two representatives, there’s more than a half century of tried and true IAM experience and dedication. I’m confident they will provide journeyman service as Grand Lodge Auditors for many years to come.”


United in Love and Membership


GST Warren Mart (left) joined 50-year members Florence and Everett Loy and District 9 DBR Roger Poole (right) at Local 660 Veterans Award Banquet to celebrate the Loy’s century of combined membership (photo credit:Gary Otten).

Local 660 in East Alton, IL had the privilege recently to honor their 50-year members at the local’s bi-annual Veterans Award Banquet. While receiving a 50-year award is remarkable in its own right, what made this event even more special is the fact that two of the members are married to each other.

Everett and Florence Loy met while both were working in the Empty Shell Department at Olin Corporation. Everett initiated into Lodge 660 in 1955; Florence in 1956. They were married in June of 1965 during a plant shutdown.

“The Loy’s are a wonderful example of what solidarity is all about,” said General Secretary-Treasurer Warren Mart, who attended the celebration. “Their commitment to the IAM and to each other is a lesson for us all.”

Over the years, Everett served as Trustee, Recording Secretary, Conductor and Vice President for the Lodge.  Both he and Florence are now retired, but still very active. Besides participating in the lodge’s Retirees Club, Everett also currently serves as a Delegate for Lodge 660 to the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, CLC; Alton-Wood River Union Label Council; and the 12th Congressional COPE. He also serves as Alton Township Democratic Precinct Chairman.


Next Stop is ‘Madness’ for IAM Pro-Street Bike



The IAM custom Pro-Street bike, built to raise funds for Guide Dogs of America (GDA), is continuing its nationwide tour and will be on display May 18 & 19, 2007 at Motorcycle Madness the Santa Maria Fairpark in Santa Maria, CA.

On Sunday, May 20, the public will have another opportunity to see the spectacular bike at GDA’s own 4th Annual Motorcycle Ride for Guides, which will start and finish at GDA at 13445 Glenoaks Boulevard in Sylmar, CA.

If you are planning to attend Motorcycle Madness or participate in Ride for Guides, stop by the GDA booth to check out the beautiful IAM Pro-Street bike and help the folks in the booth. Contact GDA reps Grace or Steve Cohan at 818-822-9293 to volunteer.

The one-of-a-kind motorcycle was built through the efforts of the IAM, Celebrity Build TV and Guide Dogs of America to be raffled off at the GDA banquet on November 17, 2007 (winner need not be present). For more information on the bike and to see how it was built, go to http://iamawbikebuild.com.

 



Past iMail | Your Email |www.goiam.org | Print Version

Machinists News Network @ YouTube

YouTube For You We Can't Make It Here Anymore - by James McMurtry


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.

2006 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
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.

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.


Union Plus
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.




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