Labor issues you care about in streaming video.

Storming Capitol Hill
June 2, 2009 - The theme at this year's Legislative Conference was all about JOBS...how to keep them and grow them here in the United States.

Jobs Now, Not Later!
May 19, 2009 - Many labor leaders agree, there's a shortage of skills in America these days. That's especially poignant as the country reels from rough economic times.

The Keys to the Future
May 14, 2009 - This country's success is going to fall to the next generations and the IAM wants to make sure those young adults are ready for it.

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.

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.

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.

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Recession Forces Historic GM Bankruptcy

General Motors, once the world’s largest automaker, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week in a move that underscores the historic nature of the current recession.

“The IAM commends all who are making such extraordinary sacrifices to help GM survive these unprecedented economic times,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “Thanks to the sacrifices of tens of thousands of UAW members and retirees, GM has a chance to emerge from bankruptcy. Had they not acted, the impact on the American economy would be much greater.”

In the contract ratified by UAW members last week, active employees agreed to extraordinary cost-saving measures, including pay changes, the elimination of cost-of-living adjustments; reduced holidays; substantially scaled back overtime and relief time rules; frozen wages for entry-level employees and an increase in the percentage of workers employed at the much lower rate. Additionally, the company was allowed to hire part-time employees with reduced wages and benefits; certain job security programs were suspended and supplemental unemployment benefits were scaled back for laid-off workers.

In addition, GM will also be allowed to replace over half of the contributions that it owed to the retiree health care trust fund with stock, and the remainder of the contributions will be replaced with a $2.5 billion note and $6.5 billion in preferred stock.

“Based on all of the foregoing,” says a statement on the union’s website, “the UAW submits it is abundantly clear that active and retired workers have made enormous sacrifices to facilitate the restructuring of GM.”

The federal government will take a 60 percent majority ownership of GM, with the UAW owning 17.5 percent and existing bondholders and the Canadian government taking up the remainder.

New Flight Plan Needed for Air Canada

Air Canada’s largest union, the IAM, says the carrier must change the way it operates if it wants an agreement. That’s the consensus from three IAM bargaining committees who met recently with the company. The contracts for machinists, pilots and flight attendants at Air Canada are set to expire on June 30.

“There has to be paradigm shift by the management of Air Canada and the Board of Directors of ACE Aviation,” said District 140 President Chuck Atkinson. “We are the largest stakeholders in this airline and it’s time Robert Milton and his Board realize it’s the workers and not the shareholders who are its most valuable asset. Management must be prepared to include our members as full partners in this airline.”

The IAM represents more than ten thousand workers at Air Canada including heavy and line aircraft maintenance mechanics, cargo agents, millwrights, electricians, inspectors, technical writers, baggage handlers, instructors, cabin groomers, aircraft cleaners, logistics, supply, clerical and finance personnel.

“We are willing to work with Air Canada and the other unions and the retirees to ensure that the pension plan is protected,” added Atkinson. “Our members are tired of being ignored, we want input in the control of our future and the first step toward a brighter future for this airline is management’s acceptance of that right.”

IAM and IF Metall Hold Bilateral Talks

Coordinating organizing tactics and sharing information about collective bargaining with global corporations were two key objectives of the historic 2007 alliance agreement between the IAM and the Swedish Metalworkers Union, IF Metall. At a series of recent meetings in Gothenburg, Sweden, leaders from both unions met and added a new goal for their alliance: how best to protect their members from the worldwide recession and those corporations or individuals who would seek to profit from it.

“These meetings provide a good opportunity to exchange ideas and to continue our efforts to achieve tangible results to the challenges of globalization,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger at a meeting with IF Metall President Stefan Lofven. “Trans-national corporations conduct their business with little regard for international borders. It is imperative that we communicate and coordinate our efforts with our international partners as well.”

In addition to planning strategies for specific organizing campaigns and contract negotiations, the alliance partners reviewed international trade policies and the efforts to rein in obscene executive compensation on both sides of the Atlantic.

Minnesota Machinists Complete Apprenticeship Training

Three members of Local 1037 in Hopkins, MN, who are employed at Eaton Hydraulics in Eden Prairie, MN, became the first in the nation to complete a new apprentice program conducted by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).

Dan Follmer became the nation’s first NIMS Certified Machine Tool Maintenance Technician and Goum Tham became the first NIMS Certified Tool and Die Maker. Eaton’s Training Director Ron Krueger became one of the first to be certified as a company training coordinator under the newly developed NIMS program.

The program was developed by Eaton in cooperation with the Minnesota Office of Apprenticeship with technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor and with the approval of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The program is overseen by a Joint Committee comprised of management and union representatives and key employees from each of the three apprenticeship areas.

Buffenbarger Honors Malentacchi at IMF Congress

At the recent meeting of the International Metalworkers Federation Congress, IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger delivered a moving tribute to IMF General Secretary Marcello Malentacchi, who is retiring after serving as the federation’s leader for over 20 years. “For over 40 years, Marcello has been on the frontlines, fighting the good fight, keeping the faith, and bringing us together,” said Buffenbarger. “And through it all, he has displayed the grace, dignity, and courage that became the hallmark of the International Metal Workers Federation.”

The IMF Congress unanimously elected Jyrki Raina to serve as its new General Secretary. Raina formerly served as Nordic IN General Secretary. He began his trade union work in Finland and for the last six years has coordinated the Nordic unions' activities in Europe and at the global level.

For additional information about the IMF, go to: http://www.imfmetal.org/

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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.
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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.

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