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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Unions Consider Upgrades for U.S. House of Labor

Leaders from twenty-three U.S. labor unions, representing three-fifths of the AFL-CIO, took part this week in a two-day conference organized by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) to consider changes that would dramatically reshape and revitalize the 54-year-old AFL-CIO. “We focused on systemic changes that would strengthen the labor federation’s finances and increase its clout,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “We discussed a range of changes needed to modernize and upgrade existing capacities. We tallied up the current expenses and matched them to projected revenues. And, we sought to reassert the historic role of the Executive Council.

“These draft blueprints still need some work,” acknowledged Buffenbarger. “Over the next few weeks, we will seek input from the unions who could not join us. “The most controversial measure would hold elected officials accountable by boycotting their re-election campaigns if their positions fail to support workers and their families. Also under consideration is a massive advocacy campaign aimed at creating jobs for the 28.3 million Americans who are unemployed, underemployed or involuntarily working part-time.

Buffenbarger said that “these systemic changes will lead to a more focused and more powerful Federation.”

The IAM and other unions intend to proffer a series of resolutions and constitutional amendments that, if adopted by the AFL-CIO Convention in September, will guide the proposed changes.

Machinists, Cytec Industries to Resume Talks

Members of Local 906 in Santa Ana, CA, will meet with federal mediators and representatives of Cytec Industries on June 16 in an effort to resolve the strike at the Anaheim, CA, facility that began on May 11, 2009.

Among the issues that led members to vote overwhelmingly to reject the company’s final offer on May 7 was a proposal that would exempt Cytec from a California state law requiring overtime pay for any employee working more than eight hours in a single shift.

“The eight-hour work day is not something to be treated lightly nor is it ours to bargain away,” said Local 906 Chief Shop Steward Young Ho, who also serves on the union’s bargaining committee. “It is part of the living legacy from generations of union members who sacrificed and sometimes died for the benefits we enjoy today.”

In addition to 12-hour shifts and 60-hour work weeks, the company also sought contract language that would erase all past grievance settlements and forbid their use as precedents to resolve future disputes.

“The use of precedents is the foundation of the U.S. legal system and has long been the central ingredient of successful labor-management relationships,” said IAM Western Territory Vice President-elect Gary Allen. “It would be a mistake to abandon a practice that provides stability and due process for both workers and management.”
Additional information about the strike and updates on the negotiations can be found on the District 725 website at http://iam725.org/cytec_strike_information.htm.

Solis Announces Green Jobs Initiative

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced plans to use stimulus money to train workers for green jobs.

At a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force in Denver, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said that $500 million of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to jumpstart careers in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. That sum also includes $50 million which will be used to assist communities battered by the restructuring of the auto industry. The initiative is all part of President Obama’s $4 billion plan to make public housing buildings more energy efficient, as outlined in his stimulus bill.

The task force, chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, has been working to create policies and initiatives to help improve the standards of living for today’s middle class – those most affected by the poor economy.

The money will be made available in the form of grants. Bidding is expected to begin next month, with application deadlines in late summer and grants being issued in November.

For more on information, visit www.astrongmiddleclass.gov

Midwest ‘Rides for Guides’ Raises Dollars for GDA

The IAM Midwest Territory held their first annual weekend of fundraising events in May to benefit Guide Dogs of America. Guide Dogs of America (GDA) is an independent charitable organization founded by an IAM member 60 years ago that provides professionally trained dogs to blind and visually impaired individuals free of charge.

The weekend began with a Motorcycle Poker Run that started at IAM District 837 hall in Hazelwood, MO. Over 60 riders and guests from Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa participated in the Poker Run that traveled through the scenic wine country of Missouri.

Following the Poker Run, many union members, guest and retirees from the surrounding communities turned out to for a benefit dinner that raised even more support for GDA.

On Sunday, a Classic Car Show was held at the Machinists District 9 hall in Bridgeton, MO. Over one-hundred twenty cars participated in the show with owners displaying their pride and craftsmanship to those in attendance.

Hundreds of citizens from the community visited the Classic Car Show and supported Guide Dogs of America by participating in the many raffles and enjoyed the food and drinks prepared by the District 837 Retiree Club members.

Local community Police and Fire Departments participated in the weekend of events in support of GDA.

The IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber praised all those involved saying, “We would like to thank all the Midwest Territory District and Local Lodges, Company Sponsors, Individual Sponsors and participants for the generous donations to this worthy cause. This was a significant undertaking that would have not been possible without the hard work and dedication of members and staff from IAM District 837, IAM District 837 Retiree Club, IAM District 9 and the Midwest Territory Staff and Spouses.”

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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